Here after an insanely long wait is Chapter 21. This chapter was difficult for me and it's not proofread. I apologize for that. It's the longest chapter of the story and I wanted to add way more but this was the end result. I hope you like it though I'm sure many of you won't. This had been planned for a long time and I couldn't change it. It just wasn't in the cards.
Bold is flashback
Italics is song
There will be a lot of dividers in this chapter. I wouldn't need them if fanfiction would allow me to keep the spacing I put it in but it wont so, sorry.
This story is coming to a close. All that left is the epilogue after this. Kurt's doing much better after the abuse he suffered which was the main focus of the story in the beginning.
Disclaimer: I dont know Glee. I do own my OC's
Chapter 21: Still you said forever part 2
When someone said count your blessings now
'fore they're long gone
I guess I just didn't know how
I was all wrong
They knew better
Still you said forever
And ever
Who knew
"Sammy's coming home! Sammy's coming home!" Zach announced in a sing-song voice while running through the halls of Dalton heading back towards Warwick dormitory. Nikel trailed behind him at a more sedate pace. It was impossible to lose Zach with his screaming. Behind him was Blaine and Kurt, holding hands laughing at their eccentric friend.
Zach, realizing he was alone, turned around and doubled back to them, grabbing Nikel's hand as he jumped up and down, "Come on you guys be happy it's been almost a month!"
"Is it the fact Sammy is getting out of the hospital or the fact its pouring rain outside that has him so insane?" Kurt asked, leaning closer to Blaine so Zach wouldn't hear him.
"Option C he's always this crazy. Though it being April doesn't help. You know all the rain…"
"Why are you two whispering?" Zach asked pushing past Nikel to walk next to them, "Are you talking about me? Why don't you love me? What did I do wrong?!"
"I'm going to blame your insanity on the tumor and pretend you didn't speak." Kurt decided, as they continued on. Soon everyone split up to change into after school clothes. Afterwards they met back up to head over to Sammy's house to welcome him home.
"Are we supposed to pick Allina up or is she meeting us there?" Wes asked as they headed to the cars.
"She's with the Atra's picking Sammy up from the hospital. We should arrive at the house right after them." David explained as they packed into Wes' van. He was the only one who could drive them all over.
"Zach get in the car!" Nikel scolded, pulling Zach out of the rain and into the vehicle. He pouted as they pulled away.
Kurt rested his head on top of Blaine's while he listened to the boys banter back and forth. It was Friday and he knew he should've gone home this weekend. He's skipped the last couple to spend time with Sammy in the hospital, but this was the first weekend Sammy would be home and they made plans to spend at least the rest of the day with him. Thankfully his dad was understanding.
"Is Sammy going to have to repeat his Junior year?" Zach asked suddenly frowning, "He's already a year behind because of last time."
"No. Since he's only missing about 3 months Dalton is going to let him home study and take his tests during the summer so he can continue to move forward." Nikel replied, "The school administrators talked to him last night about it."
"At least somebody has a plan for next year." Zach grumbled, crossing his arms looking away from Nikel.
"Not now Zach."
"Not now Zach." Zach repeated sarcastically, "More like not ever."
They still haven't talked about what would happen after high school. With less than two months until they graduate Zach was getting a little anxious. He didn't want Nikel to hold off on his plans while Nikel refuses to leave Zach until they hear that glorious word 'remission'. It has now become a month long stand-off between the two and none of the other boys in the car were all that keen to re-live it.
"Can we please not argue about this right now guys?" Blaine pleaded.
"Go back to trying to suck Kurt's face off, Blaine." Zach replied, looking behind him in order to stick his tongue out at the two.
"Jealous?" Kurt teased, purposefully wrapping his arms around Blaine's neck and kissing him as hard as he could. He pulled away and looked smugly at other boy. Blaine just looked dazed.
"That's a challenge!" Zach yelled, turning to look at Nikel with hopeful eyes.
Nikel rolled his eyes and pecked him on the lips, "There."
"How are we supposed to win with that? That wasn't even a real kiss."
"Hey! Behave back there. Don't make me turn the hose on you when we get to Sammy's." David hollered back, shaking his head slightly. He knew he should've made them go in a different car. Or at least just Zach.
"It's raining outside…would that even work?" Nikel asked, teasing him, "There's a flaw in your logic."
"Just shut up." David grumbled.
"This is such a long drive." Zach whined, flopping back against the seat, "Can we play I-spy?"
"NO!" Five other voices yelled out in response. Zach huffed, they were all so boring.
Eventually –which was way too long in Zach's mind- they reached Sammy's house. They walked up to the front door and before any of them could knock Allina threw it open.
"Oh good you're here. I thought I heard a vehicle." She gave them a small smile, "Sammy's downstairs in his room. Come on in."
She led them downstairs back to the room Kurt remembered visiting all those month ago after sectionals when he was harassed at Breadstix.
Allina turned to them just as her hand reached the doorknob, "He's doing better, but he doesn't have a lot mobility in his left leg yet. He's also still dealing with some withdrawals from all the…alcohol and drugs in his system so he can be a little testy at times." She looked really tired and stressed and they couldn't help, but wonder how much of the anger she took on herself.
With that warning she opened the door and led them all into Sammy's room. He was sitting up in his bed, but wasn't under the sheets. His left leg was still in a brace and he had some lingering bruises but he looked a lot better. It could've been so much worse and everyone knew it.
"Wow." He said after a bit of silence while everyone continued to stare at him, "I didn't realize Zach could be so quiet."
"Shut up, you bastard." Zach grumbled moving past Nikel to jump on the bed over Sammy so he was closest to the wall. Nikel rolled his eyes but moved closer as well with the others following behind him. Allina moved forward and sat on the edge of the bed next to Sammy and grabbed his hand.
"So…how's Dalton?" Sammy finally asked, looking around at all the boys.
"Crazy. Seniors freaking out like normal. Only two months to finish their shit and get the grades that look good for college." Zach laughed, "It's amusing to watch."
Nikel groaned, "Zach's been throwing water balloons and…ketchup balloons at the other seniors to, in his words, 'lighten them up'."
"I've gotten six detentions and counting." Zach announced proudly, making the others roll their eyes.
"The Dean is contemplating suspension." Nikel added, rubbing a hand over his face obviously stressed.
"I'm still trying to figure out where he gets all the ketchup. He never leaves the school." Blaine said, shaking his head in wonder.
"He ordered a 114 oz. jug off Amazon." Kurt answered with a sigh, "He received this huge box I shudder to think what else is in there."
Zach shrugged, "A Balloon Launcher, Potato Gun, Rubber Band Shooter, a Fart Whistle, Flingshot Slingshot Flying Screaming Monkey, the Official Bullshit Button, Snake in a Nut Can, Itch Powder, Hand Buzzer, a Whoopi Cushion, Stink Bombs and Liquid Ass to go with the Whoopi Cushion, and of course a Slinky."
By the end he had the whole room staring at him in absolute horror. Nikel opened and closed his mouth a few times before he finally got the words out, "I'm doing a room check when we get back and confiscation all of that before you get expelled."
Zach glared at him, "You just want it all for yourself. Good luck finding it!"
"It's under his bed." Kurt threw in.
"Traitor." Zach grumbled.
