Over the next couple of days, the awkwardness between the two boys had faded away and everything appeared to be going back to normal. The almost-kiss was long forgotten and they were back to their ridiculous old selves again.

Jeff had a Biology lesson first thing in the morning and he hated it. Firstly because it was just so damn boring and secondly, Nick didn't take this class with him, he took Advanced Maths instead. This was the only time throughout the whole week where he and Nick didn't have the same lesson and it was proving to be most difficult, in fact Jeff wasn't even listening to a word Miss Rattigan was talking about. He just sat there doodling in his notebook, before getting out his phone and texting his best friend.

Jeff:

Duuuuuuuddde! I'm so boooooredddd. Help? – 6

A minute later, Jeff felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. He glanced up at the teacher to see if she was looking, when he saw that the coast was clear he unlocked his mobile and saw a text from Nick; as he was reading it, a small smile was forming on his face.

Nick:

Loool, well maybe if you listened in class you wouldn't be – 3

He looked up at the teacher again just to be on the safe side, before sending a reply back.

Jeff:

Listen? I tried listening dude, but all she keeps talking about is 'my osis', I mean what the hell is that? She really needs to take a trip down to the English department dude. - 6

Nick:

Haha, its Meiosis you fool! And no way dude, you're not more bored than I am! This stuff isn't even English, it's all symbols!-3

Jeff:

Symbols? Lol what if it's secretly an alien language, eh? Bet you didn't think of that. - 6

Nick:

Hmm, you could have a point there Jeffrey. No wonder it's so hard. - 3

Jeff:

Urgh, don't call me that! And yep, they're getting you ready for when aliens come and take over. Those who take advanced Maths are going to be the first ones they take. Gonna miss you man :( - 6

Nick:

Oh shut up! If I have to go I'm taking you with me :D - 3

Jeff:

Ah, but I think you're forgetting one vital thing. I don't do advanced Maths, so I wouldn't know the language, hah! - 6

Nick:

Fine! But you're the one that's going to miss out. The mother ship will have such awesome gadgets such as anti-gravity shoes and teleportation devices *sticks tongue out* - 3

Jeff:

*sigh* fine, you win! I'll bring the red bull. - 6

Nick:

For what? - 3

Jeff:

Duh? For the all-nighter. You're going to teach me all there is to know about Math :D those anti-gravity shoes are as good as mine! - 6

Nick:

Haha awesome! But if I have to teach you then I'm going to have to know it myself, I guess that means I'm gonna have to focus now. Peace dude x - 3

Jeff:

Cool see you in 30 x - 6

Nick couldn't keep a smile of his face; he just chuckled to himself and shook his head. Jeff never seemed to fail to make him laugh. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed his teacher coming towards his direction, so he quickly put his phone back in his pocket and began to finish answering the questions that were on the board.

When the bell went for the end of class, Jeff couldn't get out of there faster enough. God I thought that lesson would never end, he thought. He then began to make his way to Nick's classroom, as he turned the corner he already saw the brunette Warbler standing outside the room obviously waiting for him. Nick was just staring out of the window, glancing at his watch every so often. Just as he was about to get his phone out to text Jeff, he thought he heard the sound of footsteps so he turned around, and saw his best friend walking towards him.

"Please, by all means move at a glacial pace." Nick teased.

When Jeff heard this, he smirked, slowed down his pace and began walking in slow motion in an attempt to annoy Nick. Obviously it had worked as he saw Nick charging towards him; he grabbed his hand and led him out of the corridor with Jeff just waddling behind him.

"Dude you're gonna break my arm." Jeff whined.

Nick just scoffed. "Man, that's nothing compared to what Wes will do to us with that gavel of his if we're late. So come on." He said, tugging Jeff's hand with more force.

A minute later, they reached the Warblers choir room and realised that they were the last ones there. ''Ahhh, Sterling, Duval, nice of you to finally grace us with your presence.'' Wes said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Sorry" They both replied sheepishly. David just nodded and waved his hand dismissively "Its fine." he replied. "Just take a seat guys."

They were both about to go and find somewhere to sit before Trent spoke up. "Something you guys want to tell us?" He asked. Nick and Jeff both looked at each other confused.

