I basically fall up all of the flights of stairs to get to my bedroom and go head over heels right onto my bed. It's 9:30 and I only just got back from the date. Sophie insisted I should come back to hers after the dinner. She brought out a dessert and set up a candle as a kind of second date and promised I wouldn't talk about Phil at all. I have to admit, it was kind of difficult. I spend all my time with me, there's no point denying it. I basically share my life with him.

I keep on thinking about what Sophie said. And what Phil said about it was like he was dating her, which was kind of true. If he wasn't here she would have dumped me by now. I have dated a few girls but most of them last about 3 weeks as I kind of suck at being a boyfriend. Phil has only had one boyfriend after me but he broke it off after a month or so, he never explained why. Thinking about it, Phil would be an amazing boyfriend to Sophie as he has done so much for her without her even knowing, but of course he only dates guys.

I stay lying on my face on my bed for a bit before I pull the duvet over my head and body, excluding my feet as I can't be bothered to take off my dirty shoes, or any of my clothes. I am so exhausted after seeing Sophie I think I'm just going to go to sleep like this.

10 or so minutes later I hear Phil come in. He takes my shoes off and pulls the duvet off my face so I don't suffocate. I turn over and smile at him, and get myself comfortable.

He smiles back and as he leaves switches the light off.

I fall asleep with a smile stuck on my face.

***
I wake up from my phone's vibrations. A buzz every 5 seconds or so. I roll over and check my phone and see about 20 texts from Sophie, and also the text from Phil from last night I never got to read. I tap on Phil's text and read it.

How's my date going?

I chuckle but my laughter is stopped by hearing another text buzz. I tap on Sophie's contact and see tonnes of texts.

Hey Danny, do you wanna go out today to the park? Love you loads xxoxoxooxox x

It doesn't have to be the park. Anywhere?

Dan?

Are you angry at me?

Why aren't you replying?

DAN

I thought you PROMISED

DAAN

And it went on.

Shit. Shitty shitty shit. I call her instead of attempting to reply.

"Dan! Why weren't you - I thought you - Are you - Dan?!" Sophie begins.

"I was asleep Sophie, don't worry, I wasn't ignoring you or anything, I'm not angry, nothing," I say quickly.

"Oh," she says. "So, the park in 15 minutes? Love you!" and she hangs up.

I feel like crying. I am so ridiculously tired. I am aware it is almost noon but still.

Groggily, I walk into the living room still wrapped in my duvet where Phil is playing some Crash Bandicoot.

"Morning," he says. He glances at me and then takes a second look. "You look well-rested."

"Shut up," I say laughing, and then proceed to walk into the side of the sofa.

Phil is near peeing himself laughing. "Go back to bed, you're gonna hurt yourself."

"Already have," I pout, rubbing my knee. Phil sits up making space for me. "And I have another date. In fucking 15 minutes."

"Don't you need to go get ready?" he says.

"Yup," I say, nestling into my sofa crease. "Five minutes, then I'll go. And say... I don't know I'll make something up."

"Say you had to drop me off at video gaming rehab before going," Phil suggests.

I laugh. "I probably would, but I am under strict rules to not mention you. Ever," I say, yawning.

Phil frowns, confused. "Why?"

"She thinks I spend too much time with you. Last night she was like, 'You talk to him all the time, and see him all the time and talk about him all the time!'" I say, exaggerating a high squeaky voice and crossing my arms for effect.

Phil grinned. "Do you?"

I paused and looked at him for a second. "I live with you. She doesn't understand that I can't be up night and day on dates or talking or texting with her. She sent me 20 texts this morning!"

"Dan, you're not up night or day for anyone," Phil laughs, standing up. "You can 10 minutes, come on!"

"Ughhh," I groan sliding down the sofa. "Phil I can't. I actually physically can't."

He smiles at me. "Why don't you just call her and say you are feeling sick?"

"Then I'd be an awful boyfriend who breaks his promises and neglects his girlfriend all the time."

"Then why don't you just call her, say you are feeling really sick and would reeeally appreciate if she came round here instead of having to go to the park?"

"Then I'd be a slightly less awful boyfriend who doesn't technically break his promises and neglects his girlfriend far less," I smile. "Perfect."

Phil laughs and goes off to the kitchen to start on a late brunch. Still sitting on the floor by the sofa I pick up my phone to call her.

"Hey Sophie," I begin.

"I'm just about to leave for the park, aren't you?" she says, emphasizing on the 'aren't you?'.

"I didn't get the chance in that last call, but I am feeling really sick," I say in the saddest ill-est voice I have. I cough. "I would reeeally appreciate it if you could come round here instead of going to the park...?"

I hear a humph. "It's still a date," I add. "I haven't broken my promise."

"Okay," she says. "I'll be around in 15 minutes."

"Thank you, bye," I say. Phil is so much better with girls than me and I have probably dated triple the amount of girls he has.