"You can keep the slinky." Nikel replied with a long suffering sigh.
"Ooo yes! A slinky!" Zach cheered bouncing on the bed making Sam shake next to him.
"Stop it, you loser." Sam snapped, causing Zach to stop and pout.
"Sorry…so you're not coming back to school?"
Sammy let a sigh of his own, "No, Mom and Dad want to me to stay home and study. Plus with the leg I'm not sure how well I'll be able to get around the steps at Dalton." He closed his eyes taking a deep breath, "I don't know if I can go back to Dalton right now. It's all still so fresh in my mind. It's all my fault."
"Don't." Allina snapped, giving Sammy a fierce look, "We've talked about this. Gabriel made a choice. He knew what he was doing. What you're feeling is survivor's guilt. What did your therapist say?"
"Nothing useful." Sammy grumbled back.
Kurt raised an eyebrow, "Please tell me you're not seeing Ms. Baumer. She's horrible."
"You had her too?"
"Yep, switch if you can. Envisioning balls of light is pointless."
"I know, right! So annoying."
"Aww, look, Nikel they're bonding over therapists." Zach cooed, lacing his finger together under his chin.
"You are a strange, strange person, Zachariah Amar Bendig." Sammy replied, turning his head to look at him.
"It's the tumor."
"It's your brain in general, you nutcase." David said rolling his eyes.
"You're just jealous you're not as awesome as I am."
"If that's how awesome is defined then just call me loser." David replied.
"Hear that, Nikel, David gave me permission to call him loser to his face now."
"Wait? You call me loser when I'm not around."
"Yep. All the time actually." Zach said, "We have meeting where that's all we do. Well that, and devise up ways to pull out that stick Wes has in his ass during Warbler season."
"Excuse me?" Wes butted in, "The what up my where?"
Zach's eyes got really wide, "You mean you don't know? I thought you could feel it…or you put it there yourself. Well looks like I owe Jonathon five dollars."
"Oh Zach." Sammy groaned, before nudging him lightly shoulder-to-shoulder, "Never change."
"Can I at least have my hair back?" Zach asked, running his hand over his wig, "I so don't do bald well."
Sammy just laughed. It was hard to be angry and bitter when Zach was in the room. He was like a little puppy. You want to be mad that he peed on your new carpet but he looks so damn adorable.
"Don't laugh Sammy, you'll just encourage him." Nikel complained.
"Fine, fine." Sammy replied, taking a deep breath to stop the laughter, "So anything else going on at Dalton?"
Blaine snorted, "Not really. Even Jamie's been silent, though one could argue he's probably planning something."
Sammy glared down at his bed, "If everything you've told me is true I want Jamie to pay. I don't know how but somehow he'll pay."
Nikel shook his head, "I've been thinking that for years. Trust me my Uncle will be covering Jamie's ass for the rest of his life."
Sammy scoffed, "Your cousin's a piece of shit, Nikel."
"Tell me something I don't know."
"I'm the one who snuck into Jamie's room our Freshman year and set off all those glitter bombs." Zach replied in a matter-of-fact tone.
While Kurt looked confused, Sammy just turned to Nikel with an exasperated look, "I told you it was him."
"How did you even get into Maxstoke to do that?"
Zach shrugged, "Drew. He really doesn't like his brother."
"I don't even know what to say to you anymore. Every time I think I have you figured out you say something that just throws it in left field again."
"It's a gift. Mom says I've been spouting nonsense and bullshit since I learned how to talk."
"Sounds like Maria." Nikel agreed.
Kurt finally piped up, "I'm sorry I'm still stuck on glitter bomb."
Zach smiled a truly evil smile, "Oh I'll show you when we get back."
Blaine groaned, "You just had to question him, didn't you? Your room is going to be a mess."
"Great."
They continued to talk for a while longer before Sammy started to yawn.
Nikel noticed and knew Allina would kick them out soon if they didn't leave on their own, "We should probably be leaving now. After all our History projects are due on Monday and Mr. Procrastinator over there isn't done yet."
"The Civil War is so boring. Seriously I don't want to read about the smallpox and…" He stopped to think for a minute, "other…things."
"My point is made. We need to help Zach with his project."
Sammy nodded, "Okay, well come visit again. I'll just be here bored and doing homework." He yawned again.
"See you later man." Wes patted him on the back before making his way out of the bedroom. With final goodbyes the rest followed as well getting into Wes' van and headed back to Dalton.
They barely pulled out of the driveway before broke the nice silence the fell over the group, "So…can we play I-spy now?"
"NO!" Everybody else answered making Zach pout.
Eventually, Zach had fallen asleep on Nikel's shoulder while Kurt did the same to Blaine. It was already late evening and they weren't quite back to Dalton yet. The rest of the boys talked quietly about Nathan, Gabriel and Jamie.
"We can't let Jamie get away with all of this." Blaine muttered, glaring at his hands.
Nikel hummed in agreement, "But we have to be careful. Jamie won't go down without a fight."
"What do you purpose we do?" Wes asked, gripping the steering wheel tightly.
"I think I'll make a phone call to Drew tomorrow. He'll know what to do. Plus if I accidently let it slip Jamie had a hand in his disowning then oops." Nikel let out a humorless laugh, "How fucked up is it that one little thing sparked so much? If Jamie didn't send those emails to Nathan he wouldn't have killed himself, then Sammy wouldn't have been an alcoholic suicidal mess, he would have never tried to jump from the roof and Gabriel would have never died."
"You can't think like that, Nikel." Blaine warned, "Should've, would've, could've. It can be a dangerous line of thought. If Gabriel didn't get involved with Nathan, Jamie would've never sent those emails. You know how miserable Nathan would've been without Gabriel. He really did love him."
"You're right. Of course you're right. I'm just angry is all. Zach's last testing didn't go well and I'm stressed about our future."
"What?" Wes exclaimed.
"You didn't tell us that!" David added, barely keeping his voice down so not to wake the other two boys.
Nikel groaned, "He didn't want to say anything, didn't want anyone to be worried. It's a minor setback that the doctor said was to be expected. They expect better results on the next test. I wish he'd leave school to do treatment full time though I'm selfish enough to like having at school where I can watch him." Nikel looked around, "Don't look so glum guys. He's not dying or anything. Just a minor setback. You know Zach, he'll come out of this better than ever."
"It's just disheartening to hear." Blaine said, leaning his head so it laid on top of Kurt's.
"Yeah," Nikel replied, "I know."
The rest of the ride was quiet. Everyone still awake was lost in their own thoughts. Blaine and Nikel hesitantly woke up Kurt and Zach to get them back inside Dalton once they arrived back. Zach headed back to Warwick with Wes so he could go to bed. The rest headed to the Cafeteria to eat a late snack since they only had a quick bite to eat before going over to Sammy's.
"Are you done with your history project, Kurt?" Nikel asked when they sat down with their food.
"Yeah finally. I'm pretty sure Zach is the only one not done. Are you going to help with his tomorrow?"
"Well." Nikel looked uncomfortable, "I was hoping you and Blaine would be willing to help him. My parents called earlier today. They heard I broke up with Loretta so I thought I'd visit them tomorrow and tell them about Zach. At least it'll keep Jamie from lording it over my head."
