Phil POV

I knew that Dan wanted to talk, I could tell by the way he kept looking at me. I shuffled around the room, trying my hardest to not make a sound. I slipped over to the door and slowly turned the handle, when I heard a shout for my name.

An arm circled around me and pulled me close, so close in fact that I was mere centimeters from the optimistic chocolate orbs of Dan. After a full minute he finally spoke.

The words were muffled by the whirling haze of my thoughts, but I managed to catch them. He wants me to go with him, somewhere with his good- looking popular friends?

I don't know?

And he's speaking again, trying to persuade me to go. Did I say that out loud?

He abruptly finished his tirade of justifications, and turned anticipating eyes toward me.

Oh great what do I do know? I can't say no to that!

I commanded words to befall upon me, and they did hastily, molding my lips to form the words. He's gone once he hears my confirmation, spewing the directions at me, and I barely catch the entourage of gibberish.

Somehow my brain can comprehend the muddled words and I know where are rendezvous is. My bones rattle and I've skipped every meal, the anticipation killing me. I walk through the day like a zombie, not hearing the insults hurtled toward me, or when Aaron shoulder checks.

My last class was a free period, so I decided to head over to the library early and wait out front. I settled against the crude bricks and I waited in silence, letting myself clear out all my thoughts.

But when I have to much time to think, I get nervous. Soon I was teeming with negative thoughts.

Where they coming?

Would they like me?

Would they make fun of me?

And with the final bell sounding ten minutes ago, they became more relentless.

I barely heard the whistle that escaped Mike's mouth and I turned to see a very flustered Dan.

They came.

I bit back a massive smile, and instead went for a bashful grin and a timid hello. The boys talked back in forth after greeting me and I made the courageous decision to ask Mike a question.

I saw Dan smile at me and I wondered if it had to do with me reaching out? I decided if so, I would do my best to see that lovely smile directed at me once again.

Peter and everyone came. We all but marched to the park, yelling and laughing in comradery. All these people defied my expectations. Kirsten, who honestly looks like she could bite my head off is actually quite amicable.

Peter, the brains and the brawn, wouldn't hurt a fly, Amy who I once thought was vapid has a very colorful personality. Martha doesn't seem like she's the sharpest knife in the draw, is an amazing musician. Drew and Adam are and absolute riot.

But the person I was most wrong about was Dan, I couldn't imagine me without him right now. It's just I didn't particularly have a reason to live, but now I do, and it's not him.

He taught me a wonderful lesson. How to love yourself. He showed me that it's not vain or egotistical of me, it just means I can accept and move on.

I don't think I would have made it through the year.

We made it to the park and we rooted ourselves to the ground, next to a large tree by the lake. We huddled together, shielding ourselves from the harsh wind. Amy passed around the snacks she made, and oh my god, I don't think I've ever eaten something so delicious!

Which, I know, isn't that impressive coming from me, but that's beside the point.

I relaxed into Dan's ready arms and I continued to chat with Amy. Dan kept smiling proudly at me when I would start a conversation, or make a comment, so I did it as often as my low confidence and anxiety would allow me.

We were all enjoying ourselves when the trees behind us began shaking, and footsteps followed. The whole group went deathly faint. Nobody moved as the pale hand slithered around the trunk.

Suddenly the hand snaps back and Aaron jumps out causing Amy to let out a bloodcurdling scream.

Oh shit.

He and a friend of his that I recognized as one of my tormentors, both doubled over in laughter. Aaron straightened his back when he saw me. He said something but the blood pumping to my ears wouldn't allow it.

My breathing became rapid, and somewhere in the far reaches of my mind, I felt someone hold me closer. I felt his frigid hand on my cheek and I flinched. He slowly brought it back and I knew what happened next.

Though, like a train wreck, I couldn't take my eyes away. I watched the hand swing down to strike me, when tanned fingers caught pale wrists, and tossed them far away from me.

I watched him scramble to his feet, glare at us all, the break for the tree line, his friend hot on his heels.

"Phil I.." Dan began before I burst into tears.

I don't know why I was crying just that I knew I needed to. I needed to let someone know how much pain I was in, even if most of them were virtually strangers. I bawled until I was reduced to a blubbering, sniveling, mess.

I felt strong arms that were not Dan's pick me up and I began to panic. It took me a minute to realize I was with friends. I really have friends! Well not yet really, but I was gunnin' for it.

I felt soft hands wipe across my forehead, to fix my fringe, and I wanted to bat their hands away, but mine were shaking too much. I decided that if whoever was carrying me didn't need me to be awake, so I nuzzled closer, and breathed deeper, letting darkness take over.

And for once, I was not afraid.

So guess who should be studying for the SAT's that she has tomorrow but is too much of a lazy shit? Yeah that's right me. I DON'T WANNA! Well y'all get two chapters in two days. Whoopie!

Hey so if you wanna read a good phanfic there's one called Rumor Mill on wattpad and tumblr as well (I think?). It's pretty great. It helps me procrastinate from my study duties. And it honestly doesn't have as much attention that it deserves. Seriously, if you thought I was a good writer, she blows me out of the water.

Well, I get ice cream tomorrow so that's a bonus! Yaay! Thank you all for favoriting and following and reviewing, the whole nine yards! This chapter's title is by Flyleaf(Shock!). I better get to bed. Good night!

Ta ta!