The Countdown // Phan

Chapter 3

Dan's POV

01:23:48:54.

"That will be 3 pounds" the cashier says. I give her the money and walk out of the store.

When I arrived home after school this afternoon my mum was home (which is a rare occasion) and she screamed at me because I used the last milk that morning for my cereal. So I quickly had to get milk otherwise she wouldn't stop screaming.

I walk out of the mall and cross the street when I suddenly hear a few all too familiar voices. I turn around to see if it is actually them and crap it is.

Why did I always have such bad luck and couldn't just go to the mall without seeing someone I know, seeing someone who hates me.

At the moment I turned around to look at them and see if it was actually the popular group of our school, they had already noticed me and now they were pointing at me.

I quickly try to recognize everyone at the other side of the street. I recognize Adam, Steve, Sean, Ashley, Jack, Zoe and Phil.

Since a few months I always got this strange feeling in my stomach when I heard or saw Phil. If I didn't know any better I would say that I was developing a crush for him but it was probably just fear.

Instead of walking away I kept standing where I was standing, completely frozen. I was scared to move when I suddenly noticed the group I was afraid of did move. They made their way over to me.

I suddenly feel myself moving forward. I thought I would better just to walk as quickly as I could. Maybe I could avoid them, just for today. Walking turned into fast walking which almost turned into running untill a voice had me stopped in my tracks.

"GEEZ GUYS NOT AGAIN!"

It took me a second to realize who said those words.

Phil

I turn my head back in his direction again, just like his friends. For once we actually agreed at something. We all couldn't believe he just said something like that. Why did he say that? Why did he defend me? I wasn't used to people actually sticking up for me.

I knew in the back of my mind that he technically didn't but I just couldn't help thinking it. He just shouted at his friends for me. I couldn't help but feel more happy, just for a second before I hear the words he says following the others.

"What did he do to you that he deserves this?"

Now I felt simply amazing. He was actually defending me in front of his friends! I wasn't used to this. I was used to people don't caring about me at all. But this, this was new. We never spoke before, but for some strange reason he made me feel safe, just by his appearance.

"You know what, I don't even care. I'm going home. See you guys later"

And with that he turns around and walks away. With those words my heart breaks again. With those words, I feel scared again. Of course, it was too good to be true. He didn't care about me. Why would he? He didn't even know me. In his eyes I was just a loser.

For some strange reason this whole situation got me tearing up, which was weird. I was used to this. It was a normal occasion for me. They called me out, walk towards me, swore at me and maybe hit me, laugh and walk away again. I had been through this many times before. Why was it different this time?

I shake my head and bring myself to reality again. I let my eyes wander over his friends. They were still standing in the middle of the road in dissbelief. They also couldn't believe what just happened.

I slowly start walking again, hoping they wouldn't notice... but of course they did and just when I was about to turn the corner I hear them all walking fast towards me.

I sigh. When will this stop?

Not even two seconds later they had already surrounded me. 6 against 1. How unfair. Suddenly they start talking.

"I bet you liked that, didn't you Danny boy?" Sam says.

I think he saw me looking earlier because the following words were just enough to make me lose that tiny bit of faith I had gotten earlier.

"Don't think you are special Howell. You are not. Not to anyone. Phil is just too kind to admit it. But he told us. You know what he thinks of you? He thinks you're disgusting"

And with that, they all start to call me ugly names. I keep my face straight though, because I know that will make them stop sooner. No matter how much these words actually hurt.

Fortunately a few minutes later they laugh at me one last time and then walk away in the direction I also needed to go in.

I didn't care. I was just happy they didn't physically hurt me this time. I will just walk a different route back home. Longer but saver.

~ TIME SKIP ~

It's currently 12 PM. My parents just went to bed after another fight. I am just laying in bed. Dissapointed with myself.

01:15:37:54.

I sigh. I was excited to meet my soul mate but also a bit unsure. Who would want to be my soul mate, my partner? No one. Everyone I know thinks I'm either crazy or depressed.

I close my eyes, trying to fall asleep. I still had another day and a half to survive before I would meet the one.

And maybe these numbers on my wrist were just wrong. Maybe I was some weird exception.

The first

I just couldn't believe I actually had my soul mate walking around on this planet too? Should I feel happy, excited, ready? Because I felt neither. I was terrified

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Soooo part 3!! I don't really like this as I think it's clingy as hell but I'll do. Hope y'all have an amazing day and thank you for reading!!

Xx