What Could Have Been

Rain pounded the windows and lightning flashed through the cracks of the blinds. A camera on a tripod sat in the corner of the room while papers and an open notebook were flung across the coffee table. The glow from the TV illuminated the room and off the faces of the two occupants sitting on the sofa.

One had red hair that had been dyed black. His dark fringe was falling into his left eye and he flicked his head to the side to get the offending hair out of his face. In his hand was the TV remote and he lazily flipped the channels while his roommate, and best friend slouched next to him in his "internet browsing position". Both boys were content and enjoying each other's company. The raging storm had other ideas.

Another flick of a channel being turned and simultaneously the loudest boom of thunder yet paired with a flash of lightning, caused the entire apartment (flat) to go pitch black. The two boys looked at each other wide eyed. The black haired boy tossed the remote on the coffee table with a resounding "thunk". He stood up and his friend grabbed his arm.

"Phil, were are you going?"

Phil sighed and replied, "To get the flashlight (torch) from the kitchen. I'll be right back."

He gently pulled his arm from Dan's grasp and walked away. Dan looked around the dark room apprehensively. He wasn't a big fan of the dark. A minute later Phil was back and handing Dan a flashlight. Dan nodded his thanks and turned it on. Deciding it would be a good idea, Dan reached over and set the flashlight on the table facing up so the light lit up the ceiling. Phil followed his lead and did the same thing.

The room now had enough light the two could make out each other's faces. Phil noticed Dan had a contemplative look on his face.

"Hey Dan, you okay?" Phil asked with slight concern.

Dan smirked and said, "Yeah. Just thinking about how different our lives would be if you hadn't got that video camera and started making videos."

Phil leaned back on the sofa and smiled. He thought back to when he first got that black and white camera with the microphone. He couldn't believe how far he'd come since then. He looked at Dan and said, "I know. The main thing being I never would've met you. Obviously there's other things too: like YouTube, Radio 1, fans, our friends, all the events, and not to mention our book and upcoming tour. Looking back, I'm glad you did all you could to get my attention. I never would've guessed that just by getting a video camera would my life change for the better. There's no way I'd trade any of this for anything." He spread out his hands and gestured around himself.

Dan smiled at what Phil said. He couldn't imagine life without Phil in it. He was just happy that he finally had a best friend after going his entire life without one. He gave Phil a grin and said, "You know, if tomorrow comes and everything YouTube related was gone, I'd strangely be okay with it. Only because out of everything I've gotten the opportunity to do, I've gotten to share it with the guy who turned my life around. Thanks Phil for being the best friend a guy could ask for. You've helped me in ways that no one else has been able to. From talking me through my existential crisis to helping me with my videos. I'm forever grateful." Dan paused and let out a low chuckle. "All because of a video camera." He started laughing and Phil joined in.

Dan suddenly stopped laughing and looked at Phil with a look of horror. His eyes widened, "Oh, my God. This just hit me. Okay not really but still. Anyway, I realized I most likely would still be friendless and studying Law at University. While questioning what I was doing with my life. There's no way I'd have started YouTube without you pushing me and saying you thought I'd be good at it." Dan lunges forward and gave Phil a huge hug. "Thank you Phil."

Phil returned the hug. He knew how much he had helped Dan over the years, but it still felt nice when Dan said what he did out loud. Phil squeezed Dan a little tighter and said quietly, "You're welcome, Dan. I'll always be here for you no matter what. 'If there ever comes a day where we can't be together, keep me in your heart, I will stay there forever'." He grinned as Dan chuckled.

Dan pulled away from the hug and said, "Quoting Winnie the Pooh?"

Phil smiled, "Yes, but that quote fits us and our friendship perfectly."

Dan just nodded in agreement and leaned back into the sofa, content.

The storm still raged outside, but two best friends were warm and cozy inside. The two had no idea what the future held for them, but they did know whatever came their way they would face it together. Like they always did.

Who knew that a simple video camera would bring together two boys who would eventually become Internet sensations?