January 31st, 2016

I've cast my version of Lucas. It's Logan Lerman. Picture floating around. Sarah xx

*~*~*

"What's the update with Lucas?"

"Hi, Daniel. There's not much difference from yesterday. He's on a ventilator because he can't breathe by himself. The infection is getting worse but they think that's a good sign. God knows why."

"Maybe it has to get worse before it can get better?"

"How can it get worse than this?"

"It doesn't have to make sense to us, Sophie. Sometimes you have to trust the doctors."

"I know. It's just... it's hard to trust them, that's all."

"How's the rest of your family doing?"

"My parents are freaking out. Well, my mum is. Dad's doing the whole silent treatment thing that comes with being British. Charlotte and Emma are crying non stop. They keep sharing stories about Lucas from when he was younger, like he's dead already. I want to slap them so hard."

"But you haven't, have you?"

"Not yet. If they carry on like this, though, I won't be held responsible for my actions. Anyway, enough about me. Let's talk about you."

"Really?"

"I need a distraction and you're proving to be a really good one."

"I've always wanted to be described as a distraction. It makes me sound bad-ass."

"Haha. You sound terrible when you try to say 'bas-ass.'"

"I'm aware. But I knew it would make you laugh, so I did it anyway."

"You're too kind."

"That's my middle name."

"No, it isn't."

"How would you know?"

"Shot in the dark. But, while on the topic, what is your middle name?"

"Which one?"

"You have more than one?"

"Of course. Why, how many do you have?"

"One."

"Which would be?"

"Evangeline."

"That's actually very nice. Sophie Evangeline."

"It was my father's choice. Mum got the first name pick, Dad got the middle name. Now, confess, what's you multiple middle names?"

"One is actually Daniel."

"Daniel isn't your first name?"

"No, it isn't."

"I feel cheated. It's like I don't even know you!"

"Really?"

"Fair point. I don't really know you. C'mon, give me your full name."

"Fine. It's Henry Daniel Edward James."

"Four? You have four names!"

"It's a posh thing."

"No shit! You know, Henry isn't that bad. Why don't you use that name?"

"My parents have always called me Daniel."

"Next you'll be telling me that your brother isn't really called Samuel."

"Thomas Samuel Louis George."

"Jesus. Just how posh are you people?"

"Very."

"You're not members of the Royal Family are you?"

"No."

"Thank God."

"We're dysfunctional enough without the added pressure of being part of the Monarchy."

"The last thing I need right now is to be getting involved with someone with a title."

"..."

"You still there?"

"Yes."

"Oh, ok. So, Henry-"

"No. Don't call me that."

"Fine. Daniel-"

"Better."

"When do you leave for Dubai?"

"Tomorrow."

"Oh. So soon?"

"Galeanthropy, remember?"

"I still find that word stupid."

"But it's our stupid word."

"I suppose. I'm not using it though."

"You don't have to use it, but it's there if you want to use it."

"I hate it that you're so nice."

"Right, because every woman wants Superman and not Clark Kent."

"If it's any consolation, I always had a thing for Clark Kent. Those glasses. Nerd is hot."

"Like you ever dated a nerd."

"I was in a two month relationship with someone that had a PhD in Supersymmetry. "

"Do you even know what that is?"

"Something to do with physics, I dunno. That's chiefly the reason we only lasted two months."

"He was too much of a nerd for you?"

"No, he judged me for not knowing what it is. And he kept teasing me for having gone to Oxford."

"What did he have against Oxford?"

"He went to Cambridge."

"Haha. You dated a Cambridge Blue?"

"Not my finest hour, believe me. Dad threatened to disown me."

"That's too funny."

"Shut up."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"You ok?"

"Hm? Oh, yeah, sorry. I was just thinking."

"About?"

"What happened to Gus after we broke up."

"Gus?"

"Dr. Augustus Hennings, PhD. I think he works at CERN."

"He's that good, huh?"

"At supersymmetry, I guess he is. At dating, he was terrible. No wonder I never let him get passed holding my hand."

"Wait, you didn't sleep with him?"

"What do you think I am? I date, Daniel. I don't shag everything with a pulse."

"I didn't say you did. I was just-"

"Don't! You'll just dig yourself a hole you won't be able to get out of and then I'll have to stop talking to you because I will hate you and right now, you're the only thing keeping me together so I need you to not finish that sentence. Respectfully, please."

"So, I'm watching Sister Act."

"It's on TV?"

"Yep. E4."

"Hold on, let me change the channel over."

"Aren't you at the hospital?"

"Yeah."

"Are you currently in Lucas' room?"

"Yep."

"Sophie, you aren't meant to use mobile phones inside the hospital."

"You're not?"

"No. It messes with the machines."

"Huh. You learn something new every day."

"Oh, for crying out loud. Sophie, hang up."

"But I don't want to."

"Either you hang up, or take this call outside."

"Fine."

"Good. I'll call you tomorrow-"

"Hold your horses, bucko. I said fine, as in, 'Fine, I'll take the call outside.' Not, 'Fine, I'll hang up.'"

"Oh."

"But now I'm hanging up."

"Why?"

"Because you clearly want me to."

"Sophie, shut up and keep talking to me."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Sophie, now is not the time to be childish. Talk to me."

"I have to go. The doctors are outside talking to my parents and it looks pretty serious."

"Right, of course. You should go."

"Yeah."

"Sophie? It's going to be ok. And remember- galeanthropy."

"Stupid word."

"Use it."

"I won't."

"Use it."

"Fine. I might use it."

"Best wishes to Lucas."

"Thanks, Daniel."

"Of course. I'll call you tomorrow before my flight. Once I'm settled, I'll work out the time difference and call you when it's a convenient time for you. Unless something happens. In which case, call me at any time, convenient or not."

"Hey, Daniel?"

"Yes, Sophie?"

"I don't get it."

"Don't get what?"

"Why Arabella cheated on you. For what it's worth, she was batshit crazy because you're the whole package."

"Thank you. Now, go."

"Bye, Daniel."

"Bye, sweetheart."