Chapter 10- Rumour has it
"Luce, did you text Dan by any chance?" Maddie smirks slightly as she walks into my room.
"Yes Maddie, do come in."
"So did you?" Maddie persists, standing with her laptop in her hands.
"Yeah, I told you I was going to, why?" I ask, placing a book mark in the revision guide I was currently reading.
"Well…Dan just read it out on YouNow." She finishes in a rush.
"He did what, on where?" I questioned, confused. Have I heard of YouNow before?
"Here." Maddie placed her laptop on my knee, unplugging her headphones.
And there was Dan still dressed in the same clothes as he had been the last time I'd seen him.
"Okay, so a lot of you are asking who the friend is that sent the message and why you're not invited to the party," Dan said, looking to the side of the webcam at what looks to be some kind of chat section, "the reason you're not invited is because I don't know you and you're twelve." Dan sang with a giggle.
There was a slight pause as Dan adjusted his hair and looked at the chat section again.
"'Do you go out with the person who sent the text?' Well, that's none of your business is it, you creepers." Dan directs at the webcam with a wink. There's a slight pause as Dan hums a tune and looks at his screen before the chat section blows up. But he just ignores it.
A siren goes past in the background and Dan points behind him with a small smile. "Guess the crime!" He says loudly at the webcam, and just like that everyone seems to focus their attention on the game.
You sly bastard I think to myself as I see a small grin on Dan's face. He knows how to work a crowd.
Shaking my head, I begin to push the laptop away from myself but stop at the last minute.
"Luce?" Maddie asks worried.
I quickly pick up the laptop and place it back on my lap, clicking on the Tumblr tab that is already open, typing into the search bar a tag I've never looked at before. I pause again with my index finger hovering over the enter button. Do I really want to know? Yes.
I hit the button and instantly greeted by text post after text post of people speculating over who the mystery girl Dan may or may not be dating.
'I BET IT'S EMMA! THAT'S WHY HE DIDN'T WANT TO SAY BECAUSE OF ALL THE HATE FROM THE DAN GIRLS OMG SO CUTEEEEE 333'
'Noooooooooo what about phil? You belong with him danyulll! D':'
'What if it's a fan, but he doesn't want to say because they always say that they won't date fans. We're onto you Dan.'
"Emma? Is she another youtuber or something?" I ask Maddie, swivelling the laptop around to show her the text post.
"Yeah, everyone says she a female version of Dan. So obviously everybody started shipping it." She stated matter-of-factly. She picked up the laptop with a small sigh.
"I think it's best if you just let this go, okay? You know how people get when a celebrity they like are rumoured to be dating someone." She shifted her weight onto one leg as she waited for me to respond.
I nodded, rubbing my eyes as I yawned. "I think now would be a good time to watch a film…"
"Waaaaay ahead of you." Maddie says, walking back into my room. Whoa, I must be tired if I didn't notice her leave.
"Avengers or Spirited Away?" Smirking, Maddie holds up our two favourite films to watch.
"I'll get the popcorn."
"Can you stop bobbing around like that, please?" I ask irritably as we walk up to the door which leads to Dan and Phil's apartment.
"Sorry," Maddie says offhand, dragging the 'y' out, "I'm just so excited! Oh my God you don't actually understand. I just- I just can't."
I roll my eyes as I hold the intercom buzzer down with my finger. "If you can't handle this, then…"
Man, I am such a horrible person to threaten my best friend like that…
"No, no, I'm fine. I'm fine. I'm cool and collected and-"
"Hello?" asked a voice from the intercom, interrupting Maddie's rambling.
"Hi Phil, it's Lucy and Maddie." I direct a little louder than usual back.
"Ahh, hey Luce! I'm glad you guys could make it! Come on up." There was a buzzing sound indicating the door was now open.
And here our ascending of the millions of steps begins I thought ruefully.
"I wonder where they'll be…" I pondered out loud to myself, lifting my head up to look around, trying to work out where the dull thud of music was coming from.
"Probably the lounge or the kitchen." I answered my own question, averting my attention to my feet again. I did not need to fall over right now.
"Aww, isn't that cute?" I heard Maddie coo just ahead of me. Looking up from my feet again I noticed a piece of paper taped to the wall with a big arrow drawn on, pointing up the stairs. It read 'Party in da lounge'. I could only assume that it was Dan who had wrote it.
"Yeah, it's real nice of them to make sure our hiking efforts weren't in vain" I sneered. I really do freaking hate these stairs.
We continued up the stairs, the music getting louder with each step. So far, we hadn't seen anyone else, so I wasn't as nervous as I though-
I'd spoke too soon. As we reached the lounge (with the door open) I could see the group of people occupying the smallish space. None of them seemed to notice us standing stock still near the entrance, which was good since I'm pretty sure that I look like a rabbit caught in the headlights right now.
Holy shit I really don't know any of these people and I can't see Dan anywhere, Oh shit, shit, shit!
Maddie seemed to snap out of her trance first, since she nudged me slightly before walking in. The first small group of people we walked past consisted of a girl and two boys have a very animated conversation and laughing very loudly.
"Oh my God! Carrie, Alex and Charlie!" Maddie breathed in my ear. I looked over at them briefly. I wonder which one is Alex and which one is Charlie…
"Lucy! Hi!" I whipped my head forward to find that Phil was standing with a bigger group of people. I smiled in relief at knowing at least one other person, and waved.
"Hey Phil. Happy birthday!" I replied cheerfully, which earnt me a hug from Phil in return. I couldn't help but become slightly flustered, since I'd never hugged him before.
