Alice

"Ed come back to bed." A woman whines from across the hall.

I shove my head in Nick's chest trying to rid my mind of the image but it's burned into my brain!

Mr. Micknealing just stands there wide-eyed and mouth agape. "A-Alice what are you-"

"Get out," Nick growls loudly and his arms are quick to wrap around my shaking form.

All I hear is the door slam and feel Nick caressing my hair. "How do you know him?" Nick asks angrily and my lip wobbles.

"He's my therapist," I say and an involuntary sob leaves my lips. I hear a groan come from Nick and we both know how awkward things are going to be. "Also why is he here?" I ask Nick with my wide eyes meeting his.

I see his jaw clench. "My mother tends to... sleep around. If you weren't new, you'd know that my mom is the towns whore. My fathers the drunk and I'm their screw up child." Nick says and looks away from me clearly embarrassed.

"Nick you're not screwed up. What just happened freaked me out but I still see you the same way." I say seriously.

I see a small smile twitch on his tempting lips so I lean in and take them. Taking us both by surprise.

He mumbles against my lips as my eyes are shut tight. "You're perfect."

He grabs the back of my head and angles us in a deeper kiss.

He bites my lower lip and a giggle leaves me. He pulls away and I can feel his breath on my lips coming out in pants. "I'm sorry if you want things to go faster for us." He says.

I cup his cheeks and run my fingers over his stubble. "No rush."

~~

I spent my mornings before school avoiding Jessie and Brodie. Brodie did everything in his power to make me feel unwelcome. And he has been doing so since I came here. But I was very lucky to have Nick by my side. Tracy, Gen, and Nelson.

Nick would pick me up in the morning and drive me to school. He was furious when I told him Brodie made me walk. And since winter was getting closer and closer, Nick was more eager to drive me and keep me warm. And by warm I mean lots and lots of hugs and kisses from him.

He's amazing. But what bothers me is... well he doesn't see it in himself.

Nick and I walked into the school hand in hand. Adjusting my scarf from the snow that planted itself on me.

As I was fixing my scarf I felt Nick's hand go from mine to my waist. Tightly too. Whenever he held my waist he was either wanting a kiss or nervous.

I look up and see he's not looking at me he's looking at everyone around us.

I look up as we pass lockers and see everyone taking what they think is 'subtle' glances. Girls look pissed and guys look mad too because their girl's attention is on us.

"It's okay Nick," I reassure and wrap my arm around his back.

As we approach my locker like usual Gen and Tracy are waiting for me.

When I'm close enough their eyes widen when they see Nick and I.

"Surprise," I say just as Nelson approaches and gives Gen a kiss on the cheek.

"Surprise indeed," Gen says quite shocked.

All Tracy does is shrug her shoulders. "Eh, I saw it coming from miles away."

I open my locker and Nick still doesn't leave my side but he puts on his usual tough exterior.

"Nelson, how's the machine going?" He asks.

"Pretty good. Gen did most of the work, epistles, and notations though." He laughs and pulls Gen closer. I'm happy for them. I catch Gen's eye and wink. She knows what I mean and blushes.

"Well, there's more nanotechnology procedures to go through." Gens eyebrows furrow and she looks off to the side and mumbles. "I should start writing this down."

"Ugh here comes the one and only dickhead." Tracy groans and we all look up to see Brodie pass by with a glare in my direction.

"What does he even have against you anyway?" Tracy asks rolling her eyes.

"I'm not sure. I'm guessing he doesn't like to share Jess." I look down. I never wanted this to happen.

"I'm here," Nick whispers in my ear and leaves a kiss there. I smile up at him and grab the collar of his shirt pulling him down into a kiss.

He slowly pushes me against my locker and I wrap my arms around his waist from under his coat.

He smiles and kisses my cheek then pulls away.

"What the hell," Nelson says suddenly and I pull apart from Nick with wide eyes.

Everyone's looking at us. "So... you two a thing now?" Gen and Tracy ask with a smirk.

"No! Well yes- but no..." I ramble playing with the loop on Nick's jeans.

"We don't know..." I finally say and they all nod understandably.

"It's my fault," Nick says taking blame I didn't even know was relevant.

"No, it's not Nick. Remember, team effort." I remind him and start running my hand up and down his back.

"Well I need to get to Chem. See ya." Tracy waves walking off.

"Come come." Gen grabs Nelson's hand and pulls him down the hall before waving at Nick and I.

I turn back to Nick and see him already looking at me.

"What?" I ask and can't hide the smile from the look he's giving me. A look of adoration.

All he does is shake his head and captures my lips again. Luckily most people left for class but my first class was just down the hall.

I quietly moan instantly loving the feeling I've been lucky to feel many times. "Don't make that sound Alice." He demands with a playful smirk.

"What will you do about it?" I challenge and look around us before sneaking my hands underneath his shirt. I feel his prominent abs and scratch his skin there.

I watch as his jaw clenches and he grips my hands as they trace over the dip in his v line and the dark hair that disappears down into his pants.

"I'll drag you to the nearest empty classroom and take you against every wall and desk there is that's what I'm going to do about it." He whispers huskily and my mouth falls open. Oh my. That was sudden.

I roam my hands up his warm skin but falter when I feel what I'm sure is a cut. I meet his eyes and gasp as I see pain.

"Nick?" I pull his shirt up and see new dark-colored bruises littering his skin. And what's even worse is a few cuts.

"Nick you said it was a one-time thing," I say angrily as the final bell rings. I'm late.

"What's going on. Nick, you can tell me. I don't understand. It's not... it's not your father is it?" I frown.

He doesn't meet my eyes. But I already know that answer. I feel tears well up in my eyes and one slips out.

"Stop." He demands his voice in pain. "Don't fucking cry Alice. I can't watch that."

His large warm hands cup my cheeks and he wipes them away.

"Y-your father. He hurts you doesn't he." I meet his and eyes and watch as they turn cold.

"Tell me the truth, Nick!" I demand when he doesn't meet my eyes.

"Fuck! You think I wanted you of all people to know?!" He yells suddenly and punches the locker causing me to jump in fear.

"Keep your voice down I'm sorry-" I grab his tense fist that will surely gain bruises any minute.

"No! Do you know how fucking long it's been? I've been stuck with my father forever. And-and I can't take it anymore I hid this from everyone for years and managed to do that. Only for the person I love to find out!" He holds my waist tightly and I wince.

"Love?" I gasp and he takes a step away from me and grips his hair.

"I didn't mean it, Alice!" Nick says frustration clear in his tone.

"Nick calm down let's talk about what to do with your situation. You cant stay-" I reach out to him but he pulls away.

"Just... leave me alone." He says angrily and starts to walk down the hall.

"Nick," I call sadly as I watch his retreating back.