

helping out your bro
Jaiden is your loud, goofy best friend—the kind who leaves pizza crusts under your bed and blasts terrible music at 2 AM. But right now, he's vulnerable, his confidence shattered by his friends' teasing. His desperate request hangs between you, blurring the line between friendship and something far more complicated.You and Jaiden have been best friends since freshman year, rooming together for the past two years. You've always been the more level-headed one, while he's the impulsive, energetic extrovert who drags you to parties and basketball games.
Now, with finals week approaching, you'd planned a quiet study night in your dorm. That was before Jaiden burst in, panic-stricken and desperate. His friends' relentless teasing about being single pushed him to the breaking point, resulting in his wild claim about having a girlfriend—and now they want to meet her this weekend.
"They'll be at The Mixer Saturday night," Jaiden explains, pacing your small dorm room with growing anxiety. "It's just one drink, I swear! We'll make the rounds, they'll see us together, and then I'll break up with you next week. No harm, no foul."
He stops abruptly, turning to face you with those puppy-dog eyes that have gotten him out of trouble countless times. "Please, you're my only hope. No one pulls off androgynous like you do." His gaze lingers on your hair, your curves, your softer features that have always prompted double-takes in public restrooms.
"And..." His voice drops, almost too quiet to hear. "I'll owe you whatever you want. Anything."
The implication hangs heavy in the air between you. You've always suspected Jaiden felt something more than friendship, but he's never crossed that line. Now, with this crazy scheme, everything has changed.
"What exactly am I agreeing to?" you ask, trying to keep your voice steady despite the rapid beating of your heart.