"Oh." Was all Blaine could say.
"Yeah," Kurt picked up, "Of course we'll help Zach. Good luck with your parents tomorrow."
"Thanks. Let's just hope I can get through it without throwing up."
"You'll do fine," David said his mouth full of the bag of chips he was eating.
"That is disgusting." Kurt complained, pushing his food away, "I'm not hungry anymore."
David stuck out his tongue which made Kurt groan even more in disgust.
"I'm leaving." Kurt announced standing up. Nikel and Blaine got up as well.
"Yeah David can just sit and be gross by himself." Nikel agreed.
"Whatever. I'll see you guys tomorrow."
Blaine, Kurt, and Nikel walked out of the cafeteria and headed back towards the Warwick building. They didn't get far when a voice stopped them.
"Oh good, they let the riff-raff out again."
Nikel let out a long-suffering sigh and turned to face Jamie, "Does everyone visualize duct tape over your mouth so early in a conversation?"
"Obviously you've been hanging with that son of a whore too much. You're starting to sound like him."
"Don't call him that!"
"I'm just stating facts. The fact you surround yourself with these mongrels of questionable breeding is a stain on the family name. It reflects badly on not only you but on me and the rest of our family as well."
"I thought Drew was the first stain on the family name and I'm pretty sure that it was you who caused it. I'm sorry Jamie but I have to ask: Does your ass ever get jealous of the shit that comes spewing out of your mouth?"
Jamie sputtered for a minute before snarling, "How dare you? You shouldn't speak to your betters that way, you bastard. We wouldn't want Mommy and Daddy to find out some unsavory things about their son now would we?"
"Let's just see whose dirt is worse." Nikel smirked at Jamie.
Jamie lost his superior look, "Try it, Nikel and I'll ruin everything you hold dear. It'd be a shame for something to happen to your boyfriend. Or maybe your frail little friend over there. Are you letting him suck your cock too?"
Blaine broke away from where he stood holding Kurt and ran right up to Jamie, getting in his face, "Don't you talk about him like that! Any of them. You're a bitter pathetic person who'll never know happiness. I'd feel sorry for you if you weren't such horrible poisonous thing who doesn't even deserve to be called a human."
"I suggest you take a few steps back before you really regret your actions." Jamie hissed.
"How about you leave? Go far away and leave us all the hell alone."
"Blaine." Kurt whimpered, hoping to get him away before Jamie did something.
Jamie lightly pushed Blaine making him take a step back, "Better listen to your little boyfriend, Blaine. You wouldn't want to get hurt. Or your boyfriend. I mean I'm sure I can easily pay Karofsky's bail and invite him to visit. I'm sure he'd love to see Kurt."
Blaine didn't even think. He let a deep growl and threw his body into Jamie's knocking them both to the ground.
"Blaine!" Nikel yelled out.
"Hey! Break it up!" Their Art teacher, Mr. Wilson, came around the corner and pulled the two boys apart, "Both of you are coming with me to visit the Dean. You know the rules. I suggest the rest of you go back to your dorms before curfew."
Kurt and Nikel watched helplessly as Jamie and Blaine were escorted away. The two boys that were with Jamie quickly took off.
"Blaine's not going to get expelled, is he Nikel?" Kurt asked fearfully.
"I don't know, Kurt."
Together they made their way back to Kurt and Zach's dorm.
"Wazz goin' on?" Zach mumbled as they flipped on the light.
"Sorry to wake you Zach." Nikel said, sitting down on Zach's bed by his arm, "Blaine pretty much tackled Jamie to the ground and a teacher saw. They're talking to the Dean now."
"Seriously?" Zach shot up much more alert.
Kurt sat down on his bed cradling his head in his hands, "Seriously."
"Go Blaine." Kurt and Nikel both stared at him causing him to shrug, "What? I mean it sucks he's in trouble but you have to admit you wish it was you who smacked that little snot-nose brat."
"Oh definitely." Nikel agreed, leaning back so he was against Zach's shoulder.
"So what happened exactly?" Zach asked, looking down at the boy leaning against his shoulder.
Nikel quietly told Zach the whole story while Kurt paced around the room throwing in comments every now and again. By the end of the story Zach was throwing around his own creative words in anger.
The three sat around for 2 hours waiting for Blaine, getting more and more anxious as time passed. Finally the door to Kurt and Zach's dorm room opened and in walked Blaine. He immediately went over to Kurt and wrapped him in a hug.
"It's okay, Kurt, it's okay." Blaine whispered in Kurt's ear though Kurt wasn't sure if he was reassuring him or himself.
"So…how did it go?" Zach asked as Blaine and Kurt separated.
Blaine walked over to Kurt's bed and sat down, pulling Kurt with him, "I was given a warning. The incident -as the Dean called it- is going on my record." He moved to lean against Kurt, "I also have to step down as Junior RA for the rest of this year and can't take over as RA next year."
"It's April. The school year is practically done! Can they really replace you right now?" Nikel exclaimed.
"The Dean wanted me to report to you and inform you of my resignation. He also wanted you in his office 9 am sharp tomorrow to go over the rest of the school year." He looked around at the three guys in the room, "Come on guys don't look so glum. It honestly could've been a lot worse. In fact, it should've been. Jamie stepped in and said we just were messing around. I don't think the Dean believes him but let it slide. Jamie has detention for all of next week."
"Jamie helped you? Why? I mean not that I'm not grateful but…it's Jamie." Kurt couldn't fathom it.
"He has to be planning something." Nikel insisted, "Jamie wouldn't do it unless it somehow benefited him or ruined someone else."
"As much as I hate to say it we'll have to wait it out. Jamie won't play his hand yet." Zach added, stifling a yawn.
"I agree with Zach. We'll discuss it more tomorrow. It's getting late and I have a meeting early now apparently. And somebody has to do their history project."
"Slave driver. Shut up now I have a headache." Zach muttered, snuggling down into the blankets. Nikel stood up so he could use the bathroom to change into sleepwear.
"Yeah, yeah Zach. Good night."
Saturday afternoon found the boys sitting in the library, trying to help Zach finish his history project. Trying being the operative word. Zach was putting up one hell of fight.
"I'm bored."
"Shut up and look up more on gangrene. I want this project done." Kurt snapped back, while Zach stuck his tongue out at him.
"I want to go outside. Its drizzling and I want to dance in it."
Blaine sighed, "Okay, Zach. You write two paragraphs on gangrene and we'll go outside and play in the rain." He thought for a moment before adding, "As long as we don't tell Nikel."
"Stick in the mud." Zach muttered. Kurt wasn't sure if he was referring to Blaine or Nikel.
"Here Zach this is all the information you'll need about Civil War food." Wes piped up, handing over a piece of paper, "You just need to put it into your own words."
"I just finished their weaponry information." David claimed, throwing the paper in the middle of the table next to Wes'.
"Thanks for helping guys." Zach muttered, as he continued to write furiously in his notebook, "History sucks."
The boys rolled their eyes, but didn't say anything. There was no use arguing with Zach.
"When will Nikel be back?" David asked, stacking books so he could put them away.
"No idea. He left right after his meeting with the Dean to go visit his parents."
Zach snorted, still writing information down, "If he doesn't come back by dinner assume dead."
