Chapter Text
His situation both sucked and ruled. He had to move schools because of his father’s work, which meant he had to leave the only town he ever knew, but at the same time, he was moving away from those who tormented him and called him a gaylord. Needless to say, Dan was conflicted about how he was feeling.
“Dan, it’s nearly time to leave, are you all packed?” his mother called from the bottom of the stairs.
“Nearly, I just need a second!” Dan replied, looking at his now stripped bed and bare desk which usually had wads of papers and the occasional mug strewn about on its surface. He sighed to himself, packing his CDs into a small box along with a few important items he always took great care of.
With one last look, he swung his messenger bag over his shoulder before picking up the box, carrying it downstairs. “I’m here,” he announced quietly, though his parents didn’t really notice his arrival. The brunet stacked his box on top of the others in a space that seemed almost the perfect fit for it. Dan then quietly sat down in his seat and waited for their departure.
“We’re here,” his father announced, the car coming to a stop. Dan got out and looked at their new house. Nothing too flashy, but it looked newer than their old one. “Maybe school will be better this time,” he muttered to himself. “Dan, come help us unloading the boxes.” Dan sighed, but complied as he helped them slowly get the boxes out of the car and into the house. He moved all of his own boxes to his room and left the rest in the entrance because he didn’t know where to put them.
Tomorrow he had to face a new school with new teachers and new students. It wasn’t going to be easy.
“Philip Michael Lester, how many times must I tell you, it’s time to get up!” Phil sprung up from his warm den of blankets to a yelling voice. “Good, now come downstairs and grab some toast before you go,” the womanly voice quietened and he heard her footsteps recede. He yawned loudly, stretching dramatically as he got out of bed and stumbled down the stairs into the kitchen.
“G’morning,” he mumbled.
“Good morning, sleepyhead. You’ll be late if you don’t hurry,” she warned, fussing like the mother hen Phil knew her to be. Phil made a noise of agreement and grabbed two slices of toast, understanding he would have to eat them on the way. After clumsily throwing on clothes that smelled clean, he dashed down the stairs, grabbed his galaxy backpack and was on his way.
Dan stood at the entrance to the classroom, reaching for the door, noticing his hands shaking slightly. He took a deep breath, opening the door and stepping inside, noticing the class go silent. He felt his cheeks heat up, clearing his throat.
“You must be Howell,” he said, though it sounded more like a question. Dan swallowed, moving closer to the teacher’s desk. His teacher nodded at him in acknowledgement, turning to the class. “Class, this is Da---”
“I’m sorry for being late!” a boy ran into the room, nearly knocking into Dan.
“Lester, how nice of you to join us,” he commented sarcastically. The dark-haired boy gave an awkward grin.
“Get to your seat, Lester,” the teacher said with a fake smile plastered on his face. “As I was saying, this is Daniel Howell. He transferred from quite a ways away, so I hope you’ll make him feel welcome here,” he continued, urging Dan to sit down with a jerk of his head.
Dan swallowed, searching the room for a seat as far away from everyone else as possible. Of course, there was not one. He would be sat next to Lester, and right now he wasn’t sure if that was a good thing. He made his way to the seat furthest at the back, next to the window and sat down.
“Alright class, let us begin,” the teacher said, clearing his throat before starting a lesson about history. Dan stopped paying attention halfway through when he noticed the boy next to him staring at him. He swallowed nervously, giving him a strange look.
Phil watched the boy next to him, drawn in by a new face and hair that matched his eyes. After a few minutes, the boy looked over at him, looking weirded out and kind of concerned. Phil bit his lip, looking back to this textbook, noticing the brunet cock his head to the side before he turned to his own textbook. The class went on like that, and Phil felt the awkward tension in the air.
“Alright, class dismissed,” the teacher announced, and everyone started talking, getting up from their seats to leave or go talk to someone. Phil snuck a glance at Dan, seeing him just looking down at his textbook blankly as if his mind was somewhere else.
“You alright?” Phil asked worriedly. Dan visibly jumped, as if Phil had screamed it in his ear. “Uhm… You looked kind of spaced out,” he continued awkwardly. The boy just stared for a long moment before he got up from his chair and left the room. “Uhm,” Phil said, mostly to himself. That was a strange encounter.
Dan sighed as he left the room, leaning against the wall. God, why was he so awkward? That could have been his only chance of making a friend here. He didn’t even get that chance at his old school.