p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strongA/N: I apologise for the dullness of this chapter, but I kept getting distracted by drawing and looking at maps of Willow Creek. Speaking of maps, I came across a slight issue in that there don't seem to be any bridges over the river separating Pendula View from the rest of Willow Creek, so there isn't really any path from Dil's house to the spa, but let's all pretend that there is, for the sake of convenience and my /Enjoy this chapter, of which is more-or-less just one large /-Whisker/strong/p
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p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Summer Holiday looked ecstatic to see her old 'friend' again. She showed that she was excited, too; her face seemed to light up as she realised that Phil was voluntarily addressing her./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"She saw her chance, as Dan walked away, and bounded over, gracefully./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Philly!" She chirped, "How great to see you! How have you been?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Phil cringed slightly at being referred to by his nickname – that he only really let Dan call him by – but replied nonchalantly, nonetheless./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Oh, I'm fine," he nodded, calmly, "How about you?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I've never been better! Shame you didn't come to the party last night, it was great fun…" Summer mused, obviously implying that she noticed his absence, "I saw your friend there, we had a dance. Couldn't help thinking I was missing an opportunity to dance with emyou, /emthough..."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"She gave a brief laugh,/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I thought you might have been there in disguise, but I knew no mask could cover those distinctive looks…"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Distinctive?" Phil mumbled, confused, but then realised that he'd probably only pushed Summer to name all of her favourite physical attributes of him. She'd probably written a list./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Instead of this, thankfully, Summer continued, "So… where are you headed this morning?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Oh, I was just going to the spa to relax. How about you?" Phil asked, trying to tear away from the conversation quickly so he could catch up with his friend./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I was just walking, really. Say, could I walk with you?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Phil swallowed and gave a sigh, but still reluctantly consented./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Thanks!" Summer grinned as they started walking down the road again, "You know, some time, we should go out for coffee somewhere."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"This sentence struck an unexplainable sense of dread into Phil's very soul. He had no idea how to respond to that./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"emWhat was he supposed to say to that?/em/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He didn't want to seem cold and deny her straight out, but he also really, really, didn't like the idea of going out for coffee, either./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He lifted his gaze to the clouds before averting his eyes to the spa not so far away from them./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I'm… not too sure about that. I'm pretty busy this week and I'm heading home soon enough," he explained, "But maybe, instead of just us, we could invite Eliza along, too, and have it like just a friendly night out."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Summer seemed to think this was still a good idea, and agreed quite quickly. She must've been really desperate. Then again, she'd probably do just about anything Phil suggested./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""That's such a good idea!" She said, enthusiastically, with a nod, "What day are you free?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Phil tilted his head to the side to think./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I can do… Sunday?" He suggested, eventually, after poring over his mind to think of what he was doing for every day this week. He could've chosen a few days earlier, of even tomorrow, but he wanted to wait a while to make sure everything was calm and collected./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"They were almost at the spa at this point, and as Phil pushed his glasses up his nose again, he could see the tall figure of Dan waiting for him by the door./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Sunday sounds great," Summer told him with a smile, "And I'll invite Eliza along, too, should I?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Yes, please do," Phil whispered, not because he didn't want Summer to hear, but because he was too busy thinking to want to speak up./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He was glad he'd gotten himself out of an even more uncomfortable situation, but he was starting to wonder whether mixing Eliza and Summer was a good idea./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Never to worry, though – he was sure everything would turn out OK in the end./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He and Summer managed to somewhat have a conversation as they finished the walk to Hallow Slough, and said their goodbyes as they approached the entrance to the spa./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""So, don't forget," Summer started, "Coffee on Sunday, OK?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I won't forget," Phil chucked as she left him, waving as she went./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Phil took a few steps forward and gazed up to Dan, smiling, softly,/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Sorry you had to wait, Dan," he said, rubbing the back of his neck, "Summer insisted on walking with me."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Dan frowned for a bit, looking back and forth from Phil to Summer, who he could see walking away, and then back again./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He rolled his eyes and put a hand on his friend's back to guide him along the path to the door./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Are you alright?" Phil asked, noting Dan's pensive and irritated expression./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Dan seemed to be surprised by this question, and quickly turned to the side, making eye contact, before giving a gentle but awkward grin./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""What? Me? I'm completely fine!" He assured Phil, "Why are you asking?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You seemed concerned about something," Phil replied, pulling open the door by the long, metal handles attached to the wooden edging that broke up the square glass panels./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Dan shook his head and followed him through into the reception,/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Don't worry about me, pal," he coughed as the smell of tea tree oil hit him, assaulting his senses with the odour of bergamot and eucalyptus./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He looked around at the tranquil decorations and made sure to appreciate the water feature behind the desk before he made his way to the changing rooms./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Today was Monday so it was even quieter than last time they came, but maybe that added to the calm and still./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"em"Come on, then,"/em he sighed as he took Phil by the arm so he wouldn't get distracted by the little, fancy fountains that lined the hallway./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Coming," Phil purred, following closely, though he was less distracted by the water features than by considering the inevitable gracelessness of Sunday night./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Perhaps the patchouli oil, warm water and serene aesthetics would help calm them both down, like it did back in February./p
