A/N: So, I kinda stopped working on The Warblers on Crack...because...yeah. No inspiration. You guys know how that is, I'm sure. But, I will hopefully post another chapter in it soon...I just need to get my juices flowing again.

But MEANWHILE, I have been working on this bad boy, so let me know what you think. Like seriously, let me know. I want me some reviews :) Thanks everyone!

I grabbed my boyfriend's hand as we walked toward the movie theater. It was a typical Friday night and I was enjoying just…being. It had been a great day. I woke up wrapped in my gorgeous boyfriend, Nick Duval's arms, I had an amazing breakfast consisting of pancakes and bacon, I aced my chemistry test, I had absolutely no homework for the ENTIRE weekend, and most importantly, I was having a GREAT hair day. I looked over at Nick and sighed a loud, contented sigh.

"You're in an awfully good mood," he commented with a smile.

"That's because my life is perfect," I told him.

"Nothing is perfect, Jeff," Nick pointed out.

"You are," I said sweetly.

"And you're unbearably cheesy," he said, rolling his eyes, but I noticed his cheeks color slightly as they always did when I complimented him.

I opened the door to the theater for Nick. "After you," I said politely.

As we were waiting in line to buy our tickets, I asked Nick which movie he wanted to see. "Since when do you let me pick the movie? You always make me watch the latest horror film," he said, trying to sound annoyed, but I knew he loved clinging to me the whole time the scary movie played.

"It's because I'm in such a good mood," I reminded him with a grin. "I'd take advantage of that if I were you." I winked at him.

"Right. So…how about Harry Potter?"

"Again?" I whined. "We've seen it eight times!"

"Because it's amazing!"

"We're not seeing Harry Potter," I said dismissively.

Nick sighed. "Fine. Let's see Crazy Stupid Love."

"No! I will not spend 2 hours of my life watching a chick-flick while you sob uncontrollably at the sweetness of it all and I silently vomit into the popcorn bag!"

"Who was the one that wouldn't sleep in his own bed for 2 weeks after we watched the Titanic because you needed a shoulder to cry on?" Nick asked, smirking.

"That's different! The Titanic is based on a non-fictional story! It was a tragedy!"

"How about the time you cried during The Proposal? Don't try to deny it, Jeff, I was there."

"Ryan Reynolds is an especially good actor," I mumbled.

"He really isn't," Nick protested.

Ignoring him, I continued, "We're not seeing Crazy Stupid Love."

"You're terribly picky."

"Let's see Don't Be Afraid of the Dark!"

"That's a horror movie, Jeff."

"It's a mystery!" I objected.

"A horror mystery. And it looks extremely creepy. I don't understand how the Titanic can scar you for life but you can sit around and watch movies like that all day."

We finally decided on some random French movie that I really don't think either of us wanted to see, but Nick started bawling just the same, while I tried desperately to figure out what they were actually saying. 3 years of French just wasn't cutting it, unfortunately. When the movie was over, the theater was practically deserted. We started to make our way towards my car, but got abruptly stopped.

"Jeff."

I knew that voice. I knew that voice well. I looked up, preparing myself for what I would find when I did.

"Dad."

He looked pretty much the same. Wait, scratch that. He looked exactly the same. He had the same tall, large build he'd had since I was a little boy. He had the same angry, dark eyes I remember. He had the same gruff voice, the same giant hands, and the same ratty clothes.

He looked at me for a long second. Now a normal dad would look at his son with joy and pride after not seeing him for 4 years; but not my dad. His eyes showed anger and shame, like I really disgusted him. "I see you found yourself a fag," He said mockingly.

I'm ashamed to admit this, but I was scared. I wanted to stand up to my dad and say, "This is Nick, and he's the most incredible person I've ever known, and I'm madly in love with him, and if you call him something like that again, I will punch your face out." But I couldn't. Not to my dad, anyway. Not after what we'd been through.

Nick sensed my fear because, well, Nick senses my everything, so he slipped his hand in mine and gave it a squeeze. It was dark enough outside that my dad didn't notice, and I was appreciative of that. A gave Nick's hand a weak squeeze back, because that was all I could manage right now. I took a deep breath. I had to say something. It was either that or stand here like an idiot and let my dad beat the crap out of me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked. I instantly regretted opening my mouth, because all of my insecurities and fear were immediately evident.

"I guess I could ask you the same question," he shot back.

I didn't really expect that as an answer, but I definitely had a good come back. "That stopped being your business when you left." I could feel my confidence level slowly rising.

"Don't get an attitude with me, Jeffrey," He warned. "We both know where that led us last time."

I turned red with anger and narrowed my eyes at him, though I don't think he could really tell I was doing either. "I don't have to answer to you anymore,' I snapped.

"You'll do what I say," he said threw gritted teeth. I tried to shove past him but he grabbed my shoulders and threw me backwards. I probably would've fallen backwards onto the concrete and cracked my head open if Nick hadn't been there to catch me. As soon as I regained my balance, I also regained all of my confidence. I ran towards my dad, intending to get into an intense fistfight, but he slapped me across the face. He grabbed my jacket and made me look him straight in the eye, something that hurt almost worse than the slap.

"You look at me when I'm talking to you, fag." He slapped me again, and I don't really know what he would've done next if Nick hadn't of pulled me backwards away from him, and to be honest I don't really want to know.

Before my dad could do anything else, I ran past him towards my car, knowing Nick was following me. I silently cursed myself for parking so far out, because I wasn't sure if my dad was still a fast runner. Once I got to my car, thanking the gods that Nick was safely beside me, I looked back. My dad was just standing there as he had been, staring straight at me. "Get in the car," I told Nick forcefully, and he somehow managed to do what I had asked, even though he was shaking all over. As soon as both of our doors were closed, I drove out of the parking lot like a maniac. I had to get away from here.

We didn't talk to whole car ride back to Dalton, probably because we were both still in shock. Nick just cried softly, which I wasn't even sure was possible after all the water works in the movie theater. My eyes stung with tears too, partially from my dad but mostly just from Nick crying. The trip would've normally taken about 45 minutes, but I needed to get out of this town so badly that we arrived back at school in about 20. As soon as I had parked the car, I leaned over and hugged Nick tightly. His crying turned into loud sobs as he clung to me, and we didn't try to say anything for while. After he was quiet, I pulled back and got out of the car, opened up his door, and we both made our way upstairs.

The corridors of Dalton were quite empty, considering it was about 2 o'clock in the morning. We didn't say a word until we were back inside our dorm room and sitting on my bed. I sat, facing Nick, and brushed some hair from his eyes. "Are you okay?"

He sniffed. "After what he did to you, I'm just-" He took a deep breath. "I was really scared of what he would do again."

I closed my eyes forcefully, trying to forget all the memories that were flooding back into my mind from my middle school years. I opened them when I felt Nick's hand on mine. "Are you okay?"

I tried to remain strong at first by nodding my head, but I couldn't fool Nick if my life depended on it, so I slowly shook my head. My eyes stung with those damn tears again. "I thought this was over. I thought he was gone."

"I know, baby. Do you want me to-"

"Right now I just want you to hold me."

Nick pulled me into his arms and let me cry into his chest. I felt pathetic. I needed to man up and face my dad. I needed to stop being such a coward. I needed to show him he couldn't control me anymore.

But for right now, I needed this.