Phil reads a story to Maxwell as I toss a ball back and forth with Maya. Maya and Maxwell are the children I babysit.
"Why did you bring Phil?," Maya asks, catching the ball and placing it on the ground.
"Phil wanted to help me watch Max and you," I reply.
"Is Phil your friend?," Maya asks.
I nod.
"Is Phil your best friend?"
Phil's listening now.
"Phil and I just met, but yes, he is my best friend," I confirm. Phil turns away.
"My best friend's name is Aniyah," Maya says. "Our names rhyme!"
"That's cool," I say.
Maxwell darts over to me. "Danny, Phil read me a story! I think I'm a mermaid like the woman in the book now," he says, giggling. "I'm really good at swimming. Mummy has been taking Maya and me to the pool. I don't want it to close."
"I'm happy to hear that you've found something that you're good at, Max."
"Thanks, Danny! You should bring Phil every time."
"Oh, I don't know if Phil can come every time, Max."
"I'll come with Dan to watch you and Maya every time," Phil promises.
"Yay!," Maxwell exclaims.
Phil picks up Maxwell and tickles him. He giggles as Phil sets him back down.
"Phil, you don't have to babysit with me every time," I say once Maxwell has left.
"Aw, Dan, it's okay."
"It's a shame that you're not as good with plants as you are with kids," I joke.
Phil laughs.
The doorbell rings, and I open the door for the kids' mum.
"Thank you so much, boys."
"Mummy, Phil's gonna come every time!," Maxwell exclaims.
"Aw, Max, that's great. Dan definitely can use the help. Twins are certainly a handful. Thank you, Phil."
Phil smiles. "No problem."
"See you tomorrow, boys," the twins' mother says.
"Goodbye," Phil and I say before we return to the car.
"Those kids are so cute," Phil says.
"I know right."
"Are you ready to party?"
I sigh. "I'm ready to drink until I'm unable to remember those kids."
"I better monitor you," Phil says, pulling out of the driveway.
***
Phil and I are immediately offered drinks as we enter the house.
"No thank you," Phil says. "Dan and I are okay."
"Actually, I'll have a beer," I say.
The guy hands me a beer, and Phil and I sit down on the couch. I chug down the bittersweet beverage.
"Dan, please watch yourself," Phil pleads.
"Why does it bother you?"
"I want you to be in control."
YOU ARE READING
Touch ☞☜ Phan
FanfictionDan Howell is capable of identifying the relationship a person has with somebody simply by touching the bare skin of each of the individuals. By using his fingertips, the teenager is able to find out the feelings that the people have for each other...
