"Jeremy..."

Jeremy continued to laugh, ignoring my irritated tone. He had been laughing for the last minute straight, and while at first it was acceptable, now he was just over-doing it. A scowl slipped on my face as I fought the urge to punch the blonde man.

Finally enough was enough and I swiftly brought a clenched fist to his shoulder as hard as I could. Jeremy winced, his laughter ceasing immediately. He looked at me with a frown, rubbing his shoulder.

"Ow. What was that for?"

"For laughing so much! It's not that funny!"

A smirk appeared on Jeremy's face, and it looked like he was holding in more laughter. I narrowed my eyes at him threateningly.

"First, if you're trying to look threateningly, it isn't working," he responded, his smirk growing wider. "You look cute. Like an angry kitten. Second, it is funny. Holly, your confession was so you."

"How is it so me?" I asked, fighting the blush that was trying to appear on my face. "It was an accident! Only idiots blurt out confessions like that..."

"Well..."

"If you're going to say I'm an idiot, I already know," I snapped at Jeremy. "Only I could ruin something as important as that."

Jeremy sighed. "I wasn't going to say that."

"But it's true!"

"Holly, you didn't ruin it," Jeremy told me, reaching over and squeezing my leg hard. "Trust me."

I winced in pain, immediately trying to pull his hand off me. "Ow!"

Jeremy let go immediately, giving me a sheepish grin. "Ah, sorry. But like I said, you didn't ruin it."

"How is that not ruining it? I didn't mean to say it!"

"That's precisely why you didn't ruin it," Jeremy told me, a grin spreading across his face. "It's so you, Holly."

"Is that supposed to be a diss?" I asked, frowning at him.

"Not at all! Holly, it's cute, and probably not what Chris was expecting, which just makes it better. I'm sure he had a hard time trying to control himself after that. The only thing that I can think of that could have made it better, would be you crying in embarrassment afterwards, which I could see you doing," Jeremy told me, a brief laugh leaving his lips.

A blush made its way onto my face, and I looked at the ground. Jeremy knew me too well. "Haha, yeah..."

"You did, didn't you?"

My gaze shifted to Jeremy and I narrowed my eyes. "No."

"You so did!" Jeremy cried, his eyes twinkling in amusement. "Your face tells it all! Oh, Holly, you're too funny."

I glared at him. "How am I funny? What was I supposed to do? Laugh because I just ruined my chances of a movie confession? I-"

Jeremy put his hand over my mouth, silencing me. "Holly, trust me, your confession was way more better than any movie confession. There's nothing to be upset over. I'm sure Chris loves how you did it your own way...well sort of. You did it your own way by accident."

Pulling Jeremy's hand away, I shook my head. "No. That's why he wants me to confess again."

"No, he wants you to confess again so he doesn't feel like a pedophile when he accepts it," Jeremy assured me. "Why do you doubt yourself so much?"

My eyes widened in surprise as I stared at Jeremy. Doubt myself? Did I doubt myself? My conscious said I did. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. Why did I doubt myself? Suddenly, a list of reasons ran through my mind.

"I'm always a damsel in distress, I cry easily, I'm clumsy, I-"

"Holly, you're listing all the good things about you," Jeremy cut me off before I could continue.

"How are those good?"

Jeremy smiled mischievously. "They just are."

"Because I'm-"

Without any warning, Jeremy slapped his hands to my cheeks. Hard. The sound seemed to echo as my cheeks burned from his hit. I stared at him in shock while he looked back with hard eyes.

"Holly Evers," he started in a serious voice. "Stop doubting yourself! It's not an attractive trait. I'm going to tell you what I told Chris; while you doubt yourself, Chris probably doubts himself as well. If you have doubts, go to him, and while you're there make sure you tell him what you like about him and have him tell you his doubts. You two will get no where if you both have attitudes like this!"

Mr. Heywood had doubts too? What was that supposed to mean? And Jeremy and Mr. Heywood talked about me? I tried to respond, but Jeremy's hands muffled my voice. Jeremy shook his head at me, putting my pressure on my cheeks.

"I'm not done. Since I said I've said this to Chris before, think back to anytime where Chris might have mentioned something about you. Or said something about your personality," he commanded, his green eyes piercing into mine.

