This Is Where It Starts (Without Trilogy Part I) (Phan) -Completed-

Hour 4

Grandma...No, stop...don't
leave me...please...

Shh, Dan, it's just a nightmare!

P-Phil?

Yeah. You're okay, Dan.

Why are you hugging me?

What? Oh, this is
just usually how I calm down Ty.

Is that your brother?

Mm. I guess we won't be getting
any sleep tonight, huh?

Have you even tried?

I did, but then the bus bumped
a bunch and this guy was coughing
in the back and I just kinda woke up.

You're a really light sleeper.

There isn't much noise where I'm from.

I think you can let go of me now.

Right. Sorry.

So...do you have a big family?

No, not really. It's just me and my mom.

And Ty?

Ty's not my brother.

Oh, a friend?

Boyfriend.

Oh.

Yeah.

Not that there's anything wrong-

No, of course.

I mean, I'm bi myself, it's just...yeah.

I know.

Do you love him?

I did. We were very close; he called me
his lion.

I don't believe in love.

I find that impossible.

It's true.

How?

Easily. It's lust or deep friendship
or-

Stop. Just, stop. 

Listen, my grandmother was the
only person who ever wanted me.
She's the only one who ever cared about me,
and probably ever will. And now she's dying.
That's not romantic or movie-worthy, Phil.
It's just life.

How do you live with thoughts like that?

How do you live under a lie?

Happily! And it's not a lie. You may
not see it now, but you will. Someday.

Don't act like you're all old and wise.
You're only, what, twenty-three?

Twenty-five, thank-you very much. 

There's no way you're five years older
than me.

Sorry, mate. That's just how it is.

Wow. Life sucks.

Get used to it, young one.

What happened to Ty, anyways? Did
your so-named love fail?

He killed himself last October, actually.

Oh. 

You're not the only one with a sob story,
huh?

I never said I was.

But you act like you are.

Are we really arguing again?

It's good for the relationship.

What relationship?

The one we're building, of course.
A romance to last for the ages.

Mm, don't get your hopes up.