Player 3?

Chapter 6 : Ignoring Jeremy

Chapter 6

The next day...  

Kaye POV

Jeremy seemed weird today. Maybe he's not even being weird because I don't really know him that well, but he seemed different than he's been. Maybe he's just in love with Christine.

We walked to study hall together.

"How was play rehearsal yesterday?" I asked.

"Well... Uh... It was ok. But I know today will be better."

"Did you talk to Christine?"

"Sort of..."

"How'd it go?"

"Well we don't really know each other yet. So nothing really happened."

"Oh..."

"It'll be better today. I know it will."

"Ok."

"So are you caught up in all our classes yet?"

"Yeah, basically. I'm kind of stressing out about the history test tomorrow. There's so many dates and names to remember. Are you coming over Michael's today to help me study and help Michael with his homework?"

"No. I have play rehearsal."

"I know that. But after that?"

"Maybe. But Michael is still grounded, so I might only be able to help you study."

"Ok, well let me know."

"I will. I could help you study now if you want."

"How do you remember all the names and dates?"

"I just go over them a bunch."

I took out my history notes and Jeremy took out his.

Later...

Kaye POV

Jeremy skipped lunch to go hang out with Christine in study hall, so me and Michael had lunch together instead. I didn't even see Jeremy after class. He didn't go to his locker. He went straight to play rehearsal. So Michael and I just went home.

"Does Jeremy seem weird to you today? I know you barely saw him, but still. I felt like he was weird," I said, getting out of his car.

"Yeah um... I need to tell you something."

I followed him upstairs to his bedroom and we both sat down on his bed.

"Uh... So Jeremy went to Payless yesterday," he said, fidgeting with his hands.

I don't like that he seems anxious to tell me this.

"He uh... He bought something...?" Michael said, looking at the floor.

"Ok, what did he buy? Shoes?"

"No. Uh..."

"Why are you so anxious to tell me?"

"Because it's just... it might not be good. Or... legal?"

"What!?"

"He bought this thing called a squip. And it's a pill-"

"He's doing drugs!?"

"Shhh! No! It's not drugs! It's like this computer thing that implants in your brain and it... well I'm not sure exactly what it does. But I guess Rich told him that he got one and it helped him to be one of the cool guys at school."

"Wait. So Rich has one too?"

"Yeah."

"And this might be illegal?"

"I'm not sure. It's like... not on the internet. It's from Japan."

"So he just took this pill, that might not even be legal, or safe!?"

"Yeah...?"

"What was he thinking!?"

"He was thinking that he's in love with Christine and he wants a girlfriend. And Rich has one and he seems fine."

"Do you know how dangerous that could be?"

"I guess, but he seems fine. He's just acting a little different."

"I can't believe he did that."

"Well we'll just have to wait and see what happens."

I sighed. This just doesn't seem good.

"Can you help me with my math homework?"

"Yeah. But after I help you, I need you to help me study for my history test. Jeremy helped me study earlier, but I think I need to study more."

"Ok. I'm pretty good at history. I can teach you some tips and tricks for memorizing stuff."

"Awesome."

Later...

Kaye POV

Michael's mom gave Michael his phone back and ungrounded him, so I was glad about that. Now if he gets anxious, he can just call or text Jeremy. Hopefully if that happens, Jeremy won't be preoccupied with Christine, which is what seems like happened today.

Michael helped me study for my history test tomorrow, and now we were in the basement, watching a movie. Michael seemed a little stressed about the whole squip thing. He tried texting Jeremy earlier, but he didn't respond. It wasn't because he was anxious. He was just asking Jeremy how things were going with the squip.

Michael sighed and paused the movie.

"You ok?" I asked.

"It's just bothering me that he won't text me back. I know he's probably just busy, but I finally have my phone back and I'm ungrounded, and he won't respond."

"Is it bothering you that he won't respond or because you're worried about the squip?"

"Both."

"You could try calling him."

"Ok..."

Michael took his phone out and called Jeremy. It rang and rang and rang, but Jeremy didn't answer.

"Call him again."

"Ok..."

He tried again, but Jeremy still didn't answer.

"Do you think something's wrong?" Michael asked.

"I don't know. Like he might just be talking to Christine or something."

"Or maybe something happened with his dad."

"What do you mean?"

"He just has a complicated relationship with his dad. Sometimes things aren't so good between them."

"Oh..."

"Yeah. I guess I'll just ask him tomorrow... If I even see him tomorrow. I barely even saw him today."

"I know. Let's finish the movie and get your mind off of everything."

"Ok."