The Answer Lies in the Truth

Chapter 20

The party started at eight, so all I had to do was panic the entire day. I was so fidgety, and my dad noticed. "Woah there buddy, you alright there, you've gone up and down the stairs seven times. You look like spooked, what's wrong?"

"Dad, tonight is really important, and I can't mess it up. I'm just really nervous." Dad chuckled and rubbed my head.

"Calm down, it will be alright. Don't work yourself up, I promise that whatever you do tonight will go well. I know you Jeremy, and if I thought you were any less I'd think different, but you are amazing. You can do anything you put your mind to. I support you, and love you." He said walking over to me from the couch and hugging me.

"Thanks dad..." I said, quickly hugging back and pulling away. (I'm a guy, I don't get all touchy feely!) With that we took off our pants and watched Walking Dead until seven.

He helped me get ready to go. I was wearing a nice blue button down shirt and my dads old striped dark blue tie. I had my hair somewhat pushed back and put on some cologne. I felt pretty refreshed after. Dad glanced over me and gave me a thumbs up. "Now who is my dashing boy taking to the party?"

"I-uh...dad?" I stuttered.

"Yah?"

"I'm going with a friend...and...I want you to know I'm bi..." I whispered the last part, but I guess my dad heard me.

"Good for you Jeremy!" He boomed and gave me a hug.

"Dad....you're crushing me..."

"Sorry," he said backing away. "So who's the lucky guy or girl?"

"Well...hopefully if everything goes right, Michael..." I blush. My dad beams back at me.

"You go get'em son!" He laughed. It was nice that he was talking to me. It helped me calm down.

I arrived at Rich's house a little early. Rich was at the door wearing a pink shirt with fiery red blazer and had his hair slicked back. His red strand of hair sticking out. He looked awesome, and I told him so. He laughed at my amazement and showed me what he'd done since the day before to get ready. People started showing up and he went to greet them by the door.

Soon the party was in full swing. I looked around and spotted Jake in the corner looking awkward. I walked over to him. "How'd you get in?" I asked flatly.

"Look, I don't know what Rich told you, but it's not how it happened!" He said looking around crazily. Dude looked like he hadn't slept in a month and he kept clutching his head like he had the biggest headache. "Madilyn kissed me. She was angry Dustin dumped her, and she blamed me since they both hate me. So she was mocking me and must have planned for Rich to find us. I would never cheat! I swear Jeremy! Please you gotta help me! To get into the freaking party I had to ask Jenna to come with me." He said increasing his talking speed as he went on frantically trying to explain everything in one breath.

"I thought she was going with Dustin?"

"Nope, she caught him groping another girl at cheer practice. Dumped him. So will you help me?"

"Only if you help me."

"Anything! Rich won't listen to me." He said shaking my hand.

Rich was in the corner of the party quietly sipping from his red cup as he watched the teens fling around his house. He looked distant. "Hey Rich, wanna dance?" I walked up and asked him.

"No thankth Jeremy, I'm not feeling it."

"Come on, it's a party Rich, you should be having some fun." I wailed and grabbed his arm. He was shocked out of his daze and smiled.

"Okay Tall-ass but after you have to get me a drink!" He yelled over the music. We danced for a little while before I walked off with the excuse of getting drinks. He nodded, but otherwise didn't give me much attention. He was flailing crazily to the music. It looked really silly. As I left I passed Jake, who was walking out to Rich with drinks in his hand.

And as Jake had promised Michael was at the bar looking around. When he saw me he smiled. "JER! OVER HEERE!" He laughed and I walked over rolling my eyes.

I took a second to appreciate him. He was in a nice black blazer that made him look slim and a dark red button down underneath. His glasses sparked in the light, but not as much as his eyes. They glowed and beamed at me softly. His lips were upturned into a small smirk. The hair looked, if possible, more fluffy than I'd ever seen it. Looking down he had some black dress pants and a nice pair of shined black shoes.

He looked breath-taking.

"Jer?" He asked snapping me out of it.

"Hey, Michael, where's Christine?" I asked licking my lips. Michael blushed and pointed to the corner where she was talking to Jenna. Both were flat out drunk and giggling. Right next to them Chloe and Brooke were making out. I laughed and he smiled at me.

A slow song turned on. He glanced over to the dance floor as people exited the small dancing area to leave room for the true couples. I saw Jake and Rich slow dancing. Jakes cheek rested on Rich's head and Rich had his face against Jake's chest. They both looked so happy.

Michael sighed, picked up his red cup, and downed it. "Michael?"

"Yeh, Jeremy," he said not looking at me. I blushed and pulled the red rose I had out of my back pocket. He glanced over and did a double take.

"Could I have this dance?" I asked presenting the flower. Michael stared at it for a while. His eyes filled with tears. He opened and closed his mouth several times before looking at me with a goofy love-sick grin and and nodding.

We danced until our feet heart. Slow songs, fast songs, wild songs. The Squip, who had told me about the probability of Jake asking for my help and how to direct it to getting Michael to come over, told me how much alcohol (liquid courage) to consume before I asked Michael to dance and about the flower as an added touch. It wished me luck as it powered off.

That was the last time I heard from it.

Michael and I got together after the party and our friends couldn't be more supportive. It was nice and Michael loved me and I loved him.

That night we walking out of the party hand in hand looking at the stars. "Hey, Jeremy, you still owe me a favor for asking me to talk to all those girls."

"Oh yah?"

"Yah," he smiled and pulled me down for a kiss.

"Mahal Din Kita, Red." I whispered.

Michael smiled back at me brightly. I can't believe that all this time the one I wanted and loved the most was right in front of my eyes.
____________
The End

HEY GUYS BEE HEERE!!!
I'm making another BMC book cuz I love these guys so much. It's about Rich's high school experience. It's called Hidden Beneath The Scars, check it out and leave a like, I'd really appreciate it!

{UPDATE: On top of the now finished Hidden Beneath The Scars, I am creating a sequel called The Darkest Hour, thank you all for supporting me and loving my work so I can be inspired to make more of it!}

-🐝