Unexpected

Part 6

"I've got to go." Ste sighed irritably as he put his phone down and onto the table. "I'm sorry. I bet he's done this on purpose." He tried not to make it sound like he had gritted teeth.

"What, why? No, don't go.." John Paul shook his head and took his hand, giving him his pleading eyes.

Ste faltered for a moment, actually about to just forget about how selfish Danny was acting and stay to enjoy the night with his boyfriend, but Sam needed him, and the girls would be pacing, not that Leela couldn't handle it, he just felt he needed to be there too. "It's Danny. He's gone missing."

John Paul rolled his eyes and rubbed the back of his head. "He knows we were having thoughts about being together, the girls will have told him in excitement." He breathed out. "He'll of tried to get you away from me."

"Well it won't work." Ste snapped back defensively. "Just stay here. Hold that thought okay? I'll be back." He nodded, sitting John Paul on the sofa and shoving a bowl of crisps in his arms.

John Paul looked bewildered. "I could come with you?" He offered.

"No. You just sit here and look pretty." He said tormentingly and ruffled his hair before darting to the door, looking back at the male he saw how deflated he looked, and he quickly hopped over and gave him a kiss. "Bye." He whispered.

"Mm.." John Paul said caught off guard. "Yeah. See you." And he sat back, flicking through endless TV channels trying to distract himself.

***

Ste darted into the Lomax household and chorused. "I'm 'ere!" And stopped, only to see everyone looking grief stricken. "What?! You're all acting like he's died! He won't even be far away!" He shook his head.

"That's what I've tried telling them Ste." Leela perked up as she came out of her trance.

"Do you have any idea where he might be love?" Sam asked and sat forward on the sofa.

"Erm. No.." Ste kept it firmly to himself that Danny had a full blown affair with John Paul. "We could try the folly?"

"Been there." Peri and Tegan said at the same time.

"Has he said anything to you Ste?" Sam pressed on and looked him in the face.

"I think he's probably just wanting some space. He's been busy at work you know." Ste made up swiftly.

"At work!" Leela said enthusiastically and Ste stopped her.

"No! I'll check there. You guys check around the village." He held his hands up and walked out, darting down the stairs. He took out his phone and called John Paul quickly.

"Ste?"

"Babe, I've had a brainwave. I'm going to check the school."

"You can't go in there! It's after hours! Let me go."

"After he tried snogging you last time? Don't think so."

"But you'll get arrested for trespassing!"

"Bye John Paul!"

"Ste!"

And he hung up, determinedly heading towards Hollyoaks High.

***

John Paul threw down his bowl of crisps and grabbed his jacket. He couldn't let Ste get arrested just because Danny was being a spoiled brat.

He charged through the village, cowering at the pouring rain as he shoved up his hood. No, going on school grounds looking like this wouldn't be dodgy at all. What a joke.