Death Of A Bachelor (Phan)

7. Emporer's New Clothes

"Welcome to the end of eras
Ice has melted back to life
Done my time and served my sentence
Dress me up and watch me die
If it feels good, tastes good
It must be mine
Dynasty decapitated
You just might see a ghost tonight" Emperor's New Clothes

Phil's POV

It's been about a week since we met Zoe, and they've started filming us now. But the cameras are literally everywhere. None of the boys can get anything done, without being filmed by someone, not that most of them minded anyway, but a very selected few of us actually wanted a little more privacy. Okay, so mainly me. I'm just not that kind of person who is always camera ready and I think Dan has picked up on this.

Dan has been my rock throughout this whole thing and we get along, like a house on fire, which is a good thing, i guess. We've become almost inseparable, even throughout the very first rose ceremony that was held tonight. We were standing next to each other, hoping for both of us to get through by being asked the question "Will you accept this rose?", and we did. But, Some guy named Sam, actually got eliminated though. I guess he just really didn't capture Zoe's attention. He usually just hung out with the other boys, but also tried to play some rude pranks on us, while no one was paying attention, maybe that was why he got eliminated. Zoe didn't like that kind of stuff.

Anyway, Dan and I were very happy that we didn't get eliminated and went straight back to our rooms, when the ceremony was finished. Now we were lying on our beds talking to each other. On the second night that we slept in this room, we decided to get our two single beds from either side of the room and place them next to each other, as one double bed, so we could stay up talking to each other, without being too loud and waking the other boys.

I turned to Dan as he was rambling on about an anime character named Haru, with a gleam in his eye as he talked about something he loved. I always noticed that about him, he visually brightens when he talks about something that he loves. But i had other things on my mind, so i turned to face him, before interrupting him. "Have you had very many friends Dan?"

He stopped mid sentence and stares blankly at me. I honestly had no idea where this question had come from, but now that i had asked, i was genuinely curious about his reply. He looked at the ceiling and scratched his head awkwardly. "Um not really" he stated. "when i was in high school, i had quite a few friends, but i never counted them as actual friends, you know?" I nod toward him, gesturing for him to continue. "I only really think of Megan and Pj as my true friends now, What about you?" "what?" i replied, i was caught off guard, not expecting him to ask me. "Have you had many friends Phil?"

I think back to high school, when me and Chris, were sort of bullied. We weren't quite bullied, but we were outcasted for being smart and liking 'nerdy things'. "Um no" I say shortly, sitting up on the bed, Dan's curious eyes following my movements. "why not? I've only known you for a week, and i already know you're a cool guy." I sigh and look at him again, knowing I'm going to have to explain my thoughts, and friendships. "Well..." I begin "I was never a popular guy, and i have only ever had one friend, but he now lives in Los Angeles..." I say with a semi-shaky breath.

"We were sort of outcasted at school, because we were apparently smarter and liked weird things like anime and video games. It wasn't the best time for us, but we got through it, without any major bullying or anything, but no one ever wanted to be our friends." I finish not wanting to think about it too much. Dan looks back at me, trying to meet my eyes. "That sounds quite terrible actually." I look at him and our eyes meet, his were filling up with an emotion, that looked sort of like pity.

I brushed it off, and told him not too worry about it. The past was the past. To try and make sure he didn't bring anything else like that up, i told him that i needed the bathroom and he nodded in response, his eyebrows furrowed as he looked deep in thought. I got up from our bed and wondered into the ensuite. I didn't actually need to go, so i brushed my teeth to make up the time, before heading back into our room.

I walked in to see Dan still lying in bed, facing the wall on the other side of the room, his back towards me. I glance at him for another moment, before walking to my closet drawers and rummaging for my phone charger, knowing that it would be going flat anytime soon. I finally found it, holding it above my head, saying a little 'aha!', before mentally scolding myself, forgetting that Dan could be asleep.

I look back over to him, seeing that he hadn't moved at all, nor made any other sound, apart from his slow breathing. i walk over to the bedside table, where the powerpoint is on the wall above it. I plug in my charger and attach it to my phone, before deciding i should probably go to sleep too. I sit on the bed, slowly getting under the covers, as not to wake Dan, and reach over to turn off the lamp. I lay down slowly and try to drift off tho sleep.

When i'm finally about to doze off, i hear Dan say "Hey Phil?" making my body freeze suddenly, realising he was awake this whole time. "Hmm?" i hum in response, patiently awaiting his answer. "Even though we haven't known each other for very long, I consider you as my best friend."

With those words spoken, i drift to sleep with a wide grin on my face.

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A/N: Hey guys! I know I haven't updated in a few days, but honestly it was because I saw TROYE SIVAN LIVE! And was working the other two days. The concert was amazing and I loved it so much, I'm sorta wishing I could go back again soon. But as an apology, I will try to have a double update tonight.

Lots o love,
Elisaveth ❤️