Aww, all (2) of your sweet reviews made me want to go on with this story so bad. Plus, I've been really into this one lately. I already have chapter 11 finished, too, but I won't upload it until this one gets reviewed at least once! (But I will probably upload that chapter tonight! :)

Thanks! I hope you enjoy the chapter!

Nick came back to life slowly over the next few days. As he began to feel better, he put on his tough-guy act more than ever. Jeff was forbidden to bring up the PTSD incident.

"I want to pretend like it never happened," he said to Jeff the next morning.

Jeff agreed without arguing. "If that's what you want." He would never really forget it, but he knew Nick wasn't going to delve into it any more. Jeff didn't want to make him talk about it if he didn't want to.

Dr. Reed changed Jeff's medication once again. He was on his second day of the new pills and was feeling somewhat better. He wasn't nauseous anymore, at least. It remained to be seen if they would help with the depression, though.

Meanwhile, a new inmate joined them at Dalton Academy. He was a tall, brown haired boy with a long, smooth face and broad forehead. At breakfast that morning, the Warblers noticed him.

"You think that new guy could have what it takes to be a Warbler?" Wes said musingly.

"That guy? Hell no. He's almost as skinny as blondie," David said.

"I wonder what his crime was."

Jeff noticed that Nick was staring very intently at the new guy with concerned, narrowed eyes.

"Is something wrong?" Jeff asked.

"No," Nick muttered. He was silent for a long moment before adding quietly, "That guy just looks like someone I used to know."

"Who?"

Nick shook his head but didn't take his eyes off the new guy. "No one important."

Throughout the day, Nick's leering didn't get any better. Jeff found him staring at the new inmate throughout all of their classes. It was beginning to make Jeff feel a little…bitter. He didn't think Nick was attracted to the new guy, but he couldn't help but consider it.

Finally, at Group Therapy, the new boy was introduced to everyone.

"We have a new student joining us today!" Reed said loudly. "Why don't you introduce yourself to everyone?" He looked towards the new boy.

The boy rose from his seat with an air of confidence around him. He was utterly unafraid. "Hello." His voice was smooth and light. Not very "bad" sounding. "My name is Sebastian Smythe."

Suddenly, Nick uttered a strangled gasp. A few people glanced his way, and Nick returned their glances with a threatening glare.

"Welcome to Dalton, Sebastian," Dr. Reed said warmly. "I hope the others will make you feel welcome. Now, let's get started with today's lesson."

Sebastian sat down. Jeff leaned closer to Nick. "Do you know that guy?" he whispered.

"No," Nick muttered bluntly. "Never seen him before in my life."

Jeff frowned. Somehow, he doubted that this new guy was just an 'unfamiliar face' to Nick.

After Group Therapy let out, Nick disappeared. Jeff wandered into the Rec Room alone, searching for the Warblers. Instead, he found Sebastian.

The newcomer was talking to a group of unfamiliar inmates—Jeff hardly recognized anyone here, as he tried to keep to himself. They were within earshot so Jeff decided to take a seat at the nearby sofa to listen.

"So what'd you do?" one of the inmates was asking Sebastian.

"Nothing extraordinary," Sebastian said dismissively. "Just a bit of bad luck, really."

"Well, what'd they charge you with?" the inmate pressed on. Clearly, they were interested in adding Sebastian to their ranks. They were probably a desperate, bottom-ranked gang full of minor offenses.

"Nevermind that," Sebastian said. "How long have you been here?"

The inmate blinked, appearing confused. "Um, I don't know, like 7 months?"

"So you know the guys here pretty well?"

The inmate shrugged. "Well enough, I guess," he said. "Why? Are you looking for someone?"

"In a way," Sebastian said. "Do you know if there's a… Nicholas Romano here?"

Jeff perked up with a jolt at the mention of his roommate. So this guy did know Nick!

"Nick?" The inmate seemed surprised. "Everyone knows Nick. He's basically top-dog around here. I wouldn't mess with him if I were you."

"I wouldn't dare," Sebastian said. It sounded almost sarcastic. "I've heard a lot about him from a close friend of mine."

"Really?" The inmate was interested. "Like, from before he came to Dalton?"

"Yeah. I figure since I'm stuck here for the next 9-12 months, I might as well get to know him on a more personal level."

"What sort of things have you heard?"

"Well…" Sebastian paused. "I heard that he stabbed a guy."

"So it's true! Do you know who it was that he stabbed?"

