Heyy guys!

I know, it's been like, MONTHS. And I'm really sorry, life totally got in the way. And I know this is a really short chapter, but at least you got somethin'!

Anyway, thank you all so much for the favorites & follows, and REVIEWS! I love reviews... :)

Again, I'm sorry for the pretty much half a year absence, but I'm back! Hugs for you all!

That night, Nick didn't bother trying to persuade Jeff into doing anything. Not only because he was clearly upset, but also because the blonde really did have a huge pile of homework to catch up on. It was like he was swimming – no, more like drowning – in the sea of papers that covered their shared desk.

Jeff was working a math problem, and had been for quite some time now. His face was scrunched up in confusion, but determination sparkled in his hazel eyes. He refused to give up, he knew he was close, and had been several times, but there was just something he was missing.

Nick asked him if he needed help several times, getting the same "No, I'm fine" answer out of Jeff every time.
This told him that Jeff was still upset; on top of the fact the taller boy was still being extremely quiet. Usually, even when he was doing his homework, he would chat or sing softly to himself, and ask Nick tons of questions because he easily got confused.

But no, right now, he wasn't even humming. Nick didn't quite understand why he was so upset. Yeah, he knew he had told him he didn't particularly care for Lucas, but that didn't make any sense to get him this worked up because of that. And come on, he just met the guy; he had to at least give him a chance. Nick didn't see what was so wrong about him. He seemed really nice and friendly, and he couldn't deny he was very attractive too. Maybe Jeff was jealous… but of what? There was nothing to be jealous about… except maybe his ancestry.

A knock at the door snapped Nick out of his thoughts, and he made his way over to the door because Jeff still looked completely invested in his math.

Nick opened the door to find Lucas standing in front of him. As soon as he saw Nick, that stupid dazzling smile of his spread across his face.

"Hey, Nick,"

Jeff's had snapped up from his work, immediately distracted. Just as fast as his head shot up, he was at the door before Nick could say anything.

"Hey Lucas… what are ya doin' here?" He asked, a genuinely fake smile plastered to his face. Jeffrey Sterling was one of only a few that could actually make this look sincere.

Lucas's smile instantly faded into an amused smirk. "I was just gonna ask Nicky here for some help with the history assignment. I'm a little confused." He chuckled innocently.

Woah. Woah woah woah woah woah. No. Absolutely not. NOBODY besides Jeff calls Nick Nicky.

Jeff had to bite his tongue not to say anything. Nobody had the right to call him Nicky besides him.

"Oh, um, yeah… Sure. No problem." Nick smiled.

"Great. Do you want to go back to my dorm then?" Lucas asked. His voice was innocent, but you couldn't trust that not-so-little glint in his brown eyes.

Now, Jeff really wanted to punch him in the face. He couldn't believe how much he resented this guy and he hadn't even known him 24 hours yet.

"Sure, but only for a little bit. I need to get back. You okay with that, Jeff?"

Nick really felt stupid now, because he knew Jeff didn't like it, and he could tell from the way he stood there he was even more upset now. Nick felt really bad, but he also felt like Jeff was overreacting.

"Yeah, I guess so." Jeff shrugged, but his voice caught the slightest bit the way it did when he was either really pissed off or on the verge of tears. Nick only noticed this because he knew Jeff more than he knew himself, and really wanted to know why Lucas made him so uncomfortable.

"Alright, I'll be right back." Nick promised, with a hint of apology in his brown eyes.

Jeff half smiled and nodded then turned to Lucas and his eyes grew hard.

"His name is Nick. Not Nicky."

His eyes bore into Lucas's, but, unphased, Lucas held the blonde boy's gaze and chuckled with a smug look.

"I'll remember that next time, Jeffie."

And as Lucas turned on his heel, Nick watched Jeff close the door behind him, and knew for a fact he hadn't just imagined the hostility between them.

Well well well. I personally don't like what Lucas did there at all. What about you guys? Review please!

Oh, I changed my tumblr URL, it's now xxsmilealwaysxx. Follow me! :D