Player 3?

Chapter 21 : Michael's date

Chapter 21

The next day...

Kaye POV

During lunch, Jeremy went to Christine's study hall again. He's embarrassed to try to talk to her because she rejected him. But his squip told him to go sit in her study hall and go to play rehearsal anyway. And it worked out because he shouldn't be around Michael right now anyway. But Michael seemed really upset about the whole thing.

"Michael, come on. I know you're upset, but Rich will be back at school soon and he'll help us."

"I'm just worried my friendship is over with Jeremy."

"Why?"

"Rich can't get his squip out. And when he tried to, it made him go crazy so he couldn't. If Jeremy can't get it out then it's not going to be possible for us to be friends."

"We're going to figure out how to get it out."

"How do you know!? It's not even on the internet!"

"Let's just see if Rich has any ideas when he comes back, ok? In the meantime, how about we go on our date? Remember that?"

"Oh yeah," he said, smiling.

"It's your date, so you can pick when and where you want to do it, ok?"

"Yeah! Can we do it tonight? Like when we get home from school, give me like 30 minutes, and then I'll be ready."

"Sounds good. Do you have something in mind?"

"Yes, but it's a surprise, so I can't tell you."

"Ok," I said, smiling.

Later...

Kaye POV

Michael literally couldn't contain his excitement. After we'd gotten home from school, I did some homework while I waited for him to get ready. I don't know what he's planning.

"You ready?" Michael asked, appearing in my doorway.

"Yeah. Do I need to bring anything? Or change?"

"Nope. What you're wearing is fine."

He held his hand out to me and I took it. He brought me outside and opened his car door for me. I got in and he started driving somewhere.

"Do I get to know where we're going yet?" I asked.

"Well... Since it's warmer out today, I thought we could go to the park and have a picnic for dinner."

"Sounds great."

We got to the park after a little while and got settled at a picnic table, sitting across from each other. 

"Ok, so I don't really know how to cook or anything, but I made us some sandwiches. And I brought some strawberries and sodas," Michael said, taking everything out of his backpack.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"What gave you the idea for the picnic?"

"It just seemed like something you'd like. It's laid back, you know? And I know sometimes you get stressed out dealing with me and Jeremy. I didn't want to do something where we had to dress up or follow rules or anything formal. I just wanted a nice relaxing date. Do you like it?"

"Yeah. It's perfect," I said, smiling. 

"Great. That's what I was hoping for."

We started eating our picnic dinner. I was wondering how Jeremy's day went. I saw him in class, but we didn't really have much time to talk about anything. And then he had play rehearsal after school. I need to stop thinking about him and focus on my date with Michael right now. 

"Ok, so are there any questions you have for me? Like I feel like you're going to compare me and Jeremy, so do you have any questions about anything if we end up dating?"

"Sure. Here's a question. What will be different if you're my boyfriend?"

"Well... I would always try to protect you. And respect you. And do anything you wanted me to do. I mean, you seem like you're always helping me when I'm anxious or learning my math homework. But if there was anything you ever needed, I would try to help as best as I could. Even if we don't date, I would try to help you."

"If we date, are you going to be jealous if I still hang out or talk to Jeremy?"

"No. I would try not to, at least. I know he needs help with the whole squip thing. And I can't help him. So it would have to be you."

"Ok."

"Can I ask you something though?"

"Yeah."

"If you decide to date Jeremy, you're still going to hang out with me, right?"

"Of course I would. You already know that."

"I'm just checking."

We finished our food and Michael packed everything up.

"Ok, now we're going to go sit on the swings for a couple minutes and look at the sunset," Michael said, leading me over.

We both sat on the swings. It was a really pretty evening. Except it was getting kind of cold now that the sun was going down. I was shivering a little.

"Are you cold?" Michael asked.

"A little."

"Here," Michael said, taking his red hoodie off and handing it to me.

"Thanks," I said, putting it on.

We just sat in silence, swinging a little. But it was a comfortable silence, watching the sunset.

After a little while, we walked back to Michael's car, holding hands. He opened the door for me again and we drove back home.

I don't know how mine and Jeremy's date will go, but mine and Michael's date went great.