Phil's thoughts drifted for the rest of the day, and onto the next day. He was worried that he had given Dan terrible advice, because he hadn't really given relationship advice before, especially not with a girl.

Phil had been gay as long as he could remember. He tried hiding it at first; by the time he was in high school, he was going through three or more girlfriends a week. They wouldn't satisfy him, though, and when he reached college, he decided to experiment with other sexualities.

His first boyfriend was named Nathan. Phil could still remember the half-smirk he'd always have on his face, the way his arm looped around his shoulders like that's where it belonged, the way his lips felt when they had their first kiss.

He could still remember the moment when Phil caught Nathan in bed with a stranger. How his hair was ruffled, the look of shock and shame that Phil barely saw before he ran out of the room, his tears blurring his vision even more.

Phil had been tentative to date after that. He'd much rather play Mario Kart on his Wii than interact with actual people, nevermind people who might want to date him!

That was about two, maybe three years ago. Phil hadn't attempted a relationship with anybody since. He tried to tell himself that he was just waiting for the right person, but a tiny part of him said that he still loved Nathan, no matter what he had done.

Late the next evening, Phil read through his texts from the previous day. Dan seemed like a nice fellow, but wasn't it a bit strange that he had talked about his personal problems with a complete stranger? Phil was a curious person, though, and with a few quick taps at his keyboard, he sent Dan another text.

Phil: hey

Phil: how did it go?

Dan: okay, i guess

Phil: what's that supposed to mean?

Dan: i told her that i wanted to end our relationship

Dan: she said that i was gay and that i had a secret boyfriend

Phil: that's a bit of a stretch

Dan: she had gone through my phone and read my texts

Dan: she thought we were dating

Phil: did you let her know I'm a complete stranger?

Dan: yeah. she didn't believe me

Dan: she just walked out.

Phil: she's a bit... dramatic, don't you think?

Dan: you could say that again

Phil: are you upset about it?

Dan: i guess

Dan: i've been just sitting here, thinking

Phil: not happening!

Dan: that's what I normally do, though

Phil: ah. in that case, you definitely need to do something.

Dan: it sucks though

Dan: today's my birthday

Phil: jeez, that sucks, man. sorry about : it's okay

Phil: let me take you out

Dan: isn't it a little soon?

Dan: i just broke up with my girlfriend

Phil: not on a date, genius

Phil: as friends

Dan: should i go out with a stranger?

Phil: why not?

Phil: we could go to the coffee shop on cooper street

Dan: i'd like that

Phil: meet you there at three tomorrow?

Dan: sounds good

Phil: see you there then?

Dan: okay, I guess