What? Nick shook himself from his daze, moved back a little, and started looking around the room. Damn it. Why the hell was he having thoughts about Justin, a guy, of all people? Oh god.

What the hell was happening to him? He looked back at Justin and noticed the bracelet on his right hand. Justin had rolled his sleeves up making it perfectly visible. So, okay, Nick knows now that Justin was either bi or gay. But what the hell was he? He couldn't be gay because he'd never been attracted to a guy before. Never. But there was something about the boy sitting in front of him that made him want to hold him and kiss him. Nick thought back to earlier that day when he first laid eyes on Justin. To be honest the first thing he saw were Justin's eyes and if Nick would be honest with himself every time he closes his eyes even when blinking he sees those baby blues.

It's not like Nick was homophobic or anything. He's not. And he's not entirely against the idea of homosexuality either. Before he hadn't really thought about homosexuality because it had never been brought up, nor was he in a situation where he was exposed to it, so he didn't have to think about it. But now. Now with Justin openly saying, well not saying but showing by wearing the pride bracelet, that he was gay or bi and the way he was feeling inside Nick knew that he'd have to think about things. Maybe this will pass away as soon as he sees Paris tomorrow. Nick sighed. He really shouldn't have gone over to Justin's house. That was a really bad idea. Just then a voice called out.

"Justin, sweetie, I'm home." came a female's voice. Justin immediately groaned and blushed.

"I'm up here, mama." Justin yelled back down the stairs, his southern accent even more present. Nick smiled. "Sorry about that."

"Don't worry about it," Nick said as Justin walked out of the bedroom. Nick quickly dusted himself off and made sure he looked appropriate before emerging out of the room feeling incredibly nervous about meeting Justin's 'mama.' Nick chuckled. From all the pictures that decorated the rooms Nick could tell that Justin was very close to his parents and figured since he was a southern boy he was probably brought up respectably with manners and all that jazz, just like Brian. As he made is way down the stairs Nick felt dizzy but managed to keep himself calm and under control. He heard voices coming in from the kitchen and figured that's where they were so he headed in that direction. As soon as he got there Justin turned his attention to him and smiled as he waved Nick over.

"Mama, that's Nick." Justin said to his mother who was emptying the plastic bag of Chinese food. His mom stopped doing what she was doing and turned towards her left to look at the where Justin was pointing.

"Well, hello there, Nick. It's nice to meet you." Justin's mom smiled brightly giving her son a look. Nick couldn't help but smile back, shake the out stretched hand, and think that Justin was his mama's boy in almost every single way. From the curly hair to the blue eyes to the smile to the accent.

"Hello, ma'am. It's nice to meet you too." Nick said politely.

"Oh hush, darling. Call me Lynne." Lynne said as she went about getting the dinner ready, Nick assumed.

"Oh okay, Lynne." And before Nick could ask if she needed any help Lynne began speaking again.

"I hear that you’re tutoring my son with math and bio. Thank you." There was something genuine and grateful in her voice.

"Yes, I am and there's no need to mention it. I am more than happy to help him out." Nick said and before he could offer his help the door opened and a male's voice echoed in the apartment.

"Honey, Justin, I'm home," came the voice of Justin's father, Nick presumed. He leaned back a little and noticed the man taking off his winter gear and hanging it in the hall closet.

"We're in here, sweetheart," Lynne said and few seconds later her husband was standing behind Nick.

"Oh we have company," the father said and Nick couldn't help but think that there was no way that this man could be Justin's father. There was no resemblance whatsoever. Then he remembered something Justin said earlier. His step-dad. Duh, of course.

"Hello sir, I'm Nick," Nick introduced himself and firmly shook the other man's hand.

"Good grip you have, son. I'm Paul. Call me Paul." Smiled Paul.

Justin watched everything from where he had his left hip leaning against the kitchen counter by the sink with a smile on his face. From the way his parents were smiling he knew that they had already approved of Nick. His father gave him a look and Justin immediately shook his head side to side indicating 'no' to answer the silent question of whether or not Nick knew about his sexuality. His father took in a deep breath and nodded.

"Will you be joining us fo-" the ringing of Nick’s cell phone cut off Paul. "Your pants are ringing."

Justin laughed at the way that sounded. Will you be joining us for your pants are ringing? Ha ha. He'll definitely have to write that in his journal.

Nick yelped as the shrill sound of his cell phone scared the begezus out of him. Blushing profusely he said his apologies and answered the phone.

"Hello? Hi, mom! I think I'm done for tonight, yes. Oh okay. Ya, I'll see you in a few then. I will. Love ya." Nick put his cell back in his pants. "Sorry about that. My mom's going to be here soon to pick me up." Justin's smile fell.

"Oh, well that answers my question on whether or not you'll be joining us for dinner," Paul said with a laugh.

"Oh, sorry," said Nick feeling bad. "I should probably get my things together." He then walked out of the kitchen and up the stairs to Justin's room.

"He's certainly very polite and a gentleman, Justin," Lynne said looking at her son.

"Yea, he is." Justin was sad.

"What's wrong son?" Paul asked.

"He has a girlfriend, named Paris. PARIS!" Justin narrowed his eyes and pouted causing Paul and Lynne to chuckle at their son. "What am I gonna do, now? He's so hansom and... and... and... like perfect."

"He is... how you kids say these days... hot!" Lynne stated and then laughed when she received a groan from Justin and an incredulous look from her husband.

"Mama," Justin whined but nonetheless, laughed along with him mom.