Trent just smirked and nodded towards the space between them. They both followed where his eyes were looking and- Oh.

Nick's eyes widened as he realised what Trent was referring to. He was still holding Jeff's hand. Feeling embarrassed, he tried to pull away but Jeff was faster and kept a strong hold on his hand before speaking up.

"Nope, nothing to tell. Can I not hold my best friends hand?" He asked incredulously.

Nick could see from the corner of his eye that all the Warblers were staring, he scratched the back of his neck and looked down; his cheeks were now sporting a light shade of red.

"What? No-noo, of course you can!" Trent spluttered. "I never meant tha-"

Suddenly Trent was interrupted by the sound of Wes banging his gavel. "I will have silence." He ordered. All the sounds of murmurs and whispers went to a halt. Wes nodded appreciatively."Thank you." He said. Now turning his head towards Jeff and Nick; he raised an eyebrow and looked at them as if they said the most stupid thing ever.

As soon as they saw the expression on Wes's face, they both muttered a feeble apology and rushed to sit next to the vacant space near Blaine. Once Jeff saw that Wes was busy talking again, he leaned to the side and whispered in Nick's ear. "Wow. Wes can be such a douche."

"I'm telling you dude, it's the power of the gavel." Nick replied.

Jeff narrowed his eyes at Wes and that gavel of his, his eyebrows furrowed. "We need to get him back."

Nick looked thoughtful for a moment before his face lightened up. "Oooh! I know, his birthday's coming up."

Jeff grinned. "Nice one. Okay, we'll get him back then." Jeff then turned to look Nick in the eye, grinning mischievously. "Warbler Wes isn't going to know what hit him."

Leaning back on the couch, Jeff sighed and closed his eyes trying to plot different ways in which he could get rid of Wes's gavel and make it look like an accident. However, his daydream was abruptly interrupted when he felt Nick slowly pull his hand away from his. Jeff opened his eyes and frowned. Why is he pulling away? Doesn't he want to hold my hand anymore? Just as Jeff was about to pull his hand back too, he slowly felt slender fingers easing their way through his own. Jeff couldn't help the smile that was now forming on his face as he watched Nick intertwine their fingers. He looked up at said boy and saw a faint tinge of pink on his cheeks and noticed him smiling. Jeff just held onto Nick's hand a little tighter, making Nick smile even more. Okay, what am I doing? Nick thought. I am holding Jeff's hand. Jeff and I are holding hands. He's my best friend! This should feel weird. Why doesn't it feel weird? Why does it feel s-sorta...good? Nick sighed and just shook his head slightly, pushing all those thoughts from his mind; he could deal with them another time. For now, Nick just continued smiling and decided it'd be wise to focus on what Wes was talking about.

"...okay so before we conclude this session, I have some great news." Wes told the other fellow Warblers. "We have a new member joining us today, his name is Tyler Richards. Unfortunately, you won't be able to see him just yet as he's still getting settled in; however, he'll be here during lunch time, so please make him feel welcome. That's all guys." Wes said, ending the session with the bang of his gavel as usual. He then tucked the gavel inside his blazer pocket before walking off with David and Thad towards the canteen.

As Nick and Jeff were walking towards the cafeteria too, they noticed their joint hands for a second time, but this time they both decided it'd be best if they let go of one another as they were about to enter a lunch room full of students who would jump to conclusions. Nick looked up at Jeff and gave him a knowing look; Jeff smiled sadly before slowly pulling his hand away. They then both carried on walking into the canteen, this time however, suspiciously close to one another.

As Nick finished getting his food, he looked around to see where all the warblers were sitting, before noticing a familiar set of bright, blonde hair. He then walked towards the table and sat next to Jeff, sitting slightly closer to him than usual. This newfound proximity between them didn't go unnoticed by Jeff; he just smiled to himself before gently bumping Nick's shoulder with his own. Nick looked up at him "What...?" he asked. Jeff just shook his head, "Nothing." he replied, with a small smile playing on his lips. Nick just chuckled lightly at his best friends antics; he then nudged his knee against Jeff's. A small giggle escaped Jeff's mouth, he then slowly turned his head to look at his best friend and smiled, as he saw Nick smiling too; they were both were staring at each other, as if everyone else in the room had vanished. He's gorgeous, Nick thought.

