Beautiful To Me (Boyf Riends AU)

Chapter 11: He'll Listen

Look! An okay drawing!!! Who knew?

(Michael's PoV)

I walked into third period with a grin on my face for a few reasons.

First, I hadn't done as Christine had predicted. I had spent the night at Jeremy's house, and only thought about my mother briefly.

Second, Jeremy said that he would listen to my music. He told me he'd never heard of Bob Marley. What the fuck.

Third, my father told me that my mother had called. She wanted to talk to me. Maybe she could love me again.

I took my seat next to Jeremy as I always did. "Hey, Jer," I said, a bit cautious but mostly just enthusiastic.

He smiled when he saw the grin on my face. "Someone looks happy today," he commented lightly.

"Hey, homos," someone yelled behind us. "Save it for the bedroom."

Jeremy turned around. "Fuck off," he said, scowling at him.

"It was a joke, jeez," the guy said defensively. "Calm down."

Thankfully, the bell rang then.

Chemistry had started.

(Time skip brought to you by: Walmart: Save Money, Live Better)

I headed to the cafeteria, Jeremy at my side. A small smile had attached itself to my lips and wouldn't leave. Jeremy sat with Rich, Jake, Brooke, and Jenna. I sat with Jeremy.

Jake was talking as we sat down. "...it'll be so much fun." He turned to us. "Hey, Jeremy! I had this amazing idea—"

Rich cut him off. "You?" he said, crossing his arms.

"Rich had this amazing idea!" Jake corrected himself. "You guys should come over to my place and we can play games and break into my parents' old liquor cabinet!" He grinned. "Then you guys can sleep over."

"When?" Jeremy asked.

"Nine," Rich answered, shifting so he was closer to Jake. Jake smiled and wrapped his arm around Rich. "Are you gonna come?"

I sighed. I wish Jeremy would do that to me, I thought. Then I remembered.

He'll never love me back.

"Definitely," Jeremy said.

I shook my head to clear the thoughts and nudged Jeremy. He turned to me and I handed him my headphones. He accepted them, putting them on as I fumbled with my phone and pressed play.

He flinched. I had them turned all the way up. Oops.

I hastily turned them down. "Sorry," I said. He relaxed visibly.

I watched him scrunch up his nose as he listened to the music. I rolled my eyes and continued to listen to Rich's and Jake's conversation.

Jeremy reached into the pocket of his jacket and removed a phone and a pair of earbuds. He handed them to me. "I think it's in a middle of a song," he said loudly.

"I don't care," I said, turning down the music more. I put the earbuds in my ears and pressed play on his phone.

A short base solo came on, like a one, two, one-two, one, two, one-two. I relaxed in the seat and listened.

Did he say anything else? A girl's voice asked.

Ab—about you? A more masculine tone.

N-no— never-mind-it's-just-I-don't-really-care-anyways—

No-no-no! Just-no-no he said-he-said so many things I'm-just-I'm trying to remember the best ones, so...