One Hell Of A Life

chapter twenty five: the reason for my smile.

Ebony POV:

I get told by Phil that I 'saved' Dan. I asked what he meant by that, and he explained it to me like this...

Dan and Phil's Apartment.
Sometime before the Interactive Introverts Tour began.

"Phil."
"What?" Phil answered, sipping his coffee, looking up at his housemate.
"I can't do it."

This was the third time in a day that Dan was being pessimistic; not to mention during the weeks leading up to this point. It was about going on tour, and Phil was sick and tired of hearing about his negativity.

"Well," Phil sighed almost irritably, "it's too late to back out now."
"No - Phil - I genuinely don't think I can do this tour." Dan looked up, his hands made fists as they pressed on his cheeks.
"Why?"
"My head's not in the right place." He decided. "I won't be able to do the live shows; I'm only just getting comfortable with rehearsals."
"Dan - you'll be fine." Phil insisted. "I'll be right there with you the whole time."

But Phil wasn't enough to pull Dan through one of his worst depressive episodes. Even the sound of Emmy's voice couldn't manage to drag him out of his room. Louise tried, Zoe tried, and so did PJ and Chris.

Nothing worked.

He got better at managing it, I think. I don't think that he became happier, but more so he tried to kid himself into positivity.

They were "giving the people what they want", after all. He couldn't chicken out now.

For the first month or so of the tour, Dan mooched through, not really enjoying it, not really finding any motivation other than the fans. He wasn't doing it because he wanted to, but because he had to. At the end of the day, no matter how depressed he was, he would never let his fans down.

Then, on the 21st of May, Dan encountered me. We were both in the hotel's lift with a bunch of other people. These people were talking rather loudly - they were possibly half-drunk, coming back from a night out - and Dan and I exchanged an awkward glance.

This was the first time I properly took in his features.

Natural brunette curls, chocolatey eyes, and if you looked close enough, you could see small freckles dotted about his cheeks and nose.

Dressed in all black, as per, he looked me up and down as I did to him. Then, he must've took a glance at the Tesco bag I was holding:
"Essentials in there?" He smiled warmly.
"Of course." I returned the grin, feeling the awkwardness that was held in the air disperse. "Double Stuf Oreos, mate."
"Ah, I see." He replied.

There was silence between us whilst the loud group exited the elevator.
"You sound like a local." Dan started a new conversation.
"I am."
"What are you doing in a hotel in your own city, then?"
"I'm up here visiting family with my sister. We live in London, though."

Doors opening.

"That's cool, I guess."
"You sound posh." I tilted my head to the side as we both left the lift.
"I grew up just West of London. I live there now, though." Dan explained.
"In London?" I'm sure my eyes lit up. "Where a-bouts?"

So we exchanged addresses and numbers before we both stopped outside our hotel rooms. We were staying opposite of one another.
"See you round?" I looked at him hopefully.
"Are you kidding me? Of course, Double Stuf Oreos!" Dan laughed. I shook my head, scanning my card on the sensor of the door handle.
"Later, pal."

Apparently, Dan walked into that room with the greatest Cheshire Cat grin on his face. Phil looked up in amazement; this was the first time he'd seen his flatmate with a genuine smile on his face for a long fucking time. Phil was happy that Dan was, and he didn't question it. He wanted to see if he'd tell him about his reason for his smile - another sign that he was in a good mental state.

Depression.

It ain't about being sad; when you're sad, you understand why you're feeling that way. With depression, you feel low and worthless all of the time without and understanding of why you're feeling that way.

And, quite frankly, it's shit.

Phil POV:

"PHIL! Helloooooo? Snap out of it." Dan waved a hand in front of my face, clicking his fingers.
"W-What?" I shook my head, blinking hard, confused about the trans that I had been in. However, I listened to Dan.
"Ebony. The girl I just met. She made me happy."

a/n:

this chapter's so short compared to the absolute unit that i published last night, so apologies for that.

just to fully introduce these two new characters, i felt the need to do one chapter each based on how they met their partners. i wouldn't be surprised if i do more chapters where i show their points of view in the future, to be honest. i enjoyed it.

thank you so much for reading!

lee x