the city // dan howell

Part 11// Airplanes and Hellos

I kick my shoes off as I sit by the window on the airplane. I had meant to text Dan earlier asking for his YouTube channel, but I seemingly forgot with all the other stress put on me.
I'll just google his name.
I plug in my earbuds and lightly turn my phone away from the person next to me. I type in 'Dan Howell' and immediately get millions of results.
'danisnotonfire.'
What an idiot.
I click his channel and look at his newest video, "A Tour Of Dans Brain."
This should be interesting.
//
I finish the video smiling. I copy the link and decide to text Dan.
'guess what'
Almost immediately (kind of strange) I get a reply.
'you're being attacked by sharks'
'better'
'there's not much better'
'you know how im on the plane'
'no shit'
'http://youtu.be/1PtLqawgsas how cute was this video!'
'OH NO
YOUVE FOUND ME'
'yeah! how adorable are you.'
'please don't watch any more'
'hon, ill see you after "opinions."'
'fuck you'
'(;'
//
Several Dan videos and Studio Ghibli movies later and I'm landing. I hate plane landings to be honest; the ear popping, the feeling that you're crashing, it's all uncomfortable for me. I don't know.
Dan texted me right when I walked out of the plane that he's here and waiting. That makes me feel bad, since I might not even come out for half an hour. That's not that bad of a wait though, is it?
I carefully watch my 2 cameras that are balanced on my hip as I lift my suitcase off of the rotator. I'm genuinely worried they're gonna break or something. I have my extra lenses and such along with extra clothes in my carry on, which is resting on my other hip. I'm over crowded.
I carefully finish my trip across the airport and wind up wandering around for about 10 extra minutes because I couldn't find the exit. I'm really bad at this whole traveling thing, despite it being all I do.
I finally find the way out and awkwardly maneuver through the crowd trying to find Daniel.
A large hand softly lands on my shoulder, and I carefully twist around, making sure to not break anything.
"Can I take that?" Dan smiles. Fuck, I love that smile.
"No, it's okay." I say even though I loosen my grip on my suitcase. He gently moves my hand off of the handle and takes it into his own hands.
"Where am I taking you to?" He asks, rolling the suitcase as we walk out the door and to the car. I quickly tell him the address.
I saw a few fans notice him but they weren't fast enough to catch up with us.
I lightly tug on Dans sleeve. He chuckles and  takes his free hand into mine. Not what I was asking for, but okay.
"Dan, some of your fans are trying to stop you."
"I don't see any fans." He claims, but lets go of my hand.
"Mhm..." I hum to myself.
He also just happens to shove me into the waiting taxi whilst he puts my suitcase in the trunk.
"Forceful." I whisper as he sits down next to me, the driver taking off as soon as Dan repeats the address I told him.
"Shut up." He jokes, rolling his eyes.
"Okay." I pretend to be offended. He gives me a longing side-stare, but I pretend that it means nothing. On the inside, however, I'm melting. It's a standard reaction to everything he does. What have I become? I've only seen him in person for like, 4 days.
"You okay?" He finally asks.
"Of course I'm okay, you dimwit." I lightly hit his arm. He flinches, but tries to cover it up.
I'm glad we're both socially inept, that kind of aids my fear.
"Should I help you unpack?" He lightly taps his knee, in an anxious manner.
"I mean, you don't have to. I wouldn't want to take away any of your time." I say, even though I'd appreciate the company.
"Time? What time? Phils away. The only thing I've been doing is staying on the computer." He laughs sarcastically.
"Okay, sure then." I roll my eyes. I rest my head on his shoulder, tired from jet lag.
He flinches away again, but lets me stay. Do I make him uncomfortable?
//
I slip my key back into my pocket. "Dan, can you open the door for me? I'm scared." I'm a little worried  about what's inside. Well, of course I KNOW what's inside, but... I'm still worried, okay?
"Are you sure?" He gives me an unsure look.
"Yeah.." I watch his hand twist the handle and push the door open.
"Your temporary home." He says, allowing me to step in before him.
"I suppose." I run my fingers along the pre-furnished couch.
It's all monotone colored, so all I need to do is bring in some green pillows and throw up some of my pictures, and it'll be like my New York apartment.
Not really.
But you get the gist.
"The bedroom is down here, I think..." I lead Dan down a hallway and open the last door on the right.
"Aha." We step in.
It's a nice medium sized room, light gray walls. I just need to put on those new bed sheets and pillow covers I bought, place my cameras within view, throw my shit into the closet... great.
"Let's get started." I sigh, gingerly letting my cameras rest on the white desk.
Dan unzips my suitcase as I unzip my carry on, putting the extra equipment next to the cameras.
"You know what we need?" Dan flops onto the barren bed.
"Yeah?" I ask, tossing my shoes and lazy clothes out of the duffel bag.
"Music."
"Hella." I agree.
He flicks open his phone and starts playing recognizable music from Kendrick Lamar.
"Oh my god." I mutter as I start hanging some of my sweaters.
"You've heard?" He looks up questioningly.
"I LOVE." I grin, throwing a couple of hangers at him.
"Mind putting clothes up?" I ask, putting the hanged clothes in the closet.
"Yeah, sure. I love the array of color." He motions to the complete black and white with the occasional pop of dark color.
"Why, thank you." I giggle.
We spend the next half hour trying to rap and hanging clothes, like any other normal people.. right?
//
"What do you mean you don't have Mario Kart? That's it, we're going to my flat."
I give Dan an annoyed stare.
"We'll walk, it's only a block from here. Actually, let me write down my address, you can come over if you ever need someone to talk to." He smiles, trying to lighten my mood.
He slips onto my desk chair and rips a little piece of paper from my poem & tattoo ideas/ doodles journal.
"Dan-" I try to stop him, but he already tore something from the back page.
"Was that important?" he cringes.
"It's okay." I try to smile. He believes me and continues to scribble something on the paper with a sharpie. He tucks it underneath my camera and stands up.
"Let's go!" He persuades me.
"Alright." I roll my eyes playfully.
"Great." He lets me out of the bedroom first so I can lead us out the house.
I just hope my landlord doesn't mind me walking in and out of here a lot.