1 Death by Fuzzy Socks

"Fuck, why does it get so cold," Noah mutter to himself as he shoves his feet into a large pair of fuzzy socks. Outside the window snowflakes are beginning to fall melting as soon as they touch the warmer ground outside, still resisting the white flakes despite it already being the first week of December. Grumbling to himself he walks towards the door to go make some hot chocolate. Noah knows that his brother, Nate, will make fun of the socks but for the love of chocolate and the possibility that he may invite Jason over tonight, it is worth a bit of teasing.

Making his way into the kitchen and tossing a package of powdered goodness onto the counter Noah rummages around for milk and a saucepan. Ignoring Nate who he spotted as soon as he walked in. An awkward silence fills the kitchen as Noah stares at the saucepan waiting for the milk to heat up. Impatient with the milk Noah puffs up his cheeks and glances at his brother who seems immersed in his phone. "Do you want some?" he asks.

Nate glances up past the shorter boy his eyes lingering on the stovetop, "Yeah. Are you going to be bouncing off the walls tonight with all this sugar because I'm having some friends over tonight and don't want to deal with your shit."

Although a little annoyed with his gruff words Noah's heart jumps thinking that if Nate is inviting people over he is sure to see Jason tonight. "I'm just having a bit to amp myself up for some homework. It's not like I'm going to chug a whole liter like you seem to do."

Nate simply returns his gaze to his phone with a hum and continues to play with his phone. Noah, content with the bit of conversation, grabs two mugs and beings to whisk some powder into his chocolate thinking about Jason, a taller boy who he has known for years. In the past few months, the admiration Noah had for the cooler older boy who always seems to have his brother's approval has turned into something more. An excitement deep in his stomach every time he thinks of the sharp face and dark eyes. Blushing lightly Noah finishes the chocolate drinks and shoves one on the table before grabbing the other and running towards the stairs to his room.

The bit of homework he planned to do soon dissolves into reading a novel on his bed and time quickly passes until he hears a knock at the door downstairs. Although Noah wouldn't call his parents rich they are certainly well off living in a two-story house with a large yard, paired with his parents very rarely caring if things became untidy it is not unusual for their house to be the one that friends will gather at. He can hear voices trickling in and pulls his covers up to his ears. The fact that Nate told him he was having a few friends over and their parents would be home late likely means that there will be a party here tonight. Music begins to beat through the house and Noah sighs to himself closing the book cover and moving to the window. In the summer he likes to go outside and read by the treeline but the white flutters quickly kill that thought.

Biting his lip Noah walks to his door thinking again of the dark eyes that are likely downstairs and the tall body that goes with it. Unlike his own body, Jason has a muscular build that fits perfectly with the tall frame reaching 6'1 at the age of 19. Despite his dislike towards his brother and people in general Noah creeps out of his room and down the stairs to find a group in the living room. Glad to see that at least for now only a small gathering of all familiar faces are sitting around and nobody seems to have anything stronger than caffeine his eyes land on the man sitting next to Nate and his breath catches in his throat. With a small smile, he walks over and perches on the end of the couch next to Jason.

"Hey," he says softly getting a smile in return before the older boy resumes his conversation with the others. His heart patters away as he sits listening to the occasional rumble from the voice next to him and feeling content until one of the girls, a junior like himself with bouncy blond hair and a fake soft voice that he despises comes to squeeze between him and Jason. She turns with her back to Noah and greets Jason. Noah bites his lip again zoning out as he thinks about how obviously he could never confess to Jason when girls like this are throwing themselves at him. It is not long that he lasts listening to her coo over his hidden crush before he suddenly stands up, walking away from the group and rushing towards the stairs.

Just as his foot touches the first stair a warm hand grabs his arm, "Hey Noah, you doing okay? You look a bit out of it." Jason says having rushed after Noah when he took off.

Touched by his concern Noah graces him with a full smile, "Yeah I'm good. Just going to do some revisions and head to bed."

Narrowing his eyes at the younger boy Jason sighs releasing the soft arm and stepping back to allow him to run off. Jason sighs to himself and shakes his head knowing that Nate would kill him if he did anything to his younger brother, plus, Jessica was sitting on the couch sending him a pouting look. He slowly turned back towards the living room and closing his fist to hold the bit of warmth left and was just about to sit back down when he heard a large squeak, a loud thud, and then another more feminine scream.