It was Friday, the last day of the week and Jeff didn't know if he was relieved or depressed at the thought. It meant he'd be stuck at home for another two days. He'd have to find places to go, anywhere to keep himself distracted. In the meantime, he had another day to attempt to survive. Getting to school early, he took the newest letter from his anonymous pen pal and headed straight for his favourite spot on the bleachers.

Jeff wasn't a morning person. It usually took him several alarms, and a hell of a lot of self-restraint to get up in the morning. The only reason he was getting up and going to school as early as he had been over the course of that week was because he needed to collect those letters. It must've seemed strange to an outsider. Jeff didn't like school. He didn't see the point of school. He didn't want to be there, knowing that he wasn't book smart, but he still couldn't afford to drop out. Dropping out meant losing a place he could escape to during the day. Jeff didn't want to spend time at home. For him, that place was nothing more than a bed.

Trying not to think about the place he begrudgingly called home, Jeff instead held the letter in front of him, knowing that he'd once again be stuck responding to it today. Remembering how he'd let himself be a little more vulnerable in his last message, he didn't want to think about how nervous he was. He didn't know what the stranger was going to say to him. He wanted to know what kind of excuse he'd get for placing his trust in them, though. Jeff couldn't help but smile as he read through the letter. Well, it was certainly reassuring to know the person behind the pen wasn't going to make any excuses for him. Jeff had been surrounded by people who encouraged him to tell them things, saying he could trust them. It was nice to have someone admit that he had no reason to. The smile quickly faded as he finished reading the letter, taking in the last paragraph.

I tried to apologise this morning and accidentally poisoned the guy instead.

The bitter taste of coffee had remained in Jeff's mouth for most of that morning. The cigarettes did nothing to help and he eventually had left the school in search of a good coffee shop to order it the way he liked it and get rid of that taste.

How do you take your coffee?

It felt like the question was hanging in the air. It felt like he really needed to answer it. Nick. He said his name was Nick. Of course, Jeff knew who Nick was. He wasn't the most popular guy in the school, but he was certainly among the most talked about. Nick was at the top of all the classes. Everyone aspired to get grades like him, they dreamed of asking Nick to help them study, but Nick always kept to himself. But could Jeff really believe that Nick was the one who was writing to him? Maybe it was just one hell of a coincidence. Maybe Nick thought that, too. Jeff couldn't be sure. The blond couldn't help but jump as the bell sounded, signalling the start of the school day, but he didn't make an effort to move. He just read through the letter over and over again, trying to figure out what he was supposed to say.

Dear Apparently Your New Therapist,

How much do you charge an hour? My parents have been telling me I should see a therapist for a while now. Unless they hired you. If they did, you're fired. I don't need that kind of help. My parents do suck at the parenting thing, but I'm sure the teachers here would all agree that I'm a pain in the ass, so you might be right on both counts.

I appreciate the honesty. Nice to know we both got forced into this. I'll try not to make the whole situation too painful for you just as long as you don't ask me to give you my life story. I think that's what the teachers want you to do, but I'm not biting.

As for how I take my coffee, it's hard to describe. I'll have to show you sometime. We'll put those tastebuds to the test.

Sincerely,
Your New Patient

It was time for the last lesson of the day and Jeff really couldn't believe he was doing this. He'd already given the letter to the student counsellor and now he was hesitantly strolling into his math class, avoiding all the eyes that were on him. He was late, but he was there. What more could they ask of him?

