Tattered Souls

Chapter 6: Help a brotha out

Love is a funny thing.

It can be fun and exciting, but it will test you as well.

Me and Paige have been strictly friends since the party.

No flirting, no messing around, strictly platonic. I learned that she is also studying to be a teacher so we try to meet up as often as possible to tutor one another.

She helps me with my math and I give some advice on her English papers.

I'm going to be a biology teacher when I graduate this semester but my second choice would definitely be English literature.

Writing has always been a passion of mine. I love the notion of putting the ideas you have in your head on paper for others to get a mere glimpse at the person you are at heart.

The only drawback is id have to read all of the assignments I give out and quite frankly, I'm too lazy for that.

Paige loves reading my works and I enjoy hearing her feedback, but she unfortunately can't form a coherent sentence to save her life.

I still love her though.

We've grown pretty close over the past couple months. Of course, Ashley will always be my number one, but Paige is definitely someone I hold dear as well.

One day, me and Jason are walking towards the dorms and he's acting funny.

He's gripping his backpack a little tighter and he hasn't really said much since we stepped out of the building.

I know something must be heavy on his mind, but he's never been the tense around me. It's kinda creepy.

"What's up with you? You look like you're about to shit yourself."

I laugh, receiving a slight nudge from him for teasing.

"Shut up dude! I need to ask a favor..."

I tilt my head in question and nod in understanding.

We sit on one of the benches along the walkway and I give him my undivided attention.

This must be pretty serious.

He clears his throat and faces me, trying his best to seem confident but I can read him easier than a book.

"So uhh...you're good friends with Paige right?"

I feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up straight as his words sink in.

She's a really good person.

I'd do almost anything to protect her. Even if it means chasing off a few guys.

I nod my head and he takes a deep breathe.

"So, do you think you can help me get a date with her? Ever since that party last semester, I haven't been able to get her off my mind. I want to ask her out but she's so, confident in everything she does. I don't want to say that I'm intimidated but, I'm not sure if she's in my league ya know? Should I at least give it a shot?"

My eyes perk up and for a moment I'm silent.

I've known Jason for a while and he's really a great guy.

If there was anyone that I thought would take good care of her other than me, it would be him.

But what about me?

I want to say no.

I want to keep her all to myself so that I can sort out these feelings that are growing within me, but that's not fair.