The Bad Boy Experiment

3

Author: Kaylee

Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life. ~Sophia Loren

Stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid! Why did Dan do that? Was he really just going to hand over his biggest secret to some guy who just became aware that he existed? Of course not! So why'd he do it?

Stupid.

Dan walked to the tree, but Phil was already there.

"Hey Howell. So you have a secret for me?" Phil said, sounding giddy.

"Follow me if you would." Dan ordered.

He decided on an idea. They walked about a mile without conversation. Eventually, they arrived at Teddy's.

Teddy's was a bar that was well known around the school for giving drinks to minors 16 or over. Dan had been there multiple times with his older brother who'd moved out at the end of the last year, but Dan never drank. Not until he was 16 of course. Once Dan turned 16, he was a regular customer. He didn't drink everytime he came though, sometimes he got dinner. He mainly came because he had no friends and no one was there to talk to him except the bartender, Mikal.

Dan and Phil walked into the bar and the smell of alcohol and burned burgers was extremely prominent. The lights were dimmed so low, it was very difficult to see. The wooden building was empty except for Mikal. The entire atmosphere made Dan feel more at home than he had in the two weeks he'd been clean of the substance.

Mikal spotted the pair and smiled warmly.

"Dan! Yes, I've missed my favorite customer! You look nice today. Who is your friend?"

"What's been going on Mikal! It's a look I've been rocking for a bit. This is Phil Lester." Dan introduced.

Phil elbowed Dan's side lightly.

"Don't tell him my full name." Phil hissed.

Dan laughed and took a seat on one of the red bar stools. Phil copied Dan and sat beside him.

"Hm, Phil Lester... Phil Lester.. Where have I heard that name before? It'll come to me. What can I get for you boys?" Mikal said with his businessman enthusiasm.

"We'll have something strong. Doesn't matter what. Just strong. You feel?" Dan said.

"I got you." Mikal smiled, then left to prepare the drinks.

Phil was shaking either out of fear that someone would catch them, anxiety about this kind of place, or both. It was hard to tell. Phil had every right to have those expressions too. If he were caught, it would definitely ruin his good boy image. Maybe even his business of smoothie selling.

Mikal came back with two drinks in tall glasses. Dan thanked him and sipped slowly. Phil, on the other hand, downed it.

"Whew!" Phil exclaimed.

Dan knew better. The plan was to end up telling Phil what he originally intended to tell him, only Dan would have him blackout drunk so that it would all just be a blur.

Phil downed another, and for a first time drinker, he was good. Dan sipped slowly, not even finished with half of his first drink when Phil was starting his third.

"Hey buddy, I think that's enough, okay?" Dan warned. "Remember, I have something to tell you."

Phil was swaying on his stool and smiling without reason.

"Yess.. What were youu going to tella me?" Phil slurred.

"Phil?" Dan said, trying to get Phil to look him in the eye. "Phil! Come on buddy, look at me."