"I heard it was his drug dealer," Sebastian answered mysteriously. "Over a money dispute."

Jeff frowned. This guy seemed like he knew a lot about Nick, somehow. He stood and went to find his roommate.

He found him, of course, smoking a cigarette in their room. He greeted Jeff casually, although it seemed forced. "What's up, blondie?"

"How do you know that Sebastian guy?" Jeff demanded.

Nick frowned. "I told you. I don't."

"Are you sure?" Jeff challenged. "He sure seems to know you."

This got Nick's attention. He looked at Jeff with very serious eyes. "What did he say?" he demanded.

"He was asking another inmate about you."

"What did he say?"

"He said you stabbed your drug dealer," Jeff answered. "Because of money."

Nick's body went rigged. "Fuck."

"It's true?"

Nick threw his cigarette to the floor and stomped on it angrily. "Fuck, fuck, fuck."

Jeff was confused. Nick seemed distraught. He began pacing the room, running his fingers through his thick, dark hair.

"Who is he, Nick?" Jeff demanded.

Nick sat at the bottom bunk of the bed and covered his face with his hands. "I don't know," he groaned. "He must be related to my drug dealer."

"The one you stabbed?" Jeff asked.

Nick nodded stiffly. "His name was Sterling Smythe."

"Smythe," Jeff echoed, recognizing it as Sebastian's last name. "Why is it a bad thing?" he asked warily.

"There's more to the story than what I've been telling everyone," Nick admitted. "Like everyone else. My crime wasn't even a crime." He looked at Jeff. "It was self-defense."

…

"So where the hell is my money?"

Sterling loomed over Nick, easily 5 inches taller and much leaner. Terrified, Nick shrunk back against the brick wall behind him. "I don't have it," he admitted fearfully.

"What do you mean, you don't have it?" Sterling bellowed.

"My parents cut me off!" he cried. "They found out I was stealing money again."

Sterling suddenly shoved him against the wall. Without warning, he reached into Nick's pockets. He found the bag of rolled joints and tore it out of his pocket. "The hell is this?" Sterling demanded. "Can't afford to pay me yet you've got money to buy weed?"

"I've had that for a week!" Nick protested.

"Bullshit," Sterling snapped. Suddenly, he shoved Nick forcefully to the ground.

Nick hit the ground hard and his elbow scraped the concrete. Before he could recover, Sterling was on top of him. "If you can't play by the rules, maybe someone should teach your spoiled ass a lesson for once!"

"Stop!" Nick tried to scramble away but Sterling was much stronger. He felt Sterling grab his face and his head hit the concrete with a thud. "Please! I'll get the money!"

"Bullshit!" snapped Sterling again.

Desperation rose in Nick's chest. He shoved against Sterling with as much force as his small body could muster and somehow managed to scramble out from under him. He heaved himself to his feet and found himself backed into an alleyway.

Sterling was on him again in an instant before he had a chance to escape. This time, Nick was pressed against the wall with Sterling's cold hands wrapped tightly around his neck. Nick grabbed at his hands but couldn't pry his fingers from his throat. He gasped for air and thrashed to get away. Again, they fell to the ground in a writing heap, but Sterling's hands didn't budge. Nick's hands searched desperately for a weapon—a rock, a broken bottle, anything—to dislodge him.

His hand found Sterling's pocket. His fingers wrapped around something solid, cold, and sharp.

A knife.

Desperate, he pulled the knife out of Sterling's jeans pocket and gripped it with both hands. With as much force as he could muster, he thrust the blade up towards his attacker.

Sterling's entire body went stiff and his scream of agony was deafening. He slumped off of Nick like a deadweight and he quickly scrambling away. He leapt to his feet and staggered into the opposite wall of the alley, gasping for breath.

Sterling was screaming. Crying. Nick looked back to see him curled on the ground, clutching the knife that was still lodged deep into his stomach. "Oh god! Oh God! Help! Help me!"

Nick couldn't move. He was frozen, petrified, and shaking.

His hands were wet with Sterling's blood.

What had he done?

…

"The police were there pretty fast," Nick said. "I was arrested on the spot. My parents lawyered up immediately, which is why I didn't get an attempted murder charge. I'm here for assault with a deadly weapon and for possession of drugs."

"Wow…Nick…I never would have guessed," Jeff said. And he thought he had been unlucky?

