ACQUAINTANCE (Book #3 - EMAILS TO DAN)

19 October 2009

"Where are you?" Phil called me as he interrupted my thoughts on being nervous to meet him. "I can't find you and you're like my height."

"Phil, I'm shorter and I'm not even there yet."

"Oh."

"Wow," I spoke sarcastically.

"Hey, I am just as nervous on meeting you as you are about meeting me."

"Oh, God. Please don't bring up me being nervous. It just makes me sound like more of a loser."

"It's not bad though."

"Yeah, whatever."

I tilted the phone away from my face as there was a beep from the speaker. "Attention," the person in charge of the train spoke. "We will be arriving in a few minutes. Please remember to take all personal items when you proceed out." The announcer continued to blabber about what to do when we leave while I tilted the phone back to my face.

"Alright, Phil. I'm getting off soon."

"Wait! What if I need to use the toilet and you're out and I can't find you!"

"Oh, my God."

"I'm being serious!" Phil exaggerated.

"Then go now if you need to." He groaned on the other side of the phone - trying to make a decision.

"There's a line!"

"Phil, make up your mind!" I heard muffling from the other side, but I couldn't make out what he was saying by the loud beeping of the train - indicating that we had arrived and we need to get off.

"Thank you for riding with us!" A women said over the speaker.

"I'm getting off now," I notified Phil. "I'll see you in a few."

"Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Oh, my God," he repeatedly said. "This is happening!"

"Yes, Phil, it's happening." I smiled. Phil hung up and I slipped my phone in my back pocket. Fixing my fringe, I grabbed my luggage and waited for the people in front of me to walk out of the train. I followed everyone else into the lobby as they met up with loved ones, while I was trying to find Phil. Knowing he must have been the tallest one here, I found him.

There he stood wearing a grey sweater and black jeans, looking nervous as I was. I tried not to show it, but I probably failed at it. I quickly walked towards him and he noticed me. As soon as he did, I stopped.

"Oh, my God," I heard him say again, but in person. "Dan!" Phil shouted walking towards me.

"Holy shit, Phil," I muttered. I let go of my bag and let Phil throw his arms around me as I did to him. He gave a small squeeze and held me tight.

"My best friend," I heard Phil softly. I smiled, but he couldn't see. I let go of Phil and his eyes were glossy enough to notice he was about to cry.

"Don't cry, please. I don't want you to cry. Not here at least." Phil smiled as I grabbed ahold of my luggage again. I walked with Phil over to the exit to find a taxi to his family's house. He became overwhelmed from us finally meeting, since we've been talking about it for months.

The only reason why I wasn't crying was because I didn't want to show how glad I was to see him. I wanted to be chill about it with him and enjoy the time we were going to spend.

But I was happy I was here with him.

I was happy to see my best friend.