Ground Zero

When Nick arrived home, he was pleased to find that the house was empty. He was pretty certain that his parents would have found out about events at Dalton. He was also sure that their reaction would be nowhere near as calm as the Sterlings - his father in particular would go apoplectic. He had begun to formulate a plan for the worst case scenario as he drove home - this was not quite there, but he knew too that his time could be limited and his luck could run out. He therefore dashed straight up to his room and grabbed his rucksack from the top of the wardrobe. He fired in his camera, laptop, gaming machines and cash, wrapping it up in socks and underwear. He also placed in the front pocket something equally precious to him - the friendship bracelet that Jeff had bought him in Chicago the summer before - he had never dared to wear it at home, but now he was determined to keep it safe.

The rucksack stowed carefully behind the front seat of his car, he returned upstairs to bundle his favourite clothes in a holdall, literally throwing them in, conscious that at any moment he could hear the sound of tyres on gravel announcing that his parents were home. His luck had stayed with him, and the second bag was also discretely stowed in the car. He placed his spare car key in a plant pot so that he could make a quick escape if necessary. Then he grabbed himself a sandwich before returning to await his fate in his room. In the end, he didn't have to wait that long - he heard the sound of a car tearing up the gravel, coming to a halt - from behind the curtains he watched as his mother and father got out of the car - the latter's face seething with rage.

The door opened and within seconds he heard exactly what he had expected. "NICHOLAS, GET DOWN HERE NOW!" He knew better than to stall, to pretend that he had been listening to music and hadn't heard. He took the steps two at a time and presented himself in the lounge, where his father sat alone in his usual chair. That also made Nick a little more frightened. His mother was the calming influence when things got heated. She had been so beneficial when the steroid scandal had broken in just keeping his father cool. He stood in silence and waited for his father to speak.

"So, can you imagine what my day has been like Nicholas? When I am sitting in my office and start to hear gasps and giggles from the staff? When I get a call from your mother, in tears, telling me that she has been hearing awful rumours at the beauty parlour? Then discovering that all those rumours are true, and there is a video, albeit a very amateur one, of my son KISSING that freakish blond friend of his. Not in a private place, but on stage, in front of the whole of Dalton Academy. This Nicholas is when you tell me that it is all a joke - a very sick, perverted, twisted joke, but a joke nonetheless….I'm waiting to hear that. Because if I hear that I may just manage not to be quite so cruel and vindictive in your punishment."

It would be so easy, Nick thought, to just say that it was a joke. Save himself. But he knew that if he did, he would never be allowed to go anywhere near Jeff ever again. He would probably be sent away to some business associate in Boston - the one that he had been told he could go to for help whilst he was at Harvard. That would be a betrayal of Jeff, and of himself. The real Nick Duval. He had allowed himself to be cowed by one bully this year - had not stood up to them until far too late. He was darned if he was going to do it again. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes before beginning to speak.

"I'd love to tell you that it was a joke Dad. A large part of me thinks that I should do just that - but that would be a lie, and you made it quite clear to me earlier this year that Duval's do not lie. So, it wasn't a joke, Dad. I kissed Jeff, my best friend, because I am in love with him, and probably always have been. Just couldn't admit it because I knew exactly how you would react. For your information, he isn't a freak. He is the most loving, caring human being I know. He is the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. The ironic thing is, I did not even realise that I felt that way towards him until you decided that I was going to Harvard regardless of my thoughts on the matter. My kissing the man I love is just the first step towards me taking control of my life. For too long you have told me what to do, what to say, even who I should be friends with. That is over. I'm not going to Harvard. You can cut me off if you like, because that does not matter, I have made other arrangements. I will be going to college, still to study Law, but to one of my choice. One where I can be with the person that I love and be happy." There was silence, and that was more chilling to Nick than anything else. His father was obviously considering what he had just said.

"So, Nicholas, you are telling me that suddenly, after years of being so certain you were heterosexual, and normal, one decision of mine has made you into a fag? My doing what is best for your future has made you homosexual? Well, let me tell you one thing right now - as long as you are under my roof you will obey my rules. I don't know where you think the alternative college money is coming from, but be assured, I will stop it. It won't be necessary. Once you are away from nefarious influences, you will return to sanity. My friend in Boston helps run a Christian youth service - he has set other people on the right path before now I am sure. We can see for ourselves tomorrow when I drive you there. You will not be returning to Dalton Academy - we can get your graduation papers without any ceremony. You will soon forget about this stupid crush on that boy. You won't be able to contact him anyway, and I will get an injunction put on him and the rest of your deviant friends to forbid them contacting you."