For a moment I was entranced by their color, but I quickly snapped out of it when they narrowed. Mr. Heywood had never said he liked something about me, had he? I wracked my memories. Any time...

My eyes widened in realization. The other night, when he had been describing the differences in my personality from the other Holly! But no, those couldn't be the things he liked about me. They were all hassling traits no one liked...

"From your face, I do believe you've thought of something," Jeremy commented, pulling his hands away. "Tell me."

"Well the other night he was telling me how different I was from the other Holly... and he mentioned how I cry easily, get embarrassed easily, are clumsy, and all those other things."

"Aha!"

"But those are- Don't hurt me!" I cried, covering my face as Jeremy raised his hands was again.

"Here you go with the doubt again."

"Jeremy, you just don't understand a girl's heart," I pointed out. "It's a stew of emotions."

"If you really doubt yourself, talk to Chris," Jeremy told me. "All those traits you think are so bad are actually really endearing, trust me."

Hearing Jeremy tell me that over and over again began to have its' affect on me. It made me believe his words. That those traits really were endearing, and part of what Mr. Heywood liked about me. As stupid as they seemed. A small smile spread to my face, and it ended up spreading to Jeremy's face as well.

"See? It's better when you think of it this way."

"He never responded to my confession though," I told him. "He just told me to tell him again. He could reject me still."

Jeremy laughed, rolling his eyes. "Oh, please, Holly. Do you really believe that?"

"Well, you never know..."

Suddenly Jeremy's eyes lit up. "Holly, I have the greatest idea."

"Should I be afraid?"

"Nope. I think you'll like it."

"Let's hear it then," I told him, now intrigued.

"So Chris asked you to re-confess right?" Jeremy started, looking eager. "So he's probably expecting you to confess on your birthday."

"Which I am..."

"Well don't!"

I looked at Jeremy in surprise. Wasn't he always the one trying to get Mr. Heywood and I together? Why the sudden change in attitude? "Why?"

"Make him confess to you," Jeremy said, a smirk appearing on his face.

I stared at him while his words sank in. Make Mr. Heywood confess to me? I found it highly doubtful that even if Mr. Heywood had feelings for me, he'd confess before I did a second time. He probably was expecting me to confess again on my birthday too...

Jeremy looked at me meaningfully while I debated. It would save me the trouble of trying to think of a way to confess a second time. It was pretty unfair that I'd have to confess twice. It was his turn to confess. And even if Mr. Heywood didn't, I could still afterwards. I waited three months to tell him I loved him the first time, I could wait a week or two more to say it again. A smirk slowly spread onto my lips.

"I take it you like the idea?" Jeremy asked.

I nodded. "I think it's fair. After all, who asks a person to confess a second time? It's so embarrassing."

"If he doesn't confess in a few weeks, are you going to again?"

I blushed slightly, looking down at the floor. "Um, well... yes..."

Jeremy laughed, and I felt him messing with my hair. "I'm brilliant, aren't I?"

I grabbed Jeremy's hand form my head and pulled it away, but didn't let go. Jeremy looked at me curiously. I cleared my throat, suddenly feeling embarrassed.

"Um, I just wanted to say... thank you," I said quickly, squeezing his hand. "Jeremy, you are really good at voicing my doubts and making me feel better. You know me too well, actually. But it's a good thing, I guess. So thank you."

"Silly girl," Jeremy responded, pulling his hand free of my hand so he could be the one holding onto it. "There's no need to thank me. I make you feel better because I want to."

"And thank you for helping out with my situation with Mr. Heywood," I added as an after thought.

"I do that because I want to too. Chris is my best friend, so when I found out he had an interest in you I made it my duty to make sure things worked out," Jeremy responded. "It was just surprising that he brought a girl who looked exactly like my cousin back."

An image of Holly Pierce flashed through my mind. And then what Shawn had said. A frown appeared on my face. Could it have been that Holly hadn't been mugged, but attacked by Shawn? From Shawn's words, that's what I concluded, but Mr. Heywood had said Holly didn't recognize her assailants. It didn't make any sense.

I wanted to talk to her. No, I had to talk to the other Holly. I wanted to know the truth. Butterflies erupted in my stomach, and I shifted uncomfortably. For some reason, I didn't like the thought of going to see Holly...

"Holly, are you doubting again?"

