ACQUAINTANCE (Book #3 - EMAILS TO DAN)

25 December 2022

/alcohol; mention of death/

It was a time where Phil and I would go our separate ways into our old homes. Though this time, that wasn't the plan.

PJ had called yesterday, saying he wanted to have a party with just the four of us. It was great, I suppose, having at least somewhere to go for the holiday.

But it didn't seem to be the best day for Phil and I, because of the rain getting wet from our cab pulling up by puddles. With that, it just made us in a terrible mood.

"Before we walk in, do you have any drama you want to tell me so you and PJ won't get into another argument?"

I sighed, think of any lies or anything I've kept away from him. "No- wait."

"What?" He almost groaned.

"I lied."

"About what?" Phil nervously asked, tapping his foot on the floor several times.

"Dil dying. I mean, he's dead," I pressed my lips together, "because I accidentally deleted sims."

"Oh, my God." He rolled his eyes.

"And about changing my number and losing my phone."

He shook his head and scoffed. "I lied as well."

"About?" I asked, wanting him to continue.

"My email not existing."

"I knew it!" I shouted outside PJ's door.

"I couldn't just talk to you ASAP! You randomly emailed me, trying to convince me to forgive you!"

"Do you know how much that hurt?"

"You want to talk about hurt, Dan?" He glared.

"No," I breathed. "Sorry."

"Touché." Phil gave a slight smile before knocking on the door.

PJ immediately opened it with a wide smile. "No, I wasn't snooping," he quickly said. "I was just near the door." I rolled my eyes as he let us in. "Chris is wrapping your presents in the den. I'll be in the kitchen, getting the food ready, as always since Chris is so damn lazy." Nodding, he moved his way into his kitchen while I closed the door.

"Wait, Dan," he dug into our shared bag, "did you forget PJ's present?"

"No? I put his paint splattered phone case in there for sure."

"Well I don't see it," he retorted.

"Ah! I fucked up again!" I loudly groaned.

"Shut up," Phil giggled. "Hold on." He paused. "Found it!"

"Told you," I curved my lips.

"Lads," we heard. I turned to see Chris pointing up at the corridor. "You both are so damn tall, I'm surprised you didn't notice it," he said with a smirk.

It was a mistletoe.

Shit.

"Gotta obey the rules, mate."

"Chris! Help me with the champagne!" PJ called him over. With that, Chris vanished into the kitchen, leaving Phil and I flustered.

I looked back to Phil, who was looking back at me. He hesitantly moved the bag away from him, zipping it up. It was quiet for a second, until I noticed I was slowly leaning to him. And he was leaning in, too.

But then he stopped.

We were centimeters away from each other, having him speak. "You're my best friend. W-What am I even thinking?"

So many rejects in one sentence.

"No, you're right," I lied. "That's completely weird. Ew, I can't kiss you."

"Ew?" Phil repeated, questioningly. "What's wrong with kissing me?"

"Yeah, 'ew'. I can't kiss my best friend, right?" I looked away, rolling my eyes so he wouldn't notice. I wanted to scoff and shout at him, but I couldn't fuck up.

He didn't say anything, instead he stood there before following me into the dinning area with his lips parted.

Best friends, I thought. Better than acquaintances.

                                         • • •

During the time we were eating, Chris focussed his eyes on me like how PJ did last time. When I would glance at him, he'd smirk and I'd look away.

As PJ and Phil were talking, I leaned over to where only Chris could hear me as he was at the end of the table, beside PJ and I. "Can you stop? I'm trying to enjoy my time here."

"With him?" He whispered. "If anything, you've been enjoying your time with him for awhile." Chris winked, making my eyes roll. "Why don't you tell him?"

"Tell him what?" I tried pushing away the question as always.

"You know," he said. "And so does PJ."

"I know." I moved away from him, continuing to eat my food, avoiding his stare.

"You probably love him just as much as I love PJ." I choked on my food, practically gagging.

"Love?" He nodded, though I wasn't for sure who I meant the question for. Me or him.

"Dan, are you okay?" I turned to Phil, giving him a fake smile. "Did you swallow it wrong or something?"

"Uh, yeah," I lied. He twisted his lips together before viewing PJ again, talking about seasons of TV shows they wish still continued. I looked back over at Chris, having him raise his eyebrows at me as he drank his champagne that made me sigh.

"I bet that's why you left him," he whispered.