So Far Away

The First Hurdle

~3 weeks later~

"OK, if you could all have your notes returned by the end of the week, with payment, that would be much appreciated!" A teacher yelled, above the roar of students.

Phil groaned, Jacob and Luke simultaneously huffing.

"Canberra, again?! It's like, the shittiest capital city ever." Jacob whined.

"I would kill not to go, but apparently it's 'compulsory' to endure a 6 hour coach trip." Luke sighed, folding his note and placing it in his bag.

"I wonder how Dan will hold up with it. I mean, if you travel for 6 hours in Germany you'd probably get to another country! But here, it's like 'oh hey everyone, drive for 10 hours and move a centimetre on the map'!" Jacob laughed, pushing his note roughly into his bag.

Dan had visibly relaxed over the weeks, adapting to the environment. Jetlag had worn off, and Luke had managed to coax him out of the house a few times on weekends, but rarely with the three boys. Dan appeared to be painfully shy, and too polite to tell anyone how he felt.

"He should be right." Luke said.

Phil and Dan had broken the awkward layer in their friendship, yet they were still quite careful. Phil was too scared to be bold with Dan, whilst wanting them to become better friends. This tug of war of feelings was tearing Phil to mental shreds. It was then, he made a decision to throw himself in the deep end.

~

"Hey Phil." Dan smiled. His accent was seeping away ever so slowly, and his English confidence had skyrocketed.

"Hi Dan!" Phil exclaimed. Well, it was now or never. "Hey, you know with that Canberra trip?"

"Yeah? I'm excited." Dan smiled again.

"Well, I was wondering if you wanted to come to Woolworths or something and do a massive food stockpile, seeing as the food in our motel will probably taste like balls." Phil blushed, staring at his feet.

"Yeah, that would be really nice." Dan grinned softly, slightly flattered. It seemed Phil didn't mind spending time with him.

"Really!? I mean, that's awesome! How about after school, Thursday? We can walk to the shopping center." Phil blushed, unable to control his smile.

"Sounds great!" Dan laughed. Phil's heart soared, seeing Dan so comfortable around him. A small burst of confidence ran through him, as he lurched forward to pull Dan into a hug.

Dan tensed at this sudden action, but before he had time to return the hug, Phil sensed the flinch and drew back, embarassed.

"Sorry, that was so forward. I am so sorry." Phil gasped.

"No, no, Phil! It was fine, really!" Dan meant that with all his heart, yet he couldn't shake the feeling Phil didn't believe him. Not one bit.

~

The two boys each walked a little faster to the school gate that Thursday afternoon.

"Phil!" Dan called, as he sighted the familiar mop of black hair.

"Oh, hey! Ready to get fat!?" Phil laughed.

Dan nodded, shoving Phil."Of course I am, twat. Let's go!!!"

~

"Do we get Tiny Teddy's or Scotch Fingers?" 

The two boys were well into the food haul, after seeping into a comfortable atmosphere around one another. They had both thrown items into the trolley, Dan mainly throwing in items he was familiar with, such as a 1kg jar of Nutella and M&M's. Phil, however, had visibly relaxed, and after many horrified 'YOU HAVEN'T TRIED THIS YET!?'s, the cart was already nearly half full only half an hour in.