Drag Me (Phan)

Chapter 4

Authors note: I apologize for the lack of updates. I've been going through a really tough time & couldn't write but I plan to more now as I'm getting better. The chapters will gradually increase in size after I get back into the routine. Thank you so much for reading 💕

Dan's Pov

My alarm clock went off at about 6:30 much to my distaste. I groggily went up to go get changed. I came home and crashed pretty late last night. For awhile, I didn't remember what happened. Then I realized what I believed to have been a dream was actually reality. I had went out and saw that weird kid Phillip from my chemistry class do drag.

From my outward appearance and personality, you wouldn't expect me to be interested in stuff such as that. But I found it absolutely fascinating. I admired people for being themselves, and as much as I was proud to see someone doing something so freeing, I also felt a pang of jealousy in my gut. I wasn't so comfortable with myself, and I envied how others could do what I wasn't capable of.

I had rushed out the door to catch the school bus. I then sat down in the seat farthest back. Everyone knew that was my seat and that if they messed with that, they'd pay a hefty price. For once I actually decided to check my schedule early, instead of the usual roaming of the halls for the first half of class and then figuring out where I'm supposed to be. First block was chemistry. My attendance in that class was blotchy and I strained my memory to recall where Phil sat. I think it may be in my general vicinity. Normally I'm sleeping if I actually show up so I couldn't exactly be sure.

Phil's Pov

The bell for class to begin was a minute away from ringing and there wasn't a sign of Dan. Not that I cared, but I had a different view of him after seeing him at my performance last night. I pray he will be like he was then and not bludgeon me in school again. To my surprise, he walked in a few seconds before the teacher began the lesson. He sported a huge grin on his face because he knew everyone was afraid of him. Students and teachers alike would go silent whenever he entered as if as though he was about to kill you if you dared to speak. Dan almost seemed to feed off of people's fear like a Dementor. All should be careful not to let him get too close.

Miss Charles started the lesson off with many words about the lab we were set to do next class and all the safety procedures that came with it. I was hardly listening, as I couldn't help but stare out of the corner of my eye and the boy to my left. Normally he would be knocked out cold or on his phone, but now he stared out of the window. He seemed very distracted by something and I couldn't help but wonder if it was last night and the possibility that it was me he was thinking so hard about.
  
       The bell had rung and everyone quickly got up and out of there because the building was huge and you were likely to be tardy if you didn't power walk. I took my time putting my papers and books away because lucky for me, my next class was just down the hallway. When I swung my bag over my shoulder and turned to the side to leave, I noticed that Dan hadn't moved a muscle and remained seated at his desk, gazing out of the window. Even teachers knew better than to interact with him, as Miss Charles decided to not step in and act as though there was not a distraught student in the back of her classroom.

      I mustered up the courage to do the right thing. I hardly ever speak in school but my kindness overpowered me, even towards a person who would often pick on me. "D-Dan?" I managed to stammer whilst backing up slightly, afraid of his reaction and fists. It took him a second as if he was considering whether to look away from his spot outside. So I encouraged him on, "Don't worry, it's just me; Phil." I heard a sigh emerge from his mouth. Slowly but surely, he began to turn to face me. I couldn't believe the all-mighty-tough Dan Howell. The same person who would bully almost everyone in his path. This wasn't like him. At least not how I knew him. All I could see was bloodshot eyes that had most definitely just been shedding tears. He creepily wasn't blinking either and kept looking at me. Now I'm not an expert, but I could see the plee for help in his eyes. Never would he ask for it, but I knew the truth. I decided then to make it my mission, nay, my duty to help someone seeming so desperate and broken. Perhaps even getting them to change their ways.