So Far Away

Who Knew?

As they walked towards the school, Dan found himself intrigued in Phil. While the other boys walked ahead, chuckling and being knobs, Phil simply remained at the back, glancing at his phone, but not seeming to be disconnected completely from the other boys. Dan was caught staring at Phil multiple times, yet Phil smiled back. Dan would have to hide his face with a blush at seeing the black-haired boy so accepting of his awkwardness.

Dan failed to realise in his deep train of thought that they were approaching a rather large hill. The pathway had evolved from a concrete pavement to a track, which now ended in an uneven clay trail. The hill was ragged and steep, surrounded by trees and plants. Phil put away his phone and glanced at Dan.

"This is when it gets horrible." He smirked, as Dan looked up at the incline. It looked horrid. The ground wound in different directions, with holes and dips coating the trail. Roots of trees peeked from the ground, and eucalyptus hung over the trail in an archway. Yet Dan couldn't help but also think it was beautiful. It looked like a scene from a story book, a figment of a creative mind.

After they reached the top of the hill, Dan understood what Phil meant. In the heat, the effort put into the climb only produced a thick layer of sweat, coating his body and causing his shirt to hug his back in its dampness. Dan wasn't used to the heat either, so as he reached the top of the hill, his face was red and he puffed and wheezed. As Jacob turned around, he noticed Dan and burst into laughter.

"Look at you! Enjoy your heatstroke, bud!" Jacob laughed hysterically.

Even though it was a joke, the comment hit Dan like a train. He hated being singled out, but being on an exchange from the other side of the world didn't exactly help his fear. He looked at the ground, slightly hurt. Just because he wasn't used to this heat, doesn't mean he should be singled out. In a slightly harsh tone, Dan spoke.

"Sorry, I wasn't built for this weather. Maybe you should try our weather then, ja? Snowing? Cold? Minus temperature's? Dipshit." Dan muttered.

Jacob looked slightly offended, and Luke looked at Dan quizzically.

"Dude, sorry, it was a joke..." Jacob said.

Dan was hit with a pang of guilt. He hadn't meant it like that. He just wanted to stay under the radar. Oh god, they hated him now. They didn't want to be around him.

"I'm sorry." Dan muttered. He was nearly on the verge of tears. He'd fucked up on his FIRST MORNING. Jesus Christ.

In an awkward aura, the group moved into the school. Jacob just talked quietly to Luke, probably about Dan. Dan was in fear, jumping to conclusions. He didn't realize that these fears were so evident on his face until a pale hand gently tapped his wrist.

"Hey, it's OK." Phil said, smiling crookedly. "You looked nervous."

Dan smiled slightly at this kindness.

"Thankyou. I am nervous." He said, looking at his feet.

Phil held the conversation. "You look like someone who wants to disappear. I'm like that too. It's nothing to be ashamed of. Don't worry about them, either. They don't hate you." He gestured to Jacob and Luke. "Jacob is quite crude, so he probably acted out a bit."

Dan was taken aback by what Phil was saying. He didn't need a pity party thrown for him on his first day, but Phil's gentle smile and sympathetic face made Dan trip up. 

"Thankyou." He grinned. "I acted out too. Why are you being like this?" Dan questioned.

Phil's smile disappeared. "What? I just thought I was being nice.." 

Dan stood in shock. "Oh, nein, nein, I didn't mean it like that!"

Phil still looked a bit nervous. "No, no, sorry."

The two walked in awkward silence. Dan wanted to shoot himself. He was just fucking everything up, wasn't he?

Every single thing.