Jeff took Nick home, where Nick's mom took over for him. Unfortunately, Jeff wasn't allowed to stick around or anything since the Romano family was 'busy' today.

Nick didn't come to school the next day, and even though Jeff had little information as to why, he found himself blaming Lewis for it. He kept quiet most of the day, mostly sulking, hardly making eye contact with anyone. He also blamed his bad mood on Lewis. What right did he have to snap at Nick like that? Who's to say he didn't do that often? Though Nick denied it, it wasn't too farfetched to assume he could have been lying about it to cover for Lewis. And Nick didn't deserve that kind of thing, not at all.

But why did it matter so much to Jeff in the first place? Nick's 'love-life' with Lewis shouldn't bother Jeff as much as it did. He told himself he was just being an overprotective friend, but deep down, he was beginning to question if that was really the reason.

At Warblers' practice, Jeff sat away from everyone else, speaking only when spoken to. Some people gave him questioning looks—he was normally more lively and energetic—but no one really said anything. At least, not until after practice.

"Hey, Jeff," Blaine greeted him out in the corridor.

Jeff paused to turn and greet him back. "Hi, Blaine."

"I couldn't help but notice that you seem a little… uncharacteristically down-in-the-dumps today. Is there anything bothering you?"

Jeff hesitated, wondering if he should confide in his fellow Warbler and good friend. He was so confused trying to figure it out on his own…but who was to say that Blaine would be any help? It wasn't like Jeff had anything to lose, though. "Actually, Blaine…Do you have time to talk?"

"Um, yeah. Sure. Of course," Blaine agreed. "What is it you'd like to talk about?"

Jeff glanced around the halls cautiously to be sure no one else was around to overhear. He didn't know what would come of this little chat, but he figured it was best to play it safe. "Um, well…you know that Nick and Lewis have been going out for like two weeks now," Jeff began uncertainly. "And, well, I guess Nick seems happy with him. But…I'm not er…I'm not really happy for him. And I don't know why." He could feel his heart beating in his chest. "I should be. Right? He's my best friend."

Blaine seemed to consider what Jeff said. "Well, maybe you're concerned for him as a friend? Do you think Lewis is the right person for Nick?" he suggested.

"Not at all," Jeff muttered. "At least, not at this point. But even at the very beginning, I couldn't stand seeing the two of them together. It's like…every time I did, I felt sick." He looked at Blaine. "I'm not homophobic or anything. I've been best friends with Nick for like six years, and he's been out of the closet for about five of those years. So I know it's not his sexuality that's been bothering me."

"Alright, then lets backpedal a little bit here," Blaine decided. "Why don't you think Lewis is right for Nick?"

Jeff frowned. "I don't know."

"Think about it," Blaine insisted. "Do you have anything against Lewis?"

"No, not at all," Jeff said. "Lewis is one of my closest friends. I've just known Nick for so long..." Now thinking about it, Jeff could pinpoint many reasons why Nick shouldn't be with Lewis. He spoke each one without even thinking, "I can't help but think Lewis doesn't appreciate Nick. He probably doesn't even know that Nick's favorite flower is a gardenia or carnation, depending on the time of year…Or that his favorite food is Fettuccine Alfredo, or that he's pretty obsessed with sparkling grape juice. And that his favorite color is lilac because that was the color of his most cherished childhood blanket." He went on as the thoughts came to his mind. "I can only hope that Lewis will appreciate what an amazing cook Nick is, and support his future career as the new owner of Breadstix. And I hope that he notices Nick's eyes, because they are the deepest and most beautiful shade of green I've ever seen." He stopped there, realizing with a jolt at what he had just said. He thought that Nick's eyes were…beautiful? It was true, he had no doubt, but he'd never said it out loud before.

Blaine drew in a breath, a knowing look in his hazel-brown eyes. "Jeff, if you ask me…it sounds like you just might be…well… in love," he said cautiously.

"In love? With Nick?" Jeff echoed with disbelief. "Dude, that can't be right. I'm straight," he affirmed. "At least, I'm pretty sure I am…I've never really been attracted to another guy before."

"Then you might be bisexual?" Blaine suggested. "Look, I know this is…difficult and confusing for you... But I can see you really care about Nick, and maybe it's gone beyond 'just friends.'"

Jeff shook his head with confusion, moving across the corridor to sit down on the sofa with a sigh. "I don't even know anymore," he mumbled. "I'm so confused…" He buried his face in his hands stressfully. Did he love Nick? As…more than a friend? It would explain these annoying, nagging feelings he was having. But he'd been friends with Nick for years, and he never thought for a second that he may like him as more than that. Why hadn't he noticed these feelings before? Had they even been there before now?

Nothing made sense anymore.

Blaine moved across the room to sit beside him, touching his shoulder with a comforting hand. "I know how you feel. It's a hard thing to come to terms with, trust me, I know. But you're not alone," he assured. "Actually, here in Dalton, you're in pretty good company. I'm gay, and so are Kurt and Nick, and I suspect there are others."

"That's really the least of my worries, Blaine," Jeff muttered. "Besides, I don't know if I really am gay, all right? Maybe I'm just confused…" He looked over at Blaine. "Just, please, don't tell anyone about this. I need to think things through. And I'm not denying any feelings I may have for Nick…but it's pointless anyways. He's taken."

"I'm sorry," Blaine said sympathetically. "And I promise I won't tell anyone. Take all the time you need to think about this," he advised.

Jeff nodded and stood up. "Thank you, Blaine," he said faintly. Without another word, he stumbled away, eyes drawn to the ground. He didn't think it was possible to feel so lost and confused.

Did he really love Nick that way? He couldn't think of any other possibility. In fact, it was the only possibility that made sense. But how could he have been in love with his best friend without even realizing it?

He knew that making sense of these feelings would be completely pointless, though. Nick had Lewis. And he was happy. And as long as he was happy, Jeff couldn't very well complain…Even if Nick's happiness meant unhappiness for himself…