{Phil's POV}
"This should be easy" I mumbled spitefully to myself, staring distantly at the menu hanging above the barista's head. I couldn't seem to focus on the words, or anything for that matter, due to the invalidated anxiety I was experiencing. It wasn't uncommon for me to be feeling this way in any and all social settings. It was inconvenient, yes, but it was what it was.
I hastily ordered a coffee and took it in the direction of the front windows, leaving the small, uncomfortable looking girl in peace. I chose a leather armchair and awkwardly sat; I tucked my legs up next to me and contently got lost staring at the street in front of me.
I thought about all the calls I hadn't returned, all the university applications I never filled out. I thought about all the jobs a never sought; and I thought about all the money I hadn't earned. I should've been more worried than I was.
But I wasn't. I couldn't bring myself to care. I was doing what I wanted. I didn't do too well with independence. I never made very good life choices, but I had been getting by for a couple months now.
The sky started to darken and I looked down to see my almost empty coffee. I threw back the cold dregs and automatically wished that I had more. In the back of my mind I knew that I should probably start getting home; I made the idle decision to stay for a few more minutes.
My flat was kind of depressing. It was small and barren but it was all I could afford and served its purpose just fine. I spent most of my time in bed anyways; I didn't need anything fancy. Most of my time was spent aimlessly scrolling through Tumblr and distracting myself from reality.
With a sigh, I hauled myself out of the comfortable seat and out of the cafe. The fresh air filled my lungs and I instantly yearned to be back inside the cozy coffee shop. I gathered all my willpower and headed towards the nearest bus stop.
When I reached the bus stop, I noticed a man sitting casually on the bench and awkwardly walked forward. I stood a few steps away and desperately wished the bus would hurry up and take me away from here.
"Hi." The man said from beside me. I quickly turned my head to glance at him. He had brown hair falling over part of his face in a similar style to mine and was wearing so many dark colours that he practically blended into the pavement and dreary sky. He also had the most beautiful brown eyes I had ever seen; they were easy to get lost in and made a sense of calm wash over me. Realizing that I had been staring into his eyes, I snapped out of it and gathered my thoughts enough to respond.
"Oh, uh, hi." I stumbled over my words, sounding like a complete idiot. I couldn't even seem to greet someone properly.
"My name's Dan," he replied with a slight smile, "and yourself?"
"I-I'm Phil." I stuttered, getting the urge to slap myself in the face. The man's smile seemed to grow slightly and I silently questioned why he was bothering to talk to me.
"It's nice to meet you Phil. What are you doing out on this gloomy Wednesday evening?" He inquired politely, "Not many people chose now to head out."
"Which is exactly why I did it." I blurted. I could feel heat rushing to my face and cursed myself for saying the first thought to come to my mind. Now I either look like an anti-mainstream hipster or an artfully introverted emo; neither tend to be well interpreted.
"Avoiding the crowds?" He guessed (correctly, might I add) "Understandable." He continued to smile gently and for some unknown reason I could feel my stomach start to unclench and became increasingly more comfortable with each passing second. I nodded idly and scrambled to think of a response in an attempt to keep up the conversation.
"What about you?" I asked, silently praying I hadn't messed up the simple question somehow.
"I'm just passing through." He replied, suddenly sounding distant. I was curious as to where he was from, where he was going, what he was thinking about.
"Where are you headed?" I questioned, now completely interested in the conversation.
"Not sure yet," he answered with a shrug and breathy laugh, "I'm going to get on the bus and get off wherever feels right." He spoke quietly but I could hear him just fine; I hung off his every word. He was mysterious and confusing but somehow not shady. His smile seemed so at peace and his eyes were warm and inviting.
We continued to chat about our lives and interests and soon started sharing childhood stories. When the bus came, we sat down together and continued to talk. We talked as if we were old friends and I felt so at home that I could've continued on indefinitely.
Unfortunately, the bus pulled up to the stop nearest my house and I said farewell to the brown-eyed boy. He was something like I'd never experienced before.
When I asked for his phone number, he said "Perhaps if we meet again, but I feel we should leave it up to chance whether we see each other again." I nodded, having gotten used to his random philosophical replies over that half hour that I had spoken to him.
"Goodbye Phil." He said with a small, all-knowing smile as I stepped off of the bus. I quickly stepped down the pavement and hopped up to my front door. As I opened my door, I turned back to see Dan watching me with a thoughtful expression as the bus receded down the street.
I smiled to myself, thinking it was a shame that I'd probably never see him again.
