W A L K W I T H M E

Jason signs as quickly as ever, quirking his head to the side in question as he holds his lunch close to his chest and pushes his locker shut with his elbow.

"I'd love to, Jay, but I've gotta go find my stupid english partners," You roll your eyes dramatically as you say this, eliciting a sympathetic laugh and a pat on the shoulder of good luck. "I'll catch up with you all outside in a bit!" He holds out a thumbs up as he begins to melt into the crowd, heading for the usual doors out to the usual spot in the half-sun half-shade. On a nice, sunny, Wednesday afternoon finding and conversing with Danny Johnson and Chrissy Vaughan sounded like the worst possible thing you could imagine, and yet, you had no other choice. For the last days you had texted again and again to try and get some sort of meetup planned and they had just ignored you. Left with no other choice, you slammed your locker shut, turned on your heel, and made your way reluctantly towards the stairwell you knew he hung out in during the lunch hours when it was too warm for his leather jacket. You had to start psyching yourself up as the door came into view, fighting the urge to grimace or turn right back around. Each step took you dreadfully closer until you were reaching out a hand and pushing open the heavy door. At once, the chatter (which had been, it seems, entirely belonging to Chrissy anyways) came to a grinding halt and three pairs of eyes swiveled to face you. There was Danny, there was Chrissy, and there was also Amanda, who you didn't actually mind being around after how kind she was to Brahms on the night of the party. 

"Heya, Sweetheart," Danny forced a tight smirk, wiping off the frown that you had seen for less than a split second when you'd first stepped into the room. Chrissy scowled at you and then clung tighter to Danny's leather-clad arm at the sound of his nickname, "What's got you on this side of the school? I thought you'd be out with those buds of yours."

"I'm here to ask you two why the hell I haven't gotten a single response about meeting up to work on our english project." Amanda barked out a laugh, covering her mouth as her cheeks flushed a pale red. It seems to have escaped her without her consent; she punched Danny's arm and rolled her eyes at him. For a moment you thought she was laughing at you, but then she said,

"Jesus Christ, Dan, you're insufferable-" Amanda climbed to her feet from where she was sitting against the bottom stairs, and turned to you with a kind smile. "I'm sorry 'bout him, he's... well, a manchild, if I'm being honest. He told me he'd already-" Danny shot to his feet, almost pushing Chrissy entirely away.

"Mandy, don't-"

"-answered, and if I'd known he hadn't, I would have smacked some sense into him already." She spoke right over him, exposing his lies and deception- Danny let out a groan, stumbling a step backwards so that his back collided with the wall. 

"For fucks sake, Amanda, I don't want to do that stupid-" Amanda turned, slow and lax, to face him, raising one eyebrow. He went perfectly silent after one look at her expression, knowing that she wasn't letting him just skip the whole project, especially since that would affect your grade as well. "God, fine, fine! I'll do the stupid project!" Throwing his hands up in exasperation, his face twisted into one of utter annoyance. 

"Wow," You hum, and give Amanda a nod of approval, "I don't know how you have him so whipped but it's kind of amazing." The girl shrugged one shoulder and scraped her fingers through her thick black hair, flashing a smirk that had a striking resemblance to the one Danny always wore. They definitely hung out too much. Poor Amanda. "Okay then, Danny, Chrissy- since we're actually doing this and we're actually going to throw in effort, we need to get together every evening for the next three days or it'll never get done. We're each going to need to work on a different paragraph, getting our own research," You crossed your arms over your chest as you spoke, gaze flickering from one partner to another as they stared at you, irritation glittering in both gazes, "We can proofread each others work once we're all done, too. We're gonna... what was it you said, Danny? 'We're gonna ace this aren't we, sweetheart?'" Not often one for mocking, you had had enough of Danny's antics and were putting your foot down and taking the lead. Amanda let out a gasp of a laugh, and then she was clapping her hand on your shoulder and smiling ear to ear.

