I hugged myself as the footsteps grew closer. My head ached, one of my ribs could be broken, and I just cried. I didn't care who was coming, I just hurt everywhere. I heard a gasp and a small whisper, " Dan." I looked up slowly to see my best friend hiding his mouth with his hand and tears in his eyes. He ran to me and skid down the hallway on his knees once he got closer. Seeing him watch me in this state hurt even more. Once he got right next to me I jumped on him. Phil wrapped his arms around my back as I grabbed his neck and hid my face in the crook of it. I just let everything go. He shushed me, whispering soft things in my ear. He softly held my head and stoked my hair. I calmed down and looked up at him. He had tears down his face and he looked liked he would break down any moment.
" Dan, who did this to you? Who touched you? What happened? " he ranted lowly and I put my finger on is lip.
" Phil, I'm fine. Don't worry. It was Eli though. Eli Taylor. But, Phil don't freak out. I'm just a little dizzy and bruised but I'll be fine. " I reassured him.
" Dan, no you're not fine. Dan I don't want anyone touching my bear. Bear, he's a fucking asshole who deserves to be expelled and hurt just like you. " he said and ran his hands through my hair.
" Phil, calm down. No, he doesn't."
" What reason did he have to hurt you like this? Your'e perfect and don't deserve this. Why did he do this? " he said and cupped my face, wiping my tears. I looked up into his cold, beautiful blue eyes. Except they weren't blue, they were like Starry Night by Van Gogh. They were dark blue and bright yellow with flecks of green. The rims of his eyes were slightly red from crying and his cheeks were pink. Everything about his face was gorgeous and heart-breaking. I had caused his pain and that he hurt me the most. What am I saying? Phil is my best friend, he always has been and he always will. I remembered his question and I felt my cheeks heat up. I looked down at my hands and twiddled my thumbs.
" Uh. He, ummm.... he called me a faggot and said that...... we shouldn't go around cuddling. " I said bashfully. I mean, I knew that Phil and I were close, but we were never romantic. I mean, I never felt romantic with Phil. I mean yes,he was on my mind all the time. Yes, I wanted to watch him all day. Of course I loved him, but isn't that what best friends do? I've never had a best friend until I met Phil and he meant the world to me. Phil's faced blushed bright red and he looked down at our hands.
He sighed and whispered, " Daniel James Howell. I don't give a fuck what he thinks. If I want to hold my best friend than I will. Dan, we're happy. It's none of his fucking business what we do. It doesn't even affect him, I mean he's just being an ass. And, Dan?"
" Yes, Phil? "
" If he ever touches you again, I won't hold back this time. I won't hurt him this time, because you don't want me to. But, one more time and I swear to god, one more time. I will break his fucking face. You will tell me if he ever touches you. B...be...because it hurts to see you like this. " he said as his voice wavered. He was going to cry again and I was going to cry again.
" Phil, I promise. Just please don't cry again. I can't make you hurt like this. " I said and hid my face in his chest. He nodded and held me tightly. He drew circles on my back and my stomach flipped over. My heart started beating fast and I felt like we were on clouds. All my mind was on Phil and his smell of cinnamon and raspberries. I felt high on Phil, high on the boy whom I loved. No. No. No. I made myself go back to earth, back to reality. Phillip Micheal Lester, my best friend, not the love of my life. " Phil, maybe we should get up and go home. I don't think I can walk the whole day like this. " I pleaded to him. I looked up at him and pouted. He chuckled and nodded, kissing my head. I looked around at my papers strewn everywhere. Phil picked them up one by one for me, even after I demanded I help him. He put it all into neat piles and put it all back in my locker. He grabbed my hand and helped me up. He supported me by wrapping his arm around my waist and I laid my head on his shoulder. And that was how we walked out of school, not giving a damn about our classes at this moment.