So, chapter 2 is on... I just love the easter holidays... so much time to write! :) I hope you'll like it.

Thanks so much to only-one-of-my-kind-7 and Eraman for the reviews, it made me so happy to read them!

"Nick, you're late..."

The boy shrugged an put his bag on the ground. "Sorry Mom, but there was a huge traffic jam and the bus couldn't move for like an hour. Granny sends her regards!"

"I'll tell Janice to prepare your food. Your father and me hadn't the time to wait for you, you'll surely understand."

Nick rolled his eyes and ran up the stairs. He burst into his sister's room. "Ruby, hey, I'm ba..." The words stuck in his throat as he noticed that his sister wasn't there. What the hell had happened? Where was Ruby or her stuff? The room was cleaned up, only the bed, the desk and the wardrobe was left, but all of her clothes were gone. "Mom?" He flew down the stairs again, almost falling over his own feet. "Mom!"

"Nicholas, how often have I to tell you that yelling isn't welcome in our house?" The woman looked up with a stressed expression on her face.

"Where is Ruby?" He ran a hand through his long, dark hair.

"Darling, you know you have to cut it soon, do you? Ruby doesn't live here anymore. She left. Shouldn't bother you, since it was her decision. We have to let her go her own way. No go and get on the table, Janice should be finished soon."

"I don't want to eat right now. Where the fuck is Ruby?", Nick yelled again.

His father appeared out of the living room furiously. "Nicholas Duval! How dare you talking to your mother like that? In your room, now!"

"But I want to know..."

"It's none of your business. Now go upstairs and remain silent, it was a rough day and we need to rest.

"Dad, I..." He never was able to tell what he wanted to, because his father raised his hand and slapped him in the face.

…

"Nicky? Nick! Hey, c'mon, love, wake up!"

As he finally managed to open his eyes, he was aware that Jeff was holding his shoulders . "You're away now? Gosh, Nicky, you scared the hell out of me. You were screaming in your sleep, you never done that!"

Nick sat up, slightly shivering, what causes Jeff to reach for the boy and pull him into an embrace. "Shh, darling. Sorry, I didn't wanted to scare you even more. It was a nightmare, nothing else."

"It wasn't!", Nick whispered miserably and clung to Jeff's chest.

Jeff frowned. "What do you mean, it wasn't? Nicky, are you alright?"

"I don't know!", the boy admitted. "I dreamed about the day I found out Ruby was gone. Sucky memory, you know... But I guess it was mostly because..."

"Yeah, today is the day!", Jeff nodded. Nick had finally managed to send his sister a message and invite her over for the next Saturday a week ago. So the 'next Saturday' in fact arrived today. No surprise that Nick was nervous as hell.

"Do you think I'm making a mistake?", Nick asked as he let his head rest against Jeff's shoulder and gave his hand a small squeeze.

"I think you're doing what you need to do. So it can't be that wrong. But maybe you should try and catch a bit more sleep, though. It's barely after 4."

Nick sighed and let himself fall back on the bed, searching for a comfortable position. "Could you stay with me?", he begged.

"Of course, baby." Jeff kissed him gently and turned out the light, wrapping his arms around the smaller boy's waist. "For now, for the day, and forever!", he added quietly when he was sure Nick had fallen asleep again.

The next morning was all troubled and messed up. Nick's nerves were raw, and not even Jeff could manage to calm him. The brunette boy just snapped whenever he tried to reassure him that everything will be okay. Jeff knew in his heart that Nick wasn't mad at him, though it does hurt. He reminded himself to be patient, it would gonna be a really tough day for his boyfriend, and he couldn't imagine how he would have acted if he was in Nick's place, so he decided to leave him on his own for a while, although he made sure to have an eye on him.

Time gone by, and Nick became even paler, finally turning to Jeff. "I'm scared!", he admitted.

"I know!" Jeff kissed his cheek and cuddles him. "But you'll feel better when she'd been here. At least you'll know the reason."

"I hope you're right. Jeffy, it's time. I told her that I'll meet her at the parking. Could you come with me? Please?"

"Do you really need to ask?" Jeff smiled and squeezed his hand.

They left their dorm together and walked through the hallways. "Wait a minute!", Jeff begged and knocked against Wes' door.

When the Asian opened the door he looked at the two boys. "So it's starting now?"

Nick and Jeff nodded. Wes smiled encouragingly. "We'll be in the practice room, waiting for you. Don't worry, Nick. You'll be fine!"

The continued to make their way through the school. When they arrived the parking lot, a girl with long, curly brown hair stands besides a black car, uncomfortably wiggling around.

"Jeffy..."

Jeff grabbed his hand tighter. "You know we have your back, Nicky. No matter how things are going, we all will be there for you. And now take a deep breath, calm a little and say hello to your sister!"

The girl already noticed the two boys and walked slowly towards them.

"R-Ruby.", Nick stuttered. "Hey."

"Thank you for inviting me, Nick!", the girl replied and seemed to fight back tears.

