We are the ghouls of London // PHAN

•CHAPTER NINE•

The next day at school, Dan had media again. Him and Phil began to talk more and soon Mr. Mathews had decided it would be best if he made every group stand up and say what they were hoping to make for the project.

Alfie and Wendy went first.

"Recently, the movement and actions of ghouls over the past few years and how they have developed has caught my eye," Alfie began as Wendy just stood awkwardly and watched Alfie, "So we have decided to get news clips, evidence and interviews with ghoul attack survivors," his eyes wandered and looked at Dan sternly, "And analyse on wether ghouls are becoming more hostile and dangerous than they use to be."

Dan felt his stomach drop and nerves fill his chest. He knew what Alfie was trying to do. Alfie was trying to invade on his own privacy.

"My mom is a well trained nurse so I can ask her as well for information in ghoul-ish activities and traits of a ghoul so we can detect, find and kill them before they kill us," Alfie declared as he sat down.

A tight knot tied itself within his intestines. He felt like he was going to be sick.

Dan somehow managed to contain himself as the rest of the class spoke on there projects. Soon it was Dan and Phil's go and Dan felt a wave of nerves almost drown him.

"Me and Dan have decided to focus on ourselves, and how our personalities have changed from when we were first born to now. This will involve us searching through old film footage of us and understanding on how objects back when we were born have probably made us the people we are today," Phil spoke.

Mr Mathews nodded, seeming to like the idea being given to him.

"This was all Dan's idea and I think it will be very effective to draw attention to our lives and its uniqueness to everybody else's projects," Phil said finally before he sat down, Dan doing the same almost in sync.

They had 10 minutes of the class left to plan last details before they began to piece the whole thing together.

"I'll go home tonight and find out footage of my baby and childhood years," Phil says as Dan nods to agree he will do the same.

"They'll either be in my moms attic or in the cupboard under the lamp," Dan said as he thought of potential places his mom would store these things.

"Mine are in the loft too, in a small brown box next to my moms things..." glancing over at Phil, Dan saw Phil looked as if he wanted to cry. As if something he just said had triggered him.

"Phil? You ok?" Dan asked as he looked into Phil's eyes. He could sense pain, emotion, sadness...

Clearly he wasn't ok so why did he even bother asking?

"I-I-I'm fine..." Phil stuttered before getting up and running out the classroom.

"PHIL!" Dan stood up and yelled after Phil who ran out the door, concern and worry in his voice.

Everyone turned to look at him.

"Have you done something to Phil again, Howell?" Alfie asked in amusement, standing up to give him full eye contact

"Fuck off Deyes." Dan snapped before racing out the classroom.

Dan looked up and down the empty corridors, hoping to see some sign of where Phil had gone.

"Where did he go?" Dan looked behind him as he saw Joe exit the classroom, moving his small posture to stand next to Dan.

"That's what I'm trying to work out..." Dan says.

There was a pause.

"Why are you out here?"

"To help my best friend who ran out the classroom, obviously," Joe says, "You?"

"Same."

Dan wanted to consider Phil his best friend. As well as Connor and Termika but they were ghouls so that was besides the point. He felt a connection with Phil, something he hadn't had with anyone else sitting in the group of friends Phil and Connor shared.

"Let's start at the bathroom," Joe instructed as the pair walked in that direction.

They open the door and then they heard it.

Soft whimpers from one of the stalls.

Joe closed the door and looked at Dan as they stood in the empty corridor, "Before Phil ran out... what did he say?"

"He said something about his box of childhood things being in a box next to his mom's..." Dan says, thinking back to the conversation.

Joe nodded, "I know what's going on."

"What?"

"Phil... Phil's never fully recovered from his moms ... death ... when he was 4 years old. It's a touchy subject with him... and it easily gets him emotional."

Dan sighed.

He knew how Phil felt.

He has the same issue... but with his dad.

Dan opened the door, and the whimpers still could be heard.

He walked in, Joe following. They located Phil was in the last stool, probably curled up on the toilet seat as they couldn't see his feet under the door.

"Phil? Phil I'm sorry I brought up the subject of where your stuff was... I... I had no idea about your mom. I'm really sorry Phil. I bet she was a lovely women who if she was here today, would be still proud of you and I'm sure she still is, wherever she has gone to be happy. If it makes you feel better... my dad died when I was 12... and I've never and never will recover from it..."

The stall opened and a red eyed Phil emerged and looked at Dan, "I'm sure your dad is proud of you too."

Dan smiled and looked into Phil's eyes yet again.

They were beautiful...

Thoughts of what he had just said to himself ran through his head. What the hell was he thinking?! He's his best friend! When he said connection earlier it was a best friend connection, not a love one!

But maybe it always has been a love connection but you've managed to convince yourself it's just a friend one.

The thoughts consumed Dan. They scared him. Was he really falling for Phil? That was impossible though! He wasn't even gay!

Was he gay though?

I mean... it was a possibility. After all, you did just say your best friend's eyes were beautiful.

"Dan you ok?" Dan snapped out of his daze to see Phil looking at him, a hint of worry now in his eyes.

He worries about him.

And it was at that moment Dan realised he was falling for his best friend.