phil
the first couple days after i move out are terrible.
i stay in the guest room for a while, only ever coming out for essential bathroom breaks and snacking. pj doesn't really question it until it's the second week that i've been holed up.
"listen phil, i know the breakup has been hard but you can't live your life hiding out in your room. apparently you haven't been responding to dan? he's been worried about you, you need to talk to him, okay? we just want you to be happy and healthy." he says on his way out the door as i'm heading to the kitchen for peanut butter apples.
after he's gone, i think about his words. i probably should talk to dan, but i don't know why i'm not. in the past two weeks, he's texted me four times. the first it was just to say hello, the second to see if i was having a good day, the third to ask if i was okay, and the fourth to text him when i'm feeling better. i read them all as notifications but never actually read them in imessage, just to not hurt his feelings. i feel bad for not answering.
phil: hello :p
dan: hi there :)
phil: sorry i haven't been responding
dan: it's okay
phil: would you want to maybe hang out today? if not, that's cool too :)
dan: yes of course, when? :)
phil: well i'd have to wait till pj gets back so he can drive me to meet you somewhere
dan: i can come pick you up, silly. just tell me what time you want me to come and i'll be there
phil: okay :D
i lock my phone and wander into the bathroom. i should probably take a shower, but i don't really have the energy. instead i just brush my teeth and change clothes, into much more presentable clothing for dan.
after a few minutes, i text him and tell him that i'm ready when he is. he texts back saying he's on his way, and the excitement builds up inside me. i don't really know why i'm excited, but i am. maybe i'm just desperate for human interaction, aside from occasional hallway passings with pj.
five minutes pass and a horn honks outside. i jump a little and hurry out the door. dan sits cutely in the drivers seat, messing with the car radio as i approach. once i'm inside, i wait awkwardly to see if i should say something first or wait for him to say something.
"you look lovely."
"hello."
we both speak at the same time. i laugh and he giggles before resting his head on the steering wheel.
"you first." he says, smiling. he doesn't lift his head from the steering wheel, just turns his head so he's smiling and looking at me.
"you look lovely. i like that shirt," i blush, slightly pointing towards his white moth shirt. dan sits up and looks down at it. he doesn't say anything for a second before replying with, 'this is my favorite shirt'.
after we settle into casual conversation, he starts to drive. i don't really know where we're going, but we just drive. it feels nice, to just be away from everything. and even though i've only known dan for a little while, i don't think i'd rather be with anyone else.
