Dan wonders how art would be without sadness. It seems so much beauty is created by a depressed mind. He thinks about what his life would be like without some of the most beautiful poems written by a hand wanting to die. Dan wonders if that's why people enjoy his art. Because he is sad. Because when he is sad all he can do is pick up a paintbrush and hope the bright colors fills the cracks in his heart.

He ponders that a lot. Maybe then if these people did get help they would then create happy art? Poems written about skies of grey replaced with the joy of sprouting flowers. Maybe no poems would be created at all. That the real poetry would be in the way they truly smile and how their eyes roll back as they laugh.

But Dan is never as successful with a mind full of happy. It all seems... sloppy. Like a false curtain hiding the real emotions Dan feels.

Because everyone knows that there is no feeling like sadness. There is no amount of joy that could compare to the heart shattering, soul crushing feeling of sadness. The dark looming sickness of sadness that seems to follow many artists through life. Dan just wants everyone happy.

Certainly others would too?

Dan peels away from his thoughts and returns to reality.

The dark sky is heavy with rain, no one would dare venture out to get coffee on a day like today.

Rain pounds on the glass and Dan has to squint his eyes to see past a foot of the outside.

These days are not uncommon but when they happen people tend to curl up in their homes. Dan was more than okay with that.

He got to spend some time with Phil. Phil who happens to be about five minutes late. Feeling lonely he just wishes his co-worker would show up.

Hearing thumping echo through the building Dan sees Phil running down the stairs.

Dan greets Phil with a smile and Phil returns it.

"The weather is terrible." Phil pauses to look out the window so Dan is faced with only his back. He shoves his hands into his pocket and turns to face Dan, "is there actually going to be anyone coming in today?"

"I highly doubt it."  Dan says and jumps onto the counter crossing his legs.

"That's cool."  Phil smiles and jumps onto the counter to face Dan.

"Yeah."  Dan nods and looks into Phil's ocean eyes.  They're wet with waves that tumble around in his orbs.  They clash together sending ripples of green and blue to toss about.  There seems to be a sun in his eyes because flickers of yellow are casted out onto the sea, "please tell me about yourself."

Phil looks down and picks at his jeans, "of course you'd ask that." 

"I mean- I'm sorry to bombard you like that but I can't not ask."  Dan tries to meet Phil's eyes again but they are lost under his hair. 

"I told you.  I came from upper north and I just want to start over." Phil doesn't look up, "I didn't like the way things played out there and I don't feel like sharing." 

"I understand that but tell me more about yourself."  Dan inched closer to him, "you're more than your story." 

Phil finally shows his face, "what do you want to know?"

"His old are you?"  Dan starts, "I'm eighteen."

"Nineteen."  Phil smiled at Dan.

"Favorite flower." 

"Uh- maybe like a daisy?"  Phil nods, "yes, daisies."

"Rose.  I like classic I guess."  Dan thinks for a moment, "favorite band."

"Muse."  Phil blurts right away.

"I like them but I think I'd have to go with Bahamas."

"Never heard of them." 

"That's crazy. You should give them a listen."

"I will." Phil nods, "what's your favorite color?"

"Black."

"That's quite boring." Phil laughs.

"Well what's a non-boring color? Silver?"

"I don't know." Phil shakes his head, "my favorite color is blue so that's pretty generic as well."

"Yeah." Dan shoves his shoulder playfully, "do you want to go to college?"

"Maybe." Phil's eyes search the room, perhaps he is thinking about what words he is going to string together, "I would like to. I just don't know what I'd spend so much money on."

"I do." Dan nods, "I want to major in art of some kind and then maybe get a practical minor."

"What's a practical minor for you?"

"Teaching. Or at least that's what I'm thinking now. That way I can still be around art."

"I can't imagine you teaching." Phil's hands drag over his pants.

"You don't know me enough to say that."

"I know you enough to say it'd be weird for someone to call you Mr. Howell."

"Why do you think you know me so much and I feel lost when it comes to you?" Dan asks.

"Because you opened up so easily." Phil shrugs, "And I'm pretty good at reading people."

"Really?" Dan crosses his arms in disbelief, "tell me something about myself I didn't tell you."

"Well I can't read your favorite food if that's what your implying." Phil laughs, "I'm not a mind reader. But I can tell you're not very happy."

Dan lets his arms fall, "why do you say that?"

"Because you're so attached to the people who work here. Because you told me you didn't have any friends and I kinda figured the rest out. I mean, come on- I just moved here and all you want to do is get to know me. A happy person wouldn't dig around for a new friend."

"Are you saying i'm desperate for friends because I find that very rude." Dan snaps even though he knows it's true.

"No." Phil said in a calm voice, "you could get friends if you wanted to. Obviously, you're a very nice person. You just chose to surround yourself with people you think are fit for your life."

"And you got all of that from working with me for three days?"

"Am I right though?"

Defeated Dan sighs, "pretty much I guess."

Phil nods and leans back so he is balancing himself with his hands.

"Now you have to tell me something about yourself." Dan begs, "since you know, you just figured out my entire existence."

"You want to know something?" Phil asks.

"Yes." Dan nods.

"I don't let people in." Phil leans forward again, "that's why you confuse me. You want to be in my business so bad and I don't entirely hate the idea." Phil pauses, "I went through a lot of shit Dan. People don't like to know the dirty details so why do you?"

"Curiosity." Dan shrugs.

"That's obviously not the only reason."

"Maybe because you're interesting. And I think you're cool and I kinda figured you don't let people in so I want you to know you can let me in?"

"Why would I let you in though?" Phil asks, "I've known you for not even a week."

"You said it yourself. You don't hate the idea of me knowing stuff."

"This could go on forever." Phil shakes his head, "maybe I'll tell you later."

"How much later?" Dan asks.

"I don't know, Dan."

The weather breaks their conversation as lightening flashes through the sky making a large rumbling sound.

"This is ridiculous." Phil jumps off of the counter, "we shouldn't be working."

"Lenny won't mind if we close up early." Dan slides off of the counter watching the rain fall harder with every passing minute.

"You're not going to be able to get home walking in this weather." Phil shakes his head, "where are you parents."

"Out of town." Dan lies. He doesn't want Phil to know they're too self obsessed to put down their technology and grab their son.

"I have a couch." Phil takes off his apron and tosses it in the break room, "a very old uncomfortable couch but it'll do."

"Okay." Dan says with a straight face while his stomach twists with excitement.

"Do you have school in the morning?" Phil asks.

"Yeah, hopefully the rain will calm down by then." Dan replies and places his apron on a table.

"Okay, come on." Phil mumbles and walks up the stairs.

An: still sick. Still on spring break. Still have tons of time to write so..