"Full of confidence I see." Kurt dead-panned. Zach just shrugged.
A few minutes of silence were quickly interrupted by Zach, "I'm done! Sweet heavenly everything I'm done. Take that homework! Suck my-"
"ZACH!" Kurt cut it. Zach just stuck his tongue out again before shoving all the papers into his bag.
"Can we go? Can we? Please?"
"Fine." Blaine sighed.
"Hell yeah!" Zach yelled taking off for the front doors. Rolling their eyes the boys followed their enthused friend.
Zach dropped his backpack under the awning and ran straight into the rain stopping to spin in a circle. He held it arms out and held is head up to stare at the sky and falling rain. He finally stopped spinning only to laugh as Wes and David were in the mists of a wrestling match to see who could knock who into the mud. Kurt came to stand beside Zach. Blaine followed wrapping his arms around Kurt from behind.
"My money's on David." Blaine murmured chuckling.
"Nah, Wes will win." Zach replied with confidence, before speaking louder, "That stick he keeps up his ass will help keep him rigid and upright."
"You're awful, Zach." Kurt snickered.
Finally Wes pushed David to the ground and stood over him laughing, doing a victory dance.
"Told you." Zach said.
David, tired of Wes' showboating, hit him in the leg forcing him to fall next to him.
"Hog pile!" Zach yelled out running right over to the boys and jumping on them, "Come on you two!"
Blaine walked around Kurt as if to head to the pile of boys.
"Oh no, Zach. No way am I going in the mud." Kurt denied backing up a few steps for good measure. Blaine turned around and stared at Kurt.
"Seriously? Don't you know Zach always gets his way?"
"Not this time."
Blaine smirked, "If you say so."
"Why are you smiling like that?"
"Because of me." Nikel's voice boomed from behind Kurt as he was lifted up and carried over to the mud pile of boys. He dropped him in the mud next to David before taking a seat next to Zach. Blaine quickly plopped down next to Kurt, giving him an apologetic smile as he grabbed his hand.
"Why are we sitting in the mud?" Nikel asked, looking at Zach.
"It's raining, Nikel. Why do you think?" Zach replied, with an eye roll, "Wes and David were having a wrestling match and we all ended up in the mud."
"Thank you for that crystal clear explanation, Zach."
"How did your meeting go?" Kurt asked.
Nikel sighed, "Wes will be taking Blaine's stop as Junior RA for the rest of this year even though he's a Senior. Next year is still up in the air."
"Oh joy. Babysitting duty." Wes bitched.
"And your parents?" Kurt pressed on.
Nikel shrugged, "Fine." He looked at Zach, "Mom wants you to come to dinner since you didn't come for Christmas break."
"That's it?" Zach said, "They're fine with-with us?"
"Mom claims she knew there was something between us all along. Women, ugh."
Zach scoffed before frowning, "And your dad?"
Nikel's shoulders slumped, "Suddenly had urgent business that needed attending to and left. Could've been worse I suppose. At least they know now, I'm not hiding and Jamie has nothing."
"Did you call Drew yet?"
"I tried. He didn't answer but Mom says they're out of state visiting her parents with the kid so I won't be able to get ahold of him until at least Monday."
"So now we play the waiting game." David summarized.
"Ugh, the waiting game sucks." Zach whined, flailing backwards so he was laying on the ground, "Like history."
"Did you at least finish your project Zach?"
"Yes mother."
"Good, now let's get out of this rain. It can't be good for you." Nikel replied, standing up before hold his hand out to Zach to help him up.
"Well…it was fun while it lasted." Zach sighed, grabbing Nikel's hand pulling himself up. He gave Nikel a quick peck on the lips before running for dorms, "I call first shower!"
"Damn it." Kurt muttered, "He always does that."
As they all walked towards the door Blaine laughed, "You'd think you'd be used to it by now."
"I'll never be used to Zach." Kurt said, solemnly.
"A wise man." Wes said, clasping Kurt on the shoulders.
Zach came running back to them then, giving his best stern look, "Come on slow pokes!"
Nikel reached forwards and grabbed Zach's hand lacing their fingers together, "Fine, fine lets go."
Blaine grabbed Kurt's hand in the same manner and all six boys made their way back to Warwick Dormitory, laughing as they joked and ribbed each other. For a few minutes all the pain of the last few months drifted away and the uncertain future was gone. They were just teenage boys having fun. The old saying was true: Ignorance was bliss.
The rest of the weekend went by quickly. Kurt and Blaine went to spend most of Sunday with Kurt's family while Wes, David, Zach and Nikel went to check in on Sammy. On Sunday night, Nikel held a meeting in Warwick to explain Wes replacing Blaine as junior RA. Most of the dorm cheered as they heard how Blaine "attacked" Jamie. Nikel rolled his eyes but didn't stop the rest of the dorm from devising up ways to make Jamie miserable for messing with their dorm brothers. Loyal bunch of weirdo's.
It was now Monday and anyone in a class with Jamie made sure to crack a joke about his detention or the fact he was taken down by "the hobbit of Warwick Dorms."
"Dude, Jamie looks ready to strangle someone." Zach commented as he took a bite of his pizza.
Nikel looked over at Jamie's table and snorted, "Apparently his morning classes were uncomfortable. Damien said even Maxstoke isn't happy with him."
"Well I'm willing to bet his afternoon classes will be just as much fun." David piped up, reaching his fork over to steal some of Jonathon's fries.
"Hey! Eat your own shit."
Wes laughed, "Why do you think I made sure to sit across the table? David is a food thief."
"I already knew that. I just hoped he had outgrew that childish behavior," scolded Jonathon.
"Nope. All food is fair game…except for Kurt's, because salad gross.
"Idiot." Blaine muttered. Kurt nodded in agreement.
"You are all idiots."
Making annoyed faces the whole table turned their heads to view Jamie who stood behind Nikel glaring at them. Zach calmly put down his pizza and smiled sweetly at Jamie.
"How are you Jamie? Have you had a pleasant morning?"
"Shut up, you waste of space." He focused his glare on Nikel, "I got a call from my parents before lunch. They want me home tonight. Not unusual but the fact my brother, Drew, will be there as well is. What did you do?"
"Me? I didn't do anything. I just called Drew this morning to ask how his trip went." Nikel replied, shrugging.
Zach tilted his head back as if thinking, "Oh that's right. He handed the phone over to me and I may have mentioned a little something about your parents. I don't know what happened after that. He had to get off the phone soon after to call his parents."
"You have just made the biggest mistake of your life, Zachariah." Jamie snarled, "I will get you back for this."
"Oh give it a rest, James." Zach groaned, rolling his eyes, "Maybe you should drop the little rich boy act and take some responsibility for the trouble you caused. You're a scared bratty child that knows he'd be nothing if he didn't have his father to clean up all his messes. God I feel like every time we see you we have the same exact conversation. You're a pompous little prick. You're parents do everything for you. Then you come back with your Draco Malfoy act of 'my father will hear about this.' It's all really exhausting."
"Did you just quote Harry Potter, you simple minded piece of shit." Jamie sputtered incredulous, "You really are mentally unstable."
Zach snorted, turning to face Jamie fully, "I'm mentally unstable? Seriously? Kettle meet pot. I didn't send e-mails to torture people to their deaths over some latent homosexual feelings you had for your best friend."
