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The moment their eyes met across the room is one Nick would never forget.
The curly haired boy was talking with his friends, laughing at something the shortest boy said, when he glanced at Nick, catching him staring at him.
Nick may not have known his name yet, or why he was getting butterflies for a boy, but he was now determined to get to know this boy.
That was September, it was now the 29th of December, a week before the new term, and Nick got a email from Mr. Lange, who was supposed to be the teacher for his new form group.
The school decided to do something new with the form groups, mixing the years as one big class, and although Nick was complaining along with his friends about the situation, Nick was maybe secretly hoping he had a chance to be in the same class as Charlie Spring for the first time.
Nick spent weeks in September and October trying to find Charlie. He talked to teachers, and coaches, and friends, trying to figure out who the guy was, he was only going off the boy’s appearance, not even having a photo, but eventually, he found Charlie’s name, and may or may not have looked him up on Instagram and stalked his account. Since then, Nick realized the feelings he was experiencing were, in fact, a crush on Charlie. he wasn’t quite sure what that meant for his sexuality when it came to labels, but he’s kept to himself the past few months given that he hasn’t seen Charlie in person since the beginning of the school year.
Nick was pretty sure he was the only person who ever actually checked his school email over winter break, and when he saw the message from Mr. Lange, he jumped to read it, hopeful for an opportunity to formally meet Charlie.
He scanned the email quickly, it had to do with the syllabus and rules of the class and whatnot, but after skimming the page, he scrolled back up to where all the people who were included in the email were listed.
He read the names one by one, most of them names he hadn’t heard before, until his eyes landed on the jackpot,
“Charles Spring, [email protected]”
Nick pumped his fist in the air in excitement. He was going to be in the same class as Charlie!
Phase one was complete, now all he had to do was ensure he would sit near Charlie.
Nick opened the plus sign in the corner and typed in Mr. Lange’s email, before beginning his email.
“Hi Mr. Lange,
I happen to have a huge crush on one of my peers who will coincidentally be in your form group with me. I was wondering if you could seat us next to each other so I could hit on him.”
No. That won’t do. He can’t actually say that, Mr. Lange could be homophobic for all Nick knows.
He deletes the sentences he has, and starts again.
“Hello Mr. Lange,
I was reading your syllabus today when I noticed Charlie Spring will be in Hamlet 5. I happen to have known Charlie for a while, and we recently have been tutoring each other in our respective weak spots in school. I was wondering if you could possibly arrange for us to be table mates so we can keep up our studying habits with each other?”
Of course most of that was a lie. Charlie didn’t know Nick, and they sure as hell didn’t study together, but that doesn’t mean they couldn’t in the future…
So, despite the very formal language he wrote the email with, he added a “thank you” and the end, and sent it off.
Hopefully that will convince Mr. Lange to sit them together.
It was the first day back from Christmas break, and Nick was anxiously doodling in his notebook.
Nick never heard a response from Mr. Lange, meaning he doesn't know if he got seated with Charlie or not.
Nick's brain started going through ways of how to approach Charlie if he doesn't sit by him, and he does, what if Mr. Lange mentions that Nick requested their seats?
He was thinking of scenario after scenario, every possible thing that could go wrong, Nick was thinking about, until, that is, he heard Mr. Lange say Nick's name from across the room. He looked up to find Charlie talking to Mr. Lange, who had a huge smile on his face. Nick began to blush. Charlie hasn't posted on Instagram in months, and so Nick didn't know what Charlie was looking like these days, so when he saw the newly shaped cheekbones, and the even deeper dimples that were put on display when Charlie half-heartedly smiled back at Mr. Lange, Nick practically died inside.
How was he supposed to function around hi- oh no, Charlie's turning around, time to go back to doodling and act like he wasn't ogling him moments ago.
But, regrettably, Nick didn't last seconds before looking back up at Charlie, who was now a bit closer, and staring a Nick.
They locked eyes for a moment, before Charlie continued making his way to his seat, which was right next to Nick's.
Oh god, Charlie. Charlie Spring. THE Charlie Spring. Was going to sit next to Nick everyday for the next term.
This was a horrible idea. Why did Nick do this?
