Instead of January as in the comics/show, what if the form groups changed in September, the start of a new school year, with Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring placed next to each other in form, they become friends.

Before Charlie would have met Ben…

“Settle down, Hamlet house. I have an announcement to make.” Mr Lange called as the pupils in his form room continued chatting around the room.

“I said, settle down!” he shouted again, prompting the boys to shut up.

“Some exciting news for you,” he began with all the enthusiasm of a limp lettuce, “In two weeks, Truham will be hosting the annual Truham-Higgs Christmas Ball.”

The pupils in the room groaned, “Enough of that. All year 11s are required to go, while it’s optional for everyone else.”

“What!”

“Sir, that’s not fair,” cried some of  the year 11 boys in the class.

“I don’t care if it’s fair, it’s happening. Now keep it down until the bell please,” Mr Lange finished.

The Christmas Ball was yet another event that Truham and Higgs schools were jointly organising as a way to encourage socialisation between the boys and girls of each school. The leadership teams of both schools thought that, although their educations were separate, it was important that the students still learn to interact with the opposite sex, in a ‘safe and controlled’ environment.

Mr Lange broke the news in late November, as well as the grumbles and groans of the year 11s being forced to go, some were groaning because they didn’t have someone to go with. 

After the announcement, Nick turned to Charlie and begged him to go along with him, “Please Char, you can’t leave me with Harry and his mates, please.”

Charlie wasn’t able to say no to Nick’s puppy dog eyes, “Urgh, fine, I’ll go, just stop with the eyes you dork,” Charlie teased.

When the bell rang signalling the end of form, the two friends parted and headed to their separate classes for the day.

🎄🕺🎄

In science class, Charlie sat with two of his best friends, Tao and Isaac.

“Hey guys, are you going to this Christmas ball?”

“I don’t really think it’s my scene,” Isaac softly replied.

“Won’t it be all lovey-dovey couples,” Tao grumped.

“N-no, I mean, it could be fun. We could all go together,” Charlie suggested.

“Why?” Tao asked, suspicion in his voice. 

Hanging his head in frustration for a moment, he looked at his friends again to beg, “Please guys, Nick’s asked me to tag along with him and I’m worried he’ll abandon me for all his rugby mates and I don’t want to look all pathetic stuck on my own. Pleeeaaassseee.”

Tai raised an eyebrow at him, while Isaac just replied, “Interesting.”

Continuing with his own puppy dog eyes, Tao eventually relented, “Ok, we’ll come.”

“Yay, thank you,” Charlie cooed.

🎄🕺🎄

When the time came for the Christmas Ball, Nick and Charlie were joined by Tao, Isaac, their friend Elle, and her friends from Higgs, Darcy and Tara. They entered the main school hall at Truham, which had been turned into a magical winter wonderland. Mounds of fake snow were piled up, blue gauze hung from the walls and snowflakes were hanging at different levels from the ceiling above, swaying in the breeze from the open hall doors.

“Wow, it’s not…totally crap,” Elle said as she gazed around the room.

“Yeah, they actually put some effort into it,” Darcy added.

“What do you think Char?” Nick asked his younger friend.

“Char?”

“That, erm, that just slipped out,” Nick blushed.

“I liked it,” Charlie gently teased.

“Well, now I’m never calling you it again,” Nick smiled with his arms crossed over his broad chest.

The friends gathered around a table at the side, positioned to allow a dance floor to take up the centre of the hall. Glancing around the room, Charlie mused, “Everything’s so pretty.”

Staring at Charlie instead of the decorations, Nick breathlessly replied, “Yeah.”

Isaac watched on as his friend was completely oblivious to Nick’s obvious interest in him. He started to formulate a plan, but he’d need some help.

🎄🕺🎄

“So you know what to do,” Isaac asked.

“Well duh,” Darcy mocked.

“Great, let’s go. Good luck.”

Isaac watched as Darcy headed to the table where Nick and Charlie were now sitting alone. They slid into the seat next to Nick and slung an arm around his shoulders.

“Nicholas, my guy, Tara really needs your help, she’s getting some grief off some of the rugby boys,” Darcy lied like a pro.

Groaning, Nick turned to Charlie, “Sorry, do you mind if I go help her?”

“Of course not, go,” Charlie smiled but not enough to bring out his dimples.

“I’ll be right back, I promise,” Nick said, staring slightly too long at Charlie’s face causing the boy to blush.

As soon as Isaac saw Nick leave the table, he headed over to sit on the other side of Charlie.

“Hey, how’s it going?” Isaac asked, out of politeness.

Charlie put his head down on the circular table in front of him, “Why does he have to be so hot, Isaac,” his voice muffled by the tablecloth.

“Oh Charlie,” Isaac said, placing a hand on his shoulders, “come on, let’s get our picture taken with some fake snowballs.”

Charlie looked up and smiled. Isaac knew his friend wouldn’t say no, not when it was so rare he asked for anything from him. Standing up the pair headed to one of the fake snow mounds, set up for pictures to be taken. Isaac made sure to place Charlie just right, on the left of the sculpture.

They posed for a couple of photos when Darcy returned with Nick. He was so distracted by her antics that he didn’t see Charlie and collided into his back.

“Sorry,” both boys said as Charlie turned to see what had hit him.

“Oh would you look at that,” Darcy cooed, pointing above the boys’ heads.

“Is that-“ Nick started, “Mistletoe,” Charlie finished.

“Guess you have to kiss now,” Darcy smiled mischievously.

“What? No, Nick doesn’t have to do that, it’s just a silly tradition,” Charlie babbled before Nick placed his finger on Charlie’s lips to stop him.

“I want to,” was all Nick said, causing Charlie’s eyes to go wide with shock.

Worried he’d said the wrong thing, Nick asked, “Is that- would that be ok?”

Charlie nodded, stunned into silence and not trusting his voice any more. Nick moved his finger and leaned down to replace it with his lips. It was a soft, gentle kiss. But in that moment, it felt like nothing else mattered but them.