Chapter 8
Jeff's first year was certainly interesting to say the least.
Free from school Nick and Jeff discovered there was real attraction between the two of them and not just a crush from the imagination of a six year old. It was barely a week later the pair shared their first kiss. In secrecy and hushed tones, Jeff had been reading on the bed as Nick showered and came out in boxer shorts roughly towel-drying his hair in one of the few reasons they were able to keep the door closed. Nick noticed Jeff staring at him over his book and smirked lounging beside him. "See something you like?"
"Aww, no far Nicky, you know I can-" Jeff was cut off by Nick's lips.
"I know, neither can I," Nick grinned, kissing him again.
Nick and Jeff were picking Olivia up from her last day at school when something happened to Jeff. He felt a tickle in his throat. It was three weeks after their first kiss and they had shared many more in the process. That evening the sniffing began, the blocked nose that made Jeff feel horrid. "Jeff you OK?" Nick asked softly feeling Jeff lean against him. The blonde shook his head and whined. "Mom, I think Jeff's sick."
"But Jeffy never gets sick." Olivia said from where she had been reading.
"Well he's a human now hun," their mother said feeling his forehead, "there's a first time for it all, come on sweetie, let's get you into bed, just a cold but you've never had one before, so it won't be an easy night," she said helping him upstairs and to bed. Nick sat beside him, cooling him down with a damp clothe and keeping him hydrated.
"Nicky I don't like being sick," Jeff mumbled.
"I know baby, it's not something anyone really enjoys," he said sadly.
After his recovery Nick and Jeff buckled down in preparation for this exam, Jeff trys for a history scholarship and Nick English. To help their essay skills they took to watching a film called the History Boys about students attempting Oxford and Cambridge Universities because to them, at this point, Dalton Academy is their Oxbridge. They take the exams but have to wait for a letter in the post to know if they're in or not. So they find summer work. Jeff is in a record store and Nick at a toy store in the Mall.
It was August when they got their letters, both receiving full scholarships to the school, being praised for their unusual approaches to their essays. They used their own money for their uniform, so they didn't strain the family resources. They rose early and got ready in their uniforms, blazers and ties. Downstairs Nick's mom insisted on a thousand photographs of them before they left. Jeff drove his car, he still owned and loved. Parking up they began their first day at school with mostly the same classes.
After a week at Dalton they decided they wanted to join a few extra curricular activities. Singing, was dear to the both of them so they arranged to audition for the Warblers, the school a capella show choir. Nick wanted to join gymnastics again and Jeff wanted to try basketball. The boys made their chosen teams and didn't let their grades drop.
Christmas came and it was the first Christmas since their father left the family felt whole again.
Being in the Warblers became the highlight of the boys week. It was their main group of friends and they shared many common interests. In the Summer they prepared to travel to perform and compete to win the National title. Nick had been voted as a soloist and he was going to be singing Uptown Girl after Jeff heard him and made him use it as his audition. The feeling when they won was indescribable but both boys would always remember the night as the nights they gave each other their virginity.
The year had sped by and they attended their Junior Prom together as a couple in Dalton Academy.