Acting Under False Pretenses

Chapter Three

            Nicholas laughed halfheartedly at something Grayson had said; he wasn't really paying attention. He was scanning the crowd of students for William, so that they could get in the black van that was currently parked in front of the school. He hadn't seen his brother all day, and was mildly upset by it; at this point, after so many years, he felt like hanging out with William was a necessary part of his day that he couldn't function without.

            "Nick? Hello, Nicholas? Earth is down here dear."

            He zoned back in, finally noticing Amelia's hand waving in front of his face. He was slightly surprised at how fast he'd become friends with Grayson's friends, and Grayson himself. They'd all readily welcomed him into their friend group thing, but he'd made sure to keep a little bit of distance; He didn't want to intrude on the friendship.

            "Sorry. What'd you say?" He asked, forming a false smile while still searching through the sea of students.

            Thomas sighed impatiently. "I said, what do you think of-"

            "Nicholas!"

            Thomas threw his hands up. "I give up." He said in exasperation.

            Nicholas turned as he felt hands on his shoulders, grinning at the boy behind him. "Hi Will!" He greeted him, then motioned towards Grayson and his friends. "These are some people I met. This is Grayson, Amelia, and Thomas, and this is my brother William guys. He's a sixth former."

            William raised a hand in a halfhearted wave, then turned back to Nick. "We have to go. Mildred rang, Mum and Dad are-" He froze, glancing at his new friends then shaking his head. "They want us home, basically. I'll tell you in the car."

            "You're being weird Willy." Nico said suspiciously.

            His brother sighed. "Let's just go, please Niche."

            He turned around, offering a half smile to his friends. "I've got to run mates, sorry. I'll see you tomorrow I suppose?"

            Thomas nodded, while Amelia grinned and agreed, "See you!" He turned slightly, only to see Grayson frown. "Yeah, see you tomorrow mystery boy."

            Nicholas felt the atmosphere change, and he frowned too. He suddenly felt like he and Grayson weren't friends anymore, like something had changed just then. He sighed, not having the patience to figure it out. Maybe he'd call later to ask, maybe he wouldn't. Depended on how he felt. "Let's go William." He muttered, already beginning to walk to the car.

            Once they were settled, Nicholas refused to look up at William. Except, the way the car was fashioned, the backseat was made in a U shape so Will was facing him. Which meant he kept kicking Nico in the shins, trying to get him to pay attention.

            "Niche!" He whined, kicking out again. "You're being mopey again."

            Nicholas finally gave in to his brother, sighing loudly. "What are Mother and Father really doing? You wouldn't say in front of my friends." He paused, frowning again. "Well, my friends and Grayson."

            William shrugged, ceasing the kicking. "Just doing public relations crap. I couldn't say it in front of them, right, because they'd put the dots together. We've got to be careful." He hesitated, then added, "Anyways, they didn't even ask us home. Sab did."

            Nico sat up with alarming speed. "What the hell?" He almost shouted. "I don't want to even look at her Willy! You know what she did!"