18th December

"Phil, are you sure you want to tell them? What if they react badly?" Dan said as he sat down next to Phil on the sofa.

"Of course I'm doing it! Christmas is right around the corner. They'll surely have lots of questions about my love life. I can't lie to my parents!" Phil said in a whiny tone.

"B-but, what if they don't like it? Then what?" Dan cried out.

"Oh, Danny. Don't be so dramatic!" Phil said as he put his arms around Dan's shoulders and looked him right in the eyes. "It's all gonna be ok."

"Fine, I'll call my parents tomorrow." Dan said.

How could he resist those beautiful blue eyes? The way they gleamed when Phil gets happy is enough to melt Dan into a puddle. Dan would do anything to make Phil happy, even if it means he has to tell his parents about them.

"Yay!" Phil squealed in excitement, interrupting Dan's daydreams.

Phil wrapped his arms tightly around Dan. A silly smile plastered on his face, Dan returned the hug.

"Welp, I have to go get some groceries. You coming?" Dan said as he pulled away from the hug.

"I don't feel like getting off this sofa!" Phil whined like a 5-year old.

"Ugh…I hate you!" Dan said as he got his coat of the coat hanger. "Want anything?"

"Bring me some chocolate," Phil said.

Dan walked back to the sofa and gave Phil a quick peck on the cheek.

"See you in 30 mins!" Dan said as he left the lounge.

Phil sat there thinking about how lucky he was to have Dan in his life. Without Dan, his life would be so dull. Phil heard the front door creak open and the slam shut again. Phil popped his phone out of his pocket and sat upright as he scrolled through his recent calls. He took a deep breath and called the number on the screen.

"RINGGGG!" the phone rang loudly.

"Catherine, darling!" An older male voice shouted. "The phone's ringing!"

"Yes, yes. I'm coming!" The voice of an older female said hastily.

"Hello, Lester Residence. Who is this?" She said as she answered the phone.

"Mum? Is that you?" The voice on the other end said.

"Oh Phillip!" She screamed excitedly.

"Hey mum. I just wanted to-"Phil was cut short.

"Phillip, when are you coming home for Christmas? It's been so long since we saw you!" she interrupted.

"Yeah about that… I was thinking of staying here in London and spending Christmas with Dan this year." Phil said nervously.

"Oh don't be silly! You have to come home and be with your loved ones on Christmas, not your friends!" She said firmly.

"B-but I…I love Dan." Phil blurted out.

There was silence on the other end. It remained silent for a few minutes.

"Mum, I'm gay." Phil finally said, breaking the silence.

"No, you can't be! That Dan must be influencing you too much with his gay habits. He's taking advantage of you! You're just too innocent to realise it!" She yelled.

Phil's heart sank. It felt as if someone had ripped it right out of his chest. Tears formed in his eyes. He felt so hurt. The pain quickly changed into anger.

"Don't you dare say that about Dan!" He shouted without thinking.

"PHILLIP MICHAEL LESTER! Don't ever use that tone with me! You may be an adult, but you will always be my son!" She snapped back.

Phil didn't have anything to say.

"You are coming to Manchester to celebrate Christmas with you family, whether you like it or not!" She continued.

Phil couldn't argue with his mom. It just wasn't in his nature. He was too nice and kind to yell at his mother.

"Yes, mum. I'll book a train ticket for the 22nd," Phil said, his voice emotionless.

"That's my boy! Mummy loves you, Phillip! I've made all sorts of-"

Phil didn't let her finish. He hung up the phone and threw it on the sofa.

He didn't know what to think. Phil loved Dan, but he loved his parents too. Unknowingly, tears started to stream down his expressionless face. He just sat there, staring into space. But this silence was soon broken. Phil heard the front door open loudly.

"PHILLLL!" Dan shouted "Come help me with the groceries!