Aloha everyone! A wild chapter appears!
"Bonjour à la classe," Dr Taylor chirped, taking a seat at her desk and pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose "Comment en sommes-nous aujourd'hui?" The classes muttered vaguely, the shuffling of their arrival slowly quietening. Phil sunk deeper into the hard plastic chair; his mind wandering.
"Good, good," She continued "Did we all have a nice summer?" The class whispered hurriedly; engulfed in mindless conversation.
"Incroyable!" she said as one student regaled her with tales of a trip to Italy. "C'est magnifique!" The student in question chattered excitedly, gesturing to her tanned complexion. Phil simply stared. He envied her confidence. Suddenly, he felt an elbow jab him in the ribs.
"You alright?" He turned to see Anya staring at him, her head resting on her hand. Phil nodded smiling, although it failed to reach his eyes. "Hey, don't look so worried…..Dr Taylor's not that bad," Phil sighed, crossing his arms across the desk.
"Sorry…just tired," He avoided her gaze. As readable as an open book he just prayed she wouldn't turn the page and see past his façade. But, his mind kept wandering…his broken brown haired roommate…..the specks of crimson on the fabric…his defences put up at all cost…and then there was PJ…and Chris and Anya…..the ones he trusted but each with their own demons to face….Phil sighed deeply…who'd have thought so much could have happened in such a short period of time….
"Ok, let's see who we have with us this morning," Dr Taylor said, clicking the mouse of her computer. Slowly, one by one, she called out the names, Phil only managing a weak 'hello' as his name was mentioned. Standing, she walked towards the whiteboard, gesturing to the smudged black font.
"Ok…..GCSE French…..right well I'll tell you now I will not be having failures in my classroom, never in my years of teaching have I had a student achieve lower than a C grade and that is not about to change anytime soon…this course is one with high value and if you are not willing to work I suggest you leave now," Lifting a bony arm she gestured to the doorway "'cause after last year some of you have some serious catching up to do!". The entire class gulped, with some shifting uncomfortably in their seats.
"Do you understand?" The class mumbled 'yes' and immediately she dropped her serious manner.
"Good good…..now let's get started," Suddenly, there was a knock on the door and it opened slowly, Dr Taylor turned; her glasses slipping down the surface of her nose. Phil watched cautiously as a familiar brown haired boy stepped over the threshold.
"Well good evening Mr Howell," Dr Taylor said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Dan remained silent, his cheeks reddening at the sight of the classes eyes on him….do what you have to do Dan…this is what you are…..
"Sorry," he mumbled softly, shuffling to take his seat on the other side of the room.
"Hmm well you should be," Dr Taylor said harshly "You'd think by now you'd be able to get to a lesson on time," Dr Taylor busied herself with some nearby textbooks while Phil's gaze never left the disgruntled boy. Eyeing him suspiciously he couldn't help but notice his dishevelled appearance. His hair was not straightened or preened but ruffled and manic. His uniform was creased and chaotic with a few of the buttons fastened in the wrong places. He looked almost fearful, hunched over the empty desk like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. Phil turned to Anya, who was watching him just as intently. Noticing Phil's staring she let out a loud sigh.
"He looks rough," she whispered "What do you reckons up with him?" Phil shrugged….this boy was a mystery…a mystery shrouding his mind with questions…..The lesson dragged on slowly; Phil stealing glances at him whenever he could before the bell finally rang for second period. The next hour passed much like the first, both Phil and Anya had geography which was a significant improvement to French. It was break now, and they were heading towards the canteen.
"Well I'm glad that's over," Anya commented as they walked down the corridor "Even after just two hours I already know I'm gonna fail this year," Phil let out a small laugh but it soon ceased when he saw Dan, head hung low and a solemn expression plastered on his face. Anya noticed too.
"Hey Dan…..are you ok?" She said cautiously, striding towards him. Phil remained where he was; his previous altercations with this boy fresh in his mind. Dan looked up but looked past her; his gaze meeting Phil's. Phil gasped silently, it was if a spark had ignited within him…..resurfacing buried emotions…..he could see Dan was breaking…..there were bags under his eyes and he seemed on the verge of tears…..Phil felt a pang of guilt penetrate his heart…..Dan remained silent. Anya clicked her fingers in his face gently, breaking him from his trance.
"Daniel….tell me…..what happened?" A look of pure disgust overtook him, sending him stumbling backwards.
"I've done nothing!" he said loudly, on the verge of a yell. Anya gasped loudly, holding up her hands in protest.
"Dan it's me…calm down…..I wasn't trying to insinuate anything!" Dan scoffed loudly, rolling his eyes, his façade slipping. "Please Dan!" Phil stepped forward so he was beside her, fearing he would react to her as he did to him.
"Dan she really wasn't…..she's just worried!" Dan's gaze turned to him.
"Oh what do you know!" he spat harshly. Phil could see tears forming in his eyes.
"Dan?" Anya said finally, placing a hand on his arm. Dan's gaze softened, letting out a shuddered breath.
