Second Shot (Bastille)

13: Flowers, confectioneries, wine; all the classics

*Freddie's POV*

The sun was glaring fiercely onto the street below, with no clouds to shield the heat which was scolding my legs despite the protective layer that my tights created. Traffic whizzed past while people lazily strolled by.

"Why is green tea so fucking expensive?" Sam complained, placing a tray of drinks and food on the table between us. I apologised in a sarcastic tone, pulling the small teapot and mug in front of me. "Which one do you want?" Sam presented a slice of brownie and millionaires shortbread before me. I quickly plucked the shortbread off the plate and took a small bite.

"What time is the appointment?" I asked carefully.

"12:45"

I looked at my watch, we had 45 minutes. Nodding, I poured my tea and took a small sip. "Are you sure you don't want Kyle with you?"

Sam shook her head and slowly stirred her coffee "I don't think he'd want to be there anyway, I think he's already mildly attached to it" We fell into quiet, the clinking of ceramic occasionally breaking the silence.

Looking around at the passers-by; a group of teenage girls laughing loudly, an elderly couple walking hand in hand and a young mother with her son who was rushing ahead and chasing a ball. Just as they were approaching us, the young boy lost control of his toy. It bounced a few times before rolling quickly towards the edge of the pavement. Sam jumped to her feet and caught the ball just as it reached the road, taking it back to the toddler who's face was quickly contorting from worried to relieved. The mother thanked Sam and they continued walking. Sam returned to her chair and we finished our drinks then we made our way to the clinic.

The clinic was a hygienic white and the tall windows filled the reception with a summery light- despite it not yet being summer- and also allowing a refreshing breeze to drift through the room. I stepped forward, looking around to find two chairs for Sam and myself, but as I looked to my side, I noticed that Sam was still lingering in the open doorway; a nervous paleness on her face.

"Hey Sam," I moved back towards her and put my hand on hers "You alright? You still wanna do this?" Sam thought for a moment and then nodded, squeezing my hand and edging further into the building, slowly making her way towards the receptionists desk, giving her name and turning back to me. We sat in two seats by the window and waited. "Have you even told your mum?" I asked after sitting in silence for a while. Sam shook her head.

"No-one knows except for you, Ky and Dan, and that's how I'd like it to stay" I nodded understandingly and put my arm around her shoulder, reassuring her that it would be okay and that she could move past it soon. Not much later, a doctor called Sams name. I gave her another quick hug before she stood up and disappeared into the doctors room. Looking around the room, I observed the different people who were also here; a few seats away from me was a young girl- could have been none older than 20- who was sat on her own, hiding her face behind her long dark hair. Near the receptionists desk was a woman who already had two children (probably about 5 and 3 years old) and all the way across the room was an older looking couple who were talking quietly amongst each other. Contrary to the pleasant atmosphere the light brought to the room, there was an underlying feeling of discomfort that sent a shiver down my spine and churned in my stomach, it was a bizarre sense of relieving finality- the young girl clearly not ready to be a mother, the couple possibly feeling as if they are too old to have children and the mother of two most likely not able to handle a third child- a burden being lifted off everyone's shoulders.

She soon came back out with an almost fake-looking tablet in her hand; it was large and circular and looked like it was made from card "Just gotta let this dissolve in my cheek, doctor said I can go home if I want" I waited for a minute, watching my friend debate between the two options "You don't mind staying here do you? We could be here for a few hours" I shook my head and pulled out my laptop.

"Good job I downloaded a couple of movies isn't it?" I remarked lightheartedly, quickly loading up the computer and opening the folder of movies. Predictably, Sam chose The Hunger Games. We were halfway through the film when my phone buzzed quietly in my pocket, retrieving it, I read the notification: 1 new message: Dan. I unlocked my phone and checked the message. "Dan's asking how you are" I told Sam, she smiled a small smile of appreciation but her attention was still strongly on the film.

"Probably Kyles way of indirectly checking up on me"

It was quarter past five by the time we left, although you wouldn't have believed it- the sun was still blazing, now casting the sky into a premature summer yellow. Sam inhaled deeply, taking in the fresh air, before exhaling loudly and drifting away from the clinic; an obvious sense of freedom lifting her spirits. We took a slow walk back to the apartment building, making the most of the weather before we shut ourselves back inside once again. To our surprise, when we reached the entrance of the apartment block, we were met by Dan and Kyle leaning against a wall; both of them with bouquets of flowers in their hands and full-to-the-brim bags at their feet. Kyle spotted us first and swiftly straightened up, smiling warmly as we approached and putting his arm around Sams shoulder, kissing the top of her head before handing over the collection of crystal white lilies which made Sam beam brightly.

Glancing over at Dan, I caught his eye and he silently beckoned me over. Gratefully I kissed his jaw -which was lined with the unusual sight of a beard. That, grouped with the messier than normal hair and the day-to-day wearing of his glasses and trusty grey hoodie was causing all the fangirls (and myself) to swoon like a thousand damsels in distress- the sweet smell of the yellow tulips floating through me. "What are these for?" I asked curiously, brushing my finger against the delicate petals.

"We thought we'd give you girls a pamper evening, so you have: flowers, confectioneries, wine, all the classics- oh and 'free boyfriend massage vouchers'" Kyle listed proudly "Thought you deserved it, both of you" Sam and I exchanged an impressed look.

"Well what are we still doing out here?" Sam took Kyles hand and led him into the building, with Dan and I following behind. "For your sakes boys, this better not be too good, or else me and Fred will be expecting it at least once a month, maybe even more often if you're away for ages" Sam teased as we climbed the last set of stairs, everyone laughed but we soon fell into silence as we stopped in the hallway, faced with someone who was banging loudly on the door to mine and Sam's apartment.

A/N: Hey sorry for the late update, I had a really busy day yesterday.