A Collection of Heartstopper Oneshots

His Best Friend - 7ate9

Summary:

When Katie saw Nick Nelson at the table of her study group, she thought this would be her chance. Unfortunately, his best friend kept getting in the way.
Work Text:
When Katie arrived at the library, she was almost knocked back by the sight of the boy at the opposite side of the table.

Her friend, Sierra, had invited her to a study group. It wasn't people who were all part of the same classes, but it was students who wanted accountability and companionship as they prepared for finals. Sierra met her at the door to the library, and pointed at the table they were heading towards, and Katie was struck dumb.

He was... well, perfect. He had pale, freckly skin and a gentle smile. His hair seemingly changed colours under the light, ginger to blond to brown within a few seconds. He was muscular, but not overly so. He was so fucking fit.

Katie stopped Sierra in their tracks and turned to her. "Who is that?"

Sierra followed her gaze. She sighed. Oh no, Sierra liked him, too.

"That's Nick Nelson."

The name bounced around Katie's head before she realised—oh. Oh.

Nick Nelson, Rugby King, had transformed school spirit at Leeds since he was a freshman. Before last year, Leeds wasn't very well-known in the sports world, and no one at their university cared about sports much at all. But last year, Katie remembered the way that changed almost overnight. She'd been a freshman, too, and she remembered everyone talking in awe about Nick Nelson. She'd looked up clips and had to admit that his competency was hot. Looking at him now was worlds away from looking at his pictures and videos on a screen. He looked... well, gorgeous.

"Come on," Katie said. She grabbed Sierra's arm and practically dragged her over to the table.

Sierra cleared her throat awkwardly. "Hey, guys." The six students present all looked up with welcoming smiles. Some looked a bit stressed, but they were all open to the newcomer. "This is my friend, Katie."

Katie waved at them all, making eye contact with Nick. "Hi."

She sat down in the last open seat. Half of her attention was on unpacking her study materials, but the other half was on the way Nick Nelson looked as he read over his notes. He bit his lip, brows furrowed as he looked over one particular spot. Good God, save her now.

"So," she said, "it's so nice to meet everyone. Do you guys meet often?"

She got a few nods. "Almost every week," said the boy next to Nick. He had dark curly hair and piercing blue eyes.

"That's nice," she commented, eyeing Nick. "And you're all second years, too?"

The same boy spoke up, "Everyone else is. I'm a freshman."

She nodded. "What are you all studying?"

"Well, I'm double-majoring in Classics and data science. Nick is a primary education major."

"Oh," she said, brows raised. "Nick, you're going into education?"

He looked up and nodded. "Yeah, I want to be a schoolteacher."

Katie almost swooned. "That's wonderful."

Nick blushed. Honest to God, blushed. "I love working with kids."

"He's amazing at it," the other boy commented with a smile. He nudged Nick with his elbow, earning a smile from the older boy.

"I hope I'll be good enough," he said nervously.

"You will be," said the other. "I've known you were good with kids since you were sixteen years old and indulging in Olly's every request for playtime."