(an early update? what? nah, i just want to catch this up w/ the version on my wattpad.)

lol this chapter is longer than the last two combined oops

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Phil tried to stay calm as he sat in the tiny booth inside Javawocky, the small coffee shop on Cooper Street. His hands were shaking, and he could already feel perspiration on his forehead. He didn't do well in social situations, and though there were only a handful of people in the building, he could already feel his heartbeat speeding up.

Phil scanned the room every few seconds, looking for Dan. He didn't even know what he looked like, he thought desperately. The clock ticked by in slow motion, as Phil continued to watch the doors. A couple walked in, their hands closely intertwined. Phil felt nauseous just looking at them. He watched as a few more people entered the small cafe.

He pulled out his phone to check the time and distract him from the feeling of impending doom that was slowly filling his brain and clouding his mind. It was nearly three; where was he? He probably stood me up, he thought sadly. He glanced up a final time as a group of people squeezed in between the glass doors. First came a woman in a dark pantsuit and neat hair; she was probably headed to a business meeting, he mused. After her came a man with long, dark hair, a well-worn jacket, and black jeans, who was followed by a woman who was a bit shorter, with shoulder length black hair. Phil vaguely recognized the name of the band on her t-shirt, but thought nothing much of it as the pair ordered. They were cousins, perhaps, or maybe siblings, he thought. As he watched the number of people entering the store dwindle, a sudden vibration from his phone startled him, nearly making him drop the device into his coffee.

Dan: sorry i'm late

Dan: Tess came back about twenty minutes ago

Phil: oh?

Dan: yeah

Dan: she apologized for everything

Phil: did she get you a birthday present?

Dan: what?

Phil: did. she. get. you. a. birthday. present?

Dan: no...

Phil: then she didn't apologize enough

Dan: she didn't have time to

Dan: i told her that i was leaving

Phil: -her. you were leaving her.

Dan: no, i was headed to our 'date'

Dan: she thought that i was literally on a date with you

Phil: wow...

Dan: i know

Dan: it took me about fifteen minutes to try to calm her down

Dan: in the end, she just left again.

Phil: two words

Phil: dump. her.

Dan: if only it was that simple

Dan: anyways, i'm outside of the coffee shop.

Dan: you're in javawocky, right?

Phil: yep

Phil: i'm the really sad looking tall guy with no friends

Phil stared at his phone, his mouth slowly curling into a smirk as his fingers slid his phone screen. He waited for a response, but none came. Just as he was about to sink back into his prior state of panic and sadness, he felt someone tap him on the shoulder. He lifted his head in a quick, fluid movement. Standing in front of him was a very handsome man with curly brown hair. He was dressed in a black hoodie with a faded logo on the front, and a dark pair of skinny jeans. His curly hair was styled alike Phil's own fringe, but mirrored.

"Excuse me, are you Phil?" he asked, his voice quiet among the bustling coffee shop. Phil started to smirk.

"Nope. My name's Kris," he replied smoothly. The stranger nodded.

"Sorry about that."

"No need to apologize, Danny," Phil reached out his hand, which Dan grabbed after a moment. "Have a seat!" he pointed to the seat across from him. Dan slid into the booth while Phil put his phone inside his pocket. "So, you come here often?" Phil winked at Dan, who rolled his eyes.

"Is that the best you could come up with?" Dan asked, slipping off his hoodie, revealing a dark red t-shirt. Phil smirked at him mischievously.

"Only the best for you, Danny."

"Stop calling me Danny!" he laughed. Phil's grin grew wider as he watched the younger man settle in.

"Have you ever been here before?" Phil ran his hands through his hair. What an awkward start to a conversation!

"Actually, no," Dan replied. "It seems very nice, though. I'll have to stop by more often!" He gazed around the coffee shop. "It's very... quaint." He finished.

"Quaint?" Phil laughed, causing Dan's face to redden. "What are you, my grandfather?" He laughed at his own joke, and luckily, so did Dan.

"Pardon me, did either of you want to order?" Phil turned towards the waitress who has just interrupted them. Her long red hair was tied up in a simple bun, and her pale face had a wide smile. Her hands were poised over a notepad, ready to jot down their order in a scribble of blue ink.

"I'd like another cafe mocha," Phil turned to Dan.

"I'll have what he's having," he said. The waitress finished writing and winked at Dan before walking back towards the counter. Dan looked very uncomfortable, so Phil tried to lighten the mood.

"Did you hear what the pirate said on his eightieth birthday?"

Dan groaned. "Kill me now?" he guessed.

Phil laughed. "No! He said 'Aye, matey'!" Dan groaned again.

"I hope God kills you, you spork!" he said, chuckling. Just then, the waitress came back with their drinks. She set Phil's down in front of him hastily and then handed Dan his coffee. Her hand slipped down a bit as she released the cup, and her hand fell into Dan's. She held it there for a moment, before pulling it back, smiling.

"Sorry, my hand must've slipped," she said coyly, and with another wink, she left. Phil rolled his eyes at the overly flirtatious waiter.

"She's being a bit forward, don't you think?" he asked. Dan was staring down at his hand, where a crumpled piece of paper with a splash of ink. "She didn't give you her number, did she?" he asked unbelievably. Dan nodded and stood up, walking towards the front counter, much to the delight of the amorous waitress, who was watching him with interest. As he walked passed the counter to the trashcan to throw away the woman's number, her face turned nearly the same shade of red as her hair. With a huff, she went into the back room, while Dan calmly walked back to their seat and sat down. And, for his finale, he lifted his mug of coffee and took a long sip of it, before setting it down again.

"Ahh. Refreshing."

"That was brilliant!" Phil laughed, wiping tears from his eyes. Dan imitated a bow, which only made Phil laugh more. His laugh was infectious, and soon, both men were giggling like children.

After a few more moments of merriness, the men had calmed down enough to have a civilized conversation. "So, what are you going to do about Tess?" Phil ventured.

"I dunno." Dan shrugged. "I tried breaking up with her, but I'm not quite sure she believes me."

"How can she not believe you?" Phil scoffed. "It's simple, really. You said that you wanted to end the relationship, and now she's single." Dan chuckled.

"I don't think she understands the part where she's single." was his sarcastic reply. As the unlikely friends continued to talk, Phil realized that he could feel a tingly warmth spreading through his body. "Are you okay?" Dan asked concerned. Phil smiled and told him to continue, but wasn't paying as much attention as he had been before.

The last time he had felt anything similar to this was when he was with Nathan. When I was happy. Phil realized that he was getting closer and closer to the younger man. But I can't get close to him. He'll hurt me, just like Nathan did.

"Phil?" Dan asked, cocking his head to the side.

"Sorry, what?" he replied quickly, his face turning a dark shade of red.

"I was wondering if maybe we could exchange addresses? Maybe we could hang out sometime?" Dan stammered. "I mean, only if you'd like to-"

Say no. Don't get close to him. He'll just hurt you.

"I'd love to."

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just to let you guys know, this is also on my wattpad, jackmarkdanandphil. you should check it out there, and leave a vote!

don't forget to comment, dudes! i love comments!