Oh my goodness, 33 chapters. I never thought I would get ten reviews let along 150.
Thank you to AmazingRrrachel, BluBlush, and Romanow for the reviews on the last chapter.
I will be posting a chapter on Phil's birthday but it's going to be one of the ones on my other one shot thing. I'm thinking Sam and Phil just hanging out and stuff IDK. Give me some ideas? If I pick one that you give me I'll give you a shout out in the chapter.
As always reviews are more than welcome. I like knowing what you think about the chapters.
Enjoy!
BTW When She Comes and I fictional movie that I came up with. It is not real, as far as I know, except for in this story.
Chapter 33
The next day, the tenth, Dan came home. That day and the next were spent just chilling or cleaning the flat. There was a lot of just sitting on the couch next to Dan and Phil. A lot of anime watched and even more popcorn eaten.
I also didn't get much work done on my future blog posts. Dan said that he wanted to hang out with me and talk about the blog thing but it just ended up turning into an anime session. Then when Phil was added it turned into a two day sit on the couch and watch anime marathon.
The extent of conversation was limited to what kind of popcorn we wanted and where to order food. We did have a break on the second day where Dan made me lunch while Phil went to pick up more popcorn.
"Sam, I'm making food. Do you want some?" I heard Dan yell from the kitchen.
I got off the couch and made my way to the kitchen.
"Sure." I said causing Dan to jump.
I smiled and then sat up on the counter. I've always loved watching people cook and right now was no different but there was something different about the way Dan cooked. It was almost poetic in a way. Like a dance. I don't know, I just really like watching him cook, I guess.
"Why are you staring at me?" Dan asked.
Shit, I've been caught.
"I don't know. You have just captivated me." I said in a sarcastic voice.
Dan turned so he was facing me, his hip against my knee.
"I'm captivating am I?" he said in almost a whisper.
I felt my heart speed up but I controlled my breathing and fought the urge to bite my lip. Does he know what this does to me goddammit. I couldn't help my eyes flickering from his eyes to his lips and then back up to his eyes. I looked away before I could get caught up in those eyes.
"Just shut up and cool Howell, I'm hungry." I said with a laugh brushing off all of the feelings I had just experienced.
Dan finished cooking and we brought the food into the lounge and ate. Phil arrived home a few minutes after we were done eating and joined us in the lounge. We continued the marathon and what happened in the kitchen was for gotten.
By Saturday I was sick of seeing the same rooms. I love the flat but I needed to get out and see some new scenery. So I decided to go to my home away from home where the chairs are comfy and the coffee is always on. Starbucks.
Yes I went to the place I work, on my day off, for fun. I found myself a corner and got to work on my next blog post. I've chosen to pretend that Tanya never tweeted the link and I never got a flood of new people reading my blog. Denial. Total and complete denial. That is how I work. I mean just look at my feeling for Dan, I'm in complete denial that I lo-LIKE. I just LIKE him. Nothing more. That is it. It's just a CRUSH. Dear brain, shut the fuck up.
Emily was off today which was kind of a bummer because I needed to see some new people. I was stuck in a world that only consists of Dan and Phil and that could be potentially dangerous in the Dan department. It's just a crush. My boss, Kevin, noticed me when I walked in so before I even had my first coffee gone, he came over with a second. I was really hoping he wouldn't ask me to pick up any more days. I'm already working full time for the next two weeks.
"This is why I hired you. You're always here even if you're not working." said Kevin putting a cup of coffee on the table next to me.
"Well, what can I say? I just really love coffee." I said shrugging my shoulders.
Please don't ask me to work, please don't ask me to work, please don't ask me to work. Instead of saying anything or going back to work, he sat across me.
"So Kayla found your blog. I read some of it. You're a good writer Sam, so answer me this, Why are you working in a coffee shop and not going to school. You could make a career out of your writing." He said in a way that reminded me of my dad.
I was in total shock. Did he want me to quit or something? Without thinking twice I answered him. There was just something about the look on his face. In this moment he really did remind me of my dad.
