Chapter inspiration: Bad Influence (Jem)
Jeff watched out his dorm room window as Nick went for coffee with Josh and Travis. He hadn't extended an invitation to Jeff like he normally would have and the blond Warbler sat sadly at the window, watching the three boys get into Josh's car and drive away.
"Hey, Jeff," a voice said from behind him. Jeff turned to see the new kid standing at the open door. "I'm Joel."
"How do you know my name?" Jeff cocked his head to the side.
"Because all anyone ever talks about are you and Nick being the best couple ever," Joel replied, taking a seat next to Jeff. "I'm not debating that. I'm just— I don't understand how two guys can be together for more than six months."
"Nick's been my best friend since kindergarten," Jeff said, smiling fondly at the thought of his boyfriend. "We've been through everything together." Joel smiled softly.
"That's really cool," he murmured. "I wish I had someone like that. Anyway, I thought we could hang out."
"But there are so many other guys here who you could hang out with, like Louis or Sebastian. Why'd you pick me?"
"Because you looked really lonely and I thought maybe I could cheer you up," Joel shrugged. "You probably got the speech about how drugs are bad and everything, but have you ever actually tried pot?" Joel produced a cigarette from inside his blazer.
Jeff's eyes widened at the sight of the marijuana stick. "I—I don't know, Joel. I heard people do crazy things when they're high." Joel got up and shut the door before walking back over to Jeff; he pulled a lighter out and took the first hit.
"Oh my God, it's been weeks since I had a hit," Joel moaned, leaning back in his seat. He offered Jeff the cigarette. The blond boy looked at it hesitantly and accepted it, taking a hit himself. "Inhale, don't exhale yet." Jeff complied and felt a rush to the head.
"Wow," he sighed, immediately taking another hit. "This feels relaxing."
"Promise me something, Jeff?" Jeff looked at Joel. "Don't tell anyone about this. I don't need any anti-drug lectures."
"I won't, promise," Jeff breathed.
Jeff's high had gone before Nick returned. Nick entered the room with a number of brown paper bags while Jeff lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Hey, Jeffy," Nick smiled. Jeff's head turned, a blank expression on his face.
"Hey, Nick. How was your coffee time with Josh and Travis?"
"It was fine." Nick sat beside his boyfriend and played with his hair. "Are you okay?" Jeff nodded.
"I'm just tired, that's all," he murmured.
"Okay, well, I'll let you sleep then." Nick kissed Jeff's forehead and left the room. Jeff knew something was going on, but decided to avoid assuming the worst and closed his eyes, falling asleep almost instantly.
The next day, Nick was off on another coffee meeting, this time with Cameron and Kyle. Jeff knocked on Joel's door, which opened to reveal a frazzled-looking Joel.
"Oh, hey, Jeff." Joel grinned and pulled the blond into the room. "How's it going, buddy?"
"Nick went off with Cam and Kyle this time," Jeff shrugged. "I don't want to think he's cheating on me, but..."
"Take a load off, Jeffrey, and have a drink." Joel poured Jeff a Vodka-Cola and handed it to him.
"We're only sixteen, Joel." Joel pulled a fake ID out of his pocket and flashed it.
"Just relax, Sterling," he said, flopping back onto his bed.
Jeff returned to his room, feeling more lightheaded than the pot did to him. Nick sat at the desk, writing something in a notebook, which he shut upon seeing Jeff.
"Jeffy, you don't look so good," he observed, pushing Jeff's hair out of his eyes. "What have you been doing?"
"Nothing, Nick," Jeff mumbled, pushing past the black-haired boy. "Just chill."
"No. Jeffrey Silas Sterling, you tell me why you've been drinking and why I found this marijuana cigarette," he pulled it out, "under your pillow?"
"I don't have to explain myself to you," Jeff snapped. He didn't see the look of hurt that passed over Nick's face.
"What's going on with you?" Nick whispered. "You're always so happy and now you're implying you don't need me? Who have you been hanging out with?"
Jeff looked down at his shoes and stared at the wall. "He told me not to tell anyone."
"Who told you, Jeffy? Please?" Nick took Jeff's hands. "I'll take care of it, promise."
"He told me not to, Nicky! I won't rat him out!" Jeff lay on the bed, facing the wall.
"I know who it is," Nick said. "It's Joel, isn't it?" When Jeff didn't answer, Nick knew he was right. "I always knew something was up with him."
At Warbler rehearsal the next day, Nick stood up and gathered Trent, Josh, and Travis with him. He stood behind Jeff, hands protectively on his shoulders as he glared at Joel.
"He's too much of a rebel, he'll land you in a stew
He's a bad influence (a bad influence)
A bad influence on you."
Louis, Flint, Hunter, and Sebastian huddled beside Joel and pointed at Jeff.
"The kid's a goody-goody, he hasn't got a clue
He's a bad influence (a bad influence)
A bad influence on you."
Jeff and Joel looked at each other, confused at what their friends were singing.
"Keep away, he'll lead you astray
There's something up his sleeve."
"Use your head, you'll be misled
The boy's a fool and too naive
Too naive."
"What—?" Jeff started to say, but Joel waved him down.
"Let them finish," he mouthed.
"You'll end up in hot water," Nick said.
"He'll break your heart in two," Louis interjected.
"He's a bad influence (a bad influence)
On you."
"What the hell was that for?" Jeff demanded.
"Joel's been giving you drugs and alcohol," Nick said, folding his arms across his chest.
"Maybe if you didn't ignore your boyfriend and leave him alone to be sad, he wouldn't have to turn to me," Joel snapped. Josh and Travis had to grab Nick to keep him from lunging at Joel.
"You're a sick son of a bitch, Joel!" Nick shouted. "You're just corrupting Jeff!"
"I'm not the innocent little kid you think I am, Nick." Jeff stood between the two of them, facing Nick. "I know what Joel was trying to do," Joel actually looked guilty, "and I was a willing participant."
"He was sad, okay? And lonely. I never meant to do any damage. I'm sorry." Joel looked Nick in the eye as he said this.
"Mind explaining why you haven't been inviting me anywhere, Nick?" Jeff looked up at Nick. The black-haired Warbler looked at Jeff as if he were crazy.
"Don't you remember what today is, Jeff?" The door swung open and Wes, David, and Thad came in, carrying an enormous birthday cake. "Happy seventeenth birthday, Jeff."
Jeff stared in open-mouthed shock at the scene before him while the other Warblers gathered around Nick and the cake. Joel, however, remained seated.
"Wait, you weren't a part of this?" Jeff asked him. Joel shook his head.
"No. I was actually trying to befriend you so I'd have someone else to do illegal underage things with," he said. "But happy birthday anyway: one year closer to those things I hope I can still do with you nonetheless."
Jeff looked between his friends and Joel. He offered his hand to Joel, who accepted it, and led him over to the Warblers.
"You're one of us," he grinned. "No matter how insane."
"One of us, one of us," the Warblers chanted.
"I knew I never should have shown you guys that movie." Louis shook his head.
