Chapter One 

Words: 2412

Phil's POV

It was my first day in London.

New school. 

New life. 

I needed to get it right this time round. I had moved too many times to go back on that promise. My mother liked to travel a lot and moved me around; mainly for my well being. I was bullied a lot. Everyone bullied the skinny little gay boy at school. My name is Phil Lester and I'm gay. I don't care anymore - everyone usually had a problem so I had to learn to deal with it. I promised myself I'd not tell a soul at my new school - not unless I trusted them wholly. I would definitely lie if it meant I got at least one peaceful year in school.

"Are you okay Philip? New day, new school, new you. Are you sure you're okay with this we can always-" My mum started.

"I'm fine mum don't worry!" I half smiled and wrapped her in a tight hug. I'm 18 years old and I have pale skin, thanks to British weather, as well as black hair which used to be brown but I dyed it - that's when emo found its way into the insults at school. I have been bullied at school the majority of my life, not always because I was gay but by the way I looked as well.

I had some bad scars and bruises but I'm happy that I didn't need resort to drastic measures such as cutting. The thought of it made me cringe and I was too much of a coward to try. I also didn't want to prove those emo comments right. I'm just a normal kid who happens to prefer boys over girls. 

We had moved to London the week before and my mum told me that we'd be staying there longer than all our other moves. She hoped we'd stay permanently if things went well so she wished me luck at school. She knew I got bullied and didn't want the same thing to happen again but she can only do so much.

I turned the corner and looked up at the tall building which would be my new school, hopefully for the next year. My grades were usually good but after all the abuse they lacked quite a bit so I needed to stay out of trouble and see if I could do better. I wanted to go to University at sometime in my life and I needed good grades to get there.

I sighed and glanced round the sea of people. I breathed in a calming breath and walked through the gates, taking in the building and some faces surrounding me. Like always, I took to trying to become invisible and tried to find a corner I could hide in until the bell went. I slung my rucksack over my shoulder and sat on an empty bench hidden by the shadow of a tree instead.

I had about five minutes until the bell went so I kept my head down and decided to listen to music. I took my iPod and earphones out and started listening to 'Uprising' by Muse - one of my favourite songs.

"Paranoia is in bloom,

The PR, transmissions will resume

They'll try to, push drugs that keep us all dumbed down

And hope that, we will never see the truth around

(So come on)

Another promise, another seed

Another, packaged lie to keep us trapped in greed

And all the, green belts wrapped around our minds

And endless red tape to keep the truth confined

(So come on)"

I hummed along to the tune and tapped my foot slightly, passing the time. I cautiously looked up and looked round all the people. I scanned each group, every chatting girl, every laughing boy. There were some good looking boys which I lingered on only for a second before moving on to the next group. This is what I usually did - quietly observed since I didn't often have my own friends. 

Finally my eyes landed on the bench across the concrete field of students. I saw two boys laughing and poking at each other. Suddenly, one turned and caught my eye to which I quickly ducked away - hoping they hadn't seen me.

After a few moments of regret I looked up and saw the bench was empty. I sighed in relief then turned my attention back to my iPod. Just as I was about to switch songs, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I flinched away in shock and looked up to see the two boys from bench.

"Hey there!" One said. He was quite tall and wore skinny jeans, a t-shirt with the joker on it, red converse and a black hoodie. He was slightly tanned and had bright green eyes and curly chestnut hair which framed his face perfectly.

I didn't say anything, just nodded in anxious acknowledgement. "Are you new?" The other asked. He was slightly shorter, had paler skin and a sweeping brown haircut which matched his brown eyes. He was wearing a plain white t-shirt, black leather jacket, similar skinny blue jeans and purple lee coopers.

"Y-yeah." I replied quietly, fumbling to put my iPod back in my bag. 

"Well hello then. Welcome to this dump!" The one with the sweeping haircut grinned and plonked down next to me. He made himself comfortable and stretched out. The other one chuckled along with him and sat on my other side.

"So, what's your name?" The curly haired boy asked, showing off some impressive white teeth. 

"Phil." I half smiled back. I somehow felt almost comfortable in their company which gave me hope for becoming friends. I just needed to keep cool and not get too nervous.

"Well I'm PJ, PJ Liguori." He grinned brighter, extending his hand to shake. I shook it timidly then turned to the other boy who looked extremely hyper.

"And I'm Bond, James Bond." the boy pretended to light a cigarette and take a puff. I giggled quietly along with PJ who rolled his eyes. Clearly he had been subject to the boys humour often.

"That's Chris, he's a bit off his head but he's a good laugh." PJ smirked and punched Chris' shoulder.

"PEEJ! You weren't supposed to tell anyone my real name!" He pouted. PJ rolled his eyes again and chuckled.

"So Phil, need help with your time table?" PJ offered.

"Sure thanks." I accepted timidly.

"Well then it's our duty to make sure sir Philip gets to his classes safely!" Chris bellowed, saluting. PJ and I chuckled before both boys linked their arms with mine and dragged me to my first class - English. That was the fastest I'd ever made friends and it gave me hope for the school year. Not a lot, but enough to feel happy for a little while.

Throughout English PJ, Chris and I mainly talked and got on like a house on fire. Turns out we all liked the same stuff - Pokemon, Music, Video games etc. However, we did have a debate about who's better Muse or Fall Out Boy. I wasn't very good at arguing so Chris and PJ celebrated their victory with a dance whilst I laughed at them.

