Old Places, New People || Phan

8-Dan's P.O.V

"Pack up your things, the bell is about to ring!" Mrs. Landry smiled at the class as the final bell rang. The class shouted with joy. Winter break was finally here! Though, I was smiling for an entirely different reason. Tomorrow was the day that I got to see Phil again. My grin stretched wider as I walked down the hallway, a bounce in my step. I was about to exit through the front doors of the school building when someone tapped me on the shoulder. I whirled to see Stacey standing behind me, the girl I had had a crush on for the last few years. Her wave of blonde hair was swept over her shoulder and her blue eyes gazed into mine through her thick eyelashes. "Hey Dan! Um, I was just wondering if maybe you wanted to go get shakes or see a movie or something tomorrow." Without hesitation I shook my head. "Sorry Stacey, I can't. I'm going Christmas shopping with my friend Phil." I could clearly see the hurt in her eyes. "Oh, okay. That's fine." She smiled sullenly at me, turning away. As she strode down the hallway, I thought to myself. What're you doing?! That's the girl whom you've been obsessing over for years, and now you're just throwing your chance away?! I mentally slapped myself and jogged down the hall, lightly grabbing her wrist. "Wait! Stace, maybe we could, um, see a movie next weekend or something." Her face lit up,  her smile stretching wide. "That sounds great!" I smiled at her. "I'll call you?" She nodded and I handed her a pen to write down her number on a spare piece of paper in my jeans pocket. She smiled at me and left. I was left stood in the hallway. Everything was perfect. So why did I feel uneasy?
***
"Charlie! I'M HOME!" I yelled out as I opened the front door of the apartment. Charlie poked his head around the corner. "Hey Dan! Just finishing up some Uni work, I'll be done in a sec!" He pushed up his glasses and returned to his room. I shook my head, smiling. Knowing Charlie, that meant he would be in there all night. I kicked off my shoes and collapsed on the couch. I was beginning to drift off to sleep, when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I slid my iPhone out of my pocket and into my hand, glancing at the screen.

Are you ready for festivity overload?!You better fear festive Phil, otherwise you will get eaten by the magical pancake reindeer! 😈

I giggled at Phil's absurd and adorable message, replying quickly.

Oh no! Whatever will I do? I need a big, strong man to save me!😋

I bit my lip as Phil responded.

I'm here little Danny, no need to fear! 😉

I smirked down at my phone. I was about to reply, when Charlie walked in the room. I must've had a weird look on my face because he was staring at me quizzically. He then laughed, which took me off guard. "Chatting up that boyfriend of yours?" I blushed deeply, my cheeks hot. "W-What?" Charlie's eyes bored into mine. "That boy, Phil? Yeah, I don't know if you're aware, but you talk in your sleep. Well, at least recently. I don't know who Phil is, or what he is to you, but it sounds pretty serious." He winked at me and left the room, leaving me to process what he had just said. When his words had run sluggishly through my mind, I groaned and flopped back on the couch, my eyes squeezing shut. I had once again started to drift off to sleep, when my phone vibrated again. I grabbed it and held it up to my face, skimming the text.

Dan, you okay?

Oh damn it, I had left Phil without saying anything. I quickly typed out a response.

Yeah, just tired. See you tomorrow Philion. 😊❤️

I have no idea where the nickname came from, I had just pictured Phil as a brave strong lion. My brave strong lion.
I began to drift off, this time my vision nearly fading to unconsciousness. Just before sleep took me, I got a text. It read,

See you tomorrow Danosaur 😊❤️

Danosaur.
It had a nice ring to it.
Danosaur and Philion.

Those thoughts were looping through my head as I was finally overtaken by the darkness.