After a moment of pause as the class waited for Jeff to take his seat, Jeff slid into a chair toward the front of the class, unfortunately the only one that hadn't already been taken, and dropped his back to the floor with a loud thud. Leaning his back against the wall and lifting a foot to rest against the chair, he rested his head on his knee, smiling at the teacher and gesturing for her to continue. Surprisingly, she took the bait. She didn't ask him where he'd been. There wouldn't have been much point. She wouldn't get a real answer out of him anyway. Instead, she simply continued where she'd left off, and Jeff let his head lull as he looked around the classroom, ignoring the sound of the teacher's voice droning about some equations he didn't have a hope in hell of understanding. Jeff's eyes landed on familiar dark hair across the room, though he noticed the boy wasn't paying any attention to the teacher, either. His head was in a book instead. It definitely wasn't a math book, but Jeff couldn't see exactly what it was from all the way across the room. He had to admit he was surprised. For the kid at the top of the class, he expected Nick to be hanging off their teacher's every word.

"Mr. Sterling?" Jeff jumped as he heard the teacher say his name, looking up at her and she was staring expectantly back at him, an eyebrow raised, "Well? Can you give me an answer?"

He froze, realising that he'd been called on. Of course he had been. He never went to classes; the teachers would jump at the chance to put him on the spot. "Uh… I um…" Jeff looked to the board behind her, seeing all the numbers written there, but he couldn't for the life of him understand what they meant. Even if he did, he couldn't be sure that was the particular problem she wanted an answer for. Jeff found himself looking around the room, hoping that maybe he could make up an answer from something he saw within it. That was when he saw it. Nick hadn't looked up from his book. He had however, subtly lifted a notepad and held it against the edge of the book in such a way that Jeff could see the number written there. Looking back at the teacher, Jeff bit his lip, speaking softly, "Uh… T-Three… point… two five…?"

Jeff watched with baited breath as the teacher nodded, looking away. Just as he was about to let himself breathe again, she spoke, "Very good. Perhaps next time you can get the answer without Mr. Duval's help." He froze, looking back over at the dark-haired boy across the room, expecting to see panic in his eyes, but instead, he was smiling.

Jeff frowned, watching him. Nick finally looked away from his book and up at the teacher, smiling sweetly, "You got the answer you wanted, what does it matter?"

Jeff was in a daze, listening as the teacher said something about Nick being too soft before continuing with the lesson. Nick never looked over at him. He just dropped the notepad back to his desk and went back to his book. Jeff went back to his own thoughts, not paying attention to the lesson. He knew that the teacher wouldn't call on him again. And if by some miracle she did, he'd tell her to ask Nick instead. By the time the lesson was winding to a close, he was reminded why he didn't go to lessons. This was boring. He could be watching the clouds. He could be getting coffee and walking through town. He could be doing literally anything else. The sound of the bell chiming was a gift from the Gods and Jeff was the first one out of his seat. The end of the day. No more lessons. Everyone would be heading home. Jeff didn't want to go home, though. Not yet. Before he knew what he was doing. He had walked over to Nick's desk, shifting his bag over his shoulder, "You're coming with me."

Nick had just finished packing away his things when Jeff spoke, causing him to jump, "Jesus, don't sneak up on people." He got to his feet, slipping his own bag over his shoulder, "Why? Where are we going?"

Jeff rolled his eyes, "Do you have somewhere you need to be?" It seemed like Nick was a little uncertain of the answer, but eventually shook his head, "Then come on, let's go." This time, Jeff didn't give him a chance to protest, taking Nick by the wrist and dragging him out of the classroom. He didn't know what he was doing. How could he? Part of him thought this was a stupid idea. Nick probably wasn't even the one he had been writing those letters to. And yet, part of Jeff hoped he was. Part of Jeff felt like Nick was someone he could trust with the information he'd shared.

As they made their way out of the hallways and into the parking lot, Nick tugged his arm away from Jeff's, causing the blond to stop and frown as he looked over at him. He didn't want a fight. He just wanted some company. The frown turned from frustration to confusion as he heard Nick's chuckle, "I'm not going to run, you don't have to hold me captive."

Jeff nodded hesitantly, continuing his steps out into the parking lot. The walk was spent in silence as they made their way out of the school and into the streets nearby. Jeff had walked this path so many times, but never with someone beside him. They were closer than he expected, really, their shoulders occasionally brushing together as they walked. People usually avoided Jeff, and that was honestly the way he had wanted it, but today he could be selfish. Right? Just for one day he could accept some company.