Charlie slid off his bag and planted it on the back of his chair, which he pulled out to sit in. He scooched in the chair before finally turning to Nick.
Charlie smiled, like a real smile, the one Nick saw when he first noticed Charlie in September.
"Hi," the year 10 said adorably.
Nick smiled too, he couldn't help it, "Hi."
Nick takes it back, this was the best idea Nicks had in a long time.
Before Nick could say anything else, Charlie turned to grab something out of his bag, most probably a pen or pencil.
Nick gave one more moment to gaze at Charlie, before getting back to his very important doodles.
3 weeks later
"Charlie… I wanted to tell you that I'm queer too, and I'm in love with you. Do you want to go out with me? I want to be with you forever," Nick said into the mirror, before throwing his head in his hands. "Ugh! Why can't I just say what I feel without coming off as a total creep?!"
The alarm on Nick's phone interrupted him, signaling that he needed to start heading to school. He sighed before grabbing his bag and walking out the door. He'll walk today, he needs the air.
Nick made his way down the street, the chilly, late January air was definitely getting to him, but Nick's trying not to think about it.
How do you tell the guy you've been secretly crushing on for the better part of 5 months that you've been stalking him because you like him despite only actually getting to know him for 3 weeks?
It's not possible.
But, somehow, Nick still worked up the courage to tell Charlie.
He rushed into the warm school after the 10 minute walk.
Nick immediately bee-lined straight to Charlie's locker, where the younger boy could be seen grabbing a few books out.
Nick walked up to him, on the other side of his locker, where he couldn't be seen.
"Um... Charlie?" He said, getting Charlie's attention, which lead to the books in his locker to fall out.
Nick, who immediately felt guilty, rushed down to pick up his things, grabbing every which book and stacking them into a pile. His eyes landed on a pair of drumsticks, which he snatched, putting them in the pile with the books and headphones Charlie had.
He stood back up, and gave Charlie his things, "Do you play the drums?" Nick said, nodding to the pair of wooden sticks, "That's so cool!"
Charlie, who looked a bit flustered at the compliment just shook his head lightheartedly, before putting his things back in his locker.
After he organized his stuff, he turned back to Nick, looking at him expectantly, which, Nick should have guessed, given that no one goes up to someone without a reason.
Nick was suddenly aware of all the students in the corridor, glancing around the room, before looking back at Charlie, "Um. Can we go somewhere more private?" He said. Nick wasn't 100% sure what he was going to say, but he did know he didn't want those words to be said in public.
Charlie raised his eyebrows, before surveying the area, his eyes landing on a supply room, "Uh, yeah, let's go over there," he pointed to the door.
He and Charlie rushed over to the closet, quickly walking inside and shutting the door, hopeful that no one saw them.
"So, what did you want to talk about?" Charlie said to break the silence.
"I- uh," Nick didn't know how to start, "I know this is kind of out of the blue for you, and we've only really known each other a few weeks, but I wanted to tell you that..." His voice died in his throat.
Charlie was looking up at Nick, his blue eyes shimmering in the little light there was in the room.
Charlie stepped a foot closer, looking at Nick hopefully. Well, at least, Nick thought it looked like hope.
The proximity gave Nick a bit more confidence, "Charlie... I like you."
Charlie's breath audibly shuddered.
"Not just in like a friend way, but in, like, I want to kiss you way," Nick said, starting to ramble with anxiety, "I have for months, since September. Even though I didn't know you then. I realized that you are like the person of my dreams, and I just wanted to tell you because you're the first boy I've ever liked as far as I know and I think you deserve to know because you're like the coolest person I've ever m-"
Charlie step forward once more, quickly raising his hand to cradle the back of Nick's head, and reaching up to kiss Nick.
He slotted his lips with his own, reaching around Nick's neck with his other hand.
Nick was frozen for a moment, out of shock, but that quickly faded, and he started to kiss Charlie back. He slid his hands around Charlie's waist, pulling him in even closer. Charlie stood up on his tip-toes to get an even better angle, making Nick utterly melt.
The two stayed like that for a minute, before pulling back, needing air. They looked up at each other, just a couple inches apart, breathing heavily.
"I like you too, Nick," Charlie said, making Nick smile from ear to ear.
Yeah, this was the best idea Nick has ever had.