Hey guys!
Some of you may wonder why I'm posting this chapter again... well, the truth is: I didn't like it the way it was before. And since I got no comment from anyone I guess you did neither. If I'm wrong I'm sorry, I tried hard to write the next chapter, but I couldn't continue from the point I brought the story to. Don't know why, it was really weird.

So this is my second try, more angsty and slightly longer. Hope you like it now! ;)

…

For the next two days, Jeff and Nick were captured in their room. Well, not literally, but they felt like that. Wes and Kurt had tried to visit them, but the two freshman had decided to let nobody in. It was worse enough that they were sick, they didn't want to infect all of their friends.

Finally, on Friday, the nurse gave the permission to go back to school.

"I never thought that one day I'll be happy that I have classes.", Jeff mused while he combed his hair. "It doesn't make sense in my head. How can anyone be looking forward to school?"

"I don't know. I'm a bit worried.", Nick admitted. "I hope I haven't missed too much."

"You'll catch up easily.", Jeff promised and turned away from the mirror to watch his friend intensely. "Are you sure that you're healthy again? You look tired."

"I'm good. I just haven't slept very well."

"Nightmares, again?" Jeff didn't wait for a response. He stepped over to Nick and put his hand on the shorter boy's shoulders. Nick nodded silently and relaxed visibly into the touch. "You should have awaken me."

"Jeff." Nick met his gaze. "I'm so thankful for all you've done for me, I really, really appreciate it. But I can't wake up you every night, it isn't fair. You need your sleep, too. And..."

"I don't care.", Jeff interrupted. "Please, tell me next time. You don't have to go through it alone."

Nick felt his eyes tearing up, but he blinked the tears away before they had the chance to fall. "Why would you do that?"

"Because..." Jeff blushed deeply and looked away for a second. "I don't know. I just want to. Please, Nicky, promise me!"

"Promise!" Nick's voice was raw. "And, Jeff? Thank you. Seriously, I don't know what to say. Just... thank you!" He stroke the blonde's cheeks gently with his thumbs.

"You're welcome, three." Jeff winked and the mood lightened up again. Nick couldn't suppress a smile himself.

"Okay, six." Before they left for breakfast, Nick pulled Jeff close and hugged him softly. Jeff tightened his grip, not really wanting to let the brunette go again. "Come on, I guess we're already late!", Nick whispered into his ear, and Jeff suppressed a sigh. Together they crossed the distance between their room and the cafeteria within minutes. They were greeted with happy cries from the Warbler's table.

"Look who's back there!"

"You're alive – good thing to know."

"The Niff! We missed you!"

"The Niff?", Nick asked his best friend as they sat down. "Is it possible that they've gotten any weirder in these days?"

"I never thought that it is possible, but... yes. - Oh come on, Thad, I can totally butter my bread on my own." He slapped the older students hand away as he tried to grab his plate.

"But you look so small and pale!", Thad defeated himself and reached out for the plate again.

Nick snickered quietly. Wes gave him a knowing look. "I won't laugh if I were you. Once he's finished with Jeff, he'll come over to you."

…

How could I ever be happy about going back to classes, Jeff wondered silently as he sat in his history lessons, one of the few classes he didn't share with Nick. Fortunately, it was the last one for the day. The teacher had decided to show them a movie about world war two, and even if it was shocking to see what people are capable of, he had this topic at least four times in the past years. He tried really hard to concentrate, but his mind kept wandering.

He wasn't sure how he felt about the past days. Of course, being sick never was fun. Being sick while sharing a bathroom with a boy who didn't feel any better even less. But he liked the fact that he and Nick had been so close to each other all the time. They'd spent most of the days cuddled up on a bed and watching movies, or simply talking about whatever came to their minds.

He'd told Nick so much about his family and his life in Florida, ending with an invitation for the shorter boy to spend the holidays with him. Nick wasn't sure if his parents would let him, but he hoped for the best.

