Who's Your Player Two

Please Breathe

Jeremy stormed up to the car where Rich and Jake sat. He yanked open the door and all but threw himself inside, slamming the door shut behind him.

"Sorry," Jeremy snapped under his breath.

Rich and Jake shared a worried look from the front of the car before Rich turned around towards Jeremy. "You good?"

"What's it look like!?" Jeremy snapped at him.

Pretty bad, Rich had to admit. Not only was Jeremy acting out of anger, his face was stern and dusted red. He was holding his arms tightly over his stomach. Rich didn't think that was very helpful for his breathing, but he didn't say anything. "Do you want to talk?"

"No."

"Are you su-"

"I can't believe them!" He started waving his arms as he yelled, "Everything they said was so- so hurtful! It's like they forgot all their common sense, I just- I just don't-"

Rich's breath caught as he saw Jeremy's angry resolve crumble. All at once he wrapped his arms back around his stomach and his eyes swelled with tears.

Rich wasted no time exiting the car and rushing around to the back door. He pulled himself inside and sat next to Jeremy, noticing Jake had done the same on his other side.

"Shh," Rich cooed, "It'll be okay, everything will sort itself out." Jeremy's breath quickened and Rich realized he was beginning to hyperventilate. He wrapped his arm around Jeremy and grasped his wrist, pulling his arm away from his stomach. Jake pulled his other arm away, and Jeremy began to sob with the extra breath. He turned to his side and laid his head on Rich's shoulder, trying to calm down. Rich pat his back until his sobbing slowed to quiet tears. He lifted his head and mumbled a soft thank you to each of them. Rich smiled and nodded, and they went back to the front. Jeremy pulled on his seatbelt, and they headed back to his house.

They drove in silence until Rich pulled up next to their destination. He turned around and looked at Jeremy. "If I could give a bit of advice, Jeremy. Make sure you at least try to understand their sides of things." Jeremy nodded quietly and left the car, stepping into his house. Rich didn't leave until Jeremy had shut the door behind him.

***

Michael took a deep breath before raising his hand to knock on the door. He nervously tapped his fingers against his leg as the door was swung open.

"Oh, it's just you," Christine's voice didn't sound angry- just heavy.

"Haha, yeah it's me, surprise..." Michael let his voice trail off, noticing Christine's set face. "Ah, yeah sorry I'm not in a joking mood either. I just came to- to tell you I'm sorry. I never should've let it get so far. It's just that-" he broke off. "Oh, nevermind. I'm sorry."

"No uh- what were you going to say?"

"It's not important."

"It's obviously important if you're here."

They stood in silence, both wanting to speak, but neither wanting to say anything.

Finally, Christine sighed, "Do you want to just come in?"

"Sure," Michael breathed before following Christine into her living room. They sat across from each other, and Michael finally worked up the courage to speak his mind.

"Um, like I said before, I'm sorry. It's just that- Jeremy's been my only friend for twelve years. Sure, maybe I've wished we could be something more, but I would never do something out of his best interest." He took a deep breath, "I'll admit when he told me he didn't think he liked you romanticly anymore, I was hopeful. But I swear I would never try to take him away from you like that. I just want him to be happy, and if he was happy with you then that would be that. But he made that decision on his own." He finished and looked up at Christine.

"I'm sorry too, Michael. I know you would never do anything like I suggested. I was just so upset and I let my frustration take over me. Besides, the more I think about it, the more I think Jeremy and I would make better friends, anyway. I guess you were right. I was just scared of being left again. Ever since middle school, I've never had a constant group of friends- or even a constant best friend."

"Well, you do now."

"What?"

"I know Jeremy, he would never leave a friend without a good reason, and he's already told me he wants to continue being your friend. And, hey! We're friends too! And you can't forget Rich and Jake, and Brooke and Chloe. And definitely not Jenna," he wiggled his eyebrows.

"Wh-what about Jenna?" Christine's face flushed red at whatever she figured Michael was suggesting.

Michael laughed, "Oh, please. She totally has eyes for you."

"Wh- n-no! w-whatever!" Christine's blush darkened as Michael found himself unable to stop laughing. The tension was finally gone and Christine joined in laughing.

After a minute or two, Michael stood. "Now why don't we go apologize to Jere? He deserves it."

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i had to write this twice because wattpad is trash and deleted my first draft. anyway, the next chapter is going to be the last how fun lol -becca