Made For You (Boyf Riends Mannequin AU)

Prologue

A/N Hi, I can't believe how long it's been since I've uploaded anything! I'm so sorry for the absence, but first schoolwork got in the way, then exams, and then university, and after a while I thought it would be awkward returning to Watpad after so long. But like everyone else I've had a lot of free time recently, and to celebrate my return to Watpad, I've decided to write this story, which I first had the idea for about two years ago. I hope you stay safe, have a good day and enjoy the story! ❤ :)

Jeremy Heere wasn't exactly a cool guy, much more the one who's left out. True, he was unathletic, geeky, and bi, but surely those weren't reasons to avoid someone. To his high school peers however, they were. Jeremy had never had a friend in his life. When he was younger, he tried, but all he would get for his efforts was mockery and insults. So eventually he stopped trying, and he faded away, into the background. The words of his peers swirled in his head as he made his way across the mall to Payless Shoes.

Freak!

Loser!

Tall Ass!

Homo!

Homo!

HOMO!

Soon though, that could all be over, if he got this SQUIP thing he'd overheard Rich Goranski talking about. Jeremy had pooled all his money in order to pay for it. Jeremy made his way to the man loitering by the staff area door, hoping he was the right guy. Shaking slightly, Jeremy spoke up.

"Uh, hi. Is this where you get the-" 

"$800." Jeremy was stunned.

"I'd heard it was only five hun-" he was again interrupted.

"Ever heard of inflation? Supply and demand? Look, these SQUIPs are going like mad. Seems every teen is sad, or depressed or in need of help. So there's only a few left. So it's $800 or no SQUIP for you." Jeremy sighed, for he didn't have that kind of money.

"Sorry, I'll just go." Jeremy couldn't believe it. After his lonely, friendless life, he thought the universe at least owed him this, but no. Now he was poor, as well as a loser. Jeremy stuffed the money back into his wallet and left, a sense of misery overtaking him as he slowly made his way out of the store.

Suddenly, Jeremy fell to the floor as someone crashed into him, causing the coffee in their hand to spill on him. Luckily, it wasn't just bought, as it wasn't scalding, but was still quite hot. Jeremy let out a small squeal of shock and pain, and after opening his eyes, he looked up at the stranger who had knocked him down. He was a man in his mid-to-late fourties, with swept over waves of ash brown hair, that was clearly chestnut in his younger years. He was dressed in a business suit, with gray jacket, waistcoat and trousers, which contrasted an electric blue tie. The man had clearly been distracted by his phone, but after seeing the accident he had caused, his face showed shock and panic. 

"Oh jeez! I'm sorry, I'm gonna have to call you back, Emmy, I'll explain later. Bye!" the man popped his phone into his jacket pocket and extended his arm down to Jeremy.

"I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going. Here, let me help you up." Jeremy accepted the hand and pulled himself up, now standing about four inches shorter than the man. Jeremy began to reach for one of the bills in his pocket, mumbling out an apology for the spilt coffee. The man smiled. 

"Oh no need to worry about that, I'm just glad you aren't burnt. I've got to run, I'm in a bit of a hurry. Have a good day." As the man began to walk away, Jeremy scoffed and muttered in a dejected tone "not likely ". The man, hearing this, turned with a look of concern on his face, and reaching out, placed a hand on Jeremy's shoulder. 

"Are you alright? Is anything wrong?" Jeremy let out a hollow chuckle, "better ask what's right, it's a shorter answer. " the man looked at him sympathetically. 

"Well talking about it really can help. Having someone listen to you makes all the difference. Here, come sit down, and tell me what's on your mind." Jeremy eyed the stranger suspiciously, analysing his face as to discern any malicious intent. The man, seeing Jeremy's scepticism tried to reassure him.

"I'm not some creep, don't worry. I just know how hard life can seem sometimes, and I'd like to help. I'm Johnathan by the way." Knowing he had nothing else to do, he took Johnathan's hand. 

"Jeremy" he replied.

"Well Jeremy," Johnathan said as they sat down on a bench in the centre of the mall, "tell me everything."

And so Jeremy explained his lonely existence, his problems at school, his lack of friends, his issues over his mother leaving, his father's decline since then, his failed plan to buy a SQUIP, and finally, in a more hushed tone, admitted his anguish over his bisexuality. At this, Johnathan smiled kindly.

"No need to be ashamed, one of my oldest and best friends is gay. Now, it seems to me that the real answer to your problem isn't this micro chip thing, but to make some friends. My life has had it's issues, and my friends have always helped me through. Luckily, I know a place where you can not only make friends, but earn enough money for this thing if it is what you really want." Jeremy looked sceptical, but humoured him.

"Where?" Johnathan smiled. 

"My department store, right here in this mall. Our branch here is looking for a new assistant window designer, so you'd be assembling mannequins, dressing them up and arranging them. What do you say?" he asked, extending his hand again for a business handshake. Jeremy sighed, and shook his hand.

"Well, at least I'll be able to afford to buy the SQUIP. Jeremy Heere, at your service." His new employer smiled. 

"Johnathan Switcher. Welcome to Prince & Company. I'm sure you'll make great friends there." Jeremy, still dismissive of actually being able to make friends, answered sarcastically back.

"At the very least the mannequins can be my friends." he expected a laugh, but Johnathan only gave a sincere smile, and with a knowing twinkle in his eye said

"Yes, and great friends they make indeed. "