"I like this kid! Look at that, Dan, I never thought I'd meet someone as- no offense- pissy as you!" Even though being called 'pissy' was often an insult, there was something in the way Amanda spoke that made your heart swell with a strange pride. You had gotten her seal of approval. The way Danny was glaring at you even harder now that his best friend liked you was absolutely worth the initial discomfort you'd felt when debating whether or not to confront him.

"Beat it, Mandy, if you're just gonna be an ass I don't want you here," Danny grumbled, staring absolute daggers. Amanda shot her hands up defensively, taking a few steps back towards the door and grabbing for the handle.

"Let me know if he gives you any more trouble, (Y/N)- any at all." With a finger gun and a click of her tongue, she pulled the door open and slunk out into the hallway to let you push Danny around in peace. 

"So, whose house are we meeting at? I recommend yours, Danny, because-"

"Absolutely not." Danny cut you off, shooting up one finger in interjection. There was a certain firmness in his voice that almost scared you- or maybe it was the other way around. 

"But both me and Chrissy know where your house is already, it's just easiest that way!" While you were speaking Chrissy stood from her seat on the stairs, puckering her red-covered lips and fluttering her false eyelashes as flirtatiously as someone like her possibly could.

"I don't mind that idea, Dan, I think it would be super nice to see your bedroom again," She smiled, soft and sweet and gross. Danny didn't hesitate to let out a scoff and shake his head, disguising his discomfort by glaring at you all over again.

"It's. Not. Happening." 

"Come on, why do you have to make everything so difficult all the time? It's just a few hours and we don't even have to go up into your room-"

"No!" He raised his voice so suddenly that you actually flinched a step backwards, nearly tripping over your own feet as your heart leaped up into your throat. His face had gone red, but from what, you couldn't tell. Chrissy had been startled, too- all three of you were dead-silent. 

"I..." You croak the word out, then let out a nervous laugh, finally gaining the nerve to break the silence by clearing your throat. "Alrighty then. I guess Danny's house is out of the question, and we can go to mine instead." Another painful silence stretched like heavy webs between the three of you. "I'll... text my address, I guess. You can come over at five." Not daring to speak again, you turned for the door and left the stairwell, still hearing the indecipherable mix of feelings behind Danny's voice. You couldn't place your finger on a single one, and you weren't sure you even wanted to- you could almost, almost say you detected a hint of fear. 

***

Norman- Soooo you're really doing this?

Norman- You're really letting Danny Johnson into your house?

Michael- Ugh. Gross.

You- I have to, for the sake of my english grade :(

You- Wish me luck tho, it's totally gonna be miserable.

"Danny Johnson?" Your brother grinned, leaning over your shoulder to peer at your text messages, "I didn't know you were inviting a booooy!" You sprung up from the chair at the kitchen table and snapped around to throw a fist into his arm- as it collided he let out a startled shout and leaped backwards, his hand shooting up to rest over the contact point in an attempt to soothe the pain. 

"Shut up, August! You have to stay in your room the whole time, you know that right?" Your phone buzzed in your hand as you got another text, so you looked down to read it as you finished making your point, "If either of these stupid kids I'm inviting even know you exist, I'll punch you ten times harder than that. Trust me. Get in your room, they'll be here soon." 

"Fine, asshole, I'll-"

"Language!" Even over the pumping sound of the usual classical music your father, who was downstairs lost in his paint, had heard August's cursing. You grinned, cocking one eyebrow and coaxing him to swear at you again. He knit his brows together and stuck out his tongue, holding up a middle finger that you dove to try and catch so you could bend it backwards or something like that- he saw you coming, retracting the finger and letting out a screech. 

"Run away! Run away, coward!" You give him a shove as he books it for his room, letting out a string of cries that mix with the laughter he can't seem to hold back. You're smiling again by the time his door slams shut, and you finally look at your phone screen again to read your text messages. 

Brahms- Good luck, bestie, you're gonna need it

Jason- 'Bestie'? R U a five year old girl?