"And this must be Maddie!" Phil proclaimed happily.
"Hello Phil…happy birthday." Maddie managed to reply bashfully. I was quite proud that she didn't faint actually, I even sighed slightly in relief when she stayed upright after hugging Phil too. Plenty of time yet I assured myself.
"Aren't you going to introduce us all Phil?" Asked a blonde woman to Phil's side.
"Oh right. Sorry," Phil apologised, "This is Bryony." Phil motioned towards the blonde, who smiled and waved slightly.
"This is Bethan." Phil motioned towards a girl with brown hair and a young looking face, who also smiled awkwardly and saluted slightly.
"And this is Jack," Phil said pointing at a tall boy with dark blonde hair, "and Dean." He said pointing at the boy standing next to Bethan.
"Everyone, this is Lucy and Maddie." Phil concluded with a smile.
"Hello." Me and Maddie both say nervously.
"So you're the girl we've heard about, hmmm?" Jack asks, nudging me with his elbow slightly.
"That depends, what have you heard about me?" I countered.
"The one who's been spending a lot of time with Dan lately…" he trails off, unsure.
"I love your dress by the way, where'd you get it from?" Bryony asks me. I automatically look down before smiling at her.
"Thank you", I say in reply, "I got it from…Topshop I think?"
"I quite like Topshop. The sales are great." Bethan says taking a sip from a cup she was holding.
"You're awfully quiet Maddie. We're not scary, honest." Dean says with a flick of his hair and a chuckle.
Maddie appeared to snap back to reality again. She's been doing that a lot tonight.
"Oh, um, sorry. I'm a fan of your guys' videos, if I'm honest. So this is all a bit surreal for me." Maddie admitted bashfully. I could understand why she would feel nervous admitting it, since she doesn't want to be treated as a fangirl.
"I totally know what you mean. I've met people before who I've admired and I thought I was going to faint. If I ever met Daft Punk.." Dean shook his head.
"She said she liked our videos not that she worships us, mate." Jack replies, earning him a "shut up" from Dean.
"You're sooo egotistical Dean!" Bethan chips in, making everybody laugh as Dean flipped his hair dramatically.
"Hey Phil, do you know where Dan is?" I whisper to Phil, pulling him away from the group slightly.
"He should be in the kitchen with Peej, I think." Phil whispers back. I nod.
"I better try and find Dan so he doesn't think I ignored him." I say to the group, waving slightly. Everyone said various "see you later"'s as I set off to go and find Dan with Maddie (she wants to see 'Peej' no doubt. She never shuts up about him).
We walk down the steps towards the kitchen, Maddie looking this way and that while talking a million miles an hour. Thankfully, we get to the glass door of the kitchen. Its propped open and I can't help but think this was Dan's idea to try and stop himself and other (potentially drunken) guests.
"Luce!" I look up from the bottom of the door to find myself surrounded my Dan.
"Hey Dan." My voice is muffled by his torso as I hug him back. He pulls away and keeps me at arm's length to look at me. "You made it!" he smiles happily. Looks like he's already started on the wine.
"I did, thanks for inviting us." I smile back as he leans in to give me a quick peck on the lips. Yup, he's been drinking.
I look past Dan and notice two guys standing farther back, who must be 'Peej' and another of Dan's friends. I move around Dan, linking my right hand with his.
"Hi, I'm Lucy." I introduce myself, holding my free hand out towards the taller of the two. He has slightly messy brown hair and piercing green eyes. Okay, if this is 'Peej', I can see why Maddie would be obsessed now.
"PJ. Nice to meet you, Lucy." PJ shook my hand with a smile.
"And I'm Chris. I find it nicer to meet you than PJ." Chris nudged PJ out of the way and began to shake my hand in his place, with a weird little laugh. He looked older than the others, but something about him told me he wasn't that much older.
"Oh! Who's your friend?" PJ asks, looking at Maddie, who for the time being had just been staring at PJ and Chris.
"Ah, hello. I'm Maddie." Maddie stumbles, stretching her hand out slightly towards PJ.
"It's nice to meet you too, Maddie." PJ returns.
"Hello." Chris draws the O out as he shakes Maddie's hand after PJ.
"You can go put your stuff in my room if you want Luce, you must be warm in your coat." Dan says next to my ear, to which I nod.
"Okay, but you better have a drink ready for me when I get back," I muse before I kiss Dan on the cheek, "If I'm ever going to catch up to you guys, that is." I wink and leave the room, followed by a flushed Maddie.
We walk back up these god forsaken stairs. Luckily, I remember the way from last time, so we don't look like idiots wandering around. I push the door open and throw my bag and coat onto the bed.
"Hang on a minute. How do you know where his room is?" Maddie inquired sceptically.
"You are seriously not implying what I think you are." I scoffed.
"But did you?!" Maddie pushed, placing her stuff on the bed.
"No! I'm offended that you would even assume that, gawsh Maddie." I banter, pretending to tear up. "I think I need a moment to just get over how hurtful you're being."
Maddie just rolls her eyes and gives me a shove. "I was just teasing. Jesus, and this is you without any alcohol."
"Well, we can change that can't we?" I grin in what I think is a mischievous way, but is probably just creepy, before I hurry back to the kitchen to officially start the evening.
I can tell this night is going to be one to remember.
Hello everybody! Yes, I'm sorry it has taken me forever to update, but I've had a million exams since the last time I posted, so I had to prioritise. They are over now though! So I will try and update more frequently. I promise nothing.
You know what to do with all those buttons, so I'll just thank you for reading.
Until next time! x