One thing Dan had forgotten was how absolutely shitty mornings were.

He almost wished he could get back into his Fade; travel back into that bubble, safe and warm and free of harm. He almost did, too, but for one thing. 

The boy.

He had to know his name. That, Dan promised himself, would be the end of it. After that, he could go back into his Fade, for the rest of his life if he must. At least until the world stopped hurting.

It was strange, though. Every night, almost, at least, when he would dream, the day didn't seem to be all that bad. There was the occasional lazy day, of course, but also snippets of "him" flirting with girls or acing a test or cooking with his mother. Good things, and only good things. 

It almost made him think that life, regular life, might not be so bad.

Almost. 

When he arrived at school, late, thanks to his uncanny lack of abilities when it came to waking up in the morning, the first bell was already ringing, leaving him with no time to search for the boy. In fact, as he found, it was hard to really find any time to look for him, with the constant rush between classes.

By the time Dan remembered that the boy was in his English lesson, it was already time for lunch.

Lunch was a lonely spectacle, more so than Dan had realized or remembered, despite only having been in the Fade for under two months. 

He sat under his tree, watching the table where the boy usually sat (which was nearly empty, also; how had he not realized that?) and waiting for him to come.

Waiting.

Eating.

Waiting more.

And finally standing up. 

The bell had rung, and the boy had not come. 

i feel it is important to mention that eventually PaintCans__ is going to start a story with the same general idea, but with frerard