Flower Crowns and Stars. Phan AU

Chapter 8

Phil's mum let him stay off school because she had kept him up all night with her pestering questions.

So it was just Dan and Louise at school that day.

To say it was awkward would be a huge understatement. Dan spent lunchtime reading his book about space again whilst Louise ate her sandwich in silence.

Around half way through lunch, Dan stood up, closed his book and shoved it into his bag. "I'll be back." He mumbled, putting his planet bag onto his back.

"Would you like me to come with you?" Louise asked, finishing her sandwich with one last bite. Dan shrugged, not wanting to say 'no' as it would probably be considered rude. Dan didn't like to be rude. Louise picked up her bag and threw it over her shoulder with a small smile on her face. "Where were you going to go anyway?"

"Just to the library." Dan walked so fast that Louise was struggling to keep up with him.

"Hey, Dan! Slow down." She groaned, grateful when Dan slowed down into the speed of the average person's walk. "We need to get to know each other more, I am generally sick of this silence."

"Are you?" Dan wasn't fully paying attention: his voice was distant.

"Yes! So... what's your favourite colour?" They reached the library and Dan pushed the door open.

"Black." Dan responded, walking over to one of the shelves of books. Louise noticed that they were non-fiction.

"Aren't you going to ask a question?" Dan let out a loud sigh as his eyes grazed the wide selection of factual books.

"What's your favourite thing about space?"

"Nothing." Dan gritted his teeth as he pulled a book out off of the shelf. It was plainly titled Space.

"How can you say that? It's so interesting."

"No, it isn't? Opinions are opinions, I guess." Dan sighed yet again as he brought the space book over to the checkout desk. He handed the book to the librarian who scanned it before handing it back. Dan didn't say anything as he stuffed it inside his bag and brought out the other book. He handed it to the librarian before leaving the library.

He walked so fast that Louise couldn't keep up again.

-

"Dan!" Someone yelled, making Dan swerve around, confusion written over his countenance. The confusion automatically vanished when he saw Chris running towards him, his sidekick, PJ, at his side. "So you and Phil, huh?" He laughed once he was in front of Dan who was now shaking all over. "Are you guys together or something? I wouldn't be surprised."

"We aren't." Dan mumbled, making Chris chuckle loudly.

"Of course you aren't. Don't lie to me, Howell." Chris then pressed his hands into Dan's shoulders and pushed him backwards. He immediately lost his footing and toppled to the ground. "Now tell me.. are you and Phil together?"

"We aren't! We're just friends! I swear!"

"Why should I believe you?" Chris lifted up his foot and Dan instantly stiffened, knowing exactly what was about to happen. Dan closed his eyes, preparing himself for the impact of Chris' foot with his body but it never came.

"Chris, PJ!" Someone yelled and Dan recognised the voice but he didn't believe it. His eyes tore open and, sure enough, Louise was standing in front of the group, her hands on her hips. "What are you doing?"

Chris immediately smirked. "Just having a little fun with our friend."

"Well stop. He's petrified. You guys are idiots. Why would you hurt someone purposely? That's heartless." Louise was actually protecting Dan? That was a first. It made Dan smile though: he wasn't used to having friends to defend him. Dan may not entirely like Louise (because of her obvious hatred for space) but he appreciated her saving him. A lot.

Chris laughed and walked away, grabbing PJ's hands and dragging him away with him. They didn't get very far before PJ shoved Chris away from him. They appeared to share a few muffled shouts before PJ stormed back over to Louise and Dan. Dan stiffened. Louise stepped in front of him, ready to yell at PJ again.

"I'm sorry." PJ suddenly whispered, surprising everyone. "I don't like hurting people. I really don't. Dan, I need to tell you something but Louise, you need to leave."

"No. Anything you say to him, you say to me too." Dan smiled again: Louise was a really nice person, despite her dislike for space.

"I'm gay too." The words lingered in the air for a moment before Dan stepped around Louise and towards PJ. Dan could see the tears in PJ's eyes so he lifted up his arms and wrapped them around PJ. He stiffened at the sudden contact but soon melted into the hug, glad that Dan hadn't flipped out. "I'm sorry." PJ mumbled, a tear actually slipping out of his eye.

"Dan?" Louise said, making Dan step away from the hug. "Don't forgive him."

"I won't. He just needed a hug."

"Dan, I'll try and convince Chris to stay clear of you and Phil as long as you don't tell anyone what I just told you. Deal?"

"Deal." Dan smiled softly as PJ ran back to Chris who looked completely unimpressed.