"Yeah nice try on acting tough, bud," said Tyler as he easily picked up Thomas and began carrying bridal style to the nurses office. "We will talk about Lucas later, let's make sure he didn't break a rib or something..." he urged as he quickly made his way to the nurses office.

Some of the other jocks from the swim team began to laugh and opened their mouths to say something when he shot them a glare. Making them shut up quickly as the hall way seemed to part like the red sea. "Shit, I'm sorry. If you injured your midsection, me carrying you like this was probably a bad idea," he whispered as he made it to the nurses office and knocked on the door...well kicked at the door until someone came.

Thomas couldn't help but gasp as he felt himself being scooped up by the muscular male. He did feel a bit at ease in the jock's arms. He could see the athlete naked in his mind, mentally running his eyes over his tall, rugged body. It was a shame that he was going to have to use the hunk. He would have loved for him to be his first, but he had priorities. After all, it wasn't like Tyler was going to fall for him. Not when the kind hunk was obviously in love with that prick Lucas. It only made him angrier about his situation; adding even more fuel to his plan to exact revenge on him.

When they arrived at nurse's office, there seemed to be no one there until Ms. Linley showed up. "Come on in and sit down!" The middle-aged, plump, red-haired woman told the two boys. He felt himself being lowered onto a seat. "What happened?" The nurse asked.

"I...uh...I got into a bit of a scuffle with a bully." Thomas told her. He chose to omit the name, trying to make it seem like he didn't want to get the asshole in trouble as a gesture in kindness to Tyler.

"My, my. I told the principal to crack down on bullying, but he's done absolutely nothing! It's quite disappointing." The round woman said as he lifted up the brunette's shirt. She inspected it, making sure nothing too fatal had happened. "Well, there's no fractured ribs or anything, just a bruise. I'll go get an ice pack to reduce the swelling." She told them. She waddled out the door, closing it behind her, leaving the two teens alone.

"I guess I should tell you what happened." Thomas said. "I heard Lucas had broken up with his girlfriend. He's been picking on me for a while. When I found out what happened to him, I went to apologize and ask him if there was any way I could help." His eyes started to fill with tears. He was surprised how good he was at acting. "But all Lucas did was punch me in the stomach." The tears started to fall. "I don't understand. I just wanted to help." Thomas said between sobs. He was convinced he deserved an oscar.

Tyler stood out of the way as he stood in the nurses office with his arms across his chest. When the Nurse Ms. Linley left for the ice, he took off his bag setting on the floor and took a chair over to Thomas. He listened to Thomas and reached out and ruffled his hair.

"Hey don't worry about it. The break-up affected him pretty good, but what was worse what that she was already cheating on him and well...he didn't want to believe. However when it all happened with whatever else is happening, he has become...volatile," Tyler looked a little sad, but put on a winning smile to try and ease Thomas to the best of his abilities. "Besides, there's no excuse for him to do that to you...also I don't even know why he has turned out like this. Over summer break everything seemed cool and when school started, it all went downhill," he admitted openly and then rubbed the back of his head when he removed his hand from Thomas. "Sorry about that. Didn't mean to rattle on like that to defend him after he injured you for being concerned..."

The man was at a loss for words and he didn't know Thomas enough to comfort him, but he stayed with him none the less. "When did this all start?"

Thomas blushed a bit when Tyler ruffled his hair. The muscular teen really did have a winning smile. It was a shame that he was going to have to use him like a pawn in his master plan to ruin Lucas' life. When Tyler mentioned this all happened when school started, a lightbulb went off in his head. This was perfect. "Well, Lucas has always picked on me. So, I-I'd say since the first week of freshman year." The brunette said, wiping the tears from his eyes. "But ever since the school year started, he's gotten meaner. I-I didn't think it was possible. He would just call me loser and nerd before. This year, he started pushing me into lockers and tossing my books. He started calling me gay, and faggot, and queer too." Thomas admitted. He wondered how Tyler would react when he found out Lucas was making fun of him by calling him a homosexual. After all, he was sure Tyler was gay for Lucas. If he found out that the person he crushed on was picking on people by calling them gay, he wouldn't be too happy.

"You said it all started when the school year started, right?" Thomas said, his sobbing becoming quieter and quieter. "Well, usually when he's mean to me, the new kid Paul is with him. He was there when he punched me this morning." Lucas sobbed again as he looked down at the floor. "They both laughed at me when I dropped." It was a lie. He didn't even know who this Paul person was. What he did know though was that Paul was new here, and Tyler didn't like him. Was Paul really the reason why he was acting out so violently? He didn't know, but he was damn well going to make Tyler think it was.

Tyler began to run the back of his head and slumped forward as Thomas told him everything. He was shocked. He was disgusted. He was boiling up inside. "You sure Paul was here? Really here?" He questioned injured teen. "Fuck that bastard came to school even though he's suspended...probably got in under my radar," growled Tuler as he slammed his fist into his hand.

"Hey Tom, if you see Paul. Report him right away. He's bad news and will drag down any good kids for his own sick amusement," he said as he walked over to his bag and picked it up. "I'm going to go to let the principle know so if they see him they can deal with him. Also...we have chemistry next so I will take down the notes for you. Just stay here and rest up."


As if a last minute thought hit him, Tyler walked over to Thomas as he got pen and paper out of his bag. "I am really sorry for all of this," he said as he finished scribbling down something and handed it to Thomas. "My name and number. I will do my best to have a better rein on Lucas and have him apologize to you. Is there anything else you need from me?"

