[[Lol Dankaylan Tilscopsy. xD Don't worry, it's close enough. |D]]

Dan's head shot up when he heard his name mentioned. He'd been daydreaming again, and hadn't noticed the teacher start going off on some long lecture about a project. He didn't hear who it was who he was meant to be with, so decided to let them come over to him. He decided he was probably going to hate this project, anyway. He didn't really like the sea at all, much less the creatures that lived in it.
When Paradise sat down next to him, he could feel his heart pounding in his chest, and he swallowed hard. Forcing a bright smile, he gave a small laugh and nodded.
''Sadly, yes. I hate to insult someone you consider a friend, but...'' He trailed off for a moment, wondering whether to say that Ashley had been hitting on him quite determinedly.
''She seems to be rather thick, don't you think? '' Rolling his eyes, he ran a hand through his hair, as he thought what else to say.
''Also, I don't think she likes birds or my bird calls. Which is highly illogical, if you ask me.'' He placed his hand on the desk, before looking back at Paradise. After a moment, he realized he was staring, and quickly looked away.
''So... ah... Who'll be doing what?''

Dan smiled. Apparently, she did want to be his friend. That was good for now, but it would mean a lot more hurt later. He still didn't believe she'd left because of her parents, but with the ex
pression on her face at that moment, she could have told him she beat up the Hulk and he'd believe her.
''Yeah, you did say that... Sorry for not listenin'.'' He replied, chuckling. Leave it at that, Dan, he thought. Don't say anything else.
''D'you wanna come over and finish learning that beat, then?'' He asked, immediately cursing himself.
Why did he do that? He was supposed to be pushing her away from himself, not inviting her over.

[[Sure. :> And if Dan were any more oblivious, he'd be a rock. |D]]

Dan smiled, and looked as if he was about to say more, when the bell rang. Sighing, he stood up and put all his books away, swinging his bag onto his back and giving a lazy wave.
''I'll see you after school then, 'kay?'' He asked, but didn't wait for a response, rushing off to his next class.
He spent the rest of the day daydreaming and thinking about Paradise, and even got in a debate with one of his teacher's as to why he wasn't listening, claiming that 'the subject matter they were speaking about was boring and irrelevant.'
Every moment, though, Dan had his gaze fixated on the clock, willing the day to end. He might have planned to only remain Paradise's friend until the project was over, then cut off before they got too close and both of them got hurt, but it was clear.
Like it or not, Dan was already too close. And, like it or not, it was already going to hurt.

Finally, after what seemed like an age, the last bell rang and Dan walked quickly to his locker, ignoring everyone around him. He shoved his books into the locker, before closing it qickly and heading outside to wait for Paradise.
He leaned against the wall next to the gate, suddenly glad he'd remembered his jacket for once as it began to rain. Leaning his head back, he closed his eyes, wondering what exactly he'd say to Paradise when he had to stop talking to her or being her friend.
Thanks for the memories, but I'm actually a shape shifter who can turn into a giant mythical animal with scales that can breathe fire? Oh yeah. That would go down well.

[[Roflmao. CHeese. You are so damn lucky Dan can't read minds, as I'm sure I've told you before. |D]]

Dan smiled upon hearing Paradise's voice, opening his eyes and turning his head to look at her. ''Yup.'' As he stepped out from under the overhang at the school gates, the rain seemed to just come down even harder, and he glared up at the sky as if the clouds did it on purpose.
His dark hair stuck to his head, but he decided it was too much effort to put his jacket on.
''You warm 'nough?'' He asked, bringing his gaze up to Paradise's eyes. He realized he was starting to stare and caught himself, looking down at the pavement and counting the cracks he saw.
Why was it that, for perhaps the first time in his life, he couldn't stop staring at someone's eyes? At that moment in time, he considered those eyes to be the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen, and it frightened him that he'd have to never look at them again soon enough.

[[Just the shapeshifting? >:O Lol, yep. xD Although he doesn't have to shift all at once. Liek, he could just sprout wings or a tail or something, but it's hard to maintain without shifting, and he prefers to shift fully. :3]]

Dan nodded, not believing her when she said she was warm. Even from behind, he could see her shivering. Rather than try to argue with her about it, though, he just draped his jacket over her shoulders and kept walking. After all, he may have been cold blooded, but he'd also warm up quicker when he got home because of that fact.
Besides, he was starting to think that he'd rather spend a year at the North Pole in a t-shirt and shorts, than have Paradise end up cold for even a moment. Even as he thought that, he tried to dismiss the thought. Things couldn't happen the way his heart wanted them to.
He walked just behind Paradise, still worried she was too cold, and that she'd get ill or something. She had, after all, said she'd been feeling ill that other day, and he didn't want her to catch whatever it was she'd had then, again.