The hallway leading to Dan and Phil's flat was remarkably spacious. The building itself had an almost old time feel to it, making me feel comfortable being there. I watched the numbers on the doors until I reached the correct one. I rapped my knuckles on the wood of the white door three times and waited patiently, letting an uptight breath out. I heard the locks on the door turn and watched as the door opened. Dan stood on the other side, dressed in a pair of black jeans and a thin, black sweater.
"Hi," I said and he smiled, stepping into the hallway and shut the door behind him.
"How are you?" He asked and I shrugged.
"I'm okay. It's been a while since I've played an actual board game, so I'm a bit apprehensive." I joked and he let out a light chuckle as he leaned against the door.
"I was thinking, maybe we could go out? Like skip board games and just hang out. The two of us." He suggested, raising an eyebrow. I furrowed my own eyebrows and looked at him skeptically.
"You don't think that is a bit odd?" I asked and he shrugged.
"What is so odd about it?"
"Well I mean, Phil technically invited me over to hang out. So wouldn't it be a little weird if just the two of us went out?" I challenged and he studied me for a few seconds, watching me carefully.
"I think he would be fine, since he did it for my own sake." He said slowly, his voice becoming almost velvety as he spoke. I couldn't help the flips my stomach did as I bit my lip.
"If I didn't know any better, I would think you were trying to get me alone, Daniel." As I said this, his eyes seemed to darken, becoming more intense as his eyes drilled into mine.
"And how does that make you feel?" He asked quietly, his voice just above a whisper.
As I opened my mouth to speak, the door behind Dan opened and he stumbled back, falling into the person behind the door. Phil stood shocked from Dan's fall, and then let out a laugh.
"Jesus Christ, Phil!" Dan exclaimed as he stood back up on his own two feet.
"Well what are you guys doing out here? We're about to start a game of Monopoly!" Phil explained as both Dan and I entered the flat. Phil walked into what I assumed was the lounge while Dan and I followed behind.
"Do you want something to drink?" Dan asked and I nodded.
"Just a water would be fine." I said and he coaxed me into the kitchen.
"Two of our friends are here right now, but they're really easy to get along with." He said as he got a glass from a cupboard.
"You guys have a really cool place." I said as I looked around at the modern structure of the flat. I heard Dan laughs he poured water into the glass. "What?"
"A really cool place." He mocked my accent as he handed me the glass. I rolled my eyes as we walked into the lounge. The space was roomy and had a long couch along the wall, but no one was sitting on it. There was a coffee table in the middle of the room where Phil and two other people sat around it on the floor. The Monopoly board was already set up with the money and pieces.
"Ah there you are! Sophia, this is Michael and Violet." Phil introduced me to the boy and girl sitting in front of the table. Both of them had a bottle of beer in front of them. They smiled genuinely at me and I smiled back.
"Nice to meet you." Violet said.
"As to you." I responded.
"Oh, you're from America?" Michael questioned as I sat next to Dan on the floor.
"Yeah. I just moved here not too long ago." I said and he smiled.
"What part of America?"
"California." I said and he nodded.
"I see. I have family on the east coast." He said. As the conversation continued smoothly, we began playing the lengthy game of Monopoly.
"So where are you working?" Violet asked mid game.
"I actually work at my Dad's publication company. You might have heard of it. Kolten Publications." I said and she nodded.
"Oh totally! I believe I actually have a few books published by them." She sounded excited, now having something in common with me. "Isn't there a location in California?"
I nodded, taking drink of my water. "Yeah, but I needed to get out of there. I could have moved to New York to work there, but I just wanted something completely different."
"That's awesome." Phil said as he rolled the dice. "What's it like working there?"
"Well, I really enjoy it. I want to be a writer myself one day, so it's a great start." I said. I looked over to Dan who was watching me intently. I sent him a small smile, and he seemed to be broken from his trance, sending me one back as he looked down at his phone.
"Doubles!" Phil put his fists on the air excitedly and moved his piece.
"Roll doubles three times and you go to jail." Dan reminded him and Phil rolled his eyes.
"Don't be jealous that I'm more than half the board ahead of you." He teased and we all laughed.
The night went on comfortably and easily. It was nice being able to hang out with such an easy going crowd, even with Dan's constant staring. I would be surprised to find out he didn't have any interest in me, with how obvious he was being. But I couldn't lie if I tried, I was probably just as into him. Maybe even a little more.
Violet and Michael left around ten, claiming they had obligations in the morning. As they left, I was reminded I also had something to do in the morning. Work.
"I should probably be heading out." I said as Phil packed away the last of the game.
"Work tomorrow?" he asked and I nodded, standing from the floor. Dan followed quickly.
"It's pretty late." He noted and I nodded.
"That it is," I agreed.
"I don't want to sound like an old man, but I'm pooped. I'm going to go to bed." Phil said. "It was nice to see you, Sophia!" He said his goodnights, and then shuffled off down the hall.
"I'm assuming I should probably let you out now?" Dan asked and I nodded, grabbing my jacket.
"Sounds like a plan." I said and we walked towards the door.
"Will you be okay out there?" He asked as he unlocked the door, turning to look at me.
"I'm a big girl. I think I'll be fine." I said and he scoffed.
"Well right, but I mean, will you be needing accompaniment?" I watched as he slipped his shoes on, almost as if he didn't need an answer from me.
"You can walk me outside." I offered and he stood up to his full height.
"Well, I guess I'll take it." He sighed and we walked out.
As we walked down the hall, I thought back to the night I was being followed, momentarily scaring myself.
"You're being quiet." He stated as we stepped into the elevator. I looked over to him and studied his facial expression, but was unable to read it.
"I don't know, I'm just freaking myself out." I said as I watched him hit the lobby button.
"About?" He questioned as the doors shut and the lift began to move.
"It's stupid." I said and slouched my shoulders as I leaned on the railing.
"I bet it isn't,"
"I'm serious. It's nothing."
"Well if it's nothing, then you shouldn't be scared." He said defiantly.
I looked over to him and let out a short sigh. "Basically, I was walking home from work the other night and I thought I was being followed. Well, I'm like almost positive I was being followed."
He was quiet as he watched the doors open. We stepped out of the elevator and began to walk to the front door. "Did you see the person?"
"Not their face, but I saw the figure of them from a distance." I said as he opened the door for me, letting me out into the bitter night. He walked out behind me closely.
"I think it's got me paranoid because of the whole murder thing that has been all over the news." I shrugged and turned to look at him. He put his hands in the pockets of his jeans and nodded.
"Makes sense. In that case, are you sure you don't need a man to walk you home?" He asked and a cheeky grin appeared on his face. I couldn't help but smile. He took every opportunity he got to spend time with me.
"I'll be okay. I have your number in case anything happens." I said and he sighed.
"I guess that's good enough. Just text me when you get home so I know you're okay." He said and I nodded.
"You got it."
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hi sorry this took me so long. tbh i went to california with some friends and then we realized vidcon was going on so we did some lowkey stalking around the area and basically long story short we missed dan and phil by like literally minutes so that was sad but what ever. we got to explore abandoned places and went to the beach so it's cool. tell me what you thought of this and ty ty to all of you for the feedback. you guys are gr8 a'f.