Homes and Hearts (Phan)

1 - Phil

Phil POV

I ran for the bus as fast as I could. It would have been just so Phil to be late for the first day of work and I could not afford that. I waved at the driver and breathlessly stumbled into the first seat I found after flashing my card.
I checked my watch as I struggled to get my heartbeat back under control. 8:30 am – traffic allowing, I wouldn't be late.
The person next to me coughed and looked at me pointedly. I looked up to see a girl – no, a boy, - no... a girl? A... human, I think. Their hair was short, messily cropped, dark and wavy. Their face was feminine, with large dark eyes and soft-looking lips. Their cheekbones were high, defining their face cutely. They coughed again, looking at me pointedly. I blushed slightly as I realized I was staring.

"Sorry, could you move your bag?" they asked. Their voice shook me from my thoughts. I nodded hastily and kicked my bag from away the middle of the passage as they stood to get off. They gave me a small smile and left. They looked so familiar, yet I couldn't put my finger on it. I stepped off the bus a few stops later, thanked the driver and headed for M&S.

"Phil Lester?" A lady with "Ann" written on her card called me over to the main desk. "You're here for the, uh..." She checked her computer.
"Food Customer Assistant position," I supplied.
"Ah, yes, of course," Ann smiled. "Just a last few things to sign and you're on your way!" She was still smiling like this was some kind of once in a lifetime opportunity. I sighed and signed on the line where she was pointing to.
"Thank you," I tried returning her smile, though it wasn't easy. As someone who had always had social anxiety, I wasn't looking forward to interacting for 8 hours a day. Ann handed me my apron and showed me the counter behind which I was stationed.

I headed to the back to change and leave my things in the locker. I was trembling slightly and just hoped no one would want to come into M&S on a Monday. Everyone else was working right? I'd just have to occasionally smile and look pretty.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I threw my bag on the floor and my body on the sofa. I was beyond tired. I'd been standing for almost six hours, and I simply wasn't in shape. Plus, there had been this one customer – a middle-aged businessman – who had treated me so badly (over some cheese that apparently wasn't fresh enough for his highness) I broke into tears as soon as he left. Thankfully I had also made a friend, Jill, who had calmed me down while I sobbed in frustration.

"I'd like to say something sweeter, but honestly there are a lot of pricks like him," she had said before handing me a chocolate and some water. I smiled into my pillow thinking about it, she had been really nice.

A knock sounded on my door. I groaned, though I wasn't annoyed: Miles had promised me he would have come over to celebrate my first day. I got out from under the wonderfully warm covers and ran to the entrance.

"Who is it?" I called with a giggle.
"It's the Celebration Squad, sir," replied a very serious voice. I laughed and let Miles in with a hug and a kiss. "So, how was your day?" He looked me over like a worried mother.
"It was alright, I guess," I mumbled.
"Oh dear," he frowned. "Time to make you hot chocolate." Miles kissed my forehead and skipped into the kitchen, looking for ingredients. I sighed.
"It's just not what I wanted to do in life, you know? I never thought I'd have to deal with so much..." I waved my hand, the right word just out of reach.
"People?" Miles gave me an understanding smile and a biscuit. "I know what you mean, love. Give it some time; remember why we're doing this yeah?" He pressed. We wanted to find an apartment together, but the deposits were way out of our range. Miles had become a waiter, while I had found the job at M&S so we could put money aside.
"I'm sorry, I know I should keep the goals in mind, but it can be so hard!" I exclaimed, frustration getting the best of me.
"Hey, it was your first day. I'm sure it wasn't that bad," Miles handed me a warm mug. It smelled amazing. I raised one eyebrow before launching into a complete rant about the whole day, from the girl I saw on the bus to the cheese guy to Jill to the rain on the way home. Miles listened diligently, supplying just the right amount of 'no way!' and 'really??' as we sipped on the creamy chocolate.

We spent the rest of the evening chatting about ups and downs of our jobs. His day had been great, if a little clumsy. He told me all about the people he had met: the nice lady from across the street and her grandchild, a few tourists, his boss and colleagues. We ended up ordering the cheapest Chinese for dinner as we were both too tired to cook, plus Miles always gave into my puppy eyes at the mention of takeaway.

Conversation was dying off as I stuffed the plastic containers into the bin. Miles was standing at the door, ready to leave.

"Don't go," I pouted.
"Phil..." Miles sighed, taking my soy-sticky hands into his. "You know I have to wake up early tomorrow for the restaurant..." He glanced down at my hands. "And wash your hands you dirty pig!"
"But I wanna cuddle," I exaggerated my pout even further and rinsed my hands.
"We cuddled for three hours!" He looked at me as if I was a terribly annoying though terribly cute toddler. "Look, I'll make it up to you tomorrow ok? Why don't you come over to my place after work? I promise I'll tidy."
"Fine," I gave an exaggerated sigh. "Tell me when you get home ok? I worry about you."
"I know," he smiled and pecked my forehead. "See you later then baby." We kissed for a moment before he left. Another sigh escaped my chest at the sudden loneliness.

I finished tidying up, fighting my instinct to leave everything a mess and hide in my bed. My mind drifted back to the girl on the bus who had seemed so familiar.
I kept thinking about her as I got under my blankets, racking my brains about where I knew her from. She didn't stop me from falling asleep though, something I definitely deserved after such a stressful day.