Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
I'm on my way to the library when Calum, dressed in full soccer gear, stops me. I can't help but smile up at him. "You look happy today."
"Yeah, I woke up this morning and I just felt really great," he tells me. "Makes me feel like everything might actually turn out OK."
"Then I guess you won't need me around as much anymore. You're officially therapist–free from today."
"Don't talk like that, Chandler. I'll always need you around."
"How about instead of me you keep Mia Chang around?" Calum looks like the embodiment of a question mark. "This Friday at seven thirty?"
"What'd you do?"
"You have a date."
"With Mia Chang?" I nod. He takes a deep breath. "All right."
"Really?" I clap my hands together I'm excitement, pushing down the strange feeling of unjustified resentment towards both this plan and Mia Chang. "You'll have such a good time, I just know it."
"Sure."
"I already sent you all the info I got on her so we can meet up at like five at your house to prepare and strategize."
"Strategize for what?"
"The date..." I deadpan. "You don't think Mia Chang will just fall into your arms without putting any effort into it, do you? I specifically picked someone with Mia's high standards so you'll actually get to develop a deep emotionally and intellectually stimulating relationship and not just a quick dip for a brief serotonin rush."
"You're crazy, Chandler."
"No I'm not. She'll prepare just as thoroughly, believe me. This is what Michelle and I would do before I would go on dates," I explain. "I sent Mia my file on you."
"My file—you have a file on me?"
"Not literally. Just some things I scraped together so she isn't flung into anything totally unprepared. Calum, you won't find a girl on this planet who doesn't read up their date beforehand."
"I'm not a girl, you know. You're not coming to my house before."
"You'll totally regret that but OK."
"By the way, Michelle's going to be at your house tonight, right?"
"Uhu, why?"
"I'll be at Michael's so..."
"The two of you will have to speak eventually, you know."
"Yeah, I know." Calum leans his shoulder against the wall. "You still need a ride home later?"
"Just come by the library when practice is over," I tell him. "And, Calum?"
