Nico decides to continue "he was the only friend I had, then a few weeks ago he decided he wanted to be more, it kind of freaked me out so I kissed his brother."

She gasps "oh my god, Nico"


"I know" he frowns and tears start to build up again, "I handled it terribly and I didn't realize how much I liked him until I was hurting him and it was too late. Now he knows and he won't give me another chance" he leans forward covering his face trying to stop crying. "I'm a horrible person"

"No you're not honey" she reaches over rubbing his back, "Sure you've made some questionable choices but the fact that you feel this bad means you've learned better."

"I don't know how to stop feeling this way" he sits up turning to his mom, "how do I get this feeling out of me?"


"Maybe you need this boy to forgive you, maybe your feelings for him is what's making it hurt so bad."

"How am I supposed to get him to forgive me when he won't even talk to me for more than 30 seconds?"


"All you can do is try Nico, take those 30 seconds and used them to say what you need to."

—

Days go by and it's Monday again and Nico's without a car, thinking of his mom's advice Nico leaves Clay alone until he can come up with the perfect plan to get more than insults out of him.

He's not sure anything he came up with will work but he has to try something, as he's at his locker Nico sees Christian and a couple of girls talking to him and touching his black eye. "What happened?

Are you ok?" One asks

"I'm great" he grins, "you should see the other guy" Christian looks over at him and Nico shuts his locker getting as far away from him as possible. As he walks Nico wonders who he could've gotten in a fight with.

Wednesday afternoon when he gets home from school, Nico changes out of his uniform then walks to the kitchen, where his mom is making snacks for Penny and Eli.

"Can I borrow your car for a couple of hours?" Nico asks his mom

"Sure" she answers, "keys are in my purse" she points to the dining table and he walks over to get them.

"Where are you going?" Penny asks, "and can Eli and I come?" "Uh yeah sure, if mom says it's ok"

All 3 of her kids turn to her and she looks at Nico, "will it be safe for them where you're going?" Nodding, "yes"

"Fine" Penny and Eli rush out of the kitchen once she agrees, "here they can eat in the car" she hands Nico the kids snacks in ziplock baggies.

Everyone climbs in the car and Nico turns to make sure they're buckled,' "it's kind of a long drive ok?"

Eli focuses on his iPad as he eats but Penny asks, "where are we going?"

"You'll see Pen." After a long drive with his brother and sister bickering at each other, Nico finally makes it and parks the car. "Guys" He turns to them, "I have to go take care of something in there, but there's a playground in the back, if you guys promise to be good I'll let you play on it."

"We promise!" They scream in unison

They get out of the car and follow Nico inside the shelter, when he walks in Nico looks around but doesn't find Clay. Instead, he sees the manager Lulu and walks up to her, "hi"

"Hello" she greets Nico with a smile, "you're the boss's friend I remember you, and who are these cuties?" She looks at Penny and Eli standing behind Nico

"This is Penny and Eli, I'm looking for Clay is he around?"

She nods "in his office in the back," Nico smiles at the thought of Clay having his own office. "Come on I'll take you"

"Guys" He turns to the little ones, "the playground is through there" they run towards the back door. "Look out for each other and don't talk to-" they disappear before he can finish, "they're gonna get taken" he sighs.

Nico follows Lulu as she takes him to Clay, "he's been in there since he got here a few hours ago, always working so hard for everyone."

Nico listens as she talks about Clay, when they get to the door Lulu knocks "Yeah?" They hear Clay answer

"You got a visitor" she opens the door, Nico sees Clay sitting behind a desk and Clay quickly stands, "I'll leave you two to it."

"Would you mind keeping an eye on my brother and sister please?" Nico turns asking before Lulu leaves

"Sure," she shuts the door behind her.

Clay stares at him and Nico smiles as he looks around, "you have your own office?"

"Not what you were expecting?" Clay watches as Nico walks around touching random things "I think it's hot," he finally turns to Clay.

Ignoring that comment and the look on Nico's face Clay asks, "what are you doing here?"

Walking to Clay's desk Nico sits at one of the chairs facing Clay who's still standing, "I want to apply for a job." Reaching in his pocket he takes out a piece of paper unfolding it, "I saw on your website that you're looking for volunteers, so I printed an application."

Clay scoffs sitting down, "you don't know when to stop do you?" He takes the application from Nico "Nope" Nico gets comfortable, "ask me anything."

Deciding to play along because he knows Nico isn't serious Clay begins, "why do you want to work

here?"

"Personal interest and I love homeless people" he smiles.

"This isn't a game Nico" Clay's serious tone causes Nico to lose his smile, "these are people's lives." "I understand" he moves to the edge of his seat, "give me a chance I can do this."

"Volunteering here would mean being here at least twice a week, and available on weekends if we need you."

Nico nods, "done"

Clay stares at him wanting to say no but realizes he wouldn't go to this much trouble if he didn't care. "One more question"

"Okay"

"How many times did you hook up with my brother?"

Nico gulps hearing the question, trying to think of a way to answer that won't hurt Clay more he says, "I honestly don't know" Clay's eyes shift. "But we never had sex if that's what you're thinking." Nico watches as Clay picks up a pen and winces, until this moment he didn't realize Clay's right hand had bandages around it. "What happened?" He reaches out taking the boy's hurt hand

"Nothing" Clay replies pulling his hand away, with his best efforts he signs Nico's application, "Lulu will call you to set up a schedule."

"It was you" Nico's eyes trail from Clay's hand back to his eyes, "you hit Christian. Why?" "Don't worry about it,"

Realizes his efforts won't get much further Nico stands, as he's about to thank Clay he remembers

something else. "I'm free this weekend"

Clay's confused by the statement, "I also saw on your site that you're having a fundraiser here on Saturday night, I could come work as a trial run and you could make your final decision then."

"Okay" Clay agrees, with a gentle smile Nico walks to the door leaving. "He said that you weren't worth it," Clay says stopping Nico who turns, "I asked Christian if it's true that you wanted to end it but he forced you, and he said he doesn't remember, but who gives a fuck because you weren't worth it. So I punched him"

trying not to show how much that means to him, and how much he wants to thank Clay with a hug maybe even a kiss. Nico flashes a simple smile and instead says "thank you for defending my honor, Clay Wallace" then leaves.