"Don't leave me tongue tied,
Don't wave no goodbye"

***

The thing about being bisexual," Grayson said, pointing a half-eaten fry at each of them in turn. "Is that you get shit from everyone, no matter what their beliefs are. Like, you have those people that do accept you fully and don't judge you at all. But the majority response is that you don't exist, because heaven forbid you like both genders."

Phil laughed at his words but still nodded in agreement.

"And what would to know about that, Gray?" Elliot asked, twisting his phone in his hands. "You told us two weeks ago you were pan."

"The struggle is the same." Gray replied. "We're the outliers because our preference in partners isn't fixed. I think I can argue on behalf of my bi and asexual brothers and sisters."

The day had dragged on almost unbearably slow, and Phil was glad when lunch finally rolled around so he could have a break. Or, at least, try to. Ellie and Gray were always arguing about one thing or another, and their constant back and forth was a major distraction for Phil. And usually Chris was the mediator during these times, but he hadn't showed up yet, and Phil was starting to get a headache. He didn't have the power to shut them up.

He hadn't seen Dan all day either, and his mood was quickly turning sour. He still had half the day left, of sitting through classes, pretending to listen to whatever the teacher was lecturing about and trying not to actually fall asleep at his desk.

And now he was sitting alone with his arguing friends who showed no sign of getting any quieter.

"How would that even work? You can't just shove a banana in there without it possibly exploding." Elliot complained. They had switched from their earlier topic faster than Phil could keep up with.

"It doesn't matter how well it fits, as long as you-"

"I'm gonna go look for Chris." Phil said, interrupting whatever Grayson was trying to explain. The two boys barely spared him a glance, and he left with a sigh.

It wasn't unlike Chris to skip lunch, he preferred hanging out in one of the empty classrooms with a few other people so the madness of the cafeteria  didn't make him blow. His temper was a force to be reckoned with, and pretty much everyone in the school knew that. It was easier and a lot safer.

But it was hard finding him because they liked to switch hiding spots every now and then. It was kind of against the rules to be anywhere besides the cafe or the library without explicit permission, and they couldn't risk getting caught.

Phil didn't even know why he was actively seeking out Chris's presence, it just seemed a better alternative to... everything else.

It seemed to be his lucky day though, because just as he was rounding the corner on the second floor, he ran into his friend face first, almost falling to the ground on impact. Chris grabbed his biceps to steady both of them.

"Awesome." Chris said, sounding winded as if he'd been running. "I was just looking for you."

Phil raised an eyebrow. "For what, exactly?" It was never usually a good thing when Chris was 'looking for him'.

Chris looked around them, scoping the empty halls for anyone that could possible eavesdropping. Phil was about to start questioning him again, but never got a chance before Chris was dragging him down the hall a few meters and pushing him into a closet. It was dark, but a second later, a light flipped on, revealing they were cramped into one of the custodian closets, filled with dirty mops and brooms. Phil stared at Chris in shock.

"What the hell is going on?" He asked in exasperation. "It's not very civil, shoving people into closets, you know."

"Sorry." Chris said, not sounding the least apologetic. "I just couldn't risk anyone overhearing."

"Overhearing what? What did you do?" Phil crossed his arms. "Did you kill someone? I've told you that you need to stop carrying that crowbar around with you-"

"I didn't kill someone." Chris snapped. "Where the fuck did you get the idea I carry a crowbar with me?"

Phil shrugged. "Elliot said you have a whole arsenal under your bed."

"And you believed him?"

"Mostly, yeah. It's not hard to believe when it's you we're talking about."

"Okay, this isn't what I wanted to talk to about." Chris said. He took a deep breath, relaxing and grasping Phil's shoulders again. He looked at him seriously. "I have a mission for you."

Phil shook his head. "No."

"I haven't even said anything." Chris complained.

"You didn't have to. I know damn well whatever you're planing is not a good idea, and I do not want to go to jail again." Phil said.

"That was not my fault."

"I'm not doing it."

"Will you at least let me tell you what it is?" Chris pleaded. "And then you can reject me if you want."

Phil paused, debating on whether or not he should even listen. Chris had a way of being entirely too persuasive about things like this; he'd convinced all of them to try all kinds of things that usually ended horribly, sometimes with minor injuries. But it was also useless trying to deny him. He huffed in irritation by nodded.

"Fine, what is it?"