There was no chance to deny it anymore. He'd fallen head over heels for the brunette. It wasn't just his protective instincts that wanted to make sure that Nick was safe, it was much more. He loved how Nick's eyes began to sparkle whenever he was exited about something, the way how different his voice sounded when he talked about things he liked. Then there was this certain connection between him and his friend, the complete trust in each other. He knew that if he had something to get off his chest, he could talk to Nick anytime, even if it was three in the morning. He hoped that Nick knew that, too.

But Jeff was scared. It was a fact that Nick had been hurt badly, and the last thing he could use was to know that Jeff had feelings he most likely couldn't reciprocate. He didn't wanted to ruin their friendship with this little... or not so little crush.

Jeff snapped out of his thoughts when the bell rang. The teacher gave them a homework that would be easily to answer when he'd been paying attention to the movie, but he was positive that a little research in the internet would do it as well. He packed his stuff together and went back to his room.

As he opened the door, Nick already sat cross-legged on his bed, reading a book that he needed for a lesson on Monday. His face lit up in a beautiful was as he recognized the blonde boy. "There you are. It was pretty boring without you.", he greeted and closed the book.

"I know what you mean." Jeff tossed his bag in the corner, not caring about the homework he had to do. It was Friday, after all, and there was plenty of time left at the weekend.

Nick ran his tongue across his lips, obviously nervous about something. "Do you mind... would you sit with me? I... I... want to talk... nothing bad... I hope, I..."

"What's wrong, Nicky?" Jeff immediately crawled over to his friend and watched him with concern. "You were okay in the morning. Did anything happen in class?"

"No... no, don't worry." Nick twisted his hair with his fingers and looked at his feet. "Everything's okay. Forget that I've said anything. I'm fine."

"I don't think that I can!", Jeff admitted and nudged Nick gently. "Come on, I thought you know that you can trust me."

"I do. But I would just mess things up." Nick sighed deeply. Jeff frowned in confusion. What was the boy talking about?

"Nick. Nothing you'll say would scare me away. I'm your friend, okay?"

"But... but... I don't know what to say. Shit, I don't even know what to think!" Suddenly there were tears in his eyes. Jeff swallowed, his eyes bright with emotions. It almost hurt him physically to see his friend getting worked up like this.

"It's okay, Nicky. Shh, everything's okay. You don't have to talk, just don't... don't cry."

"You're doing it again!", Nick stated, a small smile spreading over his face, leaving Jeff confused.

"I do... what exactly?"

"Defending me. Protecting me. Everything." Nick wiped his tears away, but still refused to look at Jeff. "You never seem to be annoyed when I start to cry like a little girl, you're just there for me."

"Because I care for you!", Jeff reminded him forcefully.

"I know. I only wished..." Nick's voice broke again. "You're doing so much for me. So I think I owe you the truth, right? Even if it means that I'll lose you as a friend..."

"You'll never..."

"Don't!" Jeff flinched as Nick cut him off harshly. "Sorry, but... you never lied to me, and that's one of the things that make you so special. One of the reasons why I like you so much. Don't promise anything when you don't know that you can keep it."

"Okay.", Jeff answered simply. He couldn't imagine anything that would cause him to cut his friendship with Nick off, though. When Nick finally spoke up again, he did it with a voice that was barely a whisper. As much as Jeff tried, he couldn't understand a single word. "Mh, Nick... I can't catch up with you..."

Nick sighed again, rubbing his face with both of his hands as he rolled his head back. "I think I... may... I'm in love with you, Jeff. And if... I could understand if you don't want to talk to me ever again, and... I know it's ridiculous, to fall for the first person that ever was nice to me, but that isn't the reason, it's just that you are... you are... you. You are an amazing person, the best friend I ever had. And... I don't wanna lose you. Oh shit, shit! I shouldn't have said anything. Can we forget it? Please? Oh god... I'll leave. Don't be mad at me..." He jumped up to run out of the room, but found himself being held back by Jeff's hand.

"Nick...", he began, but his voice faded as he noticed that he wasn't able to form any sentences. He cupped Nick's face with his other hand and forced him to look up. The shorter boy shifted and tried to break free.

"Jeff, please. I'm sorry."

"Don't..." Jeff wanted to say so many things, but he couldn't. All he was able to was to gaze into Nick's eyes, hoping that his friend would understand.

