Phan- You and Me (completed)

Chapter 16 (final): Our happy end

Phil's POV

The conversation with Audrey lasted for hours. Boy, was I surprised to see her show up on my doorstep! That day was one of the emotional rollercoaster ones. I talked occasionally about my career, with Dan throwing in some small comments or corrections. He lend back relaxed,his shoulder slightly resting against mine. I was glad that his first jumpiness wore off, although I for myself was still slightly confused about her sudden appearance. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy but a bit taken off guard and suspicious about her return. Why now, after all those years? And...how does she know where I live?!

"Audrey...may I ask you.....why are you here?" She laughed her little laugh and answered in a playful voice, "Way to treat a visitor, Phil" I let out a huff, acting annoyed. Her attitude reminded me so much of Dan's in that moment. This way of taking everything too seriously for fun. "Actually" my former best friend continued. "Your Dan gave me a little call"

The relaxed look on Dan's face changed in the split of a second. His eyes darted to me, amusingly desperate trying to detect my reaction to the new information. "We had a talk about the incidence years ago" She didn't have to spell it out, I understood without hearing the words. My heart sunk a little, the old pain was still there in my chest. Like a raw wound that doesn't bother you too much, only if you brush right over it. There things that won't everfully heal. But growing stronger is not about making scars disappear; it's about learning to live with them. "And...well I have to say...we had quite a talk"

"You what? I'm impressed!" I turned to Dan surprised. As I mentioned, Audrey always had been very intimidating. Nobody dared to talk back to her if she wanted to avoid a certain topic. Well...until Dan happened. Said Dan swallowed soundfully, while his cheeks turned red with embarrassment. I knew that he didn't like it at all when all the attention suddenly focusedon him, but this situation made it necessary. "Uhm-"

"He did! You've chosen quite a personality there. He laid it on the line and left zero room for contradictions." Dan gestured Audrey wildly to stop right there but she was not on about that. "We spoke about everything that happened these years ago and....as much as I hate to admit it, you know that, he was right with everything. My behaviour was the worst kind of behaviour and I was a coward for staying away from you for so long." Her kind eyes studied me, I noticed that they were a little darker than they had been. They lost their adventurous sparkle and gained a soothing glint of knowledge.

I suddenly felt the pressure of time; we grew so much in these years,so many things were gained and lost; in the blink of an eye eleven years passed and my life was upside down in the best kind of ways. I'm an adult. I've got a flat, a job I love and a relationship with the best guy on the planet.

"I'm very sorry"

In that very moment , I felt teenage Phil finally letting go of me. A shudder of relief caught my body- for the very first time since Audrey left me that night, I had the feeling of being over it. The past finally settled itself where it belonged. I heard my inner voice that bothered me whenever things got too good or too bad silently packing his things and leave my head. There was nothing to doubt about.   Life is beautiful the way it is now, there was finally no need for make believes. I am me, the twisted weird me, but there is someone who loves this me with all his little oddities and quirks. If this is not the most precious thing in the world than I don't know what else is supposed to come close. He called her! He searched for her! Just for me.....

I realized that Dan would do anything for me....no matter if I spoke it out loud or wished for it in silence. My heart beat wit hjoy in my chest and I suddenly knew that tonight, after our door closed behind Audrey, I would tell Dan all this. I would finally tell him! The excitement about my new perspective made me laugh out.