We Can Do Anything ♪ kickthestickz

II

"Who's the new guy?"

PJ spun around and came face to face with Chris Kendall, who was smiling, one eyebrow raised. "His name's Dan."

"Is he the Non-Master?" Chris asked, looking over PJ's shoulder to see Dan standing alone in the corner, tapping at his EMD.

"So what if he is?" PJ's tone was defensive, and he didn't care.

"Hey, Peej, I don't mean it's a bad thing! I'm just curious."

PJ ignored the way his heart was fluttering at the casual way Chris used his nickname, and shrugged. "Well, maybe try being curious more politely."

Every fibre of his being was screaming at him to use this opportunity to ask Chris to be his badminton partner – or, better still, to grab him and kiss him – but he turned away. He didn't want to seem too eager, after all, and he was worried that if he tried to talk any more he'd turn into a trembling jelly.

"PJ?"

Dan was calling him so, throwing Chris what he hoped was an attractive smile, he picked up his bag and hurried over to see what was wrong. "Yeah?"

"I- I've got parkour next lesson, and I don't know where the playing fields are."

"Parkour? Parkour?" PJ shook his head, bewildered. "Why would you choose parkour, of all things?"

He saw a movement in the corner of his eye and turned slightly towards it, seeing Chris waving at him. Once they'd made eye contact, Chris mouthed, 'creative writing next?' and PJ nodded, unable to keep the smile off his face when Chris then gave him a thumbs up and called, "Sit next to me?"

He nodded, trying not to look too eager, although inside his heart was thumping wildly. Chris Kendall just asked to sit next to him? Was this a joke?

After a moment, he registered that Dan had stopped talking and was looking at him expectantly, so he nodded, pretending he'd heard everything Dan had just said. "Well, I can't help you there, because my next lesson's right in the furthest corner of the school," he said, hoping that answered Dan's questions, "but I can get you some directions on your EMD."

Dan smiled gratefully, and PJ congratulated himself internally for not making the situation awkward. "Thanks."

"No problem," PJ answered, quickly tapping in a few letters and clicking on the map. He handed it back to Dan, smiling at him. "See you some other time, yeah?"

"I hope so," Dan answered, returning the smile.

It seemed like an appropriate time to leave, so PJ walked backwards for a few steps, checking his watch. His next lesson started in three minutes, and he had to cross the entire school, so, panicking, he waved quickly at Dan and ran off down the corridor.

The bell rang as he was opening the door to his classroom and he slipped in quietly, hoping he wouldn't be noticed. The teacher, Miss Ellis, had a soft spot for him – he'd been in her class ever since he started the school, after all – so she didn't tell him off for being late. He even got a smile.

Scanning the classroom, he spotted Chris at the back, but his heart sank as he saw one of the girls sitting beside him. He suddenly realised what an immense hatred he had for Chris' groupies, and he silently seethed as he sat down on the only free chair, two seats along from Chris.

"PJ? I thought you were sitting next to me?" Chris' voice cut through the general chatter, and PJ turned, annoyed.

"I thought you were sitting next to her," he practically spat, surprising himself with his own anger.