dan. i show up at phil's door, grinning, tapping my fingers against the coffee cup in my hand.
phil opens the door, and i kick his foot gently.
"you ready?"
he nods, smiles, snowflake eyes all melted.
he really is soft when no one else is looking.
"what's school like?"
his footsteps match with mine, echo in the splintered winter air.
"i'd think you should know by now."
our shoulders brush together, and i grab his hand, twist my fingers through his.
"no. about this."
phil lifts our hands, traces the shape of them with his other hand, looking thoughtful.
"not sure. not good, i don't think. but i don't care."
the rising sun catches the ends of his hair on fire.
"maybe we shouldn't.."
i start to pull my hand away, frowning, but he shakes his head, tightening his grip.
"i'll keep you safe."
my cheeks are red.
and i don't think it's because of the cold.
"mm. okay."
he hums, satisfied, and i listen to the sound of our footsteps echoing in the air.
"what's it like today?"
i pause, biting my lip, thinking.
"broken glass. in the air and in my lungs. but pink, like roses, champagne."
the school towers up in front of us, big and grey, and i frown. highschool is dumb. i just want to hold his hand.
phil holds open the door for me, smiling softly.
"you're so pretty when you talk."
"shut up, you're one to talk. saying stuff like that."
he grabs my hands, enveloping them in his, walking us into school.
his fingers tap against mine.
s-a-f-e
i guess he can feel them shaking.
"you promise?"
"of course."
we stop in front of my classroom door.
"i'll meet you here when the bell rings. okay?"
i let my hand slide out of his, wrap my arms around myself to stop the shivering.
"okay."
and then he tilts his head, smiles.
"go learn something, okay?"