They fell silent, but it was awkward. Jeff cleared his throat. "Hey, I'm Jeff. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you, too. I'm Ruby, as you seem to know."

Jeff nodded. "Would you come with us, please? Nick has something prepared for you!"

Nick looked at his boyfriend with wide eyes and mouthed a quiet "Thank you".

Ruby tilted her head to look at her brother. "Is this right, Nicky?"

"Don't call me like that!", he snapped, but tried to relax as the girl flinched. "Yeah, please follow us."

They made their way to the practice room in silence. Nick felt like his heart gonna be exploding in his chest, but Jeff's hand was on his back the whole time.

The blonde turned to the girl. "Let me explain something first. Nick and I are Warblers, that's our Glee Club. And because he knew that talking would be hard, he'll sing a song to you. Afterward, we'll see how things will develop."

"Oh... okay?" Ruby entered the room hesitatingly.

"Sit down!", Nick begged and pointed to one of the couches. He went over to the other boys, who were smiling with sympathy. "Okay, then..." The boys began humming and Nick started the first verse.

I wanted you to know I love the way you laugh
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain away
I keep your photograph and I know it serves me well
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain

Ruby got up slowly and swallowed by hearing her brother's soft voice again. It reminded her at all the times they used to sing together. As Nick was about to enter the refrain, she bit her lip, then started singing along with him.

'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone away

The Warblers looked at each other surprised. Ruby had a beautiful voice, high pitched but although very strong.

Nick continued alone, his voice accusingly .

You've gone away, you don't feel me here anymore...

Ruby ignored the confused looks the boys shared and stepped towards her brother. He nodded softly, so she took a breath and sang the next verse.

The worst is over now and we can breathe again
I wanna hold you high, you steal my pain away
There's so much left to learn, and no one left to fight
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain

Nick wiped a tear away and started singing again when it came to the refrain. Their voices had a perfect harmony, but mostly they were full of unspoken words and overwhelming emotions.

'Cause I'm broken when I'm open
And I don't feel like I am strong enough
'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone away

Ruby seemed to lose it somehow, so Nick finished the song alone, sounding sad and depressed.

You've gone away, you don't feel me here anymore.

Ruby cried silently. "Nicky...", she whispered, but her brother turned and ran out of the room. Jeff followed him quickly.

Wes coughed. "Mh... well... maybe he needs a minute!" He gave the other boys a sign to leave the room before he looked at the girl again. She was pretty, even if her eyes were red and a bit swollen right now. "Do you want anything to drink?"

"I'm okay, but thanks. You don't need to look after me. Maybe I should leave."

Wes shook his head. "You're very similar to your brother, do you know that? He also refuses to accept help. So, once again. What do you want to drink?"

"Mh... water, maybe?", she answered unsure.

"Sit down, I'll be back in a second!"

It really didn't took to long until he entered the room again, finding the girl sitting on the big couch and looking into nowhere. She twitched a little as she became aware of the Asian who kindly offered her a glass and sat down next to her.

"Thanks." She hesitated. "Could you tell me something about my brother? I really, really miss him, and maybe he'll never talk to me again."

Wes sighed. "I think he'll be back, soon, otherwise he wouldn't have invited you. He was really nervous the whole week. I don't know what I can tell you, you really should talk with him. I don't want to... you know, break his trust in me. But you're brother is an awesome guy. I don't know what made you leave, and it's not my business to ask, but if you want to become a part of his family again, I can assure you that he's worth it."

"Thanks!" Ruby looked down. Neither of them spoke a single word, until the door opened and Jeff and Nick entered the room again.

"You're still there!" Nick smiled unsure. "I was afraid that you left. We need to clear things up."

"I know!", she answered, still refusing to look up.

"Okay, well, I better go!", Wes offered, but Nick shook his head.

"If you don't mind, I'd be happy to have you around. Jeff is also staying. I need you guys."

"Alright, then."

Nick and Jeff sat on the other couch, so the siblings could face each other.

"You look good, Nick. You seem to be happy around this place!", Ruby began after a while, even if she was aware that it wasn't the right situation for smalltalk.

"I am." Nick nodded. "The boys here became my family after mom and dad sent me here. I guess they're more a family to me as my real one has ever been. You know our parents. And you..."

The girl smiled embarrassed and guiltily. "I wasn't there for you, yeah. But you never answered my letters, so..."

Nick frowned and interrupted his sister. "Wait, you never wrote me. So how should I have answered?"

"I... I left a letter in the room the day they kicked me out, Nick. I..."

"They what? I don't understand..." The brunette boy blinked confused.

Ruby sighed. "I don't know what they have told you. I... I guess I have to start at the very beginning, right?"

"Seems to be better." Nick leaned against Jeff as he waited for his sister beginning to tell the whole story.

So much for now... The song I used is Broken by Seether and Amy Lee.

Poor little Nicky, I hate it when he is sad...

I hope that I'll be able to update tomorrow, but I can't promise.