In the background, he thought he heard Wes's voice; he was probably saying something important but Nick was too absorbed in Jeff's eyes to bother looking up to listen. How have I never realised how beautiful Jeff is? His adorable smile, those gorgeous eyes and those lips. Damn! He groaned internally. What is this boy doing to me? Suddenly, Jeff broke eye contact with him and looked down at his hands in his lap, Nick frowned. He saw Jeff looking downwards, so Nick followed suit. He watched Jeff move his hand towards his, and allowed him to lace their fingers together. Nick closed his eyes and smiled, as he felt this strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. This feels good. He thought. This feels really good.

They were so engrossed in each other that they failed to notice someone sliding into the seat in front of them. The person coughed quite loudly, breaking Nick out of his reverie. Just as he was about to shout at the person who interrupted him, he saw that it was someone unfamiliar.

"W-who are you?" Nick asked, with a puzzled look on his face.

The boy just grinned and took his hand out. "I'm Tyler."

Nick eyed Tyler's hand. He wants me to shake it. Nick groaned internally, his right hand was pretty much occupied and he really didn't want to let go of Jeff, so instead he got out his left one and shook hands with the newcomer, despite looking really ridiculous.

"Um, hi. I'm Nick" Nick then let go of Tyler's hand and pointed towards Jeff, "and this fool over here is Jeff." He said smirking.

"Hey! Take that back!" Jeff scowled.

Nick just grinned. "Hmm... Make me."

"Ohhh, you really want to go there?" Jeff retorted with a raised eyebrow.

Nick pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes at Jeff.

"Fine" He huffed.

"Good boy." Jeff teased, before gently pinching Nick's cheeks.

"Ugh, get off!" He groaned and rolled his eyes, a small smile playing on his lips however.

Tyler frowned as he watched the two shamelessly flirt. "You guys make a cute couple." Tyler said dryly.

They both looked up and felt embarrassed as they had forgotten that Tyler was still there. However, all of that was gone when they realised what he had just said.

"W-What?" Jeff managed to choke out.

Nick just laughed nervously, his cheeks bright red, "Urm, we're not together. He's my best friend."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I just assumed..." Tyler spoke up.

"It's fine." Nick said looking down on the table.

"So... you're single then?" Tyler asked bashfully, with a hopeful look in his eye.

Jeff's head shot up as soon as he heard those words leave Tyler's lips. He glared at him from across the table. Why does he want to know if he's single? Nick's not available.

"Err, yeah. Yeah I am." Nick replied with a confused look on his face.

Ah, so the cutie is single then, Tyler smiled to himself. "Cool." He replied, trying to suppress a grin.

For the next ten minutes, Jeff was forced to watch Tyler flirt so blatantly with Nick, and Nick appeared to be actually enjoying it. Anger bubbled up inside him as he noticed the way Tyler's eyes lingered on Nick's lips when he wasn't looking. He then turned his head and couldn't believe what he was seeing. Nick was blushing?

He's actually making him blush?

Jeff then looked down at their twined hands and saw that Nick's grip had become loose. He felt sick to the stomach. I can't stay here and watch this...this creep, flirt with the guy I'm in love with. MY best friend. And h-he's not even stopping it, he thought. He just blinked back the tears that were threatening to fall. I need to get out of here.

After slowly pulling his hand away, Jeff looked back up at Nick to see whether or not it invoked some kind of emotional response from him. It didn't. Jeff just nodded in understanding. How can I be so stupid? How could I possibly think that he may like me back? He rolled his eyes and slowly got out of his seat; leaving the cafeteria with his food untouched. Once he reached the doors, he stopped to look back and slowly turned his head around to look at his best friend, before scowling at the sight before him. Nick was laughing animatedly at whatever Tyler was saying; still completely oblivious to Jeff's absence. He then turned back around and left, walking as quickly as he could back to his room. Once he arrived at his dorm, he shut the door and collapsed onto the floor. After finally giving up on holding back his tears; he just sat there and began to cry.

A/N: Ahh, I apologise for this being out so late, things have been kinda hectic lately. I'm not a great fan of this chapter, feels very 'meh' but oh well, please let me know what you made of it! :)