Dan sat on his luggage, his face buried in the soft surface of his palms. He was tired, jet lagged more than ever, and had just missed his flight. Not only this flight but the last flight to California for a few days. His layover turned into more than that when he fell asleep waiting for his plane. Now, with a massive storm making a stop at New York and it's surrounding states Dan was...well, screwed. Now he had to get a hotel room for the next few days and risk being late to his niece's birthday party. I'll just get a bus ride and get a flight in some other state he thought. Or maybe not.
He hauled his luggage out of the crowded airport and took a seat on the curb.
"Hey! You! Yeah, you! Do you need a ride?" Shouted a bright eyed man about Dan's age. He had a nearly identical black fringe parted opposite of Dan's. He was smiling wide, pointing at Dan out of the passenger window, elbows rested on the car door and grinning like it was below freezing outside.
"Yeah..." Dan said cautiously, bringing himself to his feet.
"Get in! I don't bite." He shouted said, waving Dan over. His smile was bright and clear, reminding Dan very much of sunshine. Really, the man reminded Dan of early spring. Bright, blue, beautiful, and he really just gave off that sort of vibe, it was like warmth radiated off of the handsome man. The sort of positivity that went around on spring break and weekends full of good weather and no work.
Whatever, I'm either going to die of hypothermia out here or die at the hands of that nice looking boy. Dan thought. I'll take the latter. So Dan gathered his things and popped them into the back of the mystery man's truck. He slid into the passenger seat.
"What's your name?" The grinning boy asked. He was shifting around in his seat excited for some odd reason.
"Dan. Yours?" He said nervously.
"I'm Phil, Phil Lester. Where are you off to?" Phil's eyes went quickly back to the crowded road.
"Well, I was supposed to be going to California. My niece's birthday is on Monday and I was going to stay with them until then. The weather has delayed my plans so if you're asking where to drop me off, I'd like to go to the bus station." Dan said. He was slightly out of breath as he talked so quickly and anxiously. His chest felt tight in the unfamiliar situation.
"I can just take you. Buses are horrible and I'm heading out there anyway. I can drop you off at an airport or something." Phil shrugged.
I nodded and Phil turned up the previously muted stereo. "Is this okay?" he asked.
Dan's eyes lit up. Fall Out Boy. Specifically, Just One Yesterday. Phil smiled as he saw Dan's expression. The brunette nodded, trying to look more calm than he felt. Phil's look was soft as he peered into his eyes. It almost seemed like he wanted to ask him a question but yet he was hesitant. A mix of hail and snow thudding down heavily and relentlessly upon the windshield, making hard thumps almost inaudible over the loud voice of the singer. The world around them was now turning white softly but a storm was only beginning.
"I have a stop we're gonna make." He said with a smirk. Considering it was 4pm and they only had 8 days (not including this one) at most (and Dan was intensely hoping they would get there much sooner) he didn't know why they were making some mischievous stop. Dan was, to say the least, nervous. In a car with a stranger who wants to make an odd stop? Sketchy.
It was a pleasant stop when they parked in front of a diner about an hour later. They both slammed our doors shut and went inside together.
"So you live in New York?" Dan asked, plopping down on the red seat of the diner booth.
He shook his head. "I grew up in London. I don't really live anywhere. I just travel. For a couple years I roamed Europe then came here to just... drive and explore."
"Wow." Dan said, deeply intrigued by this new character. "How far do you think we are going to get tonight?"
"I'm not sure but we should stop at a hotel before dark." He said.
A waitress strode over to our table, her hip went out to the side when she sassily stopped in front of Dan, her eyes were a soft hazel with sky blue eyeshadow thickly but flawlessly coated over them as she glanced between them.
"What can I get for you boys?" she asked, pen and pad in her hands and gum behind her cotton candy lips.
Before Dan had time to stutter out a reply, Phil spoke up. "Two chocolate shakes." He said. "Trust me." he told Dan.
"Coming right up." she said, her lips smacked loudly with the sticky gum in her mouth showing in a bright blue.
Dan glanced around the diner. It wasn't the most modern looking place. The booth seats were covered in well maintained red synthetic leather, both sat by a silver table with metallic, rounded edges. Their table was no different but in the middle of the room there were smaller but similar tables with silver and red seated chairs pulled up. Their lack of renovations seemed intentional.
Dan's chest was hunched over the table, elbows firm on the surface. "So I'm guessing you come here often." Dan giggled.
"Whenever I'm here-- which is usually every couple months unless I get on an interesting adventure. Like I spent a while in New Mexico a month or so ago. Lots of places but lots of open space. My sort of place." Phil shrugged.
Dan was sucked into this spontaneous young man he had just met. He hung on every word, craving more stories but he still felt that was too much for him to experience personally. This I-do-what-I-want attitude of Phil's was annoying yet intoxicating. Dan's feelings about Phil were mixed just like Phil's entire being was. It was all a contradiction. The part of Dan is that was still 16 wanted to drop all responsibilities and live a life like Phil's but the more rational side of him just want to go to his niece's party then go home.
The waitress from before waltzed over once more, setting two tall glasses in front of us. "Have a nice time, boys." she said, throwing a wink at Phil then glancing at me with a smirk. It was like she knew something Dan didn't yet.
Phil seemed to ignore her odd wink with a slight blush and scooted his closer to the brunette. Dan repeated his actions without even noticing it. They both grinned but when Dan tried to say he enjoyed it, he got a massive brain freeze. Phil laughed at Dan and after that there was a moment of silence.
"Do you always travel alone?" Dan asked shyly.
"Yeah. I traveled with someone for awhile but it didn't work out for too long. I guess this way of life isn't for everyone but I like it. I mean someday I'd like to settle down back in London but I'm only 26. I left home so i could do what I wanted without pressure. I'm sure glad my family respected that and I send them pictures all the time. Polaroids of course." Phil said. His voice was slightly sour when he mentioned his former companion but grew to a giggle.
An ex? Dan guessed. He kept his thoughts to himself and simply nodded and smiled back.
"You don't do things normal, do you, Phil?" Dan smirked.
"Normalness leads to sadness." He replied with a slight grin.
Dan couldn't help but smile back. Phil was genuine and that was hard to come by in a new friend. Phil was blunt. It was almost like he was saying "Here I am. Take me or leave me but don't try to change me."
YOU ARE READING
All We Do Is Drive (Well, Mostly)
Romance[title insp. Drive by Halsey] Dan's visiting family in the states and is having a bit of trouble getting to his destination. That's when he meets Phil on the side of the road. The situation was meant to be temporary and short but there are a few com...