"I went to college, Uni, for two years. In order to get a degree, I had to take a bunch of classes that had nothing to do with what I wanted to do. I felt like I was wasting my money on taking classes and not knowing exactly what I wanted to do." I explained.
Kevin's face turned into one of deep thought before he spoke again.
"I think that blog of yours is a good way of finding out what you want to do. One thing that I have noticed is that all of your posts are the same. Always about the same thing. It's repetitive. Have you ever thought about posting more personal things?" he asked.
"Honestly I've thought about a lot of things to do with my blog but for now, it's just for fun so you don't have to worry about me quitting any time soon. I plan on sticking around for a while." I said with a smirk.
Then the part of him that reminded me of my dad was gone and replaced with his hard ass persona he attempted to convey to his employees. The one that I totally saw through.
"Yeah, okay. That coffee is on the house but that's it the rest you have to pay for." said Kevin in his boss voice.
"Hey Kevin," I said when he was walking away. He turned back to me and for a second I saw the fatherly bit of him flash in his eyes.
"Thank you." I said.
He gave me a warm smile and then turned and walked off.
I watched him walk back to the counter and start taking orders. Now that I thought about it, he looked around my dad's age. Kayla, his daughter, was just a year younger than me. I suddenly got the urge to call my dad. It was 7 am at home so I couldn't but I really wanted to.
What Kevin had said about my post all being similar got me thinking, when I started my blog I dreamed of it someday being my job. Now that that dream is starting to come true, I almost don't want it too.
I was scared of the fact that I was getting so much attention and I didn't want to fuck it up. I don't want to fuck up my future again. I don't think I could handle it if I did it again. This was my last shot a doing something I am passionate about. If I fucked this one up I'm afraid I'll be stuck working in a coffee shop the rest of my life. How depressing.
I was so deep in thought that I didn't notice that someone new was now sitting across from me until she spoke.
"Sam?" said a familiar voice.
My heart started racing but I managed not to jump. I put my hand to my chest to make it calm a little. It did not work.
"Oh, Beth. Sorry, I was totally zoning out." I said realizing who was sitting with me.
"Well I asked if I could sit with you twice but you never answered so I just figured you wouldn't mind. You don't mind, do you?" she said looking slightly worried.
"No, of course, I don't care. I need something to do besides zoning out anyway. Just don't sneak up on me again. I think I'm having a heart attack." I said nonchalantly with a smile.
She smiled back and we she started on a new subject.
We got to talking about just stuff. She told me that she was on her final year of schooling before going to uni. She had no clue what she wanted to do and I related to her situation. The more we talked the more I felt our friendship growing.
While we didn't have much in common personality or taste wise, we were very similar in a lot of other ways. Like the way we think, although I think I'm a little more obsessive than her, and feelings about the future.
When it was time for us to part ways, we decided to make plans to see a movie the next day. We spent another twenty minutes trying to figure out what movie to see. Beth was adamant on seeing a horror movie but I was so not in the mood. I really didn't want nightmares. I had enough of them cause my Phil. I didn't need any cause by her.
We left the coffee shop still undecided on the movie but we made plans to meet at the coffee shop near the theater at ten. That way we could decide on what we wanted to see. If we got an early enough movie we could get lunch after. She wanted to take me to one of her favorite places in London for lunch.
When I got home I could hear the guys arguing about what to get for takeaway. Phil was on the pizza side and Dan was saying they should have Thai food. I followed the sounds of their voices into the lounge.
I walked in ad set my bag on the table then sat between the guys on the couch.
"I want Thai, we always go for pizza." said Dan.
"Bitch please, we're getting Indian." I said in my sassiest voice.
"I could live with that." He replied.
"Why do you always have to take her side?"
Dan, instead of vocalizing his reply, flipped Phil off. Phil just laughed and shook his head. I involuntarily rolled my eyes. Boys are so weird sometimes.
Now that the argument was settled, we switched over to playing Mario Kart. Dan and Phil raced each other and then I was going to race the winner. Basically we play three different maps and race once on each. Whoever wins two out of the three is the winner of the round. No surprise here but Phil lost.
