His Girl #Wattys2016

10. It's a date!

"Mellie, why'd you call on my home number, dumbo?" I spoke as soon as she answered.

"Hey, you!" Her tone was calm and it spooked me.

"Hey, answer my question."

"I didn't think if you would appreciate being disturbed. You were trying real hard at being inconspicuous all day."

So Drake hadn't quite managed to keep it from her after all. Stupid Drake.

" It's nothing like you think, Mel-"

"Come on! I get that you and Drake have secrets you can't share with me. I know he's your best friend and you put up with me just because you think I'm pretty and would look good in the group. I know, okay?" She sniffed.

She was crying? God, she was crying! And what exactly was she rambling on about? Was she alright? For once, I was genuinely worried about her.

"Mellie, listen-"

"Don't call me that!" She snapped.

Today must be a 'don't-let-Sarah-finish-her-sentence' day, nobody was willing to listen to me. I sighed.

"Fine, Melanie. It's nothing like that. I was planning for a, um, surprise thingy for you..."

That got her attention. The sniffing and sobbing seemed like yesterday's story, she bounced right back into her cheery bubble. "Really? For me?"

"Uh-huh. And you aren't supposed to know about it, so shut up in front of Drake."

"Of course, honey. I love you so much!"

Huh.

"Me too, Mel. And by the way, it isn't because you're pretty that I put up with you." I bit my tongue and tried to rephrase it, "I mean, it's not why you're my friend."

"Oh, then why?"

"Figure it out yourself," I honestly had no answer to that, but I knew I could never not be her friend. "If you want to."

"I know, Sarah. Not many people have friends like you. I'm glad I know you," She said, and the line went dead.

It might not have sounded like much of an appreciation, but I know her well. And coming from her, that was no less than a Grammy.

I placed the receiver back in its place and turned just in time to see my sister walk out of her room.

"So?"

I took in the sight before me. She was dressed in a floral, evening dress that looked great on her. It looked too dressy, especially for a date night with livers and hearts, but I decided to be a sport for once.

"Wow, Em. I wish I could carry off that dress like that!"

"Shut up, Sarah. You're being too modest these days."

"Well, I try." I stuck my tongue out at her. "Dinner?"

"I'm making it now. Are you hungry?"

"Can we just order pizza? I'm too tired to clean up after you leave."

"Fine, as you wish. When has anything gone according to my will since the moment you were born, anyway."

Though she meant it as a joke, the words hurt. I force a smile onto my face and call the pizza house to place an order.

"Hey, Em. How's everything going with Theo?" I ask, breaking the silence.

"Great, he's been around a lot more than usual and I like that."

Theo, Emily's boyfriend, worked with her in the hospital. Being a senior doctor, he wasn't always available but whenever he was, he'd make sure he was around Emily. In short, a perfect boyfriend. And oh, I adore him.

"Great." I said, as the doorbell went off.

"That's ten and fifty five, ma'am." Drake says, smiling one of his work smiles.

"Drake!" I say, putting my arms around him.

"Pizza, Sarah!" He groans.

I take the box from his hand and put it aside. "Once again?" I ask and he nods.

"Drake!"

He hugs me back this time and I jump up and down like an over happy, squealing toddler.

"Drake, come in. I don't see you at all these days," Emily said, breaking my embrace forcefully and pulling him in.

"I need to rush, but I can spare a moment. I knew I'd be welcomed so I took just Sarah's pizza," he grinned at me.

"You're my darling, aren't you? Thank you for everything, Drakey!" I was still squealing, and I was hating it as much as the other two were.

"Are you drunk?" Drake narrowed his eyes at me.

"Nope. I'm in love."

Both of them groaned. I hit both of them on their shoulders and pulled out a piece of pizza. "Here," I handed it to Drake before I fetched the money for him.

"Keep the change," Emily said before I could, as usual.

"And Drake, you're coming over this weekend. Party at my house," I called out to him.

He mouthed 'okay' as he made his way to the elevator.

"You sure need to learn how to behave around guys," Emily chuckled.

"What? He is Drake, we both know it's all cool. Relax,"

"Do you, now?" She muttered and I ignored her.

"Everything is clean, you can go straight to bed. If you need me, you know where I work. And I love you," Emily said, as she backed out of the doorway.

This was her routine mantra before she left for work. I stood at the door and nodded.

Once she left, I felt the eery feeling creep into my mind again. I hated the nights she worked as much as she did. I crawled into my bed and opened my Facebook page. As soon as I saw the notification, my mood lit up a little.

Aaron Mason and you are friends now.
Hurrah!

I quickly typed a 'thank you' to him and hit send.

Aaron: Hey, Adrian just told me about your invite. Are you sure you want us over?

Like hell, I did. But I decided to sound more casual.

Me: Sure, why not? My sister is cool with it.

Aaron: ... and your parents?

Ah. How do I casually break it to him that my parents and I weren't exactly on talking terms?

Me: Don't worry about them. We live on our own here.

Aaron: Oh, right. Cool then. Saturday at five?

Me: It's a date. ;)