Heroes for Hire

Chapter Two: Three Days

"Liaaam," Naomi whined outside of Liam's bedroom door. "Are you sexting in there? I wanna read it!"

Liam rolled his eyes at her antics. He was sitting on his bed, trying to write a text to Nathaniel.

[Hey, this is Liam. We met at that party the other day. You said to message about coffee so]

Liam sighed and looked away from his phone, without hitting send. He was tempted to ask Naomi for advice with writing the text, but he could almost hear the innuendoes already.

Think casual, he told himself and deleted the message.

[Hey, are you still up for that coffee?
-Liam]

Deciding that message was a vast improvement he hit send and leant against his headboard. It was early evening, and it was likely that Nathaniel would be home from work, but that didn't mean he'd reply instantly. Liam stood from his bed and walked to the door, but before he'd grabbed the handle, his phone buzzed in his pocket.

"Hey, was that a message? Is it him?"

"Go watch TV and get invasive in the lives of characters, instead of your ill suffering housemate."

"Ehh? Housemate! I've been downgraded!"

Liam shook his head and opened the text.

[I had almost given up on you ever replying. I feel like the coffee date must have compounded to a full meal by now. My treat, of course. When are you next available?]

Liam considered replying with a sarcastic remark about waiting three days and being too cool for Nathaniel, but reconsidered. It was better to ease people into his dorky sense of humour.

[Sounds good. Dinner or lunch?]

"What's happening in there? Don't block me out Liam! I need to know. The internet is screwing up and I can't watch Netflix. You're all I have left!"

"Go read a book," Liam retorts.

"Ruuuude."

Nathaniel's reply comes through quickly.

[That depends. Have you eaten yet?]

Liam raises an eyebrow and checks the time. It was just after six, and while he hadn't eaten, it was very short notice to go on a first date.

[You mean today?]

[You're not busy, are you?]

Busy? No, Liam certainly wasn't busy. As Naomi had said, the internet was barely working, and Liam wasn't in the habit of having big plans for Tuesday nights.

[No, I'm free for dinner tonight]

[Wondrous~ How long does it take you to get to Kragen Street? Can you get there by 7?]

Liam opened the bus timetable. It was about a ten-minute bus ride, and there were enough buses that he'd have time for a quick shower before needing to go.

[I can make it then. Where abouts exactly?]

[Do you know Foresters Inn? We can meet outside there.]

Liam confirmed the plans and put his phone on charge then snuck to his door. He silently grabbed the handle and swung his door inwards. As he'd thought, Naomi was still right outside, but, disappointingly, she wasn't leaning against the door. Instead, she had grabbed a cushion from the living room and was sitting down, playing on her phone. She looked up as Liam opened his door.