"I….I-" Forthwith the sound of clicking heels filled the hallway. Dan instantly closed in on himself.
"Dan!" Kat said, Dean following behind. She skulked over to him and draped an arm around his waist. He stiffened at her touch.
"Hey baby," she purred "Where are you off too?" She eyed Phil and Anya suspiciously; shooting each of them death glares.
"Oh hello Anya," she said slyly "What are you doing with him?...Y'know he's friends with Chris and PJ," Anya glared at her; the dislike towards her former friend evident.
"Yes so?" Kat let out a sharp laugh, flicking her hair behind her ears.
"You're not seriously hanging around with are you?" Anya nodded. Kat let out another laugh.
"Well more fool you then…still you were always a lovesick puppy," Anya lurched forward, only stopped by Phil grabbing her arm. She grinned cruelly.
"Oh yes…..that's right…..he's a faggot," With what little self control she had left Anya fought every fibre of her being not to step forward and slap her; to wipe that smug smirk of her makeup-clad face. Kat grinned in triumph.
"Well I can imagine many would rather be gay than have to be with you," She gestured to Dan who shifted uncomfortably…..how can she know?...no…I'm not like that…….do what you have to do Dan…this is what you are…..Then, with a slight smirk, she set off down the corridor, leaving Phil alone. Kat turned to Dan, squeezing his waist tightly, a strange feeling erupting within Phil's chest.
"Come on Dan…..let's not waste more time on them," Gesturing to Dean she turned him round, leading him down the corridor. Phil stood there blankly.
"Don't touch me," Dan said softly, Kat stopped immediately.
"What are talking about?" she said, frustrated. He pushed her arm away.
"I said don't touch me!" The newfound force in Dan's voice threw Kat off guard. Crossing her arms across her chest she stepped back slightly.
"What the heck!" Phil watched intently; too afraid to speak.
"Are you that thick that you can't understand English?" Dan hissed. Kat's eyes were ablaze, the furnace within her threatening to explode.
"What is your problem?!" she said spitefully "You didn't seem to mind earlier…..you couldn't take your hands off me!" Dean smirked and let out a short laugh.
"Oh so that's why you were late this morning….hehe you dog!" Dan blushed a deep scarlet, the anger radiating off him like steam from a kettle….he had been rumbled…..it was out in the open…..the disgrace in which he was…...
"I can't take this anymore!" Dan shouted, causing a few neighbouring students to stare. "I just can't!" Like a frightened child he set off down the corridor, ignoring the shocked stares of Dean and Kat behind.
"Daniel!" Kat shouted, but to no avail. Slipping away from them both, Phil's legs sprung into action, following the path of displaced students in Dan's wake…..he didn't know why he was running….or why he was going after him…..but somehow his legs had a mind of their own…..and all he knew was that he needed to get to him…. fast….Following Dan closely he was lead into the boys bathroom, the same one in which he had found Chris; an eerie familiarity greeting him.
"Dan?" He proceeded with caution, pausing at the stall nearest the wall. Quiet, muffled sobs could be heard within.
"Dan?" The sobs ceased, followed my quiet shuffling.
"Fuck off," said a small voice, breaking with each syllable. Phil sighed, placing his palm against the panel of wood.
"Please…." Slowly the door opened, a deep creak resonating from the hinge, revealing the crying boy sat on the seat with his head in his hands.
"Please just go away," Dan said softly. Phil remained still.
"Not with you in this state," Dan lifted his head slightly, his watery brown eyes connecting with Phil's. The spark ignited again, but this time Phil's heart beat stronger.
"Why do you care?" Dan spat, wiping his eyes. "You don't know me," Phil entered the cubicle, locking the door behind him.
"No….." he said softly "But I know there is something wrong," Dan raised an eyebrow.
"Oh really?" Phil nodded.
"I can see you're hurting," Dan scoffed.
"And how would you know that?" Phil took a seat on the floor of the cubicle, his body hitting the ground with a dull thud.
"Because I know what its like," Dan glared at him, shaking his head.
"No you don't….you don't know what I'm feeling," Phil's face lit up slightly.
"That's true…but I can tell these are not nice thoughts," Dan pondered for a moment…why was this boy being so kind to him?...he didn't deserve it….he deserved nothing….Silence fell over the both of them. Phil leant his head back against the wall. Dan cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Phil?" he said softly "I'm sorry about what I said before, how about we start afresh," A small smiled spread against Phil's pale features.
"Of course," He placed a comforting hand on Dan's new but withdrew it quickly when Dan stiffened. "Everyone deserves a second chance,"
Y'know I think this could be the start of a beautiful friendship. Well, it wouldn't be a phan story if it wasn't heehee.
So I hoped you liked it. Sorry for the wait. I had this massive biology essay to write about water of all things! (oooooh fun).
Anyway, feel free to leave a review and above all have a nice day!
Bye Guys!
P.S. I think Dil Howlter is my new favourite person haha.