Dan and I use the same exact car and set up so instead of someone having a better car, we were evenly matched in the car aspect of the game. This was now just a test of skill and I give Dan a run for his money every time. Somehow he always managed to win the last one though. I swear he cheats but I haven't figured it out yet.
Before we started, Phil fled the lounge. He knew how obnoxious we can get while playing and he didn't want to witness the insanity that was about to ensue. Smart move Philip, smart move.
Of the first three rounds, Dan on the first then I won the second. Dan unfortunately won the third but I was soon to challenge him to a rematch which I won. We went back and forth until we had played six games and we were still tied.
I never realized just how verbally abusive we were to each other while playing. There was a moment where Dan threw a shell at me and he exclaimed "Take my shell, bitch" when it hit me. In return, I shouted, "I will kill you in your sleep, bastard!"
I sort of felt bad for whoever was below us. He has to endure our yelling while we play very intense video games. That and every time I win I have a bad habit of getting up and doing a ridiculous victory dance that involves lots of outdated dance moves and lots of butt shaking.
Luckily the takeaway guy came while I was doing my current victory dance so he didn't get the joy of Dan and me yelling at each other. Dan however got out of having to endure my victory dance because he had to answer the door. I may have had voice lessons but dance lessons were not included in the studio. In other words, I fucking suck at dancing.
When I had finished my ridiculous dance, I went to go get Phil who was in his room editing or something like that. I knew he would have his headphones on so I didn't bother knocking on the open door before just going it. It's not like he would hear me anyway. When he saw me he took off his head phones.
"Hello Philip." I said sitting next to him on the bed.
"Good evening, Samantha." He replied in his poshest voice.
"Daniel is getting the door. Our sustenance has arrived." Turning it up my posh-ness to the same level as Phil.
"Oh Daniel is? I say we greet him in the lounge." He said.
This was an invitation to continue to be weird. I was going to accept it because being weird is fun. We made our way into the lounge. We got in there before Dan got back from the door. When he walked in, Phil was the first to speak.
"Hello Daniel." said Phil.
"Um… hi." said Dan with a confused laugh.
"Shall I set the table?" I asked before heading to the kitchen to grab silverware and plates.
"Okay, I'm done. I can't do this anymore." said Phil when I entered the lounge.
"Thank god, I've run out of posh things to say." I said with a laugh.
"You two are so weird." said Dan shaking his head while unpacking the food onto the table.
"Don't deny it Dan, you love us." I said coming up behind Dan and hugging his so he couldn't use his arms.
I head Dan sigh and Phil snort. Well it was more of forcefully breathing air out his nose.
"Yes Sam, you are right. I do but that doesn't mean you're not weird." said Dan.
"True." I replied letting go so he could finish unpacking the food.
The three of us sat around the table and ate. There wasn't much talking but there were plenty of eating noises and plate scraping noises with Dan moaning every so often thrown in somewhere. Indian was totally the best idea I've had all week.
Once the food was devoured, Dan and I decided on one last round to settle the tie. We had to find out who the ultimate winner was so that the winner could rub it in the losers face for the rest of time. Or at least until Dan and I had another Mario Kart battle. Phil once again fled the lounge so he didn't have to witness the rage and bad mouthing that was sure to ensue.
The first race was the toughest. I was in first most of the time. In the last lap however, Dan managed to get me in sixth place. The second we were neck and neck the entire time but last minute I managed to hit him with a shell and ultimately win. The third and final round consisted in lots of elbowing and cheating on both sides but we managed to stay in first and second the entire race. I was sure Dan was going to win when a blue shell came out of nowhere. I barely managed to miss it but I did and then I sped up and ended up winning.
"I WON! I ACTUALLY WON!" I said jumping off the couch and doing a victory dance.
I finally beat him. We always seemed to be equally matched except for the fact that Dan is a lucky bastard and always somehow manages to win the last race, except for this time.