"I really didn't mean to hurt him," Nick admitted. "They claimed I attacked first. That I was high on acid or something and delusional. Their case was good, so my lawyer struck a deal."

"I knew you weren't a bad guy," Jeff said.

"I've never been a good guy though," Nick mumbled. "Nice guys don't steal money from their parents. A nice guy would have never been in the situation that landed me here in the first place." He sighed heavily. "I worked hard to get where I am here. I was nobody and I became the leader of the worst gang here. I toughened up. When I got here, I weighed 95 pounds soaking wet and was almost 6 inches shorter. Now I'm someone to be feared. And Sebastian is going to ruin it."

"You really think he could?" Jeff said.

"You don't realize how fragile this hierarchy is," Nick said stressfully. "If this Sebastian guy knows as much as he lets on…" he trailed away. "I can't go back to being a piece of meat! I have a year left of this fucking hellhole!

Jeff frowned. He had always seen Nick as someone invincible. Untouchable.

Yet, without the Warblers, Nick would be no one.

…

A few days passed. People started talking. It had gotten around pretty fast that this Sebastian guy knew Nick somehow, and suddenly, he was the most popular guy at Dalton. Everyone wanted to know what he knew about the big bad gang leader.

Jeff recalled his short time with Blaine. The small, dark haired boy had told Jeff that everyone hated Nick because he was ruthless. Every single inmate in this place, sans the Warblers, wanted nothing more than to see Nick fall.

The gang was becoming uneasy. The tension was unbearable. Nick refused to answer any of the Warblers' concerns regarding Sebastian and held fast to his story that he had no clue who he was.

One day, Nick's fears finally came to light.

Sebastian approached the Warblers during rec time.

"So this is the Warblers," he announced himself cockily. They all turned to face him. It was unusual that a lone inmate would dare approach them.

Nick whirled on him without warning and gripped him by the knot of his tie. "Get the hell away from here," he spat in his face. "I've seen you around here. You think you're tough? I could break your neck with one hand and not even break a sweat."

To Jeff's bewilderment—and to the bewilderment of the other Warblers—Sebastian laughed. He held up his hands and smiled a pleasant, unsettling smile. "Whoa, there, Mr. Bad Boy. Why so touchy?"

Nick's eyes were burning. He shoved Sebastian hard and the boy stumbled and fell backwards into the back of one of the sofas. He kept his hands up as if he were submitting. "I won't say it again. Get away."

"I didn't mean to intrude," Sebastian said smoothly. "I just thought your friends would like to know the truth about their precious leader."

The Warblers exchanged glances.

"What truth?" Thad demanded.

"There is no truth!" Nick snapped. He started for Sebastian again but was stopped by David grabbing his arm. "Get the fuck off me!" Nick snapped, tearing away from him. He whirled to face the tall Warbler. "Who the hell do you think you're dealing with?"

Jeff gulped. This wasn't looking good. Sebastian was still smiling with evil, narrowed eyes.

"I want to hear what he has to say," David said.

"So do I," Wes agreed. He was looking at Nick with suspicious, narrowed eyes. "If you have nothing to hide, why are you so worried?"

Nick glanced between them with disbelief.

"Don't you remember my big brother, Nick?" Sebastian challenged. "Do you remember what you did to him?"

Nick turned back to face Sebastian. "Shut up."

"He remembers you," Sebastian went on. "He told me all about how you cried and begged for mercy when he was beating the shit out of you."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Nick snapped.

"You were, what, 12 years old? 13, maybe? Fucked up out of your mind, wandering the streets, looking for another drug dealer to steal from?"

Nick tried once again to lunge at Sebastian, but was held back by the others. They were very interested in Sebastian's story.

"My bro found you, and you owed him a lot of money. When he confronted you, you tried to run away! Like a fucking coward. And when he got you cornered, you took his knife right out of his pocket and stabbed him."

"He was trying to kill me!" Nick burst out. "Your fucking brother was a grown ass man dealing drugs to kids!"

Sebastian's smile grew wider. "Oh, so you do remember!" he exclaimed. "He said your mommy and daddy came to the rescue. You were going to be tried as an adult, but the courts went easy on you after you cried self-defense. You were just some poor kid, caught up in an unlucky situation."

"Is that true, Nick?" David demanded.

Nick turned back to face them. He was appearing more and more deflated with every word that left Sebastian's mouth. "This doesn't change anything," he insisted. "I've been here longer than anyone. And I did stab him! That's still more than what any of you have done!"

The Warblers considered this with frowns.