"What?"

"I just... I don't know just how to... I can't get him out of my head and it hurts that he's straight with a girlfriend. What am I going to do?" Justin said sounding hopeless, something that neither Lynne nor Paul were accustomed to.

"Honey, if I'm not mistaken, Nick is probably your first real crush. And no, Basketball players or even the basketball doesn't count. I'm sure as time goes by things will get better. Who knows?"

"Yea son, listen to your mother. You haven't told Nick about your sexuality and you just met the guy. Definitely give it some time."

"I think he saw my pride bracelet...I'm not sure. I just-" Justin said as he toyed with the bracelet on his wrist.

"You just... what?" Lynne asked.

"Never mind." Justin said just as Nick bounded down the stairs with his coat on and his book bag on one shoulder.

"Hi," Nick said feeling out of place once again and the atmosphere in the kitchen was a bit gloomy to say the least. What did he miss? "I think I'll go downstairs and wait for my mom there."

"Oh," Justin said. "I'll come and wait with you then."

"Why don't we all go?" Lynne asked and then smiled when Paul nodded his head.

"Yea, definitely," he said looking between Justin and a blushing Nick.

"Oh, you don't have to do that," said Nick.

"It's alright hon, we want to." Lynne said as she walked out of the kitchen and towards the door. "Paul grab the keys on your way out." Everyone followed close behind her.

Once in the lobby they walked over to the seating area and sat down. Nick looked out the big glass windows and at the cars passing by. Nighttime in the city was one of the most beautiful things in the world.

"So, Nick how old are you?" Paul asked trying to make small talk but at the same time trying to get to know him better.

Nick turned his attention back to the people sitting by him. "I'm fifteen, sir, I'll be turning sixteen in January, though."

"It's Paul," Paul smiled at the blush that appeared on Nick's face. "And just when is your birthday because Justin's also in January?"

"The 28th, when's Justin's?" Nick asked turning his head to the right to look at Justin who was really quiet. Then he turned his head to look at Lynne who began speaking.

"Your birthday's are really close together," Lynne said. "He'll turn fifteen on the 31st."

"Wow, that's something," Nick said. He couldn't help but think maybe someone out there was trying to tell him something.

"Oh, so that means you're a sophomore, am I right?" Paul asked.

"He's also the Treasurer in the student council, pa." Justin said. Was that pride Nick heard in his voice? Nah. Why the hell would he be so proud of him? Even his own girlfriend doesn't boast.

"Really? That's great," Paul stated.

"Yea," Nick said distractedly. His mind was still trying to figure out what was in Justin's voice.

"Oh, what classes are you taking now?" Lynne asked.

"Oh um, Law and Economics Honors for social studies, Sci-Fi Honors for English...doing my research paper in that class, AP Calculus for math, AP Art, Soccer for PE, Morality Honors for Religion, and AP Chemistry for science...oh, and Health." Nick finished counting them on his fingers causing Justin to look at him in confusion.

"Those are not the sophomore classes, Nick. I don't even think those courses are offered in your particular year," said Justin.

"You're right but, um, I don't take the regular sophomore classes." Nick said and then clarified when three pairs of confused eyes focused on him. "It's a REALLY long and complex story. But to make it short... I basically went ahead of myself when I was in junior high."

"So basically you skipped a few grades?" Lynne asked.

"Um, not really. No. I still have to take the required religion and PE classes for four years to get the Xavier diploma. I haven't skipped any grades but as for the courses or subjects... I'm just taking others in the place of the ones I don't have to take."

"It sounds like you've already got the required amount of credits.... what was it, um...26.5 to graduate?" Paul stated.

"Um, not exactly. I need a few more courses but I don't wanna go ahead and graduate earlier than necessary from high school. I think I'm just going to take some College Now credit courses at the school and maybe other outside college courses but I definitely wanna graduate with my class."

"When do you have time to tutor? I mean... from what you're telling me, most of your classes are either AP or Honors. I'm sure that's a lot of work and time." Lynne questioned.

"Well, I didn't exactly sign up for the tutoring thing hence why I don't get paid and I don't do it all the time. The faculty knows about the courses I'm taking so they don't pressure me to do more than necessary but when push comes to shove and someone really needs my help they'll contact me. Like this morning, Mr. Richardson, left me a note basically telling me that someone needed a tutor and to meet him in the resource center." Nick shrugged. "It's not a big deal, really. When I heard about the inconvenience that was brought up on Justin I was more than happy and willing to help him the best I could. And it was a good timing for me 'cause football season is over now, much more free time." Just then his cell phone went off, again. "Excuse me."

"Hello? Oh you're here. I'm in the lobby. I think Justin's parents want to talk to you. Yah, come in. Alright." Nick flipped his phone shut for what seemed like to be the millionth time that day. A few seconds later he saw the doorman open the door for his mom and then the security guard open the second door when his mom pointed towards him. "Hi, mom," Nick greeted getting up and walking over to her. She hugged her son and kissed his cheek. "Mom, this is Justin and his parents, Lynne and Paul." Nick said to his mom as he pointed them out. "And folks, this is my mom, Jane." They all stood shaking hands for a few seconds as greetings were exchanged.

They spent the next few minutes talking before Jane said that they'd better get going since it was getting late. The mothers exchanged phone numbers while Nick and Justin had remained quiet, watching and listening to their conversation. Before long Nick and his mom were in the car driving home.

Justin and his parents went back up to their apartment as soon as the Carter's had left.