The Soulmate Theory (Phan AU)

Chapter 5

  I arrived home at around 2 A.M., and quietly came inside, not wanting to wake anybody up. I made my way to my room, and collapsed on my bed, exhausted. I groaned when I realized that I was going to have to wake up in four hours for school, but I fell asleep immediately.

My dreamless sleep was interrupted by my alarm blaring at me, and I angrily shut it off and got up, my body sore from my impromptu workout yesterday. I slowly made my way to the shower, got dressed, and went downstairs, my legs screaming with each step. Realizing that I was running late, I grabbed a bagel and ate on the way to the bus stop.

Dan was already there, and I gave him a polite nod; no reason to be rude. "Morning."

"Good morning, Phil!" He responded cheerily. How could a person be in such a good mood so early?

We stood in silence for a few minutes before Dan broke it. "Um, Phil? Can I ask you something?"

I sighed; I really wasn't in the mood to talk. "Sure."

"Why were you running yesterday?"

I hadn't realized that anyone had seen me. "Ever heard of someone going for a run?"

Dan rolled his eyes. "I'm not stupid. You were in jeans and the same shirt you wore to school."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "You were watching me?"

"Not exactly. The window over my desk overlooks the street, and I was sitting down to do homework when I saw you running."

"Argument at home. I was mad and needed to leave." It wasn't a lie.

"Oh," Dan said simply. "I'm sorry. Where did you go?"

I shrugged. "I have no idea. I ran and walked for like six hours, and I was at some bridge somewhere. I ended up taking a bus home, which was a two and a half hour ride."

Dan smiled sadly. "I know exactly where you were. PJ, Chris, Louise, Tyler and I used to go there all the time in sophomore year."

Wait, Tyler? I thought. "Tyler?"

"Oh, Tyler's an ex of mine. You've probably seen him around- he has light purple hair."I remembered seeing him at lunch. "Oh, I'm sorry. For bringing up memories that look like they make you sad."

Dan smiled and shook his head. "Don't be sorry. Yeah, it's kinda sad and hurts to think about, but I still hold onto the memories. I like to remember the good times, the times before, even if it hurts. It's not worth it to forget and never remember, because I hold onto the good times. Does that make sense?"

I stood in shocked silence. He understands. He understands what it's like to experience love and loss and remember and hurt. "I know exactly what you mean."

Dan nodded. "Unrelated, but where the hell is the bus?"

"What a great question."

A few minutes later the bus pulled up, and the bus driver opened the door, apologizing profusely, saying that the bus had trouble starting. We found an empty row and sat together, and I looked him in the eyes, realizing that we had a deeper connection.

Dan Howell, what happened to you? I asked him silently.

That day at lunch, I was sitting alone as usual, when Louise marched up to me. "Philip Lester," she began in a very mum-like voice. "I am sick and tired of seeing you sit alone, lost and sad like an abandoned puppy. You are sitting with us whether you like it or not!"

"But-" I began.

"No buts or excuses." Louise grabbed my lunch and walked away, leaving me with no choice but to follow.

Upon arriving at the table, the first thing I heard was, "And then I got up on a desk, and said, 'I am a tiny planet explorer, and I deserve to be treated with the respect I deserve!'" PJ raised his fist in the air, no doubt re-enacting what had happened earlier. Everyone was still laughing when they saw me there.

Dan moved over so I could sit down. "Phil! I'm so glad you came to join us!"

I glared at Louise. "I didn't have much of a choice."

Louise rolled her eyes.

"So, did you get detention?" I asked PJ. "For standing on a desk."

PJ laughed. "Obviously. I actually have a school record for detentions. I got 154 last year."

I sat there with wide eyes.

"Never for anything bad," Chris clarified. "Just for ridiculous stuff like that."

"Oh man, Phil!" PJ said. "You gotta hear about the last day of school last year!"

Everyone groaned at the memory, but PJ launched into a ridiculous story, and I found myself laughing for the first time in months.

And as I did, I thought to myself, Maybe, just maybe I can let these people in.