Why are we like this? (Nick X Male OC X Charlie)

5. Friend

"So, it's kind of my birthday on Saturday." Charlie started while the professor was taking attendance. Asher looked at him and found Charlie already looking at him and then Nick.

"Is it?" asked Nick.

"Yeah! Me and my friends are going bowling, and I was going to ask you both, if you wanted to come, but I know you don't really know them, so if you don't want to you don't have to" he added quickly.

"Yes!" yelled Nick.

"Nick and Charlie keep it down" they were scolded, Asher giggled quietly. He had gone to the therapist, as he should have had since the numb feeling came back, and he was now doing better. Asher knew he had been an idiot; he had tried to hurt both Nick and Charlie just because he was jealous of their relationship. He had apologized and was on speaking terms with them again.

"Thanks for giving us barely any time to get you a present" Asher thanked with irony.

"You don't have to get me a present."

"We're going to" Nick affirmed.

"I'm serious!"

Asher shushed them both while muttering how the new generations didn't know to use their inner voices. The three of them chuckled.

5. Friend

Nick and Asher got to the arcade together. Asher couldn't find any present for Charlie and he had panicked, Nick had already decided what to give the birthday boy, so when he got Asher's call complaining that he was going to show up without nothing, he had invited the younger boy to his house to help him with his present.

"Thank you!!!" Asher said while sparkling the present with glitter.

"Sure, just careful, don't get glitter in your clothes." Nick was cutting the photograph of the three of them in that snow day.

"You're right. I already shine enough." Asher was now gluing some shells with concentration written all over his face and his tongue sticking out of his mouth. Nick couldn't help but think he was looking cute.

When they entered the place, Charlie was already waiting for them. Asher ran all the way and jumped himself into Charlie's arms, thank God Charlie had been able to catch him on time.

"Happy birthday!"

Charlie smiled; he had missed Asher being the cute little boy he always was.

"Thank you. I'm glad you came."

"Of course, we would. And we got you a present." Nick raised the bag on his hand. Asher, who was laying his head on Charlie's shoulder, nodded with enthusiasm.

"I said you didn't have to."

"And we ignored you."

They started walking, Charlie introduced his friends to Nick and Asher run directly to them. He lounged himself to Tao's back just like he had done with Charlie.

"He seems happier" Nick said with a warm smile on his face watching as Tao scolded Asher just to be ignored by the same boy. Asher presented himself again with Elle and gave a hug to Isaac.

"I was worried about him." Charlie couldn't help but keep thinking what had changed so drastically. Neither boy knew that change had been a new appointment with his therapist and two weeks of not visiting his father in prison.

The first round started, Tao was a little grumpy, Charlie was exciting, Isaac was between reading and playing and Elle was getting to know Nick. Asher was discovering how much he sucked at bowling.