I wake up, alone, in Dan's bed. At first, I'm surprised and confused to be sleeping in his clothes. Then I remember last night. Sitting on that bench in the park with Dan, leaning against him, hugging him. Returning home with him after shopping, hand in hand. Loads of flirting and finally, falling asleep, side by side. I feel my heart beating.
I throw myself out of bed and stretch before heading out of the room. I'm thankful that Dan's No-Face shirt is so big, it reaches to my knees. When I reach the kitchen, I see Dan making pancakes and Phil sitting at the counter, mug in hand.
"Hey Charlotte," Phil says, waving. He has his glasses on and his blue and white star shirt.
Dan turns around and smiles at me. I blush, wave back at Phil and sit next to him. Dan places a plate of pancakes on the table, and the three of us eat them. They're absolutely delicious.
After breakfast, I head to Dan's room to change into yesterday's clothes. I plan on heading home later to change and get ready for the day. Just as I bend down to pick up my clothes, I hear the door creak. I turn and see Dan, leaning against the doorframe. He has his black and grey shirt on and ripped, black jeans.
"You look nice in my shirts, Charlotte," he says, eyebrows raised. He has that look in his eye, full of mischief. "You should wear them more often."
"Shut up, Howell." Damn. I've been saying that exact phrase a lot lately, and I'm assuming I'll have to say that a lot more.
"Should we have nicknames for each other? Like couples in those movies?" I know he's just joking. We've only been together for less than twelve hours. "You can be Squish or something, and I can be Bear." I look him in the face and frown.
"Squish? Really? That's more of a name I'd have for you," I say. "Does Phil know?"
"Not yet. I woke up before him and told him I slept on the couch last night. Tell him later with me, okay?"
"Dan, I have to go home."
"Why?" Dan says, his voice so whiny.
"First of all, I've got to change—"
"Just wear my clothes," Dan says, wrapping his arms around my waist. "Like I said, you look so sexy in my shirts." What he is saying makes me want to laugh, but I can only think of one question.
"Dan, what about the fans?"
He pulls away and looks me in the eyes. He knows what I'm thinking. What if the fans find out?
"Y/N, who cares what they think?" he asks, holding me at arms length. "I adore you, and if the fans don't like you, well then fuck that. Fuck everything. You're still amazing."
I can feel my cheeks growing hot. "Alright, Dan. Let me go home and change and then I'll come back. We can tell Phil about us later. How about the three of us go out for coffee together?"
Dan pouts his lip. "Fine."
I kick Dan out of the room so I can change in privacy. I pull on my clothes from yesterday and, after hugging Dan and Phil, I head home. The tube isn't as packed as usual since most people are working. I need to get a job, soon.
I arrive home and head to my room. I shower and change into a pair of new, clean jeans and a blue, plaid shirt. Then I check the time on my phone. It's already ten o'clock. I have to meet the boys at Starbucks in two hours. I have time to hang out. Or rather, check Tumblr.
Eventually, I glance at the time. Its eleven forty-five. Eyes wide, I jump up, pull on a black coat and my shoes, and run down the stairs and out. Thankfully, I reach Starbucks by eleven fifty-two. Neither of the boys are there yet. I order a caramel frappuccino and find myself a table to sit. Then, I see Dan and Phil, walking into the coffee shop. Dan sees me first and I wave them over.
"Hey Charlotte," Phil says as they sit down. Dan winks at me and I look away, feeling my face grow red.
"Hey Phil. Did you two order anything?" I ask.
"Not yet. I'll go order." Dan stands up and stands in line, hands in his pockets. He's so tall, half a foot taller than everyone else in line.
"Dan said you two wanted to tell me something," Phil says, grinning. "I have suspicions already."
"Do you?" I ask. "Well, what do you think it is?" Just as Phil opens his mouth, Dan sits down next next to him, handing him a caramel mocha.
"Hi Dan," Phil says, smiling sweetly.
"So Phil," Dan says, reaching across the table and grabbing my hand. My heart leaps a bit, and Phil grins widely. "Charlotte and I finally got together."
Phil slams his hands down on the table excitedly. "I knew it!" he half yells, his smile stretching from ear to ear. "Something was up when I woke up this morning. Dan looked so happy when he was cooking, and there was some tension in the kitchen during breakfast!"
I laugh a bit and Dan let's go of my hand. I'm happy that Phil doesn't mind.
"So Charlotte," Phil says. "How long have you liked Dan?"
I blush. I really don't know how long. Probably a one or two years ago. But I only really realized it last night, in the park, on the bench with Dan. "A while."
"Dan here has liked you since you beat us both in Mario Kart two years ago." He nudges Dan with his shoulder.
"Shut up," I hear Dan mutter nervously, and a smile.
"So when are you going to move in with us?"
I freeze. I never considered it. I don't exactly love my own flat, with crumbling walls, please peeling wallpaper and cracked ceilings. But I never thought of living with Dan and Phil. It would be nice, yes, but I won't be able to help pay rent.
I shake my head. "I can't." Dan's face falls and I feel so bad. Phil looks concerned.
"Why can't you? Is it about rent? Don't worry about it," he says, patting my shoulder. I smile at him, and then at Dan.
"Okay, I'll move in with you two next week," I finally say. Dan's face instantly brightens up like the sun. "But I'll need to get a job this year. An actual job."
"You could be a teacher," Phil suggests." You studied for it, didn't you? Plus, you've said you either want to be an author or a teacher. Maybe you can be both."
"We'll see."