Dear Readers, I am so sorry that I have seemingly neglected this story. I do realize that I haven't updated in months but life kind of hit hard for awhile there. But I'm back now. I can't promise I will update quickly from now on but I will do my best not to keep you hanging for this long ever again. I am truly sorry.

Note: I do not own Glee, it's affiliates, or any characters you may recognize.

Nick forgot all about doing his math homework last night and by the time he realized it, he was already half asleep. So, there he sat, at his desk at six in the morning attempting to do pre-calculus. It was just about then that Nick noticed that he had a slight rumbling happening in his stomach and he knew there was no way that he would be able to concentrate without fixing that problem first. After putting on his uniform and fixing his hair, Nick collected his school things and headed for the door. Just as he was about to reach for the handle, something caught his attention. There in the trash can sat the bagel he had given Jeff the previous morning. I wonder why he didn't eat that. He skipped breakfast so I thought maybe he'd be hungry. Come to think of it, he didn't eat much for lunch or dinner yesterday either. I'll have to remember to ask him about it later. Nick thought to himself.

Nick found a table in the cafeteria all to himself. This was surprisingly a little hard to come by seeing as a lot of teenage boys neglect doing homework at night. Nick left his things and went to find some food. Once he returned, he tried his best to plow through the assignment. Having math first period wasn't exactly his idea of a great morning. He got through his homework with a half an hour to spare which, just meant more time for eating, but no sooner had he finished he was joined by a visitor.

"Mind if I join you?" Sebastian asked.

"Go for it." Nick said even though he did actually mind.

"What brings you here this early?" Sebastian asked.

"I had some homework I needed to get done before first period." Nick snapped.

"Geeze, sorry I asked."

"Sorry. There's a lot on my mind and I'm not really a morning person. "

"Ah, I see. Would this have to do with Jeff?"

"And why would you say that?" Nick was starting to get defensive.

"You guys are practically attached at the hip. You're bound to drive each other crazy. And besides, you always get really defensive like that when it comes to Jeff." Sebastian smirked.

"Does that smirk ever leave your face Smythe?"

"It's sexy isn't it?"

"No." Nick said flatly. "And if you're referring to that party, of course I was being defensive. Jeff was drunk and from what I discovered, you are the one that got him that way!"

"Hey, he told me he wanted to have fun. So I aided him in having a good time. What's the big deal?"

"What's the big deal? Really Sebastian? You don't care about anyone but yourself do you?"

"You have no idea." Sebastian half mumbled to himself.

Nick wouldn't be able to find out what Sebastian meant by that because they were joined by David and Thad and slowly the rest of the Warblers.

It wasn't until third period, history, that Nick had a chance to talk to Jeff. He walked into the classroom and noticing that the blonde boy was already there, Nick took his usual seat beside him.

"Hey." Nick smiled.

"Hey." Jeff smiled back.

The bell rang and both boys took out their books, paper, and pencils and got ready to pay attention. After about a fifteen minute lecture, the teacher gave them their assignment and turned them loose. Nick and Jeff worked for a while with occasional conversation until Nick decided that it was time to bring up his morning discovery.

"So Jeff," Nick began. "Why didn't you eat the bagel that I brought for you yesterday?"

Jeff looked up at him incredulously.

"I wasn't hungry. " He said, looking back down.

"And you weren't hungry at lunch or dinner yesterday either? Or breakfast today? Don't think I'm not observant Jeff."

Jeff sighed. "I told you. I have a lot on my mind. I wasn't hungry."

"I wish you'd talk to me about it."

"I will Nick. When I'm ready." Jeff said looking at Nick again.

"Alright." Nick said, knowing that he wasn't going to be able to get any farther. "Just, please try and eat something in the meantime."

Jeff looked at him, then turned to his bag and pulled out an apple.

"I'll try." He said, taking a bite.

"Thank you."

