philophobia

Nubivagant

nubivagant
(adj.) moving among clouds

This was the word that most would use to describe Phil Lester. The blue eyed boy was gentle and graceful in almost everything that he did. If asked, most of the people who knew him would refer to Phil as an angel. And if you were to ask about the sort of things that Phil enjoyed, his neighbors would know every single one.

"Phil loves tending to his house plants. He adores flowers and has a cute little garden in his backyard! And he often wears a colorful flower crown! You can see how much that boy loves his plants and I think that it's cute!"

"He told me that he loves to play video games. At least he manages to keep some sort of childishness inside of the well mannered young man that he has become!"

"Phil Lester? Oh, that sweet boy! Before I retired, I worked most weekdays. When I wasn't home, Phil would take care of my dog Ginger, who was just a puppy at the time. He said that he wanted a puppy of his own, but hasn't gotten one yet. I think that he should! It must be terribly lonely in that house all by himself!"

If Phil truly did feel lonely in his home, he did not seem to show it. A smile always seemed to adorn his face and if he did get upset over something, he was quick and easy to cheer up. Phil loved to see people smile, so he did not allow himself to stay in a bad mood.

Alongside his bright and cheeky smile, Phil wore sweet and calming pastel colors all of the time.

"I don't think I have ever seen that boy wear a dark piece of clothing throughout the five years that he has lived in that house. In fact, when Phil invited me over for tea one day, I noticed that he also doesn't seem to own any dark furniture! It is quite strange for a young man of his age, but I don't think that any other style would suit him. He sure is quite the unique young man!"

Was Phil Lester unique? Some people would think so. Was Phil a nice person? Most definitely. Was he well loved? Yes, he was loved by most people.

The key word here is most.

Now you may be wondering, 'who on Earth would hate a boy like Phil?'

The answer, is no one. No one hates Phil. But like in every society, there are some people who judge and think of Phil as strange. They think that his style and appearance is too girly and feminine. They think his hobbies are stupid and don't understand why a thirty year old man would love gardening and baking. These people use Phil's traits to bully him.

"I was sitting on my porch one morning, watching Phil as he planted new flowers along his front steps. This group of three or four boys dressed in dark clothing walked right up to him and started calling him rude and inappropriate names....But Phil never said a word to defend himself. The boys got angry and pushed Phil, ripping up his flowers and throwing them on him. His pale pink sweater was covered in dirt and had a big grass stain along the arm where he had landed on it. The boys left and I asked him if I should call the police. But he smiled at me and told me that he was fine and that he was going inside to clean himself up. When he disappeared inside, that was the last time that I saw him that day. That evening, I went across the street to his home, replanted the flowers for him, and left him a tray of cookies to pay him back for all of the sweet things that he had done for me."

As you can see, Phil was the victim of torment because of the person that he is. He didn't fight back against the bullies, nor did he fear them. Instead, he kept a smile on his face and a positive attitude. Even in the darkest of times, and sometimes in the midst of danger, Phil tried to continue being the sunshine in everyone's lives. He was the source of light and the source of happiness when people seemed to need it the most.

"Phil truly is a sweet and amazing young man. It's such a shame that he lives by himself. I think that a companion of some sort would be good for Phil. Even though he is very sociable with everyone, I feel as if he acts that way because he doesn't have anyone that he is particularly close to."

The problem is, Phil does not like to stray very far from his home. The small neighborhood that he lives in as well as the people that he has gotten the chance to build friendships with, have formed a sort of sanctuary for Phil. He feels safe there and does not like to venture out into the city unless he absolutely has to.

Why? Because he hates the idea of being judged by every single person who passes by him. The people that know Phil accept him for who he is, take care of him and watch over him as a sort of payback for his kindness towards them. When punky teenagers come into their neighborhood and pick on Phil, his neighbors are ready to call the police if necessary. But because Phil likes to keep things peaceful, the police have yet to be called.

In the comfort of his own neighborhood surrounded by people that he trusts, Phil feels safe, even when a group of bullies approaches. But in the city where Phil is by himself, every person passing by brings Phil one step closer to having a panic attack.

But if Phil is uncomfortable around people, then how will he be able to find the companion that his neighbors believe he needs?

He will just have to let his companion find his way to him.