"Get your butt out of my face." said Dan laughing on the couch.
I had just jumped up and started in on my victory dance which I had changed up a bit because I was the overall winner and you need a much better dance for that. I made sure to get closer to him just because he said something.
"You know, it's almost work losing just to see you make a fool out of yourself with that dance thing." said Dan with what sounded like a smirk in his voice.
I ignored him and continued to dance. No way was he going to put a damper on my mood because I fucking finally beat him at Mario Kart.
"Seriously, please stop. You look like you might hurt yourself." said Dan again with a smirk in his voice.
"I don't care. I finally beat you and I couldn't be happier." I replied making sure to wiggle my butt a little more vigorously before ending my dance and sitting on the couch next to him.
We laughed at my terrible dance moves while Dan went back to playing Mario Kart against strangers.
We went to bed not long after that. I was meeting Beth tomorrow and the guys would be in meetings all day about, I think it was the book or a tour or something. I don't really know. That and Phil's brother was sending a mockup of some new merch the guys were working on. Dan didn't want me to see it until it was finished. Dan the perfectionist. This just warranted me staying out of the flat all day.
Before climbing into bed, I laid out my clothes I was going to wear the next day. I had a habit of doing that when I had actually plans to go outside. Except for work of course. They were just a pair of black skinny jeans and the long sleeve navy Brandi Melville shirt when I went to my US visit.
The next morning I got up and went down to shower only to find Dan already in there. He started singing just as I was about to go to open the door. I don't think I would ever say this but thank god for Dan's shower singing. It just prevented a possible disaster. Although I do kind of wish it didn't happen. Nope, no, no, no. Head outta the gutter. No, bad brain! You are not allowed to picture Dan naked. NO! STOP RIGHT NOW! THISISNOTOKAY!
It took him twenty minutes to finally finish up in the shower. I sat on the steps and waited the whole time. I was too tired to actually climb the stair and go to the lounge.
"Oh, hey Sam." said Dan coming out of the bathroom.
I really wished I had had a camera because that hobbit hair was amazing. I had to restrain myself from running my finger through it.
My reply was a groan as I now had to stand.
When I went into the bathroom shutting the door behind me. The whole room smelled of Dan's body wash. The scent was intoxicating. I almost didn't want to shower because I wanted it to linger.
I shook my head trying to stop thinking those thoughts. I guess I'm way more apt to indulge in the crush thing when I'm tired. Note to self, don't be around Dan while over tired. I climbed in and for a moment I contemplated using Dan's shower gel but once again, I shook my head then reached for my own.
"God, I need to sleep more." I said out loud.
I finished my shower, dressed, and then made my way to the kitchen. We desperately needed to go food shopping. I settled on trying to eat a bowl of cereal. I don't even like cereal but I ate it. Okay so I barely managed two bites before dumping the rest. I just don't like cereal.
I decided to leave early then maybe I could get some real breakfast at the coffee shop. So I went up to my room and did my makeup. I went for a natural look. I skipped foundation all together making the sprinkle of freckles across my nose visible and I didn't bother with eye liner eye shadow and just went for mascara.
When I was done, I put my laptop, charger, notebook, a pen and my wallet in my backpack. Once I was sure I had everything, I grabbed my black jacket, because I don't have my leather one, and made my way out of the flat.
This was a different coffee shop than the one I usually went to, ya know, the one I work at, but this one was closer to the cinema. When I got there I ordered a muffin and a coffee and found a corner to hide in and people watch.
I was here and hour and a half early but that's okay because it gave me time to just sit and think. The first thing I started thinking about the fact that my boss actually read my blog. What the actual fuck. He did have a point though. A lot of my blogs were very similar.
I wanted to post more of a variety of things but I just didn't know when. It never seemed to be the right time. That and I feel like the people that read my blog are expecting beauty and fashion related things not my experience with college in the US verses uni in the UK or my love like or lack thereof because I'm currently infatuated with my best friend.