"Where exactly are we going?" Nick's voice broke him from his thoughts and Jeff smiled to himself.

"Relax, we're almost there."

"That doesn't answer my question."

Jeff tilted his head to the side, looking over at Nick as they walked, "Sometimes it's more fun to not have all the answers." Jeff could see the statement got to Nick. His expression shifted, though he wasn't exactly sure what it had shifted to. If Jeff was honest with himself, he didn't really care. He just enjoyed the fact that he'd had an effect. He picked up his pace as they arrived at his favourite coffee shop, opening the door and gesturing for Nick to head inside, "After you."

"Since when are you a gentleman?" Nick smirked, stepping into the coffee shop.

"Don't get used to it." Jeff grumbled, knowing that Nick was just teasing him, and he really didn't know why he was letting it happen. He reached out to brush his hand against the small of Nick's back, nudging him towards the vast array of chairs in the shop, "Take a seat, I'll be back in a minute."

He didn't look back at Nick as he turned to the counter, ordering two coffees, one the way he liked it, and one black. He had to assume that was the way Nick liked it after tasting that bitter creation the morning before. Jeff made sure he put in his desired amount of sugar before he headed to the table Nick had chosen for them; one towards the edge of the room, more secluded from the rest. Jeff was more than happy for a little privacy, knowing that plenty of kids from their school came into this shop at this time of day. Sliding into the chair opposite Nick's, Jeff placed a cup in front of him, "Here."

He couldn't help but smirk as Nick stared at the cup, uncertainty in his eyes along with something else. Scepticism? He wasn't sure. Jeff brought his own cup to his lips, but didn't take a sip, raising an eyebrow at Nick as he looked back at him. That seemed to be enough to push Nick to take the drink in front of him. Nick lifted the cup to his lips, taking a sip and quickly putting it back down as he did, covering his mouth with his hand as he spluttered, "What the hell is that?"

Jeff laughed, switching their cups, "Relax. I wanted to see how you'd react."

"I think I can see sounds." Nick murmured, taking the second cup and quickly downing some of the bitter coffee. It was clear he wasn't a fan of Jeff's coffee tastes.

Jeff shrugged, taking a sip of the sweet coffee he'd gotten for himself and humming happily, "You wanted to know how I take my coffee, right? Now you know."

The statement was enough to cause Nick to take in a sharp breath, taking some of the coffee down his throat as he did and coughing uncontrollably. Jeff watched him as the sudden onslaught of coughs rocked his body, waiting for Nick to say something. As Nick finally got some control of his breath, his voice came out rather raspy, but Jeff could still understand him, "It's you?"

Jeff rolled his eyes, taking another sip of his coffee, "Who else would it be?"

"Literally anyone else." Nick quipped.

Jeff couldn't help but pout playfully at the statement, "Don't sound so disappointed."

"I'm not."

Jeff nodded hesitantly at that, "So what's the problem?"

"I'm pretty sure the teachers didn't want us to know who we were."

"Fuck 'em. Besides. I'd like to know who I'm telling things to in case shit gets out and I need to kill someone." He smirked into his cup as Nick paled at the statement.

"I wouldn't tell anyone."

"I know. I trust you."

"Why?"

Jeff looked up from his cup at the question, seeing the very real curiosity in Nick's eyes. He wasn't annoyed. He wasn't frustrated, or angry, he just wanted to know why Jeff would trust someone like him, someone he'd only really known for a day. The question hung in the air for a moment as Jeff thought about it. Why did he trust Nick? He didn't trust anyone, so why Nick? Looking back down at his cup, he brushed his finger along the lid, shrugging, "I don't know. I just do. You didn't give me a reason to trust you when I asked, so I don't have one."

