DISCLAIMER: I own no rights to Cirque Du Freak or any of the characters in it

A/N: Set after Darren was blooded but before he went to the cirque. A couple of days after the freak show. Oh and in Darren's POV. Mix of the books and the film.

SUMMARY: How could I tell him the truth about what I really was? This was the hardest thing that I had ever had to do and I was dreading it. Maybe maths lessons are good times to tell the truth. Bad summary I know but please read it

TITLE: The hardest thing

~D~A~R~R~E~N~~S~H~A~N~

I was not looking forward to today. It was a Monday morning and I had gotten hardly any sleep last night thanks to Annie and her dolls. She came in asking if I would play dolls with her because she couldn't sleep so I spent three hours listening to Ken and Barbie vacationing in Malibu. I wasn't even sure if Malibu was a real place or a made up one. Reluctantly I pushed the school doors open to be greeted by a grinning Steve. Steve was my best friend and I could tell him everything…well almost everything. I hadn't told him that I was a half vampire yet and wasn't sure if I was going to. After what happened a couple of nights ago at the theatre I wasn't sure if I could look at him the same way ever again. He had asked to be a half vampire and I had over heard. I was shocked and ashamed and yet here I am with vampire blood in my veins. We mainly called Steve, Steve leopard instead of Leonard. We didn't know why but it was just a habit.

"Hey Darren, why have you been ignoring me?" I looked at him wide eyed and thought of a good excuse. What could I say exactly? I was a half vampire and living his dream for him whilst he couldn't? No, I wasn't gonna say that obviously.

"I haven't been ignoring you." it was the simplest answer that clearly pointed out that I in fact had been blocking him out and pushing him away. "Look Steve, it's complicated and I just can't tell you right now. I need to think it over then I'll tell you tomorrow." I said, kicking myself inside my head. Why had I said that? He was sure to wanna know now. All I could do was wait for a reaction and grin it away.

"Okay then, don't worry about it dude." He smiled then led me to maths class. Mr Dalton was ill so we had Miss Smithe. She was horrible and it was no wonder that she was a miss. Who would marry a witch like her? Steve was annoyed and slumped down on his chair. He loved having Mr Dalton because he could get away with murder…well maybe not murder but you know what I mean.

"Okay Class so today we will learn about Algebra. What is…" Steve whispered in my ear as the teacher turned to face us.

"Boring…I hate Algebra. Ha-ha, she looks so fat in that dress." I couldn't control my laughter as Miss Smithe was fuming with anger.

"If you think I look so big in this dress then maybe you should go outside, you too Mr Shan." Steve shrugged then pulled open the door as I followed him into the corridor. Now I could get it all put in the open.

"Steve, I have something to tell you…" He nodded and faced me with curious eyes. "Well, I…umm I… I have new pants on." I exclaimed before I could think about it. He burst out in hysterics and pounded the wall in laughter.

"I noticed and they're lovely Darren they really are but why do I need to know that." Oh yeah, I did have new pants on but that wasn't the important thing here.

"No there's something else as well. I…I'm a…" Before I could finish, Steve interrupted with a chuckle.

"Lemme guess, you have a new shirt too?" I shook my head with aggravation, wishing that he would just let me speak.

"No Steve! I'm a half-vampire okay?" I didn't want to shout but I had to otherwise he'd just keep interrupting me. He fell silent and stared at me with his sparkly eyes. "Say something please." I begged in a soft tone.

"What do you want me to say? Whoop-d-doo, cause I'm not going to Darren." I nodded and wished that I hadn't mentioned it.

"Are you okay?" I asked with a concerned expression. He shrugged and blinked. He was blinking back tears. Were they tears of jealousy or tears because he didn't want me to go? I wasn't sure anymore. "Steve c'mon, you're still my best friend and you always will be. Weather I'm a half vampire or not I'll still care about you and you know that." He looked up at me again, this time with joy.

"You mean that?" I smiled and nodded as we peered into the classroom of bored children. Then we turned to see Mr Kersey behind us. "Hey Mr K." Steve grinned but his grin fell when he saw the angry expression.

"Mr Leonard, Mr Shan what'cha got for me here? Spying on a class, I'll see you at break for detention today and tomorrow. Tomorrow because you were talking." He strolled back down the corridor after giving us our detention slips and disappeared into a maths room. Detention would suck but at least I'd be there with my best friend Steve Leopard. When the coast was clear, we burst out into uncontrollable laughter as the bell sounded loudly and the class poured out of the room.

"That was the best maths lesson ever!" Steve chuckled and looked down at the detention slip.

"You're tellin' me; well we should go to Mr Kersey now." I rolled my eyes as we started for his office and Steve did the same.

A/N: Well, you read the story, now press that little review button and type something nice in. ^_^ Thank you!!