(Phil's POV)

I walked out of the café with more worry and stress than when I walked in. Dan had managed to ease my worries slightly, but just when I was distracted the text popped up.

Martyn: Where are you? Mum's worried and you won't answer her

Yes, Martyn was back in he made things 10 times worse at home. I was in my room when the ring from the doorbell rang repeatedly in my aching head.

First I heard mumbles, only able to make out a few words like "surprise" and "how are you". I thought it was one of my mums' friends or for her sisters but I just when I was about to open my door I heard his name.

I quickly locked my door in rust in my closet in search of a backpack. I had to leave. Every time Martyn came over I stayed away from the house as much as I could be. I was at Chris's house most of the time. My mum would tell my dad that it was for a school project or it was already planned and he believed her. He always believed her.

I starred the stuff things into my bag, my house key, wallet, phone charger, pull over – almost everything that laid on my bed. But I wasn't fast enough. I had a knock at the door and it became harder to breathe.

"Hey Phil," I hear my Dad's voice boom through the door, "why don't you come out and have a chat with us. Surely you don't have another school project to do." He lingered at the words come out and that's when I knew he knew.

"Now is not the best time," I stumbled over my words, trying to relearn how to breathe.

"It'll only be a minute," he was going to beat me, with words or actions or both. I can tell he's already been drinking, but he wasn't drunk completely.

"No," I answered while zipping up my backpack and heading to the window.

"No? Did you just tell me no?" He jiggled the doorknob and yelled, "unlock this door right now –" and that's when I shut my window. I was out.

I've climbed out of my window many times before but never for reasons like this. Reasons to just get some fresh air or to see the stars at night, nothing bad.

I started to run. I know he heard the window slam shut, it would only be a matter of time before he was in the front yard, searching for me. I didn't stop when I heard him scream from the front door. I didn't stop when the neighbors stuck their heads out to see but were happening. I just kept running.

I stopped once I reached the park I was at the night before. My heart was beating very fast and my phone would not stop dinging. It was my Mum, I knew that I needed to tell her that I was all right, but the want to disappear was stronger. So I did the unthinkable and blocked her from my phone.

Once I was able to breathe normally I started to walk down the street, the setting sun to my back when I noticed the little café across the street. Not the same one but on the other side. It was better than sitting on a park bench, at least it would be warmer.

I quickly walked across the street and into the café, do you see it in the back. I was lost in thought and I heard a voice, Dan's voice.

Not too long after I had an espresso in my hand and real smile – the first real smile that I've had all day. Of course, everything had to crumble on top of me right then and there. Martyn had to text me. Of course, my mum was worried, but maybe it was time to see her again. I say it like it's been years when really it's only been hours.

I left Dan and soon after the other Dan Kiked me.

DanShouldbeonfire: Hey.

I smiled and answered. I was almost 100% sure that's there two Dan's were the same person, but the chance that they didn't have a connection was still there.

PhiltheAmazing: Hi. How was work?

DanShouldbeonfire: Fine, it would have been better if I didn't have to talk to people but oh well, at least I'm getting paid.

PhiltheAmazing: Yeah

DanShouldbeonfire: So how was your day?

PhiltheAmazing It could have been better but it could have been worse, you know?

DanShouldbeonfire: Do you want to talk about it?

PhiltheAmazing: I don't want to be a bother and I don't really know you.

DanShouldbeonfire: You won't be a bother but you do have a point.

I was halfway home before I texted Martyn back.

Phil: Is dad home?

Martyn: No, he's at a pub I think

Phil: Tell mum I'll be home in a minute

Martyn: And I didn't tell Dad about it, I promise

Phil: Sure.

Martyn: I'm telling the truth

Phil: stop lying to me, I get it, you hate me because of the people I like. I didn't choose to be hated by you or to lose friends because of this. It hurts me more when you lie to me, so stop it.

I put my phone into my pocket, ignoring all of the frantic buzzing that came from it, and kept walking. Once I was in sight of my house I saw my mum on the front porch, crying with Martyn at her side.

"Philip!" My mom scrambled to her feet once she saw me and pulled me into a big embrace, "Don't ever do that again, do you hear me?"

I nodded, tears in my eyes like hers, "I know, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

"You need to go," she said after pulling away from me. She looked me dead in the eyes, she looked like a mess and I didn't want to leave her. I went to protest, but I knew me leaving would be best for both of us.

"I'll watch her," Martyn pipped in.

"You have no choice," I said while giving him a cold glare.

"Philip, you need to go, we don't know when he'll get back."

I nodded to my mom and pushed past my brother to get into the house to get some clothes for the next few days.

My mom was in the living room when I was leaving, she was still crying and wouldn't look at me. I knew it wasn't because she hated me, she just couldn't handle it, but it still hurt.

And, without another word, I was out of the house.

~Time Skip~

"What, Dans' house?"

I was sitting on a bench two blocks away from my house talking to Chris. who I couldn't stay with. He had family over. I asked about P.J but he was over there too, for some reason. I had no one else to turn to, so he suggested Dan.

"You heard what I said," he said firmly.

"But I don't know him!"

"Yes, you do!"

"Not really."

"At least he's not a total stranger!"

"What difference does that make?"

I sighed, frustrated with my life, obviously ready to give up and just be homeless.

"I promise he's a good kid, and if he does kill you, you can haunt me in your afterlife."

"It's better than sleeping on a bench."

"That's the spirit! Now let me just text him."

"So you were just going to send me to someone's house without them knowing?"

"Dan will be fine with it!"

"What about his parents? What will they say?"

"Dan lives alone."

"Oh," and that's when I felt like a total jerk, for some odd reason.

"I'll send you his address to his apartment, he said okay."

I knew it was a lie but I wasn't going to argue at that point.

"Okay, and thank you so much, Chris."

"Don't mention it, but the next time I see your dad or Martyn I'm going to punch them square in the face."

"Sure you will, and then you'll fly to Neverland."

"I'm serious!"

"Okay Chris, bye."

"Bye-bye!"

And then there was a beep.

Dan, a person I barely know but I'm going to stay with him. What? What if he kills me, or rapes me? What if he's a horrible person, even worse, what if he's homophobic. Worse, what if he's even cuter then he already is and homophobic?

And as the 'what ifs' popped up my phone buzzed, Dans' address.

So that's when I got up and walked away from the bench and questions and on to Dans' house.

It was probably the best thing I could have done.

Hello!! I'm sorry, but here you go!! By the way, I do not mean by anything that ALL homeless people are 'good for nothing', some of them are but some of them aren't. Yeah... sorry 'bout that. Anyways, until next time!! Bye!