Dan was sitting in his clearing, completing an charcoal sketch of a sapling growing among the tall trees. He was fascinated by the idea of this tiny, fragile sprout growing into a strong and beautiful tree that could support a bird's nest, or a climbing child.
Suddenly, his contemplation was interrupted by the rustling of bushes and the sound of sticks snapping. He slapped his sketchbook shut and stood, wary, as a tall, ghost-pale figure emerged from the trees.
In front of him stood the most beautiful, almost ethereal boy he had ever seen.
He was long limbed, almost gangly, yet gracefully awkward. His sky-blue eyes (perfectly matched to his shirt) widened as he saw that he wasn't the only human in the woods. A headphone dangled from one ear, running into his pocket. He reached up and removed it, pushing back hair that looked as though it had been poured directly onto his head from a bottle of ink.
"Sorry, I didn't-"
Dan inhaled sharply. "No, you're-"
"I was just-"
"It's not-"
They both stopped.
"Hi."
Nervously, in unison.
~*~
The boy looked like a deer in the headlights.
Actually, he almost resembled a deer, with his wide brown eyes, slender frame, and soft curly hair. He was adorably androgynous, with full lips that tilted up just a little more to one side, and a small black stud in each ear. He was dressed in all black. Phil noted the Muse t-shirt.
After overcoming his initial surprise, Phil regained his faculties and stuck out a hand.
"I'm Phil. Phil Lester."
The boy cautiously took it. "Dan. Howell." he replied.
"I didn't mean to scare you. You were so quiet, I didn't realize anyone else was out here," Phil said.
"It's no problem," Dan answered. "I get wrapped up in my drawings and kind of forget anyone else exists."
"I'm the same with music," Phil grinned.
Dan glanced down at his Converse-clad feet, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "So what brings you into the woods?"
"My mum said I should go outside more. I spend a lot of time in my room with the lights off."
"Same!" Dan giggled.
"And I just live in that neighborhood over there, so I kinda just walked over here," Phil continued.
"Also same," Dan replied.
Phil took a deep breath. "This is quite forward of me, but can I maybe give you my number?"
Dan stared for a second, then composed himself and nodded. "Yeah, yeah of course, just let me..." He fumbled in his pocket for his phone, clearly flustered. Dan scrambled to put in his passcode then handed the phone to Phil.
Phil typed for a few seconds, then handed the cell phone back to Dan.
"I guess I'll see you around then," Phil said.
"Y-Yeah," Dan stuttered. "See you."
~*~
OHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGOD.
This was Dan's inner monologue after the boy walked away.
Did that just happen? Did this gorgeous boy ask me if he could give me his number?
Dan tried to return to his drawing but he couldn't get the image of the boy's startlingly blue eyes out of his head. He flipped the page and began to sketch the curve of Phil's jaw, the soft contours of his fringe across his forehead.
Get a hold of yourself, Daniel. He probably just wanted to be friends.
