Chassidy’s POV
I shakily took a seat on one of the couches in the lobby as Dan handed me a cup of coffee. “He’ll be alright, Chassidy. Phil’s strong.” Dan encouraged. I knew it was as much for my benefit as it was for his own. He’d nearly lost his best friend twice in one day. It was taking its toll on him. He was pale and still shaking. I gave him a quick hug before drinking my own coffee. “Don’t blame yourself, Chass. This wasn’t your fault. Don’t ever think that, alright?”
I sighed, feeling exhausted. “I should never have come to London.”
“You may feel that way, but if you’d never met Nathan and things had never turned out like they did, you’d never have met Phil and he’d never have met you. You may not know it, but you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to Phil. The way he lights up when he’s around you… it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before.” Dan smiled.
“I have,” I admitted. “You with Haylee. You’re like that with her.” Suddenly Dan’s phone went off and he checked it.
“That was Hays. Phil is awake. You coming?” He asked, starting to get up. I nodded hesitantly and followed him back to his and Phil’s room.
“Chass…” Phil whimpered when I walked in. I shrunk back.
“Hi.” I answered. “How are you?”
“I’m alright. I’m sorry for scaring you like that and I’m really sorry for hurting you and shouting at you earlier. I wasn’t thinking.” He sighed.
No, you weren’t, I thought to myself. “It’s – it’s okay…” I lied. Phil motioned for me to come to him but I shook my head.
The next couple of days were weird. We skipped going to Sea World on Tuesday and although Dan was supposed to fly out, he waited until Wednesday. Haylee, Phil and I went to Phil’s parents’ vacation house with them and were staying there until Wednesday of next week. I decided to have my own room instead of staying in Phil’s room or Haylee’s room like originally planned. I didn’t do much on Tuesday, which was the day we got there. Dan stayed with us for a bit until his flight on Wednesday morning.
A knock on my door startled me until I realized it was just Haylee. She’d developed a certain knocking pattern to let me know it was her. “Chass? Do you want something to eat?” She asked.
I shook my head. “Can we talk?” She asked. I shook my head again. “Will you talk to Phil?” My eyes widened and I frantically shook my head. “Dan?” I nodded. “I’ll go call him then.”
She left and returned a few minutes later, her laptop in her hands. “Here, he’s on call.” She told me. I took the laptop and was greeted by Dan’s face on the screen.
“Hello!” He greeted.
“Hi.” I replied softly.
“Why don’t I talk and you just listen hmm?” Dan suggested. I nodded.
“Listen, Phil loves you and this isn’t your fault, alright? You need to know that. Why do you shy away from guys?” He asked, trying to get me to talk.
“T-they hurt me.” I answered.
“Nathan hurt you, yes. Has Phil ever hurt you?” He asked soothingly. I nodded. “Once, right?” I nodded again and rubbed the spot on my arm. It had bruised slightly, but not that bad.
“Phil never would intentionally hurt you. Phil cares for you. That’s the difference between him and Nathan. You trust me, right?” I nodded again.
“Okay, see? I would never hurt you and you trust me and I’m a guy. But Phil is the same as me, okay? He didn’t do that intentionally and never would.” I nodded.
“I know.” I answered. “I just can’t do it.”