He did not. As the silence between them became unbearable to Nick, he attempted to break free once more, successful this time. Before Jeff had the chance to react, the smashing sound of the door falling close was the only thing that stayed with him in this room.

Nick was in love with him. Jeff couldn't believe it. How hard had he tried to fight his feelings down to keep Nick safe and don't bring him into an awkward situation. Had he known that Nick felt the same way about him, he'd... What had he done? Standing there and watching Nick running away from him? Fuck! Jeff snapped out of his trance. He had to find Nick.

Now.

…

How could he ever get back into his room? How could he look into Jeff's face ever again? What if the boy was already moving out while he was sitting here? What if he lost his best friend... again?

Nick cursed himself for telling Jeff what he felt. In his mind it had been so easy. The possibility that Jeff liked him back wasn't too far away. But in reality... Nick wiped away the fresh tears that managed to escape his eyes. He had to face the truth. He should have known better as to think that he and Jeff would fall into each others arms and... ride into the sunset or whatever.

This time, not even the small pond where he loved to hide from the world, had a calming effect on him. He was blind for the beauty of this place. He just remembered the one time he'd brought Jeff with him, when they sat together on this bench, joking how hidden this area was and that it made it an amazing make-out place... Well, Jeff had been joking. Nick had been trying to hide how bashful the conversation made him feel... effortless, of course.

What had he just done?

…

Jeff ran through the hallway. He still hasn't found Nick, and his concern grew with every second. Where could he be? He'd already been in the library, in the practice room and in the cafeteria: No Nick. Jeff cursed inwardly and continued his search.

"Hey!" He crashed into another person. He didn't care, if he was honest. He had to find Nick, nothing else mattered.

"Sorry!", he mumbled and tried to get away, but a hand grabbed his wrist and hold him in place.

"Jeff, what's going on?"

Jeff finally looked up and met Kurt's eyes. "I have to find Nick!", he rambled. "I messed up, Kurt, I really did. And now I can't find him, I have no idea where he could be. And I have to find him, I really do, I..."

"Geez, Jeff. Take a breath." Kurt put his hands on the younger boy's shoulders and fixed him with his eyes. "What happened?"

"He told me that he loves me, Kurt. He... Nick... loves me! And all I did was standing there, mouth wide open and... he ran. Why haven't I hold him back? Why haven't I told him what... that... I..."

Kurt looked at the upset boy for another moment, then pulled him into a tight embrace. "Calm yourself, Jeff. You know him, better than anyone else here. So think carefully. Where could he be?"

He tried to comfort the boy and help him in his own way, without noticing the person standing on the opposite side of the hallway that was watching him.

…

Nick's head flew up as he heard footsteps coming closer. Please, let it not be Jeff. Or please, let it be him. Or...

"Oh, sorry. I didn't thought that somebody was here. Usually I come here when..."

"... the day couldn't be any worse?", Nick suggested and offered Blaine a weak smile. The older boy looked at him and nodded, causing Nick to sigh deeply. "Yeah, me too. But I can go somewhere else if you want me to..."

"No, it's fine. Just... mind if I join you?"

"Not at all!" Nick shifted a bit to give Blaine enough space on the wooden bench. He hesitated for a while, before he tilted his head towards the usually so preppy and happy boy. "You wanna talk about it?"

"I don't know. Maybe. You?"

"No." Nick sighed again and rubbed his hands over his face. "But I'm thankful for the tiniest bit of distraction."

"It's Kurt." Blaine bit his bottom lip hardly before he continued. "I... I think I may be in love with him. Yeah, I'm pretty sure actually. I haven't told him because I know what he'd been through, I wanted to leave him enough time to find himself. Well, now it looks like he have found someone else, too." Blaine let out a shaky breath, somewhere between laughing and crying. "I think it's Jeff."

Nick had already opened his mouth to soothe the boy, but the last statement made him close it again. He didn't want anyone to know about his crush, and he was sure that his voice would betray him if he tried to talk now. But it all made sense now. That's why Jeff couldn't say anything before. He was already in love with Kurt, and he had been afraid to tell him about it because he didn't want to hurt him anymore. Maybe right now they sat in Kurt's room, cuddled up on his bed and thought about a way to tell him that he would never have a chance. Kurt was beautiful, Nick had to admit that. Why should Jeff want him if he could have someone like Kurt Hummel?