I wanted to post things like that but it had to be the right time. Now it felt like the right time has passed now that I have way too many readers. I don't know. I want to post them but I'm just going to wait until it feels right. Wow I think I just confused myself even more.
The sitting there and thinking didn't last long what with the confusion and all. I pulled out my notebook and a pen. I had originally intended to start a blog post but it ended up turning into something different. It read more like a letter than anything.
I hate the way you make me feel. I hate it but at the same time, I crave it. I don't want you to touch me but once you do, all I can think about is holding your hand. I don't dare to look you in the eye because I know I'll drown. They will pull me in and suffocate me until I do something I may possibly regret. Like kissing you. Sometimes it's all I can think about. How your lips would feel against mine.
I shouldn't be having feelings like this for you. You're my best friend. I'm so scared you'll find out then not want me around. I just want to be around you. I hate that you do this to me. I hate that I love like you this much.
"Hey space cadet." said Beth sitting across from me jumping the shit out of me.
"Jesus Christ. I think you might be a fucking ninja." I said snapping my notebook shut.
I don't want anyone to read that. I don't even want to read that again. I was quick to change the subject.
"So about the movie?" I said my heart still beating out of my chest.
"Oh, I know what movie were gonna see." said Beth with a smile.
"For some reason I don't feel like this is going to go well for me. I really don't want to ask but what movie did you choose?" I said with a feeling of foreboding.
"You'll see. Let's go. It starts soon and I don't want to be late." said Beth.
She looked far too pleased and for some reason I didn't feel like that was a good thing. I followed her to the cinema anyway. She dragged me to the line for the tickets. Before I got the chance, Beth was already telling the young girl behind the counter which movie we were seeing. I wasn't able to catch the title of the movie which scared me a little.
Tickets in hand, Beth dragged me towards the theater that the movie would be showing in. When I saw which one she was pulling me towards I dug my heels into the ground making her not be able to pull me any farther.
"No. No, no, no. I refuse to go into that theater. Not in a million billion years." I said planting my feet, crossing my arms, and shaking my head.
"Oh, come on. It's just a scary movie." said Beth grabbing my arm and pulling again.
"Nooo. Phi- my friend is always trying to get me to go to these movies. When She Comes was one where I put my foot down. Please, don't make me go." I said while she pulled me into the theater.
Girl is stronger than she looks.
She pulled me in and towards the middle of the theater. The room was almost empty. Just Beth and I along with two couples in the back that were sure to be making out the whole time and a few others scattered around. Most of them were in the front. I don't see why people think those are the best seats.
The movie was even scarier than I thought it would be. I hate paranormal movies. In the middle of the movie I stopped watching. By the end I was hiding under my seat convincing that something was gonna get me. I didn't even know the movie ended until Beth said something.
"The movie is over. You can come out now." She said with laughter in her voice.
"No, I'm never ever coming out." I said too scared to move.
I really, really hate supernatural movies. Ghosts and demons are my number one biggest fear. I honestly just wished that Dan was there so I had someone to be scared with.
"You do know that there is like a ton of gum stuck under that seat. I wouldn't want your hair to get stuck in it." said Beth in a matter of fact voice.
I quickly got out from under the seat and made my way out of the theater as quickly as possible without actually running. Beth wasn't far behind me. Once outside she stopped me.
"So I'm guessing someone's already chewed gum is scarier than a ghost." said Beth with a laugh.
"You have no idea. That shit is scarier than anything." I said.
We both laughed and then she linked her arm with mine and we started off towards her favorite restaurant.
"So sushi. What have you had before?" Beth asked me while we walking into a restaurant that reminded me of something you would see in Japan.
I was definitely going to have to take a selfie here and send it to Dan. It totally matched his aesthetic.
"Um, I've had a California roll." I replied.
"Oh you have so much to try." She said in an excited voice.
This time instead of a foreboding feeling I had one of excitement. Sushi is something that I've always wanted to try but I never really got the chance to do it. I let her lead me over to a table and order for the both of us.
