dirty water : phan

6

tw // abuse, slurs

-

The sound of my phone ringing doesn't even catch my attention at first. The ringtone is a distant theme song, not nearly as alarming as the person on the other end of the call. When I eventually answer, the contact on the screen lets me know I'm in for trouble.

"Dan Howell, where the fuck have you been?" My dad growls loudly at me.

I bite my lip as I feel tears sting at my eyes. "I stayed the night at a friend's house, Dad."

"Another queer piece of shit, I suppose?"

Phil inhales sharply. I choke back a sob.

"That's u-unnecessary, Dad. We're... friends," I try to lie through my teeth.

He sighs into the phone. "Whatever. I want you home tonight. Jen's parents are in town and you missed their arrival yesterday. Hopefully dinner tonight will make up for it."

"Sure, I'll be there."

"You better be."

He hangs up on me as soon as he finishes his thought. I reach to sip on my water, suddenly parched, and I nearly spill the contents of the glass on my bare chest. My hand shakes violently as I run it through my hair.

"Are you okay Dan?" Phil finally questions.

I pull the covers on my side of the bed up around my chin. "I don't know. I'm afraid to go home. He... He'll see everything," I reply, blushing and tracing the bruises of various shades covering my neck and shoulders.

"If you need anything, you know where to find me. I'm here for you, always," Phil says gently.

"Promise?"

"Absolutely I do."

I smile genuinely. He kisses me on the lips, firmly, supportively.

-

I barely have the chance to press the doorbell before Jen swings the door open. "Ah, Daniel. Just in time! We're sitting down to eat now."

Her smile is not genuine and I know it, but I fake-smile back and take a seat.

"Dan, how nice of you to join us," my dad remarks as I fiddle with a button on my shirt.

"Sorry, traffic o-out of downtown was really bad, and I was already running behind at that point, so-"

"So you're late."

I nod and swallow, hard.

"I guess all that matters is that you're here, right?" His mouth curves into an almost too sweet grin, but his eyes burn harshly into mine.

I quickly look down and nod again.

Jen brings her parents into the dining room just in time to break the tension. We say our greetings and soon enough, the food is served.

"So Dan," Jen's father asks, "What are you doing with yourself lately? College treating you well?"

My heart starts beating faster. "Well, actually, classes are released for the summer by now. I'm just doing whatever, working, all that."