Phil's P.O.V.
I woke up to a blinding white light, and the feeling of a hand in mine.
"What the…?" I managed to squeak while squinting and trying to sit up, but failing miserably.
"Hey, hey, Phil, don't try to sit up. Just keep laying." I heard a familiar voice say. But, it wasn't my Dad's or Dan's menacing voice. It was… Alice?
"…A-Alice?" I stuttered, wondering what Dan's sister was doing here.
"Yeah, Phil, it's me. What happened? I sent Dan to apologize and he said when he got in there you were on the floor surrounded by blood, unconscious. He was really scared, Phil. I thought he just didn't care enough to apologize when he ran out of the house. But, he screamed at me to call 999, so I did. Seriously, what happened?" Alice was speaking gently but fast. I don't think she meant to speak that fast, it just happened.
"I-I um… I uh…." I tried to tell her, but I couldn't. I was ashamed. I should never have done it in the first place, I had only done it because Dan told me that I should just die. It's not that I cared what Dan thought of me, but it's just… if you hear something enough times, it seems to stick with you. I don't care what anyone thinks of me, honestly. But their words stick with me, like an irremovable tape. They stay with me, just like every bump and bruise, and they never fade. An everlasting ink, it would stick with him for the rest of his life.
"Phil? Phil what's wrong? Do I need to get a doctor?" Alice said in a worried tone.
"Huh? Oh… uh… no it's fine Alice, I'm okay." I said quickly.
"Okay then… if you swear you're okay…" She said squinting her pretty brown eyes at me and contemplating what to say next when I realized something she had said.
"Wait… Alice…?" I said, suddenly VERY fucking confused. There's no way she would be telling the truth about this.
"What is it, Phil?"
"Did you say… Dan was WORRIED about me?" I said, dumbfounded. I had suddenly sat up, astonished at the thought of Dan Howell caring about anyone but himself.
"Um… yes… I did… But I don't think I was supposed to tell you that… So… Is that a big deal or something?" Alice said, questioning my every word.
"Well… Um… It's just… He never cared about anyone other than himself… I figured he would just let me bleed out… Actually, to be honest, I never thought it would be him who found me. I figured it would be my dad… Actually… Speaking of, you guys didn't call him, did you?" I was scared. I was scared shitless. If my dad found out I had cut myself and almost got myself killed, he would probably kill me. I really fucking hoped Alice hadn't called anyone. Or Dan.
"Um… No they didn't… Phil I actually need to talk to you about that… I talked to my brother… He said he only hit in the stomach and face, never anywhere else, right?" Alice was speaking low, as if she was afraid of what would happen if she spoke any louder.
"Well… yeah… He only ever hit me at school and it was only ever the stomach. He only hit my face on 'special occasions'." I grimaced, remembering all the times Dan's fist had collided with my face. I saw Alice wince too, as if she were afraid of my answer, but glad it was my answer at the same time.
"Phil…" She had tears in her eyes. What was going on? "Why were there bruises on your back too? And the back of your head. And your arms, lining your upper arms are just purple bruises! What's going on?!" Alice said louder, tears actually falling from her eyes. Why would she be crying over me? We only met a few hours ago…
I don't know why, but I was pissed. Not at Alice, at myself, for letting this go on so long.
"I'm fine, Alice. To be honest, I'm super fucking clumsy, so I fell down the steps at school, and I fell down sort of backwards. It was extremely fucking painful, but I'll be fine." I faked a cheerful laugh, and put on the most sincere face I could.
"Oh…" Was all Alice managed to say.
Just then, the door opened and in walked Dan.
"Phil! Are you alright?" Dan said frantically, but then he seemed to realize what he was doing so he stopped and just put on his mean face. "Only losers slit their wrists." Then he walked out.
I could already feel the tear buildup. I couldn't believe he had said that to my face, especially with what was going on.
"Wait… That's why you're in here?" Alice asked, turning around in her chair to face me, tears still evident on her face.
I slowly nodded, not wanting to admit it, but I kind of had to… there was no other choice, Dan had made that clear with his random ass outburst. I don't think I've ever hated someone more than him. Other than my dad. But how could you not hate such an asshole like my Dad? But now, I think Dan just beat him by telling a potential friend that I cut myself like a fucking pathetic loser.
But, Phil had to say he was surprised.
Because the last thing he expected her to do was wrap her arms around him comfortingly, saying she was sorry about her brother.
"I'm your new best friend, Phil. And we will never be apart as long as you know my brother."