"Hello?" Pt. 2

August 9th 2016

"Ok, I'm here. What do you need me to get?"

"Hold on, I'll grab the list... clean clothes."

"Anything in particular?"

"Um, Lucas has this stupid bloody shirt that he thinks is lucky. It's black and red and black and makes him look like Dennis the Menace. Can you see it?"

"...Nope. Where would it be?"

"Wardrobe? I don't know."

"..."

"Is it there?"

"No, it isn't. I'll check the wash basket... oh, no, wait. I found it. On the floor. Ok, not to be rude, Soph, but your brother is really messy."

"Why do you think I sent you there instead of going myself?"

"Excuse me?"

"Mum asked me to go but I value my life too much to go to Luc's flat."

"I would have thought that his place would have to be pristine, you know, sterile."

"It's clean, but he just doesn't know how to put clothes away. I swear, he once tried to kill me by leaving a pair of jeans out and letting me trip over it."

"Glad you didn't die."

"I did have a bruised forehead for a week after though."

"Did you, what's the term? Face plant?"

"Into a wall, yeah."

"Into a wall?"

"Long story. Now he's immunocompromised, Lucas will have to start being a little tidier. Anyway, you got the Dennis the Menace shirt?"

"Got it. What else is on the list?"

"Socks."

"How many pairs?"

"A few. And underwear."

"..."

"What?"

"You want me to rifle through your brother's boxer drawer?"

"Yeah."

"No. No way. Nope. Not happening."

"What, why?"

"Because he's a guy. I'm a guy. Guys don't go rifling through other guy's boxers."

"Then go and buy some. Luc's wallet it still at home so I can give you his PIN number."

"I think I can pay for them myself, thanks."

"Wait a second, you're ok with going out to buy another guy boxers but you're not ok going through some drawers?"

"Basically."

"Weird. Can you grab some books, too, while you're in the flat?"

"Jesus, how many books does your brother need?!"

"He has loads."

"Yes, he does. Any books in particular?"

"Any of the Harlen Coben books that are on his shelf."

"I'm bringing two."

"Two? No, babe, that isn't enough. Bring at least five."

"Five?"

"Mhm."

"Soph, he's in ICU. He can't read at the moment."

"But he will in a few days."

"But surely, two is enough."

"My brother doesn't read books, Daniel. He devours them. He'll need five. To start with."

"Ok, five Harlen Coben books. What else?"

"iPod."

"And where does he keep that?"

"Top drawer next to his bed."

"..."

"..."

"Um, Sophie?"

"Yep?"

"I thought you said Lucas is a virgin."

"He is."

"You may want to rethink that notion."

"WHAT?!"

"Let's just say, there's a box of condoms in his drawer, and it's open. And missing a few."

"-You and my brother have done the deed?-"

"What, me? No!"

"Not you, you fucking idiot. I was talking to Milli."

"Oh, that makes more sense."

"-You and Lucas, huh?-"

<<I am not having this discussion with you.>>

"-Oh, you so did! I'm very proud of you both. Finally!-"

"Sophie, stop embarrassing the poor girl. I have the iPod. Is there anything else I need to grab or can I get out of here and forget what I now know?"

"Yeah, that's everything. But you still need to go and buy boxers."

"From anywhere in particular?"

"Um... -Where does Lucas get his boxers from?-"

<<Marks and Spencers.>>

"-Marks and Spencer? How... grown up.- Daniel? Marks and Spencers."

"Ok. Text me the details and I'll grab some."

"Will do. Hey, Daniel?"

"Mhm?"

"Thank you."

"For?"

"Being here for me. For my family. It means a lot, so thank you."

"Shut up. No thanks needed, Future Wife."

"Still... I love you, Daniel."

"I love you, too, Soph. I'll see you at the hospital in an hour, ok?"

"Ok."

"Later, 'gator."

"See you soon, baboon."