Old Places, New People || Phan

7-Phil's P.O.V

Three weeks.
I hadn't seen Dan for three weeks.
He hadn't called me.
I hadn't left the house, except to go to "school", which meant roaming the forest and attempting to block out the voices.
They were getting worse.
I got bullied relentlessly, but it was worse than getting bullied by other people.
At least when you were bullied by other people, you had an escape after awhile.
The voices never stopped.
***
I trudged through the forest, shriveled fallen leaves crunching beneath my feet. I hugged my arms to myself, shivering slightly in the cold winter air. It technically wasn't winter yet, but fall was nearly over, and snow was in the forecast next week. Today, the voices were quieter than usual, for the time being at least. I was blocking my thoughts out, trying to appreciate nature. All of a sudden, I stopped. Something about the path I was taking was familiar. I racked my brain as I kept on, trying to remember what this path led to. As the pieces clicked together and I remembered the place, I came upon it. The clearing. The place where I had met Dan. My heart clenched as I took a careful step forward. Then another. Then another. I took one step after the other, taking it slow so as to avoid my heart shattering abruptly. When I reached the large oak tree, I noticed something. The stump that had been there when I had first met Dan, was now replaced with a bare patch of dirt. Someone had been here and dug up the stump. I seethed at the idea that someone had invaded the personal space that I shared with Dan. I took a deep breath and turned back to the oak tree. In one swift movement, I yanked back the curtain and slid inside the hollow trunk of the oak tree. It was lifeless. Dan had moved everything out, the bed, the stuffed animals, the posters. They were all gone. I sniffled.  Now that I was in a secluded place, I let the tears flow. Even though I had only been graced with the presence of Dan for 3 days, I still had hopelessly fallen for the brown haired boy. It was still too soon to say that I was "in love" with Dan, but it was safe to say that I loved him.
I loved Dan.
The tears flowed freely now, my sobs loud and strangled. I felt around in my pocket before pulling out a small brown object. I held my plush lion tight to my chest, his mane becoming soggy with tears. Dan's blanket was still tied around my lion's midsection. I cried for what seemed like hours, my throat becoming sore and raw. I eventually started to drift off to sleep, clutching my lion and Dan's blanket to my face. Suddenly, a buzz erupted from my pocket. My hand shot to my pocket, sliding my phone out of my jacket. I looked at it, seeing that it was an unfamiliar number. I read the text, my heart thumping wildly.

Hey Phil, did you miss me?

I replied shakily, my fingers twitching.

Dan?

The typing bubbles appeared, signalling that whom I hoped was Dan was responding.

No?

My heart plummeted through the ground, but then the typing bubbles appeared again.

What did you think you twat, that I'm some random creep?! Of course it's Dan! 😜

I giggled at Dan's emoji, my heart instantly warming.

Sorry 😁. Hey, I miss you.

I bit my lip as Dan responded.

I miss you too. We should go somewhere and do something!

My heart soared. He wanted to see me. I smiled wide, joy coursing through my veins as I responded to him.

How about we go Christmas Shopping?

My cheeks heated as Dan responded to my suggestion.

Sure! I'm free next Saturday, and maybe we'll even see snow! We can meet in the clearing where we first met. I have to go, but I'll see you soon! Bye Philly 😋❤️

His emojis thawed out my frozen heart. He called me Philly.

See you soon Danny 😊❤️

He was back.
My Danny was back.