Darkness (Phan)

~ Chapter 2 ~

We arrived at Starbucks only to be greeted with a line of over 10 moody office workers. It took a good twenty minutes before they all received their fancy drinks that I couldn't pronounce. Then it was our turn.
"So what would you like Dan?"
'Don't pick something expensive. You better offer to pay. You're a fat pig already, what could you possibly need?'
"Umm I'll have whatever you're having please." Phil looked at me strangely, as if unsure what to say next. Before I got scared of his still questioning look, he smiled and turned to the board looking lady serving us.
"Can we have two White Chocolate Mochas please." That sounded nice. Phil had a good taste in everything. Well, maybe not clothing but that wasn't particularly important anyway.
'Stop fantasising and offer to pay you freak. Wow you're a rude idiot. Well done. He now thinks you're even more of a screw up. Just give up on this now already!'
"I'll pay." Phil turned to me still smiling. I've always envied Phil for having the ability to smile in every situation.
"That's fine, it's my treat. You could go grab a table if you'd like though? Save you just standing here waiting with me."
"Yeah sure." I shuffled off, leaving my fake smile at the counter. Damn he probably thinks I'm rude now. 'That's because you are you worthless idiot. Get over yourself and leave now.'
"Dan?" I snapped out of it to see Phil's concerned eyes. His hand was raised ahead of my face and two cups sat in the centre of the table. "You zoned out again, it was scaring me. You okay?" His heart melting smile was no longer present. Oh fudge, I've ruined it. "Yeah I'm fine." His smile reappeared as my heart melted.
"If you're sure." He began to talk about the legend of Zelda or something like that as I smiled at him. 'Oh fudge? What are you, 4? God you're so childish, why won't you grow up? No one will ever like you like this.'
"So what have you done this week?" I rose my eyes to meet his shining blue pair.
"W-well I've only b-been studying and playing halo." I replied.
'Oh right so now you're a stuttering sod as well? Pathetic. I can't call you childish though, children have friends.'
Shut up. Phil looked shocked. Oops, I'd said it aloud. 'Ha you're great at this.'
"No not you. I umm I was just-" I began trying to make up yet another excuse for telling him to shut up. To my surprise, he laughed and said, "Its okay Dan. Really, it is. Anyway, this week I've tidied my room, made burnt pancakes, it wasn't my fault, and played a lot of video games." Phil smiled gently.

We finished our drinks and had light conversation. I found out that Phil had forgotten to water his cactus but for the most part I wasn't taking anything in. Within half an hour we were walking down the road towards the tube. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a dark shadow. It didn't have a face on even a clear shape. I turned to look at it, but it kept moving out of view. It wasn't like this hadn't happened before, but all the same, it was oddly terrifying, but mostly annoying.
"Woah careful, you nearly walked into that lamppost." Phil had his hands rested in my shoulders to pull me to a halt.
"Oh right. Sorry." 'Well done genius. You've really done it now.'
"It's fine Dan." My heart fluttered as his soft hands left my shoulders. I wish he had kept them there. 'He's not gay you idiot. Besides, he'll never like you.' We continued our walk with still only light conversation about houseplants and strange animals. I was lucky he didn't question why I nearly walked into a lamppost. It didn't stay like that though.

The train ride was rather simple. We made a competition out of mindless apps on Phil's phone whilst discussing the vocal range of Matt Bellamy. It was nice, I almost felt, normal. Almost.
Phil reached deep into his pocket in search of his house key as I leaned casually against the wall. "Dan, I don't want to upset you but I really don't think you're actually okay. I was wondering if you wanted to talk. No one's home so we have the house to ourselves. You can trust me I promise. It will probably make things better." Oh no, here we go. He said it so innocently as if it didn't really mean anything. It did. I didn't want him to know I had problems but he'd probably find out eventually anyway.
"Dan?" Yet again I had zoned out. "Come on, let's go inside." With that, I was led into the warmth and comfort of his parents' house. Something October couldn't bring to the cold brutal outdoors.