Save Me | Phil Lester

Three

After picking Lucy up from school, we head over to Phil's apartment. He gives her a quick tour, and I see her put her hand on a closed door.

"Do you mind if I..." She looks up at Phil, and he nods.

"Go ahead."

She opens the door, and Phil walks back towards me, shaking his head. "I can't handle looking in there. Not yet."

I grab his hand and give it a tight squeeze, "I think you're taking it better than I would have."

It's silent for a few seconds, until he speaks up, "You've been a really, really good friend to me, Melody. I can't thank you enough for that."

"It's nothing," I smile at him, "really."

He leans in and kisses my cheek, "Yeah, it is."

I feel myself blush and try to hide it, but it's no use, and he slightly smiles.

Moments later, Lucy walks out of the room, crying. She heads over to Phil and hugs him, mumbling "I'm sorry."

I put a hand on both of their shoulders, trying my best to comfort them.

But the truth is, I've never lost someone so close to me before. There were relatives that have passed, of course, but never a love interest of mine. I just don't know what to do, or what to say.

•••

Lucy ends up having a sleepover at a friends house for the weekend, so I spend a little more time with Phil.

"I'm sorry I'm being such a clingy friend," he says after leaning his head on my shoulder.

"That's alright," I smile, "I'm glad I can be here for you."

"I'm glad you're here for me, too...my other friends have been busy and they live quite far away from here, I've only been able to see them once since Dan passed."

"Oh, I'm sorry...do you have any other friends who live in London?"

"You."

"Besides me," I say, smiling.

He shakes his head, "My only other close friends live in Brighton."

"Well, looks like I'll be spending a lot of time with you."

"I guess so." He smiles sadly and I give him a pat on the shoulder.

Phil and I decided to go out to dinner, and after arguing for what seems like forever, I finally let him pay.

"I mean, honestly, Melody, you just moved, let me help you out by paying for dinner." He says.

I shake my head, "Whatever, Philip." I smile when he chuckles.

When we finish eating, we go for a short walk around the middle of London, where the tourists usually visit. It was quite busy for such a chilly afternoon. We get to know each other even better, talking about our past and plans for the future.

"I don't really have any future plans," I shrug. "Right now, I just want to raise Lucy at the best of my abilities. Of course I would love to travel to California some day, but I would rather go alone or with a friend, or maybe a loved one. You know, have someone watch Lucy while I'm gone."