Ocean Avenue

Baby Steps

Phil couldn't stop thinking about what he said to Dan. He wanted to keep him away but...

The boys still walked to school together, but it was in complete silence. Todd still came over. Phil still ate lunch with Dan, Cat and Lily. But yet, there was something awkward about the space. The tension was unbearable.

Phil wanted to apologize, but how would he? What would make it better? He could tell Dan was curious about him, but that would break his promise to not be close to anyone. After some thought, Phil knew that that was the only way to make it up to Dan: he had to let him in.

~~~
*Four days ago*
Dan knew what he had to do. Though it might've been stupid, he went over to Phil's house anyways. Todd had just left.

Dan knocked on the Lester's door until Phil opened it. "Phil, I need to ask you something..."

Phil looked at Dan questioningly. "Well, what is it?" he asked.

"Oh! Right.." Dan chuckled nervously. "Umm...Ph-Phil, are you...g-gay?"

Phil raised an eyebrow. "Gay? What gave you that idea?"

"W-Well," Dan began, fiddling with his shirt. "I m-mean, Todd isn't-"

"What is it with Todd? Everytime his name comes up, you cringe and say his name as if it's a bad taste in your mouth." They both stared at eachother quietly. Dan watched as Phil began to realize things.

Oh no, Dan thought.

"You like Todd! That's it!" Phil exclaimed, pointing at Dan.

"What!? Hell no! That guy is pure evil," Dan defended. That was not what he expected Phil to say.

"You're jealous that he talks to the weird new kid and not you, the annoying homo neighbor!"

Dan was taken aback. It was as if he had lost all value for life. Annoying homo neighbor. How could Phil say that?

"Ph-Phil..."

Phil quickly noticed what he said. "Dan, I..."

Dan brgan running. Phil didn't call out for him. He watched him leave, leaning against the door frame. Once Dan was out of his view, he slammed the door and marched to his room. I hate this stupid town with these stupid people and their stupid lives and it's all stupid, Phil though as he threw himaelf onto his
bed.

~~~

Phil had asked Dan to go over. Baby steps, Phil, baby steps he reminded himself. The boys were currently sitting in Dan's room, Dan on his bed and Phil on Dan's desk chair.

"So...?" Dan asked.

"Dan, I...I think we should g-get to know eachother be-etter," Phil said, looking up to see Dan. Dan had a smile that stretched from here to Africa.

"I think so too!" Dan exclaimed.

"Yeah. I've noticed," Phil muttered. "So, what would you like to know?"

Phil watched as Dan tapped his finger on his knee, concentrated in thought. "Well...what's your favorite color?"

"Blue."

"Black. Favorite band?"

"Muse."

"Me too!" Dan held out his hand for a high five, which Phil took cautiously.

"Umm...favorite game?"

"Final Fantasy.."

"Woah! Mines is Kingdom Hearts." Phil faked an intrigued smile.

"Phil, what do you wanna know?"

"Umm...do you have pets?"

"If you count my brother as an animal, then yes. One pet."

Phil chuckled. "I don't have any either. Uh...what's your brother's name?"

"Adrian. Do you have syblings?"

"Yeah. An older brother."

"What's his name?"

"Martyn."

"Cool."

"I guess."

They conversation trailed off there, not leading to any new discussions. Both boys sighed. "Phil, I know you don't wanna talk. Just ho home."

Phil looked at the boy, confused as to why what he said gave him a bad feeling in his stomach. "Dan, I...I do want to talk."

"Don't lie. Trust me. Besided, we have nothing to talk about. Just...please, leave."

"But Da-"

"Go, damn it!"

Phil was taken back. He had never seen Dan mad in all the time he had been here. Phil nodded his head, got up and left without a goodbye from either party.

The moment Phil left, Dan began to cry. He just cried and cried. He had never felt such sadness. But the weird thing was, he didn't know why he was so sad. Phil was just the new boy on the street, and Dan was just his neighbor.