Breaking out of my reverie, I looked up at Jeremy in surprise. "No, why?"

"You have that look to your face. What are you thinking about?"

"Um, nothing..."

"Don't lie."

"Really, it's nothing," I assured him.

"Guess we'll have to do this the hard way," Jeremy said with a sigh, sitting up.

Before I knew what was happening, I was on my back with Jeremy above me. With wide eyes, I stared at his face, which was only a few inches from mine. He smirked.

"What are you-"

Before I could finish my sentence, I felt Jeremy's hands at my sides, tickling me. My eyes shot open even more as I inhaled sharply, exhaling with a laugh. I squirmed underneath him, trying to throw him off.

"Jeremy! Jeremy, haha, stop it! Stop!"

"Tell me what you were thinking about!" Jeremy responded, the grin on his face growing wider. "Chris might not force answers out of you, but I will. By means of tickling."

"Please," I begged, running out of breath quickly. "Stop it! Please!"

"Nope."

Suddenly I heard the sound of a door opening, and both Jeremy's gaze and mine snapped to Mr. Heywood's room. Mr. Heywood came staggering out, heading towards Jeremy and I.

"Mr. Heywood!" I called, relief in my voice. "Help me! Jeremy is..." I trailed off as Mr. Heywood ignored me, walking into the bathroom.

Jeremy glanced at me in confusion, and I returned his look with the same expression. A few moments later Mr. Heywood reappeared, shuffling back to his room, not sparing us a glance. The door shut behind him.

"That was..."

"Weird," I finished for Jeremy, still staring at Mr. Heywood's door.

"Oh well. Let's finish shall we?"

"No!" I protested, attempting to shove him again. "Jeremy! This is sexual harassment!"

"No it's not."

"It's close enough."

"Too bad."

Once again his hands were at my sides, tickling me into insanity. I couldn't tell him that Shawn might have attacked Holly though! I didn't want Mr. Heywood finding out. And now I knew Jeremy told Mr. Heywood everything.

"Jeremy," I panted, swatting at his hands fruitlessly. "Please!"

"You don't have to say 'please'..."

Once again there was the sound of the door opening, but this time Jeremy didn't stop tickling me. I continued to try to push him off, feeling dizzy from not being able to breathe. I was really glad I wasn't Jeremy's sister. Those poor girls...

"What are you two doing?"

My eyes snapped to Mr. Heywood, who was hovering above Jeremy and I, a frown etched into his face. Immediately Jeremy pulled off of me, giving Mr. Heywood a sheepish look. "Holly is lying again."

"I'm not!" I protested, glaring at Jeremy. "You're sexually harassing me!"

"Jeremy don't touch-" Mr. Heywood was interrupted by his own coughing fit. He swayed slightly and Jeremy quickly hopped off the couch to steady him.

"Careful," he said, holding on to Mr. Heywood's shoulders.

"This is so annoying," Mr. Heywood muttered, irritation dripping in his tone. He pushed Jeremy away from him and steadied himself. "I never get sick."

"Well maybe you shouldn't run around in the rain for three hours," Jeremy said with a laugh.

"It was important," Mr. Heywood said, his gaze locking with mine.

My face immediately fired up. The image of Mr. Heywood and I kissing entered my mind, and I frantically tried to force it away. I couldn't face him if I was thinking about that!

"Wait... Jeremy? What are you doing here?" Mr. Heywood asked, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

Jeremy and I glanced at each other with blank expressions. Then we both burst out laughing.

"Chris, you should get sick more often," Jeremy said, slapping Mr. Heywood on the back.

Mr. Heywood staggered forwards, collapsing over the couch. He groaned, putting a hand to his forehead. "Tylenol... I need Tylenol," he said, his eyes piercing into mine again. "Holly, can you...? Please."

He said please again! "Yeah!" I told him, hopping off the couch.

I glanced back down at Mr. Heywood and fought the urge to laugh and aw. He hadn't even bothered to fix himself after falling onto the couch, so he was half off it and half on it. Jeremy was right. Mr. Heywood should get sick more often. It was really entertaining.

When I returned back to the living room, Mr. Heywood was asleep on Jeremy's shoulder. A grin spread across my face as I took in the scene before me. Jeremy looked at me and noticed I was watching him. He blushed slightly, turning his eyes away from me.

