Chapter 7

Dan's POV

The rest of the week past fairly uneventful. Phil and I had hung out a bit during our breaks and lunches and I had invited him over a couple of times however he kept saying he couldn't. He probably didn't want to come over. I wasn't exactly a great host the other day, we had pretty much sat in silence and played games. Although he seemed to be enjoying it then and he has spoken to me since. I don't know, I'm probably over thinking it all.

Its Friday today meaning the weekend tomorrow. Hopefully today will pass as uneventful as the past couple of days, though I wouldn't put any bets on it.

'DAN, I HOPE YOU'RE UP!' I heard mum calling up the stairs, 'I'm leaving now with Claire. I'll be home early today'

I rolled over and looked the clock on my bedside table 'fuck' I muttered to myself. 'Yeah I'm up, see you later' I said absentmindedly as I jumped out of bed quickly changing into my uniform and throwing my books into my bag. I was going to be late and there was no way of making up time today. I grabbed a cereal bar and ran out the house and to school.

I arrived 5 minutes late, my fringe sticking to my head and trying to catch my breath. Exercise never was my strong point. Most people were already in their form rooms so the halls were empty. I made my way towards the classroom thinking of a better excuse as to why I was late other than 'I didn't want to wake up'. I walked into the room and all the eyes in the room turned to look at me.

'Mr Howell, take a seat, I don't even want an excuse today. You have detention afterschool' Mr Wilkinson pointed at my seat.

Well, at least I wasn't going to have to come up with some dumb excuse this time. I walked over to my seat, next to Phil who had been grinning at me the whole way through the encounter.

'Why are you so smug?' I asked.

Phil laughed, 'No reason, so did you have to run here?'

'Unfortunately, and that's not my strong suit. My bed was far too comfortable this morning.' I replied.

'I know the feeling.'

The rest of form passed quickly and before I knew it the bell was ringing to mark 1st lesson. Phil and I had spent the lesson talking about what games were the best. I really liked talking to Phil. I don't know what it was about him, but he was so easy to have a conversation with. He also didn't think I was a freak and didn't want to hit me whenever he saw me which couldn't be said about everyone in this shithole.

'What do you have now then? I asked him.

'Media, what about you?'

'Same, I didn't know you were going to be doing media. I can't believe I am just finding this out about you!' I replied, in shock. How has he been going to the school for 3 days and I haven't found this out about him yet?

'Yeah, it's always been an interest of mine. Seeing as you're going to be going there, I can follow you as I've never been to the lesson before.' Phil said, smiling.

'Cool. Yeah, sure. Follow me.' We walked to the media class where Mrs Farrow was setting up. We took our seats at the back of the classroom. I told Phil to sit next to me considering the fact that he didn't have a seat and no one else wanted to sit next to me anyway. It turns out that Phil knew a lot more about media and showed a much bigger interest in the subject than I ever did. He was able to answer every question that Mrs Farrow threw his way as her way of testing his basic and complex knowledge. I stared in awe at the way he was able to answer every question. Wow, what was it about this boy that had me so interested?!

At the end of the lesson, Phil and I had agreed to meet up for lunch in the canteen to grab some lunch. At the end of lesson 3 I made my way for the hall. I had just walked out the building and that's when I heard them calling my name again. For fuck sake. Why today?! Wasn't I allowed one day when I didn't have to be tormented in some way? I asked myself as I turned around as not to aggravate Peter or Jackson. I saw them walking towards me laughing at something that I didn't understand.

Peter was the first to talk 'Hey Dan, how's my favourite queer doing?'

'Fuck off Peter, I'm not gay.' I replied sheepishly.

'Ooooo, get you using big scary words!' Peter replied in a mocking voice and laughing slightly. He pushed me against a wall.

Jackson was stood close behind him when he spoke up 'hoping that your boyfriend will come and save you?'

'Leave me the fuck alone.' I replied, and that's when I'd crossed a line. I was greeted with a punch to the gut causing me to yell out in pain.

Phil's POV

I stood outside the canteen waiting for Dan. I had enough trust in him that he would turn up however there was only 30 minutes left of lunch and at this rate there wasn't going to be anything left in the canteen. That's when I heard a shout in pain. I tried to brush it off as nothing however it continued, followed by laughter. I knew exactly what that meant so I decided to find out who was being hurt. I hated bullies.

When I turned the corner my eyes exploded at the sight I was exposed to.

Dan, who looked utterly deflated and ready to give up, was being held up against a wall by a well-built boy with blonde hair while his brunette friend jeered and punched Dan in the stomach. That's when I lost my cool.

'WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?!' I asked. Great, nice way to keep a low profile this time around.

The boys turned around to face me.

'Oh look Dan, your boyfriend is here to save you!' They mocked. Boyfriend?! What were they talking about?

'Phil, just leave!' Dan coughed out, tears visible in his eyes.

The darker haired boy laughed. 'Awww, Dan's trying to help you here Phil. You're better off leaving.

I stepped closer to him.

'Leave him the fuck alone.' Why was I being so defensive over a boy I've just met?

The two boys turned on me now. 'Think you're a big guy do you.' Their voices more serious this time.

'I'm going to say it one more time, Leave Dan Alone.' I said, summoning unknown confidence from thin air.

'Ha. C'mon Jackson, let's go leave the queers alone.' The darker haired one said to his friend, now I assumed to be called Jackson. They grunted and walked off just after they'd left me with a quick threat. 'You'd better watch out Lester.'

I ran up to Dan who was curled up on the floor clutching his stomach.

'Dan, are you okay?'

'Yeah. Thanks.' Dan managed to get out.

'It's okay, can you stand up?' I asked him.

'I think so. You don't have to stay.' He responded wincing in pain as he stood up attempting to gain his balance. 'You don't have to stay you know, I'm used to this.'

'Are you kidding me? I'm not leaving until I know you're okay!' I replied.

'I'm fine Phil. Why are you even here?' Dan asked, looking up at me.

I looked down at him sadly. 'Seriously? I heard a shout and I knew what it was immediately. I know what bullying sounds like in a heartbeat.' Shit. Now I'm stepping in dark territory

A.N. I'm going to leave this chapter here. I don't really know if this was worth the wait if I'm honest. I am so so sorry about my break from this story. I've had writer block and actually I'm not really sure if I'm passed it. It's taken a couple of drinks, an 8 hour shift and major fatigue to get me to write this. But the pressure is getting too much and I've felt so bad about not updating this when I know that there are people following this story. I hope this chapter isn't too shitty! I'm going to stop rambling, I shouldn't be allowed on the internet this late. I'm so tired and wow, just shut me up already.

If you have any story ideas that you would like to be included in this then please let me know and I'll try and incorporate it. I don't have a set plan for this story just yet, I feel like it's still in its beginning and I'm not sure where to take it just yet.

Longest A.N ever! Thank you for reading and I'm sorry for the wait! I'll try and update sooner! Review and favourite if you enjoyed! :)