Dan and Phil imagines

How's everything's changed- part 3

"You're not a freak. You're gifted." mom said, as though she were reading your thoughts at the time.

"There's a difference?"

Her smile turned into a full-on grin.

"I'll admit. It's slight, but there is a difference." She put her arm around your shoulders, and you leaned into her. "You're going to do great. People here are nice, more down to earth."

"So you've said." But you weren't holding your breath. You were a freak to the core, and even if the people were "down to earth," chances were they wouldn't be down with you.

"And now your cousins are only an hour away. Once we get more settled, we'll have them over for dinner. They'll understand you, even if the other kids don't." She had you there. If they were "gifted" too, then maybe you could finally figure out how to have a normal life.

"Sounds like a solid plan."

"Have you eaten anything?"

You thought for a second. "Maltesers?"

You might have forgotten to eat again. When an organizational task was put in front of you, you were a girl on a mission. Puny matters like eating faded away.

"A woman cannot live on Maltesers alone." She gave you another squeeze before getting up. "Don't worry so much. It's all going to work out. Your dad and I are leaving for dinner. Date night, remember?"

You nodded. Every Sunday, rain or shine, Mom and Dad had a date. It was cute. You kind of envied them, but you had time to figure the whole boyfriend thing out. One day you'd find a way to be a regular girl with a totally awesome guy by your side. Okay, so you'd take an average one. You'd even settle for a mediocre one at this point. The blame wasn't on them; it was totally you. No one needed to be inside the head of a teenage boy when you're the object of their thoughts. Because seriously, eew. Which defeated the purpose entirely.

"There are frozen pizzas in the freezer, and we'll leave money in case you and your brother want to go somewhere. Eat. It's an order."

"Got it. Starvation-chic is not my look." you grabbed an old Nora Roberts book and settled down in your window bench to escape for a bit. The predictability of her books drew you in quickly. There was nothing more certain in life than the ending of a good romance novel.

A few chapters in, Mom yelled that they were leaving. You watched them get into the car and disappear around the curve in the road.

Alone at last. You'd been feeling antsy since you got here, and it'd only gotten worse. For you there were only two things that would quiet your mind, dancing and running. You'd already gone for your morning jog, and had been waiting for a chance to blast some music.

You clicked on last week's BBC One Essential Mix, turned the volume up as loud as you could stand it, and started dancing around your room.

Zach walked in without knocking and turned off the music. "Are you trying to make everyone in London deaf?" Or not.

"Who said you could come in here?"

"I did. We're parentless!" He hammed it up with some cheering, and then collapsed on your bed.

"That's hardly cause for celebration." you rolled your eyes.

"Come on. I've been listening to what everyone else wants to for days now. Can I just-"

"No." you kicked his shin.

"Ow. Don't be so violent." He rubbed his shin. "It's your last night before starting a brand new school year."