Hunger Point | Phan

Chapter Twenty-two: Completing our semester

Dropping Dan's hands, I fetch the keys from my front pocket, unlocking the car, climbing in the drivers seat. 

        When I got distracted during the exams, my mind always wandered to a touchy subject...and even if it started an argument, I had to bring it up. It was about time. I ate last night. The last time Dan ate was eleven days ago. And I'm almost positive he fainted on his fifth morning. I'm starting to find that I can eat small amounts of fruits or vegetables and such, but anything else and my stomach rejects it, causing me to vomit. But I know Dan can eat...his disorder just convinces him it's better for him not to. I've also made one hundred percent sure he hasn't hurt himself and he hasn't (and he thankfully never found out about the ones due to my dad that night at dinner nearly a month ago.) I know he can't eat...I've been there, I'm still there, slowly recovering. But I had to talk to him about this, I was too worried not to. 

"When's the last time you ate?" I inquired, seemingly nonchalant, starting the car. "This morning..." Dan said cautiously and I glanced over at him to see him running his fingers through his fringe anxiously. "You had coffee.." I point out, pulling out of the school. "Yeah..with sugar and cream. That's a lot of calories. I'll be fine." He attempted to reassure me, smiling weakly at me. 

        My anger flared up but I squashed it, shaking my head. I know what it's like...I know how it is... 

"Dan...please.." I whine instead of yelling at him, shooting him a pleading glance. "Phil..." He began, sighing, tone suddenly hardening. "Okay, just because eating has been getting easier for you doesn't mean it's easier for me, too. It's a coping mechanism, and the things you needed to cope with are receding. I still need to fucking cope, look at the shit-show I'm still dealing with. Give me time." He snapped but I could instantly tell he felt bad. Even though he regretted his words, it kind of hurt...it hurt that he felt like I was treating everything like it was hunky-fucking-dory, all better. But he was right, things were getting easier for me. Though I guess that means I have to be strong for Dan while he heals. 

        "I'm sorry, I didn't mean--" He started, but I cut him off: "No, you're absolutely right. It's fine, I understand." I assured him, shooting him a smile as I ascended up our driveway. Taking my place in our garage, I shut off the vehicle, looking at Dan. "I love you." I told him and he smiled sadly, responding, "I love you, too." 

"Hey, don't be guilty." I instructed before climbing out of the car. "Fine..." He murmured, sighing, before forcing an airy lightness into his tone. "Let's go play video games! It's our Christmas break, let's play them all night!" He shouted from the garage, making it echo, Obviously trying a bit too hard to seem happy and guilt-free. But I appreciated that he was trying. Then he ran, ran to the backdoor, flinging it open. "Phil, hurry! Video games await!" I grinned at his childish stance (he was jumping from foot to foot, waving me over with his hands), jogging to the backdoor to join him. 

        * 

"Is this what teenagers do?" Dan asked, fooling around with Link in Ocarina of Time. "No, I think they're out socializing. How do they approach a stranger and engage in a conversation without sounding completely gibberish?" I questioned, focusing on Dan's screen. "My thoughts exactly." He replied, chasing around Navi.

        Suddenly my mother joined us in the "theatre" room, shopping bags on her arms. "Hello, boys!" She greeted, warmness in her eyes. She seemed much happier since my dad was exiled from our lives and she absolutely adored Dan here. "I got a ring from your school while I was shopping--Chrismas presents!--and they informed me we'd get your exam results by next week." I shot Dan a wink as my mum said 'next week', resulting in his face going beet red. I grinned. 

"I wanna play!" Keaton shrieked, pushing past our mum and into the room. "Go away, we're playing." I snapped at him, rolling my eyes. "Danny, if you don't let me play I'll beat you up." The little pest 'warned', crossing his little arms. "You can play, Keat, as long as you don't call me 'Danny' ever again." Dan told him but Keaton ignored him, snatching his controller away. What an ass. 

        "The semester's officially over.." Dan pointed out once we reached his room. "Since I survived can I get an early gift?" He asked, lifting a brow. 

I rolled my eyes, grinning. "Be patient, grasshopper, for your reward will come... Next week." I teased, disappearing down the hall into my room. I fell back on my bed, smiling so wide I thought my face might split. I finally felt like things were okay, for the first time in ages. Hopefully it stayed this way. 

        8 === 8 === 8 === 8 === 8 === 8 

aren't you guys proud of me, i dedicated an entire chapter to filler instead of rushing the plot :3 okay actually you guys shouldn't be proud, i'm just a shitty writer who gets so excited to release the secret plots i have stored away. ;-; 

        but thank you guys immensely for 4k reads, I so do not deserve it with the all-over-the-place plotline and shitty updating schedule, you guys should've abandoned me long ago ._. so thank you for sticking around. (': 

ALSO SPECIAL THANKS TO MY BIOLOGY TEACHER MRS. HOSKINSON BECAUSE THE PHOTOSYSTEMS ARE THE ONLY THING I LEARNED IN HER CLASS SO FAR AND THAT'S THE ONLY PROOF I HAVE TO SHOW MY INTELLIGENCE. PLUS ANOTHER SPECIAL THANKS TO HALEI BECAUSE AS I'M LOOKING AT THE WAY I CRAFTED THE PERSONALITIES OF DAN AND PHIL IN THIS STORY, I'M REALISING I GOT HALF OF THEIR PERSONALITY FROM YOU BECAUSE YOU IMPACT MY LIFE BEYOND WHAT'S IMAGINABLE. I LOVE YOU. <3 

        sorry for caps but my words are important jk they aren't ilyg though. :3 next chapter's a shitshow but expect smut k bbys.