Chris grinned  "Okay, so, TCE is having a party next week, and I need you to go."

Phil scrunched his eyebrows together in confusion. "Just me?" He asked and Chris nodded. "That doesn't make any sense, why can't we all just go?"

"It's a private sort of party." Chris explained. "Obviously, they wouldn't invite us, and I think it's because they're planning something."

"Planning something?" Phil deadpanned. "What, like some kind of master plan to sabotage us or something? Are you being serious right now?"

Chris rolled his eyes, clearly getting frustrated. "It may seem a bit far fetched, but we can't be taking any chances. They've done it before."

"You mean the time they slashed our tires and cut one of your guitar strings? Chris, they're high schoolers."

"Yeah, and that shit cost me half of my savings! I just don't want them to get in our way."

Phil ran a hand through his hair. "And you think they're gonna be scheming at this party?"

"It's just a possibility."

"And what you don't think they'd recognize me? A member of the band that they're gonna be plotting against?"

Chris smiled again, poking a finger against Phil's chest. "And that's why you're going to wear a disguise."

Phil scowled and pushed Chris's hand away. "I am not dressing up so you can have me sneak into some lame party and listen to your enemies possible threats."

Chris grabbed his shirt, pouring severely and goddammit, started begging. "Please, Phil. You're my only hope. You know Ellie and Gray won't do it, and I'm grounded right now. Pleeeaase. I'll never ask you for anything else, I promise."

That was a complete lie, but Phil chose to ignore it. And honestly, he wasn't too opposed to the idea. The only reason he was even considering doing it was because there was the chance to see Dan. Without their bands getting in the way.

Phil would be by himself, and Dan could easily sneak away from his own group, they'd probably be too drunk to notice or care. They could lock themselves in some empty room or something, Phil didn't care, as long as he could finally get his hands on his boyfriend for more than ten minutes. They could have all night...

"I'll do it." Phil said, a bit shaky from letting his imagination get the best of him. "But you owe me fucking big time."

Chris smiled again, throwing himself at Phil and hugging him tightly. Phil groaned and pushed him away. "Thank you, okay, I promise I'll do whatever you want."

The bell rang on the other side of the door, signaling the end of lunch and the start of last lesson. Phil was just about to leave when Chris grabbed his arm and pulled him around again.

"What class do you have next?" He asked. Phil narrowed his eyes.

"We've been friends for three years and you still don't know my schedule?"

"Am I supposed to? It's not like you know mine."

"You have Art History next."

Chris shrugged. "Sorry. I'm the worst friend ever, I got that. We have practice after school."

Phil shook his head. "Sorry, I have to work." He said, actually happy that his dad had demanded he start helping around the restaurant he co-owned.

Chris groaned but nodded; he knew there was no way to get around that.

They exited the small closet after that, earning a few suggestive looks that Phil didn't want to know the meaning behind. Couldn't two guys hang out in a closet without it being weird?

His last class, Physics, was his least favourite part of the day, and he wasn't surprised he was failing. Hal the class was failing, and the other half had were either way too smart or were paying off someone else to do the work for them.

The idea of the party was looming over his head like a rain cloud, with the smallest ray of sunshine shining through. He didn't like parties, never had, but this could literally be his only chance to possibly spend time with Dan. Their relationship was strained enough as it was, and the constant time apart was doing nothing to help.

So he would suck it up and he would go. If only to appease Chris's worried state of mind, but also for his own personal reasons.

He was the first one out of the door when the final bell rang. The halls were crowding with other teenagers quickly, all ready to leave in the end-of-the-day rush. Phil stuffed his books into his locker and grabbed his bag, closing the metal door and pushing through the sea of bodies until he finally got outside.

The restaurant his dad worked at was s and usually not very busy on weekdays. It was a diner sort of place, with booths that lined the wall and a long counter that attached down the middle of the place, separating the kitchens from the main part. There were stools where you could sit at the counter and be waited on first hand. Phil normally say behind the counter, occasionally drifting out to help a customer or refill any drinks. It was boring and time consuming, but a lot better than some other jobs out there. And he didn't work regular hours, so it was easy money when he needed it.

"You're late." His dad said from where he was dumping a batch of onion rings into the fryer. Phil sighed and grabbed an apron from the hook beside him, tying it around his waist and grabbing a tray that had two plates of food on it.

