ACQUAINTANCE (Book #3 - EMAILS TO DAN)

15 November 2022

"Thank you." I smiled at the lady who put popcorn and chocolate into the bag before walking out of the shop.

Hopefully Phil still likes these.

The sun peaked through the clouds while they sprinkled drops of water on London. Seemed pleasant, though it would've been better without cars honking. Besides the several flaws London has, the city was turned into a bright shade of yellow with Phil's presence again.

Things changed for sure, I confidently thought. Hopefully for the better.

After pacing on the pavement, into Phil's building and walking out of the lift, I reached my destination. I heard talking, but chose to ignore it.

TV, maybe?

I knocked on the door, hoping Phil could hear over the TV. The talking stopped and steps creaking started. With the door opening, I viewed Phil. It was only wide enough to view just him.

"Hey, Phil. I was wondering if you wanted to hang out, maybe?"

"Um-"

"Phil? Who is it?" I heard.

The voice sounded strangely familiar.

"Dan-"

"Who's inside?" I asked.

Way too familiar.

"No one. Nows isn't a great time-"

Then the door swung open, viewing no one other than Charlie Skies.

Out of everyone in the world, why you?

"Hello, Daniel."

"Dan, Charlie. Get it right for once."

"Sorry, bear."

"Jesus fucking. . ." I muttered under my breath. "Right, okay, that's it." I pushed Phil's door open as he moved out of the way, having Charlie back up. I was a taller than him, so I was hoping maybe my height would intimidate him, though I knew it wouldn't.

"You've grown taller, Daniel!"

"What the fuck are you doing here?" I bluntly asked, completely ignoring his comment.

"Just visiting Phil. Nothing wrong with that."

"Actually, there's a lot wrong with that."

"How is that, Daniel?"

"If you haven't fucking noticed, you've done some bullshit. Consider this: your whole dramatic exit out of our lives is over with, so why the fuck are you here?"

"Just wanted to catch up on things with Phil. You know, since he's been hanging around with bear all the time. Or again, as I heard."

"Actually, we have some things to catch up on. Not you. You're done with, Charlie." I stared at him, hoping he got the memo.

Charlie glared at me, though it was obvious he was trying not to. He looked over at Phil, whom was watching us every second, not saying a word. Charlie looked back over at me with a smile on his face this time. "Fine," he said. He began to make his way out the door, until he looked back saying, "You still like balls, bear?" His smile turned into a smirk as he eyed Phil, then walked out, leaving Phil in silence and me agitated.

"What the hell do you have against him?" Phil asked.

"What do I not have against him? Do you not remember what he did?"

"Of course I do, but you do realize he was my friend once, right? Not just you."

"Why are you defending him all of sudden?" I asked in slight disbelief. "You didn't like him, too!"

"I know I didn't! But you didn't have push the door open to tell him to fuck off!" Phil shouted back.

It hasn't even been a month since we started talking to each other again and we had gotten into an argument already. However, in this situation, it seemed to be we had a reason other than ourselves for once. It was about someone else.

"Well, are you glad I did?" He didn't answer. He just shrugged, not knowing what to say. "Are you?"

"I am! I just. . . I don't understand why you got up all in his face and a bit protective all of a sudden."

"I just didn't know what he was doing here," I replied. "I hate the guy."

"I can tell," he slightly smiled, but it was fake. He noticed the bag from the shop still in my hand. Phil walked over to me, taking the bag out of my hands. "Popcorn? Chocolate? Who is this for?"

"Who wouldn't it be for," I said, but made it sound like a question. His smile grew wider, making my lips curve into one.

"Thank you," he spoke, reaching up to hug me. I wrapped my arms beneath his, feeling like I could melt at any moment. I mentally thanked the world that we didn't get into a more intense argument. I couldn't do that again with Phil. Never again.

There was something about Phil that could make me forget about things that happened before - such as Charlie. He seemed to make things brighter. He made my world brighter and easier to deal with at times.

Then I came to terms with myself.

Phil is so much more than that.

And he always has been.