Brahms- Wow rude

You let out a chuckle and shake your head at the two of them, clicking your phone off after setting it into silent and slipping it into your back pocket. The house was clean, your room was clean, and your brother was banished to his bedroom- you had told your dad about your plans to have some kids you didn't really like over for an english project and the way he'd responded had made it seem like he'd stay out of the way too, but you could never be sure with him. Anxiety beginning to prickle in your veins, you pulled out your phone even though you had only just put it away seconds before. 

Brahms- What's wrong bestie? You don't like being called bestie?

Jason- No it's weird???

Brahms- AYO we got a cringe kid over here skskskskskssk

Michael- I hate that you just typed that. 

Brahms- SHEEEEESH bestie Michael!

Michael- I am going to break your thumbs.

You were just about to throw your own answer into the mix (siding with Brahms, of course, and helping to annoy everyone else in the groupchat) when three loud knocks and a double-ring of the doorbell spooked you so badly you almost dropped your phone- it jittered out of your hands and halfway to the floor before you dove to catch it again, your heart doing a painful thump in your chest followed by a wash of relief after knowing you'd caught it.

"Jesus," You sigh out, and jam your phone into your pocket for safe keeping. You hurried to the door and swallowed down the lump in your throat, trying to calm your nervousness with a deep breath before grabbing the handle and revealing yourself to the person on the other side. It was Danny with an unimpressed look on his face and his hands jammed deep into his pockets. 

"About damn time," He grumbled, and let himself inside- he stepped past you without hardly looking in your direction, "I was sitting out there knocking for, like, three whole-ass minutes."

"Sorry, it was the music- and, uh, my dad doesn't like me swearing, so... if you could not do that, I'd appreciate it." Shrugging one shoulder, Danny gave no indication that he was going to respect your wishes at all. 

"So, 's C here yet? When can we get this shit moving and over with?" You watched with wringing hands as he scoured the interior of your home, strolling slowly, nonchalant, from one spot to another as if critiquing it. 

"No, she- not yet, no." Why were you so nervous? Clearing your throat quietly to yourself and sucking in a tight breath, you recomposed yourself and thought, It's just Danny Johnson, he's not worth getting nervous over. That thought alone seemed to help you just a little bit. "Want some water or something? And- then we can get working, with or without Chrissy here." He came to a stop, pulling his hands from his pockets to scratch at his lightly stubbled chin and then set them down behind him on the kitchen table, which he moved to lean against. 

"Yeah, sure, I guess. I dunno if she'll even show up," He spoke in a monotone, lifting one hand to pick at the bed of his nail, "She's like that sometimes. Flaky." You only let out a hum in reply as you pulled down a cup and ran it underneath the faucet. "You're actually gonna try with this stupid essay?"

"Well, I mean... I want to pass, and it's The Raven. I love The Raven. It'll be easy if we just buckle down and get it done," You turn the tap off again and place the glass of water on the kitchen table for Danny to take, "You're smart enough when it comes to english, and it looks like you basically have The Raven already memorized. Why would you skip a project this easy?" Pulling out a chair, you sat down by the table and straightened out the things in front of you; pencils, paper, your copy of the poem, and a dictionary meant for Chrissy. Just in case. 

"Oh, was that a compliment, sweetheart? Sure sounded like you were calling me smart," Danny grinned, standing upright to pull out one of the other two chairs across from you. He folded his arms on the tabletop, smirking, "Y'know, I knew you were secretly in love with me or-"

"Shut up, Danny. Don't flatter yourself." Your cheeks flushed red and you fought to keep your composure; Jesus, you really had just complimented him, hadn't you? The words had slipped right past your lips without you even realizing it, and now, just like you could have guessed, he was teasing you for it. 

"Don't worry, hon, I know you'll do the flattering for me," Danny winked, and you were about to bite back another defensive retort when the doorbell rang again and the mischievous glint in his eye dissipated. "Wow, look at that! She really did come!" He was up on his feet before you were, passing you a smug smirk before hurrying for the door to let Chrissy in. Not even bothering to follow, you let out a huff, and pull your phone out again just to catch the latest texts from your friends. 

