Houston Nicholas

**Houston Nicholas** is a Class of 2017 graduate at Webster Community School as he started the series on the fifth episode of season two on Webster and was a recurring character from season two and main character from season three to season four as well as a main character on Whatever It Takes. The big man on campus who's main focus is girls, parties and sports, Houston doesn't think about the little people in life. He may come off as the tool and cocky but if you're in his corner Houston will do whatever it takes to protect you. Houston is best friends with Topher Potter and good friends with Danny Magana, Amber Collins, Macy Gonzalez, Heather Watson, Max Magana, Kenzie Gallagher, Kali Royce, Sam Burge and Garrett Davenport and has a conflict with Dustin Rivers.

## Character History

### Season 2

Houston made his first appearance in **You Keep Me Hangin’ On (1)**, as a sophomore. Houston was assigned to get tutored by Macy Gonzalez. He and Macy got along really good but Macy's friend Miller was jealous of their friendship. Houston ran into his teammate Garrett Davenport at the mall with his crush Chastity Burge and Houston talks about how sexy Chastity's older sister Sam is and it causes drama between them. In **Take Care (1)**, Houston is asked out by Manda Thatcher. However he tells her that he isn't looking for a relationship and they go off to have sex. A few weeks later Manda feels strange and suspects that she may be pregnant. She is scared to tell Houston but she is advised by her best friend Amber Collins to tell him. She eventually does and when they both find out that she's not pregnant Houston realizes that he does want a relationship with her and they start dating. When freshman Max Magana comes out as gay, Houston is one of the students at school who makes fun of him. Max goes into hiding but thanks to his friends he works up the courage to stand up to him.

### Season 3

In **Good For You (2)**, Houston is now a senior and he sees that Macy still isn't over her ex-boyfriend Miller who she broke up with over the summer. Houston tries helping her out to get over him but she only gets more upset and it causes drama between Macy and Miller and his new girlfriend Angel Moon. Houston makes realize that she needs to actually do something to get over him. Macy thanks Houston for being there for her and talks about how much he’s changed. In **How to Love (1)**, Houston tries talking to Danny, who Max’s older brother. However Danny doesn’t really like Houston due to him bullying Max last year. Houston tells Danny it’s something he regrets doing. Danny appreciates him admitting that to him and the boys restart their friendship.

In **Family Portrait (1)**, Houston and Manda are hanging out at his house. As they are talking Houston’s come in and his mother asks Manda if she’s staying for dinner but she tells her that she leave but thanks her. Houston’s father tells his mom that they need to talk in private. Houston is now curious about what they have to talk about. Houston comes home from school to drop off his backpack. Houston calls out for his parents but they don’t answer even though he sees their car in the driveway. He goes upstairs and he overhears his parents talking. Mr. Nicholas is angry with Mrs. Nicholas because he kept a secret away from him. Mrs. Nicholas begs him it to tell Houston because it could crush him and Houston questions how this secret would crush him. Houston invites Manda over his house for support because he’s going to confront his parents. His mom is the only one home so he decides to confront her about this family secret. Mrs. Nicholas reveals to him that Mr. Nicholas isn’t his biological father. Around the time before she became pregnant her and Mr. Nicholas were on a break and she secretly had sex with another man. Houston whole world has been turned upside down and he tells his mother that he needs air.

In **Family Portrait (2)**, Houston has been ignoring his mother since finding out the news. Mrs. Nicholas wants to talk to Houston about it but he’s still ignoring her. She needs angry and demands that he still respects her as she’s he’s mother. Houston questions if he’s even his mother and maybe he might be adopted. She assures him that she’s his birth mother. Houston is talking to Manda at school and she checks up on him. Houston doesn’t want to talk about it but when Manda moves on by gossiping about another student Houston expresses his anger towards his mom. Manda reminds him that people make mistakes but it wasn’t a mistake because if all this didn’t happen, he would be here today. Houston realizes this a sees how horrible he has been to his mom. Houston gets home and he apologizes to his mother. He also tells her that nothing will change between him and his dad. Mrs. Nicholas is happy to hear all of this. Houston asks his mom if she and his dad are okay and she thinks that they’ll get through this. In **Poetic Justice (1)**, Max and Taylor both confront Houston after someone has started cyber bullying Max about being gay. Houston tells them that it wasn’t him. He then apologizes to Max about bullying him last school year. Max accepts him apology but he’s still wonders about the comments. Houston tells him that he shouldn't worry about the comments and he should report the person who threatened to kill him. Max and Taylor are shocked that he's actually changed but Max is happy for the advice Houston gave him.

In **Hold It Against Me (2)**, during class Mr. Gilroy asks Houston about the first amendment. Houston doesn’t know the answer but becomes annoyed when Manda answers the question for him and is right. Manda offers to help Houston study for their history test tomorrow but Houston tells her that he’s already studying with Topher. Houston plays a game of pool with a few of the guys from school including Max. Houston is glad his team won, which disappoints Max because he was trying to prove he could hang with the guys. Mandy sees Houston after the game but he brushes her off and goes home to catch up on some sleep. The next day at school Manda asks Houston if she got the “gift” that he sent her, which is a nude picture of her. Houston is happy about it and apologizes to her for being so harsh towards her. Manda decides to talk to him about it and he reveals to her that he is jealous that she's a smart student in school and he struggles and she tells him how amazing he is and the two of them make up.

