A/N: Ik this is a shorter and slightly more boring chapter, but I hope to have a more action-packed chapter up tomorrow. I can't promise anything tho, I'm going to my grandma's house, and she doesn't have any wifi, so I am planning to write the next chapter in the car and then publish it when we stop at subway for lunch. SO if it's not uploaded tomorrow you can expect it on Tuesday. :) (this chapter isn't my best work but oh well.)

April 17th

Dan swallowed the last bit of coffee, tossing the empty cup into the small, metal trash can behind his desk. He glanced at his watch.

9:27

Pushing himself out of his chair, he walked over to the door, flipping the small sign that hung in the door so that it now read 'open'.

Dan took a moment to gaze out into the small town streets. They would be filling with people soon, hopefully, some of who would bother to stop by.

He turned back to his desk, sitting down and reclining back in the brown, leather chair. The typewriter loomed in front of him, a constant reminder of his inability to write something worth being published.

Groaning, Dan let his head drop back against the chair. He glowered up at the ceiling, straining to think of an even mildly interesting plot. Ideas swam through his head like minnows; every time one came into sight and he made a grab for it, it would slip through his fingers.

The school of thoughts in his head quickly scattered as the door swung open, the small bells emitting a high-pitched indication.

"Welcome to Howell's Book Emporium, how may I help you?" Dan muttered in a monotone voice, inwardly wincing at his lack of enthusiasm. Looking up, he faltered as his gaze landed on the customer. He was possibly the most striking man Dan had ever seen.

He had fair skin that seemed virtually void of any sort of blemish or deformation, his eyes were a mix of various shades of blue, changing as the light hit them. His hair was cut in a fringe and appeared to be black, but his eyebrows were a lighter color, suggesting he dyed it. He was rather tall, Dan noticed, quite possibly even taller than the young writer himself.

It wasn't until he noticed the man giving him a strange look that Dan realized he had been staring. "S-sorry, what?" Dan sputtered out, feeling the heat rise to his cheeks.

The good-looking man chuckled. "I was asking if you had any books on art?"

"Um, yeah! Follow me." Dan beckoned for Phil to follow him, winding his way through the small shop to a back corner labeled Art and Photography.

"So um, what type of art books were you looking for? The Dan inquired, forcing himself to tear his gaze from his customer and look at the shelves.

"Something on various styles of painting maybe? I'm just browsing."

Dan skimmed the bookshelves, his fingers lightly brushing all of the covers until he found one he deemed suitable.

"Ah! What about this?" Dan pulled out a colorful volume.

"Art styles through the ages?" Phil read the cover, briskly thumbing through the book. "Yeah, thanks. This looks great."

The two proceeded to the checkout, Dan almost subconsciously ringing up the book.

"So, are you new around here? I don't recognize you." Dan asked lightly, trying to make conversation.

"Yeah, I just moved from a few towns over. Oh, I'm Phil by the way, Phil Lester!" The ebony-haired man smiled, pulling out some money.

"I'm Dan Howell." Dan looked up at Phil, giving him a polite smile.

They fell into silence as Dan began bagging the book. Desperate to learn more about this Phil Lester, Dan made another feeble attempt at conversation. "So... are you an artist?"

Phil laughed nervously, readjusting his hair. "Oh, well—I um, I sometimes paint, but you know, I'm not that good or anything, it's—it's more of a hobby..."

The brunet chuckled, handing Phil his book. "I'm sure you're amazing."

Phil said nothing, but Dan could see the ghost of a smile creeping onto his face.

"Will that be all for you today?" Dan asked as part of his standard procedure.

"Um, yeah thanks! Although, you don't happen to know of a good place to get lunch around here, do you?" Phil inquired, glancing out the window.

"Oh yeah, my friend Louise owns a café down the road, you should check it out!" Dan supplied him with one of the business cards Louise had given him a while ago. "If you say that Dan sent you then she'll give you a discount," he added as an afterthought

"Thanks!" Phil grinned, turning to leave.

"Have a nice day!" Dan called out as Phil swung the door open.

"You too!" Phil turned around, "I'll be sure to stop by again sometime!"

Dan nodded, his gaze remaining on Phil until the tiny shop door had swung closed behind him.