I made sure I was home earlier than usual. If the school really had called mum she would have been talking about it with dad. I knew exactly what she was like. I quietly snuck in the front door, basically tip toeing to the living room door. From here I should be able to heard their whole conversation. It wasn't that I was worried mum was going to say something about me. I was more worried about what the school had told her.

"The school phoned this afternoon. They've noticed that Phil has been losing a lot of weight. We're going to talk to him about it when he comes home. We want you to be here so he knows he has the support of his family"

Wait, who was mum talking to. She would never talk to dad like that.

"Right, alright. It's probably just some weird phase he's going through. You know how strange he is"

Chris

Chris was here and mum was telling him to be supportive of me? Why was this so important?

I'm completely fine

I bit my lip lightly. I knew I had to walk into the room at some point, so, why not now? I walked in, giving them my best fake smile. I couldn't let them know I knew what they had just been talking about.

"Hi Phil, good day?" dad asked, giving me a warm smile.

"Just the usual. What are you going all sitting here like the judges on The X factor, waiting for me to burst into song or something?"

I answered quickly, trying to make some sort of joke

No one laughed

Okay, this was really serious to them obviously

"No, no, hun. I just thought it would be nice to have a family dinner. I've made your favourite"

"Thanks but I'm not really hungry. I'm just going to be up in my room if you need me"

I tried to make a run for the stairs but mums voice started up again before I could even get out of the room.

"Listen, Phil. We're really worried about you. You're spending a lot of time away from us and we've noticed…we've noticed that you've lost a lot of weight"

Here we go, this is what I had been waiting for.

"If there's something bothering you, you know you can tell us. Is it the people at school?"

Dad trying to look out for me again. I'm fine though. I just need to tell them. Tell them I'm fine. Because, I'm fine.

I really am.

"Yeah, even though I don't like people knowing we're related. But, I'd rather sort whoever it is out"

Even Chris was sticking up for me? Why were they so worried about me?

"It's fine, I have Dan"

I covered my mouth as I realized what I had just said

"Who's Dan?"

Dad had a weird look on his face. I couldn't figure out what it was

"My…um, friend"

"Your friend?"

"Yeah…"

"I didn't know you had any friends" Chris said, giving me a confused look

"We're always together, even at school…you must have seen him Chris"

Mum and dad looked to Chris, obviously expecting some sort of answer

"I've never seen you with anyone. You're always on your own"

I don't know what happened, but, I felt a sudden rush of anger. Chris was lying to try get mum and dad to think I was delusional.

"Don't lie Chris!" I turned to mum and dad who looked started by my out burst "He's lying! Dan does exists, it's not like he's made up or anything!"

"Phil-"

"NO!"

I quickly fled from the room, running as fast as I could to my room. I quickly slammed the door and sunk to the floor. Tears escaping my eyes as I brought my legs up to my chest.

Why did Chris lie like that? I knew he hated me, but to go this far. Why would he do that?

I moved to my bed after a while, burying my head in my pillow. I heard the click of the door opening. For a minute, I thought it was Dan. But then I heard mum's voice.

"Phil?"

I didn't reply. Didn't even look at her. I didn't want to.

I heard her sigh and place down a plate beside my bed. I lifted my head to look at the plate after she left. She really had made my favourite. I quickly scrabbled for the food, greedily shovelling it into my mouth. I hadn't eaten all day. I really was starving.

I had to eat.

************************************************** *******************

"How was the spaghetti Bolognese?"

I looked up to see Dan. When had he gotten here? I shook off that thought. I had probably fallen asleep for a while and he'd come in then. Yeah, that was what had probably happened.

"Good. mum was worried about me so she made it for me….How did you know that's what we had?"

"I could smell it" he paused "You look fatter already"

"…Dan?…that's not possible"

"The carbohydrates from the Spaghetti, the fat in the meat. Your body will be piling on pounds already. You couldn't resist it could you?"

"…Dan, why are you being like this?" I was close to tears again. Why was he acting like this?

He smiled at me. That amazing, lovely smile. "I'm just trying to help you…you know that don't you? He stepped towards me, holding his arms out towards me. I gladly fell into his arms, holding him tightly.

"Of course…what do I do though?…"

"Make yourself sick"

"What?"

"Go to the toilet, stick your fingers down your throat and make yourself throw up. It's the only way"

I nodded slowly, letting go of him. He gave me a reassuring smile as he nudged me towards the door.

"Go on, it's the only way" he reminded me

So I did.

I made my way into to the bathroom, just staring at the clean, white toilet. I really had to do this didn't I?

*Chris' POV*

There were some seriously weird noises coming from the bathroom. What even was that? I got up from my bed and walked to the bathroom door. Small sobs could be heard, then…someone throwing up. That's not a nice thing to hear, really, It's not.

"Phil, is that you in there?"

The noises got quieter, but I could still hear the tiny sobs

"y-yeah"

"You throwing up in there?"

"Don't tell mum and dad Chris, please. I just had a bad tummy, that's all" came his hurried little reply

"Okay, I promise"

Something wasn't right here.

Something was definitely wrong.