Looking Into Your (My) Eyes* -BE MORE CHILL

Chapter Six: Operations, Memories, and the SQUIP

CHAPTER SIX

    Just by the sheer mention of it, the air itself seems to tense. Rich and Jeremy in particular, the latter of whom had already begun to absentmindedly bite his nails (he'd have to apologize to Michael later). Sure, the whole ordeal had brought them together in the first place, but ever since October the topic had been treated lightly. Especially when Jeremy or Rich were present.

    "I know it's a touchy subject, but think about it!" Jenna silently curses herself for even bringing it up. "You were shocked. Remind you of something?" She explains a bit too bluntly.

    Rich pulls his knees up to his chest. Taking notice, Jenna winces.

    "Sorry. But... Maybe something, like, glitched,"

    "You're suggesting it's some kinda... software bug?" Michael pouts, trying to wrap his head around it. "Is that even possible?"

    Chloe crosses her legs and clicks her tongue. "It's a Japanese robotic Tic Tac that took over our brains. Our suspension of disbelief is pretty high, Mike,"

     Rich's head jerks up when he sees he feels Jake pat his knee. "I'd punch that thing if I could," says Jake. Rich smirks.

    "I wanna drop kick 'em,"

    "I suggest a tasteful bitch-slap," Jenna suggests.

    "Wait, so we're actually going with this?" Brooke raises an eyebrow skeptically.

    "It's our best shot, guys!" Christine cheers from her chair, trying to hype up her friends. She pauses when she notices Jeremy, who was still biting his nails and staring at nothing in particular.

    "Jeremy?" She asks, sending him a sensitive gaze.

    "It's just-," he squirms out of her grasp, and pauses before continuing.

    "I-I'm not the one who's gonna have to deal with them,"

    Suddenly, all eyes are on Michael.

    Shit, that's right.

    "Don't worry about me," He announces with a sigh. "If there's a chance it could get us back to normal, I'm up for it," Michael holds up a hand as if he wants to continue, but decides against it.

    "We're gonna need to go and get Mountain Dew, then," Rich murmurs.

    "Red, too! I have a guy at Spencer's Gifts I still need to get a pack from. In case of an emergency. Also, I don't wanna go to sleep knowing- hang on, how long is this going to take?!" Michael's quick glance to the wall clock showed it was already nearing four in the afternoon.

    "I dunno about you guys, but I think that we should, like, stick together,"

    Chloe nods. "Jake's right. 'N it just so happens that my parents are out of town until Monday. Y'know, business trip and whatever," she twirls her finger along with the implication.

     The room erupts with indistinct chatter while the group breaks off to text parents and make arrangements. All the while upholding an unspoken rule of optimism. Jeremy also breaks into a weak smile, still sitting on the ground with Michael. He figures to text his dad and tell him that he'd be spending the night at "Michael's house".

    Michael felt better knowing everyone was trying to keep everything casual, but he couldn't help but dread the time when the blissful ignorance could reach a breaking point. He shakes the idea away and shoots a message at his Spencer's input.