Title: The Nerd and the Jock

Chapter 7

The Next Morning

4:00 am

Brian woke up and got out of bed. He went over to the other side of the bed. "Andy. Andy, wake up."

"What?" Andy said tiredly.

"Wanna go running with me? Like we used to?"

"Sure. Just give me a minute."

"Okay." Brian went to change into shorts and a sweatshirt while Andy got up and did the same. Before leaving, Andy kissed Michael's forehead and Brian kissed Justin's forehead. Justin stirred and opened his eyes slightly.

"Brian?" Brian leaned over Justin.

"Go back to sleep. I'm going running with Andy. Okay?"

"Okay." Brian kissed him and started to leave. Justin reached out and grabbed Brian's wrist. Brian turned to Andy.

"Just wait for me."

"Okay," Andy said and left the room. Brian turned back Justin.

"I thought about what you said and I don't mind if you tell Andy and Michael."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure."

"Okay. Now go back to sleep."

"Okay." Brian kissed him again and Justin fell back asleep. Brian left the room closing the door behind him.

Brian and Andy started running and Andy asked, "What was that about earlier? After you told me to wait."

"Justin just wanted to tell me something."

"What was it?"

"Well, after we went outside of the room to talk, we went downstairs to the living room and talked there. I told him that if you and Michael knew of something that he does that you would be freaked out at first but wouldn't stop being his friend. He told me that he thought about what I said and that he doesn't mind if you and Michael know something."

"And what is that something?"

"That he hurts himself."

"What do you mean by that?"

"He cuts himself. Well, used to." Andy stops running.

"What?" Andy says surprised. Brian stops running too.

"Yeah. I was freaked too. But because I was right there and he told me, I stayed calm." They continued running again.

"So now that you know he cuts himself, do you stop him from doing it?"

"I already have. A month ago, he showed me this little container that he used when he would cut himself. He wanted help and I helped him. I'm still helping him. We got rid of the blade he used and the small towel that was in there. But I kept the band-aides and ace bandage he had. You know I get injured a lot with soccer."

"That is true. It's good you helped him. I'm guessing he's depressed and that he has insecurities."

"Yeah. I'm still helping him with that. When we were talking, I told him that I didn't think he was stable enough for a relationship."

"You said that to him?"

"Yeah. He got pissed but I explained that I took psychology and that I learned about people being depressed and how unstable they could be to be in a relationship. He told me that he was stable enough to know that he's ready for a relationship and that we should try. So I said we would try, we kissed, and then we found you and Mikey making out." They both laughed.

"Yeah."

"What was that about anyway? Did you two just all of a sudden kiss and start making out?"

"No. When we moved, Mikey and I emailed and talked on the phone and eventually we talked about being together. When we were in your and Justin's room, we talked about it and then we kissed."

"You did more than kissing."

"Shut up."


5:00 am

Brian and Andy got back to Brian's house and they decided to shower now rather than later. They showered together, which they have done ever since they were little. Justin woke up and he had to go to the bathroom. He wasn't paying attention because he was really tired and just walked in since the door wasn't locked. Justin squinted at the sudden light in his eyes. Once his eyes were adjusted to the light, he was confused why the light was already on. He heard the shower and turned his head towards it. It had a clear door. He saw Brian and Andy and was shocked and surprised.

Justin's POV

When I walk into the bathroom, I didn't know why. But then I heard the shower and I see Brian and Andy in there…together. TOGETHER! Oh my god! I run out and close the door behind me. I feel the tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. I can't believe it! I trusted him! He said he would never get together with Andy. They were better off brothers. Bullshit! I'm a fucking idiot for trusting Brian! I never should've trusted him. I can't trust anyone. There's no one to trust.

I run downstairs to the living room and I'm not sure what to do. I look around and I look toward the kitchen. My heart beats hard at the thought of getting a kitchen knife and just cutting myself with it. I walk towards the kitchen and I get a knife from the drawer where the knives are kept. I stare down at it. All of a sudden I hear, "Justin." I don't want to look at him. "Justin, look at me." I don't look at him. I don't want to. "Justin, look at me!" I reluctantly turn around, the knife still in my hand. I stand there looking at him. He's just in a towel and still wet. I can tell he rushed to come down here. "Justin, I know what you're thinking. There's nothing going on between me and Andy. Ever since we were kids, we would take a bath or shower together. I told you we're better as brothers and that's all we'll ever be." I'm not sure what to say or do. I want to trust him but because of what just happened, I'm not sure if I can. I feel bad about not trusting him but I'm insecure. It's practically who I am. Andy is with Mikey. But they could still get together. But Brian said they were only like brothers. Ugh! I'm getting a headache.

Brian moved closer to me. "Justin, I know you think that I could be cheating on you but I'm not. I meant what I said. I don't even like him like that. Only as a brother."

I don't know what to think. I can just hear it in his voice that he's telling the truth. I sigh. He walks closer to me and stops right in front of me. He takes the knife out of my hand. I look up at him. "Brian, I didn't do anything. I wanted to but I just couldn't."

"It's okay Justin. The fact that you didn't do anything means that you're improving."

"Brian, I didn't mean to…act…like- -"

"I know Justin." Brian hugged me and I hugged him back. I heard him as he put the knife on the counter. "Come on. Let's go back to bed."

"Okay."

Normal POV

Brian and Justin walked up the stairs, hand in hand. Justin laid back on bed as Brian got dressed. Justin noticed that Michael and Andy were cuddling and sleeping. After Brian got dressed, he got in bed and put his arms around Justin. They fell asleep moments later.


