Hate Me Closer (Phan)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Three weeks into the summer term and all three of Dan's science teachers had commended him on his improvement. They held him in such high regard that the young teenager was almost looking forwards to taking his exams so he could increase his predicted grades.

He was sat in Mrs Blackwell's office on a Wednesday evening after supper, drinking the cup of tea she'd given him as they caught up on his progress, "What predicted grades do you want to get this summer?" she asked him.

"I'd like an A* in Geography, Drama, and Music. The rest I'd like to get Bs in." he smiled, hoping it was reasonable.

"I think you can achieve that." his House Mistress agreed, "Especially with what your teachers are saying. How did you do it, hey?"

"Phil Lester's credit." Dan admitted, "He stuck by me for at least an hour a day in the holiday. We worked through the textbooks and he wouldn't let me move on until he was sure I understood it."

Mrs Blackwell smiled, finishing her drink and placing the mug on the desk, "That Phil has benefited you more than I could've dreamt. I put you into his parents' care because of previous experience and I knew how endearing they were. I didn't once think their son would get through to you, but here we are."

Dan's cheeks reddened as he shrugged, feeling modest on his friend's behalf, "It's just who he is, I guess."

The House Mistress nodded, changing the subject entirely as she talked her student through the SAT exams they'd planned for him to take the following week.

***

The four boys were bundled in their drama studio, sitting around Mr Davies' computer as they watched PJ editing his and Chris' sketch. They'd done quite a few, most of them comedies to some extent, whether that was dark humour or straight-up slapstick. It was the individuality of each short film and the way they managed to edit them that made them the mini-masterpieces that they were. The two boys were putting together a script for a more finalised, professional piece, although nothing they ever did was the typical definition of "professional".

"You know what we need?" PJ decided.

"What?" Chris asked.

"Those thin pieces of tissue paper. We could fold them over those bright torches we stole from Biology and create coloured spotlights."

"Where the hell are we going to get tissue paper?"

"You know what..." Dan mumbled, standing up and walking to his backpack that was slung over a wooden desk chair, "I think there's some in a cupboard I have a key for."

"Why is there a cupboard storing tissue paper and why do you have the key for it?" PJ questioned.

"Dan was given the key to a storage room here in Michaelmas term, when he moved out of his grandma's and his piano needed storing. They took his belongings out of there, but they never asked for the key back so he goes in there to hide sometimes."

"You make me sound like a loner by suggesting I lock myself in alone. I go in there with Phil sometimes, too, to talk when we need to get away from the shitheads that are our year."

"Oh please, I've been in a few times with you, too." Chris chuckled, "I'm just a drama queen."

"We know." PJ muttered, concentrating on his editing, "Hey, why don't I ever get invited into this mystery cupboard?"

"I didn't know I was an exclusive member." Phil laughed to himself, watching Dan dance the key in his fingertips that he'd found in the front pocket of his schoolbag.

"Oh don't be surprised, Dan's constantly stealing you from us." Chris teased.

"Only because PJ's stolen you from me!" Dan whined.