The next morning there is a strained awkwardness between Daniel and Jonah.

Daniel isn't entirely sure how to describe it, it's not like the two are arguing or that Daniel can even pinpoint exactly why either one of them is annoyed. But there is definitely a lot of unsaid things hanging between them and they seem to be getting in the way of Daniel being able to do anything close to apologising.

And so when Jonah falls into step beside Daniel as soon as Daniel steps off the bus, silence still cloaks the two of them, threaded with a tension that Daniel never thought he'd feel around Jonah.

When Jonah does begin to talk it's clear that he's intent on clearing the air after last night but Daniel quickly changes the subject, desperate to talk about anything else. He knows that the two of them should probably talk about it, explain either side of the argument but talking about it means that Daniel has to acknowledge that Jonah saw him being embarrassed and that means having to admit to Jonah that everything his brother says is probably true. It means peeling back the protective layers that Daniel has built up over the years and exposing the thirteen year old boy who came out to his family on a random Sunday afternoon and Daniel just doesn't think he's ready for that.

Not that he's going to admit all of that to Jonah either.

Jonah is obviously taken aback by Daniel's refusal to talk about the entire situation and Daniel can't say he's surprised. After all most people would be thrilled to have friends offering to help with the situation but Daniel can't help but listen to the part of his mind that still keeps on telling him that maybe this is just a repeat of everything that happened before, that maybe Daniel is destined to continue living the same loop over and over again until the day her dies. Daniel trusted Charlie with this information, and Daniel doesn't intend on making the same mistakes again. Especially not after Charlie thought it would be oh so hilarious to tell everyone about it after the reveal. The only reason why Daniel's brother didn't put up much of a fight when Daniel asked to change schools.

Speaking of Charlie, Daniel still hasn't replied to his text. His fingers have hovered over the keypad plenty of times, puzzling over exactly what it is he should say but as of yet he hasn't been able to find the right words. Daniel knows he should refuse, that Charlie Martin doesn't deserve for Daniel to give him the time of day – after all Jonah said as much – but Daniel almost wants to. It's as if he's afraid that if he doesn't confront Charlie then Charlie is going to be shadow lurking in his past forever, and Daniel doesn't want that.

It doesn't mean that he wants to see Charlie though; in fact the idea of seeing the boy makes Daniel feel physically sick and he can feel another panic attack building up inside him. Jonah had given a hurried explanation of why Charlie was texting him last night, a vague apology regarding him being drunk and stupid. But Daniel has read the text, knows that he can never be as brave in real life as he appears over text.

Isaac can obviously sense the awkward atmosphere when he approaches them as Daniel can see the way that Isaac looks between the two of them with a confused expression on his face. At least Isaac finds it weird too; Daniel was starting to worry that maybe he was just making a big deal out of the silence.

But now that he thinks about it, the silence is really weird. Because Jonah and Daniel never run out of things to talk about, in fact it's more like they run out of time to talk about things and now here they are wasting this valuable time, when Daniel could be learning about Jonah's favourite animal or what Jonah thinks of the royal family but instead they're stood in a stupid silence all because Daniel is too stubborn to accept Jonah's help.

"What's your favourite animal?" Daniel blurts out.

Both Isaac and Jonah look at him in shock, confused as to his sudden question but it does the trick. And Daniel can see that a smile is slowly spreading across Jonah's face, Jonah realises what it is that Daniel is trying to do, that this is Daniel's wayward version of an apology.

"Lions," Jonah replies.

"You kinda look like one."

"What?"

"Well your hair is getting really long now," Daniel says, "so it's kinda like a mane I guess, so you look like a lion."

"Thank you?"

Isaac is shaking his head at the two of them but at the same time he looks unreasonably relieved.

However just because Daniel and Jonah are now talking does not mean that the tension has dissipated entirely though. In fact the conversation is much more strained than usual and Daniel is still skirting around the subjects that he desperately does not want to talk about. Luckily Jonah is playing along and even when Isaac briefly mentions last night Jonah doesn't force that conversation to go any further. He's apparently realised that Daniel will talk about it all when he's ready, that is, if he ever is.