Thomas may have stumbled a bit when he heard Paul was suspended. He figured it was a shot in the dark, and it seemed to anger Tyler a bit. Hopefully the stud would let his anger blind his logic and let this one slip by. It seemed very likely because never before had Thomas seen Tyler get so upset at something. This person Paul must really be a jackass if Tyler hated him this much. The brunette smiled at the boy's apology. Damn the hunk was so sweet. He couldn't help but think of the male as his knight in shining armour. Too bad he wasn't a damsel in distress, just a vixen looking for revenge. "You don't have to apologize. None of this was your fault" Thomas said between fake sobs.

When Tyler said he would take notes for him, a genuine smile came across Tom's face. "You don't have to, really. You've got a lot on your plate. Last thing you need is to fall behind in class because you had to make some extra notes for some dork." He told him. He took the piece of paper from Tyler with his number and name on it, watching as Tyler asked if there was anything else he could do. "Actually, there is one thing. When I get home, I won't be able to hide this from my parents. I was hoping, maybe, that perhaps you could come over to dinner at my house tonight? I'm sure after I tell my parents what happened that they'll want to thank you. It's the least I can do for dragging you into all this." Thomas said. He wondered if the jock would accept his offer. If so, then he'd have the home court advantage in taking down Lucas.

Tyler rubbed the back of his head again and nodded. "Sure and I can drive you home tonight since walking home or taking the bus probably won't be that great at all. Also I need to apologize to your parents for all of this. I mean...shit..." Tyler knew this could get ugly real quick and if he could avoid some damage then it should be fine. Dude...you are about to get kicked off the swim team with this stunt you pulled...

As the bell rang Tyler lifted his hand to wave bye. "Will see you later and just give me a call when you are done with your last class," he smiled and rushed out the door quickly so he wouldn't be late.

"Alright. That sounds great!" Tommy blurted out. He cursed himself for letting those words escape his lips. Now wasn't the time to be nice. He was nice for three years, and no one seemed to care. He was mean now. He was out to ruin someone's life, not celebrate having his first "friend" over for dinner. As the door closed, Thomas slumped down a bit in his chair, relaxing a bit. It still stung, a lot. When the nurse came back with his ice pack, Thomas left and headed off to class.

The entire day, Thomas made sure to play the victim. He could see people staring at him and whispering. No matter how unliked you are by people, when you get hurt, they start to sympathize with you. The nerdy brunette was definitely going to use this to his advantage. All he needed was that one kind soul to step up and ask that one important question. Surely enough it happened, in the best place possible, science class. Thomas, Lucas and Tyler were all in the same class. Finally, when there was a break in the lesson, one of his female peers walked up to Thomas and asked him the question. "What happened?"

Thomas knew exactly how to play it off. First, look nervous. Somehow he managed to get a bead of sweat to form on his forehead. Next up, tell her what happened. "I...I...uh...." Then, stop in your tracks and look nervous. Move your eyes in Lucas' direction. Finally, end it all off with, "Oh...n-nothing really. I just fell." The girl turned around to look at Lucas. She stared at him, then her eyes narrowed.

"Did Lucas do this to you?" She asked. Thomas looked up at her, looking very, very scared. He opened his mouth to talk, but the teacher came back and resumed the lesson. The girl looked reluctant to leave until she heard the whole story, but she left anyways. Throughout the class, Thomas looked at the girl, and he could tell she was telling others around her about Lucas hurting him. This was all too east.

Finally, class came to an end. Slowly, but surely, Thomas packed everything up and headed to the parking lot. He pulled out his cell phone and sat on the front steps. [b]"Hey Tyler, it's Thomas. I-If you're still alright with coming over for dinner, I'm ready to leave now. If not, then I understand."[b] Tommy said, trying to sound as unconfident as possible.

Tyler partnered himself with Lucas and took down extra notes for Thomas. He was surprised though when he showed up to class and smirked. Tough kid. I like that.
"What are you grinning about?" Asked Lucas as he saw Thomas and growled. "Fucking fag."


"Hey! Knock that shit off will you? I am amazed he didn't report your sorry ass," whispered back Tyler with a growl of his own.


"Little shit deserved it. Talked to me about me and my ex."


"Well you probably derserved that comment most likely. Also what the fuck are you doing with Paul? You know he's not supposed to be here."


"What the fuck are you talking about?"


Tyler was going to say something whenhe saw Lucas glare at Thomas and a girl in his class. He was confused about what he just learned, but shit. Tyler knew Lucas could lie so he didn't even bother.


As the rest of the day went by, Tyler picked up his truck in the student parking lot when he got the call from Thomas. "Hey man, was about to call ya and see where you are at. Rule number one, never turn down a free meal," he said and the last part was done in a joking manner. Once Thomas lets him know where to pick him up. Tyler heads in that direction.


(Blue ford pick-up truck with expanded cab is Tyler's vehicle)

Thomas spotted the blue pick-up truck, and through the windows saw the hunky black stud in the driver's seat. He walked over to the car, taking his time due to his injury. When he eventually got there, he opened the door and sat down, smiling at the kind jock. "Thanks again...for everything Tyler." Thomas said, smiling more genuinely. He pulled out his phone, calling up his mom. "Hi mom. Can you cook for one more tonight? I have a friend coming over for dinner." He could hear the excitement in his mother's voice after mentioning bringing a friend over. "Thanks mom." Thomas hung up and looked at Tyler. "Everything is set up." The brunette said.

He buckled in and placed his backpack in between his legs on the floor of the car. "I live about twenty minutes from here. Just off of the highway. All you have to do is get on the highway, and then exit on Amersdale, and I'll lead you form there." Tom told Tyler. Instantly, Thomas began to run scenarios through his head, wanting to see if there was anyway he could progress his schemes by using the dinner, and he already had a few ideas.