Norman- For once I support violence

Jason- Ditto. You get one thumb Mike I'll get the other. :)

Michael- It's a deal.

Brahms- Wow you're really out here hate-criming me??? :,,(

Brahms- Is it because I'm shorter than you by like half a foot???

Michael- No.

Michael- It's because you're British.

You sunk your teeth into your bottom lip to hold in a bubbling laugh that begged to escape, clicking your phone off and placing it face-down on the tabletop (on silent) just as Danny stepped back into the room with Chrissy in tow. She didn't even look at you as she tilted her head left and right to examine the place you called home. You could see ultimate boredom in her hazel eyes, along with a note of distaste. 

"This is where you live? Like every day?" 

"Yeah, actually, it is." You smiled tightly as she took the seat to your direct right, oblivious as you muttered quietly to yourself, "Sorry it's not some Barbie-fuckin' mansion." Danny seemed to hear that comment, though, since he let out a clipped snicker and kicked your foot underneath the table after sitting down in his own chair across from you. "Alrighty then, let's get started, shall we? I hope you both brought your copies of the poem?" Two speechless faces stared back at you. Why were you surprised? With a huff, you grabbed your book and slid it to sit in between Danny and Chrissy for them to use instead- you basically had it memorized, anyways. "Have you at least read it?" 

"Uh, actually, for your information, I have. My dad bought me the audiobook version." A bristle of irritation sparks inside of your ribs, but you ignore it with a deep, calming breath and smile as warmly as you can manage. 

"That's great! Today let's just get as much brainstorming done as possible, and if we do really good maybe we can even solidify our essay plans." You reach for a piece of paper and pull it to sit in front of you, writing, in big letters, 'THE RAVEN' at the top of the page. "Who's studying what?" Again, you were met with silence. Were these two useless or what? "Fine then, I'll study the meaning behind the chamber, Danny can take the statue of Pallas, and Chrissy, you can do the raven itself-"

"No, no I want to do the chamber! I'll do the chamber and you can do the raven," Chrissy reached out and swiped the paper from its place in front of you, taking your pen with it. Now, with it in her grasp, she jotted down three things- the names Chrissy, Danny, and (W/N). 

A/N: (W/N)- Wrong name. Chrissy is an idiot. 

"What... (W/N)? Who's that?" You laughed confusedly and leaned a little closer to make sure you read it right. Quirking one eyebrow and letting out her own giggle, Chrissy pushed your arm in a way that might have looked playful but definitely had other intentions. 

"That's you, silly, you can't even remember your own name?" 

"You- are you serious? My name's not (W/N), it's (Y/N). That's... pretty far off." With a gasp and a dramatic widening of her eyes Chrissy put a hand over her mouth, and then went to furiously scribble out her mistake to write (Y/N) in tiny letters (and spelt incorrectly) above it. Better than nothing. 

"I'm so sorry, I guess my silly brain just couldn't be bothered to remember the name of someone like you!" The brunette girl frowned at you, her brows creased and her cheeks a rosy red. You were growing annoyed again. Bad things happen when you're annoyed. "Hopefully I can remember it this time, it's just such an... odd name, my brain must be trying to block it out!" 

"Okay, Chrissy, have I done something to offend you? This group project isn't gonna work if you don't tell me what's going on." You cross your arms over your chest and lean back in your chair, already more tired than you would be if this stupid girl weren't sitting beside you. She just tilted her head as innocently as possible, shrugging one scantily-clad shoulder. 

"I don't have any idea what you mean, you're just jumping to unnecessary conclusions. That's actually really rude of you and-" 

"Oh, it's rude of me? Gee, if only I cared! At least I wasn't the one who jumped-" Danny slammed his hand down on the tabletop so hard that both you and Chrissy jumped, surprised and startled. Both gazes shot to him, and you took in the sight of his unimpressed features. His hand balled up into a fist. 