"What do you want to do at lunch?"

Daniel looks up at the sky after Isaac's question. It's unusually warm for a March morning and Daniel is surprised to find that he can even see the sun peeking out from behind a cloud; it seems a shame to waste the nice weather.

"Do you wanna chill in the quad?" He asks.

All he gets is two nods in reply but at least the plans are cemented. But Daniel is worried to find that there is a feeling of dread in his stomach, weighing him down until he feels like he might descend through the earth's crust. Because break is twenty minutes long, and that means twenty minutes of trying not to let Jonah know exactly how he feels.

xxx

When Jonah steps out onto the quad he's taken aback at first by just how warm it is. Of course he knew the sun was out - in a town like this which gets about four warm days a year, everybody in the class seems to have told him about it – but it's another thing entirely to actually be stood outside enjoying it.

"Jonah!" Isaac's voice can be heard from across the quad and Jonah quickly heads in that direction.

As soon as he reaches them Jonah settles down on the grass next to them, quickly taking one of the strawberry laces that Isaac proffers to him.

"So how's life?" Isaac asks leaning back on the grass.

"Are you expecting a generic answer or a really philosophical one?"

"You know what; hit me with whatever you feel like," Isaac replies, "I'm up for listening whatever you choose."

"Are you okay, you seem... weird?"

And it's true, Isaac is spread out across the grass, a lazy expression painted on his face and an arm tossed across his face, covering his eyes.

"It's warm."

"So?"

Isaac sighs and apparently decides not to justify Jonah's question with an answer and so Daniel is forced to take the reins.

"When Isaac gets warm he gets sleepy and his entire brain shuts down," Daniel explains, "like don't expect him to function at all for the rest of the day."

"Wow."

"Yeah."

The three of them fall into a silence and Jonah desperately wracks his brains for something to say. Jonah hates silence, always has. He's not entirely sure why, because Jonah often likes to be alone but even when he is he doesn't like the place to be silent. Jonah has to fill his ears with music as loud as he possibly can else he just can't function. And so sat here in silence, even if he is enjoying the company, is not something that Jonah really wants to do.

"Hey!"

A voice from across the quad makes Jonah feel strangely relieved. Not that he doesn't want to spend time with Isaac and Daniel, just not when he and Daniel are seemingly in the midst of some kind of fight, one that Jonah isn't entirely sure that he understands.

"Can I sit with you?" Liam asks, blocking out the sun and casting a shadow over where Jonah is sat.

"Sure thing," Jonah replies.

"Is it okay with you?" Liam says turning to Daniel and Isaac.

The pair look taken aback by the fact that Liam would even care what they think and Jonah feels strangely proud of his friend.

"Fine," Isaac replies.

Liam quickly throws himself down onto the grass opposite Jonah, a wide grin on his face which he directs towards Jonah.

"How pissed do you think Harry'll be that I'm sitting with you?"

"I'm sure he'll get over it," Jonah says with a shrug, "he's not been that bad these past few days anyway."

"That's because he's still afraid of you because you punched him in the face, he's pissed at you for that y'know."

"I expected nothing less."

The small circle of boys falls into a silence caught somewhere between comfortable and awkward and Jonah once again finds himself wracking his brains for something – anything – to say.

Eventually Isaac is the one to break the silence.

"Why are you sitting with us?"

His words come across as harsh and a few weeks ago Jonah would have found Isaac's tone unnecessary but Jonah is starting to understand. He's starting to realise just what dicks his so-called friends are. And even though Jonah would like to think that Liam is not like the rest (unless him sitting with them now is part of some stupid joke in which case screw Liam) but he can understand why Isaac is asking. If your friends are douches then you're generally a douche, Jonah is just an exception to the rule. And he's hoping, foolishly he knows, that maybe Liam is too.

"I was sick of them being dicks," Liam replies casually, "and you guys seem to be a lot more fun. Plus Daniel and I were in the middle of a riveting conversation about Pokémon the other day before Jonah changed the subject."

"I'm hoping you're being sarcastic."

"Hey!" Daniel says sounding hurt. "What's wrong with Pokémon?"

