Will's P.O.V.
All the girls had fallen asleep in the den, so we boys headed upstairs to Cole's room. Our sleeping bags were laid out on the floor, and we all took turns in the bathroom. Once Dalton had FINALLY gotten all of his eyeliner off and got into his bag, Dana opened a conversation.
"Guys, I've got to tell you...I know we all just met the girls recently and we're all dating and what not, but I really feel connected to Jess. She's so cute, and she makes me smile all the time, and she..." His face was flushing red and his smile was getting bigger and bigger. He was clearly in love, and it was pretty adorable.
"Awe, guys! Our little Dana is growing up!" I teased him. I couldn't help it.
"Oh, like you aren't completely and utterly in love with Tyra!" He was right. I was. She was the most amazing girl I'd ever met. Spunky, full of energy and life, incredibly talented...She was everything I'd ever wanted in a girlfriend and more.
"It's true. I love Tyra. She's incredible and I couldn't ask for someone more special to me." All of the guys stared at me for about fifteen seconds, contemplating what I'd said, before finally laughing at me.
"Laugh all you want, but you three have all fallen pretty hard, too." I called each of the rest of them out. They weren't getting out of this easily.
"It's true, guys. Paula is the reason I get up every morning. She makes me laugh, she's the most beautiful girl I've ever laid eyes on, and she isn't afraid to get in my face. I like a fiesty woman." Gabe had never been so bright. We'd never seen him so happy. It was a nice change.
"Melissa brings out the best in me. She's crazy, and I love it. No, really. You thought I was bad? No, way. She's got me beat by a mile and it's the greatest gift I could have ever been given. SHE is the greatest gift."
We all looked at Cole. He seemed down, almost depressed. We got very worried, VERY fast.
"Cole? What about Aradia?" I asked him in a very gentle voice. He looked at me almost defeated.
"She is sweet, but she's in so much emotional pain. I don't know how to help her. I love her, but she doesn't love herself." I didn't really know what to say to him aside from comforting things. Dalton spoke out.
"I'll help, Cole. I've been down some pretty dark paths myself. I bet I know what she's going through." Cole smiled at him, appreciating the offer.
"Maybe that'll be good for her, but I also want to know what to do when she needs me. Please tell me how to help her. I really like her. I just want to be her perfect boyfriend."
"Cole," Dana answered, "you are her perfect boyfriend just by being who you are. If that's not enough for her, she's not worth your time."
Dana was right, and we all knew it. Aradia seemed attention-seeking and very needy sometimes. Nice girl, but melodramatic. Of course, we'd never say that to Cole. Instead, we would stick by him until he saw what we did: A girl who needed attention, not a boyfriend.
