Ocean Avenue

Sunday

Today was the day. The day that Phil Lester had to communicate with the infamous Dan. Phil shuddered at the thought.

He stumbled out of bed and trudged down the stairs to the kitchen. "Goodmorning, Philly!" his mom said.

"'Mornin'," Phil muttered. Ms. Lester leaned against the counter, watching his mom fry eggs.

They ate in silence. After eating, Phil got dressed and began to fix his hair. After deciding he looked presentable, Phil told his mom he was going next door and left.

As Phil walked down the sidewalk to the red house, he couldn't help but feel nervous. What was he supposed to say? "Hi, I'm Phil"? Or maybe "Hey, we met yesterday. Dan, right"?

He could possibly try a cooler approach, like "'Sup, Dan. The name's Phil"? Everything sounded stupid.

He finally reached the red house and began up the steps to the porch. He knocked on the door and waited.

"Ooh! You're Phil, right?" Mrs. Howell exclaimed, dragging me inside.

"How nice of you to stop by," she said.

"Thank you," Phil mumbled as she gave him a glass if water. He took a small sip.

"I bet you're here to see Dan?" she asked, already walking away.

"Y-yes, ma'am." Phil mentally slapped himself for stuttering. About five minutes later, a brown-haired boy appeared. He didn't look like Dan Phil had met yestersay. This boy was much shorter and a bit chubbier. He had freckles and fatter cheeks.

The boy stopped and looked at Phil. "Whoareyou?" he slurred. It was obvious he had just woken up.

"Phil."

"Adrian." With that, the boy disappeared. Phil gulped. Was that Dan? Did he hear Dan instead of Adrian? Maybe Dan had a brother?

About 10 minutes later, the boy Phil recognized from yesterday stood in front of him. "Phil, right?" he asked, extending his hand.

"Yeah..." Phil awkwardly shook his hand.

"Have you eaten yet?" Dan asked. Phil nodded.

"Well, I haven't."

After a few moments of silence, Dan clasped his hands together. "O have a great idea! You haven't really been in town yet, right?" Dan asked. Phil shook his head.

"Perfect!" And with that, he was gone. It was as if Phil repelled the Howell's. Looking around, Phil saw a picture frame on the coffee table. He leaned in closer to see it.

It was a small boy with wavy blond hair grinning from ear-to-ear. Phil smiled at the sight.

"Thanks mom!" Phil heard Dan yell. He quickly leaned back into the couch as if he hadn't moved a muscle. He watched Dan head to the door and open it.

"You coming, Phil?" Dan asked.

Phil got up and spedwalked go the door. "Umm...where are we going?" Phil asked, looking at the ground.

"To the best bagel place in history!" Dan told him.

~~~

The bagel place was empty for the most part. Dan ordered a sandwich and Phil got a small coffee.

"So, Phil. What brings you here?" Dan asked.

"You," Phil stated tonelessly.

Dan broke into laughter. "Not here, but here here," Dan said.

"Work," Phil said flatly.

"Jeez. You're not much of a talker, huh?" Dan joked, playfully poking Phil's shoulder. Phil ignored him and took a sip of his coffee.

Phil was right. He despised this boy so much. He was just like a child. He acted on impulse and was very loud.

"So, are you starting school Monday?" Dan asked with a mouthful of bagel.

"Yes," Phil said.

"Cool! Maybe we'll be in a class together?"

"I doubt it." Phil knew he shouldn't have done this.

"Why not?" Dan asked.

"Nothing. I just probably have more advanced classes than you, is all," Phil said as if it was obvious.

"Oh..." Dan mumbled. Phil felt bad for being so harsh, but if he rejected Dan now, then he would leave him alone for good.

"Well, lunch is still an option!" Dan exclaimed.

"I don't eat school lunch." Dan sighed.

"You hate me or something?" Dan asked.

"No. I just dislike this town," Phil stated.

Dan looked at him with a confused look. "Why? You said yourself you haven't seen it yet."

"Look, when or if you move, you'll see you'll hate wherever you go."

Dan got up, threw away his trash, and sat back down. "Says who?"

"Me."

"Well, I don't think you're a very reliable source."

"And why is that?" Phil asked.

"Well, you just got here. So until you've seen this town, I won't let you decide if you like it here or not," dan declared. Phil shrugged.

"Yes. Because you can stop me from making decisions."

"You'll see, Phil. This place welcomes you with open arms."

~~~

The walk back home was tense. Phil could see Dan wanting to speak but biting his lip instead, not wanting to annoy him. Phil let out a small sigh.

"Dan, look, I'm sorry about earlier. I'm just not really liking this move," Phil said, stopping. Dan stopped and turned to face the taller boy.

"It's all good!" Phil couldn't help but chuckle. As much as Phil wanted, he knew he couldn't hate Dan. Still, Phil knew well why he didn't have any other friends besides Chris and PJ, so he intended to keep his distance from Dan.