In **The Boy Is Mine (2)**, Manda shows up to Houston’s house in the middle of the night. Houston is confused but when Manda tells him that she got into a fight with her parents and asks if she can spend the night. Houston is sure that his parents won’t mind and she happy her boyfriend helped her out. The next morning before school Houston asks Manda why she and her father were arguing. She shares that he believes that she never changed and is the same bad girl she used to be. Houston asks her about her mother and if her father ever hit her. Manda tells him that her father doesn’t abuse her mother however she believes she weak because she never stands up to her father. Houston thinks that Manda needs to have a mature conversation with him but she unsure. After school Houston asks Manda if she thought about what he said. Manda still doesn’t want to talk to her father. Houston tells her she will have to because his parents only let her stay at his house for one night. Manda agrees to talk to him and thanks Houston for helping her realize this.

In **Poker Face(1)**, Houston is one of Heather's friends who start to worry about her since she hasn't been the same since senior year started. Houston along with the rest of the seniors find out that she was raped at Danny's party. In **You Get What You Give (2)**, Houston is helping Topher get ready for a party that he’s throwing to win class president after find out that he’ll be repeating his senior year. Houston is impressed with Topher’s party planning skills. In **Ring the Alarm**, Houston is excited to take Manda to the prom. Things seem to be perfect for them however Manda's ex-boyfriend Daryl shows up to prom with a gun. Daryl tells Manda that she's his girl and that she has to come with him. Houston ends up fighting Daryl and gun goes off. Luckily Daryl is shot but not hurt enough to kill him. Manda is happy that Houston saved her life and they dance the night away. In Never Can Say Goodbye, Manda reveals that she and Houston broke up because Houston will have to repeat his senior year and they don't want to hold each other back. In **Webster Summer Break**, it seems that Houston bounced back as he is seen flirting with Jess Arnold.

### Season 4

In **All In My Head (1)**, Houston has started his second year as a senior. In **99 Problems**, the seniors are in class when Dustin Rivers, comes in. Houston is shocked when Kali Royce shuts Dustin down after he tries to apologize to Jess, who broke up with him last year. He jumps on Kali's side when she reveals to him that Dustin and Jess broke up due to Dustin choosing smoking weed over their relationship. The next day Houston is in math class, as he's kinda annoyed because he didn't get the class last year. Dustin comes into class late. Houston makes a slick comment about the break up. This causes a quick argument between the boys until Ms. Benson tells Dustin to sit down and stop disturbing class. Houston and Topher get to the the cafeteria when they see Jess and Kali, who both are disgusted with the school lunch. Houston offers to drive them to Chipotle. However Kali starts talking about the boy that Jess just met that she has a crush on. Houston, who is feeling Jess asks who he is. Jess tells him that he's a college freshman. Jess and Kali walk off when Topher tells Houston that Jess must not like him he like he likes her. Houston tells Topher that he can get any girl but still is disappointed.

In **For the Girl Who Has Everything**, Houston and Jess are hanging out in the rec room when Houston asks Jess if she wants to play pool with him. Jess declines as she reveals that she's had problems. Houston wants to help however it's about her boyfriend Harry. Harry has been acting weird since Jess told him she was a virgin. Houston tells Jess to go with her gut and Jess thanks Houston before leaving. In **True Colors**, Ms. Roberts has everyone in class doing aptitude tests. Houston is glad as he got that he'll be a basketball player which he says he knew he was made for greatness. In **Somebody to Love**, Jess again wants to ask Houston advice about Harry. She's concerned about Harry because he won't tell her what's going on with him, as he snapped at her earlier that day because he has a bad morning. Houston shares that boys don't express their feelings like girls. Just as Houston is giving Jess advice, Harry sees them and approaches them. Jess introduces Houston to Harry but Harry brushes him off before asking her if she's ready to go. In **Pompeii (2)**, Topher and his new girlfriend Robin Rzewski are hanging out at Houston's house due to Topher's house being a bit chaotic at the moment. Robin calls his house "a nice little shack". Robin gets a text that Mark got into a car accident due to him being drunk and she leaves in a rush. Houston asks if Topher's really going to continue dating Robin despite him not really liking her. Topher only began dating Robin because she lied to a bunch of sophomores that they were dating and he felt bad for her and went along with it. Topher feels like he can't abandon Robin when she needs him.