"If you think I am going to Boston with you tomorrow, you are mistaken. I am not just going to meekly submit to you anymore. You are as bad as Hunter Clarington - just a bully who can't accept that not everyone wants to be just like you - to lead your life. Maybe I am not gay, but I love Jeff. I need him and you are not going to split us up. I won't let…" Before Nick could finish his sentence, he felt his father's hand slap across his face - the shock of it was enough to knock him off his feet, falling backwards to bang his head on the corner of the coffee table.

"YOU DO NOT TALK BACK TO ME, NICHOLAS. I am your father and you will do as I tell you. You will go to your room now and you will stay there until I tell you otherwise. The front and back doors are locked and bolted. You were kind enough to leave your car keys in the usual spot at the door in any case. And whilst we have been talking, your mother has taken your cellphone. I suggest you get some sleep - we have a long drive in the morning. Well, what are you waiting for - bedroom NOW!"

Nick struggled to pull himself up - his head hurt were he had banged it. He wasn't moving fast enough for his father, who grabbed him roughly by the arm, twisting it in the process. Fresh pain shot through Nick as he did so. He didn't allow himself to show it though. He tried to hold his head up as he freed himself from his father's grip to walk out of the room, but the pain in his head caused him to stumble on the threshold and land heavily on his side. He got up far quicker this time, fearing what his father might do if he lingered too long. It seemed to take hours to climb the stairs, to stumble into his room. He collapsed on the bed, his head beginning to spin as he did so. The last thing he heard before passing out was the sound of the key turning in the lock on his bedroom door.

In his own bedroom at home, Jeff sat watching his phone. As the minutes turned into hours, he became increasingly worried for Nick. He had not promised he would call once his parents knew about their relationship, but it was so unlike him not to do so when he knew that Jeff would be worrying. There had been a flurry of other text messages that evening as the news spread far and wide, but the one name he needed to see did not appear. In the end, he sent a text to Nick, asking if he was ok. There was a terse response 'I will be'. That reply got Jeff even more worried, because Nick would never be that short with him. There was nothing he could do but wait. Eventually, he fell asleep tired out by the events of the day.

Nick came round again at just before one in the morning. His head ached, but it was far clearer. He was shocked to see a red stain on the bed clothes were his head had fallen. The house was in silence - no doubt his father had gone to bed early to prepare for the journey ahead. It was one Nick had no intention of making - he was legally an adult now and could do as he liked. He opened the bedroom window quietly, and climbed over the ledge, lowering himself until he was hanging on the sill by the tips of his fingers - the drop that left was no great distance, but it still jarred as he fell onto the grass below. His spare car key was still in the plant pot. The house was in darkness as he looked back at it, for what he was certain would be the last time. It would certainly never be home again if he could help it. Keeping the engine low and driving slowly so that the gravel would make as little noise as possible, he smiled. He was on his way to Jeff.

The sound of banging on the front door woke Jeff up, and woke his parents too. They were already downstairs by the time he got to the top of the stairs, and as they opened the door, they obscured his view. He heard his mom gasp, his dad curse under his breath as he ran down - then he saw for himself. It was his Nicky - blood caking his hair to one side of his head, a livid red mark across his face. "Things went as well as I expected Jeff. Had to wait until they were asleep to climb out of the house. Had the sense to make plans for escape. They took my phone - why I couldn't call you. My dad thinks he is taking me to Boston in the morning, to set me straight. I'm not going to let him, Jeff. I love you." He turned then to the Sterlings, who were still in shock at the sight before them. "Can I stay here tonight? I'm so tired. I'll find somewhere else tomorrow."

There would of course never have been a possibility that Jeff's parents would have refused him. He was taken in at once; his cut head looked at by Mrs Sterling, food and drink presented to him. All the time, Jeff sat by his side, holding his hand. He realised that by accepting that he loved him, Nick had been forced to give up everything else in his life. He had been hurt physically, and things were only just starting. There would be hell to pay when Mr Duval found him gone in the morning. After eating, Nick was sent for a shower, and then the two boys were packed off to bed. For the first time, they climbed under the sheets next to each other. Every other time that Nick had stayed over that year, they had curled up together fully clothed on top of the bed. Now they lay together, skin to skin, face to face. Nick smiled at Jeff, then leaned forward and kissed him. "Goodnight Jeff - I love you." "Love you too Nicky." Happy in each others arms, the two boys drifted off into a deep sleep.