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

Chapter Seven: Sass, Troubleshooting, and EBay

CHAPTER SEVEN

   The SQUIP stood before Michael, with an unnatural posture and a look of borderline disgust. Michael assures Jeremy he can let go of him. He complies, yet doesn't stray as far as the others have (who watch from behind with an extra effort to sputter minimal comments). Michael stands up a little straighter, sticking the Mountain Dew Red into his hood pocket.

    "I didn't expect a bootleg Keanu Reeves," he musters as much confidence as someone talking to a demonic super computer could.

    "And I did not expect some bootleg Jeremy, yet here we are," the SQUIP deadpans with a frown.

    "Uhm, do you see them?" Brooke questions, taking a small step back. Jenna, standing next to her, holds a sarcastic hand out in the direction of Michael.

    "He's having an animated conversation with himself, I'm pretty sure he's seeing the SQUIP," she says. Chloe shushes them, coincidentally before the SQUIP talks again, tapping their foot.

    "I will kindly remind you that you do not have to speak to communicate with me. I am part of your brain,"

    "Like hell I'll think at you! I want them to have at least half of this exchange!" Michael retorts, stepping forward and shoving a finger in the SQUIP's face.

    "Very well, Michael," they are entirely unphased by the boy's gesture, and leans to pick a piece of lint off of his hoodie.

    "When was the last time you washed this thing?" the SQUIP makes a sour face and flicks it off of sharpened nails.

    Michael flails his arms in an attempt to smack them. He only manages to trip a considerable amount when his hands phase through the SQUIP's ghost-like form. "How are you still not used to Jeremy's body?" it taunts.

    Who does this SQUIP think they are? "A being far more superior than you," the SQUIP walks with swagger around to observe the others, completely unaware of their actions. They don't seem to care about this fact, stopping in front of Rich, who is trying to discreetly put some chips into his mouth.

   "W-what's it saying?" Jeremy asks softly.

    "Just being a smartass,"

    Rich's eyes narrowing at the empty space, he offers a knowing nod. "Thounds like THQUIP," he hides the fact that he had spit out some crumbs with his statement. The SQUIP isn't fooled. "Eugh! This is Goranski now? You should remind the Alpha to clean her floor." They pull their attention back to their host, who looks completely and utterly pissed.

     Again, smartass.

    "My programming provides infinite knowledge, and half a brain to know the obvious. I would not exactly classify it as being a 'smartass'. And allow me to observe, that expression would have been extremely helpful trying to fend off Dillinger at the party. Would you be so kind as to teach him to do that himself?"

    "Fuck off! He doesn't need your help anymore, Siri! Why don't you use that 'knowledge'-," he makes a point to mock them overzealously, "-to tell us why I'm in Jeremy's body?"

    "I can not,"

    "What?!" (Cue Jake's stifled laugh from the voice crack.)

    "What's that about?" Christine looks baffled, holding a hand to her cheek.

    Michael huffs with as much drama as he can and shoots a piercing gaze towards the SQUIP (Who only rolls their eyes). "They 'can not' tell us what's happened. Y'know, I bet you're just not using contractions just to make yourself sound smarter!"