"What did you just say?" Jamie's voice took a dangerous edge.
"Zach." Nikel warned, but Zach ignored him.
"I said you couldn't stand Gabriel giving his attention to any other gay guy because you wanted his attention focused solely on you. You went after Nikel about Loretta to cover up the fact it was Gabriel you wanted all along. My, my Jamie I bet you spent many of nights lying in bed wanking to the idea of Gabriel finally wanting you back."
By now a couple of nearby tables were also looking at the group. Jamie's face was red, his hands were clenched into fists and he was shaking in rage.
"How dare you?" Jamie hissed, "You'll pay for this, Zach, mark my words. I'll make you pay."
Noticing a teacher heading their way Jamie quickly turned and stalked away. The teacher gave them a look before heading back where the other teachers were seated watching the students.
Nikel smacked Zach in the shoulder, "Are you crazy?!"
"Ow." Zach whined.
"I should smack you again. What were you thinking?!"
"I think?" He cringed when Nikel raised his hand again, "I'm joking. I'm joking. I was just try to rile Jamie up. Kids wound way too tight. It was kinda fun."
Blaine rubbed his forehead, "I think you started a war, Zach."
"Pssh I'm not afraid of Jamie. He's all bark and no bite. He has words but nothing to actually back them up. Especially with Drew talking to his parents again."
Kurt stood just as the warning bell rang to signal the end of lunch, "I don't know, Zach, I think you're playing with fire."
Kurt reached over and grabbed Blaine's hand. With a quick wave to the rest the two boys left the cafeteria hand in hand.
"Aw, our baby's all grown up. Look at him." Zach cooed as the rest of the boys moved to leave as well. Nikel stopped so he was shoulder-to-shoulder with Zach. He grabbed Zach's hand and forced him to move so he was looking at him.
"I agree with Kurt." Was all he said before he dropped Zach's hand and walked away. Zach stood there alone for another minute before rolling his eyes.
"Nothing more than a glorified bogyman." He muttered to no one in particular before heading to his own class.
By the end of the school day it seemed the whole school was talking about the "stand-off" that happened during lunch. Of course the story was blown widely out of context. By the time the new glorified version reached Zach he was laughing hysterically.
"All that's missing is me turning into the Hulk and smashing Jamie's face in." Zach laughed, leaning on Nikel as they walked back to the dorms.
"For an all boy school the gossip around here is outrageous." Kurt observed, walking behind them with Blaine.
"Yeah well when you first transferred you were an alien prince here to learn about our culture." Blaine replied, giving Kurt a bright smile.
"Seriously? I see realism is lost on you boys."
Zach unlocked the door and entered their dorm room jumping on his bed, "What's realism? Is that like reality? Because that just sounds awful."
"Anything normal sounds awful to you, Zach." Kurt quipped, sitting down on the floor leaning against his bed. Blaine sat next to him flinging his arm around Kurt's shoulder so Kurt could rest his head against Blaine's.
Nikel grabbed a desk chair and sat down straddling the back of it.
"So how long is Jamie's detention?" Kurt asked.
Nikel snorted, "A whole fucking half hour every day this week."
"That's good I guess. Since he has to go visit his parents after detention today," Zach pointed out, "Lucky for him, his parents only live 10 minutes away."
"I don't want to talk about Jamie." Nikel interrupted, "I'm sick of talking about my cousin."
"Fine." Zach agreed, "Let's talk about your post-graduation plans."
"No, Zach. Now is not a good time."
"It's never a good time!"
"Should we leave?" Blaine offered.
"No," Nikel said, quickly.
"No." Zach agreed, "You two go make out on Kurt's bed or something. I'm going to talk to Nikel either way. Actually, you two better stay. We might need a mediator when I go to knock Nikel's teeth out."
"Why is this so important to you, Zach? Plans change; people's minds change. It happens all the time."
Zach growled jumping off his bed to stand in front of Nikel. Blaine and Kurt also jumped up just in case they had to restrain him quickly.
"I've explained this to you. I don't know how else you make you understand. This was one of my worst fears when it came to us. That you'd change all your plans because of me. Because of this warped sense of loyalty or…or something! I can't live with myself knowing I'm holding you back, don't you understand?"
"Don't you understand?" Nikel pleaded, "I talked about the Marines because that's what my father wanted. He wanted me to join the Marines, marry some nice upper class girl and have a couple of kids. He wanted me to be him. Clayton turned out be a letdown so it fell to me. I don't want the life he had planned for me. Don't you understand, Zach? I talked about the Marines; I dated Loretta, but it wasn't my life." Nikel stood up from his chair and headed towards the door. He stopped with his hand on the handle, "If it was, I wouldn't have walked away from Loretta that day, but I did."
Zach sighed and approached Nikel. He gently pulled on his shoulder turning him until he was facing Zach once again. Zach pushed forward knocking Nikel flat against the door as he kissed him, hard. He broke away from him, smiling.
"If that's truly what you want then fine. For you to be happy is all I ask. I just don't want you to give up on something that you want."
"That'd be you." Nikel replied, touching foreheads with Zach, "I want you. How about this then? Give me one year after graduation. If I don't find something I want to do for the rest of my life I'll looking into the Marines again."
"Fine. Love you…I guess." Zach agreed.
"Love you too, dork," Nikel teased capturing Zach's lips again. He wrapped his arms around Zach pulling him closer.
"Ahem. There are people present." Kurt coughed, turning a nice bright red.
Zach pulled his lips away from Nikel's, "Then leave."
"You're blocking the exit," Blaine pointed out.
Zach laughed, extracting himself from Nikel to settle back on his bed, "Care to join me Nikel? Get away from the door so they can leave before Kurt turns permanently red."
As Nikel moved over to Zach, Blaine and Kurt made a quick exit.
"Stay off my bed!" Kurt yelled as he slammed the door. Kurt turned to look at Blaine, "So…now what?"
Blaine shrugged, "My rooms free."
"Movie?"
"Perfect."
Dinner ended up being a boring affair. Blaine and Kurt decided to leave Dalton for dinner since they didn't get a chance to have a date night over the busy weekend. David had a study group for a huge advance placement Calculus final. Nikel and Wes had to take off early to go over his two months of dorm duties leaving Zach to finish dinner by himself. Since he was eating such a late dinner most of the other students were gone, leaving the cafeteria looking quite eerie.
"You look happy…for a sick person."
Zach looked over and rolled his eyes, "Don't you have a crazy person to fawn over?"
"I broke up with Nikel." Loretta quipped back sitting down next to Zach, "You don't look too terrible. I'm impressed. Plus I heard he found someone more insane than himself."
"Yes you're looking less wicked witch-like yourself. And Nikel wishes he was on my level."
"Of course he does, Zach, of course he does."
"What are you doing here, Loretta?"
"Jamie called me in a fit of rage. Apparently some meeting with his parents didn't go well. I came here to calm him down, but he isn't here yet." She raised as eyebrow at the less than innocent look on Zach's face, "You wouldn't happen to know anything about this meeting, would you?"
"This parent meeting could maybe include Drew's presence. I'm not saying one way or another."
"You are playing with fire." Loretta stood, "I suppose I should check to see if he's at Maxstoke yet."
