Pretty Boy

6

"Hi pretty boy," he smiled. He snaked his arms around my waist and pulled me into a tight hug; he smelt like cheap cologne and roses.
"Planting I see," I chuckled as I observed his clothing.
"Oh yeah," he blushed. "Sorry, I didn't have time to go home and change,"
"It's fine," I smiled.
"So this is Phil?" Adrian smiled.
"Nice to meet you," Phil stuck out his hand and waited for Adrian to shake it.
"Ditto," Adrian lazily shook his hand. "Why are your clothes gross?"
"Shut up Ade," I said as I pushed him away. "Come on, I'll give you a change of clothes," I offered.
"Okay..."
"Come on, my rooms this-"
"Is this Phil?" dad smiled.
"Nice to meet you sir," Phil said, sticking out his hand once more.
"He's got manners," dad said while firmly shaking his hand. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Phil wince once my father shook his hand. "And Phil,"
"Yes sir?"
"You can call me James,"
"O-Okay s-James..."
"Nervous are we?" he chuckled.
"Just a little," he whispered.
"I'm not the one you need to be nervous around," dad whispered back. "So where are you two going? Dinner will be ready any minute,"
"Phil's clothes are a little dirty, thought he should look nice for mum so I was gonna give him-"
"Dan, breathe," dad chuckled. "And don't use run ons, it's a bad habit. Anyway, go get the boy a new shirt before your mother sees him,"
"Okay dad," I pursed my lips and showed him upstairs.
"Your dad is really nice," Phil said.
"Yeah, he's pretty chill," I shrugged. I walked into my room with Phil hot on my trail.
"Wow...your room is...wow..."
"Thanks," I smiled.

My ceiling was covered in glow in the dark stars, spaceships, and planets. I had fairy lights going around my bed; my duvet was glaxay which complimented my black bedframe very well, in my opinion.

"Take your pick,"
"Excuse me?"
"Which shirt do you want? Pick," I smiled.
"Oh...I'll take the black button down," he whispered.
"Don't be so nervous Phil. Everything's fine," I reassured.
"What if your parents don't like me?"
"My dad seemed to like you," I smiled wider.
"What about your mum?"
"Oh, don't worry about her, she doesn't like anyone other than dad and Ade,"
"She doesn't like you?" he asked as he changed his shirt.
"I don't think so," I chuckled as I took a seat on my bed. "She's always yelling at me, and correcting me for stupid things...she doesn't do that with Adrian..."
"Maybe it's because she cares,"
"Doubt it," I scoffed.
"So?" he faced me. "How do I look?"
"Very handsome," I chuckled.
"You think so?"
"Yeah...I do..."
"Daniel! Dinner's ready!" mum yelled.
"Come on," I rolled my eyes. Phil and I slowly walked down the stairs and joined my family at the dinner table.
"Ah-hem!" mum cleared her throat.
"Oh!" Phil jumped. "I'm Phil," he said as he nervously stuck out his hand.
"Mrs. Howell," she scowled.
"Be nice mum,"
"Oh, shut it Daniel!"
"Sorry," I mumbled.
"Enunciate!"
"Sorry! My god! You can't stop yelling at me for one god damn night! Are you kidding me!"
"Dan," Phil whispered. "Please calm down,"
"Sorry," I mumbled once more.
"Let's uh," dad started, "let's eat."

***

Phil: Oh god, your mum hated me!
Me: Like I said, she hates everyone. But don't worry, the rest of the family adored you
Phil: Really?
Me: Absolutely! By the way...sorry about all the yelling at dinner
Phil: Is that really what your family dinners consist of?
Me: Unfortunately, yes
Phil: Oi, sorry
Me: Did you really just say 'oi'?
Phil: Don't judge me
Me: No one said anything about judging
Phil: Yeah, yeah pretty boy
Me: Stop!
Phil: See you tomorrow...
Me: Don't you dare
Phil: Pretty boy

***

The next morning, Phil and I met on the roof, life we did every single day.

"Hey loser," I teased.
"Hey pretty boy. Here's your coffee,"
"Thanks. And here's your literally anything,"
"Thanks," he chuckled. "So..."
"So what?"
"It's been a month..."
"Wow...already?"
"Yeah," he laughed.
"How have you tolerated me for this long?"
"I dunno," he smiled widely. "Hey Dan,"
"Yeah?"

Before he could say another word, the bell for our first class rang. We slowly stood up and made our way down the stairs.

"What were you gonna say Phil?" I asked as we walked down the hall.
"Oh," he looked to me and smiled. "Nothing."