"You guys are like babies." He said, his voice monotone. "Grow up, why don't you? You don't have to make this even more miserable than it already is." you stayed silent, jaw cinched tight, and tried to listen to his for-once decent advice and calm the hell down. Chrissy let out a little 'hmph!' sound and crossed her arms over her chest, sinking down into the seat. For a moment, all three of you were quiet, and then something odd caught your attention and the bicker was forgotten at once.

"Woah, Danny, what..." Your eyes were locked onto his vaguely exposed wrist, the sleeve of his leather jacket having been pulled back alongside his sudden movements. Though it was swathed in a weak shadow you were certain that there was discoloration, a slight purple tint that piqued genuine concern from the very center of your heart. For a moment he looked confused, and then he followed your gaze to his hand and pulled it rapidly out of sight to tuck it underneath the table. The colour had been fresh and still darkening; the bruise was new, and it was going to be bad in a day or two. "Are you okay? What happened?" 

"I- I, uh-"

"Did you get in a fight?" Chrissy was pulled right out of her pity party, now leaning close and swooning over Danny the Bad Boy. With a nervous chuckle Danny just nodded his head. "Ooooh, Daniel that's sexy!"

 "No! No that is not 'sexy', are you alright?" You stood from your seat to round the table, "Let me see, maybe I can do something!" As you reached to capture his arm Danny shot to his feet as well, immediately standing over you with a new smolder to his golden gaze- he was trying to intimidate you into backing down, but you wouldn't comply. You stood nose-to-nose, closer than you ever would have liked if you weren't so focused on staring him down right back. "Let me see it, Danny. You're hurt."

"No, (Y/N). I think you should take a step back." 

"Is that all? Just the bruise on your wrist? Who did you fight?" Danny opened his mouth as if to speak, and then snapped it shut once more, shaking his head. 

"It's nothing you have to give a shit about, sweetheart. Sit down. Let's work, or I'm just going to leave." Another moment of absolute quiet pressed down on you, unmoving, two frozen people staring one another down and Chrissy sitting, silent and radiating jealousy, just behind you. At last, finally fed up with your stubbornness and probably not used to having people stand up to him like this, he pulled back his sleeve and jammed his arm out in your direction. Averting his gaze, Danny grumbled something quietly to himself and let you press gently at the skin. It was hot and puffy, one hell of a bruise- it almost looked as if the wrist had been momentarily dislocated, or at least heavily stressed by a grab or a pull. Screwing your brows together and twisting your face into a frown, you let go of his arm and step back to look him in the eye once more.

"This is bad, Danny, it's gonna hurt like a mother-fucker if you don't do something about it." Danny pulled his lips into a thin, expressionless line, his eyes clouding up and growing devoid of any visible emotion. He shrugged one shoulder.

"What do you know? You're not a doctor." That was Chrissy speaking up but you simply ignored her. She had nothing important to add to the conversation so she wasn't even worth listening to. 

"How long ago did you get in this fight?" Silence. Danny was so reluctant to speak. Why wasn't he parading around, bragging about getting out of a fight nearly unscathed? Usually people like Danny prided themselves in getting battle scars and bruises, but here he was, silent, maybe even... ashamed. It was hard to tell. 

"Couple hours ago." That was all he said and all you needed to know. Turning around and making your way to your fridge, you pull open the freezer and shuffle around for an ice pack. Thanks to your dads masterful organizational skills it's easy to find. The freezer door is shut once more and then you are taking your seat at the table again and tossing the ice pack across the surface for Danny to press to his wound. 

"It'll help make the bruise go away faster. Just don't press down too hard. Come on, let's get this work started." For the rest of the evening, still a little annoyed by his reluctance to let you help, you avoided eye contact with Danny at all costs. He was quieter than usual. Chrissy was just as annoying as ever. You got the first three quarters of your essay draft done. 

(A/N): This one is a little shorter than usual but I really like it :] I'll try my best to get another new chapter out tomorrow! I've got some big plans starting to take shape!