The lesson before lunch I couldn't keep still. My eyes kept flicking to the clock, my knee kept bouncing up and down. The boy next me wouldn't stop sending daggers my way as I kept knocking him, sending his writing way-wards. In the end, he slammed his pen down on the table and refused to write anything else for the rest of the lesson. I felt bad about that but I didn't let it bother me too much because I had much bigger things to worry about.
The bell rang and I couldn't bring myself to stand up. I packed away my bag slower than I ever thought possible whilst everyone else rushed out.
"Oh, you're still here?" The teacher asked, his laptop bag over one shoulder. "Sorry it's just that I can't leave until all the students do - school rules."
"I'll get out of here, sorry sir," I told him and shoved my pen into the bottom of my bag.
"You haven't been very focused in my lesson. I hope Geo is still your favourite subject," he said to me lightly. I hadn't realised he had been paying attention, I hadn't even heard a single thing he had taught us today.
"O-of course," I said but couldn't actually remember geography ever being my favourite lesson.
"So, what's been bugging you?" He asked me and perched at the edge of my desk. I stood up awkwardly, wanting to get away from the too friendly conversation.
"It's nothing really... just friend drama," I said and I wasn't lying because Phil was kind of a friend or at the very least a friend to be. "It'll sort itself out." I shrugged and didn't wait to hear what the teacher had to say.
I zipped my bag up and speed walked out.

When I got to the meeting spot I noticed Phil was already there, his black hair stood out amongst the crowd of light colours. The panic was washed away for a moment when I saw him. Shit, I forgot how he made me feel. Light and warm and a little scared but the beating of my heart drowned the last bit out. 
"Dan!" Phil called me over, he pushed himself up off the wall and his smile took me by surprise. He seemed nervous but his smile was real, I wasn't expecting it to be so beautiful. "I thought you weren't coming."
"Sorry about that..." I said awkwardly. "Lesson ran over."
"Okay, we going to the canteen then?" He asked and began to walk away but I stayed in place. "Dan?"
"Ar-are you sure we should?" I asked and looked down, scuffing the dirty floor with my shoe.
"Are you having second thoughts?" I looked up quickly and saw the expression on his face. He looked hurt and scared all at the same time.
"No it's not that I'm just worried about-" I began but he sighed and cut me off.
"-Alfie?" he guessed and I nodded. I bit my lip and Phil brought a thumb up to it to stop me. "You don't have to worry about him."
"How are you so calm?" I scoffed and shook my head.
"Because I have you here... that was cheesy never mind," he laughed. "What I should've said is I know Alfie and I won't let him do anything to you."
"And what about you?" 
"I can take care of myself" he winked. 
I really hoped he could, more than I had hoped for anything in a long time. 

I made my way to the table. Chris and PJ looked Phil up and down as though he were a script they had to memorise. I could tell it made Phil a little awkward. 
"So, this is the boy Danny's been talking about," Chris announced and studied him some more. 
"What are your intentions with Daniel?" PJ asked Phil and crossed his arms over his chest, looking at Phil like an overprotective parent. 
"Uh," Phil chocked out. 
"Guys please," I begged them to stop.
"What do you do for fun?" Chris asked.  "Besides Dan."
"Chris!"  I burst out and felt my face go bright red. I hoped they would stop embarrassing me and harassing Phil but Chris kept going.
"Shh, I'm talking to your boyfriend."
"He's not my boyfriend," I said it too quickly.
"Of course he isn't," a familiar voice spoke behind me. "He would never date someone like you." I turned in my seat and saw Alfie.
"Get lost fie," Phil snapped and Alfie stalked over to him.
"Whatcha gonna do about it?" His voice was mocking and he leaned against Phils shoulder, his mouth right up close to his ear.
"Nothing," Phil said and stared forward, his jaw clenched.
"Oooh, gone soft?" Alfie chuckled and moved away.
"No," Phil got out but he didn't seem to believe his words.
"What's wrong then, pretty boy?" Alfie's words weren't joking anymore, they had malice wrapped around them and I froze.
I felt my body shake even though Alfie wasn't going to hurt me, he was ignoring me and focusing on Phil. An ache set in my chest when he forcefully threw his words at Phil. This was because of me.
"Leave him alone," I heard myself say. "Leave us alone."
"What you gonna do about it? You're just a little girl!" Alfie shot at me. I really wished he got some more original material.
"No!" Phil slammed his fist on the table and the entire cafeteria descended into silence. "He is not a girl! Will you get that into your thick skull for once? Geez."
"What did you say?" Alfie slowly turned away from me and before either of us could say any more Alfie had advanced forward. He pulled Phil up out of his chair and didn't let go of his tie, I could see his neck turning red and his face was quickly following suit.
"Fight! Fight! Fight!" Students chanted and the buzz of adreneline filled the air.
"I said stop being a fucking idiot, Alfie!" Phil snapped, not caring about the circulation being cut off.
Alfie let go of the tie and shoved Phil so he fell over the sets of chairs. I tried to run to him but I felt someone holding me back, one of the lesser known members of the populars. Chris and PJ couldn't be seen through the thick of the crowd that had gathered. I tried to kick at the  person but their grip wouldn't weaken.
Alfie was on top of Phil,  punching him over and over again. I was glad I couldn't see Phils face - it was blocked by a discarded chair on the floor.

After I had been screaming for so long that my lungs were bursting, Alfie finally shoved himself off Phil and stumbled backwards. His face was red with anger and sweat tickled down his forehead.
"I thought I was your friend," he screamed at Phil.
Phil came into view aa he sat up. His head rolled forward. When he finally looked up, eyes shaded over, I could see a thin trail of blood leaking out of his mouth and nose.
"I thought you were too once," Phil replied, his voice cracked.
Alfie looked stunned, staring at the mess he had made of Phil's face before he looked back at the crowd. He grinned as his friends cheered him on and a few stepped away from the crowd to pat him on the back.

Phil was finally on his feet, he shoved Alfie aside and I felt his blazer graze me as he made his way through the crowd.  His friends finally let go of me and I rushed after him without hesitation.

AN: I feel like it's been so long since I've made another chapter! I've got wayy to much work to catch up with + 3 assessments to do next week - Ah its crazy.
How are you lot doing? I hope you're all well ^-^
- Rach x