I obviously don't own Britannia High.

Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed, they really make my day! This will eventually become a Claudine/Jez story, but not until at least chapter 4.

Danny awoke to the sound of Claudine singing. He sighed. It was the start of school and he was going to be assigned a dance partner. If he had Lauren again he would have to change class. Sure that would probably hurt her feelings, but it was better than her being near him every day. That would give him more of a chance to hurt her, and there was no doubt in his mind that he would manage it. He changed very quickly and went down the stairs as fast as he could. He was greeted by Jez and BB.

"Hey man, you OK now I mean you got up pretty suddenly last night. Lauren nearly had a heart attack with worry." Danny sighed. Even when he was trying not to hurt her he still managed it.

"Yeah, I'm alright. I was just really shaken last night," Danny replied. He tensed as he heard footsteps coming down the stairs. It was only Claudine.

"You Okay babe?" she asked. She was already dressed ready for school.

"Yeah, I'm fine, you ready to go? I need to go see Anna before class." he asked her.

"Yeah, sure you don't want to wait for Lauren? I mean, you two normally walk together." Danny shrugged and started to walk off.

"Things change." Claudine shot Jez and BB a worried glance before walking after Danny.

It wasn't long before Lauren came down.

"Where's Danny?" asked Lauren to Lola.

"He went with Claudine this morning," she said. Lauren walked off, secretly hurt. Why was Danny ignoring her? What could have possibly happened in the holidays? Had he met another girl? She winced at this thought. It was like Claudine all over again. She didn't want to say she didn't want him, but what else could she do?

When Danny got to school he went straight too see Anna over the issues of dance partners. She was drinking a coffee when he found her.

"Danny! Classes don't start for another half an hour," she said surprised.

"Well, I need to speak to you. Have you got the list of dance partners yet?" he asked hopefully. She didn't say a word; she just gave him the list with a roll of her eyes. He scanned the list:

Claudine and BB

Lola and Jez

Stef and Matt

Lauren and Danny

He sighed, of course. Of all the girls in the school. He had to be paired with her.

"We paired you with Lauren as you two work so well together…" He cut her off.

"I need a new partner. I can't work with Lauren for personal reasons. You let me swap last year."

"No, you can't swap. The rules are different this year, you can't change," she said.

"I could talk to Matt. I like Stef and I'm sure he wouldn't mind. They see each other enough anyway," he said desperately.

"Matt wouldn't trade his girlfriend in for anything, you know that," she replied. "What's happened between you and Lauren? I thought you were friends?"

"We are. It's just she doesn't want to get back with me. I mean, I understand that. I've hurt her so much, but I love her and I want to distance myself before I hurt more. Or before I hurt her again, as that's all I seem to do," he said tears flowing down his face.

"I understand your pain, but I can't change the rules. You need to try and get over her. It will hurt, but it's that or you loose her forever." At that she got up and escorted him to the door. All he could hear were her words ringing in his head. 'Loose her forever,'he couldn't bear that. He made his way towards dance class. If he spent time with her would he get over her or would he fall deeper in love? He gritted his teeth and walked through the door. He managed to avoid seeing her straight away as he had to see Stefan about his head and knee.

When that conversation was over he forced a smile over his frown and turned to see her. There she was in all her glory. He was falling in love all over again.

'Oh no,' he thought.