Chapter 8! Sooner than I expected I'd have it, but all I've been doing lately is type this story! And again, I can't thank you enough for all the amazing reviews! 36

This wasn't working out as Lewis had planned at all. He continued to fake it, trying as hard as he could to give Nick some sort of reason to breakup with him. The only problem was that he sucked at being mean. Every single time he did something to upset Nick, he just had to apologize for it. He felt guilty for deceiving him like he was, but it felt worse to act like such a jackass around him. Nick was a nice guy and he deserved better than that.

Lewis regretted using him in the first place. When it was all over, any sort of friendship they had before would be completely gone. And there was no one to blame but himself.

Jeff didn't make this any easier with the way he glared at Lewis. It was almost like he knew what Lewis was up to, somehow. But that wasn't possible. No one knew.

He couldn't tell the truth. No one would ever look at him the same way again if they found out what he was doing. If it felt so wrong for himself, imagine how the others would take it? Especially Jeff, being Nick's best friend. He was glad this school had a zero-tolerance harassment policy, or he'd be afraid that Jeff might possibly beat him up if he ever found out.

Since acting like a jerk didn't work out for him, he had a few different little plans up his sleeves to try to get Nick to break up with him. Maybe, if he was lucky enough, everything would work out for him and they could all be friends once this was over. No one would have to find out that he was lying this whole time and he wouldn't have to devastate Nick in the end.

Of course, nothing ever really went as planned.

…

The Warblers were called for an emergency meeting that Wednesday evening. Jeff and Nick went together since they lived right by one another.

Over the past few weeks, Jeff had gotten better at being supportive and pretending to be happy. It wasn't really easy, but it was worth it to see Nick smile again. Besides, this gave him plenty of time to think about his situation and come to terms with the possibility that he may be bi. Although he wasn't really sure if he'd ever actually have the chance to come out. Plus, he wasn't sure that he wanted to. So far, Nick was the first and only boy he'd ever really…felt this way about. With luck, he would remain as the only one, and Jeff would have no need to come out.

As long as Blaine kept quiet about it, Jeff had nothing to worry about.

By the time they arrived to the meeting, most everyone was there. The council was gathered in the front of the room, with Wes holding his gavel at the ready, as usual. Nick and Jeff took their places in the room, and directly after, Wes was pounding the gavel, calling for order.

"I call this meeting of the Warbler's council to order," Wes ordered. "Now, I am sure you are all wondering why I called this emergency meeting…" He placed his gavel on the table and sat up, folding his hands on the tabletop. "As you all know, the Warblers have an upcoming performance at the Gap this Friday. Warbler Blaine Anderson was chosen as the soloist in this particular performance…"

Particular? Ha, Blaine always got the solos. It was practically expected by now. Jeff kept these thoughts to himself, though.

Wes went on. "And, I regret to inform you that Warbler Blaine has fallen ill and will not be able to carry out this performance."

The room erupted into dismayed clamor and loud interjections. "What!"

"Now what are we supposed to do?"

"Are we going to cancel?"

"What is he so sick with that he can't sing a few songs?"

"This is a disaster!"

"Can I have his solo?"

Wes pounded his gavel. "ORDER! ORDER!" he demanded. "Warblers, calm yourselves. The show will go on, I assure you," he eased. "I did not call this meeting to merely bring you this bad news. I could have waited for tomorrow if that was my only intention. No, we are not going to cancel this performance. Somebody else must go on for Warbler Blaine."

The room erupted once again, this time with excitement. "One of us is going to get a solo?"

"Me! Me! I want the solo!"

"Finally, someone else gets a shot!"

"ORDER!" Wes snapped, slamming his gavel to the stand once again. "We won't get anywhere in this meeting if you all insist on interrupting me!" The room fell silent, all eyes intent on Wes now. He cleared his throat and set the gavel down calmly. "Good. Now that I have your attention…the council plans to hold auditions for the solo, right here and right now."

An excited murmur went through the room, but most of them had the sense to avoid another outburst.

"The only rule for these auditions is that you must have the whole song memorized," Wes said. When he got groans and complaints in response, he explained, "We only have two days to prepare! We have no time to waste!"

The auditions were held privately with the council to save time. Jeff decided to try out just for the hell of it. He knew the whole song by heart, so he really had nothing to lose. And what was one more failed audition to the six he already had? Nick didn't audition, but only because he didn't have Blaine's part of the song completely memorized. After all the auditions were over with, they all met back up in the meeting room to hear the council's decision.

Jeff sat beside Nick and Lewis before thinking about it, but it was too late to move, for the meeting quickly came to order.

