Alone //Phan//

Chapter Two: Awful Beginnings

After the bullies had finished with me, the bell rung. I shuffled to my maths class, not caring if I was late. I began to walk over to my desk when I noticed someone was sat in the seat beside me. New kid, I guess. He would soon learn to stay away from me. I sat down beside him and took my notebook and textbooks out.
"Daniel. You are late." I winced at the use of my proper name but apologised to Miss Applegate. A small tap on my shoulder pulled me out of the daydream I had begun.
"Hi. My names Phil. Phil Lester." said the new boy. He had glossy black hair and blue, green and yellow eyes.
I mumbled back my response. " 'M Dan. Dan Howell."
We began to discuss school until two certain assholes came over.
"So, Gaylord, got yourself a new boyfriend?" chortled Corey.
"Yeah, but who'd want to date a fag like you?" Toby said. They then proceeded to push my work to the floor 'accidentally'.

As soon as the bell went for break, after a tiring art lesson, I headed to the bathroom. Whilst turning the corner, Phil spotted me. He began to walk over.
"H-Hey Phil," I whispered. "You ok?"
He said he was fine, and asked after my wellbeing. Obviously, I lied and said I was fine, but he seemed suspicious of me. We walked down to the English corridor so we wouldn't be late, chatting all the way. I found out his favourite colour was blue, his favourite animal was a Lion, and he loves popcorn. As we took a seat at my desk, Miss Martino began her lesson. Phil and I talked all lesson, occasionally writing notes down so we would look attentive. Maybe this school wasn't so awful after all...

Phil asked me to go to his after school today. I felt awful declining, but I had to get back or my dad should beat me worse than usual. He looked so sad when I walked away. I sprinted home to avoid being late, making it in the nick of time. Not that it would make much of a difference, he would beat me anyway. But some people have it worse, so I guess I should just suck it up.

Dad was home. He stormed up the stairs, slamming my door open.
"LATE HOWELL. LATE!"
"But Dad, I was on time today?"
He didn't care. He never cared. He punched me in the eye and kicked my back. His fist connected with my nose, causing blood to erupt out of it. As soon as it had started, it stopped. He left, probably to get another beer. Now I had to find a way to cover the forming black eye.

Phil's POV
As I walked through the gates of the school, I saw a familiar mop of brown hair across the courtyard. I strolled over to him, wanting to say hi before the bell went.
"Hiya Dan! You alright?" I said cheerily.
"Hey Phil. I'm fine." He wouldn't look up at me when he spoke.
"Dan. What's wrong? Why won't you look at me?"
He mumbled an answer.
"Pardon?"
" 'S nothing. I'm fine." Dan murmured, still not looking up. I tilted his chin up. He had a massive bruise on his eye, as well as a small amount around his nose.
"Dan?! What happened?" I whispered. He pushed me out of the way and sprinted inside. You see, running is not my forté, but I ran after him. He headed into the bathroom.
"Dan?"
"Phil, I'm sorry. Please leave."
"Not until I know you're okay." This bickering continued for a while until Dan unlocked the stall he was in, with his sleeve being held ominously tight.
"It's nothing Phil," Dan whispered.
"Then why are you crying?"
"Can we not talk about this? Not here anyway. After school."
"Fine Dan. We can go to mine if you want." Dan agreed to go to mine. Then the bell rung, and we headed to English with Miss Martino. Of course, we couldn't have first period without being bothered by Toby and Corey.
"What up Gaylord?" they jeered at Dan.
"Is that your only insult?" I retaliated.
"Shut up. Aren't you Gaylords boyfriend?" said Toby
I resisted the urge to slap him.
"Toby, its a miracle you can talk with your head so far up your ass."
"Oh, newbie you are in for i-"
"BOYS. I WILL NOT HAVE THIS BEHAVIOUR IN MY CLASS! RETURN TO YOUR DESKS IMMEDIATELY." Yelled Miss Martino.
"Yes, Miss." was the answer she received from us all.

We chatted through the lesson, wary of Miss' evil eye. After both periods were over, we sat and ate lunch together. And by that I mean I ate lunch. Dan said he forgot his, and declined my sandwich offer. The bell rang and we headed to P.E.
Today teams were to be picked for a football match. Dan and I were the last to be picked, and the captains proceeded to bicker over who got "the gaylords".

Dan and I walked to my house, but I couldn't help feeling as if he was nervous. I unlocked the door to my house, only to be greeted by Martyn, my older brother. We went up to my room, and I patted my bed, indicating for Dan to take a seat.
We chatted and decided to play Mario Kart.
"FRICKIN BLUE SHELLS!" Screamed Dan.
"Awwwww. Is little Danny upset that he lost?" I teased, tickling him.
"S..Stop...PHIL!" Dan yelled through giggles. I continued to tickle him, until his sleeve came up slightly.
"Dan?," I whispered.
"Yes Phil?" Dan said, looking nervous.
"What's that?" I pointed to his wrists. He pulled his sleeves down in a hurry.
"It's nothing."
"Didn't look like nothing. Dan.. Why would you do that to yourself?"
A single tear rolled down his cheek.
"I.."

~Sorry for leaving you on a cliffhanger. I'll update again later, or tomorrow ^W^~