Jeremy awoke to discomfort. He was having difficulty breathing as his eyes fluttered open. Only to find that he had his face buried in the red hoodie in front of him, his hands clinging tightly to it. He took a deep breath after detaching himself from the fabric and stretching.

It took a while for his brain to click into motion, - a common experience he felt after exhaustion - but when he came to, he felt the heat rise to his face as he realized what - or WHO - he had been clinging to. He sat up quickly, accidentally elbowing the boy beside him, causing him to fall onto the floor.

"Jeremy? What the hell, dude?" a sleepy Michael protested.

"Ahh, s-sorry, Michael!" Jeremy apologized hurriedly. "I was just startled since... I mean I didn't realize-!" Michael squinted as he put his glasses back on and laughed when he saw Jeremy. He was turning a deep shade of red.

"Nah, I'm fine. No worries, Jere," Michael assured Jeremy, causing his friend to settle down slightly. "But, uh, for how tired you were last night, you sure did use a strong grip." He was chuckling as he rubbed his shoulders lightly.

Jeremy bit his lip slightly, and Michael grinned at him, recognizing this as a sign that his friend was feeling guilty. He sat down next to him and grabbed him in a headlock.

"You know what you need?" Michael asked as he laid his head on Jeremy's shoulder. Jeremy sent Michael a confused glance, and he laughed in response. "A day off. How 'bout we go out together to the arcade? They added a new game and I need a player two," he replied winking.

Jeremy giggled. "Okay, I think I'd like that," he said, standing up to stretch before falling back down, clutching his head.

"Whoa," Michael exclaimed, catching him. "You okay there, Jere?"

"I'm fine, just... Major head-rush suddenly," he responded.

Michael chuckled a little as he stood up and kneeled in front of Jeremy, his back facing Jeremy's legs. "Need a lift?"

Jeremy blushed tiredly as he allowed Michael to hoist him up in a piggyback ride. But Michael didn't move, a grin growing on his face as ideas circulated in his head.

"Please insert one kiss to start the ride," he teased, waiting for a response.

"M-Michael!" Jeremy protested, his face hot from embarrassment.

"Just kidding, you don't have-" Michael stopped when he felt a small bump on his head. "No way, Jere, did you just?"

"Th-that's all you get, okay?" Jeremy held his hand over his mouth, unable to say anymore.

"Payment received," Michael said, laughing. Jeremy smiled despite himself. He liked Michael's laugh.

The pair got some strange glances as they made their way down the street, but Michael talked the whole way, and Jeremy couldn't help but think Michael did it for his sake. He felt the urge to bury his face in Michael's back again, but instead he rested his chin on his shoulder, sighing contentedly.

They went into a couple shops first (where Michael was asked by an embarrassed Jeremy to put him down), since Michael saw some badges he liked, but then they headed to the arcade, hand in hand.

They were across the street from the arcade when they heard a voice from behind them. "Jeremy...?"

Jeremy's heart dropped. He slowly turned to see Christine looking at him, a mixture of confusion and discomfort in her eyes when she saw his hand in Michael's.

Jeremy tensed, and he loosened his hold on Michael's hand, but Michael kept a comforting grip, letting Jeremy know he wasn't going anywhere. "H-hey Christine, what brings you here?" Jeremy started, taking a deep breath.

"I'm in town with my parents to buy some set materials for a play I'll be in this summer. What about you?" Christine responded. "You all seem to have been awfully close since yesterday..." She frowned a bit, her fears growing slightly once again.

"C-Christine, I need to talk to you," Jeremy continued. "P-please don't interrupt me this time. I need you to understand..."

Christine could feel her heartbeat in her ears, but she gave a quick nod. "O-okay, what's wrong, Jeremy?"

"I really did love you, I promise I did."

"You say 'did'... You don't anymore? A-are you leaving me? I thought... This time was different... I thought...
D-did I do something? I d-didn't mean to-!" She suddenly felt it hard to breathe.

"Christine wait-!"

Christine had a crazed expression on her face as she cut in. "No, no I see how it is, Jeremy. You're leaving me for Michael? I didn't take you as that type of person, but..." A tear slipped down her cheek as she turned away, her arm reaching up to wipe it away. "I have to go," she said quietly, her voice quivering.

"Christine, wait, please!" Jeremy called out desperately as he grabbed hold of one of her arms.

"Get away from me!" she yelled shakily, yanking her arm away, but her voice caught, and she turned around. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to yell- I- I have to go-!" She took off running, and Jeremy felt his knees crumble.

Michael caught Jeremy and held him close, running his fingers through his hair and wrapping him in comforting words as Jeremy began to sob.
_________

Oh God.... THIS WAS ANGSTY AS HELL AND IT HURT MY HEART TO WRITE, JESUS.

Admin May here :') (Heere. Hehe. Okay anyways) uhhhhh. All I have to say is uh. Sorry? BUT MIGHT I SAY THAT BECCA STARTED THE ANGST SO.

Aw geez. I'm gonna go cry now.

-May