Chapter 4

Jeff and Nick had just finished enrolling at the high-school here in Cold water. It was a small school, only about three hundred students total. Jeff had shown Nick a picture of his sister, so that Nick would know her if they saw her. Nick could tell Jeff was nervous about seeing his sister again. He hadn't said anything, but Nick could tell. Every time Jeff mentioned her he would start chewing on his bottom lip, a habit that Nick knew meant he was nervous.

They had been in Cold water two days, before they found Jessica. She was sitting by herself in the cafeteria. When Nick pointed her out to Jeff, Jeff turned pale, and looked like he was going to pass out, or run away. But instead he steeled himself, and walked with Nick over to where Jessica was. Jeff set his lunch down, on the far side of the table, and staying standing said;

"Hey, Jessie."

She looked up in shock. Her mouth dropped, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"Jeffy?" she asked, quietly. Jeff smiled, and nodded, tears filling his own eyes. She got out of her seat, and walked forward her eyes, flashing angrily. Jeff looked at Nick scared. When she got to Jeff she pulled him into a tight hug.

"Don't ever leave me, again." she said.

"You know it wasn't my choice." Jeff said, holding his baby sister. Nick started to walk away, leaving the siblings to their reunion.

"Please, don't leave Nicky." Jeff said softly. Nick turned back, to look at Jeff. He sighed, and walked over to Jeff.

"I just didn't want to be in the way Jeff." Nick said.

"You aren't in the way." Jeff said.

"Who's this Jeffy?" Jessica asked.

"Jessie, this is Nick. Nick, this is Jessie." Jeff introduced.

"It's Jess, only he calls me Jessie." Jess said sticking out her hand. Nick shook it.

"Pleasure to meet you." Nick said, smiling.

"Ooo..Jeffy I like him. So polite." Jess said. "You wanna go out sometime?"

Jeff glared at his sister, not going un-noticed by her, but Nick was completely oblivious.

"I don't play for your team." Nick said, uncomfortably.

Jess laughed, "I figured. How long have you, and Jeffy been together?"

"We aren't together." They said at the same time.

"Not yet, but you will be." Jess sing-songed.

Jeff rolled his eyes, blushing at what his sister said. He looked shyly at Nick, who was looking shyly at him. Neither boy denied that they wanted to be more, but neither confirmed it either. It wasn't a big step, but it was a step.

"Why are you here, Jeffy?" Jess asked, as they all sat down.

"I'm trying to find everybody, and you were the closest. I have a new phone now. So, we can stay in touch." he gave Jess the number.

"When are you two leaving?" she asked.

"At the end of the week." Nick said. Silence fell over the table. Then the bell rang for lunch to be over. Jess jumped up to throw out her trash. She kissed Jeff on the cheek.

"See you tomorrow, Jeffy. Love you."

"Love you, too Jessie." Jeff said, quietly.

They spent the next couple of days with Jess. They would talk during lunch and after school. Jeff wanted to know everything that Jess had been doing over the past few years, and he told her about his life, and Dalton. Jess scolded Jeff for letting his life go so down hill, and praised Nick for helping him out of it. On Friday after school Jess came to see them off. She hugged Jeff, before he climbed in. She turned to Nick.

"Please, don't hurt him. He loves you, and Jeff has never been one to love easily. You two are good for each other." she hugged him, and then Nick climbed into the van. Jess waved good-bye, as they pulled out of the school parking lot.

Once they had gone a few miles, Jeff pulled over. He was crying to hard to see the road, and he definitely didn't want them to have an accident.

"Jeffy, what's wrong?" Nick asked.

"I just miss her already." Jeff said, crying. Nick unbuckled, and leaned over to hug the blonde.

"I know you do." he cooed, running his fingers through Jeff's hair. "How about I drive for a while?"

"Okay." Jeff sniffled.

They got out, and switched seats. Jeff was asleep, as soon as he hit the seat. Nick smiled softly, at the adorable blonde. His heart ached a little when Jeff sniffled in his sleep. Jeff was so strong, stronger than Nick could ever be. It was one of the things Nick loved about the boy. Yes, in his own personal thoughts he would admit it. Nicholas Curt Duval was in love with Jeffery Riker Sterling.