cat whiskers // phan.

Chapter 27

I try to hold myself together as I adjust my black tie. I can't believe it's already her day. Her funeral. I miss Georgie so, so much. I turn to Phil, who looks absolutely stunning. Like an angel. His skin is the same colour as his crisp, white shirt, contrasting deeply with his pure black suit and tie. I'm wearing a blue shirt and also a black suit.

"You ready?" He asks, trying to start conversation.

"I can't do this, Phil. I can't" I tell him.

"Daniel, I have every belief in you. You can do this" he says, reaching out and hugging me loosely.

"Can you make the speech for me?" I sob into his shoulder.

"It won't be as good as if you say it, but if you really can't, then sure" he says as he rubs circles in my back.

"I love you Phil" I whisper into his neck.

"I love you more"

--

It's our turn to go up and talk. I've made it through the first half an hour. I couldn't even go up to the coffin to pay respects. I just couldn't take myself over there. I just sat on my assigned bench, holding Phil's hand so tight it must have hurt, but he didn't say anything.

"Hey guys. Dan asked me to help him out with his speech today" Phil smiles warmly and performs my short paragraph about my best friend, as I try to hold myself together in front of the small crowd of friends and family.

The rest of the reception go's by far too slowly, it's almost unbearable. When it is finally finished Phil and I stay back after everyone else left. Hand in hand with my boyfriend, I make my way over to the black box. I see Georgie's lifeless body, but breath in deeply and fumble around my trouser pocket. I eventually find the Killjoy pin I've been meaning to give her, and I pin it on the clothes she's wearing.

"I'll miss you, Georgie" I whisper, my hands shaking, a stray tear rolling down my cheek. Phil gently wipes it away.

--

"Stay with me tonight, Phil?" I beg him "please?"

Phil sighs deeply "okay Dan, but only tonight" he looks down at his suit and looks back up at me "you'll have to lend me some clothes though please" he laughs gently.

"I only have black, sorry" I say, passing him some shorts and my black t-shirt to sleep in. We both get changed and go downstairs to talk to my mum.

"Phil! I haven't seen you in so long" my mum beams at him. I'm so glad she's so happy with him "tea?"

"Yes please, Miss Howell" he smiles back.

"Miss Howell?" she wiggles her eyebrows "you've got a keeper there, Daniel"

I roll my eyes but I don't deny it. He really is.

"How was the day then?" She says, pouring out the cups of tea.

"Depressing, but Phil was so helpful" I smile at him and he squeezes my hand.

"Aw, you've done well with him Daniel" she giggles "I'm so sorry about Georgie, too" I smile weakly and briefly.

"I'm really nothing special" Phil blushes.

"That's what they all say" she rolls her eyes, handing us our cups.

"Any plans for tomorrow?" she asks. I forgot to tell her about Australia!

"I have somewhere to be between 4-6" I breath in deeply "then I'm hopefully flying to Australia" I whisper.

"Australia? That's great" she cries.

"You don't mind?" I ask.

"Of course not" she smiles widely "that means I can get rid of this house and travel the world, like I always wanted!"

"But we don't have much money.. That's why you work so much?" I question.

"No, I work so much to save up for college fees, travelling, things like that" I smiles sweetly, before taking a long slurp of tea.

We chatter on until about 10pm before mum tells us she needs to go to sleep, so we make our way up to bed.

"I'll crash on the floor if you like?" I ask.

"Don't be silly" Phil laughs, before making us both climb into my tiny bed.

"Goodnight Dan" he whispers, as we cuddle in the middle of the bed.

"Goodnight Phil, thank you" I reply before drifting to sleep.