2.
Steve goes through the next month as normal. Things get better with Michelle briefly due to heavy workloads and excessive workouts providing some time away. But now, with the academic workload steadier, and football practices back to their normal schedule, they're having more time together, and Steve knows that he needs to end it, because frankly, it's not fair on either of them to keep going like this.
It's not until a month after Danny's first day at Kukui that they see each other again. Danny is minding his own business, making his way down the corridor to his locker as someone shoves into him. Now, Danny has a temper on him, but he's not out on a suicide mission. He turns to find three football players, all staring him down with matching steely gazes, clenching their muscles in a way that is, frankly, laughable. He doesn't laugh though, he just stays silent as they stalk a little closer, muttering various insults concerned with his height and his new status on the baseball team, before finally moving to the topic that they clearly have the most fun with; his hair. He makes a quick plan to go get it cut this afternoon, because his mother hates it, and really, when Danny himself isn't so attached to it, why give them the ammunition?
Steve is striding down the corridor, a place where he's somehow managed not to see the guy the past four weeks, when he sees Danny standing at his locker. Steve is pretty sure that he hasn't noticed yet, but they're in the same Math class, and he's noticed the ribbing he still gets on occasion, remembers all the haole jokes himself. Kids can be mean in high school.
It's not until this point that Danny finally begins a retaliation, only to feel a strong hand touch his shoulder, briefly. Before he can turn to look, McGarrett is staring down the three team mates with a steely gaze of his own, though this one seems to have the magnitude of three times that of the goons. Steve just waits for the moment that they'll retreat, intimidated by the authority he has over them as captain of the football team. In truth, he thinks Danny honestly seems to be handling himself pretty well; keeping relatively quiet, relaxed posture showing he's not really afraid. In fact, the glare would be enough to put them off, had they not been on the receiving end of Steve's for the past two years.
The three mutter some semblance of an apology, stalking back down the corridor with apologetic grimaces as McGarrett finally turns to Danny with a small smirk of an apology swiftly wiping that previous expression away from his face. "Sorry about that, the two teams don't get along all that well here, too much rivalry." It's true, and arguably, it's his team's fault. Most of the guys seem to resent the attention that baseball gets - albeit occasional - with football being the primary sport on the island…besides surfing. And whether he knows it or not, the arrival of Williams has attracted more attention for the baseball team than it's had over the course of the past five years.
"You don't say," Danny mutters, and he runs a hand through his hair as he glances down at the hand that Steve is offering him, and Steve can just tell that the guy is pissed off.
"Steve McGarrett," he offers, arm outstretched, open smile in the attempt to befriend the guy, because seeing him again - face to face - has reminded him how intrigued he was at their first meeting.
"Danny Williams," he replies, shaking the hand before turning to his locker. The intrigue continues, because never has Steve met a guy so seemingly unconcerned with making friends around here. Despite a brief attempt to strike up a conversation from Steve's end, Danny moves swiftly away at the bell, heading towards his next class; and really, judging from that incident a minute or so ago, Danny could probably do with a friend like Steve around about now.
Indeed, it's not until later that day that Danny finally realizes that McGarrett is in his Calculus class, sitting in the back corner, his face now more familiar after the introductions just a couple of hours ago. As they take their seats in the classroom for the early afternoon lesson, Steve notices as Danny does a double take, looking to the back corner of the room where Steve almost always slips in early, and meeting his gaze. Danny turns away again, quickly though, and he doesn't look back again at all until the end of the lesson, when they're both called up to the front of the class.
Steve knows full well what they're being asked to stay behind for, with a pretty good idea that it may have something to do with the abysmal fifty-five per cent he just got on their last assignment. Danny scored a solid ninety though, so as far as he's concerned, the woman really needs to get off his back and stop bugging him.
Sure, Steve feels a little guilty that Danny is apparently going to be the one to be roped into this, but he can't deny he's pleased; if nothing else it will give him the excuse to talk to the guy again. And he almost has to hit himself after thinking that thought. 'Pull yourself together, McGarrett.'
Miss Trunkor shuffles a few papers on her desk before Danny feels Steve's presence beside him, and she finally looks up.
"Danny," she says, "I know that maybe this is a lot to ask, and you're probably still settling in a bit but I was hoping I could persuade you to help out Steve here with some math. I know you maybe have a heavy schedule at the moment, but, Steve," she glances up at him, and Steve is busy trying desperately to gauge Danny's reaction, whether Steve is having any similar effect whatsoever on the blond. "It would be good for you to resume the help you were getting now that Aloiki has transferred out, and well, Danny, you seem to have it under control."
She debates the finer details for a few more minutes - mostly with herself - before Danny nods and grunts out a confirmation that he'll do it, so long as it calls for no more than a few hours a week. She assures them that all they need to do is to complete assignments together, talk over a couple of the trickier questions, and dismisses them from the classroom after forcing them to organize a session today right in front of her.
Danny slings his bag over his shoulder and makes for the door, pausing outside when McGarrett's voice interrupts his thoughts.
"Hey, Danny," Steve calls, his full intention being to offer Danny an explanation and an out, seeing as he really doesn't need the tuition.
Danny turns, only to roll his eyes, because apparently McGarrett has more important things on his mind at this moment, what with some cheerleader pressing him against the wall for a way-too-public make out session. With that, Danny turns on his heel, heading in the direction of his last class for the day. He figures he can look the address up in the phonebook.
Steve is still making an effort to get Michelle off of him by the time Danny has disappeared around a corner, because despite his best efforts to push her away, he's not about to get violent with her.
"Michelle, Michelle!" he says, finally unplastering her body from him. He glances around to look for Danny only to see that he's already halfway down the corridor, seeping into the changeover traffic. With that in mind, he turns back to Michelle with an apologetic face, pulling her into an empty room whilst they both have the next period free.
She looks puzzled, but Steve would be willing to bet she's not quite as clueless to this as it seems. She may not be the brightest bulb in the box, but she's not a complete bimbo. "Steve?"
Steve encircles her wrists with his hands, and looks into her eyes. "Look, Michelle. I've been meaning to say something for a while." Steve is all ready to ease her down gently, to make this as easy as possible for her when she interrupts.
"You found out, didn't you, about me and Brad?" And that's enough for Steve. He's heard it all before, been through it in the past, and heard enough of the rumors - though he'd given Michelle the benefit of the doubt, unwisely - not to bother with this crap. And he's not going to listen to another word of it, so he sighs, rubs a hand over his face, and walks purposefully out of the room, leaving a stunned Michelle in his wake, and frankly, not feeling too bad about the way things seem to have turned out. Bradley can have her. And besides, Steve has other things on his mind right now.
Danny makes it through his last class, and makes a stop on his way home to have his hair cut, trimming it down to a buzz cut before cycling back to the house. Apparently finding the phone number of a police officer isn't quite as easy as Danny had hoped, and it takes a few calls between Danny, his dad at the fire department, and their liaison officer at HPD to find an address for the McGarrett household. As was the plan, if a little delayed, Danny grabs his bike and his school bag before making his way over there.
A/N: Please review :)