"Hello?" Pt. 1

February 7th, 2016

"I have something to ask you."

"Hi, and ok."

"What are you doing Tuesday night? You see, my sisters and my friends are planning a get together and I was wondering if you wanted to come along. You don't have to, if you don't want to, because I will totally understand if you're, like, not into it, but I was still going to ask because-"

"Take a breath, for crying out loud! Why would you think I wouldn't want to come?"

"Because you've never met any of the people that will be there. I'll be the only one you know and I thought, you know, you might be uncomfortable around strangers and will find it hard to talk to them because you won't have anything in common with them and"

"It sounds like you're trying to convince me not to go. Is that what you're doing, Sophie?"

"... no!"

"That would have sounded more convincing if you hadn't hesitated."

"Of course I want you to come. I just don't want you to feel awkward around my friends. Plus, they're going to interrogate you like never before."

"I can handle being interrogated."

"So, you'll come?"

"Yeah, why not. It's not like I have Tuesday plans. Is there a specific reason you're going out?"

"... no."

"Again, not convinced. What's the reason, Sophie-kins?"

"It's my birthday."

"It is?"

"It will be. On Tuesday."

"Count me in! Who's going to be there all together?"

"Both my sisters. Lucas is still in the hospital so he can't make it. Rachel will be there. Some others from work, a few friends from uni, Hugo... the usual crowd, and you, of course."

"Well, let me know when and where and I'll be there."

"Um, I would, except I'm not the one organising it. Charlotte is. Is it OK if I pass on your number? She'll text you to tell you the place and time."

"Yeah, that's fine. Is there anything I should know about your friends?"

"Nothing of note. They're all pretty normal, I suppose. Charlotte and Emma are kinda like me. Rachel is nice. The others from my work are fashionistas. My uni friends are all snobby and pretentious, until you get them drunk. Hugo is Hugo. You are you."

"Hugo and I are the only boys that'll be there?"

"As far as I know, yeah. Hugo is really nice, I promise. You two will get along but if, in the unlikely event you clash, Rachel and Emma are your go-to girls. Oh, and me."

"Sounds like fun. Has you hangover subsided?"

"Yep, I'm finally sober! My sisters and I have been hanging out with Lucas all day. He's finally off the ventilator and the chest infection has gone. The pneumonia is subsiding too, so it looks really promising."

"That's great news! You must be so happy."

"Yeah. It's just a relief, you know. Plus, that doctor friend of yours really knows what he's doing."

"I told you he was good."

"Thank you for asking him to come see Luc. I will be forever in your debt."

"Hey, it was the least I could do. You've helped me, so I was returning the favour."

"Oh. How, exactly, have I helped you?"

"Well, since New Year's, you're the only one that's kept me sane. The whole Arabella situation could have sent me over the edge, into a spiral, but I didn't because I had you. You're quirky and more than a little bonkers, but at least I'm not quirky and bonkers."

"Ah, crap. I failed. My mission was to make you as crazy as I am!"

"I think, in this relationship- I mean, in this friendship- one of us should remain sane. I nominate myself for that role."

"You can't see my right now, but I am totally poking my tongue out at you. I'm the tongue out emoji!"

"Yeah, I am definitely the normal one around here."

"What is normal? I'm a firm believer that there's no such thing as normal. Imagine how boring that would be, if we were all normal!"

"I'll rephrase. At least I'm not the wacky one."

"Whatever. I have to go. The last episode of Phoar and Peace is about to start."

"I'm,  I do believe it's called War and Peace. No phoar."

"But have you see the male talent in the adaptation?! They're so hot, you can't help but go 'phoar, he's hot!'"

"I worry about you. A lot."

"Totally understandable. Gotta go, Daniel. I have a date with a lot of gorgeous, fictional men!"

"Um, enjoy?"

"Oh, I shall. I'm now a wink emoji."

"Yeah? Good for you. I'm a waving hand emoji, then."

"Haha. I knew I'd succeed in turning you over to the weird side."

"I'm the rolling eye emoji."

"I'm the kissing emoji."

"Didn't know you liked me like that, Soph."

"In your dreams, Duckling."

"Haha. Go watch your stupid show. I'll speak to you tomorrow."

"Phoar and Peace out!"

"How are we friends?!"