A/N: As per the author's note in the previous chapter, I'm undertaking extensive rewrites for some of my neglected stories. I plan to actually finish them. Got a lot of time on my hands.


Two hours until New Year's and Jeff Sterling sat in the hotel lounge, curled up with a cup of hot chocolate and a copy of Don Quixote when a hand pulled the book from his grip. The blond looked up to see his mother in a teal blue dress.

"Mom, c'mon, I don't wanna go." He crossed his arms and slumped into the chair.

"Jeffrey." He made a face at the use of his full name. "I don't ask much, but please, not just for me, but for you, go to the kids—" She retracted when she saw the look. "Young adults' party. Meet some people. Socialize. Like your sister."

Jeff whined. "I can't be like Jenny! She's popular and boys like her 'cause she's pretty! There, I said it. My sister's pretty. She got the good looks, and all I got are the brains."

Jane Sterling pulled her youngest into a hug. "That's not a bad thing, Jeff. I'm not asking you to turn into your sister. Last thing your father and I need is you acting out too. I'm going to be perfectly honest with you, honey." She looked into his eyes. "I don't want you coming home upset because some kids got to you. Kids are cruel, but you need to show them that you can handle yourself." Another pout was setting in. "Go." She handed him the book.

Jeff trudged into the rec room and looked around. A boy and girl were singing karaoke onstage, and Jenny, of course, was surrounded by boys. Sometimes he wished the guys would come running the way they did Jenny.


Narissa Duval stood in the doorway of the gymnasium. Her husband and youngest son had spent the day running basketball drills. "Boys!" They stopped in their tracks. "Time to go."

"Mom, one more, okay?" Nick pleaded, dribbling the ball impatiently.

She chuckled lightly. "You said that ten minutes ago. I've heard at least twenty baskets since then. I've laid out your suit and ironed your pants. No buts about it. Norton, you too." Nick's father blew out the side of his mouth and moved to follow his wife.

"Great job, Nick. We'll beat the Titans this year." The Dalton High Tigers hadn't won a championship in three years. Nick tucked the ball under his arm as he went to his room. He paid his tie special attention. There was someone in particular he was looking to impress: that blond boy who always had his nose in a book.

"Nick!" The black-haired boy rolled his eyes and ran downstairs.


Nick entered the party and saw the boy situated in a corner with his book. He straightened his tie and took a deep breath. He could totally do this.

"Who's up for some karaoke?" Nick ignored the DJ until the spotlight landed on the boy, who looked like a deer in headlights. "Now we need a duet partner."

Nick's hand shot into the air. "I'll do it!" The kid's eyes widened at the sight of someone who wanted to perform with him.

"Nick, what the f— Don't do karaoke!" Nate hissed from nearby, beside a tall blonde girl. Nick ignored his brother and jumped onto the stage. The blond had pocketed his book and gotten up. He gave Nick a skeptical look. A techno beat swept the room and Nick picked up a microphone.

"Been there, done that, messed around

I'm having fun, don't put me down

I'll never let you sweep me off my feet

I won't let you in again."

The blond hesitated before taking the other mic. His voice was soft but quickly picked up as the song continued.

"The messages I've tried to send

My information's just not going in

Burning bridges, shore to shore

I break away from something more."

Nick felt a jolt of excitement as their voices came together.

"I'm not turned on to love until it's cheap

Been there, done that, messed around

I'm having fun, don't put me down

I'll never let you sweep me off my feet

This time, baby, I'll be bulletproof

This time, baby, I'll be bulletproof."

They continued until the song completed, and there was cheering, but all they saw was each other.

"I'm Nick." He extended his hand.

"Jeff." He grinned, shaking it.


"Was that your first time onstage?" Nick asked. They were out on the balcony and the snow seemed to swirl around them. "I mean, I've never done that before either. Kind of spontaneous, don't you think?"

Jeff nodded. "Same. I used to do these YouTube videos but I took them down after—" He trailed off. Nick was pretty sure he knew why.

