Diligent

Chapter 3

Phil's POV:

I woke up much earlier than usual. I remember hearing screaming last night. It was probably that couple that just moved in next door.

I got up and yawned and looked at the bed, confused. Dan wasn't in the bed. I got up and nearly tripped over him. He was laying face down on the ground, staring blankly. "What's wrong?" I asked, kneeling down next to him.

"...existential crisis..." He mumbled. This early? He usually had them later.

"Daniel, your existence matters. You wouldn't be here if it didn't," I said, rubbing his back. It usually helps when I call him Daniel, but he did nothing. He just kept blankly staring. "Hey, Dan. You'll figure out why you exist one day! It'll be okay."

"It won't," He mumbled. Wow, it's really bad this time. I kept rubbing his back.

Suddenly I heard a click noise. I got up and went to check on Dyl. I opened the door, and she wasn't there! I noticed a piece of notebook paper on my pillow. I grabbed it and read it:

Dear Dan and Phil,

Thank you for letting me stay, but it's no longer safe for you guys. I have to leave before I get one of you hurt. I'll always be a Phangirl. I'm just doing this to protect you. Goodbye.

~Dylan Jaynes

Oh my gosh. I ran as fast as I could and ran out the door, not looking to see if it closed. I went to the elevators, and Dylan was standing there, waiting for one to open. She was holding a backpack. "Dylan!" I yelled. She gasped and one started to open. I didn't know what else to do, so I tackled her.

"Phil, let me go!" She yelled, struggling to break free. I tightened my grip.

"Dylan, why are you trying to run away?" I asked. She squirmed and tried to push my arms off her but I held her even tighter.

"Let. Me. Go!" She yelled. She looked like she was about to cry. "I'm a nuisance! If I stay around you guys, you'll get hurt. I'm worthless!"

I forced her to look me in the eyes. "Dylan, you are not a nuisance and you're not worthless. I never want to hear you say that again." I said, serious. How could we get hurt because of her?

She sniffled. "I need to just go. I'm putting you two in danger." She said.

"We can handle danger, you don't need to protect us. You can't go out on your own, you're only 14. You wouldn't have anywhere to go." I told her.

She sighed and looked at me. "Fine," She said. We stood up and walked back to the room. "I-I'm sorry," she said.

"It's okay, Dyl. You had good intentions," I told her.

I opened the door and walked in first. Dan ran up to me, scared. "Phil where's Dyllie?" He said, and saw Dylan behind me. "Dyl! I was so worried about you!" He said and hugged her.

"I thought you wouldn't want me here after what I said yesterday," What? What did she say?

"Of course I still want you around! I love you like a you're my daughter," he said. What is going ooooooon??