Favor
The beeping of an incoming message on her phone, made Lena look up. She was currently relaxing on the sofa with a mug of tea and her mother's book of spells. Crinkling her forehead, she got up and retrieved her phone from the kitchen counter.
"I have something important to discuss with you. Could you meet me at the tower at 4 pm tomorrow?"
"Brainy?" Lena whispered, confused but ready to help her friend.
"Sure, I'll be there. Is everything ok?" she texted back.
Instantly, Brainy replied, "Thank you, Lena and, yes, everything is fine."
She smiled, shaking her head and rolling her eyes at Brainy's communication style, "Ok, cu then."
When Lena arrived at the tower the next afternoon, she found it completely deserted.
"Hello?" she called, "Brainy, are you there?"
For a while there was silence but then a voice said, "I'm here, Lena", and Brainy stepped out from behind a bookshelf.
Lena almost jumped out of her skin. "Oh my god, Brainy!" she yelped, gasping. "You scared me!"
Stapling his fingers, Brainy said, "I'm sorry. That was not my intention. You are a bit early, otherwise I'd have been waiting for you here."
Lena pulled up an eyebrow.
"Brainy, what's going on?" she asked concernedly, approaching him.
He remained silent and averted his eyes.
"Hey, remember, boxes aren't really that good for us after all?" she reminded him. "Talk to me."
He exhaled visibly and sat down at the table.
"You're right. I sometimes forget that."
She smiled, sitting down opposite him, "Yeah, me too."
After another short silence Brainy made eye contact with Lena.
"You know Nia and I are getting married in two weeks", he said with audible happiness.
Lena nodded and smiled, "Yes, of course! Nia told me you've already finished all the preparations and I'm already looking forward to it."
He chuckled, "So am I. But there is one last thing that remains open and that's what I wanted to discuss with you."
Lena cocked her head, "With me?"
He nodded, "Lena, out of all the people I know here on earth in this time, you've been able to understand me the most. Somehow we are alike and I've become very comfortable with you. And I want to thank you for that."
"Brainy", Lena stammered, "I don't know what to say. I…. Thank you."
He smiled, "And because of this unique connection that we've forged, I wanted to ask a favor."
"Of course, Brainy", Lena said, fighting to keep her curiosity at bay.
He was silent for a while, contemplating his hands.
"Will you do me the honor and be my best man – well, best woman, really?" he finally blurted out, looking up at her.
Lena stared, her mouth open and lost for words. But then a wide smile spread across her face.
"Yes, of course, yes", she laughed, taking his hands. "It would be my honor."
And, all tension leaving him, Brainy laughed too, "Thank you, Lena."
