Raspberry Kisses

Chapter 3

Phil

Dan rushed out as soon as I kissed him on the cheek. He muttered something about needing to use the bathroom while he left.

“Oh. Yeah.” I mumbled back. What had I just done? I was just joking. Right? I switched the camera off and shut my MacBook. I lied down on the couch until I heard Dan come back in.

“You okay?” I asked.

        “Yeah,” he said. “I just broke up with Carrie.” Despite this fact, Dan was not that depressed-looking.

        “Oh,” I said, not sure how I should respond, “I’m sorry, mate.”

        He shrugged. “It’s okay.”

        “Alex?” I asked, knowing that he fancied Carrie.

        “Of course. She couldn’t shut up about him last night.”

        “They’re perfect for each other. I don’t know why she dated you... No offense,” I quickly added, feeling like a bad friend.

        “None taken. They are perfect for each other... and there’s someone else I like, too.”

        My heart stopped and I felt that ridiculous lightheaded feeling--again. What the heck was wrong with me? Dan can date whoever he wants. I couldn't care less.

        “Cool. You know, I like someone, too.”

        “Who?” he asked.

        “My lion,” I replied, giving him a huge smile and picking up my lion. I pretended to make out with it. I still didn't feel good and I knew I had to get out of the house. “Uh, Dan, I'm gonna go for a walk and maybe go Christmas present shopping. See you in a bit,” I said quickly, pulling on my jacket and shoes. I grabbed my wallet on the way out and started to walk through the streets. At one point a girl my age stopped me.

“ARE YOU AMAZINGPHIL?!” she asked. Her long strawberry blonde hair was tucked underneath a lion beanie and she was wearing a blue coat.

“Oh, yeah. I am. Hi!” I replied, feeling awkward.

“OH MY GOD! Can I give you a hug?! Will you sign my hat?!” she fangirled.

“Yeah, sure,” I said, pulling a Sharpie out of my jacket pocket. I quickly scrawled my name on her hat, probably ruining my marker. Then I gave her a quick hug before walking away. I saw her run back to someone who I assumed was her boyfriend and give him a kiss on the cheek. It made me think back to Dan. He had said that he liked someone else, and for some reason that was making me feel awful. Who? Why didn't he tell me? 

As I thought about this I walked into a Starbucks and ordered some tea. Eventually the worker came up to me, wiping his hand on his apron.

“Mate, you gotta talk to this girl,” he said to me.

“Excuse me?” I asked, looking up from my tea cup.

“You're obviously in love. Did she break up with you?” He kept talking. I gave him an confused look. “Ooo! So she doesn't even know! Seriously, lad, go talk to her. And buy her some flowers”

“Right. Uhh, thanks, but I should get going,” I said, finishing my tea and throwing out the cup. I walked out and heard the bell above the door jingle. It was a happy sound, and I realized how desperately I wanted to feel happy. Why didn't I? What was wrong with me? I walked through the comic shop once, purchasing nothing. I finally decided that the walk was doing nothing for me. I made my way back to the flat and let myself in. Dan was on the couch, where I joined him. When I saw him I considered the fact that  I have only him to purchase flowers for. I wondered if he would like that.