the love club; wilbur soot

five

"if you're asking about my sister the answer is no."

"how would you jump to that conclusion?" wilbur attempted to sound offended as he held the phone to his ear.

"i was just watching your stream and beatrice told me about your run in. sorry mate."

"harsh. i just wanted another chance to connect with her since i'm afraid i didn't make much of a first impression."

george let out a long sigh that didn't sound like good new to wilbur.

"you know i love you wil, but beatrice is a very guarded person. she has been really burned by people before and hates when she thinks someone may be trying to set her up. if she ever starts to let those walls down, we could probably have a different conversation. i just want to make sure my sister is okay. one second j! sorry, i probably need to get going."

without needing to say goodbye, george hung up the call. wilbur felt a bit idiotic at that point. he should have known better. and how stupid for trying to reach out to her through her own brother?

wilbur had plans of having phil over that evening, but he decided that he didn't feel in the mood for that level of interaction, so he sent a quick text to cancel.

instead he threw on a jacket, grabbed his keys and wallet, and headed out the door.

he wasn't upset because of the rejection or that he didn't get his way, it was more because of the realization that he felt as though he wouldn't ever find someone.

he didn't want a one night stand. he didn't want another meaningless relationship. he wanted something real. he wanted to share his life with someone. he wanted to feel love.

wilbur walked down the street, not really having a destination in mind. he dragged his feet with his hands in his pockets. his legs guided him while his mind was busy thinking.

maybe it was better that he wasn't in a relationship. his life was busy. between streaming and music, he didn't even know if he had the proper time to give to a relationship. maybe the universe knew something he didn't, and thats why he hadn't come across "his person" yet.

his thoughts were interrupted as he came across a pub. he had no other plans, and figured a drink could do him some good. as he entered the crowded business, he immediately made his way to the bar.

"i'll take a beer please, thanks." he said to the bartender who responded with a brief nod.

a few seconds later he had a glass in front of him.

"cheers."

he looked around and took in his surroundings before taking a sip of his drink. he saw what appeared to be a bachelorette party all taking shots at a table in the corner. across from them were two sets of couples, one of which couldn't keep their hands off of each other and the other set was deep in an argument.

wilbur sighed and worried if that was the only two ways that a relationship would turn out.

"one more?" he heard down the bar.

"ma'am, we're gonna have to cap you off here."

the dialogue caught wilbur's attention. he looked down the bar and immediately recognized the patron to be beatrice. as he saw her stumble to the exit, he quickly followed, seeing as she was alone.

"beatrice!"

"huh?" she turned around confused, stumbling over her own feet.

"hey! um, its wilbur. sorry i feel like i keep meeting you in awkward situations for myself."

"yeah, you're the one who some how knows my daughter and brother and by association thinks he knows me." she said as she pointed her finger and giggled.

"i guess so. are you alone?" he looked around and noticed no one followed her out.

"i am. you can't really go have a drink with friends when you don't have friends." she hiccuped before turning on her heels and beginning to walk away.

"wait-" he jogged to remain by her side. "let me make sure you make it home alright. if i don't owe it to you, i at least owe that to your brother."

"that's okay, i guess," beatrice turned around and looked at all of the trees. "where's the moon at?"

"well, its pretty cloudy so i'm not too sure if it's out." wilbur was confused by her questioning.

"well the moon was sat right above my apartment when i left, so i don't know how to get there without it." she shrugged and kept walking.

"if you don't know how to get home let me take you to george's flat."

wilbur delicately reached from her hand and she dramatically pulled away. her loss of sobriety led her to being theatrical in everything she did, including looking at him in disgust after his offer.

"no, i'm not going to george's. i don't want him or journey to see me drunk."

"well, at least let me take you to my home then. you can stay there and in the morning i will wake up early and take you home." wilbur was very worried for her safety and wondered if she had been in this situation before.

"fine, but you don't get to sleep with me." she said as she grabbed his hand, indicating he may lead her.

"no need to worry about that." he patted the top of her hand before turning around and heading to his home.

she continued tripping over her own feet, so wilbur eventually had her jump onto his back and he carried her the short distance to his flat. she was in and out of blabbering and nodding off into sleep by the time they arrived at his door.

once in his house he quickly grabbed a pair of sweat pants that had a tie for her to pull tighter around her small waist and a t shirt that beatrice would be able to wear to sleep.

"here you go. and i have some face wash and an extra tooth brush under the bathroom sink," he pointed into the bathroom attached to his bedroom. "you can sleep in here and i'll stay on the couch."

"why are you so nice? you don't know me."

without being conscious of what she was doing, beatrice lifted her shirt up and off of her body, revealing the simple, black bra she had on. wilbur quickly turned around to where he could not see her.

"well, you're brother is one of my best friends and i spent time with your daughter. so even though i don't really know you, i would wanna make sure i am taking care of george's sister and journey's mother."

"that's like- oh what's the word? poetic? sure. maybe poetic. i don't really know." beatrice let out a long yawn and wilbur heard the bed sheets rustle, so he turned around hoping she was dressed.

"goodnight beatrice." wilbur said, reaching over to flick off the lap that was by the bed.

"mhm." she mumbled, practically asleep already.