Best Friends (Phan)

Wheel of Manchester

Flashback to when Dan first met Phil

It was raining heavily when we got of the train that day, and I didn't have an umbrella, so Phil let me borrow his. I noted that if I took the umbrella from him he would get wet, so told him that I didn't mind the rain, even though my hair is a complete curly mess when soaked, which everyone liked to call hobbit hair, like those hobbits from the Lord of the Rings. However Phil wasn't having any of it, and we just decided to share the umbrella.

As we walked on for what felt like eternity, Phil got tired of walking in an awkward silence so he asked me if  I lived in Manchester, and I said yes.

" But I've only lived here for less than  1 year. And I only moved here because my mom dragged us here after the company she works for moved location, without telling us until the day before we left." I added, frowning as I said the last sentence.

"Do you like it here?" Phil asked, spreading his arms to indicate he meant in Manchester.

"From what I've seen of it, it's amazing," I said, then I said without thinking, "Especially 'cause you live here." I immediately realized what I said and started blushing furiously. Way to be subtle, I thought to myself. ' You literally just met the guy! Although he didn't seem to hear me, which I am very thankful for.

"What about your dad?" he asked.

I looked down at my feet. "What about my dad?" I asked, my voice starting to get raspy.

" I don't know, tell me something about him. Anything. What's he like? Do you get along?"

I said nothing, just stood there, quickly taking interest at the rocks on the ground. 

"Dan?" Phil asked, concerned. I just shook my head.

" He's," I said, trying not to get emotional in front of Phil. "He's no longer with us." As soon as I said that Phil's expression changed from a concerned one to a pained one. " I am really sorry for your loss," he said.

I laughed, but it wasn't a happy laugh, it was a forced laugh, one you make when you don't want anyone to know you're hurt, even though it just makes the pain worse . " He's not dead, he's just in rehab. I haven't seen him in months, but it feels like," I paused, choking back tears. Don't cry, I told myself.  not here, not now. "It feels like forever.... I don't... want to talk about it anymore; can we just go?" I said, picking up my pace.

"But can't you go see him? I don't know much about rehab, but I think they let you see him after some time," Phil said, trying to keep up with me.

" We used to but after a while mom decided she didn't want to see him anymore and never told us why. She never tells us anything." My voice started to shake. "And I told you, I don't want to talk about it. So please just leave me alone!" I yelled, so loud people were starting to give me looks. Phil's face went even paler than it already was- if that was humanly possible- and he looked hurt.

Realizing what I've done, I quickly said, "I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to yell. It's just-"

"I get it," Phil smiled a sad smile. " I shouldn't have invaded your personal life, especially when you said you didn't want to talk about it. It's my fault." 

"No," I argued. " It's really not, it's fine."

" You're right, it is fine. I have to go anyway, it's getting late. Wouldn't want to worry my folks!" He laughed. "It was nice meeting you, Dan." He gave me thin smile as he turned to walk away.

Part of me knew it was better to just  let him go, another part of me wanted to go after him and tell him not to leave.

I listened to that part of me. And I'm glad I did.

"Phil, wait!" I said, grabbing his hand. He stopped and turned to look at me. "I'm sorry, please don't go."

Phil sighed. "Dan, I said  I was ok. It's almost midnight, and it's getting dark. You know what happens when you're out  alone in the dark."

"But, you're not alone. I'm here with you!" I protested.  "Stay? Please?" 

"Ok, but we're not gonna stay here all night, are we?"

"Nope, of course not."

"Then where are we going to go?"

"I was hoping you'd tell me that," I said shyly. Phil turned as red as a tomato.

" Want to go to my place?" Phil bit his lip.

" You sure your parents would allow that?" I frowned. 

Phil shrugged. "We'll just have to wait and see."

"Okay." Then before I could stop myself, I threw my arms around him and hugged him, almost knocking him over.

" Please don't ever leave me again," I said softly into his ear.

"Ok but why are you saying that? You've only known me for 8 hours," Phil said, hugging me back.

Really?  It felt like I've known him forever. " You just remind me of someone is all."

"Is that a good thing?" Phil asked.

"I think so."

"Well, unlike that someone, I'm not going anywhere. Except home, we really should be going home now."

"Just a little longer? The wheel of Manchester looks pretty in the dark."

Phil smiled. "Ok, just a little longer."

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Hallo!

so i'm finally back! it's been a long month, with exams and all, but school's finally over and i can take a break! or so i thought. there's still a lot going on and i don't have as much time to do a lot of things right now as i would like. i know i haven't been gone for long but this will probably be the last time i update before school has well past started again. so until next time, ciao, and please tell me what you think of this part in the comments , vote because i could really use it (it boosts my self confidence, which i don't have a lot of T_T)

-s. dandelion