𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕖𝕕 𝔾𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕤 ➷ ℙ𝕙𝕒𝕟

. 9 .

Dan's P.O.V.

I try and overcome my awkwardness and continue our conversation.

"So, what book were you reading before I came in here?" Phil senses my awkwardness and asks me a question.

"Oh, um, i-it's called Raven Black. It's by Ann Cleaves." I stutter out and mentally slap myself.

"Sounds interesting."

I nod my head slowly, biting my lip.

"Do... you have any books you like?" I ask trying so hard to get rid of the awkwardness.

"I read a lot of Stephen King's work. I'm a huge horror fan."

I gasp. "You like Stephen King? I love him! What's your favorite book by him?" My eyes light up and my smile grows wide.

Phil chuckles at my excitement. "My favorite would probably be the trilogy involving Finders Keepers, Mr. Mercedes, and End of Watch."

"That's a good series. I quite like his book The Stand. It's probably one of my favorites."

Call me a book nerd, but I loved talking about books with other people. I had gotten so excited by the mention of Stephen King I had moved from being curled up in the corner of the couch to sitting up straight with my legs on the ground, my hands gripping the couch.

"That is a good one." Phil replies, laughing at my sudden change of mood from shy to excited.

I realized my sudden excitement and thought I probably looked like a fool. I chuckled awkwardly and shrunk back into the corner of the couch.

"Sorry, I just got excited." I scratch the back of my neck awkwardly.

"No, you're fine! You don't have to apologize. It's lovely to see someone's eyes light up when they talk about something their passionate about."

A light blush dusts my face and I shrug my shoulders.

The bell rings, signaling the end of lunch.

"I'll see you around, Howell." Phil gives me a short wave and walks off.

I wave back, even though he couldn't see me. I collect my things and head to my last few classes of the day.

•••

I walk out of my last class of the day, letting out a loud sigh. I do my best to not get shoved by the students running around the already crowded hallway.

I make my way toward my locker to make sure I didn't leave anything I needed behind. I turn the corner to find Phil leaning against my locker, his attention on his phone.

I look at him confused. I look across the way to see Jackson glaring at me with the most hatred I've possibly ever seen, he's probably still scared of Phil.

I walk up to Phil. He looks up from his phone and clicks it off, smiling at me.

"Hey."

"Hello. May I ask why your standing at my locker?" I gesture toward the locker.

"I wanted to ask if you wanted a ride home or anywhere else. I see you walk every day and it's starting to get colder out."

"Um, yeah I guess. If you really want to, of course. I just need to make sure I have everything I need. Thanks."

"Take your time."

I open my locker and sort through it, grabbing a couple of things and stuffing them in my bag quickly as to not let Phil wait that long. I shut my locker door and give my attention back to him.

"Okay. We can go now if your ready."

"Cool, let's go."

Phil walks off and I go to follow him. We make our way through different cliques hanging out and head toward the exit of the building, every once in awhile Phil looked behind him to make sure I was still following.

We exit the building and he leads me over to the parking lot of the school.

We arrive at the same car he drove me home in after the gas station incident.

"I like your car. I didn't get to say it last time, I was too dazed to say anything." I say, chuckling awkwardly as he opens the passenger door for me.

I climb in the car and put the seatbelt around me.

"Thanks. I got it when I turned sixteen."

Phil shuts the door and climbs in the other side. I rest my elbow on the side of the car and let my hand hold my head up as I gaze out of the window.

Phil starts up the car, pulling out of the school's parking lot.

"I can direct you toward it if you need me to." I tell him, taking my head off my hand and giving him my attention.

"No, I remember where your house was from yesterday. I think I know how to get there."

"M'kay."

The drive starts out awkwardly silent. Phil taps his fingers against the wheel. I look out the window admiring the passing scenery. I look back over toward Phil.

"Do you have any pets?" I ask him, trying to break the silence.

"Yeah. I have a dog named Corky. He's a Corgi."

"Aw, that's so cute! I love Corgis. They're so adorable with their little stubby legs."

Phil chuckles. "Yeah, I love him."

A moment of silence ensues before Phil asks me a question, basically out of nowhere.

"Do you think I'm a bad person?"

It took me by surprise. I didn't expect this conversation to escalate like that.

"No, I suppose not. You've been nice to me. You just kind of look like one. Not in a bad way! I'm not judging the way you dress- I think it's kinda cool. It's just- never mind. Sorry, I'm awful at words." I start to ramble on and eventually cut myself off, apologizing.

"It's fine, I don't take any offense. It was a weird question to bring up. We're here, by the way."

Phil pulls into my driveway, letting the engine idle.

"Oh, um, thanks for the ride."

"Of course."

Phil flashes me a charming smile before I climb out of the car, grabbing my bag and closing the car door. I walk away and turn around, giving him a quick wave before I head inside. I hear him drive off once I get inside.