Pest//phan au

Ten

"So what if I told you that you were invited to a Halloween party?" Cat said happily.

"By who?" I asked curiously. The only friends I have are Cat and Phil.

"Zoe," she casually threw out the name. "Even though she thinks that you puked your guts out that night, she still has a crush on you."

"Mm," I hummed, uninterested.

"So will you go?" She chirped, her eyes bright.

"Who else is going?" I questioned, not wanting to ask for anyone an particular that would arise suspicion. There was really only two people I would want there, Cat and Phil.

"A lot of people," she said, diverting her eyes. I could tell that she thought I would say no due to the amount of people attending. I watched her carefully, waiting for her to drop a name or two, but she never did.

"Who specifically?" I finally asked, giving in. I didn't actually ask if someone in particular was going, though.

"Why?" She watched me with her eyes squinting slightly, looking skeptical. "Anybody piquing your interest?" She added with a smirk.

"No, I'm just wondering," I mumbled, probably sounding guiltier than I wanted to.

"Are you going or not?" She insisted.

I sighed. "Yeah, I'll go. It's Friday, right?"

"Yep! Thanks, Dan!" She exclaimed, and walked off in the direction of her class.

---

"I'm not going to study today," Phil mumbled as I met up with him in the same place.

"Why not? Are you alright?" I asked, concern filling my voice.

"I'm great, actually. I just, um," he stuttered a bit trying to get the words out. "I want you to meet someone."

"Uh, okay," I said slowly, unsure of what he was up to.

We walked to lunch in a quiet daze. Why would he want to introduce me to someone?

"There he is," Phil said, and waved someone over to us. A boy shorter than us came over happily, and pulled Phil into a tight hug. I felt a tug on my stomach at the way he was holding him. "Chris, this is Dan."

Chris let go of Phil and stuck his hand out to me. I stared at it, not wanting to take it. Chris's smile faded as he lowered his hand slowly. "Um, it's nice to meet you," Chris said, his voice different from what I expected.

I gave him a curt nod in response. Phil flashed a strained smile at me. "This is my, um,"

"Boyfriend," Chris interjected happily. "Right?" He added as if it was an afterthought.

"Yeah," Phil smiled again, but he was watching me carefully, awaiting a response.

My heart dropped into my stomach as I finally understood the words that were flowing into my ears. Phil's boyfriend. Does this mean he's officially come out? And that he doesn't have feelings for me?

What about that stupid event yesterday where Phil and I were literally wrapped up in each other's arms? We slept like that for almost two hours, and Cat even told me that he had enjoyed it. Was I missing something?

"For how long?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Four days now," Chris said and looked up at Phil happily. "I asked him out on Saturday."

Saturday. Four days ago. So Phil had already been in a relationship with this boy when we had our cuddle-situation. I felt anger boil up in my stomach.