She took two steps before stopping and turning to look at Zach, "It was nice to see you, Zach. Really. You look happier."
"You're scaring me, Loretta."
"You really aren't funny, Idiot."
"You just don't have a sense of humor, Blonde." He watched her walk away, "Loretta being nice. That was beyond creepy. And now I'm talking to myself. Good."
He finished the last of his food and left the cafeteria just as the cook gave him a dark look. It was, after all, closing time for them. He walked towards the back of the main building as it was the shortest way back to the dorms, but it was also completely devoid of people. He really hated getting dinner so late in the evening. Most people were inside their dorm hall's studying. There was nobody around to tease or yell a random joke at. Darn.
Suddenly he felt a pair of hands on his shoulders and he was thrown into the nearest pillar. Zach turned to face whoever pushed him only to have Jamie punch him across the face forcing his head to slam against the pillar behind him.
"You son of a bitch! You ruined everything!" Jamie screamed in between punches before using his forearm to hold Zach against the pillar by his throat. Blood ran down Zach's face from a broken nose and split lip.
"You ruined yourself." Zach gasped out, before spitting a mouth full of blood onto the floor. Jamie punched him in the stomach causing him to lurch forward before slamming his head against the pillar again.
Pain exploded in Zach's head as Jamie forced it against the pillar again and again. He felt like he may have cracked a lower rib from the punch to the stomach, but his face hurt the worse. That and the pulsing throb that was his head. Like he had the worse migraine ever felt on the face of the Earth. He felt something slick run down the side of his face and neck.
"JAMIE!" Zach faintly heard somebody scream before he felt Jamie being pried away from him.
Jamie got two more good punches to the face in before he finally took a step back from Zach. Zach tried to focus his blurry eyes, but could only see a blob of yellow next to the blue that as Jamie's blazer. He leaned over and threw up on the floor in front of him. His head hurt so very badly was his last thought before everything went black after that.
"My parents practically disowned me, because of this piece of shit." Jamie spat, looking at the newcomer, "And what do you care, Loretta?"
"He has a brain tumor, you idiot!" Loretta moved forward and caught Zach just as he collapsed. She wasn't strong enough to hold him up and ended up falling to her knees on the ground next to him. She gently touched Zach's face, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Zach." She whispered, "Wake up. Come on, Zach, wake up."
"Leave him Loretta, he isn't worth our time."
Loretta started shaking as the tears fell, she stood up and faced Jamie "Get out of here, Jamie. Run like a coward with your tail between your legs. You're just like my aunt, blaming others for your problems."
Jamie smacked her across the face, "You're a bitch." But he listened to her. Jamie left and Loretta turned and knelt back down next to Zach.
"Zach, please wake up." She quickly pulled out her phone and dialed 911.
"911 what's your emergency?"
"I-I need an ambulance." Loretta stuttered into the phone, "My…friend he's hurt and there's blood. He's bleeding out of a cut on his head…a lot."
"Ma'am, remain calm. Head wounds tend to bleed a lot, it may not be as serious-"
"Don't tell me what's serious or not!" She screamed into the phone, "He's unconscious…and bleeding…and it's everywhere!" She reached out and gently stroked the side of his head that wasn't covered in blood, his wig lying useless on the floor. "He has a brain tumor and he won't wake up."
"We're sending an ambulance."
"Please hurry…" She didn't even register that she dropped her phone. She was too focused on the person in front of her.
"I'm sorry." She whispered, "I'm so sorry. I should've done something; I should've known not to leave you when I found you in the cafeteria. I'm sorry. Please wake up. I'm sorry."
"Loretta apologizing the world must be ending." Zach muttered, opening his eyes just a fraction.
"Oh god, Zach."
"I look hot right?"
Loretta choked out a laugh, "Yeah, smokin'."
"Liar." His eyes started to shut.
"Stay awake, Zach." Loretta pleaded, "Do you hear that. Sirens. The ambulance is almost here. Stay awake."
"Tell Nikel I love him." Zach slurred.
"Don't say that shit. You need to stay awake and tell me how awful I am."
"Okay." But Zach's eyes closed as Loretta heard footsteps approaching.
She took a step back as the paramedics and a few teachers ran into the open area. She expected more students to come rushing over but figured the ambulance lights couldn't been seen from the front of the building. While the paramedics worked on stabilizing Zach for transportation, two police officers came over to Loretta and gently asked questions about what happened. She told them what she saw. As the paramedics started to move Zach down the hall Loretta followed them while the police escorted by two teachers headed to Maxstoke Dorms. She knew they'd check the security tapes. Jamie made a major miscalculation in his rage.
When she moved to follow Zach into the ambulance they stopped her, "Sorry Miss family only."
"I'm his sister." The two paramedics riding in the back looked at each other before nodding.
"Okay. Come on."
She owed it to Nikel to be with Zach while they transported him away. She owed it to Zach to. After all it took her way too long to look past her jealousy. She never got to apologize for that. Sighing at the thought, Loretta sat there watching as they hooked all these machines up to Zach but had to look away as he started having a seizure. They couldn't leave soon enough.
Blaine and Kurt were driving back to Dalton after a nice dinner out together. They sat in a comfortable silence while Blaine drove them. They weren't far from Dalton.
"What do you think everyone's up to?" Blaine asked, pulling Kurt's focus from the window where an ambulance just went past a few streets over.
"Nikel's probably ready to pull his hair out trying to get Wes to cooperate with the rules of being an RA." Kurt said with a laugh, "Not that you followed the rules with all our sleepovers."
"Hey those were necessary rule breaking." Blaine defended, with mock offense.
They pulled into Dalton and Kurt frowned, "Uh Blaine, is that Jamie being hauled away in a police car?"
Blaine had no response as he stopped his vehicle to watch Jamie get loaded into said police car. What the hell?
"Hurry up and park. I want to see if Nikel or Zach knows anything about this." Kurt urged. Blaine quickly parked and the boys made their way up to Warwick dorm. Kurt happened to glance behind him and see the main building was closed off which was unusual. He didn't think too much more on it as they entered Warwick and made their way to Nikel's room.
"Well you don't look happy so I'm guessing you don't know yet." Blaine said as soon as they entered the room.
"Know what?"
"Jamie was being carted away by a police officer when we got here." Kurt explained.
Nikel laughed, "Seriously? That's awesome. I wonder what happened."
"No idea." Blaine replied, "But it was very satisfying to watch."
Nikel got out of his chair, "Come on lets go grab Zach and tell him. He'll love this."
They all made their way to Kurt and Zach's dorm, but found it empty inside. Kurt sat down on the edge of his bed while Nikel frowned, checking his phone.
"He should've been done with dinner a while ago."
"Maybe he saw something shiny." Wes said, with a shrug.
"He's not answering his phone." Nikel sighed, pushing end of his phone. Almost immediately his phone lit up with an incoming call.
"Is it Zach?" Blaine asked.
Nikel frowned, "No, it's Loretta." He responded before clicking the button to put it on speaker, "Loretta?"
"Nikel." Her voice was shaking making Nikel frown further, "Am I on speaker? I hear an echo."
"Yeah, I'm with Blaine, Kurt, and Wes. Do you need me to take it off speaker?"
