Dear Phil,

35

Two weeks. That was how long Dan had been going out with Phil.

The concert, when it ended, found two boys bright red and calling congratulations to a brown haired girl.

They went out for tea and two of the members couldn't stop making awkward eye contact, while the other two couldn't stop kicking each other under the table.

The night ended with smiles, blushes, and calls of "Happy Halloween!". Later, Tesa and Dan had secretly eaten most of Adrian and Matt's candy.

1 A.M. dawned with the reveal of Phil asking Dan out. Squeals and calls of "Shut up!" were heard.
All in all, it had been one of the best nights of Dan's life.

Now, two weeks later, he had just gotten off the phone with Phil, agreeing to go out to lunch with him this Saturday.

His brothers were in the kitchen, squabbling.

Dad must be home. He always takes Matt with him on business trips.

Matt, although only in eighth grade, was studying to become a lawyer, much like his father. He and Dan had the same reason for doing it... A girl named Silver Sallow.

Dan's adopted sister and first love.

Silver and Matt had an alcoholic and abusive mother. When they came to the Howells for help, they adopted them and haven't looked back since.

That was four years ago.

Freshman year of highschool, Silver killed herself. There was no note. Just a body by a five story apartment building. It was called suicide and the case was closed. Matt thought there was something more. He wanted to know why his older sister had killed herself.

"Dan, are you finally awake?" Adrian asked. "You said you'd take me and Matt out for lunch today, remember?"

Matt looked down. "You don't have too."

"What? Of course I will, silly," Dan smiled, ruffling their hair. "We can play super Smash Bros when we get back."

"Really?" Matt said hopefully.

Adrian shoved him. "Of course! We haven't played in forever..."

Silver.

"I still haven't forgiven you for eating all our Halloween candy." Matt glowered, crossing his arms. The second a memory of Silver surfaced, the subject changed.

Tesa was the only one who knew she existed. After all, she'd been the one to pick up the pieces after Silver died. That's why she and Dan were so close.

Enough. I'm focusing on today. Not years ago.

Dan laughed. "Sorry about that, Tess and I got hungry,"

Instantly, Matt blushed. "You could have just asked..." He mumbled.

Another thing: Matt had an unbelievable crush on Tesa. It came from how she was so supportive of him and slowly changed into Matt's idea of love.

"You know, she loves Smash Bros, let's invite her over!" Adrian declared, spinning around in his chair.

Oblivious as always.

"Sure, she'd love that," Dan smirked at Matt, who was sending him death glares over his bowl of cereal.
•••
Lunch time rolled around and Dan hopped into his mom's car, calling the boys to hurry.

"Coming, coming! Jeez, Dan, why do you have to always rush us?" Adrian called, slipping on a jacket and jumping into the car.

Matt grinned, climbing into the passenger seat. "There's time to be slow when you're old! Now let's go!" His blue eyes shone. "Please," he added after a pause.

Halfway to lunch Matt brought up an interesting topic.

"Hey Dan, are you inviting Phil over for Thanksgiving?" He asked shyly.

The car may have swerved slightly off the road. "Well, I mean, I'll ask him." Dan said, turing down the music.

Matt and Adrian shared a glance. "You should do it next Saturday when you guys are going out!" Adrian giggled, poking Dan in the shoulder.

Were they listening in on my conversation?!

Indignant, Dan focused on the road. "I suppose I could ask him then," he managed, face red.

Laughter filled the car. "Dan's gotta a boyfriend! Dan's got a boyfriend!" The two snickered.

"Shut up! You haven't even met him yet!" Dan yelled back.

"I bet he's terribly ugly," Adrian teased.

Matt smirked mischievously. "He has to be, to fall for someone like Dan!" The boys howled with laughter. "Sorry, Dan, that was mean," Matt quickly added.

Dan ignored his apology. "You guys are so dead! I'm going to bury your bodies once I get home!" Dan groaned, fingers tight on the steering wheel.

Suddenly, a brilliant idea struck Matt. "If Adrian and I beat you and Tesa at Smash Bros, than you have to invite Phil over to hang at the house for your first date!"

That would be so humiliating. Though Tess is a beast at Smash...And my pride is at stake.

"Accept?" Matt prodded.

"I accept your challenge." Dan said almost with a straight face.

Two seconds later the entire car was laughing and they were singing happily along to 'Don't Stop Believing', adding in made up lyrics as they went along.
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So many updates!!! AHHHHHHHGGGG!!!

Be grateful, smol ones.

Love you!

♥