Disclaimer: Nothing you recognize belongs to me.
Warnings: Slash, Nonrelated, Language
Notes: This is an alternate universe where Tyler and Matt are brothers instead of best friends; everyone is either a senior in high school or a junior, so between the ages of 16 and 18.
~*Chapter One: Familiar Sights*~
Slipping on my headphones, I increase the volume on my iPod and tuck my book bag underneath my chair. Around me I hear voices of fellow classmates greeting each other and swapping summer vacation stories. I yawn, fold my arms across my desk, and lay my head down. Normally I enjoy the first day of school, but this past summer just went too quickly; I'm not ready to hit the books again.
Someone taps my shoulder. Turning, I lock gazes with my best friend since childhood, Klaus Mikaelson.
"Hey man. Looks like someone was up too late partying," he says, his eyes dancing with laughter.
I roll my eyes. "Yes and for the record, I blame you."
Pressing a hand over his heart, his mouth drops in feigned hurt. "I'm hurt, Jere. What did I ever do to you?"
"If it hadn't been for you and your stupid 'last night of freedom before school starts' night, I would've gotten to bed at a reasonable hour."
"Jeremy, Jeremy," he says, clasping my shoulder and shaking his head. "You need more laughter in your life. Seriously you're way too tense. How long has it been since you've got laid?"
I shove his hand off and turn around in my chair. He knowsI've never had sex before. Unlike him, who'd sleep with anyone with either a dick or vagina, I have my morals. I want my first time to be with someone special and whom I love, not a night of cheap thrills.
Glancing over at the wall clock, I notice it's almost ten minutes pass eight. Our teacher, Mr. Lant is rarely late. Usually he's at his desk by the time students arrive, a large Chai Tea Latte in front of him. So where is he?
"Hey, Jere," a chorus of female voices say from behind me.
I glance back and smile as Katherine Pierce and Rebekah Mikaelson join Klaus in the back row while Anna Zhu takes her usual spot next to me. Although I'm not popular or athletic like Klaus, our friendship is a strange one. Popular and charismatic, he is the typical high school jock, whom girls swoon over and guys want to be friends with. Rumor has it that he's slept with over half the school population.
It's not just a rumor though.
Me, on the hand, I prefer quiet evenings alone with my books as opposed to going out and hanging with my friends. I've never been popular; yet even when we started high school, he stayed by my side and defended me. By the end of our freshman year he was a well known basketball player and I was his best friend that you didn't mess with.
Not many people understand why he hangs around me; hell I don't either, but I'm still grateful. When my parents died in an unexpected car accident during our sophomore year, Klaus' family took me in and raised me like their own son.
Apparently some people think we're more, because rumor has it that we're dating. Whenever I hear classmates whispering or see them pointing I want to laugh. Me and Klaus…together? The thought is almost ludicrous. In my eyes we're simply best friends. If we got together that'd be like dating my brother.
Now Anna, Katherine, and Rebekah are a complete different story. Those girls even Ican't keep up. I'm never sure who's dating whom. Sometimes it's Rebekah and Katherine then Katherine and Anna, or Anna and Rebekah; hell, it's even been Rebekah, Katherine, and Anna together! Every time I watch their on and off again relationship, I get whiplash from the frequent flow of constant changes. Yet, their lesbian lifestyle doesn't bother me and I consider all three my closest female friends; I wouldn't trade them in for anything.
Just then Mr. Lant bursts through the door, breathing heavily and clutching a pile of books and loose papers. Calling a good morningto all of us over his shoulder, he drops his stack of books on his desk and immediately begins writing on the chalkboard. This is usually where I take out my notebook and pen and begin copying down the day's lecture notes, but am distracted by the two students, who accompanied Mr. Lant.
Both look around the age of seventeen or eighteen, but definitely senior status. One has light blond hair, tussled by the wind. His tan skinny jeans bring out his honey hazel eye color and his light blue, button down shirt and black vest compliment his creamy skin complexion. My mouth starts watering. However, it's the short cropped dark haired one who really catches my interest. Deep, chocolate eyes stare at me and I immediately feel a sense of déjà vu wash over me. Although he's wearing a simple, black V necked, three button T shirt and dark skinny jeans, the shirt really emphasizes his toned muscles and olive skin color. Damn! Where have these two guys been all my life?
