Better Than Me

Chapter 29

chapter notes: i'm feeling way better you guys, and hope you all are too! i officially graduated from high school and things have been going well. one more chapter after this one, then the preview of my next fic!!! WHO'S EXCITED?!?

-dad <3

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It was the best thing that had happened in weeks—the overwhelming rush of his heart pumping excitedly, the feeling of hope—for once. Seeing Phil there made him want to jump into his arms and hug him so tight he fell over. He wanted their lips interlocked in a perfect kiss...but Dan had no idea if he could ever experience that bliss again.

A hospital staff member had just finished talking to Phil, to which he replied with a quiet nod.

"Dan? Dan."

He looked quickly at Meghan, who had been calling his name.

"Goodness," she chuckled playfully, "Thought you were hypnotized."

"Sorry," Dan blushed.

"Anyway, I thought I'd let you know about your mum and dad. I guess after trying to figure out who Phil was, and fighting with the receptionists, as well as me trying to convince them that I thought this was best for you...I'm afraid they left."

"That's okay," he said, staring back at Phil. "I don't care what they think of my life anymore."

"You don't?"

"Well, I'm still insecure about it, but I'm trying your 'fake it til you make it' thing."

Meghan laughed, but encouraged him anyway.

As the nurse escorted Dan out, Phil stood up awkwardly as Meghan introduced herself and chatted with him for a minute or two. She watched Phil hesitantly approach Dan as he stood up with a shiver.

"Uber's coming," was all Phil said as he pulled off his coat and draped it around Dan.

If they were under any other circumstances, Dan was sure Phil would be trying extra hard to cheer him up, but he simply loomed. Which was fine. It was as supportive as Phil wanted to be right now, and Dan would gladly accept it. Even though he knew it was going to be extremely awkward between them for a while, it was better than his only other option. When the first awkward moment struck, Meghan spoke up.

"Well, I've got another patient to go talk to. I hope you'll call me soon, Dan, once I get my new office and we can actually sit down on some more comfortable chairs instead."

"Yeah," Dan nodded, pulling Phil's coat over his arms. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. I'm just a phone call away, anytime you need me. Bye!"

The car drove in and slowly stopped in front of Dan and Phil. Phil opened the door for Dan, but didn't look at him or smile or anything. He was ignoring him while paying close attention to him at the same time. It was weird.

Dan kept his head slightly bowed as he sat in the car, staring at his feet. "Are we headed straight to your apartment?"

"Yes. I made a place for you to sleep on the couch," Phil said, "Where you can stay until..."

"We figure things out?"

"If that's what you'd like to call it."

"Okay," Dan said with a nod. There was a prolonged period of silence until he spoke again, "Thanks for taking me home."

Phil didn't answer.

The drive there was silent except for an occasional impatient-sounding sigh from the driver every time there happened to be traffic.