Black Film | Phan (COMPLETE)

Chapter 07: Neo-Noir

Film class was chilly the next day, I could practically see my breath forming in a white cloud in front of me. It was because of the open windows that constantly covered the room in cold air, I stuffed my hands into my jacket pocket, the jacket that was zipped all the way up to my neck.
"You okay there Philly?" Dan questioned, sitting on the chair with just a shirt on... and trousers obviously!
"Freezing" I said shivering, hugging my chest to retain some heat
"It's barley even winter!" He laughed he's laughing at you I realised and shoved my hands into my pockets instead.
"Well it's a winter wonderland in here. Just because you're hot blooded" I said, looking down at the table.
"My blood isn't the only thing that's hot" he winked at me, making me blush. How could I make a come back to that? He was hot but I couldn't just say it
"Hey guys" Louise came just in time to save my ass "you okay?"
"Yeah" Dan replied with a smile
"what do you think old L will have us doing today?" Louise asked
"probably the coursework stuff" Dan shrugged and looked out of the window like he had better things to do.
"oh crap I forgot about that" Louise outburst and dropped into her chair with a huff
"don't worry it'll be fun" Dan smirked and looked me in the eyes "won't it chilly Philly?"
"um- yeah" I mumbled and bit my lip
"you could sound a bit more enthusiastic" Dan sighed.
"sorry I meant to say 'hell yeah! I'm so excited for this'" I said, maybe a little too loudly. Why can't you just speak normally? He's going to find you annoying now, just stop talking
"that's more like it" Dan smiled again, he always seemed in such a good mood. It made me feel better about myself whenever he smiled or talked to me. Louise and Dan began to talk whilst I just fumbled around on my phone pretending to text so I didn't seem like a loner. I quickly shoved it into my pocket as the door opened and our teacher walked in, his hair wind blown.

"okay everyone grab your partners and use the A3 sheet of paper on your desk to come up with a good idea for your film coursework. It can be able anything" L said immediatly, not even bothering to say good morning. Dan grabbed a piece of paper and got Louise to write 'film' in the middle because he said his hand writing is illegible at the best of times
"so... any ideas?" Louise questioned as she tapped the pen on the table.
"not really" I admitted. I hadn't even thought of an idea because, frankly, I wasn't the best at coming up with things. Give me a starting point and I could come up with so much but give me nothing and it remains nothing.
"nope" Dan also said and then hmmd "well actually I have one"
"go for it" Louise encouraged
"We could do a modern day take on Film Noir" Dan started, looking me in the eyes as he spoke
"Like neo-noir?" I questioned, feeling the need to chip in by the way he was looking at me.
"yeah, in a way. But rather than having a femme fatale we could have a guy who is manipulating a male protagonist!"
"oohh that sounds interesting" Louise chirped and Dan looked away from me, I released a breath I didn't know I'd been holding "how would we have 3 main characters though?"
"well... um..." this was the first time I had ever seen Dan unsure.
"we could have a good wife" I suggested and Dan gave me a thankful smile which sent a boost of confidence into me so I continued "and the guy protagonist is dating this woman when suddenly he meets the memme fatale"
"Memme fatale?" Dan burst out laughing
"its a good name" I blushed
"you got me there, I can't turn down a good pun" I perked up a little "although the correct term would be l'homme fatal"
"look at me I'm Dan Howell and I take A-level French" Louise mocked
"Shut up" Dan chuckled and threw his pen lid at her, which missed making us laugh even more.

"Have you guys decided on a film?!" L was suddenly at our table looking seriously peed off "you seem to be talking a lot"
"yeah we have actually" Dan told him manner of factly.
"It's been five minutes, surely not" L scoffed
"well we decided to do our coursework based on film noir but with a twist" Dan confidently and fluently said, like he had rehearsed what he had to say so many times "Film noir was about giving modern day woman new morals, or lack of, and this gave us the idea of a modern take on romance. I.E. two males and having a male femme fatale because it reflects our society" L looked at him speechless for a second and then looked down at our blank sheet of paper in confusion
"... well done" He mumbled "now write it down" and then he went off to another table
"I bullshitted that" Dan whispered to me making me giggle

The rest of the lesson was spent talking about our coursework and deciding on who would be each other character. Dan opted to being the modern day femme fatale, I the Noir hero and Louise the good wife.

~

"So you're all smiley today Phil?" Chris commented as I met him and PJ in the library.
"I sorted out coursework in film!" I told him, I was happy the planning was finally done.
"Ah nice if you need any help with modelling or camera work me and PJ have got your back" he volunteered
"I'm sure, thanks, but I think me, Dan and Louise have got it for now"
"wait Dan? As in dibs Dan?" PJ suddenly cut in, putting his book down and revealing an arched eyebrow
"dibs Dan? is that what we're calling him now?" I questioned
"stay on topic!" Chris outburst loudly. I sighed and looked down at the table.
"yeah okay it's dibs Dan, I'm doing coursework with him"
"so does that mean you have to hang out outside of lesson? at his house?" Chris continued to interrogate me, damn this boy needed a day job.
"probably and maybe not" I answered to him. I mean why would we have to go his house? Unless we use it for a location.
"its like a bad fanfic. I love it!" Chris clapped his hands together In excitement
"how is this like a bad fanfic?"
"so first it starts off with a shy new kid, exhibit A" he pointed at me "who meets an outgoing kid, exhibit Dan, and they are partners and get together the end" He was right, that was a bad fanfic.
"That's not how it works in real life" I told him, though I wished life was that easy.
"You know you'd love it" Chris told me confidently "isn't that right peej?" PJ stayed quiet and Chris looked over to him in confusion "peej?"
He didn't even move, he just kept staring at his phone. His face had grown pale.
"peej?" Chris said a little louder and waved his hand in front of his face
"huh?" he looked up at Chris but he seemed dazed
"whats wrong?" Chris asked softly and rubbed PJs arm.
"oh just my ex..." PJ trailed off. I saw so many emotions flicked off Chris' face before it landed on annoyance.
"ugh, what's she done now!?"
"nothing I just have to go round her house tomorrow and pick some things up, I'm dreading it" PJ told him, his hands were shaking
"what's wrong with her?" I asked, not because I was nosy but because I wanted to help.
"whats right with her?" Chris muttered
"basically she cheated on me twice and ripped out my heart" PJ said calmly, his mouth lay in a grim line
"I hate her already" I commented
"good!" Chris said "you should"
"Was she your first girlfriend?"
"not really, I had a few flings in my old highschool because I was a ladies man" PJ said and tried to chuckle but he still looked extremely sad.
"no that was me" Chris reminded him
"oh yeah. Yeah she was my first girlfriend" he admitted. I'd hate that, your first relationship ending like that... how could you ever trust anyone afterwards?
"That must suck for you"
"yeah" he nodded his head
"so what about you Phil?" Chris questioned
"what about me?"
"well Chris was a womaniser, I've had one girlfriend. What about you?" PJ chipped in
"well um..." you're such a loser Phil and now they're going to know how much of one you are "I haven't technically dated anyone" I said quietly
"never!?" Chris burst our. His eyes wide like he was shocked
"never..." I confirmed "why do you sound so shocked?" It's not like I'm boyfriend material. I'm a socially awkward freak who isn't even attractive. I'm just Phil who would want that?
"because you're a fine piece of ass Phil Lester and I'll be damned if I let you stay single any longer, time to find you a man" Chris told me and slammed his fist on the table to make the words more powerful
"if you mean Dan I swear-" I began but he cut me off.
"Well I was going to say me but Dan works so much better, thanks for the hint" he winked and I just knew this was not going to end well.