10:00 am

Brian, Andy, and Michael had just woken up. They were all sitting up in bed. Andy turned to Brian. "So what happened earlier with Justin?" He asked quietly so he wouldn't wake Justin.

"Well, you know that he has depression and insecurities - -"

"He does?" Michael interrupted.

"Yeah, he does. He also used to cut himself. I've been helping him with it." Brian said.

"Holy shit."

"Yeah, I know. I was freaked and shocked too. Andy was too when I told him."

"I can't believe he does that. Well, used to."

"I know. Anyway, because of Justin's insecurities and depression, he thought I was cheating on him. He didn't say anything but I knew what he thought."

"Why would he think you were cheating on him?" Michael asked. "Wait, you and Andy were in the shower together again weren't you?"

"Yes, we were. So I followed him downstairs and I started talking to him and when he turned around, he had a kitchen knife in his hand. He told me he just couldn't do it. Which is good. He's improving. I continued to talk to him and explain to him what it was he saw and we eventually came back up here and fell asleep." Just then, Justin made grunting noises and woke up. He sat up as he rubbed his eyes. "Good morning," Brian said as he wrapped his arm around Justin's shoulders.

"Morning." Brian kissed him then smiled after they broke apart.

"Hey Justin." Andy said.

"Yeah?"

"What you saw earlier- -"

"I know. Brian explained what happened. It's okay." And I trust him. Justin thought. "Don't worry about it."

"Okay."

"Aw come on. You can do better than that," Brian said. Andy and Justin both looked at him confused. "Come on, hug." Andy and Justin reached over to each other and hugged awkwardly.

"Happy?" Justin asked Brian after he and Andy stopped hugging.

"Of course I am."


10:30 am

Brian, Justin, Andy, and Michael had just finished breakfast and were outside playing soccer. Justin and Michael weren't too good at sports but they played anyway. "Justin, are you sure you want play?" Brian asked, before they started playing.

"Yeah, why?"

"Well you were…beat up yesterday."

"So, that was nothing. I've gotten beat up before. It's no big deal."

"What?!" Michael exclaimed.

"You were beat up before?" Andy asked.

"Yeah. At my old school, I was made fun of for having these big round glasses and for being gay. People would beat me up a lot. I just got used to it. It's no biggie." Justin shrugged his shoulders.

"Yeah it is a biggie." Michael said. "You were beat up!"

"Yeah, so?" Justin asked.

"Did you tell anyone?" Brian asked.

"No one cared. The teachers hated me. Everyone in the school hated me. My parents never paid attention to me. I just got used to it."

"You shouldn't have had to go through that." Brian said.

"It's in the past anyway. Okay?" Justin smiled softly.

"But Justin - -"

"Brian, it's okay. I know you're worried but it doesn't happen as much."

"As much?" Brian asked.

"Yeah. I still get teased and hit and punched but I don't mind."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't think it was a big deal."

"Justin, you need to tell me when it happens. I don't care if it's just a pinch."

"It's no big deal Brian."

"It is Justin. No one should have to go through that. I don't want you hurt."

"But Brian - -"

"No Justin. You're going to tell me if something happens."

"Fine." Justin sighed. Brian put his hand on Justin's cheek.

"Hey, I'm just worried about you."

"I know," Justin said as he took Brian's hand and held it in his own.

"How about we play some soccer?" Michael asked. They decided the "teams." It was Brian and Michael against Justin and Andy. They started playing and Michael and Justin would trip over their own feet at times; Justin more than Michael. At first, Brian was worried when Justin would trip and fall but Justin was fine so he didn't worry as much.


11:00 am

They ended the game with Andy and Justin winning. As they walked back to the garage, Brian walked up next to Justin and put his arm around his shoulders. "Congratulations," Brian joked.

"The only reason I won was because I had Andy on my team. If it was just me against you, you would've beaten me no problem."

"That's not true."

"Yes it is. I suck. You saw me stumbling and falling. You're on the soccer team and the best player."

"One of the best players," Andy said.

"Whatever. My point is that I suck at sports."

"You know what? That is true." Justin looked up at Brian and Brian was smiling at him.

"Hey," Justin said as he gently hit Brian in the stomach. Justin smiled. "I know I suck. It's okay. I got my sketching."

"Which is fantastic. You guys should see his sketches," Brian said to Andy and Michael.

"That is if Justin will show them to us," Andy said.

"Yeah sure," Justin said as he smiled slightly. They walked in the house and into the living room.

"So when are you going back home?" Brian asked Andy.

"I should probably head back soon. I have to unpack my stuff and help unpack other stuff."

"That sucks," Brian said.

"Yeah, but Mikey will help me."

"Yeah, help you as in help you undress." They all laughed and Justin laughed slightly. Brian looked at him. "Is everything okay?" Justin smiled at him.

"Yeah, everything's fine." Brian could tell something was wrong, but would ask Justin about it later, when they were alone.

"Okay."


12:00 pm

Andy and Michael left and Justin and Brian continued sitting in the living room, on the couch. "So what was that about earlier?"

"What was what about?"

"When I made that joke about Mikey helping Andy undress. Is something bothering you?"

"No, not really. It's just that…I wasn't sure if…" Justin sighed. "Did you only get together with me and tell me you like me to have sex with me?"

"Of course not! Where'd you get that idea?"

"I don't know. I just kind of thought about and after you made that comment it just seemed like you wanted to have sex with me."

"I do want to have sex with you but that's not why I told you I like you. I like you for you."

"Really?"

"Yea, really. Do you only like me cause you want to have sex with me?" Brian asked jokingly. Justin looked at him. "I'm joking." Justin smiled then kissed Brian.


A/N: Don't like, don't read.