"Only a few minutes." He replied. "Where are these going?"

"Table four."

Phil backed out of the kitchen doors and headed towards the back of the restaurant, smiling at the couple sitting there and depositing their plates before leaving once again. He had learned that his job was to bring food and then leave; most people didn't particularly like the waiter standing around and making conversation.

There were a few more people in the kitchen when he walked back in, and he greeted them before going over to his father. "Hey, I was wondering if I could stay over at Chris's sometimes next week?" He asked, watching the cheese melt on a few burger patties that were on the stove. His dad glanced up at him.

"You guys seem awfully close, yeah?" He said mildly. Phil shrugged.

"I guess. We have known each other for a few years."

His dad paused, looking almost unsure. "I just... are you sure there's nothing you want to me and your mum about the two of you? He seems like a good kid, I wouldn't mind if-"

"Ew, dad, no." Phil shuddered. "We're not dating or anything. Seriously, just friends."

His dad raised his hands in surrender with a small smirk. "Sorry. Maybe I'm just reading it wrong." Phil nodded. "Either way... always use protection."

"You're the worst." Phil said with a laugh, turning and heading back out into the main part of the restaurant. He sat down behind the counter and pulled out a notebook, using his spare time to try and maybe conjure up some lyrics. Grayson was the song writer in the group, the guy had naturally talent, but Phil's wasn't bad either. It wasn't his main focus but he enjoyed it sometimes.

He written a couple of lines when the door chimed, announcing the arrival of another customer. Phil didn't look up, waiting until they sat down to go and assist them.

"And what does the waiter recommend?" A voice said in front of him. Phil looked up in surprise but smiled when he saw Dan staring at him expectantly.

"Oh, I don't know." Phil said, playing along. "Everything's pretty good, but I'd go for the cheeseburger if I were you. Lots of cholesterol."

"Mm, my favourite." Dan hummed, making Phil shake his head. "Didn't know you had a job, Mr. Laid Back."

"Barely." Phil said, leaning forwards against the counter. It was instinct, wanting to be closer to Dan. "I'm kind of forced to be here by my parents. I can't always lay in bed and do nothing, so they say."

Dan made a face at him and rolled his eyes. "I'll have the cheeseburger, then. But split it in half so I can share it with my boyfriend."

Phil wrote down his order. "He must be a lucky a guy."

"Oh, you wouldn't believe."

Ten minutes later, they were sitting across the counter from each other with a plate between them, eating and talking.

"So you're having a party next week?" Phil asked after a moment, his mouth full of bread and cheese.

"Yeah. How do you know about that?" Dan said curiously. "Peej has been going crazy about keeping it a secret."

"Chris has his ways." Phil pulled the lettuce out of his burger and set it on the plate. "He wants me to go and spy on you guys, make sure you're not trying to pull anything over on us."

Dan laughed. "Yeah, it's not for that. Just some weird ritual thing we do every year, for good luck or something. You're gonna be there?"

Phil nodded, taking another bite. "Yeah, but it's supposed to be a secret."

"My lips are sealed." Dan promised. "As long as we can sneak away roll around in the sheets."

Phil choked on a laugh, ignoring Dan's glare. "No one says 'roll around in the sheets' anymore."

"I do." Dan huffed. "Stop laughing."

Phil giggled one last time, catching his breath. He stuffed the last bite of burger into his mouth with a grin. "Have to get back to work." He said a bit reluctantly. Dan nodded and finished as well, standing up and pushing the now empty plate towards Phil.

"See you next week, then?" He asked. Phil bit his lip, staring at his boyfriend longingly. He really wanted to just lean over and kiss him, but he was at work and there were too many people around. So he reached out and touched Dan's cheek gently, almost sighing as Dan leaned into it.

"Next week." He promised. Dan smiled one last time before turning and leaving.

***

a/n: omg I'm sorry this took so long to update. I've been trying l figure out the overall tone of this story and deciding what I want to happen, and it's been a busy week and school starts on Monday and I am so busy. I'll try and keep up.

But yes here is the next chapter of this story and I am seriously in love with this idea. Secret relationships always kill me a little.

I think I'm just gonna keep the title as it is, most people seem to like it. And I decided to start naming the chapters after songs. Can you guess the artist? And no Googling, otherwise you're a dirty cheater.

Okay yeah that's all. I hope you liked this and stick around for more. I'll see you later, peace :3