Flawlessly Flawed

Chapter 2

Word Count: 1279

After school I immediately made a beeline for the pond Phil had suggested. The pond was a similar grey to the sky, probably the same color. I looked up at the blossom tree and not for the first time wished I could see colors.

I sat down under the tree wondering what colors it was. I figured the trunk was brown like other trees, but were the leaves this green color people spoke of? Sometimes leaves can be orange or something can't they? I think I remember being told that, I honestly don't pay much attention to color descriptions since I don't know what the mean anyway.

"Hi Dan!" Phil pulled me from my thoughts.

Pointing up at the tree I asked without greeting him, "what color are blossom trees?"

"Pink," he answered confidently and without hesitation, "well, the blossoms are at least." 

He must be able to see color. Why do I feel disappointed? Him being able to see color or not shouldn't change anything, he's just a potential friend.

"Come on, my house is this way," he pointed.

I glanced over at Phil walking beside me, I wonder who is soulmate is. Is she a girl? A guy? What's Phil's favorite color?

After walking in silence for a bit I decided to start up a conversation, "so, you can see color?"

"Nope, why?" He raised an eyebrow at me looking confused. I suppose I kinda did just blurt that out pretty randomly.

"Oh, I just figured you did cause you answered my question about the tree like you could see it," I referred to the 'pink' blossom tree. I made a mental note to make sure I look at a blossom tree once I can see colors.

"Nah, I just know cause I've asked. They're in Animes a lot so I was curious," Phil explained.

He watches anime too! I wonder if he likes the same ones as me!

"You watch Anime?! Dude, we're gonna get along so well!" I suddenly exclaimed excitedly, not sure myself where the sudden confidence and burst of energy came from.

I peeked at him and felt a little flutter in my chest when I saw the corners of his lips turned up. 

No. I can't do this, I can't have a crush on him. Not allowed, I just met him today. I'm friendzoning myself right now. Can you even do that? Friendzone yourself? 

We reached Phil's house while I was still scolding myself mentally and questioning the validity of self friendzoning.

"D'ya wanna stay for dinner? I'm no master chef but we could make pancakes or something easy like that," Phil offered while guiding me to his room downstairs.

I nodded, looking around. His room suited him. Well, I can't see any of the colors but the aura it gives off feels like it suits him. It was obviously colorful as there was such a variety of different shades. There was a TV with an Xbox 360 and a wii, a pile of games stacked messily beside it. His bedspread was plaid with who knows what colors. 

I walked over to a bookcase that had various books and pictures littering the shelves. There was one picture in particular that stood out to me. In it Phil was smiling the most brilliant smile, and his eyes were lit up, mental note to come back and look at this picture once color is visible. Phil was with a pretty girl who was laughing. She must be his girlfriend or something.

I quietly let out a defeated sigh. He seems straight. Maybe he's Bi! No, Dan, it doesn't matter if he's Bi does it. Not at all...

Still, that picture looks maybe two years old, maybe he's not dating her anymore. No that's stupid, why would he keep that picture there if they weren't still dating.

"Is.. Is that your girlfriend?" I cautiously asked. I half hoped she is so that it would be slightly easier to end my stupid phantasy, but I also hoped she isn't and that he isn't straight.

Phil smiled sadly at the picture, "no, that's my sister, Alex. I was a twin," Phil then pointed to a different picture of him and his family that I hadn't noticed before. 

 "That's my mum, and my dad," he pointed to each in turn, "there's my older brother Martyn, and there's me and Alex." 

I felt relief flood through my system before processing what Phil had said.

"... You.. were a twin?" I didn't want to trigger him or anything, but I couldn't help being curious.

Phil picked up a worn picture of his sister displaying a radiant smile and carresed it with his thumb, "yeah, was. She... She was hit by a car and passed away two years ago. She never got to see color."

"I'm sorry," I look back at the picture of him and his sister. Now that I'm looking closely their eyes are the same shade of grey. Other than that, they don't look too similar unlike Phil and his older brother.

I felt a bit guilty for being relieved that was his sister and not girlfriend when she was clearly important to Phil, but I can't help it! Remember, Dan! Friendzone!

"Well enough of depressing topics, let's play some Mario Kart!" Phil put the picture back and  handed me a wii remote. 

 Phil turned on the console before taking a seat on my left, "I must warn you I've played this game quite a lot."

"Oh?" I grinned at him. He's going down. I've played this game so much more than I should've in my lifetime, and Phil's about to discover this.

After 5 rounds of me kicking his butt, he realized that I truly am the master of Mario Kart.

"You didn't tell me you were so good!" Phil whined, playfully punching me. Another little flutter at the physical contact.

I smirked, "If I had told you it wouldn't have been as fun!"

"Oh whatever," he rolled his eyes, "wanna make pancakes now?"

I suddenly noticed just how hungry I was and replied, "yesss!"

I followed Phil through his house to the kitchen. He started gathering the ingredients while I looked around. If I could see colors this kitchen would probably look a lot less bland.

After the pancakes, which were incredible despite the fact both of us can't make food very well, I remembered that I have homework already that I still have to do.

"As much as I'd love to stay longer, I actually got an assignment ALREADY that I'm required to complete," I explained to Phil. 

Phil followed me to the door, "Well we'll have a Mario Kart rematch, yeah? I was obviously going easy on you."

"You?! Going easy on me?! Ha! We'll rematch if you wanna have your butt absolutely whooped again," I laughed, shaking my head at his skewed antics. I'd only just met him this morning and I already felt like we'd been best friends for years, I've never clicked so well with somebody before.

Phil laughed and I noticed he stuck his tongue out a bit as well, which was very cute. I averted my eyes, afraid that I'd end up transfixed with his smile.

"Well I'll see you tomorrow then, Dan," he smiled widely. I like the way my name sounds coming from his mouth.

I nodded, "yeah, see ya tomorrow."

I stepped outside into the cold evening air to walk home and Phil closed the door behind me. I realized I was still smiling, I'd really enjoyed hanging out with Phil.

I can't have a crush on him.

I won't allow it.

No way.