Blackout

Clair's Arrangements

"You're not listening to me are you?" Daniel's friend Gary Copland asked him. Gary and Daniel had been friends for 12 years, since the beginning of college. Their mutual interest in girls connecting them. They were known in college as 'The Hard Ones' and not because they were the best at fighting, even though they could both handle themselves.

Daniel peaked up from his computer screen and lowered his thick framed glasses. He was an attractive man; 6'2, lean but muscular, his hair a caramel brown and styled to perfection, his face chiselled and usually adorned a five o'clock shadow.

"No, not really." He answered. Gary leaned forward and rested his thick arms atop Daniel's desk. Unlike Daniel, Gary was a burly man, working his muscles daily at the construction sites. He stood at 5'11, but his over built body and shaven head more than made up for that.

"I was saying I met a lovely girl last weekend at Mary Jane's."

Daniel turned his attention back to his desktop, but continued to pay attention.

"Tell me about her." Daniel said, as his hands flew over the keyboard.

"You actually going to listen to me this time?" Gary tapped his fingers restlessly. He loved Daniel like a brother, but got seriously pissed when he wasn't giving him his full attention.

"Yes. Now continue before I change my mind." Daniel snapped. Gary rolled his eyes, but obeyed.

"Her name is Clair, she's 22 and pretty."

"Are you dating?"

Gary shook his head.

"No, we've just been messaging every night since. I don't think she's interested in me that way."

He put his head down and began playing with his fingers.

"She must be if she's willing to talk to you every night for a week."

"She has no one else to talk to."

"A loner?"

Gary sighed.

"Not by choice. She has no one. She lives in a hostel but she keeps to herself."

Daniel nodded as Gary took a deep breath, shifting nervously in his seat, which didn't go unnoticed. Daniel looked at him.

"What is it?" He asked.

"Well..." Gary trained his gaze through the window behind Daniel. "I was wondering if perhaps Clair could stay with you for a little while."

"No." Daniel answered with no hesitation.

"What? Just like that?" Gary couldn't believe how abrupt the answer had been. He thought Daniel would do anything for him as he would for Daniel.

"Yes, just like that. You know I'm a man who respects his privacy. There is no way I can allow a complete stranger to come live with me."

"You can't expect her to live in a hostel that stinks of piss and barely sleeps while she's trying to pick up the pieces of her life."

Gary stood abruptly, pushing aside his chair, growing angry.

Daniel, however stayed calm, as he removed his glasses and placed them atop the desk.

"Her situation sounds unfortunate, yes, but as I said I cannot allow a stranger into my home."

Gary plants his hands firmly on the desk in front of him and leans forward.

"You selfish bastard."

Daniel stood at this, not letting himself be intimidated by the solid rock.

"Yes I am. What does that make you? Did you offer her your place?"

"Of course I did, but she said no when I told her I only have one bed. You have a spare. The least you can do is find the slightest bit of humanity you have inside yourself and let her use it."

Daniel turned his back and sighed. He didn't like arguing with his best friend.

"Please Daniel, she miserable. So miserable in fact that I'm worried she'll hurt herself again." Gary's voice was pleading and Daniels ears pricked up at the mention of self harm. He spun quickly to face his friend.

"What do you mean again?"

Gary's head dropped.

"She still has the scars. They look fresh, like she did it only a few weeks ago. I asked her about it but she just pulled away from me." Gary was glum. He knew what it's like to almost lose someone to themselves. That someone was standing right before him.

Daniel sat down in his plush leather chair with a thud. Gary followed.

"I can get her some where to live, but it can't be with me." Daniel sounded resigned.

"I can't let her live alone. She needs to be near people."

"Then you live with her at the new place."

"No, I can't do that either. Landlord will chuck me out."

Daniel growled, struggling with his internal battle. He didn't want this girl to ruin her life anymore than it may already be, but he knew the risk he would be taking letting her into his life. It was bad enough he allowed Gary to still be near him.

"Please." Gary pleaded again.

"Fine. But if something happens, I'm blaming you." Daniel growled out, but through his excitement Gary bypassed his tone and jumped from his seat to give Daniel a slapping man hug.

"You're the best, mate. Tomorrow good for you?" He rested his behind on the desk waiting.

"Yes, it's fine. How long?"

"Not too long I reckon. She's working really hard to get back on track." Gary smiled as Daniel nodded, still fearing the worst.

"She'll be really happy she won't have to stay in that shit hole any longer." He turned serious. "Thank you. This means a lot to me. I owe you one."

"You owe me more than that. Now get out so I can work."