lighter || phan au || prequel to cold

c h a p t e r // s e v e n

the universe is messing with us, i'm sure of it.

i walk over to the computer in the public library with a slip of paper in my hand saying that i'm registered for this computer at this time. but there's someone there, in the seat, logging on.

"excuse me, i've got this computer now" i say, stopping at the person's left.

he looks up, and of course, it's phil.

"actually, i have it now" he says. "hey, dan. look at fate, doing its thing again."

i hand him my slip of paper. he reads over it, looking puzzled.

"weird" he says, handing me his slip. it's identical to mine. apparently we're both registered to this computer.

"i waited an hour for this" i say, running a hand through my hair. "i haven't got time to wait again."

"don't worry about it, i'll be done really soon" phil says. "i've got a computer at home, i just needed a different ip address. someone's been sending me creepy messages on facebook and i want to track them without them knowing it's me."

"i just wanted to check my bank account, my computer's in the shop until monday and the app isn't working right now" i say. "but you can definitely go first, yours is more important."

"thanks!" he says, smiling brightly. "you can sit here if you want, hang out. i'd like the company, this asshole is kinda freaking me out."

"what's he doing?" i ask. "i mean, you don't have to tell me or anything."

"no, i wouldn't have brought it up if i didn't want to talk about it" he says. "he's just messaging me saying he knows where i live and stuff. it's probably someone i knew in secondary school being weird. i'm not too worried."

the computer makes a noise then, and phil clicks through a few things.

"yeah, i was right" he says. "just some dick i knew years ago. nothing to worry about. your turn then, dan!"

"thanks" i say. "i'm glad it was nothing."

"me too" he replies, logging out and standing, offering me his chair. "see you, dan!" he waves, and then heads off.

i think about going after him, chasing that smile, but i don't.

"bye, phil!" i say, waving and smiling just a bit. and then i sit down at the computer and do what i came to do.

there will be another time.