Player 3?

Chapter 25 : Pressure at school

Chapter 25

The next day...  

Kaye POV

When I got to school this morning, I felt like everyone was staring at me because of the picture Michael posted last night. It didn't really bother me, but it was weird.

Jeremy was at his locker when I got to mine. He looked really pale and had dark circles under his eyes.

"You doing ok?" I asked.

"Me? What about you? You're the one that's hurt. Why didn't you tell me yesterday?"

"Jeremy, I'm fine. Just a little sore."

"I feel awful. And now everyone is practically attacking me on instagram."

"I know. I'm sorry. I didn't know Michael was going to post that. I was asleep. Are you ok, though? You look exhausted."

"I didn't sleep very much last night. Me and my dad got into another fight, and then I saw the picture. And my squip wouldn't shut up about how this never would've happened if I had just listened to it and kept going to play rehearsal."

"Are you in a lot of trouble with your dad?"

"I'm grounded and my car is wrecked. He found out I lied about going to the library and then started guilt tripping me about my mom leaving again."

"I'm so sorry."

"It's fine. It's my fault anyway. Can we just go to class?"

"Yeah."

Later...

Kaye POV

I sat down across from Michael at our usual spot in the cafeteria.

"Everyone's been asking me questions about the car accident, and I don't really have anything to tell them," Michael said.

"Well everyone's staring at me and it feels weird."

"Really?"

"Yeah. It's even worse for Jeremy. Everyone is blaming him."

"Well it's kind of his fault, you know."

"He doesn't deserve how people are treating him. A couple kids threw crumpled up pieces of paper at him today in english. Other people called him names. He barely slept last night."

"I can't believe you feel bad for him."

"I can't believe you don't."

"I don't have any patience left for him. I know he's going to keep making stupid decisions while he has the squip."

"Don't you want to help him?"

"Yes, but I can't help him by being around him because then I'll get hurt. I just can't think about him anymore. He can't be a part of my life until he gets rid of that thing."

"What if he can't ever get rid of it?"

"Then I don't know."

Rich appeared beside me and sat down.

"Hey, I heard about the car accident. You ok?" Rich asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little sore. How about you? How are you doing?" I asked.

"I'm ok. My burns hurt a little. But I'm doing ok."

I could sense Michael staring at Rich. I feel like he's jealous and that's concerning me. He seems jealous of any guy I give attention to.

"I got a new phone. I could give you my new number in case you have any questions about squips," Rich said, quietly.

"That'd be great," I said, handing him my phone.

Michael was staring at my phone in Rich's hands. I tried to ignore it.

"Rich, I had a question," I said.

"What is it?"

"So the car accident... When it happened, Jeremy was being shocked a bunch of times by his squip. But I don't know if he crashed because he was being shocked or if the squip made him swerve off the road. Do you have any idea?"

"I'm going to guess his squip made him swerve. I don't think being shocked would make him swerve. I mean, it's painful, but I think he'd still be able to be in control of his car."

"Well in that case, I'm pretty sure his squip hates me and is coming after me."

"You should be careful. I know you're close with Jeremy, but squips are dangerous."

"I know. I'm just trying to help him."

Later...

Kaye POV

Jeremy hadn't been in our last 2 classes and I was worried. Did he get sick? Did he have a panic attack? Did he ditch and go home? Where is he?

I tried texting him a couple of times, but I didn't get any response.

I went to my locker after class and swapped some of my books. Just as I was about to shut my locker, Rich appeared beside me again.

"Hey. I just wanted to let you know that I had nothing to do with this," Rich said, handing me a shattered phone.

"What?"

"This is Jeremy's. Some guy shoved him in a locker. Jeremy dropped his phone and the guy smashed it. But I wanted you to know I had no part in it. I know you're friends with him and I didn't want you to think I did this."

I took Jeremy's smashed phone and put it in my backpack.

"Where's Jeremy now?"

"In a locker."

"Can you show me where?"

I followed Rich to another hallway. This was the hall where a lot of seniors had lockers.

"He's in that one," Rich said, pointing.

"Ok. Thank you. Can you tell Michael where I am? He's going to be wondering where I am."

"Yeah, of course."

Rich left and I slowly walked over to the locker he'd pointed at.

"Jeremy?" I asked, knocking on it.

"Kaye!? Please let me out!" He said, starting to cry.

"I don't know the combination. I don't even know whose locker this is."

"Please! I feel like I can't breathe!"

"Stay calm. Take deep breaths."

I saw Michael walking towards me, so I waved him over.

"Are we going home?" Michael asked.

"Jeremy's stuck in this locker."

"Ok. So...? I don't know what you want me to do."

"Remember when you were stuck in a locker and how anxious you were? Have some sympathy for him. Do you have any ideas?"

Michael stepped closer and banged his fist on the locker, which made Jeremy scream.

"I need you to be quiet so I can try to get it open," Michael said.

He put his ear next to the lock and slowly started turning it. Jeremy was still crying, and I could tell Michael was losing what little patience he had.

"I said, you need to shut up or I can't get you out!" Michael said, banging his fist on the locker again.

Jeremy went silent and Michael started turning the lock again. After a couple of tries, he got the lock open. He opened the locker and Jeremy jumped out. He immediately clung onto me, crying.

"Jeremy, calm down. You're ok," I said, rubbing circles on his back.

"When is it going to stop!? I don't get a break at home, or school, or in my head! I can't handle it! It's all too much!"

"We should go," Michael said, taking my hand and pulling me away from Jeremy.

Jeremy screamed and stormed off down the hall in the opposite direction.