Summertime - 4

Yay chapter 4! So you mave have already noticed I switched it all to 3rd person, I just can't write 1st person anymore, it feels wrong. Also this chapter is short cause I wanted to get it out of the way. I'm excited for the next few chapters :) (and this song slaps, listen if wanna be blessed)

♤

cats, dogs & rats

Sleep didn't seem like an option, he was floating in and out of the torturous space between asleep and awake and it was exhausting. That was until the creaking of the old cabin door interrupted the quiet state of daze. At this point, he thought it was best not to continue the back and forth between rest.

Phil was trying to be as silent as possible, the floorboards having other ideas, squeaking as their life depended on it. Eventually, though, he made it to the cold doorknob, twisting until it unlatched just enough to push it open slowly, the effort of not making noise more predominant in his mind.

And there sat Dan, the night air crisp and cold for August, but there were few clouds, Phil noticed as he looked up, perfect for star-gazing, and that's what he assumed Dan was doing at this unknown hour of time- or perhaps he was out for the same reason as Phil, plaguing insomnia. There was something serene about the boy in front of him, something  Phil never noticed before.

The atmosphere felt lonely in this little bubble, almost palpable as it glided smoothly over Phil like ice-cold water. These feelings were ineffable, the look of moonbeams curled in Dan's hair was the same, but maybe it was time to stop staring yet for a moment, Phil wanted to know more, to ask why he sat under the stars and why he felt so lonely, even if he knew the answer to the latter.

He turned, and maybe there was a gentle shift in the steady breeze, or perhaps Dan had known Phil was standing there all along, but when the boy turned his head and Phil's body made its way to the door, their eyes connected for a split second. Curiosity killed the cat.

This time, sleep was kind, letting Phil's eyes slip shut because the universe was a little interested, anticipating the morning exchange. It was disappointed with it, and maybe that's why it stopped listening in.

Surprisingly, Phil woke up on time, just as Pj was about to walk out the door. "Morning," Phil said offhandedly followed by a yawn, Pj reciprocated with a smile before leaving. Phil could soon tell why, as Chris's snoring finally ed with him. Unaware if Dan was in the cabin or not, and with Chris sound asleep, he decided he'd just change there.

Once that was over with, the raven-haired boy made a swift exit out of the room, just in case someone else woke up, and he felt like he needed to have a re-discussion with Louise.

The rotted doors were once again pulled open and held in place by two blocks of wood in much better condition. The metal grates blocking off the kitchen had been lifted, granting access to the breakfast of an egg, a piece of toast, and a slab of what you couldn't quite call a sausage patty. Apparently, they had pancakes on Mondays and Fridays, so that was worth it, Phil guessed.

Once the strangely wet tray with food that looked slightly off was secure in his grip, Phil meandered over to table seven, where Louise and Pj were seated.

"Louise, does Dan like stargazing?"

"What do you mean?" She responded around a mouth full of something tinged pink.

"Last night, I saw him sitting outside looking up at the sky. So does he like doing that or did I stumble upon a one-time thing?" He thought this was the best way to get some inkling of information, through a fake interest in the other's interests.

"Or he just likes the nighttime. I know he has a spot he likes to slink off to." There were a few seconds of silence as Chris appeared at the table and threw himself into Pj's lap. The conversation then resumed.

"Where is it?" Phil inquired because if Dan returns to that spot, Phil might have the courage to talk. Everything was easier at night, the stress of repercussion in the morning wasn't present most of the time, the stars washing those feelings away.

Louise narrowed her eyes at Phil, eyeing him up and down before shrugging. "Ask Dan." This time Phil decided he could throw away his pride.

"Louise, I'm scared to talk to Dan, and I'm trying to be his friend and I don't think I can manage a decent conversation if I don't know any of his interests or stuff he likes to talk about." He spouted.

"He likes to play piano."