Lunch came and went and Jeff poked around at his macaroni taking occasional bites. Nick tried to give his best friend some space and decided not to push him to talk or even to eat more. He was genuinely concerned for Jeff. He had never seen him in this state before. He just wished he knew what was going on. Nick felt so helpless. He wanted to be there for his friend but Jeff wasn't allowing that. Needless to say, it kind of hurt. They always told each other everything. Well, Nick didn't exactly tell Jeff he was gay but that was different. It went without words. And none of the rest of the Warblers seemed to notice Jeff's strange behavior, except one. Sebastian did make a comment to Jeff at lunch about looking depressed and not having an appetite. He didn't say it very loud but Nick heard. Maybe Sebastian did have a heart. No, probably not. Nick thought. He was probably just making an observation.

Nick wanted to think that Sebastian was a good person but he just couldn't trust him. It must be because of that smirk that he wears. He always looks like he's up to something. Nick didn't like to judge people but Sebastian made it so easy. Nick was happy however, that Sebastian was elected to the council. Sebastian may be haughty but you couldn't deny that he was born a leader. Maybe they could actually get to nationals this year!

And then there was Jeff. Nick just didn't know what to do. Jeff said he would talk to Nick when he was ready but it just seemed so out of the ordinary. Jeff was never in a rut and it really frustrated Nick that he couldn't do anything about it. Nick glanced over at Jeff and saw him silently staring at his plate of food. He decided that he'd give Jeff a little more time but then he was going to have to do something about it. It just pained him too much to see the boy that he loved so depressed.

Lunch ended and the boys attended their afternoon classes. Jeff's attitude didn't change much and thus, neither did Nick's. Before they knew it, it was Warbler rehearsal. Thad began the meeting by announcing that they had a fair amount of song suggestions in the box but there was definitely room for more.

Then David took the floor to sing his audition for a solo. David was a wonderful singer in Nick's opinion. He was always jealous of how his friend could effortlessly belt out the notes.

I will survive!

Oh as long as I know how to love I know I'll stay alive.

I've got all my life to live. I've got all my love to give.

I will survive. I will survive. Hey Hey!

The world would be a much dimmer place without David. That's for sure.

Auditions were actually exciting this year because no one knew who would get the solo. Before auditions were fun, but everyone knew that Blaine was going to come out the winner. Nick actually thought he might have a chance this year. He spent the rest of the Warbler meeting thinking about what song to sing for his audition.

After rehearsal, the boys went to dinner and then back to their room to do homework. Jeff looked kind of anxious about something. Nick really wanted to know what was bothering him but he also didn't want to pry. Then as if Jeff read his mind, he turned to speak.

"Don't worry about me Nick."

"I can't help it Jeff. You're my best friend."

"I just…I'm not sure that I did my best on that chemistry test. That's all. Maybe I'll feel better if I talk to Sebastian about his answers. Maybe…"

And with that, Jeff got up and left.

Nick just sat there for a minute in complete confusion. It wasn't like Jeff to get so worked up about a test. Of course, it wasn't like Jeff to get worked up about anything. Jeff's strange behavior did begin with this whole test thing so maybe that was it but Nick was still unsure.

Nick tried to busy himself with his homework but as usual, his mind wandered to Jeff. Only this time it wasn't a fantasy. This time Nick realized that something was seriously wrong and he just couldn't handle it anymore. He had to do something about it. When Nick noticed that Jeff had been gone for nearly an hour, he decided that he had to do something about it now.

He picked up his keys and left his room. He headed down the hallway to where Sebastian's room was. Without even thinking to knock, Nick turned the door handle and prepared himself to tell Jeff that they needed to talk. But when he opened the door, Nick couldn't find words. He just froze in his spot at the scene in front of him. Finally, after what seemed like a blurry five minutes, he turned and ran far from that doorway as fast as he could.

Thank you so much for reading this story! Reviews and such are more than welcome but definitely not expected. Hope to see you next chapter!