The Christmas Foster Boy

Chapter 2 : First night

Chapter 2

Later...    

Nick POV

I wasn't so crazy about having a foster kid living with us. But now I kind of changed my mind.

Dinner was sort of awkward because Jeff just seemed extremely shy. But after dinner, Jeff and I watched a movie together in the living room, and I think he had fun.

Mom and dad had gotten another bed, and we rearranged my bedroom so both the beds fit well.

We were both in our beds right now, and my nightstand was between us. The lamp on my nightstand was on. Jeff was reading a book, and I was talking to my friends from school on my phone. I was texting in a group chat with my friends Trent and David. We were sort of gossiping about this new guy at school. He moved here last week and he's a total snob.

"Nick?"

"What?"

"Do you sleep with any lights on?"

"Um... No? Why?"

Jeff fidgeted a little in his bed.

"It's just... I'm sort of... afraid of the dark."

"Oh... I can ask my mom if she has a nightlight. She probably has one because she puts a nightlight in the bathroom when we have guests over."

I got out of bed and went downstairs. Mom and dad are usually downstairs in the kitchen until they go to bed.

"Mom?"

"Yes, Nicky?"

I rolled my eyes at the name.

"Jeff said he's afraid of the dark, so I was wondering if you had a nightlight that I could plug into the wall in my bedroom."

"Yeah, let me go find one."

I followed mom upstairs to her bedroom. She started looking through her closet.

"How are you and Jeff getting along?" She asked.

"Fine. He said he doesn't do anything for fun, so I suggested we watch a movie, and I think he had fun."

"Good. I'm sorry we didn't ask you first before agreeing to take a foster kid. We should've asked you how you'd feel about it."

"It's ok, mom. I think we're getting along well."

"Good."

She handed me a nightlight.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. Make sure he's not scared."

"I will. Night, mom."

"Goodnight, Nicky."

She hugged me, and then I went back to my room.

"Got a nightlight," I said, holding it up to show Jeff.

"Thanks... Sorry..."

"Sorry? For what?"

"I just feel bad..."

"Why?"

"Because I feel like I'm being so much trouble..." He mumbled, staring down at his hands.

"Jeff, you're not being any trouble at all. You just wanted a nightlight because you're scared. It's fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Totally."

I plugged it in, and shut the lamp off between our beds.

"Is that ok?" I asked.

"Yeah. Perfect. Thanks, Nick."

"You're welcome. Wake me up if you need anything, ok?"

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. Goodnight, Jeff."

"Goodnight..."

I laid down and fell asleep pretty quick because I was tired.

Later...

Jeff POV

I just couldn't seem to fall asleep. I think it's my nerves. I know nothing bad has happened yet, and Nick seems nice, and so do his parents. But I'm just nervous.

And it's been a long time since Nick went to bed, and now I need to use the bathroom, but I don't know where it is. I only know where the downstairs one is, and it's dark down there.

I'm so scared Nick is going to be mad at me for waking him up, but he said I could, so...

I slowly got out of bed and shook Nick's shoulder gently.

"Jeff? Is that you?"

"Yeah."

"What's wrong?"

"I don't know where the bathroom is up here."

"Oh..."

Nick slowly sat up and rubbed his eyes a little. And then he got out of bed, so I followed him.

"Wait, are you scared to go in the hall because it's dark?" He asked.

"A little bit."

Nick put his arm around me, and led me out into the hall. It was dark, but I trusted him for some reason.

"This is the bathroom. Do you need me to wait for you, or can you find your way back?"

"I can find my way back, I think."

"Ok, sounds good. Night, Jeff."

"Goodnight."

Nick left. I found the light switch and turned the bathroom light on. I went in, did my business, and quickly walked down the hall, back to Nick's room. I got back into my bed and laid down again. I hope I can get to sleep soon...