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p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Summer Holiday looked ecstatic to see her old 'friend' again. She showed that she was excited, too; her face seemed to light up as she realised that Phil was voluntarily addressing her./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"She saw her chance, as Dan walked away, and bounded over, gracefully./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Philly!" She chirped, "How great to see you! How have you been?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Phil cringed slightly at being referred to by his nickname – that he only really let Dan call him by – but replied nonchalantly, nonetheless./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Oh, I'm fine," he nodded, calmly, "How about you?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I've never been better! Shame you didn't come to the party last night, it was great fun…" Summer mused, obviously implying that she noticed his absence, "I saw your friend there, we had a dance. Couldn't help thinking I was missing an opportunity to dance with emyou, /emthough..."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"She gave a brief laugh,/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I thought you might have been there in disguise, but I knew no mask could cover those distinctive looks…"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Distinctive?" Phil mumbled, confused, but then realised that he'd probably only pushed Summer to name all of her favourite physical attributes of him. She'd probably written a list./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Instead of this, thankfully, Summer continued, "So… where are you headed this morning?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Oh, I was just going to the spa to relax. How about you?" Phil asked, trying to tear away from the conversation quickly so he could catch up with his friend./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I was just walking, really. Say, could I walk with you?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Phil swallowed and gave a sigh, but still reluctantly consented./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Thanks!" Summer grinned as they started walking down the road again, "You know, some time, we should go out for coffee somewhere."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"This sentence struck an unexplainable sense of dread into Phil's very soul. He had no idea how to respond to that./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"emWhat was he supposed to say to that?/em/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He didn't want to seem cold and deny her straight out, but he also really, really, didn't like the idea of going out for coffee, either./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He lifted his gaze to the clouds before averting his eyes to the spa not so far away from them./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I'm… not too sure about that. I'm pretty busy this week and I'm heading home soon enough," he explained, "But maybe, instead of just us, we could invite Eliza along, too, and have it like just a friendly night out."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Summer seemed to think this was still a good idea, and agreed quite quickly. She must've been really desperate. Then again, she'd probably do just about anything Phil suggested./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""That's such a good idea!" She said, enthusiastically, with a nod, "What day are you free?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Phil tilted his head to the side to think./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I can do… Sunday?" He suggested, eventually, after poring over his mind to think of what he was doing for every day this week. He could've chosen a few days earlier, of even tomorrow, but he wanted to wait a while to make sure everything was calm and collected./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"They were almost at the spa at this point, and as Phil pushed his glasses up his nose again, he could see the tall figure of Dan waiting for him by the door./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Sunday sounds great," Summer told him with a smile, "And I'll invite Eliza along, too, should I?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Yes, please do," Phil whispered, not because he didn't want Summer to hear, but because he was too busy thinking to want to speak up./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He was glad he'd gotten himself out of an even more uncomfortable situation, but he was starting to wonder whether mixing Eliza and Summer was a good idea./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Never to worry, though – he was sure everything would turn out OK in the end./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He and Summer managed to somewhat have a conversation as they finished the walk to Hallow Slough, and said their goodbyes as they approached the entrance to the spa./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""So, don't forget," Summer started, "Coffee on Sunday, OK?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I won't forget," Phil chucked as she left him, waving as she went./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Phil took a few steps forward and gazed up to Dan, smiling, softly,/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Sorry you had to wait, Dan," he said, rubbing the back of his neck, "Summer insisted on walking with me."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Dan frowned for a bit, looking back and forth from Phil to Summer, who he could see walking away, and then back again./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He rolled his eyes and put a hand on his friend's back to guide him along the path to the door./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Are you alright?" Phil asked, noting Dan's pensive and irritated expression./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Dan seemed to be surprised by this question, and quickly turned to the side, making eye contact, before giving a gentle but awkward grin./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""What? Me? I'm completely fine!" He assured Phil, "Why are you asking?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You seemed concerned about something," Phil replied, pulling open the door by the long, metal handles attached to the wooden edging that broke up the square glass panels./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Dan shook his head and followed him through into the reception,/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Don't worry about me, pal," he coughed as the smell of tea tree oil hit him, assaulting his senses with the odour of bergamot and eucalyptus./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He looked around at the tranquil decorations and made sure to appreciate the water feature behind the desk before he made his way to the changing rooms./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Today was Monday so it was even quieter than last time they came, but maybe that added to the calm and still./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"em"Come on, then,"/em he sighed as he took Phil by the arm so he wouldn't get distracted by the little, fancy fountains that lined the hallway./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Coming," Phil purred, following closely, though he was less distracted by the water features than by considering the inevitable gracelessness of Sunday night./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Perhaps the patchouli oil, warm water and serene aesthetics would help calm them both down, like it did back in February./p