(A/N okay. Wtf u guys. Over 1K read??????? This is not happening oh my god ;-; I love you all so much and thank you for the support!!!! Enjoy the new chapter my kawii demon bunnies!!! Lots of love -Sarah)
Phil's POV
Hours later, I had arrived at my parents house and was unpacking my bag in the guest room.
I decided that I'd give Dan a quick call before I went in and spent time with my parents. Seeming as though he had read my mind, his smiling face appeared on my screen just seconds later.
Grinning at the sight, I picked up my phone and held it to my ear.
"Hey! I was just about to call-"
A choked whimper came from the other end of the line.
"Dan...? Are you okay? What's wrong?"
"Phil..."
Came his hoarse quiet voice into my ear. The sound broke my heart.
"I got a text from my dad earlier..."
"Really? Oh god, what did it say?"
He paused.
"I'd rather not talk about it."
"Okay... Well... Are you alright? You sound really upset..."
I said quietly.
"I'm... No. I'm not. I didn't handle it well. But... You'll be glad to know that I'm done. I'm simply done. I love you."
And then the line went dead.
Shocked and confused, I pulled the phone away from my ear and set it down. But before I even had time to think, my parents called me into the living room.
I put an expressionless look on my face and walked in to find them side by side on the couch.
"Phillip! We've got so much catching up to do! Come on, have a seat sweetheart."
Said my mum.
Plastering on a smile, I took a seat and answered with a soft "alright".
"So what's made you want to visit all of the sudden, son?"
Asked my dad.
I sighed and cleared my throat.
"Well I've got a bit of news I'd like to share with you guys, actually."
"I see."
"It turns out... I've met someone... Who I really really love."
Their faces were both slightly surprised yet pleased.
"Oh, I see, and does this someone have a name?"
Asked my mum.
Avoiding using gender-specific pronouns gave me the perfect opportunity to spring it on them.
"Daniel."
I answered more confidently than intended.
"Danielle?"
My mother questioned.
I chuckled.
"No, mum. Daniel. Daniel Howell."
"Your best friend?"
She asked, confused.
"Boyfriend."
I corrected.
After a short moment of silence, they looked at each other and then up at me.
Then my mum broke out into a wide grin.
"That's so sweet! I'm so happy for you two!"
I released a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding and grinned.
"Thanks, mum. I appreciate it."
"How long have you two been together?"
Asked my dad.
"A few months, I think."
I answered calmly.
Conversation went on pleasantly like that for an hour or two, until my worry for Dan became too much so I excused myself, claiming to be tired even though it was only about 9:30.
I went straight to my room and picked up my phone, having received a text from him whilst talking with my parents.
'Check YouTube.'
Was all it said.
YouTube? What in hell...?
Despite my confusion, I did what I was told and pulled up his channel with my headphones in.
A new video had been uploaded just four minutes ago. It was entitled
'The Truth."
Nervously, I pulled up the video and waited for it to start.
Moments later, I saw Dan on the screen, on his bedroom floor. No fancy lighting, no special setup, just Dan, sitting on the floor of his darkened room with his normal black tshirt, black hoodie, and dark jeans.
Lifting his head, he looked into the camera, hair mussed, and dark circles under both his eyes.
"I used to think monsters weren't real."
He began, his voice low and uneven.
"I realize now that I was wrong. Monsters are real. And they live inside all of us.
Sometimes these monsters come out of us. And they take over our bodies. They cause us to ignore our feelings, and the feelings of others. They turn us into something we're not.
And once they take over... There's nothing we can do. They ruin our lives. And the lives of others. Before I begin my story... Let me just warn you. Never. Ever. Let your monsters take over you. Never let hatred control you."
He looked down and sighed shakily before continuing.
"I know one particular person. Who has allowed his own mindless, unreasonable hatred to blind him. And tear apart his only child.
If you haven't already guessed... This individual happens to be my father. My own dad. Whose job it was to care for me. And love me. All my life.
But does he love me? No. Does he care... Whether I live or die?"
I could see the tears starting to well up in his brown eyes.
"No."
He whispered.
"Why, you ask? Because I. Daniel James Howell. Am. Gay."
His eyes darkened.
"And you know what? I'm one to say that everyone has a right to express their opinions and views on almost any subject. But the minute you upset someone... Or make them feel like they're less than you because of how you feel... That right no longer exists. The minute you take away someone's happiness for the sake of making yourself look better than they are... You have become one of those monsters. Because no one. Has any right. To do that. And no one. Should ever have to feel that way."
A single tear rolled down his soft cheek.
"I feel that way, you guys. I feel that way. Because someone I loved put his dumb fucking opinion in front of my happiness and well being. And you have no. Idea. What that can do to someone."
Suddenly, he grabbed the sleeve of his jacket and yanked it down to reveal several gory slits in his wrist.
I gasped and put my hands up to my face.
"THIS. IS WHAT IT CAN DO TO SOMEONE."
I began to cry myself as I watched him yank his sleeve back up and bury his face in his hands.
"It's all because there's someone in my life who makes me feel happy... And loved... And glad to be living. Does that really seem like a bad thing to you? Does loving someone really make it okay to tear them down just because they're my same gender? I mean, just think about all the hundreds of thousands of kids and teenagers and even adults who are put down and insulted to the point of suicide because people can't see the truth. And the truth is, it's simply never okay. It's not okay, and it never will be okay."
He breathed deeply before looking back up at the camera.
"Each and every one of you has potential and ability. Despite what you are, who you are, what you look like, and especially... Who you love. I love you. And that's the truth."
And then the video was over. I was in a puddle of tears on the floor.
That was the truth.
