"How's detention then?"
Chris just sighed softly, resting his head on the table we were currently sitting at.
"It's great fun" he replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm "I guess it's better than the teachers screaming at me all day though"
I nodded, offering him a small smile as he looked at me.
Chris had been basically imprisoned in detention for his 'fight' with Matthew. He just looked so sad, just, so lonely all on his own. So I had snuck in. So now we're both sitting in silence, drowning in our own self pity. Those things that boy said really seemed to get to Chris. He just wasn't acting normally at all. It was like
He wasn't Chris anymore
"I'm sorry…"
His words took me by surprise. I wasn't even sure id heard them right
"What?"
"I'm sorry…for all this" he mumbled as he looked up at me with tear filled eyes. "I was completely out of line. I should have never wrote that article" he paused, wiping a few tears away "I should have never treated you like that"
I just stared at him, a mixture of shock, and well. I don't even know. I felt so horrible. I mean, sure he'd caused this whole mess, but. He was still my best friend.
"I'm so sorry Dan…I never meant to be like that"
"Hey, it's okay" I said softly, placing my hand on his back in an attempt to comfort him. "I understand. People do some crazy things when they're jealous" I smiled at him "I mean, remember when we were kids and you got the last limited addition teddy bear?"
He nodded, flashing me a small smile. "Yeah, you wanted it so badly yet I wouldn't let you have it"
"Exactly. And what did I do because I was jealous?"
"You ripped it's arms off" he replied, his smile growing slightly
"And what did we promise after that?"
"That we'd never let anything come between us. That we'd be best friends forever even when we grew up. And that we'd never, ever get jealous of each other's possessions again"
"Exactly"
Chris sat up and leaned against me, smiling softly to himself "I broke that promise, didn't I?"
"Just a bit"
"Can you forgive me?"
I wrapped an arm around him tightly, leaning my head atop of his. "Of course. You were a serious asshole, but. I know what it's like to be jealous. So. I forgive you"
"Thank you. I mean, id love to stay like this all day but you'll get in some serious shit if you get caught here"
"I guess your right. I'll see you later, okay?"
Chris just smiled at me, shuffling out of my arms onto his own seat again. "You know, you're becoming just like him.
"Who?" I asked, raising an eyebrow in question.
"Mr Lester. He talks like that" he paused for a moment, smiling at me again "I'm happy for you guys. It hurts to see him with you…but. You deserve to be happy Dan. And if he makes you happy. Then stay with him forever"
************************************************** *******************
I stared nervously down at my hands. I was so nervous. Okay, nervous was definitely a major understatement. Just, I was terrified. A meeting had been called to discus the 'situation'. The head master was sitting at the back of the class. My mum beside him. Chris was here as well. Sitting as his desk looking just as nervous. Phil was standing at the front of the classroom, running his fingers through his hair as he obviously thought about what to say. I couldn't stop thinking about what he'd told me the night before. His big plan.
-Flashback-
"We can't just run away. They'll find us. I know they will"
"I know they will. That's why we need to do something. Look, Dan. You need to listen to me very carefully, okay?"
I nodded keeping my eyes locked with his
"We have to do something that will throw them off our trail"
"But what?"
He took a deep breath in, looking deep into my eyes as he spoke his next words
"We need to fake our own deaths"
I just stared at him, not sure what to even say. How would that even work?
"But, how?"
"I have a plan. Just trust me. It's the only way to get them to leave us alone"
"Will that really work?"
He gently slipped his arms around my waist, flashing me a small smile. "Just trust me. Everything will be okay"
-Present-
"Mr Lester. You mentioned to wanted to say something"
Phil nodded, trying to look as confident as he could. He took a small breath before beginning
"Okay, so. I have some news to tell all of you. It may be quite surprising. It, um, It'll be easier to show you than to tell you. He looked towards me, giving me his signature heart melting smile "Dan, could you come up here please"
I nodded slowly, nervously shifting my gaze around the staring faces in the classroom. Oh god. I knew this wasn't a good idea. But we had to do this.
We had too.
I stood beside Phil. Keeping my eyes now locked on the floor. I jumped slightly as I felt Phil take my hand in his. I slowly looked up to see the look of horror on the head masters face. I looked to mum. She looked furious. Not that that was anything new
"Lester what the hell is this-"
"Tell them Dan" Phil squeezed my hand tightly, giving me an encouraging smile.
"We're together" I admitted, leaning against Phil slightly. I was shaking pretty badly as the words left my mouth. I had just told my biggest secret to them. How could Phil be so calm while this happened?
I was absolutely terrified
************************************************** *******************
Chris' POV
"We're together"
My eyes widened as I heard those words. They had just
No way
Were they insane?
There was a loud thump from the back of the class. The head master stood up, his chair falling behind him. He Looked more furious than I had ever seen him in his life.
"What is the meaning in this!?"
Dan's mum remained seated but gave Dan one of the most intimidating death glares I've ever seen
"You little shit. I knew it was your fault. Don't think you can come life with me anymore you fucking homo"
Dan just stood there, biting his lip nervous as he listened to his mothers abusive words.
Then it happened
All I had to do was blink
Mr Lester quickly darted out of the classroom, practically dragging Dan with him. I automatically stood up to follow them.
What the hell were they thinking?
"Sit back down!"
I looked up, meeting the hateful gaze of the head master
"No"
"What? Are you actually talking back to me. After all the trouble you're in already"
"Well, yes. You see, my best friend and teacher just announced that news. What do you expect me to do?"
"Don't give me that attitude boy!"
I growled at him, taking a step towards the exit but he blocked me path
"Chris I'm warning you-"
A loud bang
We both lookd towards the door
"Let me through"
"Chris-"
"I said let me through damnit!"
I shouted, pushing past him into the hallway.
There they were
Standing there behind a huge line of oil. Dan smiled at me as he tightened his grip on Mr Lester's hand.
"Sorry Chris" he said softly before bringing a lighter out of his pocket
What were they?
No
No!
"Dan. Don't do this! Please!
"I'm so sorry Chris" he replied, taking a deep breath before dropping the flame into the oil. The room lit up instantly. I tried to look through the flames to see if I could spot them
I couldn't
"Don't just stand there you idiot. Run!"
I looked to my right to see Dan's mum. She grabbed me wrist, quickly dragging me outside. I tried to tell her that Dan was still inside but she wouldn't listen. She finally let go of my wrist as we both stared at the flames that had now taken over most of the front of the building.
"Dan…" I mumbled a small sob escaping my lips as several tears dripped down my cheeks
"He deserved it"
I shot her a hateful glare. What kind of mother would wish death upon their own son? What the hell was wrong with her?
Suddenly the door burst open. At first I thought it was Dan.
It wasn't
The principal stumbled out, couching violently. "Is Dan?-" he just shook his head, adverted his eyes to the ground. "I couldn't find them"
I broke down then
I crumbled to my knee's sobbing loudly into my hands. He was dead. I had killed him. It was all my fault.
My best friend was gone