Cat Whiskers

Chapter 6

Phil's P.O.V.

Chris and PJ both knew and it made things easier, in a way. They were my best friends as well and it was hard keeping things from them, especially secrets this big and important. Don't get me wrong, I never intended to tell Peej without Dan's permission, but in the car he just asked me if everything was alright and I broke down.

I was kind of relieved to find out that Dan told Chris, I couldn't tell him. I didn't want to tell them without Dan's consent, and I felt pretty bad about letting it slip with PJ.

With everyone in our friend group knowing the truth, we all knew what we had to do. PJ, Chris, and I shared a look; we were going to protect Dan no matter what it took.

We put all the snacks into bowls and got into our pyjamas. Food arrived about five minutes later and we all gathered around and ate. I was next to Peej and Dan. He didn't eat much again, the others noticed too. We exchanged concern glances, and I get up to go put the plates in the kitchen. Chris follows.

"Is he alright?" Chris asks.

"Honestly, I haven't seen him eat much anything and I am really worried."
"Okay, we will talk with him about it later, for now we need to get back in there."

I nodded and walked back into the room. I stopped when I crossed the threshold and saw Dan sitting there, looking as perfect as ever. His brown hair was covering his eyes and he had his arms wrapped around his knees. He looked like he was trying to hold himself together and it broke my heart. I sat on the couch and wrapped my arm around him. At first I felt him stiffen and then he began to relax into my arm. We watched Buffy for a bit when I felt his arm slide behind me and begin to pull me close to him. I couldn't help but smile. And when he put his hand in mine! Oh, I felt such a surge of electricity.

I bent down and kissed his forehead, he smelled sweet and felt soft and I never wanted to let go. He fell asleep in my arms and I wanted him to always be there.

I was beginning to fall asleep as well when Chris decided to do something.

Tuning off the show, he jumped up, turned on the lights and yelled,

"Who's ready for truth or dare?"

"What time is it?" asked Peej, rolling so his face was in the couch.

"Probably like 3 in the morning!" exclaimed Chris, "Come on, get up." He said, jumping onto PJ and squeezing him.

"I'm up, I'm up! Just don't do it!" he begged from under Chris.

"Don't do what?" he asked, faking innocence, "Don't do this?!" he asked, beginning to tickle him. PJ broke out laughing, and in between each laugh he pleaded for it to stop.
I turned my attention towards Dan, he wasn't sleeping, but his eyes were closed.

"Hey, Dan, do you wanna play? If you don't, I can always move you into Chris' room. He'll understand." I was trying to be gentle as I stirred him.

He opened his eyes and looked at me. His eyes were so beautiful, I just want to look at him and take him all in.

"I can play." He said his voice husky from sleep. I smiled down at him. Sitting up, we all moved onto the floor when Chris stopped mercilessly tickling PJ.

"Okay, who is going first?" Chris asked.

"Why don't you start?" I suggested.

"Alright, Phil, truth or dare?"

"Dare."

"I dare you to draw on your face with a Sharpie." He said as he got up to get me the pen.