"Whatever you're thinking, don't say it," he warned.

"But you two are so cute," I responded with a small giggle. "Mr. Heywood is so adorable when he's sick... it's a nice break from his usual attitude."

"Should we wake him up?" Jeremy asked, prodding the side of Mr. Heywood's head.

I shook my head immediately. "No! This is too cute."

Jeremy rolled his eyes at me. "Holly, I'm not going to sit here while he sleeps on my shoulder all night."

"Technically it's the afternoon."

"Holly, I know you know what I mean."

I pursed my lips at Jeremy for a moment, and then sighed. "Fine, he has to take his Tylenol anyway."

Jeremy began to shake Mr. Heywood awake violently. As I watched, I made a promise to myself never to fall asleep around Jeremy. If I did, I'd probably wake up with a broken neck. Just as I was about to tell Jeremy to be careful, Mr. Heywood's eyes snapped open and he swung a fist towards Jeremy. Jeremy leaned backwards just in time to avoid being hit.

"Cranky," Jeremy teased, mussing with Mr. Heywood's hair.

"I feel like shit."

"Here," I said, handing Mr. Heywood the cup of water and then the Tylenol.

Mr. Heywood took it without thanks and quickly proceeded to swallow the pills. He sighed, slumping forwards. "Ugh..."

I watched Mr. Heywood nervously. What was wrong with him? A cold? The flu? He was only out for three hours... Guilt suddenly spread through me again. If I hadn't been such a child, Mr. Heywood wouldn't be sick...

"Holly," Mr. Heywood said in a warning tone. "Stop thinking it's your fault I'm sick."

Jeremy looked at me in surprise, my expression masking his. I then turned to Mr. Heywood, blinking at him. "H-how did you know I was thinking that?"

"You're easy to read."

"Or maybe you pay too much attention," Jeremy interjected. "I mean, yeah, Holly is wicked easy to read, no offense, but that's..."

"Forget it," I snapped, feeling my face grow hot. "Let's not talk about me. Let's... watch the news."

I quickly grabbed the remote for the T.V and forced myself between Mr. Heywood and Jeremy on the couch. Hitting the power button, I turned my full attention to the T.V as it came on. The news was on. Just as I was about to change it, Mr. Heywood's hand suddenly appeared on mine, holding it still. I looked at him curiously, but his attention was focused on the television.

"Mr. Heywood?"

"Shh, listen," he ordered, never taking his eyes off the T.V.

Furrowing my eyebrows in confusion, I turned back to the television. A news reporter was talking, but I couldn't quite make out what she was saying. Mr. Heywood took the remote from me and turned up the volume, his mouth pressed in a straight line.

"Dan Daley, twenty four, has been convicted of assault and attempted murder to a minor. The incident occurred just last week, after a seventeen-year-old teenager was assaulted in a back alley after his work shift. The teenager survived two bullets to the chest and multiple hits to the body. Daley has been sentenced to jail-"

An image of Dan appeared on the television and I gasped, my eyes widening in surprise. It was the man who I had punched so long ago at the fair! He was the man who had shot Lance? And they caught him? I turned to Mr. Heywood, who was still watching the television, a smug smirk playing at his lips.

"This will show them," he commented, quickly glancing at me.

"Dan, huh," Jeremy commented, watching the T.V thoughtfully. "I never liked him. He was always so cocky... sort of like someone else I know." He looked at Mr. Heywood meaningfully.

Mr. Heywood glared at Jeremy and opened his mouth to reply, but instead of any words, he sneezed. Directly into my face.

"Ew!" I cried, shoving myself backwards and into Jeremy. "Mr. Heywood, what the heck!"

Jeremy burst out laughing as I wiped my face with my sleeve, making a face in disgust. No matter how much I liked Mr. Heywood, I didn't want his germs all over my face.

"Sorry, Holly," Mr. Heywood apologized, a smirk of amusement on his face.

I glared at him. How could I take him seriously when he was smirking like that? Mr. Heywood's smirk grew and he laughed, which abruptly turned into a cough. My glare ceased and I looked at him in concern.

"Mr. Heywood, do you think you should go to the doctor's?"

"No," he responded immediately.

"Chris doesn't like the doctor's," Jeremy informed me, grinning in amusement. "I doubt he's been to one since the last time I forced him there."