"They're jealous. You have an awesome voice." He inched closer to the blond. "Never let anyone tell you otherwise." Jeff blushed and looked out at the dark blue skies.

"Ten! Nine! Eight!"

Nick shook his head. "Looks like we're about to ring in another joyous year."

"Six! Five!"

"This year already got better. I met you." Jeff couldn't help but be surprised by the words leaving his mouth.

"Three! Two! One! Happy New Year!"

Jeff pulled his phone out of his pocket. "Can I get your number?" He felt braver than ever.

Nick beamed and exchanged phones with Jeff. He took a selfie and handed it back. "So where do you—" Suddenly, Jeff was gone. "Live?" He looked down at his phone. Jeff had taken a picture too. "Jeff."


"Hey, honey! Happy new year!" Jane hugged her son. Jacob Sterling clapped his son on the shoulder. "Jenny! Come here!" Jennifer Sterling, tall, blonde and seventeen, came running over and picked up her younger brother around the waist.

Jeff swatted at her arms. "You know I hate this!"

She put him down and ruffled his hair. "Why else would I do it?"

He whined and ran his fingers through his hair. "I just combed it."

"I saw you onstage. Singing. With that boy." She bent to his level and stared into his blue eyes. "Own up, Jeffy. What's his name?"

"Jenny, enough." Their father gave her a look. "You met someone?"

Jeff looked down at his shoes. "His name's Nick," he mumbled.

"He's really cute. You two should totally—" She caught her dad's eye and put her hands up in surrender. "Well, since no one's going to ask, I met someone too. His name's Nate. He's super hot, super popular and thinks I'm super cute." She flipped her hair over her shoulder. "And he goes to Dalton High."

Jeff sulked. Of course Jenny's admirer goes to their new school. If only he were that lucky. "I don't want to go a new school. I won't know anyone."

"Have no fear, dear baby brother. I will be a good big sister and keep you safe." She went for his hair again but he ducked out of the way. "Surely they have a decathlon team you can join. Compare TARDIS sizes."


Nick laid on his bed, texting his friends. "Are you ready for the new semester, Nicky?" He made a face at the endearment but nodded.

"Yup," he replied nonchalantly.

Narissa pulled the phone from his hand. "Nick, there are times for texting your friends and times when you simply put the phone down to talk to your mother." She looked at it and exhaled. "Texting Craig. Of course. You know how I feel about him—"

"Mom, he's not a bad guy. A little dysfunctional but he's nice." He sat up.

Narissa's eyebrow went up. "Living in foster care after his repeated stays in juvenile hall caused his parents to disown him?"

"I'm not going to succumb to peer pressure and follow him around like a lost puppy."

"Because he already has Adam and Ted to do that. I'm not trying to choose your friends for you. Just don't make me have to pick you up at three am from the police station." She handed back the phone and disappeared into the adjoining room.

Nate entered and flopped down beside Nick. "Sup, bro? How's your new boyfriend?"

"Shut up. He's not my boyfriend." Nick pocketed his phone and crossed his arms.

A smirk appeared. "Didn't look that way. You two looked pretty—"

"Nate!" Norton called from the other room.

"Alright!" He poked Nick in the side. "On a related topic, I got that girl's number. She's like my dream girl. She's into Game of Thrones, Radiohead and Monty Python. I mean, what pretty girl these days has that kind of taste?"

Nick felt slightly jealous. "Glad you're happy."

"Come on, Nick, buck up. I know you're not out yet and that's totally cool. Just be glad I'm not one of those jerkass older brothers who go around telling all his friends his brother's gay." He nudged him again with a smile before getting up. "Get some sleep, squirt. Early flight."

Nick was glad he had Nate. He always stopped what he was doing to listen; he was there for him; to stand up for him. "Night." He turned out the light and pulled the covers up.


Featured song:

-Bulletproof (La Roux) - Nick and Jeff