p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Daniel Howell wiped the sleep from his eyes./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"It was early in the morning and only he had only just awoken from a weird dream about YouTubers and roller coasters and emswing boats./em/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Phil was still fast asleep in bed, probably curled up under a thick duvet with his head buried in cushions – so Dan had taken it upon himself to do something nice to surprise him when he woke up./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"So a cooked breakfast seemed like a good idea. After all, Phil would always get pretty angry in the mornings without food and a full English would hopefully put him in good spirits for a while./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Dan really hoped he hadn't woken Phil from the clatter of pots and pans as he searched the cupboards. He was also currently deciding what else he could do for his housemate today to help him relax./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"There was always the spa, he supposed, and it was quite a nice walk up to it so emthat/em might not be a bad idea./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"After setting the oven timer, laying out two plates ready and switching the tea machine on, Dan made his way across the room to the bedroom door./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"It wasn't completely closed, so he gently pushed it open a crack and peered in./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He saw his friend curled up with the dark green duvet pulled up so far that it covered everything under his eyes. There was no sound except the occasional gentle sigh, muffled by the bed sheets./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Dan gave a soft smile and closed the door again, heading over to the sofa to fold up the blanket and place it down, neatly, on the armchair beside him. He straightened out his fleece pyjama trousers as he walked back to the kitchen./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Dan tapped his fingers on the breakfast bar, his back hunched as he awaited the ring of the oven timer or the click of the tea machine finishing./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"But instead, he heard the creak of the bedroom door./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Phil!" He called, cheerily, to his sleepy-eyed companion, "Good morning! Sleep well?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""As well as ever…" Phil yawned back, "emDo I smell bacon?"/em/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I thought I'd cook us both breakfast!" Dan grinned./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I'm not really that hungry," Phil quietly chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck and leaning on the doorframe./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You're not?" Dan hummed, slightly surprised, "Who are you kidding? You're always hungry."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Not today, Dan," Phil replied, shaking his head, "All the more for you, though, right?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Dan smiled back but averted his eyes to pour the tea instead. It was a shame they didn't have any crumpets, really; that would have made them feel more at home./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I was thinking of ways we could relax more," Dan said, "Now that Dab's at the Pancakes' until tomorrow, you know?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Oh, really?" Phil breathed - to himself, it seemed, "What were you thinking of doing?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""The spa sounded nice," Dan replied, strolling over to hand him a mug of tea, "Don't you think? Just a calming, peaceful spa day?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""It's a small world, Dan-" Phil huffed, "Wherever we go, it's almost certain that we'll run into someone or other."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Is that really a bad thing?" Dan asked, "I mean, wasn't one of our goals this week to fix up our repute? We can't do that by avoiding everyone."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Phil gave a sigh and shrugged his shoulders,/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I suppose you're right," he admitted, "And I could do with the fresh air, I guess… the spa sounds nice, thanks, Dan."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Dan grinned and patted his shoulder, reassuringly,/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I promise it'll be fine," he avowed, "I think we just both need to lighten up, don't you?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Phil nodded and smiled at last./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He certainly agreed. What was he so worried about, really? Running into Erica? And what would that possibly do to harm him?/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He supposed that seeing Summer or Erica would probably help him, actually. His reputation wouldn't mend itself if he acted like he didn't want to do anything to make ends meet./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"For Summer, he was sure it wouldn't be too hard, but in Erica's case, it might be a bit more difficult to make friends. After all, Erica had the 'evil' trait – she definitely wouldn't just accept an apology and forgive and forget as quickly as most people./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"However, Phil's naturally polite and courteous British nature could surely melt at least emsome/em of the ice that surrounded Miss Pendleton's cold heart…. Couldn't it?/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He supposed he'd just have to wait to find out, but right now, he focused his attention on perking up and having a light-hearted conversation with Dan over breakfast./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"After all, he didn't want to sacrifice his friendship just for the sake of not going outside./p
hr style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;" noshade="noshade" size="1" /
