Page 7 of The Suite Life
‘You know a guy?’ I echo.
‘Yeah, you know Doctor Mad? I know him,’ she reveals, and by the tone of her voice, I imagine I’m supposed to know who he is too.
I stare at her, processing the information, but I can’t find a file on anyone called Doctor Mad in my brain. I’m going to have to own my uncoolness and confess.
‘I don’t know who that is,’ I admit.
‘You don’t know Doctor Mad? He’s a YouTuber,’ Reanna replies, taking her phone from her pocket, and tapping it with her insanely long nails. ‘His channel is so good. Here, look…’
She holds up the phone for me and Zoe to see.
‘Oh, wow, he’s cute,’ Zoe says excitedly.
Doctor Mad – which I’m assuming isn’t his real name – is in his late twenties, with a trendy modern mullet and a nose ring. It’s a look that definitely works for him.
Reanna may not have the sound on, but the scene of him at a table with four other guys, laughing and joking, makes him look like a lot of fun.
‘Wow, is that how many views he gets?’ I blurt out, my eyes widening at the impressive number displayed on the screen as Reanna closes the video.
‘Yep,’ Reanna replies with certainty. ‘He’s a big deal.’
‘How do you know him?’ Zoe asks curiously.
‘He’s my brother’s best mate,’ she reveals proudly, ‘and the last time I saw him, he was ranting about how hard it is to find a nice, normal girl now that his account has blown up. Want me to set you up with him?’
‘Oh, I don’t know about that,’ I reply hesitantly, laughing it off.
‘Go on,’ Zoe encourages me with a mischievous glint in her eye. ‘This is exactly what you need – imagine turning up to the wedding with someone like him – a YouTuber is way cooler than aWelcome to Singledomcontestant.’
‘I need to dry my lady’s hair,’ I tell them with a smile, heading back over to my chair.
‘Come on, Gigi, give him a chance,’ Reanna persists. ‘Let me drop him a message.’
I wince as I feel myself coming around to the idea.
‘Okay,’ I reluctantly agree. ‘Do it, before I can change my mind.’
‘What is she doing?’ Tom asks as he joins the conversation.
‘I’m drying my lady’s hair,’ I inform him, changing the subject.
‘And she’s going on a date with Doctor Mad,’ Reanna adds, smiling widely as she taps away on her phone.
‘What?’ Tom blurts out. ‘Doctor Mad? How?’
‘Reanna knows him,’ Zoe explains.
‘Well, can you get him to come here, for his hair?’ Tom suggests. ‘It can’t hurt to have more high-profile clientele.’
‘And they are the only ones who can afford your prices,’ Zoe jokes.
I leave them to their playful banter and get back to work. As I dry my lady’s hair, I can’t help but fantasise about turning up to the wedding with a cool YouTuber on my arm. Even if people haven’t heard of him, I would only need to mention what he does, and his hits would speak for themselves, right? Nervous energy surges through my veins, making my hands feel shaky, but not for the typical reasons people worry about before a date. Sure, I want him to like me – well, I need him to like me. The thought of moving on for real churns my stomach, but an impressive no-strings wedding date is just what I need.
Assuming Doctor Mad says yes, of course.
5
‘So, are you a real doctor?’ I ask jokily.