Jonah says nothing, simply rolls his eyes and leans further back tilting his head up towards the sunshine. He doesn't want to ruin this because this is a big step and although he may not be acknowledging it outwardly, it's all Jonah can think about. Because if Liam is happy to spend time with Isaac and Daniel then maybe there really is a change for a bridge to be formed between their two friendship groups, then maybe Jonah isn't so terrible at picking friends after all. Of course deep down Jonah knows how stupidly optimistic he is being, that yet again Liam is just an exception to the rule but that doesn't stop him from hoping that reality might turn out otherwise.

"You okay there Jonah?" Liam asks, swatting a hand in front of Jonah's face.

It appears Jonah has zoned out, so lost in his own thoughts that he didn't hear anything anyone else said. It doesn't happen to Jonah often, he prides himself on being a great listener but his thoughts are so all over the place today that he couldn't help it.

"Sorry what?"

"I was wondering if you wanted anything from the vending machine," Liam says.

"I'm good thanks."

This silence seems to be refusing to leave because as soon as Liam walks off it arrives again, Jonah is starting to feel like it physically coats him, like a second layer of skin. And he absolutely hates it.

"So are you doing anything exciting tomorrow?" Isaac asks Daniel.

Jonah is confused. Tomorrow is a Wednesday, why would Daniel be doing anything exciting?

"Mum's probably taking me out for dinner or something."

Oh god, Jonah can feel panic start to sink in because tomorrow is obviously something important and Jonah feels like he should know but even as he racks his brain nothing is coming to him.

"Uhm, what's tomorrow?" He asks timidly.

Isaac turns to him with a disbelieving expression on his face and Daniel refuses to meet his eye and shifts from side to side awkwardly.

"It's his birthday," Isaac says eventually.

Oh. Jonah thinks. Oh shit.

xxx

"But there must be something you want," Jonah begs Daniel.

Daniel isn't surprised. They've been having the same conversation ever since Jonah found out it was Daniel's birthday tomorrow. That, and Jonah's apologised a lot for forgetting, Daniel forgave him pretty easily.

"I've told you Jonah, you don't have to get me anything," Daniel repeats for what seems like the thousandth time.

"But I want to."

"I want doesn't get."

"So does that mean I don't want does get? Because you're saying you don't want a present Daniel you know."

Daniel rolls his eyes and shakes his head before quickening his pace so that he can speed away from Jonah. At first Jonah's surprise gives him the advantage but Jonah quickly catches up to Daniel with a little run, despite Daniel's longer strides.

"Please Danny-Boy," Jonah says, "anything, I'll get you anything."

"Some peace and quiet would be nice," Daniel tells Jonah sarcastically, "but you appear to be incapable of providing that."

"Feisty," Jonah replies teasingly, "seriously though Danny-Boy, let me get you something."

"You know what I want?"

"What?"

"I want you to not get me anything."

"Danny-Boy!"

"Seriously Jonah," Daniel's tone is serious and he spins around to face Jonah, "I don't want anything from you, please, please, don't buy me anything. It would just be weird."

"Why would it be weird?"

"We've barely know each other that long."

"I've known you long enough to want to buy you a present," Jonah says.

"Look I just don't want you spending money on me, I hate it when people do that."

Daniel can tell that Jonah is about to say something else but Daniel quickly cuts him off with a not-so-subtle change of topic.

"So that new John Green film looks good hey..."

"Danny-Boy," Jonah tries to interrupt.

"... I mean I actually didn't like The Fault In Our Stars that much ..."

"Danny-Boy."

"... I felt like it was more about infatuation than love and would the film really have been such a big deal ..."

"Daniel," Jonah growls.

" ... if the guy hadn't died, like seriously? I mean it was good but it wasn't great if you know what I mean."

"Daniel!"

"Yes?" Daniel replies, innocence seeping into his tone.

"What do you want - ?"

"Oops, this is my classroom gotta go, I'll speak to you later."

With that Daniel darts through the classroom door and quickly settles into his seat. Daniel has always loved psychology, not just because of the subject itself but also because of how laidback his teacher is. Mr Roscoe barely looks up when Daniel practically runs into the room.

