Before you read this, I would just like to say that Dan is transgender in this one shot. If I offend anybody or get any information incorrect, please don't be afraid to correct me. I really don't want to upset anyone!

TW: Implications of transphobia and bullying, very slight implications of self harm (honestly if you blink, you'll miss it), anxiety

Dan's point of view

I looked down at my shoes, fear flooding my body. I was so close to drowning and I probably would have if someone didn't say, "New kid." I quickly glanced up, meeting someone's hazel eyes. Their eyes somehow diminished my state of panic: they were just so soft and kind. "My name's Ethan." The boy grinned and I couldn't help but grin back.

"I'm Dan." I replied in the deepest voice I could muster. I had moved schools because of the bullying and this was a fresh start for me. I didn't want to hear my birth name anymore. My mum made sure the school was aware of who I was so they were going to use the correct name and pronouns, much to my delight.

"Where's your tutor room?" I handed the boy my timetable and he inspected it for a moment. "Awesome. Same room as me!  Let's go together."

I nodded, fiddling with the straps of my backpack as I followed him down the hall. "So, how come you moved here in the middle of the year?" I tensed at the question, hoping that no one in the school (other than the teachers) would find out about my past. Being transgender should never define me. I was Daniel Howell, a regular boy.

"My mum just wanted a change."

-

The day had been okay. Ethan was in most of my classes so he was always there for me to talk to. He was kind and made me laugh in the boring lessons so he was pretty awesome. I hoped we could be best friends.

At lunch, he guided me over to a table where five other boys were already sitting. I nervously glanced at them, sitting as close to Ethan as possible. "This is Jack," A green-haired boy grinned at me; he looked friendly enough. (I know his hair isn't green anymore I just loved the green oops) "Mark," He had darker hair and waved at me. "Chris and PJ. They're a couple by the way so if you have any issues with that-"

"I don't." I simply replied, finding the two boys quite cute. The curly-haired one had his arm around the other boy and they looked quite happy together.

"And this is Phil." Phil had black hair and the brightest blue eyes. I stared at him for a bit too long before blushing and turning to look at Ethan. "And of course, you are Dan!" I waved at everyone, feeling uncomfortable with all of their gazes set on me. I was afraid that they could see straight through me.

Then they started to ramble on about a show called Adventure Time and I knew it was okay. I had watched the show so I even managed to contribute to the conversation once or twice.

-

"How was school?" My mum asked as she boiled the kettle.

"It was good. I met a really nice group of boys. Can I have some tea?" My mum nodded, getting out another cup for me.

"No one gave you trouble?"

"No one's going to know, mum. I fit in here." My mum grinned at the fact that I was finally at a school where I wasn't bullied and had a group of friends.

"Tell me about your friends then! Are any of them cute?"

I let out an embarrassed laugh at her question, just as the kettle boiled. She lifted it up and, as she poured the hot water into the cups, I told her about Ethan and my other friends. "I suppose Phil is cute. He seems quiet and mysterious."

"Oh! You should ask him on a date."

"Mum! I don't even know if I like him yet! And he's probably straight."

"You don't know unless you ask!"

"I don't want to lose my friends on the first week of school."

-

"Hey, Dan!" Ethan grinned at me, bringing a hand through his hair. (It looked so fluffy that I just wanted to ruffle it but of course, that isn't socially acceptable.) (OKAY BUT LIKE I THINK ABOUT THIS ALL THE TIME. LIKE WOW SOME PEOPLE'S HAIR LOOKS SO SOFT BUT I SWEAR I AM NOT A CREEP)

"Hello." I replied, sitting down at the lunch table. I took a bite out of my apple as the table started to talk about something new. I smiled to myself as I realised I was finally at a point in my life where I could call myself happy.

There was still a nagging feeling in my chest though: what if they found out?

-

PE was an actual nightmare. I was told I could get changed in the bathrooms rather than the girls' changing room. When I split from my group, I rambled out an excuse that I needed to go to the toilet and literally ran into them. I was so glad I was allowed in the boys' toilets because it actually made me feel proud. I was accepted by the teachers and it felt amazing. I quickly pulled off my shirt and changed into my PE kit before heading back to the group.

"Why'd you get dressed in the toilets?" Mark asked, making me swallow thickly and avoid his gaze.

"I needed to go anyway. I thought I might as well get dressed in there." I replied, letting out a deep breath I wasn't aware I was holding when Mark responded.

"Fair enough."

-

"Phil," I asked as we left English together. He was the only one out of our group in my English class and I needed help on the homework. It had been over a month since I moved to the school and no one was even suspicious about my past. Even if they knew, I wasn't sure they'd be transphobic since the group seemed quite accepting of Chris and PJ's relationship. "Can you help me with the homework?"

"Yeah, sure. I need to go somewhere at lunch but how's after school?" Phil replied with a small smile.

"Yeah? Meet me at the gates and we could go back to mine?"

-

"So, basically..." Phil then started to explain but I wasn't really listening. I was just (in the least creepy way possible) staring at him and his attractiveness. He had the palest skin which contrasted his mesmerising blue eyes and he was just so beautiful. "Okay?" I met his eyes and swallowed, suddenly forgetting how to speak. "Dan..?"

"Oh, I... uh..." I bit my lip and Phil raised his eyebrows.

"Are you okay? You look a little... out of it?"

I don't know what it was that gave me the confidence but I started to lean forward. Maybe it was my imagination but it seemed like Phil was leaning in too. Our lips touched and I mentally squealed.

Once we pulled back, Phil's eyes were wide. "Did you mean-"

"Did you?" I asked, avoiding the answer. I knew what I wanted to say but I wanted to see what Phil's reaction was.

"Maybe?"

"I meant it."

"Me too."

-

We didn't talk about it. We just went back to being friends and pretended like nothing had happened. I handed in my English homework, despite us not even getting through the whole thing. Phil had just made up an excuse and left after the... kiss.

I couldn't help but stare at him. He was just the most beautiful boy I had ever seen and I didn't really like the way I was feeling.

-

I was sitting with Phil in my room again. I had decided to invite him over just so we could talk about it. Of course, I didn't tell him that, claiming we would just 'play video games'. He sat down on my bed, oblivious, and I turned to him.

"Did that kiss change us?" I asked with a shaky voice. I was fiddling with my phone as I watched Phil frown, avoiding my gaze.

"I hope not..."

"Me neither." The room lapsed into silence for a moment as we both tried to figure out what to say. My heart was racing inside my chest, so fast that I was afraid I was about to have a heart attack.

"What are we then?"

"What do you want us to be?"

"...Boyfriends?" I mumbled so quietly that I wasn't sure he heard. When his cheeks tinted red, I could tell he had heard me well enough.

"Sounds good to me." Phil wrapped an arm around my neck and pulled me into a kiss.

If only it was this easy to get into a relationship. There will be a part 2 by the way!

Also, I'm thinking about writing a 'choose your own adventure' story but I'm not sure if that would be too messy for a story. It would have quite a few branches and so it would be a lot of skipping from chapter to chapter. I already asked what people thought in another one of my books and they said it sounded good but I thought I'd ask here anyway! So yeah, too messy? Or good idea?