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Thad had been roped into hanging the last pieces of tinsel around the fireplace by Flint, who was also putting finishing touches to the decorations in the common room. The beatboxer was currently fixing the star on the top of the tree since it had gone a bit wonky and he was one of the only Warblers tall enough to do it without a ladder.
Jeff and Nick were on one of the leather sofas, sitting almost on top of each other and stealing many kisses when others weren't looking, and when they were.
Nick watched his over-excited boyfriend practically bouncing in his seat. No Warblers had been caught yet by his latest invention, but his eyes were trained to the door, waiting for the first unsuspecting person.
"Jeff, why are you so excited about the mistletoe?" Nick asked him fondly, smiling at his boyfriend as he wondered exactly how much sugar he'd had today. "There are sprigs hung elsewhere in the school, what's so special about that one?"
"I told you, it's not mistletoe, it's Niffletoe!" Jeff explained, exasperated. Nick screwed his face up in confusion. "Niffletoe? What is that?"
Jeff's explanation was cut off as the door in question opened, bringing an icy blast from the outside in, so everyone looked up. As Trent emerged through the doorway, Warblers began to notice the sprig above his head and began clapping and chanting for a kiss.
Thad and Flint were nearest to Trent, Thad with his back to him. As he heard the commotion, he straightened up and slowly turned round, wishing immediately that he hadn't. Oh no! Not Trent! Shit! I really need to talk to him. This is not a good time for a forced kiss.
He was in shock at the situation that he found himself in, so it was unavoidable for some of those emotions to cross his features. It was plainly obvious to Trent that Thad did not want to be there right now.
Trent bit his lip, trying to decide in a split second what to do, willing the tears that were threatening to build up to stay back. Run or stay? I am not kissing Thad like this! I suppose I could kiss Flint on the cheek? Flint however seemed to have decided that Thad was nearest and was watching the shorter brunet.
Ryan and Nate were the next nearest snuggled into an armchair. After a quick glance between them, Ryan nodded at his boyfriend and Nate started to get up, ready to stop this getting too awkward.
Jeff saw the panic flash in Trent's eyes and acted quickly. He grabbed Nick's hand and pulled him up, placing themselves between Thad and Trent in an instant. Luckily Nick caught on quickly to his boyfriend's intentions and they each planted a huge, noisy, smacker of a kiss on Trent's rosy cheeks. Whether they were rosy from the cold or some other reason was neither here nor there.
As cheers rang out at the sight of the three-way kiss, the attention was finally off of Trent, who was relieved. He hadn't got away with it completely though, he realised, as Jeff lingered after the kiss to whisper in his ear, "Game face, hun, game face! We'll go in the other room for a chat in a minute, 'kay?"
Nick suddenly understood. "Ohhhh! I get it! Niff-letoe! Good one, babe."
As Jeff pulled away and locked eyes with Trent, he smiled gratefully and gave a tight nod. Trust his caring blond friend to spot something was up. Jeff squeezed his hand in reply.
Jeff spoke loudly to make sure people overheard. "Oh my gosh, Trent, your hands are freezing! You need to go and change into something warmer! I'll walk you up and get your mobile from my room, you left it behind last class." He dragged Trent quickly past a bewildered but also relieved-looking Thad.
As soon as Jeff and Trent were outside of the common room and far enough along the corridor to thwart any eavesdropping, the blond apologised to his clearly upset friend. "Hey, Trent, just so you know, I put that there. I'm sorry if I upset you."
Trent nodded, not really sure if he wanted to confide in anyone. "It's fine, really." He said in a tight voice.
Jeff continued explaining. "I just thought that everyone complains about mine and Nick's PDA all the time that we could share it a bit?"
Trent stared at Jeff. "What?" He choked.
"You know, if someone stands under the Niffletoe, trademark pending, then they can get an awesome Niff kiss."
Trent started to smile. The smile turned into a giggle. The giggle turned ever so slightly hysterical. "You mean I got the first ever Niffletoe kiss? I'm honoured." He ran his hand along his fringe in one of his famous sassy moves, finally feeling a bit more cheery.
"Trent? Tell me to butt out if you want, but are you okay? You seemed a bit down all day." Jeff asked, concerned.
Trent thought quickly. "Uh, yes, I'm fine. Just a bit tired, I stayed up late writing an essay last night."
Jeff wasn't convinced, but let it slide. "Okay, I'm glad I didn't upset you too much. I know it would've been awkward having to kiss Thad today, what with the breakup and all..."
Trent came to an abrupt halt and turned to face Jeff. "Breakup? What breakup?"
Jeff paled. "Oh, I'm sorry, he only just told me and Nick, but you had gone to your car. He spoke to Stacie on the phone after last lesson. She rang while he was sat near us."
Stacie. That's her name. Thought Trent. "I didn't know anything was going wrong between them. What happened? Is he okay? He didn't seem upset, just that he didn't really want to be there, I suppose..." And he definitely didn't want to kiss me, that's for sure. "I should go and talk to him."
Jeff nodded. "Yeah, he was waiting for you, before the Niffletoe incident. Flint kept him busy hanging decorations just in case he was feeling down. To be honest though, he seemed okay. I think he called her out on cheating on him."
Poor Thad. Trent thought. I should see if he is upset. Whether I liked his girlfriend or not, it's got to hurt to be cheated on. "Jeff?"
"Yes?"
"Are you going to do quote marks with your fingers every time you say Niffletoe?" Trent smirked.
Jeff slapped Trent on the arm, spluttering indignantly, "Maybe!"
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