3.

'I used to be just like him'

Harry looked up from his biology book and followed Dougie's gaze. He was looking at Tom who was being the center of attention with a bunch of friends around him.

'Arrogant and a bully?' Harry asked

'No!' Dougie said and looked angry at Harry. 'Popular'

'That's just a nicer word for saying it' Harry mumbled, not loud enough for Dougie to hear.

'I miss it, having lots of friends' Dougie said with his glaze fixed on his brother again.

'You mean "friends" that secretly don't even like you'

Dougie laughed. Not because it was funny but because he knew Harry was right. When things got complicated all of his so called friends ran miles away.

Harry closed his book and looked at Dougie with narrowed eyes. 'So what happened? How is it you're not like Tom anymore?'

Dougie looked to the ground to hide his drowning eyes. Even just thinking about it made him tear up.

'If you're afraid I'll run away.. I can assure you I won't' Harry said and placed his hand on Dougie's shoulder.

Dougie repressed his tears and tried to control his voice when he said. 'Maybe some other time'

Harry nodded. 'Whenever you're ready'

They both smiled warmly at each other for a while when Harry broke the silence. 'I'm going to the library since English class is canceled. I have a big biology test coming up so I'm going to study. If you want to come?'

'Yeah sure' Dougie said. It's not like he had anything else to do. They had English class together and Mrs. Bognal called in sick.

Dougie gave Tom one more look before he turned around and followed Harry to the library. It's sometimes hard to look at him and seeing his old self but it's probably harder for Tom to look at Dougie because he sees how he can become when everything falls apart.

Dougie rubbed his eyes and read the first line again for the 20th time and still didn't know what it said. He was up all night thinking about Danny and his eyes. There was something about him that draws his attention. Whenever he thinks about him or he sees him, his heartbeat raises.

They were in the library for half an hour now and Harry was really concentrated on his upcoming test. Dougie sighed and closed his book to see what its title was again. Even that he had forgotten. He gave up and stood up to go back to the shelves where had gotten it. And just when he wanted to go in the rayon he was surprised to see Danny there.

Dougie quickly hid himself and watched Danny. When the sunlight came through the clouds, it shined on him. His skin lit up and Dougie noticed that he's so freckled over his entire body. A little smile appeared on his face, he likes freckles.

But Danny rolled his eyes, took a book of the shelves and walked towards the window. 'I'm just reading a book about human history, happy now?' He said to the sun which disappeared back after a cloud.

'Yeah.. Thought so too' Danny said before turning around with a cute half smile and a really proud face. When he suddenly froze and looked in Dougie's direction.

Dougie knew he had been caught and might as well come clean so he came from behind his hiding place.

'How.. How long..' Danny stuttered and looked around to see if there were others hiding.

'It's just me' Dougie said reassuring, the fear in Danny's eyes confused him.

'I have to go' Danny said and quickly took his backpack and practically ran away.

'Wait!' Dougie ran after Danny but when he turned around the corner he was gone again.

Still thinking about the frightful Danny he walked back to Harry and let himself fall in his chair. Harry looked up.

'Where have you been?'

'Just returning my book'

'Anyway, I think it's time to go now' Harry said looking at his watch. 'We have gym now'

'You go, I just have to go to the bathroom'

Harry nodded and walked off. When Harry disappeared from Dougie's sight he quickly ran to the bathroom and hid himself in one of the toilets. He always does that when it's gym.

He was sitting there for almost an hour now when someone came in. Dougie looked through the keyhole and saw it was Danny.

Danny looked into the mirror and then suddenly pulled his shirt off. Dougie saw that he got two vertical lines on each side of his back.

To have a better view Dougie replaced his foot and accidently pushed the bin. Danny looked around again to see Dougie coming out of the toilet. He put his shirt back on and wanted to run away again but Dougie stopped him.

'Why were you talking to the sun?'

Danny froze while holding the doorknob and slowly turned around but didn't answer.

'And what's on your back?'

Danny just stared at him and when Dougie came closer he saw how Danny became cautious.

'I'm not going to tell anyone' Dougie said supportive.

Suddenly the fear on Danny face disappeared and made place for a blank, cold face. His unnatural blue eyes now were looking at him angry.

'Stay away from me'