Fireworks.

That's what I felt when we kissed.

I fumbled with my tie, fixing it hastily. In my rush, even I had tied it incorrectly. I gulped audibly, not that there was anyone around to hear. I was early, as always. I liked it that way. It helped me avoid the bullies most times, and when it didn't, at least I always had time to cover up.

Part of me wanted so badly to see Dan as I turned the corner, glancing up from his phone and waving. Smiling. Another part was dreading seeing him again. The kiss was so rushed and now I was nervous. What if we didn't have the same chemistry the second time? What if there wouldn't even be a next time?

I shook my head as I walked by. Of course there will be. Every famous love story started quickly, because that's how intense the passion was. Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet...

Wait a minute.

"Romeo and Juliet..."

I nodded.

"...but gay?" The drama teacher repeated, staring at me with bewilderment. She was young, freshly graduated from the looks of it even though she had taught here for a couple of years. She tapped her fake nails impatiently on her desk, looking slightly unimpressed. I blushed, realizing how bad of an idea this was a little too late.

"I-I'm sorry, it was a j -"

"I like it," she said with a thoughtful smirk, "it's... innovative. The school board makes me do these boring old Shakespeare plays every year. This is like one giant F -" she paused mid-swear and glanced back fro my approval, to which I nodded. "...fuck you to the school board." she finished quietly.

I gulped and smiled, still shaken to the core. We stood in silence for a moment. "Romeo and Julius!" I blurted, to which she grinned broadly.

"I like your thinking, kid... what's your name?"

"Phil." I said, my nervousness flickering and dying away almost immediately. I always love laid-back teachers like her.

"You're not in any of my classes, are you?" she asked, flipping through a list of students and shaking her head. 'Pity, that is. Quite like you. Tell me, Phil, what brought you this idea?" She chuckled knowingly. "A boy, isn't it?"

My cheeks grew hot and I scratched at my head. "Erm..." All I could manage was a weak nod, only causing her wicked grin to grow.

"Who?" she squealed, leaning in closer.

"E-erm... well..."

Solemnly, she crossed her heart. "I swear I won't tell. Who am I gonna gossip to, the faculty?"

"His name's Dan and -" I was immediately interrupted by a prolonged gasp, as she slammed her hands down on the table in excitement and spread her fingers apart.

"Dan Howell? He's a looker, isn't he?" she grinned and nodded, "if I didn't like girls, I would." There was a moment of silence before she retracted her hands and held them instead to hide her face. "Oh god, I keep forgetting I can't say stuff like that about students. Or anyone. Forgive me, dear. But, on the bright side, I'm going to get fired eventually for stuff like that, so I might as well..."

She marched over to the white board, snatching a black marker and uncapping it. She paused in thought for a moment before writing in large, neat letters:

Romeo and Julius

A Phil and Karen Production

"Well, I might as well go out with a bang!"

meet me at the tree :)

I sent the text, my thumb hovering over the phone expectantly. After waiting a minute without a reply, I set it in my pocket and place along my bags. Since it was surprisingly warm for England, I wrestled off my jacket and hung it on a low-hanging branch.

Five minutes...I felt a buzz in my pocket and quickly fished my phone out, my stomach fluttering. My smile quickly faded, however.

✓ Read at 12:10pm

I gulped, stuffing it back into my pocket. The buzz was merely a Twitter notification. Y'know, he probably read it and just didn't reply because he's already on his way.

Feeling only slightly reassured, I decided to mindlessly pick at my lunch. A sandwich, a sliced apple... I tucked it away quickly. I didn't feel hungry at all, more so sick to my stomach, like a pit of anxiety in my stomach.

He's not coming, is he?

Sighing, I picked up my jacket from the branch, dusting off pieces of dead bark. I slung it over my shoulder, spinning around only to be greeted by an all-black figure slowly approaching from the far side of the field. He was staring intently at the group, seemingly not noticing my frantic waving.

"Dan!" I shouted, causing his head to jerk up violently, as if I had jarred him out of a daydream. His eyes were frantic and he quickly avoided my gaze as I jogged closer. "I thought you weren't coming..."

He smiled faintly. "Why wouldn't I?"

I stared at him for a moment, and I could see his cheeks flush noticeably as his eyes flickered upwards momentarily to meet mine. I chuckled as I set my jacket back to its makeshift hanger. "I swear you're doing it on purpose now."

He glanced up in shock. "W-what?"

"Your tie," I pointed to it, "it's even worse than before. Here, let me -" I reached forward to fix it up, only to be stopped as his hand shot up to my wrist, clutching it tightly. His nails dug in, though I knew he didn't intend it as menacingly as PJ had.

"Stop this, Phil." he said coldly, lowering his hand. Mine flopped to my side, going limp. I suddenly felt weak all over, a sinking feeling clawing at my chest.

"W-what?" I sputtered, shaking my head. "What are you on about?" My clueless stare only seemed to frustrate him more. He fumbled for words for a moment, and I saw the anger drain from his face. His voice went soft, and his gaze seemed suppressed. Sympathetic.

"Stop lying to yourself that there's something here."

My palms felt clammy and I clasped them together, rubbing my hands nervously. I felt a lump forming in my throat. "I-I don't understand..." I whimpered, "you kissed me, I just thought..."

"That was a bloody mistake!" he snapped, waving his arms in the air. "Have you ever heard of a rebound? You were my crutch, okay? Peej and I split up and I was lonely, confused and vulnerable, and I need someone. You were there. But I don't need you anymore!" He no longer looked at me. He seemed to rage at nothing, like shouting to a wall, his hands clenched into fists he wouldn't throw. "besides, it was just a kiss, it didn't mean a damn thing. It's not special."

"Dan." I choked, my voice breaking.

"What?" he hissed, staring into my eyes. And for the first time since the kiss he actually saw me. I blinked away tears I didn't realize had been welling up.

"That was my first kiss, you know. It may not mean as much to you anymore, but that's supposed to be the perfect moment." Tears dripped down my cheek. "It was supposed to mean something... to be with someone I truly love. And you just took it then told me it meant nothing?"

"Phil, I..." his tense shoulder sagged, the color fading from his face.

"You don't want me anymore?" I sobbed, my heart pounding against my chest. I swallowed my sadness, wiping the tears away angrily.

"No! Well, yes, but I mean..."

"Fine. Just go."

"Phil -"

"Go." I snarled. He stared at me, his eyes silently pleading for a moment before he turned and silently ambled away. I watched straight-faced as his silhouette disappeared over the hill. And then I was alone.

Fireworks.

That's what I felt when we kissed.

All I saw in his eyes was a spark.

And now I feel numb.