I discovered that I really like spicy tuna rolls and I love California rolls. That and those are the only ones that I remembered the names of. We ended up just talking about a bunch of stuff. It was fun. It was almost like hanging out with Lily again except that Beth was nothing like Lily.
We had a lot of fun just hanging out after the movie but it didn't last long. She had to leave for some reason around like one. I had to stay out of the house until three because Dan wasn't sure when the merch package would arrive so now I have two hours to kill. I texted Niomi.
"Hey. What's up?" I sent. I got a reply quickly.
"Hey, just hanging out. I moved house." Was her reply.
"Oh right. Sorry. I was going to ask if you wanted to hang out or something but if you're busy that's okay." I replied.
"Thanks. Yeah, I'm actually editing." She sent.
"Okay, sorry. I'll talk to you later."
Well that was a bust. Ever since what happened between her and Marcus, she and I haven't been running together that much. She probably just needed some time alone and I respected that. I knew how she felt.
I would text Emily but I don't have her number. I haven't seen her for a while. I was kind of missing her but I was working a bunch of days the next two weeks so I'd see her then.
I made my way back to the coffee shop that I didn't normally go to. Something about coffee shops just make me feel at home. I found a secluded corner and pulled out my laptop. When I opened my email I had an email from Amy . I opened the email.
It was basically just asking me what kind of products I would be interested in so that they could send them to me. I guess that they want a really good review from me. I would honestly take anything they offered me.
I replied to that email and a few other important ones contacting me about reviewing product. I then went on my twitter and just scrolled though it. It hadn't notified me but Dan and Phil had both followed me on twitter along with a bunch of people who I assumed were from my blog.
Speaking of my blog, I also went to look at comments and stuff. They were now slowly rolling in but there were still a lot of new people commenting. Plus, the comments weren't just on my new one. People were going back and reading old posts and commenting on them as well.
I still haven't gotten over the fact that so many people were now reading and commenting and following my blog. Its mind boggling that people care what I have to say. At the same time I now have a constant feeling of anxiety that all of these people are going to go away and no longer care or they will all turn on me when I post my next blog post or something like that. Okay no I need to stop before I go into the existential crisis position in pubic. Ya know, face down on the floor. Yeah these floors don't look too clean.
I really wanted to go home at this point but I didn't know if the guys were done. So of course I texted Dan. Unexpectedly, I got a reply right away.
"Daaaaan! Can I come home yet?" I sent.
"Saaaaam! Yes." Was my reply.
I packed my bag faster than I had ever packed it before and I was out of the coffee shop and practically running towards out flat. Sometimes it's okay to leave the house but most of the time I just want to hide under my duvet and scroll Tumblr all day and night or binge watch something one Netflix.
When I got back to the flat, I ran up the stairs and then once I got to the floor with the lounge I thought I was actually going to die.
"Sam, you look like you're going to die. Did you really just run up all of the stair?" said Dan coming to see what all the noise was.
The fuck, can he read minds. I really want to kiss you right now… nope I don't think so.
I just happened to sound like a baby elephant when going up the stairs so I wasn't surprised to see Dan coming to see what all the ruckus was. I couldn't say anything so I just nodded. Talk about cardio.
"I hate stairs. Why do we have to have so many?" I asked when I finally caught my breath.
Dan just laughed and made his way back into the lounge. I made my way up the stairs to my room and threw my bag on my bed. Gently of course. I wouldn't want to hurt my laptop. I changed into leggings and grabbed my laptop and phone then made my way to the lounge where I found Dan and Phil watching a show together. Of course I sat between them.
The rest of the afternoon and late into the night was just us sitting here and watching show after show. Of course we took bathroom breaks and one break long enough to order food but we then went back to doing absolutely nothing.
It was nice being able to sit here and just relax with the guys knowing that the next two weeks were going to hectic as fuck. I was working a lot and the guys were going to be out of the house for the most part of the next two weeks. Something tour wise? I didn't really know anything about it but we wouldn't be able to hang out much.
I knew I was going to miss the guys but they were doing something that was making them happy. How could I not be excited for them?