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Phil always liked the spa. No matter how out-of-place he sometimes felt, the smell of the eucalyptus drifting around the air was so calming that he forgot all about being in a social situation./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He was currently looking forward to being surrounded by the tranquil warmth, still and smells that accompanied the Willow Creek Spa, but before that, he had to walk to it./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He didn't much mind the walk, really – he needed the fresh air, the slight chill woke him up and he still had Dan beside him to talk to – but it was who he saw on this walk that put him more on edge./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Of course, he'd made his decision to fix his standing, so he felt that he should say hello./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He went over – with Dan's permission – whilst Dan himself carried on down the road./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Hey, Summer!"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"It was early in the morning and only he had only just awoken from a weird dream about YouTubers and roller coasters and emswing boats./em/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Phil was still fast asleep in bed, probably curled up under a thick duvet with his head buried in cushions – so Dan had taken it upon himself to do something nice to surprise him when he woke up./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"So a cooked breakfast seemed like a good idea. After all, Phil would always get pretty angry in the mornings without food and a full English would hopefully put him in good spirits for a while./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Dan really hoped he hadn't woken Phil from the clatter of pots and pans as he searched the cupboards. He was also currently deciding what else he could do for his housemate today to help him relax./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"There was always the spa, he supposed, and it was quite a nice walk up to it so emthat/em might not be a bad idea./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"After setting the oven timer, laying out two plates ready and switching the tea machine on, Dan made his way across the room to the bedroom door./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"It wasn't completely closed, so he gently pushed it open a crack and peered in./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He saw his friend curled up with the dark green duvet pulled up so far that it covered everything under his eyes. There was no sound except the occasional gentle sigh, muffled by the bed sheets./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Dan gave a soft smile and closed the door again, heading over to the sofa to fold up the blanket and place it down, neatly, on the armchair beside him. He straightened out his fleece pyjama trousers as he walked back to the kitchen./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Dan tapped his fingers on the breakfast bar, his back hunched as he awaited the ring of the oven timer or the click of the tea machine finishing./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"But instead, he heard the creak of the bedroom door./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Phil!" He called, cheerily, to his sleepy-eyed companion, "Good morning! Sleep well?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""As well as ever…" Phil yawned back, "emDo I smell bacon?"/em/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I thought I'd cook us both breakfast!" Dan grinned./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I'm not really that hungry," Phil quietly chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck and leaning on the doorframe./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You're not?" Dan hummed, slightly surprised, "Who are you kidding? You're always hungry."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Not today, Dan," Phil replied, shaking his head, "All the more for you, though, right?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Dan smiled back but averted his eyes to pour the tea instead. It was a shame they didn't have any crumpets, really; that would have made them feel more at home./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I was thinking of ways we could relax more," Dan said, "Now that Dab's at the Pancakes' until tomorrow, you know?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Oh, really?" Phil breathed - to himself, it seemed, "What were you thinking of doing?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""The spa sounded nice," Dan replied, strolling over to hand him a mug of tea, "Don't you think? Just a calming, peaceful spa day?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""It's a small world, Dan-" Phil huffed, "Wherever we go, it's almost certain that we'll run into someone or other."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Is that really a bad thing?" Dan asked, "I mean, wasn't one of our goals this week to fix up our repute? We can't do that by avoiding everyone."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Phil gave a sigh and shrugged his shoulders,/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I suppose you're right," he admitted, "And I could do with the fresh air, I guess… the spa sounds nice, thanks, Dan."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Dan grinned and patted his shoulder, reassuringly,/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I promise it'll be fine," he avowed, "I think we just both need to lighten up, don't you?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Phil nodded and smiled at last./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He certainly agreed. What was he so worried about, really? Running into Erica? And what would that possibly do to harm him?/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He supposed that seeing Summer or Erica would probably help him, actually. His reputation wouldn't mend itself if he acted like he didn't want to do anything to make ends meet./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"For Summer, he was sure it wouldn't be too hard, but in Erica's case, it might be a bit more difficult to make friends. After all, Erica had the 'evil' trait – she definitely wouldn't just accept an apology and forgive and forget as quickly as most people./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"However, Phil's naturally polite and courteous British nature could surely melt at least emsome/em of the ice that surrounded Miss Pendleton's cold heart…. Couldn't it?/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He supposed he'd just have to wait to find out, but right now, he focused his attention on perking up and having a light-hearted conversation with Dan over breakfast./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"After all, he didn't want to sacrifice his friendship just for the sake of not going outside./p
hr style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;" noshade="noshade" size="1" /
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Phil always liked the spa. No matter how out-of-place he sometimes felt, the smell of the eucalyptus drifting around the air was so calming that he forgot all about being in a social situation./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He was currently looking forward to being surrounded by the tranquil warmth, still and smells that accompanied the Willow Creek Spa, but before that, he had to walk to it./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He didn't much mind the walk, really – he needed the fresh air, the slight chill woke him up and he still had Dan beside him to talk to – but it was who he saw on this walk that put him more on edge./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Of course, he'd made his decision to fix his standing, so he felt that he should say hello./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He went over – with Dan's permission – whilst Dan himself carried on down the road./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Hey, Summer!"/p