"Hey, Gaylord," James began, leaning against the locker next to Jeff's. Jeff was stuffing books into his backpack, trying hard to ignore the hateful bully next to him.

"So, did you turn Nick gay? He's been acting fucking weird ever since he started hanging with you, freak."

Jeff swallowed hard, closed his locker, and turned to leave. Before he could, James had pinned him against the lockers again, "You really need to stop rubbing your gay off on everyone."

The students around we're all on their way out of school for the day, the few in the hall did nothing to help the skinny blonde boy.
Jeff felt too numb to do anything himself.

Then Nick was there, pushing James to the ground. He was on top of James and had begun to punch repeatedly.
Jeff coming to his senses grabbed Nick of the boy, which was quite a struggle. Nick was small and broad, he was also very strong.

"Nick, get off him," Jeff wrapped his arms around Nick and pulled, "You're only going to get in trouble."
Jeff pulled harder when he saw the blood pouring from James's nose. Nick had stopped punching and let Jeff take control. Jeff pulled him to his feet, arms around his lower stomach. Nick became limb in the boys arm and didn't seem to want to move.
James groaned from the ground and was muttering something inaudible. The small crowd of students looked at the sight with bewilderment.
Jeff wanted out of there and fast. He let go of Nick and started to drag him windy his arm, pushing their way through the crowd.
Nick was silent all the way to Jeff's car.

When they were settled in, Jeff in the driver seat and Nick in the passenger, Jeff's surprise had turned to angry, "What the hell is wrong with you?"

Nick was quiet for a moment and then he half spoke, half yelled, "It wasn't your fault what happened to your dad. It's not your fault that- that asshat in there is a- an asshat! Please, don't ever hurt yourself again," he tore his eyes away from Jeff. He stared down at the glove department, as if it was more important than anything ever.

There was a moment of silence.

Nick broke it, still not looking at Jeff, "I told that asshat if he hurt you I would ever bone in his fucking body," It seemed he was talking more to himself than the blonde. "I don't want anybody to hurt you, including yourself."
He turned to Jeff, finally. "I think you're great. And I really like you, Jeff. There was always something about you that made me want to know you more."

"Hah, I thought since the project was, you'd never want to see me… I never meant to tell you what I told you last night. Every time I talk to you, look at you, I just want to share my every single thought with you. It's scary, really."

After a minute of the brunette looking at his hands, he looked back up at Jeff, Nick smirked and leaned forward, the boys faces were inches apart, he said, "You want to talk and I want to listen."
He leaned just a bit more forward. Their lips brushed when Nick whispered, "Perfect."

The blonde couldn't help himself; he pulled Nick's lips down hard against his, with his hand on the back of brunette's neck. It only took second for Nick to speed up. He turned his whole body in his seat, his hands on Jeff's hips. Nick asked for entrance in the blonde's mouth with his tongue. He smiled in the kiss when his was granted. Jeff loved the feel of Nick's tongue roaming around in his mouth, he moaned. He tangled his fingers in the ends of the dark hair.

Not wanting to, but having to, Nick pulled away for air. He knew was grinning from ear to ear but he didn't care. He just kissed Jeff, he wanted to kiss him for so long and he did it. Nick did it.
Jeff was panting, leaning his head on the glass car window, he was also grinning.

"Jess was telling the truth," Jeff said suddenly.

"What?"

"When she said I was saying your name in my sleep, she was right. I must have, since I was having dreams about you."

Nick laughed and said, with a wide grin on his face, "I have dreams about every night."

Jeff chuckled and said only, "Wow."

He moved himself so he sat correctly in his seat, Nick did the same.

"You know, It was stupid to fight the asshat, right," Jeff peered at beautiful brunette, who peered right back.

"Yes," Nick said softly, "I just- I- I don't want you hurt. I still don't understand why that asshat won't leave you alone."

"He's gay," he said as if just realized it himself.

"What? Why would you say that?"

"He said I needed to stop rubbing his gay off everyone," Jeff said, "He's blaming me for him being gay. He's scared."

"Oh… Wow," Nick said, the more he thought about it, it made sense.

"Oh, shit," Jeff fumbled in his pockets and fished out his keys, "I have to pick up Jess from pre-school." He turned to Nick, "Do you want to hang out at my house for awhile and I'll drive you back up here for your car later?"

Nick nodded and fastened his seatbelt.

The little girl in the backseat was happily explaining to Nick and Jeff how her day went. "Then we watched this show about animals trying to find their way through a mall to their lost friend…"

Jeff wasn't paying any attention to his little sister; he was focused on the road ahead of him and the drivers surrounding him. He hated driving with people in the car. He was terrified he'd make a mistake, like his dad had…

"Jeffie," his sister whining made him focus back.

"What?"

"I'm hungry!"

Nick chuckled; he glanced over at Jeff, "Let's go to iHop. I'll buy."

"Oooh. Yeah! I want pancakes," Jess shouted her agreement.

Jeff agreed and turned carefully into the parking lot of iHop.

I don't own anything…. Next chapter: iHop and an integration by a six year old!