Chapter 1: A Bad Day

"Look, for the last time, no!" Reid Garwin said in frustration. Pogue Parry, his best friend and manager, wanted him go to a doctor's appointment.

They are currently in the local theatre in Ipswich and had just finished rehearsing for the play, 'Why, Oh Why?' The premier debut was weeks away and the director, Vic Johanneson, was like a drill sergeant. The only thing he was missing was a stupid, annoying little whistle. By the end of rehearsal, everyone's glad to finally go home. Not only does he yell at the actors, he also yells at the costume designers and backstage techies. It's no secret that everyone despises him - except for Reid's girlfriend Bella. He had to admit, she was a brown-noser.

"Come on Reid, it's just a check-up. Besides, your way past due for one." Pogue said to his best friend. Reid rolled his eyes and decided to ignore him, focusing on packing his things.

"Reid," Pogue sighed, "as your manager, I want to make sure that you live long enough to get on the big screen." Pogue had long, brown hair that barely fell on his shoulders, hazel eyes, and a body that every model would be jealous of. Why he did not choose that line of work, Reid had no clue.

"What are you talkin' about? I'm perfectly healthy," Reid claimed.

"Oh really? Tell me, how many times did you get sick during the past three years? How long has it been since your last check-up?" Pogue interrogated, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I got sick three times and my last check-up was-..."

"You got sick four times a year, which is three too many; you haven't gone into a doctor's office since we left high school. And don't bullshit me Reid, I know when you're lying," Pogue scolded.

Reid sighed. It's true. Pogue can just tell if Reid was lying. But it goes the same for Reid. Instead of spotting out lies, Reid can tell if Pogue is attracted to someone. Weird right?

"Pogue," Reid whined, "you of all people should know that I don't do well in hospitals."

"Then don't go to a hospital, go to a clinic," Pogue countered.

"It's practically the same thing," he muttered.

"No it's not."

Reid sighed again and rolled his eyes to the ceiling. "Alright, fine!" he said with a pout, shoulders slumping.

"Yes! Thank you! Okay, I set you up for a-..."

"Reid!" Bella walked over and completely disregarded Pogue.

"Oh, hey baby," he greeted and grabbed her by the hips. He leaned in to kiss her lips, but she turned her head away.

"Reid, it's over," she stated simply.

He leaned back to look at her. "I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that," he said uncertainly.

"You heard me, Reid! It's over! I'm breaking up with you! Get that through to your head!" Bella snapped angrily.

She pulled away and stomped out of the theatre. Pogue and Reid were silent before Pogue said, "Come on blondie, let's go get a drink. I'm treating."

Two hours later they were sitting in a booth in a bar not too far away from the theatre. Pogue was still nursing his first beer while Reid was on...shit...lost count. Pogue listened with a sympathetic ear as Reid steadily drank beer after beer and recounted all the previous failed relationships he'd had.

In his drunken state, he had added as an afterthought, "Maybe I'll just go for blokes."

Pogue rolled his eyes, but answered consolingly, "You know I wouldn't care."

"Oh right, you were sayin' somethin' before, but that heartless biatch had t-to go and break up wif me," Reid said drunkenly.

"Yeah right. As I was saying, I set you up for an appointment at the Ipswich Clinic tomorrow for 2:00," Pogue informed him.

"Tomorrow?" Reid asked. "Did you like, plan ahead or somethin'?"

"Yup. I knew I could persuade you into going. And like you said, me of all people should know how much you hate hospitals. So instead I got you an appointment at a clinic," Pogue said proudly.

"Aww Pogue! You're so sweet!" Reid tried to hug him from across the table, but ended up hitting his head on it. "Owie," he whimpered.

Pogue sighed, took out a couple of bills and put it on the table for the waitress. "Let's go Reid, I think you've had enough for tonight," Pogue said and helped him stand. Reid leaned heavily on him as they stumbled out of the bar and into the parking lot. They reached Pogue's car and Pogue strapped Reid into the passenger's seat. He got in the driver's seat and drove to Reid's place. Said blond was dozing in and out of sleep in his seat. "Oh, I set you up for a prostate exam too," Pogue said off-handedly.

"What?" Reid squeaked out before slumping back onto his seat, unconscious.

Pogue parked his car in front of Reid's apartment. He went around to the other side of the car and opened Reid's door. Pogue threw him over his shoulder and went inside the apartment complex. "Why did you have to live on the third floor of a building without a fucking elevator?" he muttered.

Minutes later, he dumped Reid onto his bed, took off his shoes, and covered him with a blanket. He left the room and came back with a glass of water and two capsules of Tylenol. He placed them on the night table. Pogue looked down at his friend and said, "Everything's gonna turn out okay, I promise." He locked the door on his way out.