Chapter 18—Broken Forever

Nick's life had been anything but simple since reuniting with his "family." First there was the whole issue with Udonna, which he could come to grasps with. The Koragg/Lienbow would take some getting used to, but his main problem was that he would have to open up to a whole new family…come out to a whole new family. Jeremy had been nothing but supportive of him finding his 'family,' though he knew not the type of family Nick had. He didn't know his parents were the most powerful sorceresses and warriors to exist. He just wanted Nick to be happy.

But it wasn't that simple. Every since he was a child, nothing was ever that simple. Satisfaction. He lacked satisfaction. He wasn't satisfied with his current familial situation, nor was he satisfied with Jeremy's blind support. He was satisfied with Jeremy. But…something in him longed for something or someone else. Someone more confrontational and someone who wouldn't let them walk over them. He wanted Xander.

And Xander…well…Xander didn't know what he wanted. A part of him hated Casey for over reacting, a part of him longed to still be with him, another part was saying he needed to go straight…and the smallest part…the smallest part was whispering "you want Nick."

He contemplated it, drawn out long equations in his head of how to split him and Jeremy up. He'd even teased himself with the idea of getting Nick to cheat on Jeremy. He felt foul, but he felt…liberated? Yeah, liberated…that was it. He was free to fantasize and just be single again. He'd forgotten what that feeling felt like. He'd forgotten what it felt like to be drama-less and carefree. It had been far too long.

So as he began to ponder taking Nick from Jeremy, he was startled by the loud bang of a locker and an angry, loud voice.

"JUST BACK OFF!"

Xander peered around the corner to see Nick walking off, looking lethal like his dad. Must've been a dominant gene…

When he looked at the aftermath, he couldn't believe his eyes. Jeremy was just as furious, not believing he'd let his esteem drop so low. He had never realize how 'whipped' he'd been until that very moment. That miniscule second in time where he saw Nick snap at him; that flash of anger he felt when Nick owned him yet again. He was tired of it. He wasn't a boytoy, and he was tired of being treated like one.

"HEY!" Jeremy yelled back.

Nick spun around, his greenish-gray eyes bare of sympathy.

"You know what? I don't need your bullshit. I don't need this. I'm not your personal property that you can just throw around," Jeremy said as he closed the distance between himself and his boyfriend.

"So what's your point?" Nick asked, no care detectable in his voice.

"My point is that I'm not gonna take it any longer."

Attention began to point towards them as stragglers on their way to class stopped to watch the 'boy couple' argue. Some had been waiting for this.

"I'm not making you stay with me, Jeremy. If you wanna go, go!"

"That's it?" he demanded. Suddenly his bravado had shrunken once more and he felt stripped and immature.

"To be honest with you…this relationship isn't fair, and it isn't working. You're too…too…nice. You let everything go, when sometimes I just want you to man up. I want you to tell me "no" or to act like you have a spine."

Jeremy furrowed his eyebrow. He really didn't get it. Then it clicked; "Nice guys finish last."

Xander watch apprehensively. They were on the verge of breakup. He only needed the words…the right words.

"Then I will be," Jeremy answered.

No! Xander growled mentally. Nick was going to accept the truce and they would move on as a couple.

"Alright then," Nick said calmly as he turned around to leave, "See you later."

Jeremy watched him walk off and felt the eyes divert from him. Sometimes, he hated attention…

"You had your chance," Vida said in Xander's ear, causing him to jump up with fright.

"Vida! Don't do that!" he reprimanded as he straightened himself. He'd wasted 3 minutes watching the pointless argument go on and would most likely be late to his next period class. Then Vida's words registered as she raised an eyebrow.

"I know. I was just…" he stopped himself. He couldn't find the words to describe what he was.

"I have a feeling that my drama-free break just ended," she grumbled as she brushed past him on her way to class.

Xander sighed as he headed the opposite direction towards his class.

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Nick woke up in a cold sweat. The dream had happened again. It was always so incredibly blurry, yet so distinctly real. But every time he tried to remember, it would slip away, piece by piece.

"Damn…" he muttered as he wiped his forehead and looked at the clock.

03:33 AM. The same time ever morning/night.

"I should ask Udonna about this…" he muttered.

"What are you talking about?" came a groggy voice.

He'd completely forgotten about Jeremy laying right next to him. As he looked at the room, he noticed he had not been in his own room at all.

"Crazy dream…" he replied.

"You've been waking up at this time every morning. Something wrong?"

"No."

"You sure?"

"Yes."

"You don't seem like it."

"I said I'm fine."

"And I said you don't seem like it."

"Is this your way of standing up to me?"

"A little bit goes a long way," Jeremy laughed.

Nick rolled his eyes, getting comfortable again. Whatever the dream had been, it had completely left his mind and he was able to return to a state of peace. For a night.

Xander lifted his head from the desk again, his eyes falling closed once more. He couldn't bare to stay awake. Physics just seemed to bore him to no end. He didn't get it, and could care less.

"And remember to study formulas, because we're having our finals in 2 weeks," the teacher yelled over the noise of the bell.

Xander hurriedly pushed his seat in as he was ready to leave the class.
"Xander, can I speak to you for a moment?" Mr. Monroe asked.

"What's up?"

"Son, you're grades are horrible. It's just been a steady decline. This final is the only thing that can save you," he said.

Xander frowned, looking away. He hated being told he was failing.

"What can I do?"

"I'd suggest finding a study buddy," he answered as he sat down, rummaging through his desk.

"Like who?"

"Um," he started as he pulled something out with great effort, "Try…this guy; he's in my next class. Nick Russell. Brilliant guy when it comes to physics."

Xander's shoulders slumped. Of all people…Nick?

"Well thanks for the compliment," Nick said as he entered the room, glancing around.

"Ah there you are Nick. Xander here's been having some trouble with my class. Think you can work your charm?"

"I don't think that'd be a problem," Xander mumbled.

"I'm sorry?" Mr. Monroe asked, not catching Xander's words.

"Nothing," he muttered.

"Uhm…yeah, I think I could try to help him," Nick answered.

"Great, then it's a date," Mr. Monroe clapped, not realizing the weight of the words he'd used.