It's Not What It Looks Like (a Dan Howell Fanfiction)

Three

"Hey, Dodie? Can I talk to you for a second?" I ask as I push my biggest suitcase under my bed. Dodie looks at me, concerned.

"Yeah, of course! Is everything all right?" Dodie responds.

"Everything's fine. I just want to run an idea by you," I pause for a minute. "So I was thinking, that I should make a Podcast. Like, not really a comedy one, but one where we talk about serious issues. I think it would be interesting to get big name creator's opinions on global issues in the world. What do you think?" I ask, my knuckles propped up against my chin. Dodie runs her fingers through her hair, thinking hard about my idea.

"I think it would be interesting. A lot of YouTube is full of comedy so you don't get to hear a lot about what creators think of serious issues. I say you go for it. We could set it up right now if you'd like." Dodie smiles, approving my idea. 

"Great! I'll grab my laptop." I say cheerily and grap my backpack, reaching inside for my laptop. I pull up the Podcast application and tap the "create Podcast". 

For the next twenty or so minutes Dodie and I write a description for the Podcast, and put it under the subject of humor. Now we're debating what the title should be. 

"Why don't we make it completely random, while still explaining what the Podcast is going to be?" Dodie asks. I think about it for a second. That does sound like something I would do. 

"Yeah! I love that idea. What if it was called," I pause for a minute to think of title that's dancing around my brain. "What if we called it Opinionated Cookies?" Dodie paused in typing for a minute, considering the title.

"It's completely random, but also tackles the main point. I like it. You should do that one." Dodie says, typing the title into the blank that says, "Title". "I'll get a friend to design a cover for it, too!" Dodie exclaims and I clap my hands in excitement. 

~~~

The guests should be arriving at any moment now. While I'm waiting for everyone to arrive I apply a dark berry shade of lipstick to my lips, mainly because it makes me feel more mysterious. I play with my bangs for a while, impatiently waiting for the guests to arrive. 

Knock knock! 

I rush to the door to greet the guests, a large smile plastered on my face. I've missed my friends so much, I'm itching to see them. I open the door to see Dan and Phil. 

My heart flutters when I see Dan. I don't understand why - he's the same Dan in the same tee shirt and jeans and haircut. There's nothing different about him, so why do I feel so nervous around him now. After a few seconds I realize I've just been staring at two of my guests for a good forty-five seconds without saying anything. 

"Please, come in!" I say cheerfully, a smiling playfully shining on my face as I usher them into the lounge. 

"Welcome to la Casa de Dovana!" Evan smiles at Dan and Phil and they wave. They each sit down on our old leather couch and set down a little gift bag on our coffee table. 

"We weren't sure wheter to bring a gift for Luna or not, so we bought her a travel diary scrapbook to record some of her time here in the England." Dan says handing me the bag. I smile to myself. Dan got me a gift! How kind of him! Oh, yeah, and Phil I guess. Oh god, if I have a crush on him I will shoot myself. I never know how to act around the people I like, and end up distancing myself from them. 

"Way to ruin the surprise of the gift, Howell." I tease as I take out the travel diary. Dan's face flushes and he facepalms himself in embarrasment. 

"Wow. Aren't I just fantastic at this whole surprise thing? Sorry, Loo." Dan apologizes kindly giving me a hug. My breath hitches from the unexpected contact with Dan. I hope it wasn't noticable. As I inhale and exhale I learn that he smells like a mixture of cologne and cinnimon. Too soon, we let go from the hug. 

"It's fine, Dan! Thank you both so much; you honestly didn't need to get me anything, your company is enough of a gift. Though, I've been meaning to get a travel diary so thank you for reading my mind!" I thank my two friends. 

In the next few minutes the rest of the guests begin to trickle into the Dovana Flat. We're all gathered around the lounge, eating and sipping hot chocolate, and reminiscing in old memories. Laughter fills the room, making the flat seem a lot warmer, a lot safer, and even more friendly than it already was. Louise and Dan currently are miming a few of their awkward moments. While laughing at one of their recreations, I end up spilling my drink all over my dress. 

I retreat to the kitchen to clean up my mess, hoping that I left unnoticed. I grab a rag from one of the cabinets and begin to soak it in warm water and some soap. I'm going to have to change into a different dress. 

"Do you need any help cleaning that up?" I heard a voice from behind me. I jump a little, surprised. I turn around to see Dan behind me, smiling at my jolt. So much for leaving the room unnoticed. I blush,  thinking about the fact that Dan actually wanted to help me out. 

"Fuck! Dan, you scared me! Um, yeah, actually, would you mind getting a bowl of warm water and soap ready so that I don't stain this dress? There are bigger bowls in the cabinets about the microwave. I'll soak the dress after I change into a new one. 

"Of course!" Dan says and with that I change into another red shift dress, this time not plaid, but still bearing a collar. 

"That was quick, here I'll put the dress in here," A brief pause while he puts my dress in the water. "How do you already have the cupboard layout memorized? You've been here for about twentyfour hours tops."

"I typically stay in la Casa de Dovan when I visit London. I've visited here a lot." I reply and Dan nods in response. 

Silence. That's when I think of the idea. Dan should be the first guest on my Podcast. 

"Hey Dan?" 

"Yes, Luna?" Dan responds. 

"Do you want to be a guest on my Podcast? We could record it tomorrow." I suggest, trying to keep the hope from showing in my expression. I want this to seem casual. 

"Sure. Want to do it at noon?" Dan asks.

"Sure! I guess we should go back out to the party." I say and with that we both leave the room for the party, me: Mentally celebrating the fact that I'll get to spend more time with Dan tomorrow, and Dan: Completely oblivious to happy this is making me feel. 

A/N: Hey everybody! Rachel here! Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, sorry I haven't updated in a few days! I just wanted to let y'all know that I have most of the chapters planned out so I know how this story is going to go, and I'm really excited to show you guys!

XOXO, 

Rachel!