Isaac does though, and he has a large smile on his face, Daniel is glad that someone is finding this funny.

"Jonah still bugging you?"

Daniel simply nods in response taking his seat opposite Isaac.

"Why don't you just ask him for a CD or something?"

"I don't want him spending money on me."

"You're the weirdest person I know, I love asking people for presents."

"Well you're a dick," Daniel replies simply, "that's why the two of us are different."

"Not our sexuality?"

"My sexuality doesn't define me."

"Neither does my love of receiving presents."

Daniel shakes his head at his best friend, but Isaac isn't done.

"Anyway," Isaac says, "if you're not happy with Jonah spending money on you then are you happy receiving presents that he can give for free?"

Daniel would usually think nothing of a sentence like that but with the indiscreet wink that Isaac sends his way, it's difficult to miss what Isaac is suggesting.

"We're just friends," Daniel says, his cheeks flushing crimson, "we don't do things like that."

But even as the words come out of his mouth Daniel can feel himself being transported back to Saturday afternoon, Jonah's fingers tangled in his hair and their mouths pressed together. And Daniel can't help but wish that they did do things like that, that they were more than just friends, that Daniel didn't find himself questioning every little thing he did around Jonah, that things between them were just easy, no questions, no thinking, just them.

"You sure about that?" Isaac asks teasingly.

"Yes," Daniel replies trying to stop his blush from spreading, "absolutely certain."

Daniel knows that there is no way that Isaac can have any idea what happened between Jonah and Daniel at Jonah's house but that doesn't stop him from briefly considering the idea that Isaac may have developed telepathic abilities without telling him.

"You're blushing it's so cute," Isaac gushes, for a brief moment Daniel thinks he's been caught out, and then Isaac continues, "like you can't even deny the fact that you like him."

"I'm trying to move past that," Daniel replies honestly, "I don't want to make things awkward."

"Sorry," Isaac says, "I don't mean to be a shit friend, that can't be great, liking your best friend."

"He's not my best friend," Daniel replies quickly.

"He's not?"

"We're BFFs Isaac," Daniel reminds Isaac, "that's best friends forever."

"Oh my lord you're such a dweeb, why am I friends with you?"

"Best friends forever," Daniel repeats, "so you can't get rid of me no matter how much you want to."

"That sounds really creepy Dan," Isaac replies, "never threaten me with that again."

"Are you saying you don't want to be friends with me?" Daniel asks with a pout.

"Oh fuck off Dan, you know I love you."

xxx

Jonah is entering into a mild state of panic. He knows that Daniel said he didn't want anything but that doesn't stop Jonah from feeling like he has to get Daniel something, if for no other reason than because they're friends, and friends buy presents for each other on their birthday.

At the very least Jonah knows he has to get Daniel a card, he truly would be an appalling friend if he didn't. And so on his drive back from school Jonah stops in at the local newsagents to pick up something.

He browses for a surprisingly long time, the card has to be great, it has to be the sort of card that makes all other cards look shit, because Jonah is desperate to make up for the fact that he forgot Daniel's birthday, he needs to else he's going to feel like a terrible friend forever.

"Can I help you?"

A girl behind the counter looks up at Jonah from behind her lashes; she leans over the top of the counter and flicks a lock of her platinum blonde hair behind her shoulder.

"I'm looking for a card for a friend."

"A friend?"

"Uh-huh."

"What kind of card?"

"The best card you've got."

The girl lets out a small giggle at that and steps away from behind the counter before heading towards Jonah.

"I like that one," the girl tells Jonah pointing at a card with a teddy bear holding a balloon on the front of it, "I got it for my girlfriend for her birthday last week."

"It's nice," Jonah replies, "it's just not his type of card."

"Oh, he's a he? That changes everything."

She tugs Jonah over towards the counter once again, before bending down and disappearing below it.

"Here," she says slamming a box down on the table, "we got these in last night, I'm not supposed to start selling them yet but there's a really cool card in there."

"Are you some sort of card enthusiast?"

"When you spend all day selling them, you get to a point where you're strangely excited about them."

"Huh. Never knew that."

"You learn something new every day," the girl says