A silence fell between them as they drank their coffee. Jeff would occasionally glance over at Nick, watching him just long enough to not get caught. At least, he hoped he wasn't getting caught. Nick was different from all the expectations. He thought Nick would be a workaholic, but he didn't seem to be. He thought Nick would be pulling out books to study, but he wasn't. He thought Nick would be talkative, but he hadn't said a word. He thought Nick would be uncomfortable sitting with him, but he seemed perfectly at home in the seat opposite him. Looking down at his phone, Jeff saw the time. They'd been sitting there for at least an hour. Time flies when you're in good company, he supposed. He got to his feet, causing Nick to look up at him, surprised by the movement, "C'mon. I want to show you something."

Those six simple words seemed to be all Nick needed to get to his feet and follow Jeff out of the coffee shop. The blond really didn't know what he was doing. He didn't know why he had Nick following him around, why he was asking Nick to spend time with him, or why the dark-haired boy next to him was humouring him. He just didn't know. His steps were leading him towards one of his favourite places in town. It felt like one of the longest walks he'd ever been on. They were moving so slowly, but they hadn't said a word, falling into a comfortable silence next to each other. Jeff didn't know anything about Nick. He only knew he liked his coffee so bitter a single sip could keep you up for days, and that he liked to read. Jeff smiled as he made his way into the park, heading for a nearby tree, his favourite tree, the one he always sat under. Nick stayed quiet, following like an obedient puppy, and Jeff didn't want to admit that it was kind of adorable.

As Jeff sat under the seat, dropping his bag beside him, he looked up at the boy in front of him, still standing beside him. It was clear Nick wasn't sure what to do. Jeff rolled his eyes, reaching out to take Nick by the wrist and tug him to the ground beside him, eliciting a yelp of surprise from the shorter boy. Jeff chuckled, his eyes back to the sky above them. The sun had already begun to set, shades of reds, oranges, and pinks painting the sky.

"Why'd you bring me here?" Nick asked curiously.

Jeff shrugged at the question, his eyes not leaving the sky above them, "This is one of my favorite places. I was going to come here anyway, figured you might as well come with me."

"You really are a mystery."

Jeff smirked, looking over at Nick, his eyes focused on Nick's, "Isn't that a good thing? You said your life was boring."

The two of them fell into a quiet conversation, not really saying anything important. Nick would tell Jeff about his cat. Jeff would tell Nick about how he had always wanted a pet but was never allowed. The sky went from the beautiful reds of a sunset to the sparkling of the night sky, but they didn't move. They kept talking about anything they could think of. Jeff didn't know why Nick was still there, but he knew he didn't plan on going home anytime soon. Minutes turned to hours and before he knew it, Nick was nudging him and Jeff was realising that he was close to falling asleep against the tree in the park. He looked up at Nick as he was nudged again, "What?"

"It's late, we should probably head back." Nick at least had the courtesy of looking apologetic as he said it.

Jeff nodded, waving a hand in Nick's general direction, "Right, you probably shouldn't keep your parents waiting, huh? I'll see you around, stud." He didn't move from his spot under the tree, closing his eyes again. He had fallen asleep there before, so he really wasn't all that worried about doing it again. It wasn't until he realised that he hadn't heard Nick move either that he opened his eyes again, looking up at the boy who was now standing in front of him.

"Are you coming or not?"

Jeff chuckled, shaking his head, "I'm not going home."

"I can't just leave you here."

"Sure, you can." Jeff smiled reassuringly, his eyes drooping from the need to sleep. Jeff couldn't hold back the shriek as Nick grabbed his arm and pulled him to his feet. He tugged his arm away from the shorter boy, glaring daggers at him, "I told you, I'm not going home."

"I don't even know where you live, I'm obviously not taking you home." Nick pointed out and Jeff was reminded that this kid was a lot smarter than him in the logic department.

"Then… where are you taking me?"

