Purple Romance

''Want to talk about it?'' Carlien asked and Paige nodded her head. ''Go and check, I will get you some fruits my mom asked me to bring you and uncle Thom'' 

''Thanks pal'' Paige said and went in to change.

Carlien picked the grapes and washed them before sending them to Paige's room. Carlien opened the door and saw Paige coming out of the washroom dressing in her pyjamas as she wiped her hair with a towel.

''Whoa. Grapes, I should give aunt a call and personally thank her'' Paige said as she sat on the bed.

''Mom said there is no need to call and thank her every time she sends something over. Between us, there is nothing like thank you and sorry''

''But, she has done so much for my family. She even took care of me while my father was away in prison. Where would you find such a kind woman that is not related to you by blood? Should I tell my father to marry your mother? We could be step sisters when that happens'' Paige said and Carlien flicked her head. ''Awwe, that hurts''

''Snap out of it then and get off your high horse. Who wants to be your step sister? Being your best friend is already hard enough and you want me to wake up to your face every day? Are you my boyfriend?'' Carlien asked and Paige frowned.

''So, in your heart, I am not even worth anything?'' Paige said faking her sadness.

''That's right, you little wench. Now, tell me. What made you feel so out of it earlier on?'' Carlien asked as they sat on the bed, eating the grapes.

''I don't know'' Paige said and narrated the whole incident to Carlien, from Jordan helping her to pick the book to Joel bringing her home.

''Whoa. Paige, has spring come for you already?'' Carlien asked.

''Stop messing around, Carly. I am really confused about all of that'' Paige said.

''What are you confused about? The fact that Jordan helped you or Joel suddenly sending and bringing you back from school?'' Carlien asked.

''Why did Jordan help me? We don't even talk and he knows I hate him'' Paige said.

''You hate him or you think you hate him?'' Carlien asked.

''Huh? Are they different?''

''Off course, hating something is different from thinking that you hate it''

''That been said, what is wrong with Joel lately?''

''My dear friend. You have gone through hardships but you are still a newbie in love. Men don't just do things for the fun of it. He has feelings for you, Paige'' Carlien said and looked at Paige.

''You think so?''

''I know so. That is why I always tell you to watch Korean dramas. You would have figured this out immediately. I have a lot of experience with love even though I haven't fallen in love before, thanks to those dramas. But, you. all you do is work and study. You don't even read love blogs that is why you are so frustrating. If you were an actress, viewers would have gotten bored with you because you are so boring and frustrating to watch'' Carlien said.

''Fine, I will start watching dramas and reading love blogs. I can't let them make me confused by their actions'' Paige said determinedly and Carlien looked at her and laughed.

''Paige, you are suddenly so serious. But, leaving that. Let me warn you, I won't accept you being with Joel just because he is your first crush. I am still of the view that he has always known about your feelings for him but never did anything about them. That kind of man doesn't deserve you'' Carlien said.

''If he really knew, then, I would really be hurt by the fact that he knew and did nothing about it all this while'' Paige added.

''So, you and Jordan. Are you really not going to talk to him again?'' Carlien asked.

''Jordan? I don't know. I just feel that I shouldn't go near him again''

''Paige, you are the most lenient and forgiving person I know, but why do I feel that you are been unforgiving to Jordan? I know he hurt you but, he seems to regret it. He always ask me about you all the time''

''Even I don't know why. I just feel disappointed at him'' Paige said.

''Maybe you are expecting something else from him''

''Should I go and talk to him tomorrow?'' Paige asked.

''Do what your heart tells you, Paige'' Carlien said.

''I will talk to him tomorrow'' Paige said.

''Then, I guess he is the one your heart has chosen then? Joel is finally out of the picture. Congratulations, Paige for maturing''

''What nonsense are you spouting? Eat more and stop talking nonsense'' Paige said and stuffed a grape into Carlien's mouth.

Next day.

''What will you eat? My treat'' Carlien said to Paige as they walked towards the school cafeteria. They met Jordan at the entrance and stopped. Carlien whispered to Paige saying ''talk to him and don't drag the misunderstanding for too long''

Carlien smiled and patted Paige's shoulder before going inside. Paige looked at Jordan and opened her mouth to say something when she heard her name and turned. Anthony walked to them and said to Paige.

''Paige, I thought I would miss you ladies'' Anthony said and looked at Jordan. ''Do you have something to say to him?'' Anthony asked and Paige looked at Jordan.

Jordan looked at their closed proximity and angrily walked away without waiting to hear what Paige had to say.

''I hope he didn't misunderstand our friendship?'' Anthony said as he watched Jordan walking away.

''Let's go'' Paige said and walked away, not answering his question. She was angry at Jordan for ignoring her.

After eating, Carlien excused herself and left for her group discussion at the library leaving Paige and Anthony.

''Paige, if you don't have anything doing, can you go somewhere with me?'' Anthony asked and looked at Paige.

''Huh? What did you say?'' Paige asked coming back to her senses.

''I said you should go somewhere with me if you are not busy'' Anthony said and Paige turned to him.

''Anthony, I'm sorry, but, I need to go somewhere. Let's talk later'' Paige said and hanged her bag well before running off.

''Ah'' Anthony chuckled. ''In the end, you are still going to look for him? Paige, it seems I have been passive with you for so long'' Anthony said coldly and went towards his car.

Meanwhile, Paige ran to the University's administration block and started looking around for Jordan. She sighed and murmured ''I'm really stupid. I don't even know which department he is in. How am I going to find him?''

Paige saw a couple of students coming out of the Pharmacology department and decided to ask them.

''Hi, please, do you know where I can find Jordan Attoh? He is a student in this school but I don't know the department he belongs to'' Paige said in one breath and the students shook their heads and left.

Paige sighed and kept asking the students that passed by her. She bit her lips feeling frustrated more at herself. She looked at the time and decided to give up.

She turned and saw a female student walking towards her and decided to ask for the last time ''hi, please do you know a student by name Jordan Attoh?''

The female student looked at her surprised and asked back ''Jordan Attoh? We have a lecturer by that name but I don't know a student bearing the same name''

''No, the one I'm looking for is a student and not a lecturer, thank you'' Paige said and walked away. The female student looked at Paige and murmured.

''But, I think he is the same person... you are mistaken about'' she shrugged her shoulders and also went away.

Paige stood in front of the library and said to herself ''let's try here for the last time and see. If he is not here, then, is a sign I should give up on reconciling with him''

A distance away, Jordan saw Paige going into the library and frowned ''Is she determine to study till she dies or what?'' he murmured the question and went towards the library.

Paige went into the library and saw Carlien sitting with her other two members. She went to them and placed her bag beside Carlien and whispered to her ''I will be back''

''What are you doing here?'' Carlien asked in a whisper.

''Doing what you asked me to do. I'm looking for Jordan. I will be back'' Paige said and went away. Carlien smiled and turned back to her group ''I'm sorry about that'' Carlien apologised to her group.

Paige looked around but didn't see Jordan. She turned to go and saw a small book stuck in the middle of the big books in the Dispensary and Pharmacology department books shelves. She chuckled as she read out the title ''101 ways to get his heart? Tsk, who could have put such a tacky book there? It won't be considered stealing if I take it to go and read, right?'' Paige said to herself and went closer. She didn't see the sign that was beside the shelf saying 'shelves are under maintenance'.