So, keep in mind that this is an interlude, so it's not continuing from chapter 5. It's before any of this happened. The next chapter after this one will continue from the regular plot.

I'm posting two chapters today again because:

1) It's still the weekend, so I still have free time. :) And,

2) This interlude is short. Each part is only 1000 something words. (My normal chapters are around 3000-6000…)

So, enjoy! :)

Chapter 7 (Interlude) – Essential Empathy: Part Two

"I'm going..." Nick's voice echoed in the empty apartment. He waited foolishly for a reply, but heard nothing. Locking the door to his apartment, he walked away with resigned steps. Gripping the strap of his schoolbag tightly, he valiantly ignored the emptiness that threatened to swallow him whole.

He ran quickly to catch the waiting bus and offered his thanks to the impatient bus driver. Catching his breath he looked around the crowded bus for a place to stand. A pair of heads and laughing voices reached his ear. He grinned as he made his way to them. He apologized as he squeezed through the gaps in between bodies until he reached his destination.

"Good morning, Demi… Miley…" he grinned.

"G'morning," Demi briefly looked up from the magazine she was looking over. Beside her, Miley gave a limp wave and pointed to a picture in the page of the magazine Demi held.

"Oh! He is so cute in this one!" Demi squealed as Miley readily agreed.

"I know! Wow, he's still holding first place! Well, it is expected."

Miley nodded, a ridiculously proud expression on her face.

"Eh? Who are you talking about?" Without warning, Nick grabbed the magazine from Demi's careful clutches.

"Hey, Nick! Give it back!"

"Hmmm." Peering into the page, he found the images of several guys his age. Some information about them was scrolled beside or underneath the picture. He saw that they were ranked based on popularity. The largest image of all was of one he knew all too well.

"Joe Jonas is the most popular?" he gaped.

Demi took her magazine back, straightening imaginary creases.

"Don't look so shocked, Nick. Joe is the most popular guy in school, and he's the most popular compared to the other top guys in the other schools," Miley chastised.

"He even got votes from other girls from the other schools! He's so cool!" Demi beamed.

"Pfft… Give me a break! There are other guys better than Jonas," he sneered.

"Oh? Is that so? Give us one example Nick, who would be better than Joe?"

Nick paused to make sure he had their complete attention, smiling as if about to reveal a great secret. He confidently pointed a thumb to his chest.

"Me, of course!"

His announcement was met by the pair of girls laughing outright and a few giggles to his side as well.

"What? What's so funny!" he asked the girls with quaking shoulders.

"It's just..." Demi covered her mouth as more laughter tried to escape.

"Oh, geez, Nick! That's just what I needed this morning!" Miley said, thumping his back in thanks for the supposed joke.

Nick furrowed his eyebrows. He could not, for the life of him, see what was so funny.

Nick scratched his head in thought as his eyes skimmed over the mathematical problem written on the board. Mr. Davis had patiently explained it to him but he must have left his brain on his kitchen counter when he took a drink this morning. It didn't help that he was also exhausted from finishing a project last night that was conveniently due today. He must have almost fallen asleep twice during the lecture, therefore missing the few important requirements needed for him to solve the math problem fully.

He saw Mr. Davis turn to the class with those searching pair of eyes he unhappily identified as one a hawk would have when looking for a prey. Trying to make himself as small as possible and mentally warding off anything that may allow him to stand out, he hoped he was not spotted.

"Alright, who can give me the answer to this question?" A pause, and then, "Nick?"

Shit, he cursed inwardly.

He raised his bowed head and gave a clueless hum.

"Well, Nick? I explained this to you several times. Why don't you give it a go, hm?"

Nick grinned tightly. I know that! No need to tell remind the damn class, he wanted to say.

He made a few clueless tilts of the head and a few nervous scratches and shrugging, hoping the teacher would give up on him.

Just when he was ready to wilt under the intense gaze Mr. Davis gave, the teacher's eyes were diverted elsewhere.

"Ah! Joe."

Nick turned to the addressed boy's seat at the back of the class. Joe put down his raised hand just as he gave the correct answer. A quiet train of murmurs rolled around the class. A few thanked Joe for answering correctly, therefore sparing anyone else from being put in the spotlight. The others cooed admirably at the pale boy.

Nick gripped his pencil, hearing the faint sound of it bending from the pressure of his clenching hand. As it snapped in his merciless fingers, he imagined Joe's neck in its place.

"So I heard from Joe that the trip will be at that lodge the seniors from last year went to! Apparently, it was such a cool place, they decided to reserve it again!"

"Wow! Joe is so cool!"

"I don't know how that made Jonas cool," Nick interrupted the girl's swooning as he paused from taking a swig of his drink.

Demi eyed him with impatient green eyes.

"You wouldn't, Nick. Joe called that place and arranged everything with them. He had to win them over, you know! We weren't the only school interested in that place!"

"How admirable," he said dryly, already growing annoyed. He knew for a fact that it wasn't only Joe's work. He had heard Zac on the phone in the council room after school hours debating over and over with the owners of the lodge. He had seen Rebecca petition the idea to the teachers. He saw the other members organize enough activities to accumulate enough funds for the oncoming trip. He didn't bother to mention these to the girls though, nor remind them of what they should have already known. They always only listened with half an ear anyways.

As the trio walked out of the school yard and into the streets, they noticed a dark car waiting at the curb.

"Oh, wow. Nice car."

The three teens stood to the side as the door opened and a beautiful dark-haired woman in an exquisite suit stepped out of the car. The sun shimmered over her oval pale skin as it highlighted some of the strands in her hair, making it shine a dark blue.

The face was familiar to Nick. He waited a moment more wondering if he would remember.

She was quietly standing and looked onto the opened gates of the school. A soft wind blew, but the slightly chilly breeze didn't seem to trouble her.

"Ah!" Demi gasped quietly. Nick and Miley both turned to her expectantly.

"I remember her..."

"Joe," the woman's voice interrupted. The trio turned to see Joe walking past the gates. He approached the woman, but at such a distance that it seemed they were strangers.

"Mother," was the only thing he said. He walked past her and stepped inside the vehicle. A moment longer, she joined him inside. The car drove away with Nick looking on. Demi and Miley engaged themselves in a conversation, the encounter already forgotten.

Nick unlocked his apartment door and pushed himself inside. The resounding echo of the door closing filled the silent apartment. He could hear his quiet shuffling easily as he removed his shoes and coat.

"I'm home..." he announced.

Only silence met his announcement, just as it was only silence that met his arrival. He imagined the soft voice that could welcome him home. He wished for the gruff echo of a laugh at his silly antics.

He thought back to Joe's cold treatment of his mother and cursed the pale boy yet again. One could not imagine the pain of loss until one lost another, he thought. I would never take such things for granted.

He didn't know everything about the boy, he thought, but he knew one thing.

All I've ever wanted, he thought, is what he's always had.

Nick thought of Joe's mother.

What he still has, he amended, gripping the chain around his neck.

Nick threw himself onto his soft couch and stared up the ceiling.

"No," he said to the silent room. "I don't think I like Joe Jonas very much."

End of Interlude

With Love, Carlie :D