Soon enough we'd gone through 4 classes - English, Maths, History and Biology. I ended up having a lot of fun with Chris and PJ especially when they made up fake conversations about what the supposed divas of the class were talking about in the corner of the room. I couldn't help bursting into laughter a few times which got me in a little trouble with the teachers. Chris and PJ seemed quite acquainted with the teachers' warning glares. I didn't really care, Chris and PJ were funny and probably my first real friends since the start of high school.

"So Phil, how's it going so far?" Chris grinned as the three of us sat down in the cafeteria.  

"Certainly better than my last school." I admitted.

"Why's that?" PJ asked curiously. I tensed up and wondered whether I should tell them. I feared they'd reject me if I told them the truth. Even though they seemed nice there was still time to flip the switch.

"It's okay, you don't have to tell us if you don't want to." Chris reassured and tucked into his sandwich. I smiled gratefully at him and PJ nodded in agreement.

"As long as you're not a serial killer then I'm fine with it." PJ added which made me giggle and assure him that I wasn't.

"Yeah, those corn flakes are mine!" Chris grinned mischievously. PJ and I once again laughed at Chris' remarks and it felt good to laugh and smile after so much past crying. I couldn't help but feel extremely lucky to have friends and I wanted them to know how grateful I was so I swallowed my fear and spoke up.

"Let's just say I didn't have any friends in my previous schools." I said nervously. Chris and PJ looked at each other then came and sat next to me.

"Don't worry Phil, you look like a really cool guy. From now on you're pronounced third member of the fantastic threesome!" Chris announced proudly. Once again PJ and I burst out laughing. We went through lunch like this - Chris being ridiculous and PJ and I either laughing or groaning in disbelief at his puns.

Chris and PJ were in deep discussion about their favourite Pokemon when I got distracted by someone who walked into the lunch hall. Once I looked at the figure I couldn't look away. It was a boy - he was tall and slim and had perfectly tanned skin. His eyes were a chocolate brown and his fringe swept down flawlessly over his eyebrows in coffee brown.

I couldn't keep my eyes off him. He was beautiful. However he looked sad - his eyes held sorrow and mystery and I felt a pull towards him like I wanted to comfort him. He was wearing black skinny jeans, black converse, a black shirt with an eclipse sign on it and a dark brown leather jacket. The dark and mysterious look made him even more sexy. I felt my heart race at the thought.

"So Phil, what do you think? Who's better?" Chris asked - eager to settle their debate once and for all. I snapped out of my daze and looked at Chris and PJ who were looking at me expectantly.

"Sorry what was that? I switched off!" I replied sheepishly.

"Doesn't matter." PJ smiled at me which I returned. PJ was pretty cute and probably had quite a few chasing his tail.

"So who's he?" I asked curiously, pointing to the mysterious boy who was getting something from the canteen. Chris and PJ followed my pointed direction and saw the boy.

"Oh him." Chris cackled and smirked as if he'd heard the most juiciest gossip ever.

"That's Daniel Howell, he prefers Dan though. Everyone calls him the lonely prince." PJ chuckled. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.

"Why's that?" I asked.

"Because he's so goddamn perfect. He practically has girls falling at his feet. He could have any girl he wants." Chris grunted. 

"He's called the lonely prince because he stays away from everyone. Any girl that confesses their love to him gets pushed away. He could be sitting with the populars any day and they'd welcome him with open arms but he blanks them all and is just in his own world." PJ sighed, almost dreamily.

"I don't blame those girls." Chris muttered. 

I didn't think before the words tumbled out my mouth, "Are you guy's gay?" I almost slapped myself after the shock wore off. I was surprised when neither flinched nor walked away in disgust - they just carried on like it was a normal question.

"Yes, got a problem with that?" Chris asked casually. Problem? I was amazed they were able to be so casual and open about such a taboo viewed sexuality.

"O-of course not," I stuttered before getting carried away and adding, "I am too." I slapped my hand over my mouth in panic. "Well done Phil you moron! So much for keeping quiet!" Chris and PJ stopped eating and gave me reassuring looks.

"Awesome, join the club!" Chris encouraged. I chuckled - happy they accepted me. However, I was once again distracted as Dan began to exit the hall. He turned slightly and for a moment we made eye contact. I froze up, they were so gorgeous and mesmerizing that I nearly forgot where I was. His eyes seemed to trail over my face before locking with my eyes again. He then smiled a little before turning away and walking out the cafeteria. My heart was practically beating in my ears. He was unfairly gorgeous and had definitely caused the flush on my cheeks.

I swallowed loudly, did he smile at everyone? I kept quiet and focused on trying not to blush any harder in front of Chris and PJ. 

~

Finally school was over and Chris, PJ and I walked out the building, chatting away happily. "So Phil, see any cute boys on your first day?" PJ wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. I rolled my eyes at him. There were a lot of cute boys but Dan Howell really stood out like a sore thumb.

"N-not really." I stuttered.

"Not even the god himself?" Chris asked in mock horror, nodding towards Dan who walked past. For a moment we made eye contact again and a soft smile tugged at the boy's lips before he turned away and walked out the gates. 

"PEEJ DID YOU SEE THAT?" Chris almost screamed in my ear.

"Oh my god I did!" PJ gushed. I stared wide eyed and confused at my new friends. "He never smiles at anyone, you're pretty lucky mate!" PJ beamed. I felt my cheeks heat up and my heart race, I quickly hid down to hide my blush. 

"I-it's nothing - probably because I'm new." I mumbled. 

"Pfft, yeah right! He doesn't smile at just anyone. You're quite the catch Philip." Chris winked suggestively. I chuckled and swatted at him in slight embarrassment. 

"I'll see you guys tomorrow." I smiled and turned to go home after my first successful day of school.

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Hope you like the newly edited first chapter of The Lonely Prince.

~HelloAnonymousWriter~