Nicotine, That's What You Are.

Chapter One

 It was the summer that the two of them were six years old. They were inseparable ever since they could see each other. "Jackie!" Charles happily screamed as he tackled his best friend with a hug. "Charlie!" The brunette squeaked back to him as they fell on the grass in a fit of giggles. 

"I missed you!" "I missed you too!" They were happy, and carefree as two young boys could be. They were in Jacks backyard, which wasn't much compared to Charles' since his grandma had a whole playset. It wasn't that big of an issue since the two had fun no matter the place or what toys. All they needed were each other.

They started chasing after each other in the yard, playing tag. The younger boy tripped on himself, losing the game when Charles tagged him. "Aaaahh! Noooo!" He whined a bit before giggling and getting up. He hugged the blonde, who happily hugged him back. They were enjoying the moment before Jack ended up licking the entire side of his face and running off in a fit of giggles. "Jaaackiiie! That was nastyyyy!!" "I'll do it again if you touch meeee!" 

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It was a few years later now, Jacks mom was still really good friends with Charles's grandma and they were going to spend the entire week together on a camping trip with Jacks dad. "Alright, boys. You ready for some adventure?" Jack grabbed onto the blondes hand and nodded aggressively. "Yes yes yes! I wanna learn how to make a campfire!" He was bouncing on his heels, squealing happily. The other boy nodded with him, lifting both his hands in the air; taking Jacks hand with his. "I wanna fight a bear!" When Jackson heard this, his eyes were wide with wonder and he started to nod. "Me too! Me too!" The brunettes dad laughed, rubbing their heads. "Now now, boys. Well, Charles. We aren't fighting any bears." Both boys let out a whine of complaint and dropped their arms. "I will teach you how to fish and pitch a tent, though." He said with a smile towards the two, hoping it would satisfy their antics.

"Oh, I guess that works.." "Fish are cool, Charlie!" "You're right, they are." Both boys turned to each other with big smiles on their faces, hugging each other for a second before running to grab their things. "Be right back, Dad!" 

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Now, it was the last year of middle school, the two boys were at their last dance in the horrible mess of hormones packed into a building. "Jack?" "Hmm?" The brunette looked over, brown eyes glazed over a bit from being tired. "Jack, we'll be friends for high school, right?" A smile came onto the brunettes face as he wrapped an arm around his friend, who was getting taller than him already. "Charlie, Charlie, Charlie. We'll be friends for life, dude. I know it." Jack laughed out, smiling up at him. "Man, I'm glad then. Nobody else would fit by my side." Dim lighting kept the now dirty blonde from seeing his blush as Jack looked at the floor. "I couldn't imagine life without you, Charlie." "Really?" Charles was flattered and happy that the other appreciated their friendship so much.

"Pfft. Of course. You're my best friend, dude. And you have way too much blackmail on me." Charles grinned at him evilly. "If you stopped being my friend, I'd have to blackmail you back into being my friend, Jackie." Jackson laughed and shook his head. "No, you wouldn't. You're too good of a person. I know that much is true, Charles." The blonde had expected a joke back, looking a little shocked. "U-uhm.. thanks." "I love you, Charlie." "..You too, Jackie." "That's gay." The both of them started to laugh then, enjoying the rest of the day with hanging out.

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"First year of high school, Charlie! You ready?" "I was BORN ready!" The dirty blonde yelled out, his grandma yelling at him in the background to shut up. Jack laughed as he held his phone to his face while he was getting ready for school. "I love that you match my energy so well, Charlie. I feel the same way. I WAS BORN FOR THIIIIS!!" He screeched, nobody in the background yelling at him since his mom wasn't home. 

Jackson's dad had ended up in the hospital a little after that dance, overworking and improper diet had driven him to have heart problems. He got medicine for it but it make him get really sick and now he was almost always left alone in the house. It worried his mother and.. She couldn't even look at Jack since he was a spitting image of his father in his face. "...Mom's still not talking to me."

Charles paused on getting his things ready and spoke to Jack quietly. "..Jack. It'll be okay. Remember. I'm always here for you.." "...I know. But.. She.. Sh-she doesn't even look at me anymore." "..Hey. I always see you, Jack. Always." "...Thanks, Charlie. I-I don't know what I'd do without you." The brunette was sniffling, having started to cry. "You'd be bored out of your mind, dude. I love you. Now hurry your ass up. My grandma said she'll drive us to school today." Jack laughed and pulled on his backpack. "Okay, thanks." "The only thank you I need is you saying I love you too, Jack." "I love you too, dumbass." "I heard your eyeroll, fucker." "You know I love you, Charlie." "And I love you too, Stupid." 

When Charles hung up on him before he could respond, Jack calmed down before getting into a fit of giggles and finished gathering his things for school. But he slowed down as he started to think. In all honesty, he had been thinking of Charlie a lot more lately. Ever since that dance.. He had been having weird ideas. Like, what if he kissed him? Would Charles hate him? Honestly, he missed having sleepovers. They stopped happening a little after elementary school. Maybe, they should hang out after school this weekend and have a sleepover. 

Deep in thought while he walked out of the house, he jumped from being startled by Charles screaming at him from his grandmas car. "JACKIE! GET YOUR ASS IN HERE!" "SHUT YOUR DUMB ASS UP, BOY!" His grandma slapped the back of his head, shaking her head as the dirty blonde laughed. Giggling, Jack went into the back with his best friend and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. Charles now towered over him. The brunette was only five foot three inches but Charles was almost six foot by now. It didn't bother him, but he didn't like it when Charles teased him about it.

"So, Charles. What's the game plan for today?" "Hmmm, simple. Avoid everyone and try not to cause any trouble." "Sounds great." Charles nodded and smiled over at Jack. "I am terrified of people." Acting, Jack dropped his jaw. "Holy fucking shit, dude. Me too." They both gasped before laughing. Charles rested his chin on the others shoulder, looking at him. "....I'm glad I have you. I wouldn't be lonely since I hate people.. But you make my life feel a lot better." "...Hey. Me too, Charlie." The two smiled at each other, having a touching moment before Jack shoved him away. "Okay! Don't be so close! That's gay!" The dirty blonde was confused on why he pushed him away since the other boys face didn't usually go red when he blushed. "Oh, uh. Okay?" He laughed.

Talking about the most random shit on the way to school, it took only around half an hour to get to the dreaded building that was their few years of school left. "Oh god. There it is." "In all it's glory." They looked at each other, looking worried about it. Jack smiled, putting his hand on the others shoulder. "At least we have each other for this. Right?" Charles smiled back, comforted. "Yeah." 

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