The Answer Lies in the Truth

Chapter 19

I walked to Rich's house because I had nothing better to do this morning, I had woken an hour early. I was going to knock, but I heard shouting through the door.

"NO JAKE YOU DON'T GET TO EXPLAIN I SAW YOU KISS HER!" It was Rich. There was silence for a while. "You've got to be kidding me, fuck off, don't bother coming tomorrow. We're over you cheater." He sniffed and opened the door as he ended the call. "J-Jeremy, hey..." he said, his voice strained. "I w-wath juth going to get thome freth a-air..."

I held out my arms. He looked at me before his eyes glazed over and filled with tears. He hugged me sobbing into my chest. "Can I ask what happened?" Rich nodded, after a while he looked up at me. His eyes were red, but other than that there was no sign he'd been crying. I wonder how many times in his life made him cry to develop a skill like that.

"I thaw Jake with Madilyn. He wath kithing her a-and when he thaw me they pulled apart. He tried to chathe after me, but I ran fathter, tho he let me go. He kept c-calling me and I picked up. He tried to tell me he wath thorry, and I got angry." He said pulling away from me and straightening his pajama shirt. "Why are you here Jeremy?" He asked curiously and tiredly. He wiped his nose.

"I was wondering if you knew anyone who needed a date to the party?" Rich gave a little half-sob half-laugh.

"Me, I gueth, wanna go?" He smiled, he looked exhausted. I guess I wasn't the only one who didn't sleep last night.

"Sure, thanks..." I laughed and scratched the back of my head. He invited me in his house and we watched tv and talked about his party. His parents were on vacation for their anniversary. Which meant the house was empty.

Rich and I arrived at school he smiled a little when we finally got there and didn't see Jake. I guess he was worried that Jake would make a scene. I offered him to come over and play games with me and Michael until the bell, but he declined and walked over to talk to Brooke and Chloe.

Michael smiled and waved me over "Hey dude, I didn't see you on the bus, something up?" 

"Yah, I was with Rich, he invited me to go to the party with him."

"I thought he was with Jake?"

"It's a long story." I sighed and looked over to Rich. He was smiling faintly, you couldn't tell he was upset unless you knew. It was honestly terrifying.

"Oh," Michael said tracing my eyes to Rich. He glanced back over at me, "so are you guys like...together or something?" Michael asked snapping me out of my creeped out fascination. He sounded jealous, which was funny.

"NO!" I yelped in mock offense. "I would never date a person who has such a terrible taste in music!"

"I HEARD THAT TALL ASS! FOR YOUR INFORMATION BEYONCÈ IS TEN TIMES AS GOOD AS MARLY!"

"YOU TAKE THAT BACK!" Michael screamed.

"NEVER YOU NERD!"

"FINE YOU LITTLE DORK!" Michael yelled, "I'm gunna kick his ass at AoD tonight." He said to me as I laughed.

It was a long day. I never really noticed how much Michael impacted my life until I found myself wanting him. I wanted to ask him if he was Red, but I didn't want it to destroy our friendship if I happen to be wrong. That was the hardest part. Thinking they like you back, but you being too paranoid of rejection to say anything. It was the worst feeling in the world, because it wasn't quick. It dragged on, and made you feel so unaccomplished.

The school was buzzing about Rich's party, and Rich seemed to be at the center of it all. (Along with Jenna, of course)

The rumor was: Rich had somehow gotten 12 beer kegs for the party. He said the upstairs is locked, and if anyone went up there they'd regret it. The most common assumption people made was that Rich and Jake wanted some private time. (Really, it's because Rich didn't want horny teenagers having sex on his or his parents beds.) Rich had a pool, so some girls were talking about wearing bikini's. The music was going to be pumped, and some kid at the school was hired to be the DJ.

It sounded wild! I was excited to get to go at all, this would totally make or break me socially. I'd have the chance to be like Jake, popular enough to sign up for the school play without being called gay. Even if he was.

At the end of the day Michael and I went to the bus. I was fiddling with my shirt debating if I should just ask him to go with me, or if I should just forget about it. "You're being really quiet Jer, everything kosher?"

"Uh, oh, yah! Yah! I'm fine Mike, I was just thinking about the party." I said trying not to look at him. If I looked at him too long he might know I have a crush on him. I don't know how these things work!  It's not like I've had a relationship before...

Michael and I talked about the last party we went to together. Michael doesn't really like parties very much, but after me apologizing ten zillion times he felt like it was okay for him to "watch over me" and I was grateful.

I went home and hear the Squip power on as I was taking worksheets out of my backpack.

"Jeremy..."

"Look, I shouldn't have been so harsh. You apologized, and I get that you are trying to help." I sighed "I'm sorry."

"Good."

"What? That's it, 'good' is all you have to say to that?"

"Jeremy, I'm a super computer, I can predict outcomes and the most probable outcome was that your hormones would make you feel bad for being rude and you would impulsively apologize. I am not surprised, and not moved. I don't have emotions Jeremy."

"Right...moving past the obvious times you said sorry-"

"Jeremy, one word, programming. I was programmed by scientists, not heartless monsters. I am aware of certain social trends that are acceptable to moments of need and I execute procedures."

"Is that just a really long way of saying you care?"

"Sure."

"Why did you turn on?"

"I wanted to help you with a way to get Red-"

"Michael."

"Oh good, you know. I was tired of you being an oblivious idiot."

"Rude, and it's nice to know it's him instead of just suspecting it."

"You oblivious..." It sighed, "Whatever, so help you get Michael to go with you tomorrow. It is imperative that you do exactly as I say."

"Alright, but if you try and Squip anyone I'm drinking the dew."

"Noted." The Squip said flatly. I heard it start to power off. "I'll tell you later, get your homework done."

"Squip..." It paused, "thanks a lot..." I thought blushing.

I felt a little computer whirring noise. "Your welcome, Sport." It said warmly. It powered off for now. I smiled to myself.