Phil's POV

Mum and Dad arrived at our flat the next weekend as promised. They asked me a thousand questions, but showered me in love. It felt great, honestly.

"Are you sore?" Mum asked. "Want me to make you some tea? How about dinner, can I help with that?"

"No, I'm fine, Mum, really!" I said, hugging her."Dan's been taking care of everything."

"Oh, that's nice! He's such a lovely friend, don't you think?"

"Yeah."

Dan was in the room. He was there when she came in, and I didn't heard him leave.

"Mrs. Lester," he said, "Can I get you anything?"

"Oh no, not for me thank you, dear. Honey, do you want anything?"

"Oh no thanks," my dad said.

My Mum inspected me and made sure I was okay a thousand times over. She updated me on the family and how everyone's been so worried for me. I told her to let them know that they don't have to worry.

"Well," she said, "I just wanted to make sure you were doing alright. Is it hard? Not being able to see?"

"I guess so," I answered. "It's hard to get around, but I've got enough help."

"Do you use the blind cane?"

"No, not really."

"Then... how do you get around?"

"Well, Dan's been helping me. I'm getting better at it."

"Good, good."

Conversation like this went on for a long time as we caught up. Dan left the lounge to go begin making dinner for us. I listened to his steps to the kitchen, rushed and quick. I hoped he was okay.

"Guys," Dan called, "we're out of milk. I think I'll run and get some."

"Are you sure you want to go out?" my dad offered. "I could go and get some for you."

"No," he said. "Thank you, though. I'll go out.I'll be back in a few minutes."

"Alright," he said, and turned back to me. "So Phil, is it harder to make your videos now? Is there anything we can do to help?"

I listened to the door close.

"Phil?"

"Oh, well, sometimes, yes, but again, with Dan's help, it's not too bad, really."

As soon as he was gone, my Mum put her hand on mine. "Phil." she said. "What's new, really?"

"What?"

"With Dan?"

"What about Dan?"

"Is he alright?"

"Yeah. I mean, I feel bad about making him have to help me so often, but I think he's fine."

"Has he been different with you lately?"

"I guess not. Why do you ask?"

"This might sound offensive," she said, "but I'm your Mum, so listen to me. I wish you could see the way he looks at you."

"What do you mean?"

"He's so... what's the word? Tentative? I suppose. Maybe more protective. He looks at you differently now. I mean, I thought he looked at you lovingly before, but now.... It's different."

I was confused. "Mum, what are you talking about?"

"He loves you," my father got to the point.

"Dan? No, I don't think so."

"Well you can't see his eyes," my Mum continued."There's something special behind them."

Why were they doing this? It seemed almost cruel. "That's silly, of course Dan doesn't love me. I mean, we're just really close. He's just trying to help me."

"It seems a lot more than that," my dad laughed, being supportive.

"The question is," Mum said, tapping my hand with her fingers, "do you love him?"

"Mum, please," I said. "It's crazy. He's just being a good friend. Dan is not in love with me."

"Okay, let's say he doesn't love you. That sounds fake, but okay."

How long has she been on the internet going through memes and quotes and stuff?

"So even if he doesn't, do you love him?"

"Don't you think you're being unrealistic?" I said.

"Answer me, or I'll answer for you." I heard a soft chuckle under her breath and I realized: Mum ships it.

Even though I wore shaded glasses to hide my eyes, and I've become amazing at keeping things to myself, she could snoop anything out of me. She would interrogate until she was satisfied that I was telling the truth. I didn't have much of a choice. I dropped my head, and put my fingers over hers. She already knew.

"Maybe."

Dan's POV

I ran out at the first opportunity. Truthfully, I knew we were out of milk for days; I just didn't want to leave to get some. I used it now as an escape.

I just needed a little time alone. Mrs. Lester was staring at me for a while before I had noticed. She caught me looking at Phil, just wondering if he was telling the truth about being perfectly fine. I remembered holding him as he shook in the middle ofthe night, afraid to sleep and wake up alone. I payed for the milk and left quickly, both wanting to get back and wanting to stay in the fresh air.

When I came back, Mrs. Lester announced my return for Phil. He smiled softly and I put the milk away. I began to cook for the family, not entirely sure what I was doing. I wasn't a bad cook,I was just so lost in thought.

"Dan," Mrs. Lester called, "want some help in there?"

I really did. My focus was bleak. "Sure, thank you."

We were out of range from the lounge. Phil's father stayed with him.

"So Dan," she said, confidently taking over the meal. "Is it hard to have to take care of Phil?"

"Well, no, I guess not. I just do it."

"You're a very good friend," she said. "I'm glad that my son met a boy like you."

I was just hoping I wasn't blushing. "Thank you, ma'am."

"Don't be so polite," she said casually. "I'm not the Queen, you know. I've known you for years."

I laughed quietly, trying to loosen up.

"How do you feel," she said randomly, "you know, about Phil?"

I looked at her. "What do you mean?"

"Well," she put down whatever she was doing to put a hand on my tall shoulder, and looked at me. "With the whole disability thing, has it changed you? Or him?"

"No," I said bluntly. "I don't think so."

"Well I didn't mean in a bad way. Maybe in a more positive way?"

"Mrs. Lester, I still don't understand."

She got closer to me and smiled. Just smiled. "It's ok, Dan."

And that was it. She continued cooking.

"I know you're Phil's best friend," she said at last, "and whatever happens happens. I was only commenting on the way you look at him and the way he searches for you," she said dreamily, almost to herself. "It's lovely, really."

"What do you mean 'the way I look at him?'"

"Oh, Dan, the look in your eyes when someone calls his name or tries to take his attention from you. Don't you feel the way you look?"

What? I thought I was blushing, either because I was onto her or I was embarrassed.

"Be honest, do you feel anything for Phil?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Sure you do."

Sure I did. But how do I tell his mother that? "I mean, I see Phil as someone really important to me, if that's what you mean. I promise he's in good hands with me."

"Shall I cut to the chase or let you figure it out?"

"What?"

"Do you love Phil?"

Why was she asking me this? Did Phil tell her something? "No."

"Dan."

It was true that she was smarter than I was. I couldn't lie to her. "Maybe. Is that... a problem? Do you not approve of me?"

"Of course I do. I love you like my son. I just wanted to be sure."

I smiled. "Well, thank you. But can you please not tell Phil this? He doesn't know, and I don't really want to tell him. At least for now."

She grinned. "Alright, safe with me."

"Can I ask, why were you asking me this?"

"Can a mother not ask the best friend of her son a simple question?"

She stopped answering me. We continued to cook together. She asked nothing else, and answered nothing else. Something was up with her.