Oblivious Hearts (Phan)

Chapter Six

Word count: 1821

Dan's phone buzzed loudly on his desk. He hardly ever received messages so he'd taken to keeping his phone out and on loud even when he was teaching, as he currently was, in case of emergencies. Scooping up his phone with his free hand not currently holding a white board marker he read:

Phil: Are you free tonight?

Smiling to himself, but feeling all his student's eyes on him, he placed his phone back on the desk screen side down to prevent prying eyes from seeing.

"Who was that, sir?" One of Dan's students questioned. Dan, being a younger teacher was close to his students and they in turn would open up to him about their problems, this was how Dan liked it. However, he wasn't sure he was ready to bring up his personal life with them just yet, only snippets here and there.

"Just a friend. Now get back to your essays." Dan replied. He'd set them the task of a practice test and was writing up the plan for his next lesson on the board.

"Sir," another student said. "You've spelt that wrong. It's F not P-H."

"Maybe you're a bit distracted, sir," yet another student suggested.

"Just get back to your work, you have ten minutes left." Dan said, pink spots creeping onto his cheeks. There was a smattering of giggles from his class and then everyone put their heads down and continued with their work.

Dan sat down at his desk and turned his computer screen in an attempt to conceal himself a bit more. He picked up his phone again and tapped out a reply.

Dan: Yeah, what did you have in mind?

Dan then started to worry that he wasn't making enough effort with Phil, as it was always Phil who messaged first or suggested dates. He made a promise to himself to be more active in the relationship and be the one to suggest something next. He turned his phone to silent and drummed his fingers on the desk, waiting for Phil to reply. Five minutes went by and he needed to finish up the lesson but Phil still hadn't replied so Dan decided to fulfill his own promise there and then and tapped out another reply.

Dan: Actually, there's a new film out that I'd like to see, would you want to maybe go and see it together?

Sent. Too late now... What if Phil thought he was being clingy? Or desperate? What if he'd already booked something for them? He couldn't dwell on his inner panic for much longer though as the bell went, signaling the end of the lesson, and all his students were packing up. He went to the door to collect everyone's papers as they left the room, having to chase one halfway down the corridor for trying to escape without handing in their work. Darting back into the room to prepare his power point for the next lesson, Dan had almost forgotten his message to Phil and the mild panic that followed it. However his phone lit up with a new message from Phil.

Phil: That sounds fun, where and when do you want me?

Dan bit his lip at that; he wanted him here and now, but in a different way than Phil had asked.

~

It was quite something to see Phil dressed in all black, with a leather jacket on, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows revealing forearms covered in ink, a rigidly straight back and slight scowl on his pierced face, standing in the queue for tickets with a tub of popcorn in his arms. Dan giggled at the sight.

"What?" Phil snapped.

"Nothing... You just look cute stood there all tough holding popcorn." Dan replied, not able to take Phil seriously. Phil's eyes softened considerably and he almost smiled. Almost.