"Good morning, class," Mr. Lant's voice breaks into my thoughts. Startled, I jump and knock my notebook to the floor. Several pairs of eyes shift to me. Awkwardly I mutter a sorry and bend down to retrieve my notebook. Anna gives me an odd look. Cheeks flushed, I refuse to look at her or explain my actions. "This is Matt and Tyler Lockwood," our teacher continues. Throughout the room girls whisper excitedly, winking and waving flirtatiously, while the boys exchange worried glances. "They just moved here from Texas. Matt, Tyler, you can take the two seats open next to Jeremy," he says gesturing towards my seat.
Before he finishes speaking, Tyler appears beside me. I blink, a little freaked. How'd he know who I am?
"Hi," he says, his voice throaty and deep, as he slips into the seat beside me while Matt takes the aisle desk.
I nod and force a small smile, but quickly open my book and flip open to chapter five as Mr. Lant begins his lecture in English.
By lunchtime, everyone is talking about Matt and Tyler. Seriously, it's getting really tiresome to hear girls gossiping about these two guys. There's nothing special about them. Then why were you staring at them all throughout class? A voice in back of my head whispers. Cursing under my breath, I shift my book bag onto my shoulder and head towards my locker. It doesn't matter what I say, I can't get them out of my mind and it's bugging the hell out of me. Usually I don't obsess about guys or girls like this. Once at my locker, I enter the combination, open the door, and shove my books inside; instead of closing right away, I stare into the darkness. This is absurd. I can't be attracted to them. It's not possible.
Yet, I am.
Letting out a frustrated growl, I slam my fist against my locker. What is wrong with me? As I turn around, I jump and stumble backwards, not expecting to see Tyler and Matt behind me. A soft chuckle reaches my ear and then two hands appear before me. I look up and hesitant before accepting the help.
"You two seriously need to wear a cow bell or something. I didn't even hear you," I say, running a hand through my hair and laughing uneasily. Why are they looking at me like that? "Uh," I tilt my head to the side and raise an eyebrow, "can I help you with something?"
"You're Jeremy Gilbert," one of them, I think Matt, says. I give a slow nod, still not understanding. "I'm Matt." Guess I was right, I think as he holds out his hand, which I shake after a moment. "My brother, Tyler." He and I share a nod. "The principle said we're supposed to follow you, since all three of us have similar schedules."
I lean back against my lockers and groan. That's what I get for being a straight A student. Automatically, I'm the model student and first choice pick whenever the principle needs someone to show new students around.
I force a smile. "Great. Well it's lunch time now, so cafeteria's this way."
As I begin walking, immediately they flank my sides. Confused, I glance between them, but they don't seem caught off guard by their actions. Instead to them it seems like second nature. I shrug. Maybe they're practicing to be body guards or something.
For the rest of the day, they shadow me. At times it's annoying, but eventually Tyler and I strike up a conversation and learn we have a shared interest in singing. It's always been my dream to make a career out of singing. When he was younger, he wanted to be a comedian, but in later years developed a love for singing. Matt, on the other hand, loves fashion. He constantly spends his free time shopping. Several colleges have sent him applications, but he says he hasn't found the right school yet, but when he lists the one that have contacted him, I don't know what he's waiting for. They all sound amazing to me.
I haven't even started thinking about college. Although we're seniors, Klaus and I are listed as undeclared for our career choices. Klaus' undecided, because he doesn't know and me, because according to him, singing will only take me so far. So I guess we'll both wind up at community college, dipping our toes in various subjects and hopefully finding our niche.
Despite being new, Tyler, Matt, and I immediately click. It's weird how easily we get along. Maybe we knew each other in a past life or something. I almost laugh out loud at the thought. Although reincarnation fascinates me, I don't believe it's real.
"What's so funny?" asks Tyler, draping an arm over my shoulders. Normally I would've brushed him off, but part of me likes his close proximity.
"Nothing," I say. "Inside joke."
He nods. Just then I catch sight of Klaus, Rebekah, Anna, and Katherine at the end of the hall. Waving, I call out their names. I have a later lunch period than they do and we haven't seen each other since first period. Besides, I want to introduce them to Tyler and Matt. However, once Klaus looks up and sees who I'm standing with, his gaze darkens. Confused, the girls look up and their eyes widen and their hands cover their mouths. Quickly I look behind me. No one's there. Then I glance at Matt and Tyler. Even though their expressions are unreadable, they don't look thrilled either. What's going on with everyone? Have I suddenly stumbled into the middle of some turf war and didn't know it? A few minutes later, the bell rings and they all rush off their classes, leaving me staring after them. Did I do something wrong?