"No, Nick, this changes everything," Wes said gravely.

"How?" Nick demanded. "You're just going to take Sebastian's word for it?"

"Even if we don't, everyone else will," Thad muttered.

"Speaking of that," Sebastian interjected. "I've already told quite a few of these guys about this."

The other Warbler's exchanged alarmed glances. For a long moment, none of them seemed to know what to do. Wes broke the silence by turning to Nick. "You have to leave."

"What?" Nick hissed.

"You're out of the Warblers."

"You're fucking kidding me!" Nick spat. "I created the Warblers! You can't kick me out!"

"If you stay, you're just going to bring us all down with you," David said seriously. "We can't risk that."

"Get out and take blondie with you," said Thad this time.

For a moment, Nick didn't move. He glanced between the Warblers with wide eyes as if waiting for one of them to change their mind. His gaze drifted to the rec room, where they had accumulated quite an audience. Everyone was watching as Nick was booted out of his own gang. Nick's anger dissolved into horror and he spun around and stormed off towards the dormitories.

Jeff hesitated, unsure of whether to follow him or not. He backed away from the Warblers and watched Nick walk away. When Nick disappeared, some of the inmates cheered and whooped as if some victory had been won. He noticed Blaine and The Rats nearby, and all of them were grinning smugly.

Blaine came over to him. "The tyrant has fallen!" he exclaimed. "Tough luck that they booted you, too, Jeff. You're more than welcome to join the Rats. It's always better to stay in a group, anyways, so they can't pick you out as easily."

It occurred to Jeff as Blaine spoke that this meant he didn't have the protection of Nick's reputation any longer. "Thanks for the offer," Jeff said distractedly. "I'll think about it."

"Don't think too long," Blaine warned. "You're a walking target every second you're not in a gang. But, thankfully, I bet everyone will set their sights on Nick for the moment. There's a lot of people here that would love to give him a taste of his own medicine."

Jeff frowned. "I have to go." Without another word, he headed for the stairway to the dormitories. On the way, he was tripped, shoved, and pushed several times before he made it up the stairs.

He opened the door to their dorm to find Nick pacing furiously in the center of the room. He was muttering to himself and appeared absolutely distraught.

"Nick?" Jeff greeted uncertainly.

"What do you want, blondie?" Nick snapped.

"Nothing," Jeff said. "I was just worried about—"

"Well, don't be!" Nick snarled. "Worry about yourself. Stay away from me." He suddenly went to Jeff's bunk and tore the blankets off of it and threw them at Jeff. "You can take all of your shit and move it to the other bunk." He threw Jeff's pillow and then dropped down to tear all of the papers and notebooks and supplies out from under the bed.

"Nick!" Jeff protested. "What are you doing?"

"It's over!" Nick snapped. "Don't touch me, don't talk to me, don't even fucking look at me." He threw a pencil case at Jeff so hard that it stung his hand when it lanced off of it.

"Nick!" Jeff said his name again, sharper this time. "I don't understand. I'm not the one who kicked you out of the Warblers!"

Nick pulled Jeff's school bag out from under the bed. He stood and shoved it into Jeff's arms forcefully so he staggered back a step. "I should have listened when they told me to cut you loose," he said to Jeff coldly. "They started to think I was weak because I felt sorry for you. This is your fault."

Jeff was taken aback. "If you didn't want me in the Warblers, all you had to do was say so," he said quietly.

"There it is again." Nick's voice was harsh and unforgiving. "That fucking kicked puppy look. You're pathetic."

Jeff's heart was sinking with every word. "I don't understand," he murmured. "I thought…"

"What? What did you think?" Nick demanded. "Did you think I liked you? Did you think I was a fucking faggot like you?"

Jeff flinched at this. Nick had never spoken to him like this. Not even when he first arrived here.

"Well, I'm not," Nick said. "And if you know what's good for you, you'll stay the hell away from me. I want nothing more to do with you." He shoved passed Jeff to the bathroom and slammed the door.

For a moment, Jeff was stunned. He thought Nick cared about him. He thought, maybe, they had something between them. How could he be so wrong?

He left his things strewn about the floor where Nick had thrown them and went back to the rec room, trying with all of his will to keep it together. He scanned the room and found Blaine and The Rats sitting together at a table playing a board game. Jeff approached them.

Blaine noticed him right away. "Hey, Jeff," he greeted.

"I thought about it," Jeff said. "I want to join."