"You don't like the doctor's?" I asked, looking at Mr. Heywood in surprise. "Why not?"

"Never mind. Shut up and watch the television, you're making my headache worse," Mr. Heywood snapped, turning away from me.

Instead of feeling insulted, I became curious. There had to be a reason why he didn't want me to tell why he hated the doctor's. However, for the time I'd let him be since he was sick. So I did as he suggested and turned back to the television. The case had changed, and there was no more information about Dan. I'd have to tell Lance the next time I saw him...

Thirty minutes Jeremy was slumped against me, asleep. Mr. Heywood glanced over at us with a frown. I returned his look with a sheepish grin, but immediately looked away, a blush spreading across my face. What was I doing? Couldn't I even look at Mr. Heywood when he was near without blushing? It didn't help that he looked incredibly adorable with his messy hair... I shook my head. I needed to break my blushing habit.

Suddenly I felt something against my lap and I looked down to see Mr. Heywood's head there. My face heated up ten-fold as I stared back up at me, unfazed.

"W-what are you doing?" I stammered.

"Resting," he responded simply.

"Why on my lap though?"

"Jeremy is using you as a pillow."

"B-but that's..."

"I'm using you as a pillow whether you like it or not," Mr. Heywood told me. "I'm sick, so just this once..."

I turned my face away from him, growing more embarrassed. "N-no... It's fine. I don't mind."

"Good."

"And... I don't mind if you want to do it again in the future."

Mr. Heywood stayed quiet, and I couldn't bring myself to look at him. Why had I said something so embarrassing? You could probably fry an egg on my face now!

Finally Mr. Heywood chuckled. "I'll keep that in mind. Now I'm going to sleep for awhile."

Well, since I was embarrassing myself already... I swallowed nervously, looking back down at Mr. Heywood. "Wait. I have a, um, question first."

Mr. Heywood raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"It's about the... the... um, the kiss," I said quietly.

"Kiss?" Mr. Heywood echoed.

"Yeah. Awhile ago-"

"Oh, you mean in the classroom a few months ago?" Mr. Heywood said, realization washing over his face.

I stared at Mr. Heywood incredulously. Did he not remember kissing me the other night? Was he just teasing me again? No, he looked completely serious. I blinked in comprehension. He was fever dreaming, wasn't he? But wait, if he was dreaming, did that mean he was dreaming about me?

"That was just so you wouldn't refuse to help me after school," Mr. Heywood continued, oblivious to my furiously blushing face. "In retrospect, it was pretty selfish of me to do that... I'm sorry."

"Don't be!" I said quickly. "It's alright. If you hadn't forced me to stay with you, we wouldn't be where we are today..."

Mr. Heywood smiled at me. "True."

"Um, anyway, you should rest," I said, looking away as embarrassment got the best of me yet again.

"Okay," Mr. Heywood responded with another chuckle.

After a few minutes of silence, I looked down at my lap to find Mr. Heywood's eyes closed. I gently prodded his cheek to see if he was still awake. When no response came, I figured he was out. Glancing at Jeremy to make sure he was still asleep, I brought my face down to Mr. Heywood's.

"Sleep well," I whispered, pressing my lips to his forehead.

Immediately I shot back up, surprised at my own boldness. I focused my attention on the television so I wouldn't think about the man resting on my lap. It was a hard feat to do. But soon I was over come by tiredness, so I closed my eyes, leaning my head back against the sofa. Within minutes, I too was asleep.

______________________________________

So a lot of people asked for some Jeremy in this chapter, so here you go! I love Jeremy. He's one of my favorite characters. Though I should say all of them are haha. Sooo... I think you should vote for Jeremy ;D and because of the ChrisxHolly scene ;D

So the next chapter will have some plot in it, but the action still is taking a break. I bet you can figure out why. [Coughnewscough]. :]

And it's been awhile, but I just wanted to thank EVERY SINGLE READER for reading this :D It means a lot! Thank you to everyone who sends me messages and votes and makes me banners! You guys make me happier than a bird with a french fry! So thank you! And I love you all~ :D Also, you can vote for Harley Allen (BMIL) as Best Female Character in the Watty Awards now! :D

The picture today is an awesome drawing of Chris and Holly by Sarah Kumiega!

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