While sitting in Klaus' car as he drives us home later, it's apparent his bad mood hasn't lifted.
"Dude, you look like you're sucking on a lemon. What's wrong?" I asked, reaching down to switch on the radio. It's too quiet.
"Stay away from Matt and Tyler," he says as he makes a left turn.
I stare at him incredulously. Since when is he the boss of me? "Excuse me?"
He continues to stare at the road, but I catch his eyes flicker towards me. "I just don't want you hanging around them."
Sometimes I wonder if he takes his protective best friend and brother role a little too seriously. Besides, I just met Matt and Tyler. How dangerous can they be?
"Klaus, I was just showing them around school; we're just friends."
Tightly he grips the stirring wheel as he makes a sharp right into his driveway. "Right," he says as he turns off the car engine and unbuckles his seat belt. "I'm sure they're just interested in being friends."
I nod and lay a hand on his shoulder. "Exactly," I say. "Nothing harmful—"
"Bull shit!" My eyes widen. Never in all the years we've known each other has he ever yelled or cursed at me out of anger. "Didn't you see the way they were looking at you?"
Clenching my teeth, I grab my backpack and get out of the car. "Klaus, you're being ridiculous! You're acting like my boyfriend instead of my best friend…" I trail off and my eyebrows shoot up. "That's what it is, isn't it? You're jealous."
When he doesn't reply, I throw my hands up and brush passed him. As I do, however, he grabs my arm and pins me against the side of his car. "You can't deny that there's something between us, Jere. Everyone at school can see it."
"Klaus," I say, pushing him away and taking several steps back, "I like you, but not in that way. We're best friends, brothers. It'd be so weird if we dated."
He steps closer, his lips hovering dangerously close to mine. "What are you so afraid of, Jere…that you'll like it too much?"
Leaning closer, he stops when I press my hand on his chest. "Klaus, I'm sorry." Slowly I step back. "All I feel for you is friendship."
Without another word, I ran up the walkway, throw open the door, charge upstairs to my room, lock it, and collapse across my bed. Grabbing my pillow, I bury my face in it and groan. Hopefully this—argument?—won't damage Klaus' and my friendship; he's too good of a friend to lose over a little crush.
After a few moments of lying there, I sit up and pull out my text books, determined to get some homework done before dinner. However, as I read, the words blend together forming Tyler and Matt's names. Frustrated, I slam my book shut and cover my eyes with my hand.
Although I've never seen either of them before in my entire life, why do I feel like I knowthem?
I spend the next hour and a half lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling unable to think of anything else, but them. Part of me knows I should also be worrying about my friendship with Klaus being potentially ruined and I am, but he and I have had our share of fights in the past and we've always gotten through them. Why should this time be any different, right?
Growing frustrated, I wander downstairs. Klaus is sitting on the couch watching reruns of NCIS. Hesitantly I join him. Although he doesn't say anything, I notice his muscles tensing as I settle down beside him, but otherwise no words are spoken between us.
About fifteen minutes later the doorbell rings. He answers and returns with a large extra cheese, garlic, lingucia, and artichoke hearts pizza. I'm sure I'm drooling as I follow him into the kitchen. He'd gotten my favorite toppings, so maybe he isn't too mad at me. As I stand in the doorway, however, he doesn't say anything. Quickly he grabs a plate for his two slices of pizza and pours himself a cup of milk. Still not speaking he brushes passed me. Biting my lip, I also retrieve a plate from the cupboard for my two pieces and open a can of Diet Coke.
That night our super is a quiet meal. Both his parents are out of town celebrating their twenty-first wedding anniversary on a cruise to Mexico. Although it has been three days since they left, and they won't be back for another two weeks, I wish they were here; maybe dealing with Klaus and his insistence on pouting would be easier. During a commercial break, I glance down at my feet, desperate for something to say to ease the tension between us.
"You know we need to talk about this," I say quietly. He rolls his eyes and increases the TV volume. "Really, Klaus, you're being childish. We're best friends and—"
"Are we?" He throws the remote across the room before he gathers up his empty plate and cup. "Now a days I wonder," he says as he goes into the kitchen to rinse off his dishes before retreating upstairs into his room.
Hearing his door slam, I lean my head back and rub my forehead. Great, just great, now my best friend is mad at me. What else could possibly go wrong?