"... I saw them hugging closely in the middle of the school." Nick snapped out of his thoughts. He hadn't caught much of the things Blaine said, but it was enough. Blaine, on the other hand, seemed slightly relieved. "You're a good listener, Nick. I'm... sorry that I yelled at you about the solo and Kurt, you know... I did you wrong. So, if I can return the favor, just tell me..."

Nick shook his head absently. "No, I... I'm just staying here. I'm fine."

Blaine frowned. Was it possible that the younger boy looked even more broken as he did before? "Do you need me to stay with you?", he asked.

"No, but thanks, Blaine. I just want to think about some things."

"Then I'll go now. It's getting cold, maybe you should..."

"I'm fine!", Nick interrupted, losing his patience. He buried his head in his hands and refused to look up once more.

"Okay..." Blaine wasn't convinced, not at all. But if being alone was what Nick needed right now, he would let him. He made his way back to the school.

"Blaine!", he heard someone calling his name. Kurt! Blaine hissed, he couldn't deal with him right now. "Blaine, wait!"

"What do you want, Kurt?", he asked, more harshly as he planned to.

Kurt stepped back a few inches, clearly startled by his reaction. "Whoa, what's wrong, buddy?"

"Doesn't matter!" Blaine flinched inwardly by the sight of his friend, who looked at him unbelieving and sad, but he needed to be unsympathetic right now. It was his way of self-defense.

"Have you seen Nick? Jeff is looking for him all the time." Kurt snapped back.

"Sure." Blaine simply raised a brow and tried to make his way back to his dorm, but Kurt stepped in his way and crossed his arms.

"Where is your problem, Blaine? Or, keep it to yourself if you want to, I don't care. I just want to know if you have seen Nick."

"Yeah. Outside, by the small lake. But I don't think he wants any company right now."

"Jeff needs to talk to him!", Kurt explained and turned to tell the younger boy what he'd just found out.

"Oh, that!" Blaine frowned slightly. "He already knows."

"He already knows what?" Kurt looked at his friend with wide eyes, obviously completely confused.

"You know what. I told him." Blaine became more than a little annoyed by that time. Why was Kurt acting so dumb?"

"And how did you know?"

"I saw you! It was obvious."

"Me? How am I involved?" Kurt began walking up and down, but stopped all of a sudden to face him again. His eyes steered into Blaine's ones. "Blaine Anderson, what have you told him?"

Blaine suppressed a sigh. Hopefully his voice wouln'td give too much of his feelings away. "That you and Jeff are in a relationship... or at least close to it."

"We... what? Blaine, you... no... please, please tell me you're kidding!" Kurt paled visibly.

"Don't deny it. Like I said, I saw you!" Blaine's voice became louder.

Kurt threw his hands in the air and cursed under his breath. "What exactly have you seen?"

"You two, wrapped into each other in the middle of the hallway. Why would you do that if you didn't want to make it official?"

"Because there's nothing going on. Nothing!", Kurt repeated annoyed and slightly hurt. "You were wrong, Blaine, terribly wrong. I just tried to comfort him because he was upset. And... I don't have time to explain it right now. We have to find Nick. I'll just call Jeff, wait a minute..." He pulled his phone out of his bag and searched for Jeff's number. "Jeff? Listen, I may have an idea where he is. ... No, no! You stay in your dorm, in case he comes back. ... I call you as soon as I know more, I promise!"

"What was that about?" Blaine narrowed his eyes and bit his lip lightly. Suddenly he wasn't so sure about what he thought he knew anymore.

Kurt shifted impatiently. "I'll explain it later. Can you show me where he is?"

"Of course." Blaine moved a few steps, then hesitated and turned back to his friend. "Kurt?" His eyes already told Kurt everything he needed to know and made it almost impossible to him to stay mad at the shorter boy.

"Yeah?", he asked, voice soft as velvet.

"Sorry!"

TBC

So once more, sorry about the change. Let me know what you think about this one :)