"I know who took it," said Dan, striding into the piano room.

The piece Phil was playing trailed off as he looked up at Dan. "Really? Who?"

"Jake Roberts. I found his Facebook, and yes, it's definitely the guy I think it is."

"Who do you think it is?" Phil asked, turning on his chair.

"A month ago, maybe more, I got cornered by these people, and one of them - Jake - said they wanted to kill me. I don't think he'll forget that easily."

Phil gave an involuntary shudder. "How'd you find out?"

"PJ. He told me everything."

"Everything?" Phil looked bewildered.

Dan quickly explained what PJ had told him. Phil looked disgusted. "What a horrible person."

"You're not kidding," Dan said, "but what are we going to do about it?"

"Do? Avoid him, that's what we're doing."

Dan groaned. "I know you're right, but somehow I want to do something more."

Phil shook his head violently. "Don't. You'll only get yourself into more trouble."

"I guess you're right," Dan sighed, but when the bell went later, to signal their lunch break, he was the first out of the room.

He stormed out into the courtyard, a furious look on his face.

He spotted Jake instantly. He was hard to miss. Surrounded, as ever, by his group of minions, he stood in the centre of them, manipulating the conversation skilfully to ensure he remained the centre of attention.

Dan marched straight up to the group, and pushed two people aside. They spun around, looking angry.

Dan ignored them. It was Jake he wanted to talk to.

"Hey! Stalker!" he called.

Jake turned to face him, his face clouding over with dark, angry nimbostratus. "You," he growled.

"What the hell is with you and perverse photography?"

Jake laughed. "Perverse?"

"Did your momma put an internet block on, so gay people kissing is the closest you can get to porn?"

"What the fuck do you want?" Jake snapped, squaring up to Dan. He was a good four inches shorter than Dan, stocky, with badly cut hair and a cut on his face.

"Ah, I was just wondering why you felt the need to get me kicked out of my house. Nothing major."

Jake's angry expression flickered for a second, but he fixed it immediately. "Kicked out? Stop trying to guilt trip me, Howell."

Dan laughed bitterly. "Guilt trip? I didn't realise that the truth could make you feel guilty. That's a problem, isn't it?"

"Shut up," Jake growled. His face had taken on a rather concerning hue of purple, a stark contrast to Dan's pale fury.

"Make me."

Jake swung his fist up, and it collided with Dan's chin. Dan's head snapped backwards, and an ugly bruise began to form.

Dan reacted immediately. Bringing his knee up, he felt it connect with Jake's groin, and Jake doubled over in agony. Dan seized the opportunity, and kicked Jake in the shins, watching him crumple to the ground, with a faintly self satisfied air.

Dan leaned over Jake's writhing body. "Don't mess with me again, Jake. Just because I'm not a Master doesn't mean I'm stupid. Remember that."

He turned, and pushed his way through the circle of minions, who stood staring openly at him.

Phil ran up to him. "What the hell were you thinking?"

Dan sighed, but his air of confidence hadn't worn off. "I don't know, but it worked, don't you think?"

Phil looked around, and saw that it had worked in more ways than one. People who had, only moments ago, been looking at them with contempt, now stared at Dan with something close to admiration. Numerous people had their phones out, and were clearly posting videos and photos of the fight on various types of social media.

"It did work," Phil admitted reluctantly.

The smile suddenly wiped off of Dan's face, and he reached forward to take Phil's hand. "Hey," he said softly. "I'm sorry. I know it was stupid."

Phil gave him a weak smile. "I was scared for you," he admitted, "but it looks like you've made everything better."

Still holding hands, they turned to look around the courtyard. People were standing in groups, phones out, comparing their videos. It seemed almost like...

"Are they impressed?"

Phil laughed. "I think they just might be. You're a real celebrity now."

Dan leaned forward and kissed Phil. When he pulled away, smiling, they both saw that everyone in the playground was watching them, with almost admiring looks on their faces.

"Is there any particular reason why you're watching us?" Dan asked, sounding amused.

"You beat Jake up, that's why!" A loud voice broke through the general background noise, and Dan and Phil looked at each other.

"Well," said Phil, "looks like Jake tried to make everyone hate you, but indirectly made them all admire you."

Dan grinned. "I'd call that a success."