Huge Phan of You

POV: Phil

I took a shaky breath as Dan walked down the path, heading away from my house. He seemed so casual! The whole time he was over, my heart was beating out of my chest.

I didn't have a reason to be nervous, really, but every time he had opened his mouth and chatted, his articulate voice mouthing well thought-out phrases and views but still managing to be colloquial and casual, I could help but get a lump in my throat. And that hug! The hug hurt my heart. It was just a normal hug for him, but for me, it was so much more. Warm, safe, wholesome, his embrace felt as natural as a hug from my parents.

But no, I'm just being naive. I can't love Dan, Dan is a friend I barely know.

My phone rings and my heart skips a beat. Could it be Dan? I wonder.

I take my phone out of my pocket, my pickachu case staring back at me, and look at the screen. I'm disappointed to discover that it's just my friend PJ.

I flip the phone open. "Hello?" I try to sound as least irritated as possible.

"Hey, Phil!"

"Hey Peej! What's up?"

"Nothing really, but the question is, what's up with you? I assume your date with that Dan guy went well." I can just hear the smirk in his voice.

I blush and quickly retort, repeating the phrase I had told him multiple times. "Dan is a friend, you ass hat."

"Whatever you say, Phil."

I sigh. "Anyway, what did you want?"

"I wanna talk about boys with you!!!" PJ squeals, impersonating a 12-year-old schoolgirl.

"Well, I can assure you, nothing happened."

"Something will, I can assure you." He mocks my voice before continuing. "But that isn't why I called you." PJ holds the phone up to his mouth when he talks, as if he's on speaker, so his voice is deafeningly loud. I hold the phone away from my ear and cringe.

"Then what?"

"Earlier, I was planning on going to the park to film that cluster of hydrangeas by the fence for a video I'm creating, but when I arrived, someone was already there. This guy who later introduced himself as Chris was also filming around that area, and he turned out to be a really cool guy! We're meeting again tomorrow. "

"That's really great, mate!"

He laughs sweetly at my rhyme. It's kind of adorable how excited PJ is about meeting Chris, but it's understandable, considering he's never really known anyone with the same passion for film-making. "He sounds awesome. Tell me more?"

"Sorry, maybe later, I think Chris is calling. See you soon!" And the phone blinks off.

Just as I am about to pocket my phone, I receive a text from Dan.

Hey Phil!!!! I had a great time today!!! I hell you did too!! Delivered, 4:36

He's so freaking adorable, it's clear he was a victim of autocorrect. And all those exclamation marks! I need to calm down.

I answer the text. I did! It was a lot of fun. We should get together soon. Sent, 4:36. Read, 4:37.

Was that coming on too strong? I stare at the screen as he types slowly.

Yeah, we should!! Tomorrow?? I'm free!! What about you, Philly? Sent, 4:38.

A swarm of emotion floods through me at his pet name. Yeah, totally! Wanna meet at Olive Garden near that Stewart's? Sent, 4:39. Read, 4:39.