"Come on Steph!" Paul said annoyed.

"I'll be out in a second." Stephanie said.

"Everyone is waiting outside for you."

"I know."

"I swear she takes forever. I love her but i'll never tell her that." Paul thought. "I'm going to the car. Hurry up."

Paul has to be used to this already. Ever since he met her she was at least five minutes late. He always had to take notes for her in college and cover for her. They were as close as ever. But being just friends lately was cutting deep for him. A month after they became roommates feelings started to grow for her and he was scared to screw up this wonderful friendship up if she didn't like him in that way. Also her boyfriend Eric causes some issues. He didn't like her rooming with him but Stephanie told him that he was a big part in her life and he has to suck it up. But that didn't mean Paul couldn't love her from a far.

"Where's Stephanie?" Erin asked.

"I'll give you two guesses." Dirk said.

Erin scoffed. "Is she still getting ready?"

Paul nodded his head. "Everything has to be perfect." Paul said.

"We are going to be so late for the movie." Michelle said.

After ten minutes Stephanie came running out the door and jumped into the car. "Took you long enough." Jarred said.

"I'm sorry I lost track of time." Stephanie said.

Thanks to Michelle's driving they made it just in the nick of time. They got their tickets for "If I Stay" with the guys complaining but it was girls pick. Then after the movie they went to the club. Paul had to watch Stephanie with Eric when he showed up. "I wish I was yours." Paul thought as he took a drink of his beer.

Stephanie was smiling and giggling at Eric. "At least she's happy." Paul grimaced

But that was far from the truth. They looked happy but from in the inside Stephanie was dying and wanted to get away from him. Eric wasn't the nice guy Paul knew at all. Eric was a rough guy and got pissed easily. He would lash out on Stephanie mostly. Paul couldn't watch anymore. He decided to go home. Jarred caught up with him. "Hey, What's the matter? Where you going?" He asked.

"It's nothing Jarred. Really." Paul said stoic.

"If it's nothing then why are you leaving. I saw you looking at them. You love her don't you?" Jarred asked blunt.

Paul looked at the ground. "If I say anything I will screw everything up." Paul said sadly.

"I have experience with this dude. If I never said anything to Michelle, I would never have found the one for me. Just think about it. Okay?" Jarred encouraged.

Paul nodded his head as he stepped into the cab. He never felt like this before. Physically he can demolish a tank but mentally and emotionally he was drained. Right when he got home he went straight to bed and his mind wandered all night.

In the morning Paul woke up to find Stephanie cooking. "Hey." Paul said with a smile.

Stephanie smiled back. "Hey."

Paul noticed the small bruise on her neck and another on her arm. He quizzically stared at them. "What happened Steph?" He asked as he touched her arm.

Stephanie quickly pulled away. "It's nothing. I just fell." She responded.

Paul just shrugged. "Well, you are very clumsy." He said with a laugh.

"Yeah..." Stephanie paused.

"Why did you leave last night. I thought you were having fun." She asked.

"Oh I just got tired." Paul said scrunching up his nose.

"Did you see anybody that you liked at the club." Stephanie asked.

"I saw one person in particular." He said. "It was you." He thought.

"Did you get her number?" She asked

"I already have it." He said slyly.

"So do you think your going to go out with her?"

"Nah. I think she already has a boyfriend." He said sadly.

"Well that sucks."

"Tell me about it."

"She has no clue. I can stare into her eyes all day. Her legs are to die for and her body...GOD! Everything about her is perfect. If Eric ever screws up...I don't care... I gotta take a chance. He is so lucky to have all of her. I need to stop thinking about this. I'm her friend. Nothing else. But I wish I was beside you. I wish I was yours to hold." He thought.

"Paul...Paul... Paul" Stephanie said.

"Yeah?" Paul said.

"You kinda zoned out." Stephanie giggled.

"You know Steph if you ever need someone i'm here anytime."

"I know Paul. You're an awesome friend! Some days I don't know if I can cope with things but then I come home and you always cheer me up."

"I'm glad that at least somebody does. But what about Eric?"

"He does sometimes. But with you it's all the time." Stephanie said with a smile.

"Maybe, just maybe she likes me more than just a friend." He thought.