The Bad Boy Experiment

9

Author: Kaylee

"There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact."

― Arthur Conan Doyle, The Boscombe Valley Mystery

November 17th was better than November 16th. Dan felt purpose and less need to prove his 'bad boyness'. However, this didn't leave him off the hook. He still had made out with a stranger in the bathroom, done drugs behind the school, and the entire school was sure that Dan was either amazing or horrific for convincing Phil, who they now all presumed was straight, that he was gay.

Together, Dan and Phil both decided to keep their relationship behind closed doors and not let people know until after the experiment. A simple task when explained verbally but proved to be a challenge as the day passed.

Dan found his mind going back to Phil no matter what he thought about. The very thought of Phil warmed him. Imagining his hand on his, his lips with his, it was all fuzzy and warm.

He ended up not seeing Phil at school that day. It was disappointing but necessary. Dan didn't do anything that was too scandalous. His good mood dropped, however, when he didn't get a note after school.

That was their thing. Everyday Dan got a note and they didn't skip that new routine.

Dan walked home slowly with a foul mood arising. The pushed open the door which made a loud banging noise on the back wall where the door hit.

"Dan? Are you home?" His mother called.

"Yeah, why?" He demanded.

"Can you come into the kitchen please?"

Confused but intrigued, Dan made his way into the kitchen, joining his parents who sat at the table watching him.

"What's going on?" He asked.

"Daniel, we'd like to talk about your recent behaviour.." Dan's father began.

Dan pulled out a chair to the table and sat down with them. He was prepared to tell his family about the experiment if it came to that.

"Look, I've been dressing differently because-"

"No honey bear, we don't mind your new style, but we got a call from school saying you have picked up smoking and there have been rumours going around that you are doing unmentionable things. Your father and I think you're hanging with the wrong crowd. We just want you to be safe." His mother stated seriously.

Dan wasn't sure how to respond. The cigarettes he could explain but 'unmentionable things' could mean fighting or it could be reference to his grab and go strangers. Neither were a topic that he'd want to talk with his family about.

From where he stood, there was only one out.

"I'm faking it." Dan blurted.

His family gave him blank stares.

"Sorry?" His father said questionably.

"I'm not actually some badass punk kid who suddenly smokes and fights and whatever else you heard. My friend Zoe is doing an experiment and I'm like her guinea pig. Nothing that happens for the whole month of November counts. I'm sorry I kept this from you but I wasn't supposed to tell anyone." Dan explained.

It felt good to finally get that off his chest.

His parents looked at each other then back at Dan. His mother smiled joyously.

"Oh that's so good to hear Dan! I was worried sick about you!"

Dan laughed and apologized once again, quickly escaping the kitchen and rushing up to his room. He was just happy they didn't ask about anything further.