Wes spoke up first, seeing how he was practically the self-appointed leader of the Warblers. "Alright, so we listened to all of your auditions, and even took some time to discuss the matter privately among the council, and we have finally come to a joint decision," he began formally. He looked to Thad.

Thad cleared his throat. "While all of you were superb, we could only choose one of you to get the solo," he stated. "And the solo goes to…Warbler Jeff." He looked over at Jeff and started clapping. Everyone else in the room picked up the applause, some energetic and sincere while others were bitter.

Jeff sat up and blinked with surprise. He actually got a solo? Whoa, guess the seventh time's the charm…?

Beside him, Nick was clapping enthusiastically. "Jeff, you got a solo! Congratulations!" he exclaimed, leaning over to hug him.

Jeff felt his heart skip a beat as he hugged Nick back, a little too closely and a tad bit tighter than he'd intended. He didn't want to let go, but he forced himself to when he felt Nick pulling away.

He cursed himself when he realized he'd stepped over the 'friendly' boundary. That hug had definitely been a bit too intimate, and it was evident in Nick's slightly surprised and confused eyes when he pulled away.

Lewis spoke before either of them could. "What the hell was that?" he demanded.

They simultaneously turned to look at him. He was glaring between the two of them. "What do you mean?" Nick asked.

"Don't act stupid," Lewis snapped.

Nick frowned at that. "I'm not," he muttered. "My best friend just got a solo. I'm allowed to hug him if I want to."

"I could care less if it was just a friendly hug, but that isn't what it looked like to me."

"Then what did it look like to you, Lewis?" Nick demanded.

"It sure as hell wasn't friendly, that's for sure!" Lewis spat. "Is there something going on between you two?"

"What? Of course not!" Nick snapped. "I resent that you would even think I would cheat!"

Jeff frowned. Had it been that obvious? Clearly, it had, or Nick and Lewis wouldn't be fighting like they were. But this hadn't been Nick's fault…Still, Jeff hesitated jumping in to take the blame. Doing so might give away his deeply buried secret.

Someone at the council table coughed awkwardly, but no one seemed to notice. Jeff suddenly felt self conscious. Had everyone else seen the hug as intimate? Or was Lewis just jumping to conclusions?

"Well, why wouldn't I? You're always hanging out with Jeff, and when he's not around, you talk about him nonstop!" Lewis looked at Jeff directly. "And I'm sick and tired of you always tagging along as a third wheel. Don't you know he's taken?"

That kind of stung, but Jeff covered it up. "Dude, chill out! There's nothing going on between me and Nick, alright?" he snapped. "We're just friends. So just drop these crazy accusations."

"You expect me to believe that?" Lewis said incredulously. "Ha! I've seen you staring at him. I know better."

Oh, snap. Jeff faltered for a moment, completely taken aback by that statement. Had he been so obvious that Lewis noticed?

"Order!" Wes finally demanded. "Calm down, all of you! This is no place to have this conversation!"

Jeff couldn't leave it at that, though. If he did, the doubt would forever remain lingering in the air. "Are you insane?" he snapped at Lewis, standing up.

Lewis stood up as well, facing Jeff. "Not insane. Just observant," he muttered. "You should try to be more discreet when you stare, you know."

Argh! He could feel his face growing hotter by the moment. "You're making this shit up!" he snarled.

"Am I?" Lewis challenged. "Then why is your face as red as the trim on your blazer? If you've got nothing to hide, then why are you so embarrassed?"

"Order! OR-DER!" Wes shouted once again, gavel pounding.

Stop calling for order after Lewis takes a jab at me! It's not fair! Again, he ignored Wes. "I'm not! You're just making mindless accusations, once again!"

"One of you just admit it already!" Lewis demanded.

"There is nothing going on between me and Nick!" Jeff insisted furiously. "Why can't you believe the truth?"

"Because it's not the truth!"

"Nick wouldn't cheat on you, no matter how big of a jackass you are," Jeff shot back.

"That coming from the 'mistress!'" he taunted.

"God damnit, I'm not gay!" Jeff finally spat.

"Neither am I—!" He broke off too late.

Silence.

Lewis's eyes were wide with dismay at what he'd just let slip out and he seemed frozen to the spot. Jeff stared at him in disbelief, mouth dropped open. Wes sat at the council table, gavel in hand, frozen just inches from the stand as he'd been prepared to call for order once again. His eyes were blinking as he comprehended what had just happened. Every other pair of eyes were intent on Lewis, confused, questioning, shocked, and bewildered.

Had Lewis just come out…as straight?