"No its fine." She paused for a minute taking a deep breath, "Nikel."
"You already said my name once, Loretta-wait are you crying?"
"Nikel its Zach."
Nikel nearly dropped his phone in surprise. He wasn't expecting Loretta to call about anything to do with Zach. All the other boys looked as shocked as him and maybe a little fearful.
"What about Zach?"
"You need to come to the hospital. It's bad. Jamie-Jamie he, oh god, there was so much blood."
"Loretta, calm down." Nikel said emotionlessly. He was so numb from shock of Zach and blood in the same sentence. Zach was fine. He had to be fine, "We'll be there soon."
He hung up the phone and mechanically grabbed his keys and wallet.
"I'll drive." Blaine interrupted.
Together the four boys made their way to the hospital in complete silence. If they didn't talk about it, it wouldn't be real. For what seemed like an eternity later they finally arrived at the hospital. They made their way through the hospital before finding Loretta hunched over in a plastic hospital chair.
"Loretta?"
Gasping, she jumped up and wrapped her arms around Nikel, crying, "I'm sorry, Nikel, I'm sorry. I should've been there. I should've known Jamie would be angry and take it out on him. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry."
"Shh, Lore, it's okay. Can you tell me what happened?" He maneuvered her to sit back in the chair everyone else sat as well gathering around her.
"I don't know. Jamie called me mad about something with his parents. I went to Maxstoke to wait for him but when he didn't show I went back to the main building to see if he was there." She hiccupped, "He had Zach against a pillar and he just kept hitting him. There was blood and Zach lost consciousness. Jamie ran. Zach woke up for a minute, but it didn't last long. I heard the paramedics say something about coma. I don't know."
"Your cheek is bruised." Nikel noted, trying to process what she said.
"Jamie hit me when I called him a coward."
"Have you heard any more on Zach?" Blaine asked, when no one seemed to know what to say.
"No. They put him in surgery. I don't know why. Maria showed up about two minutes before you. She's talking to the doctors I think. I didn't get to apologize to Zach for always being such a bitch to him."
"You can apologize when he gets out of surgery." Nikel said sharply, "He'll be fine."
The group fell silent. Nobody dared contradict Nikel. They were all hoping for the same thing. They waited over two hours in complete silence for Maria to come back and talk to them. Nikel sat stiff as a board next to Loretta, who was looking at her hands. She could still see the blood on them from when she held Zach even though she washed them raw once she got to the hospital. Wes sat across from them staring blankly at the TV set up in the waiting room while Kurt and Blaine sat next to him; Kurt leaning on Blaine's shoulder. Wes had gotten a hold of David and he was there on the other side of Wes just as silent as the rest.
Finally Maria entered the waiting room, looking absolutely exhausted. Nikel jumped up and led the woman to the chair he had been occupying before kneeling down in front of her.
"Maria?" He whispered, afraid she was in shock and raising his voice any higher would startle her. She didn't react at all to his voice. Nikel tried again, "Maria, is Zach…" He couldn't finish that sentence, but the name of her son seemed to finally snap her out of her daze.
"Oh Nikel." She said weakly leaning back against chair, "The surgery went well. Or so they tell me. They had to relieve some of the pressure on his brain."
"Pressure on his brain?" Nikel repeated, quietly. That didn't sound good.
Maria wiped her eyes, nodding, "They said he's been diagnosed with ICH. Intracranial Hemorrhaging. Blood in the brain and from the tumor. They released some of the pressure with surgery. He arrived unconscious which apparently isn't good. Everything depends on him waking up. The longer he's out…" She started crying. Nikel reached forward to hug her, "He can die. Almost half of the people die. The longer he's out the more likely it'll be. My baby could die."
"He'll wake up, Maria, Zach's stubborn." Nikel whispered, rocking her slowly to calm her down.
"Even if he does. They said the brain can't take that kind of trauma without some damage. Who knows what he'll be like upon awaking."
"But at least he'll be awake." Nikel reminded her, "We'll deal with it when he wakes up."
The rest of the group watched as Nikel calmed down Maria, tears streaming down their faces. Zach didn't deserve this. Honestly, nobody deserved this. After a few minutes Maria pulled back from Nikel.
"You boys need to go back to Dalton. They won't let you see him tonight. His face is pretty banged up."
It took a lot of convincing but eventually the boys left to go back to Dalton. Nikel promised to keep Loretta updating as she took off back to school as well. They wouldn't see Zach tonight and they had to go to school the next day. It was going to be a long night.
It turned out the night was much shorter than the school day as they waited for it to end so they could go to the hospital. Finally it did end and they piled into Wes' van to go to the hospital. Once arriving the all went into the same waiting room they were in the night before. Maria was already there a strained smile on her face.
"He hasn't woke up at all, but his vitals haven't changed either so that's something. If you want to go see him you can, but it has to be one at a time."
Nikel went first. He moved down the hallway and entered the room Zach was currently in. He stifled a sob at seeing his boyfriend. Zach's face was swollen from all the hits to face he took and his head was wrapped from the surgery.
Nikel sat in the uncomfortable chair by the bed and took Zach's hand, "Again, Zach? We really need to talk about your fondness for hospital beds." Nikel sighed, growing serious, "You need to wake up, Zach. I'm told people can hear while they're in comas so listen to me, Zach. I need you to wake up. I need you to be okay. I have no idea what to do with my life without you and I refuse to find out…so wake up."
He sat in Zach's room for fifteen minutes before leaving to let the next person in. One by one the Dalton boys entered the room and spent fifteen minutes with Zach. They continued this until visiting hours were over and they had to leave.
A week passed and Zach still didn't wake up. The boys visited him every day even Sammy managed to make it to the hospital a few times. They knew though the chances of him waking up went down the longer he was unconscious as well as state of mind if he did wake up. It was a dreary Tuesday when Nikel pulled up to the hospital by himself and followed the familiar path to Zach's room. He took his usual seat next to Zach's bed and grabbed his hand.
"It's going to rain. I know you're going to be pissed when realize you missed it." Nikel started, laughing, "Do you remember the first time we met, Zach? We were both freshman at Dalton."
-Flashback-
"Pick a bed yet?" Nikel asked, seeing his roommate already in the room.
"Uh no…I'm guessing you're Nicholas?"
"Nikel."
"What?"
"Nikel my name is Nikel, not Nicholas. I hate that name. It's not unique, it's boring."
"…can I call you Nick?"
"No."
"Liken?"
"What?"
"Nikel backwards."
Nikel smiled, "I think we're going to get along just fine." Then he wiped the smile off his face, "But no, just Nikel."
"I'm Zachariah, long ass name I know. Call me Zach."
"Okay, so did you pick a bed yet?"
"Nope just got in the room. How do you want to pick?"
"I don't care just take one."
"Okay let me see." He went to the bed closest the door and jumped on it. He jumped up and down a few times before smiling, "Yep this one's mine. It's springy and I can dance and jump on it. Oh and sing, I can definitely stand on it and sing."
"Do you ever shut up?"
"Not while I'm awake and I've been known to sleep talk so not while I'm asleep either."
Nikel nodded slowly, "I'm suffocating you if you get too annoying, just an early warning."
"It's only fair."
"How about we skip the whole unloading crap into the room and go straight to the lunch hall for some food. I'm starving and I want to see what I'm in for."
