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In the beginning everything had been okay. There were a few fights, but he had friends now. Friends that would stay with him. Even in his old body, Daniel had people that he hadn’t had before, and he was grateful for them (even if JIho still hadn’t learned from his multiple mistakes). At first, he had people who admired him, people who were jealous of his body and (he assumed) personality.
That all changed though. Daniel didn’t know why or how, only that they were more careful around him and often withheld their tongues when around him. Zack and Vasco still helped him when they could which meant a lot to Daniel, but they weren’t always there when he was receiving punches and kicks. Bullying that he didn’t want to fight.
So he dodged, never once hitting the cruel people that often insulted him as well. He didn’t know why they did that to him. They people that use to like him were now bullying him with disgusted looks in their eyes. It was like his old school, except more painful due to his friends not noticing his sad demeanor.
Daniel was often reminded of Logan Lee at the times he was kicked in the stomach or punched in the jaw. That wasn’t what he wanted to happen.
He supposed it started with just a simple little game of Truth. A person was asked a question and had to respond honestly. Of course, that didn’t stop Zack or Jiho from occasionally lying to try and impress the girls (which did not work).
The first question was asked by Zoe. “Who was your first kiss, Daniel?” she asked innocently. SHe didn't know that one question would cause so much trouble for the boy.
Daniel blushed as his eyes widened slightly. Jay, who had been staring out the window at the time, was looking at him in curiosity along with the other members of their group.
But Daniel was only focused on Jay. Oh God, what if he was going to be judged? He hadn’t kissed anybody in this body nor his original one due to his weight and lack of good looks. The only person that had ever kissed him was his own mother!
“I, um, haven’t had it yet,” Daniel finished shyly while hiding his red cheeks with his sleeves (which were generously given to him by Jay). He saw said boy smiling at him softly as if relieved.
But that wasn’t possible right? Why would he be relieved? Did he want to k-
That was enough of that.
The boys around him were all looking at him in shock except for Zack who had been bragging about doing something that Daniel hadn’t yet.
After that question, they asked him if he had ever dated somebody which he said no to because he honestly had never been on a date. Why would he hide that from his friends?
Apparently some of the class’ girls heard what he said, and they decided to spread rumours around the school about his lack of sexually activity.
Specifically from girls.
Everybody seemed to have come up with different theories. Like he was in a long distance relationship across seas, or like he wasn't allowed to date because his manager had told him not to. They school must have forgotten that he wasn’t a part of PTJ anymore.
The others rumours were the ones that really got to him though. One said that he was really a woman (which wasn’t true). Another rumour said that he was gay. It was started by an unknown person, but by the end of the day, the whole school knew of his lack of a girlfriend.
They called him a fag sometimes. It wasn’t very nice to be honest.
Why was gender always the main thing when it came to love? It was all about money, power and appearance when it came to love that wasn’t really love. Why not care about the personality? Looks didn’t matter to Daniel. Only love.
Why were they doing this? The people that had admired him were now rude and short tempered towards him. It was all because he cared about personality and not looks.
As of right now, Daniel was currently on the side on the ground as he was being hit by a few guys. He didn’t dodge this time. Why should he? They wouldn’t give up just because they couldn’t hurt him. No, they would just get angrier.
“You fucking fag!” A guy said as he received yet another kick to his ribs, hearing the sound of impact. Luckily nothing was broken.
Once the kicks were over with, another guy said, “You were checking me out, weren’t you?” Another kick was followed by this along with a punch to his nose. Blood gushed out as his hands flew to it, trying not to make a mess. Daniel curled into himself even more.Once the kicking was over for good, only a few punches followed afterwards.
He was able to see one of the guys was just about to step on his ankle before a blond haired boy appeared out of nowhere with his arms stretched out, parallel to the ground. He didn’t talk which was probably one of the reasons Daniel figured out so quickly who it was. He sat up to make sure with almost little difficulty.
It was Jay. Jay who had gave him bags full of clothes. Jay who had adopted the puppies even though he didn’t have to. Jay who had always been quiet, who had always understood him and who he had understood.
Jay who always protected him and cared for him even when he didn’t have to.
Daniel could feel the anger pouring out from the boy in front of him. It was nice to know that he had someone who was still willing to stay by him.
“W-What do you want, blondie?” The leader of the trio stuttered out while trying to look tough. Jay remained silent which seemed to anger the leader even more.
The guy glared at jay, and Daniel didn’t need to look to know that the blond was glaring right back with much more uncontrolled anger. “You asked for it!” He was going to regret that big time. Jay wasn't one to be messed with lightly. How did these guys not even know about him?
All three guys began to run towards Jay, but they were no match for him in the end. All it took was a kick eand a punch each for them to pass out on the cement sidewalk behind the school. Although the guys looked hideous, Jay didn’t have a hair out of place. It was amazing to be honest.
There was now a soft smile on his lips as he held out his hand to Daniel to help him up. Of course he took it without hesitation with a small smile of his own.
Without letting go of his hand, Jay looked over Daniel like a mother would her child and nodded to himself as if agreeing to what he was about to do.
In a flash, Jay had Daniel in a tight hug that didn’t leave any part of their bodies not touching. It was nice. Really nice. It felt safe and warm, and Daniel could’ve stayed there forever had it not been for his bloody nose that was now currently bleeding slowly.
“Thank you.”
Jay smiled at hm with happiness in his eyes as he nodded. His poor heart melted to goop in that moment. Daniel knew what that meant. It was something that he would never be able to forget.
‘Anytime….’
They walked back to class with their hands intertwined.