360 Days

As Dan Howell walked down the side of the street, he saw people go and pass, happy and cheerful for the holidays. Dan couldn't help but to roll his eyes, he had been kicked out just before the holidays. He remembered the Starbucks he passed a couple minutes ago and headed in that direction. He was cold, tired, and desperate for a double expresso latte.
He walked inside and instantly smelled coffee. He ordered and while waiting for his coffee he saw a familar face. First he saw the black hair, then his sharp blue eyes, and his distinct, slim nose.
"Phil!" Dan said waving over his internet friend. Dan smiled for the first time in a really long time. He never had met Phil before, but they had been talking over skype for many years. Phil told Dan to wait a minute and he ordered a Pumpkin Spice Latte. Then the two sat down at a table.
"Dan, what are you doing in London?" Phil asked, with confusion. Dan began to explain his whole story. From being kicked out and having no where to stay. Phil looked at Dan with concern. "Dan, if you would like you could stay at my house?" Dan nodded and thanked Phil. "Just for one year, okay?" Dan understood and nodded, again.
"Before we go home, I need to get Valentine a gift." Phil said throwing away his cup. Dan took one last sip and did the same.
"Who's Valentine?" Dan said with a snicker. "Is she like your secret crush?" Dan added a wink. Phil gave Dan a small shove.
"No, Daniel, weither you believe it or not, I happen to have a girlfriend. Her name is Valentine." Phil said adding emphasis onto 'name'. Dan rolled his eyes and picked up his pace in step to keep up with Phil. "We are headed for the train station, Dan."
As the boarded the train, something amused Phil on his phone and he began to laugh, a lot. Dan felt himself staring at Phil. He noticed that Phil's eyes crinkle when he smiles.
'Wow, Phil is so adorable. So cute, with his little laugh and smile. Wait, what the hell am I saying, I just met Phil in person. Phil has a girlfriend. AND IM NOT GAY!' Dan thought as he watched his friend giggle about. He couldn't help but to ask what was so funny. And of course, knowing Phil, its an edit of Phil's face on a monkey's body.
The train stopped in a downtown area, with lots and lots of shops. Phil stopped to look at a map and see what all the stores the shopping center had. He gasped.
"Dan, do you know what kind of shops girls like?" Phil asked. Dan's mind pratically went: 'No, I don't, I've never had a girlfriend, at least in a long time, and I'm in love with you!' But those words couldn't form in Dan's mouth.
"No, but we could look at the store the most girls go in?" Dan said. Phil asked Dan if that was like stalking because if so, he didn't want to do it. "Yeah, it's stalking, but oh well we are doing it!" Dan said grabbing Phil's wrist, instantly warming Dan's whole body. He pulled Phil over near the escalators and they waited for about 15 minutes.
"Alright, Dan, it looks like the most girls have gone into that one." Phil said pointing to a store called, Victoria's Secret. "What even is that store though, Dan?" Phil said in disgust. Dan just laughed.
"Let's just get her a present." Dan said walking into the store. The front desk lady looked at Dan and Phil as they walked in.
"Um, we don't sell any guys clothes, but I just love gay couples so–" she started. Phil stopped her.
"You, you think we are a gay couple!" He started laughing. Dan just blushed and looked down. "I'm here getting a gift for my girlfriend. He's just my friend!" Phil said. The worker instantly felt bad, and ran away in embarrasment. "Alright, what should we get?" Phil said looking over at the blushing Dan. Dan smirked.
"Well do you want sexy," Dan held up a lace bra," or do you want sex?" Dan said pointing to the underwear. He proceeded to laugh, and Phil joined in too.
"Can't I just get her a shirt?" Phil said, still laughing at Dan's immaturity. Dan shrugged his shoulders not really wanting to help. 'Wait, what if i sabottage the gift?! Great idea Daniel!' Dan thought.
"I know what to do! We can order her one of those big teddy bears, I'll pay for it too! Since you're letting me stay and all." Dan persuaded Phil, and it worked.
They walked for the train and Dan really wanted to hold Phil's hand. Like really wanted to. So, Dan slid is hand into Phil's and he felt Phil's warmth again. Phil looked at Dan with a weird expression.
"Dan, what are you doing?" Phil said looking down at their intertwined hands. Dan quickly pulled away his hand and tried to think of why he held Phil's hand.
"Oh... umh... you're such a wus I forgot that I wasn't with a girl." Dan causually said. He put his hand in is hair and pulled it back, hoping Phil wasn't annoyed. They boarded the train again and this time Phil stood up, while Dan sat a couple of seats away from him. Dan sighed, it was as if he could feel the embarrasment and humilation in the air. Phil's eyes were glued to the ground and Dan's were on his phone. But time to time, there would be a second where Phil would look over at Dan. Phil would wish and hope that Dan would come stand next to him. Eventually the train ride ended, and the two headed for Phil's apartment.
"Make sure, Dan, that you order Valentine's present!" Phil said to Dan. Dan nodded and went to Phil's guest room. "Good night, Daniel." Phil said before he went into his own room. But Dan didn't go to sleep for hours.
----------------------------------------------
{word count: 1025}
-erin