Men's Socks - Luke Hemmings

f i v e

Friday 2nd November

I am actually so glad it's Friday. This week seems to have gone even slower than usual.

"Ah, Mickey wanted some toys, then?" Luke asked, as I plonked them down on the counter.

"Chloe did, actually. I don't think Mickey even cares." I mutter, smiling slightly, "she seems to think that he's royalty; they even share the same bed."

"Maybe they get lonely." He reasons, scanning the packet of kitten toys. I don't even know whats in there, I just headed for the pet section and picked up the first one I saw. Chloe's been making me get loads of stuff for Mickey recently and it's really getting on my nerves. I mean, I know she's only seven, but really?

"Maybe they get lonely." I agree, "is that why old people usually have pets, then?" I ask, wondering. I've never really thought of it, but I'll probably be one of those ladies with thousands of cats when she's older.

"I guess." He shrugs, "I don't think I'd like getting old. I'd miss my family too much, and if my wife died before me I'd probably get so lonely." He scanned the tin of beef stew, "I don't think I'd enjoy being lonely. Plus, if she died then I'd probably die from heartbreak. The person you're meant to love eternally would be ripped from your life."

"I don't want to fall in love, then." I say solemnly, "to think that if I got a boyfriend right now; I'd either break up with him or marry him." I pack away the tin, "that's a lot to think about. Maybe if you don't fall in love then you wouldn't have to worry about the heartbreak if they died before you."

"I suppose, but if you didn't love anyone then you'd be even lonelier than if you did love someone." The till made a 'beep' sound as the limited edition Hello Kitty hairband rolled down the counter, "I wouldn't want to wake up and realise that I'd missed out on someone who truly cared about me just because I didn't want to face heartbreak." He scanned a packet of stir-fry mix.

"This is way too deep for me on a Friday morning." I chuckle lightly, as he picks up the plastic blue mug, "but I agree with you. But, the concept of love just scares me."

"How come?" He asked, interested.

"I don't know." That was a lie. I did know, but it was embarrassing: ever since I first watched Bambi, when they get 'twitterpated' and end up falling in love with their future partners, it's scared me. You get red in the face, really hot, feel like you're walking on air and your whole world seems to revolve around them.

It just doesn't sound appealing to me.

"Fair enough. Anyway, have a good weekend, Gee." Luke grins, as I begin to walk away, "I hope Mickey likes his toys."

"You too, and I'm sure he will." I reply.

Philophobia -- The fear of falling in love.