I was awoken buy the sound of Fur Elise playing on my phone.

The robotic sound the phone gave off was nothing like the classic that's played on the piano, but it's better than having some strange bloopy tune you don't recognize.

Before picking up, I checked the alarm clock. 3:04 AM.

I checked the caller ID. 2D, of course.

"This better be important," I grumbled into the phone, "we have a long shift today."

"Err, I'm havin' a bit o' a problem, L."

"What is it, this time?"

I could hear him shudder. "There are pickles in me fridge."

I sighed. "And this is a problem because?"

"I'm allergic."

Of course he's allergic to pickles.

"If they're in a jar, you can safely remove them."

"Bu' there may be juice on the jar."

"Then wear gloves."

"I don' have gloves."

"Not even oven gloves? How do you cook?"

"I...uh...don' know how ta cook."

This guy was a piece of work.

I sighed again. "Okay, I'm coming over."

I didn't care whether or not I was in my pajamas. Heck, I didn't even straighten my bedhead out or put makeup on. I just sleepily slipped on my moccasins, grabbed my helmet and my motorbike's keys, and walked outside.

It was a cloudy night. And cold. But that's what November normally is. Cold.

I straddled onto my motorbike and started it up.

I remember where 2D's rental was, he always kept reminding me where it is.

And this wasn't the first of his "emergencies".

A few weeks ago, he got a splinter in one of his toes. Another time, he saw a roach, and was too scared to kill it. Heck, one time, he called me just because he was out of cigarettes and didn't have enough money to buy a pack.

I really must be his only friend around; I don't see him bugging anyone else with this stuff.

I parked the bike behind his car, and walked through the door without knocking.

"I'm here," I called.

"It's oveh here!" he shrieked.

I followed his voice into the kitchen, and found a jar of pickles in his fridge.

"If you're allergic, why are these in your fridge?" I asked him.

"I don' remembah. Maybe accident?'

I smacked my head against my forehead. This guy is dumber than I thought he was.

I grabbed the jar and tossed it into the nearby garbage can. He sighed in relief once he heard the jar give a loud thud as it hit the bottom of the weirdly empty can.

"Okay, now that that's over, I'm headed back home." I said as I head towards the door.

2D grabbed my wrist. "No, please, stay a little longer."

"Need me to babyproof the house for you more?"

"No," 2D said, "I just want to hang out."

I can't believe he thinks the night is a good time to hang.

I obliged, anyway.

He lead me to the couch. After he sat down, he patted the seat next to him like a little boy.

After I sat, I asked, "what's up?"

"Well, I miss my friends, and I'm not sure what to do without friends nearby all the time."

"I'd start with not calling them in the middle of the night."

2D blushed. "I woke yew?"

I looked down at my Winnie the Pooh pajamas. He's so thick, he doesn't even notice what I'm wearing!

"Yeah...kinda..."

"I'm sorry," he said. "I'll try to call later next time."

I nodded.

More awkward silence.

"The doctor said I have an anxiety disorder."

I turned to him. "Why are you telling me this?"

He replied with, "they told me to tell someone I trust."

I didn't know how to feel about this. Sure, I've known him for a few months now, but why would he trust someone like me? Why couldn't he tell his parents, or one of his band friends?

"I think the doctor meant family?"

"I don't have family in America."

"So what are you going to...do about this?"

2D turned to me. "I thought we could work together."

"Uh..."

"I told the doctor all about you when I visited because you're the only person I've talked to recently...except for the doc."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

He looked me in the eyes, a dead serious look in his face.

"Yew've got it, too."

"Okay, I'm going back home now." I said, standing up.

"But L, don't yew want it cured, too?"

"Of course I'd want something I have cured," I replied, "but I'd also rather get a diagnosis from a REAL doctor."

2D looked a little heartbroken. Maybe I was too strong with my comeback.

I sat down again. "Look, if it'll make you feel better, I'll do a little research. I'll find at-home remedies you can do to feel better."

"You'll do 'em, too?"

I thought for a moment. Maybe if I humored him by participating, he'll lighten up, and maybe stop telling me where he lived.

"Sure, why not?"

2D smiled his toothy smile. Then, without warning, he sprung up and wrapped his arms around me.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," I said, trying to push him away. "What was that for?"

"Yew...don't like hugs?"

"Well, not really." I replied, "it looked like you tried to attack me."

2D frowned again. "Sorry, I didn't want to scare yew. I was just...happy."

"I understand." I thought for a moment, then held out my fist.

2D ducked. "IMSORRYIMSORRY!"

"Dude," I said.

"DONTHITMEPWEASE!"

"Hit you? Why would I do that?"

"I got yew angry, and yew held out a fist!"

I laughed. "No, 2D. I was going to offer you a fist bump!"

2D stopped cowering, and studied my hand.

I then opened my fist, and held it up instead. "Compromise. We'll high-five when we're happy. Okay?"

He straightened up, then accepted the high-five.

Man, his hand was really weak.

"Okay, now I REALLY have to go back to bed so I don't collapse at work," I told him.

"Okay, L. Call me when you're awake?"

"Sure."

The bike home wasn't as challenging as it was on the way to his house. Maybe because I'm more awake now. But I need the extra five hours of shut-eye.

I fell onto my bed, processing everything that happened. I'm basically going through therapy with 2D, now.

And it all started with a jar of pickles, of all things!