In **Teenage Dream**, Houston jokes with Jess about her new friendship with Angel. Jess thinks that Angel's a great girl. Houston brings up that she hangs out with Dustin. Jess has moved on from Dustin. She invites Houston to study over her house for their government class. Houston thinks that it's a good idea as he's excited to finally get some alone time with Jess. Houston and Jess are at Jess' house studying however Houston's starting to get a bit overworked from all the studying so they decide to take a break. Jess asks what he wants to do during their break and he brings flirting with her, saying he can think of a few things they can do. Jess hears the doorbell ring and when she answers the door it's Harry. Jess and Harry broke up a few weeks ago so Jess is surprised to see him at the door. He tries apologizing but Jess is hurt because they broke up because he slapped her in the face. Houston realizes that Jess had a black eye a few weeks ago and that he was the reason why. Houston becomes angry when Harry tries greeting him like nothing happened. Jess asks Houston to leave so she can talk with Harry. Houston doesn't think it's a good idea because of what he did to her. Jess still decides to talk to him alone and Houston tells her to be careful. The next day Houston asks Jess how the talk with her ex-boyfriend went. Jess reveals to him that they worked things out and they're back together. Houston is confused because he hurt her but she explains that he said he loves her and he'll never do it again. This makes Houston point out Jess' horrible boyfriend history. This offends Jess who thinks that he's out of his boundaries. Houston says that he's just saying all this to look out for Jess however she doesn't take it that way and walks off. Houston expresses if he hits her again then all hell will break loose.

In **Treat You Better**, Houston is in history class when he calls Angel a nerd due to her being fascinated about their lesson. Jess snaps on him by telling him to be mature for once. Houston notices that she has sunglasses on in class and asks her about them. Mr. Gilroy now notices her glasses and tells her that she has to remove them. When Jess takes them off she has a bruise above her eye. Jess tells Sam and Angel that she got it after her cousin hit her in the eye with a baseball. Houston becomes suspicious that it has something to do with Harry due to Jess' nonchalant attitude towards Sam about the situation. Houston goes over Jess' house and her mother answer the door. When Jess finds out that he's at her house she is confused. Houston asks Jess if Harry hit her again. Mrs. Arnold who has heard what Houston said wants to know who hit Jess. Jess begs Houston not to tell her but Houston give her the chance to tell her or he will do it. Jess finally admits to her mother that Harry hit her. She hugs her mother and tells her that she apologizes for not telling her parents but just didn't know what to do. Mrs. Arnold promises that she and Mr. Arnold will do something about this. Jess is breaking up with Harry when he starts to become aggressive towards her. When he threatens to knock her out, Houston shows up at her house. He tells Harry that he isn't going to do anything to her. When Harry calls Houston "captain save-a-hoe", Houston tells him to leave before things get bad. When Harry finally leaves Jess gives Houston a hug and thanks him. Houston tells her that it was nothing before asking if he should let go. Jess asks if they can hug a bit longer as they Houston continues to comfort her.

In **Hype**, Houston is at his locker when Principal Crosby approaches him to talk. Houston is defensive and says that he didn't do it. Principal Crosby assures him that he isn't in trouble but he wants to talk to him about getting into college after his previous senior year setback. Houston is open to whatever he has to offer however he soon is stumped when Principal Crosby brings up that he's never done an extracurricular activity that wasn't a sport. When he says that colleges are looking for well rounded students Houston decides to be more open to the idea of joining a club but their in the middle of the school year and most of the clubs are full. Principal Crosby suggests he joins the science club, who needs another member. Houston isn't thrilled about the idea but decides to join and says "whatever it takes right". Houston gets to his first science club meeting and he meets the team captain Jordan Piper. Houston notices that she's Devin's little sister which annoys her a bit because she doesn't want to be known as Devin's little sister. Mr. Turner is confused to see Houston in science club. He is open when Houston tells him that Principal Crosby said that he should join the club. Houston meets a girl named Kenzie Gallagher, who is impressed with him and his many accolades at school. Houston thanks Kenzie for for her compliment as they begin their meeting. Houston, Kenzie and Jordan are showing off a science experiment that they made during the talent show. Houston catches Jordan and Kenzie talking in the audience and asks if their ready to go up on stage. Jordan decides to go sit with her boyfriend leaving Houston alone with Kenzie. Kenzie asks Houston if he has a girlfriend and he says not at the moment. Kenzie uses this moment to ask Houston to hang out sometime and Houston is stunned. Kenzie explains she's never had a boyfriend before and thought he liked her. Houston lets her down easy sharing that he already likes some else but he tells her that she'll find a little niner boyfriend to which Kenzie corrects him that she's a sophomore.

## Trivia

* He is the third African American on the series.
* He doesn’t know the current identity of his birth father.
* Houston, along with Topher is the first person to repeat a grade.
* Houston and Manda both became better people after dating.
* He is the second character to have their first line as a recurring character on the fifth episode.
* He is the second character to start off recurring before being in the main cast.
* Houston is the first main character to be arrested.

## Relationships

Main article: Manda-Houston Relationship

* Manda Thatcher
	+ Start Up: Take Care (2) (213)
	+ Break Up: Before Never Can Say Goodbye (324)
		- Reason: Manda was going to university and Houston was staying at Webster and they didn’t want to hold each other back.

Main article: Houston-Jess Relationship

* Jess Nicholas
	+ Start Up: My Prerogative (415)