More Than

Alone

"What's gonna happen with Michael and I? I messed up so bad. I should have kept my mouth shut, then I wouldn't be in this mess. What are my friends gonna say? 'Oh yeah, I can't hang out with you, ever, because my parents are afraid that we'll have sex at any given time alone!'" Jeremy let out an emotional and choked back sob, as he felt the tears run down his face. He felt the mechanical buzz of his phone in his pocket. He picked up his phone to see it read "Player Two" with a red heart next to the name. The text read "Hey Jer-Bear, how was your day?" He was grateful to have a distraction from his thoughts.
"It was fine I guess. Hey, can you Skype? I wanna talk with you face to face." Jeremy hit the send button, anxious for an answer. Almost imminently, a green bubble popped up
"Sure. Just give me a min." Jeremy continues to call Michael within seconds, to which Michael picks up instantaneously.
"Hey Jer- Woah, dude, you're a mess! Are you sure today was okay?" Michael asked, visually worried.
Tears streamed down Jeremy's face as he told Michael what had previously happened.
"So that's all, huh?" Michael asked, feeling for Jeremy.
"Yeah that's all. It's also why I asked you to Skype because-"
"It can't be traced back or read, right." Michael's face was at this point almost as twisted with pain as Jeremy's was.
"I think-" Jeremy held back a sob, " I think I'll have to lie to them. Tell them it's just a phase, and promise to not say anything about it from now on."
"That sounds like awful decision to have to make. Look, I'm here if you need me ever-"
"I know you're here, but you can only help me so much. And you're doing a great job at being a boyfriend, but this is something I need to face on my own." Jeremy gave a weak smile.
"Well, what are we gonna do?" Michael asked, fearful and curious.
"We can't show any signs of a relationship on text anymore. I'm going to stage a breakup on text with you, to make it seem like I have made up my mind in my parents favor. We can still hang out, and still Skype and stuff, but no more text, okay?"
"Okay. Whatever works for you." Michael said, relieved that he hadn't lost Jeremy for good.
"Okay, I have to go. Thanks for talking to me, I feel a lot better."
"Anytime. Just call if you need another pick-me-up." Michael said with a soft and kind tone, but unlike his parents use of a soothing voice, it felt protecting instead of exposing. He found it funny that he felt more at home with Michael than he did with the people who raised him. He pressed the glaring red hang up button, and remembered how terrible he felt when he was alone.
In the back of his head, almost like an itch, he heard the parasitic and familiar voice. "Jereeeemmmmyyyy" it's voice slowly crawling into his consciousness. "I'm still here." It was the SQUIP, who had come back stronger than it ever had been. "Wow, what an idiotic move you pulled there! I can't BELIEVE you decided to date that fleabag! Still, you wouldn't be in this situation had you followed my plan." It sneered at him, feeling superior.
"Go away. I don't need you."Jeremy spoke with teeth clenched and still fearful of the supercomputer.
"Fine, I'll slip from your conscious for now, but know I'm always here, never leaving." And with that, the presence of the SQUIP had faded from his mind.
Jeremy was an emotional wreck, and decided he wanted to get away from it all. He turned out the lights and closed the curtains, and slowly drifted off into a half-hearted and miserable sleep.