"You said you trust me, so just trust me." With those simple words, Nick started walking out of the park. Jeff didn't move at first, just watching as he slowly walked away. He hadn't expected this from him. Really, he expected Nick to have gone home a long time ago, but somehow they were still there. Jeff didn't know exactly when his legs started moving, but he was quickly falling into step beside him. Normally, Jeff didn't fall into step with anyone. He didn't follow anyone. It wasn't that he always wanted to defy people around him. It was just his way of lashing out. The more trouble he caused, the more it hurt his parents. It might sound petty, but it was what he thought they deserved. Still, there was no one around. Nick was next to him, guiding him, and normally he would've found that level of vulnerability irritating. Maybe it was a mix of their isolation and just how tired Jeff was, but he found himself not caring. He'd just follow Nick until they got wherever it was they were heading.

It was only a ten-minute walk before they were heading up the steps of a perfectly ordinary looking house. Jeff paused behind Nick as he quietly opened the door. It was clear Nick was trying not to make too much noise. Jeff just watched him for a moment as he peered inside. Nick didn't seem all that concerned, so Jeff couldn't find it in himself to be either.

"C'mon, hurry up." Nick spoke softly, reaching out a hand for Jeff and despite his better judgement, Jeff knew it was this or going home and dealing with his parents. That thought alone took away any hesitation and he took Nick's hand, letting him lead him into the house.

The first thing Jeff noticed was how quiet it was. It wasn't a bad thing, though. The silence was somehow peaceful. That wasn't a feeling Jeff had ever had in a home before. A home. That's what this was. It was a strange feeling, but he didn't want to dwell on it too much. He didn't want to think about the bad things right now. It was still dark, Nick keeping the lights off in what Jeff could only guess was an attempt not to wake his parents. The darkness along with the sleepiness caused Jeff to stumble on one of the steps and Nick was quick to grab his arm and keep him upright.

Nick snickered, trying to keep his laughter quiet and whispering softly, "Anyone would think you're drunk."

"Well, I can't see." Jeff protested, but was just met with more muffled laughter as Nick dragged him the rest of the way up the stairs.

It didn't take them long before they were up the stairs and Nick was pushing him through a door. Jeff looked back at Nick, frowning. He didn't like when people pushed him around. He looked back to the room after a moment, too tired to cause an argument. And then he realised where he was. There were books scattered all over a desk in the corner of the room. The walls were mostly bare, except for one wall that seemed to be covered in an array of sticky notes with random statements or words written on them. The only other things he saw in the room were a window and a bed. This was Nick's bedroom. Why was he in Nick's bedroom?

Nick dropped his bag beside the desk, closing his bedroom door and gesturing to the bed, "Go ahead, get some sleep. You look like you need it."

Jeff stared at him for a moment, trying to understand what was going on, "I… I could've just slept in the park."

"You'd freeze out there, just take the bed."

"What about you?"

"I'll be fine. I'm not nearly as tired as you." Nick chuckled.

Jeff frowned, "You say that like you know me."

The blond wasn't expecting such a simple statement to bring a smile to Nick's lips as he stepped closer. Nick brushed the bangs from his eyes, considering them for a moment, "Maybe I don't know you, but your eyes are speaking volumes right now. You can barely keep them open."

Jeff would've protested if he wasn't so caught off guard. There was a very real emotion in Nick's voice and Jeff couldn't quite place it at first. He was trying to figure out exactly what it was when Nick pressed his hand to his chest and shoved him back on the bed. Jeff yelped in surprise, bracing himself on the bed to stop himself falling further, "What the hell was that for!?"

"Would you keep your voice down!" Nick hissed in return, "Just go to sleep. I swear I've never met anyone as stubborn as you."

Jeff watched him for a moment, knowing that Nick was just as stubborn, and he wasn't going to win this fight. Hell, he was too tired to fight. Dropping his bag to the floor, Jeff let himself lay down in the bed, turning to face the wall and closing his eyes, "You better not get used to this."

The last thing that Jeff heard before he fell asleep was Nick's soft chuckle behind him.