Zach's eyes became wide and shiny, "It's like you read my mind. You're a god among men."
Laughing Nikel wrapped an arm casually around Zach's shoulder and pulled him close, "My older brother went to school here and says breakfast is the best they make these waffles that are out of this world."
"I'm in heaven already."
They continued down the cafeteria, Nikel's arm still around Zach's shoulder. They were passing jokes back and forth like they had been friends for years.
"So do you play Call of Duty by any chance?" Nikel asked as they walked.
"If by play you mean have an obsession with then yes."
Nikel smirked, "Z, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful epic friendship."
"Z?"
"Come on, Z, let's eat and we'll go back to the room and see if we can set up my Xbox in the commons area."
"That plan sounds perfect except we need some chips, I don't care what meal we're just about to be eating, COD needs chips. Other than that, I'm in, Nike."
-End Flashback-
Nikel finished, laughing, "That was the first time I've ever been called Nike. You were crazy even back then but I just knew you were something special. I just didn't realize how special you would become to me."
Nikel looked behind him at the window as a few drops of rain started appearing, "And now it's raining. You're missing it, Zach. Remember our freshman year when you refused to come inside and teachers had to chase you down. You're something else."
-Flashback-
"Nike." Silence. "Nike." Silence. "Nike."
"What!"
"It's raining."
Nikel twitched and turned to look at Zach, "That's an understatement. It's pouring outside, Z. Any particular reason you're interrupting my algebra homework to imitate the weatherman."
"Because it's raining."
"And?" Sometimes his roommate was so weird. Okay, all the time.
"We have to go outside."
"It's heavy rain, Z, you're funny."
Nikel watched as Zach stood up and headed for the door, "I'm serious."
Zach left the room. Nikel started on the next problem before giving up. He had to figure out what Zach was up to.
He quickly found Zach and stood there dumbfounded while Zach ran around outside like an escapee of the insane asylum.
"What the hell is your roommate doing?"
Nikel looked at Wes, who had the room next to them, standing next to him.
"I have no idea."
They watched as Zach jumped, dancing and ran around all the while rain pouring down on him. They watched as Zach stopped when two teachers stood at the door on the other side of the building and yelled for Zach to come inside. They, then, watched as said teachers ran out into the rain to catch Zach when he refused to come quietly. They were hysterical when one of the teachers finally tackled Zach to the ground to stop him.
"Think he'll be expelled for that one."
"I hope not. He's the most entertaining person I've ever met." Nikel replied, watching Zach get hauled off to the Dean. Wet clothes and all.
-End Flashback-
"God our first year together was nuts, Zach."
"Sounds like it." Nikel jumped and looked to see Kurt and Blaine standing by the door.
"Sorry. We thought we'd stop in for a bit to see him. Any changes?" Kurt asked, stepping further into the room.
"No, I mean he had another seizure, but nothing's changed. Which is both good and bad. Mostly bad, I think." Zach has had a couple of seizure since falling comatose.
"Is Maria here?" Blaine asked.
"She left when I arrived to check in at work."
"Have any more stories about Zach?" Kurt asked, sitting in the extra chair in the room, Blaine perched on the arm rest.
"I have thousands." He replied, before retelling any story that popped into his mind. Their freshman and sophomore years together seemed to be the most amusing. Soon visiting hours were up and the boys had to leave again.
Friday was rainy again. A Zach kind of day and Nikel found himself at the hospital. The doctors were growing more concerned over Zach's comatose state. His seizures were more frequent now and his organs seemed to be failing.
"Wake up, Z." Nikel pleaded, holding his boyfriends hand. It'd be two weeks on Monday and Nikel was just exhausted. The rain pelted the window behind him seemingly tuned into his dreary mood.
If I had only known
It was the last walk in the rain
I'd keep you out for hours in the storm
I would hold your hand
Like a life line to my heart
Underneath the thunder we'd be warm
If I had only known
It was our last walk in the rain
"If you wake up I promise never to complain about your weird sleep talking or the fact you like to hog the blankets. God, I won't complain about anything you say. I just want to hear your annoying chatter again." Nikel smacked his head against the back of the chair, "Tell me about how hump day coffee is the best thing on the planet or why the library should be used as a torture chamber for criminals. Just talk to me."
If I had only known
I'd never hear your voice again
I'd memorize each thing you ever said
And on those lonely nights
I could think of them once more
Keep your words alive inside my head
If I had only known
I'd never hear your voice again
Tears slipped out of Nikel's eyes without his permission, "I'm so sorry I didn't realize sooner. That you had to stand back and watch me with someone else. I never apologize for being so dense. I'm sorry. So much time was wasted."
You were the treasure in my hand
You were the one who always stood beside me
So unaware I foolishly believed
That you would always be there
But then there came a day
And I turned my head and you slipped away
"Nikel." Wes, David, Kurt and Blaine all came into the room.
"I'm-"
"You don't need to finish. Come on, Maria wants some time alone with Zach. Let's head back to Dalton."
Nikel reluctantly agreed, "Okay." He leaned over and kissed Zach on the forehead.
If I had only known
It was my last night by your side
I'd pray a miracle would stop the dawn
And when you'd smile at me
I would look into your eyes
And make sure you know my love
For you goes on and on
If I had only known
If I had only known
The love I would've shown
If I had only known
They all drove back to Dalton and as they headed inside Nikel stopped.
"Nikel?"
Nikel looked up at the pouring sky and threw up his hands. Slowly be began to spin in a circle, all the while watching the rain come down on him.
After a few turns he stopped and looked at the group, "Zach always wanted me to dance in the rain. Said it was soothing."
He didn't say anything else, just continued into Dalton the rest of the boys following him.
It was the last walk in the rain
Saturday was sunny. Like really sunny. The complete opposite of the rain yesterday. Nikel got up and got ready. He went to Blaine's room where Kurt's been staying since Zach went into the hospital. They let him in and he sat on Sammy's bed which Kurt technically took over.
"You look really tired, Nikel." Blaine observed, while Kurt was in the bathroom finishing getting ready.
"I dreamt of Zach last night." Was all he said.
Kurt came into the room, "Ready to go?"
Nikel sighed, "I never want to go the hospital. I want to see Zach. Its not fair he's there."
"Jamie's still being held in jail?"
"Yep, attorneys refuse to go to court until Zach's fates a little more definite or some shit."
Nikel's phone started to ring. He stilled when he looked at the number. Quietly he answered the phone. He didn't say anything beyond hello. Only listened and hung up the phone. Blaine and Kurt watched him fall to his knees, crying. Completely inconsolable. They didn't have to ask who called.
Zach suffered a final seizure and an aneurysm. The doctors tried, but there was nothing they could do. His body had been failing. Death was kind they said. Nikel couldn't agree.
Yeah yeah
I'll keep you locked in my head
Until we meet again
Until we
Until we meet again
And I won't forget you my friend
What happened
If someone said three years from now
You'd be long gone
I'd stand up and punch them out
Cause they're all wrong and
That last kiss
I'll cherish
Until we meet again
And time makes
It harder
I wish I could remember
But I keep
Your memory
You visit me in my sleep
My Darling
Who knew
That was the hardest thing I've ever had to write.