The Soulmate Theory (Phan AU)

Chapter 1

  The sound of an alarm is my least favorite sound in the world. Especially when it's at 6 A.M., interrupting your sleep, announcing that it's time for your first day at a new school.

School. I groaned and got out of bed reluctantly, tripped over my phone charger, and landed face first in my desk chair, which then proceeded to roll away and my head smacked the carpet.

Of course, Phil. Of course you would do something like that.

I laid there for a couple minutes, contemplating not getting up. I didn't want any of this; new school, new home, new country. I wanted my own room, plastered with Buffy posters and other pictures I had collected. I wanted Rawtenstall, I wanted snow in the winter, but most of all, I wanted my family whole again.

I didn't want the unbearable heat that is Florida, nice for vacationing, but unpleasant to live. Or a new high school, in which I am going to be a "junior" whatever the hell that meant. I wanted Mum to be here with us.

I picture her now, sitting in my room with me. "But Philly," she would say, in response to my complaining. "It's an adventure! Think of all the experiences you'll get, all the friends you'll make! Give it a shot, okay?"

Tears streamed down my face as I laid on the floor, I missed Mum. I missed her so much. And I hated the drunk driver who slammed into her car, taking her away from me, from Dad, from my brother Martyn. It wasn't fair, that she died, but he lived.

I finally got off the floor and went to take a shower, got dressed in my blue California Republic hoodie, black skinny jeans, and my favorite shoes before heading into the kitchen for breakfast.

"Good morning, Phil!" my dad cheerily greeted me, as he put a pancake from the pan onto a plate.

"Morning," I muttered, making my way to the coffee maker and pouring myself a cup from the already made pot. I knew what he was trying to do, with the pancakes and pre-made coffee: 

trying to suck up, because he knew I was pissed about moving.

It was the last day of school, I had just come home when Dad had Martyn and I sit down. Six months since Mum's passing. Dad cleared his throat. "Well, I know the passing of your mother has been hard on all of us, and I think we need a change of scenery."

"Like, a holiday?" Martyn had asked.

"Uh, no, not quite. I was thinking that we move. Go somewhere where we can start fresh as a family."

"Move?!" I demanded. "Why? Where? Our house, our town, is perfectly fine, so why change something that doesn't need fixing? If you want to help us, as a family, get a family counselor or something."

My dad looked a but surprised by my outburst. "Yes, and I'm afraid that you don't have much say, because it's already been decided. We're moving to Florida, on July 10th. I found a house for us. It'll be good, I promise."

Martyn stood up so fast, his chair toppled over. "You mean to tell us that you are moving us, across the goddamn world, and you didn't consult us?! This affects us, not just you, Dad." He then went to his room and slammed the door.

I left without a word.

I ate breakfast quickly, then grabbed my backpack to walk to the bus stop."Bye, Phil! Have a good first day!" my dad called out after me. I didn't respond.

I stood outside for 10 minutes, regretting my decision of a hoodie. The bus finally pulled up, and I got on, walked to the back, my head down so I wouldn't have to talk to anyone.

I found an empty seat, and looked out the window while we stopped at other stops, more teenagers getting on, talking loudly to their friends about their summers. It was strange to hear so many American accents.

On the last stop, something, out of place grabbed my attention. Another British accent. Talking to me. I looked to my right, and saw a tall, brown haired brown eyed boy about my own age standing there.

"Is this seat taken?"

I shook my head, and he sat down, extending his hand. "I'm Dan, you must be new."

I reluctantly shook his hand. "Phil. Yeah, I'm new."

"Oh my God, you're from England, too?! This is so exciting, are you here on foreign exchange? Where are you from? How long-"

I cut him off. "Look, Dan. You seem nice, but I'm really tired, and I don't want to talk."

"Oh, okay."

We rode the rest of the way to school in silence.