Chapter Twelve: Phil's P.O.V.

Luckily the twins moved onto some new people, they became friends with the popular crowd quite quickly, it was expected though. Thankfully the arrival of the twins had taken quite a lot of attention so there was less gossip about Dan and I which felt nice for once. 

It had been three days, Dan is like a new person, joking around with us. People are still weary to approach him, he may be shy around other people but he's pretty tough. He won't hesitate to knock someone out if they talk shit about him or us. Something strange is happening though, every time I pass the twins in the hallway Jack is eyeing me like a piece of meat.

It's sort of scaring me a bit. I haven't told the others because it makes me sound like I'm bragging about him checking me out. I don't even know if he is or not. All I know is that he stares at me non stop and it's irritating and makes me nervous.

Dan, Chris, PJ and I were eating outside on the playing field, our now favourite spot. We were talking and laughing when Dan stopped and looked behind me with a weary look. I turned and tensed up when I saw Jack approaching us. If he's trying to beat us up or call us names I really can't be bothered with it. I've experienced a fair share of that.

Chris and PJ pretended to start talking again to lift the awkwardness from the air. Dan attempted to start conversation again and I was about to reply but Jack interrupted.

"Hey Phil, can I talk to you for a moment?" He asked, smiling genuinely. My eyes opened in surprise and I gulped. 

"U-ugh sure." I stuttered. Slowly getting up from the grass and looking back at the others with a frown. They all shrugged and I turned to Jack. 

"I need to ask you something ... in private." He bites his lip like he's nervous. I raise an eyebrow but nod cautiously.

"Fine but not too far." I warn. He nods and we walk towards the trees, I glance back at the others and they are all looking at me with curious faces. We stopped under one tree and he turned to me with a nervous expression. "What is it?" I asked, not meaning to sound rude. If he was going to beat me up and call me names he might as well do it now.

"U-um, I was going to ask ... um ... are you ... sorry. Are you going out with anyone?" He asks. My eyes widened in shock at his question. 

"Uuuum, no. Why do you ask?" I frown.

"Well ... would you like to go out with me this weekend?" He looked really nervous. I sort of stood there frozen. Did he really just ask me out? My brain went into panic mode. What if it's a trick, what if he wants to get me alone? I'm sure I was probably whiter than a sheet at that moment. What about Dan? But Dan isn't mine. I don't know if he likes me. Jack likes me, he's cute and funny from what we talked about. He seems harmless but how can I be sure?

"No offense but just to make sure ... you are with the popular crowd so I just want to know if your planning on beating me up in an alley way." I sighed, feeling tired with the thought of going through that again.

"WHAT? I'd never do that to you Phil, I'm not a bully. I just went with the others because Finn knew one of them and I was sort of third wheeling- never mind that's off topic. Is this you rejecting me?" He asked sadly.

"U-um no ... no. I-I don't know, I just have a bit of trust issues at the moment ..." I trailed off. 

"Oh okay ... I'll just go." Jack said sadly, making my heart clench. He worked up the courage to ask me and he's a guy and I'm acting like a jerk.

"Wait Jack!" I heard myself say. He turned round, waiting for me to continue. "One date." I smiled shyly. He grinned from ear to ear and looked down at his feet, the smile getting bigger.

"Thanks Phil." He grinned. "Should I pick you up?" He asked.

"Sure, here's my number." I smiled and pulled my phone out. We exchanged numbers and he walked off, waving his goodbyes, still with a smile on his face. I feel happy, I wouldn't usually say yes to dating but Jack seems ... sweet. Only there's Dan ... my face fell slightly. Would it be wrong to date Jack but still have a crush on someone else? 

It's just one date ... right?

I sighed and headed back to the others, sliding my phone into my pocket. When I got there I flopped down on to the grass and combed a hand through my fringe, puffing out my cheeks.

"Well ... what did he want?" Chris was the first to speak.

"I-I ... U-um." I stuttered, not to sure what to say. I couldn't help the small smile which began to spread across my face.

"Why are you smiling? Spill already Lester!" PJ urged.

"I have a date." I blurted out. They were silent, "This weekend." I finish and sigh again, laying back in the grass. I counted down in my head 5 ... 4 ... 3 ... 2 ...

"WHAT!" Chris exclaimed, making me cringe at the volume. "He ASKED YOU OUT!" He shouted.

"Yep." I said, popping the "p".

"Oh my god ... Jesus-I don't- you just- I can't-" Chris fumbled for words.

"I know." I sighed.

"Do you want him to be your boyfriend?" Dan asked, a slight bitterness to his voice.

"I don't know. I told him ... one date and we'll see how it goes." I shrugged, sitting back up.

"Well ... congrats I guess." PJ smiled, although I saw it was a fake smile. Something wasn't right, like they weren't expecting me to say yes. Thankfully the bell went and saved me from any more questions. I got up quickly and speed walked to my next class where I was on my own, plenty of thinking time.

Oh Jesus.