Supine 'til Aurora • Dan Howell

• Chapter 16 •

"Oliver!" I yelled, breaking away from the covers as Oliver burst into the room holding a telescope up, ready to attack.
"What?! What?! Are you okay-" He paused lowering the gold tube to his side. "You scared the crap out of me." He breathed, furrowing his eyebrows and staring down at me, his shoulders hunched.

Practically throwing the phone at him, I spat out, "Look at my followers."
Gripping it, Oliver glanced at the screen, his eyes widening in clear surprise, then concern, and then fear.
"Well. The Phandom knows who you are now. Turn your location off. You're gonna need to tell Dan."

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At ten to 5 I hastily pulled my black heels onto my feet, standing up and hurridly clacking down the hallway. I had gotten home at about 2, after having lunch with Oliver, and sat around for longer than I should have, resulting in me having 10 minutes to travel a distance that should take about 20.

Rushing out the door, I grabbed my purse and keys as I did so, double checking for my phone in my pocket as I locked the door one handed.

I was walking down the street by 7 minutes to 5, my thighs aching from the strain of walking fast for so long.

Reaching Dan's apartment at around quarter past 5, I pressed the buzzer, exhausted.

Of course, I had already texted Dan to let him know I was going to be late, and he was very understanding, but I couldn't help the gnawing guilt in my chest.

Phil's voice echoed through the intercom, monotone and exhausted-sounding.
"Hello?"

"Phil! It's me."

"Ava? Hang on a sec, I'll buzz you in."
After a second, a loud beep perturbed from the intercom, making me jump, and I was able to open the heavy door.

"Hey!" Dan beamed at me as he quickly came down the stairs, wearing a black tshirt and jeans.

"Hey. I'm so sorry I'm late." I smiled awkwardly.

"Don't worry. We have reservations for half past, so we have time."

"Reservations? Where on Earth are we going?"

"You'll see." He raised his eyebrows at me before turning around and calling goodbye to Phil who was leaning on the banister at the top of the stairs, wearing his infamous emoji pyjama bottoms.
"Have fun, you two!"

Dan pulled on his coat as he gestured me out the door, closing it behind us.
"You look lovely, by the way." He grinned awkwardly as we began to head down the road, me sticking close to him, mainly because I had no idea where I was going.

After about 5 minutes more of walking, we reached our destination: Café Monico. It's walls were lined with deep wooden panels, white netting hanging in the crystal windows, warm candles stood on the sills.

Dan lead me inside, holding the pannelled door open for me as I entered, following close behind.

Remaining quiet, I watched as Dan smoothly asked for his table, saying "I booked a table under Howell on the upper balcony?" He had turned slightly red, and was clearly feeling very socially awkard and overwhelmed at the situation, though he continued as if he were fine.

The server nodded, and lead the way through the maze of large tables and up a thin flight of stairs, dark railings coiling around the balcony as we made the decent up the steps.