Chapter Four:

Movie Night

I was lounging in my bed reading the part of A Walk to Remember where Jamie and Landon help out at the orphanage on Christmas (my favorite part) when Alana busted through the door, her grin a mile wide.

I looked up at her lazily. "What's up?"

"We're going on a double date!"

I walked over to my friend, patting her on the back. "There, there. I know you've been delusional over Dan lately, so you must be confused. We're not going on a double date."

She shrugged me off. "Uh, yeah we are." She pulled out her phone, scrolling through the messages and shoving the mobile device in my face.

Dan:

Wud u fancy goin out w/Phil and me tonight? Bring Elli along as well.

I handed her back her phone, impressed. "Wow. You weren't lying."

"Of course I wasn't! When have I lied to you about such a thing?"

"What about that time when you emailed yourself and swore it was Dan?"

"Well..."

"Or the time you sent yourself a birthday package swearing it was from Dan?"

"Well, that was-"

"Or the time when-"

"Okay, I get it! If you don't believe me, go ask him."

"I believe you." Honestly, I wouldn't mind spending more time with Phil. He was a sweet guy, and it was nice having an English friend to show me around.

"Alright well go get ready!"

"What time should I be ready?"

"5:00."

I glanced at my messy self and then at the clock. "It's 4:30!"

"I know! Hurry!"

By some miraculous event, I managed to get ready on time. I wasn't sure what to wear, so I slipped on flowered vintage skinny jeans, a salmon camisole, a cream knit flowing shirt,and caramel flats.I left my hair damp and curly, spritzed on some perfume, swiped on some mascara and lip gloss, and met Alana and the boys in the hallway.

"Ello ladies. Supper first?" We all nodded in agreement and headed out.

On the sidewalk, Dan and Alana took the lead, flirting and bumping into each other the entire way. Phil and I trudged behind.

"You know," Phil spoke up, "we don't have to treat this like a date. We can just call it...a nice outing where one mate pays for another."

"Yeah, that sounds good." Honestly, that made me feel a lot more comfortable. Most likely, Dan and Alana would be off in their own little world, and spending time with Phil in a date-type setting made me nervous. I didn't like him like that, and it would just make our just-blossoming friendship awkward.

"So, what do you make of Alana and Dan?"

"Truthfully, I'm a bit surprised. Alana can be a bit...intense."

Phil chuckled. "Yeah, I'm not sure I could handle her."

"Just be glad you're not her best friend," I joked. He stuck his tongue out, scrunching up his face. I couldn't help but laugh. "What was that all about?"

Embarrassed, he answered, "I tend to make strange faces...I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all." In response, I puffed out my cheeks as much as I could. This, naturally, threw us into a battle to see who could make the stupidest face. In the end, we were both crying from laughing so hard.

I was so lost in Phil that I hadn't noticed Alana and Dan had stopped, resulting in me running into Alana. I looked up to see them both drooling over a pizza parlor. "Can we eat here?" Dan begged.

"It smells delicious," Alana commented, then turned to me. "But Elli's a vegan. We should go somewhere else."

Dan, looking guilty, said, "Yes, of course. We'll find another restaurant."

I couldn't help but smile, feeling important. They cared enough to eat somewhere else for me. But I noticed that they seemed a little disappointed.

"Wait guys." All three turned to me. "Dan, Alana, go to the pizza parlor. I know you two really want to eat there."

"But-" Alana tried to protest.

"No buts. Go. Really. I'm not all that hungry anyway."

"Are you positive?" Dan asked.

"Of course," I smiled reassuringly. Dan and Alana bid me goodbye and skipped into the parlor.

I turned to find Phil still standing there. "Before you ask, no I'm not leaving you alone. I'm not that hungry either."

I smiled. "Where to, then?"

"Follow me. I know the perfect spot."

He took my hand, leading me through the crowd all the way back to the apartment. Opening the door, he lead me into his flat.

"Your apartment?" I questioned.

"Movie night!"

We sifted through all of Dan and Phil's movies and settled on The Lion King and The Fellowship of the Ring. Phil laid a blanket out on his carpet in front of the couch, tossing pillows this way and that. We sat cross-legged in front of the television, turning on The Lion King first. As The Circle of Life began playing, Phil sat between us a bag of baby carrots. I took one and smiled. "Thought you might enjoy these." For himself, he had a jar of Nutella and pretzels.

Our movie night was actually becoming one of the best nights of my life. We belted every Lion King song, bawled when Mufasa died, and did a happy dance when Simba defeated Scar.

Halfway through Lord of the Rings, I found myself sprawled out over Phil's lap, him playing with my hair. I screamed at the television as Frodo almost died once again. "Pathetic! Really Frodo? Can't you learn to not almost die?"

Phil chuckled and I sat up. "What?"

"You. You're so into this. I love it."

I blushed. "I love The Lord of the Rings. It's my favorite trilogy."

He scooted closer to me and shyly said, "I'm sort of...into you."

I blushed an ever darker pink and had a sudden realization. The way he laughed, the dorky manner he did things, those ice blue eyes. "I'm sort of into you, too."

Phil reached over and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. His fingers found mine, and I could tell he was nervous from his clammy hands. He leaned closer, hesitating slightly. I could feel his warm breath, smelling of Nutella. I inched closer, touching his cheek with my hand. Just as our noses were touching, the door flew open, followed by a giggly Alana and Dan. Phil and I scooted away from each other.

"Hey mates," Phil greeted them. "Good pizza?"

"Definitely!" Dan exclaimed.

"With the guy!" Alana added.

"And the beard!" Dan finished, and they both doubled over. Phil and I looked at each other, confused.

Phil whispered, "Can I see you again?"

I nodded. "Tomorrow morning, same time as today."

He smiled. "I'll lead you to the door."

Before I left, I turned to him. "So, tomorrow?"

"Until then, my lady." He took my hand and kissed it, then waved and smiled cheesily.

What a dork.

A/N: Whoa! I though Phil and Elli were just friends! Hmm...anything's possible now... (: Tell me whatcha think! Be honest! Constructive criticism is more than welcome! R&R.