Chapter 2 – Changes

Phil's POV

It was now a few days after Dan's arrival. It was known that he was cool, yet he didn't have a group or any friends to hang out with. Many hopeful souls had asked, pleaded even, but had just been turned down. And if the cool kids couldn't earn their respect with him, for me it was virtually impossible. As much as I wanted to approach Dan, and actually talk to him, I couldn't. Part of the reason was that I was truly afraid of how he'd react and what he'd think of me, but the other part was that it wouldn't be normal. Though it isn't visible to anybody, it's like there's an invisible barrier surrounding me, shutting me in and blocking everyone else out. Ever since pre-school I'd learn to live with that burden, but now, all I wanted to do was tear it down.

It was Thursday lunchtime, and like every lunch time, I was sitting alone, round the back of the main building. No one ever came here so I thought of it as my secret spot, away from general human interaction and socially awkward moments. Today something changed. I was in the middle of a drawing; it was of a majestic lion standing against his enemies, when I heard a remark from behind me.

"That's really good. You're Phil aren't you?" Dan sat down next to me as I desperately tried to pull myself together, it wasn't working.

"Er yeah, you must be Dan," Quickly I realised how creepy that sounded so I continued with my sentence. "You're in my form, I recognise you from when Mr Davison introduced you."

"That's me!" He smiled a genuine smile, one full of warmth and happiness. "Excuse me for asking but why are you sitting out here instead of with your friends." I was tempted to play it cool and pretend that I just came out here to draw, but for some reason, with Dan I just couldn't.

"Because I always sit out here. I have no friends in there." I indicated to the lunch hall. "They just regard me as a depressed smart kid who has no social standing." I winced at the bare truth but I knew there was no avoiding it.

"I can't see for the life of me why nobody wants you as a friend." Dan said, looking me straight in the eyes.

"I beg your pardon." I stammered, slightly startled by his response. If it was anyone else they would've left this weirdo by now.

"Well, you're smart, handsome, unique and funny." He replied. I searched his face for any signs of sarcasm but there was none, and I could tell that my face was a picture because he started to laugh, but for the first time ever he wasn't laughing at me, he was laughing with me.

"So why, out of everyone, did you decide to talk to me?" I asked, half curious and half just loving talking to my biggest crush.

"Because everyone else is normal and boring, you're unique and you aren't afraid to be different." He brushed his fringe away from his eyes so gracefully and beautifully I thought that I may actually faint. With one last look in the eyes, Dan got up and walked off. Maybe my life was finally starting to change.