Orphanage AU: Lams

Chapter 25: Hoodie

Let me explain: The SQUIP has already happened, but Christine and Jeremy are still unacquainted, mostly. Some events will replicate those that happened before the SQUIP incident, but I'm just switching things up. THE SQUIP HAS HAPPENED.

---Jeremy's POV---

For the millionth time, I wondered why my dad sent me to a regular high school. Why couldn't I just go to the orphanage? I heard Evan did. Granted, Evan's fucking true love went there. He'd probably be heartbroken if he had to leave Jared. Actually, my true love went here, and I'd stay here if I had the choice, but only for him.

The problem was, Evan's love for Jared was obviously requited. My love for Michael, my best bud? Nope. Unrequited as fuck. If hanahaki was real, I would be coughing up so many Michael's-sweater-red flowers we could make a living.

Moping and giving my acne a deadly glare as I peaked in the tiny locker, I shut the door and caught sight of my reason to exist.

"Michael!" I tried not to sound too excited, but my attempt failed miserably.

A pair of headphones over his ears, Michael's hood was pulled up, but I could see his radiant smile. "Jeremy, my buddy, how's it hanging?"

My buddy. Yup, no chance there. As he came close, his smile seemed less genuine. His voice was definitely flat.

"You ok bro?" I immediately questioned my concerned voice. Too concerned? No, I wanted to show him that I cared. But maybe, because then it might hint that I liked him as more than a friend. Or maybe not because didn't people worry the fuck out of themselves over their friends all the time?

"Yeah man, feeling rad. What about you? How was class? You look like ass. What's wrong?" He switched the convo so it was about me, but I detected a bit of something else in his voice. He probably wasn't actually feeling rad.

You look like ass, what's wrong? That's what was wrong. I looked like ass, and he knew, because he had eyes, but I liked him and he would never like me back, is what was wrong. Figuring what's wrong? Referred to my lovesick expression, I muttered some bullshit about writing to Christine.

Who I had absolutely no interest in.

Except as an excuse to be pining over someone.

Once, he caught me staring into space and I wasn't focusing on anything. I was just spacing out as I fantasized about us.

Which chick are you eyefucking? He'd asked, following my gaze. I picked the first one that walked past. Cristine. I'd told him. Whoa dude, I had no idea you dig her! How long? Three fake seconds. He'd been ready to help me in any way he could.

Now, whenever I gazed at him and ended up looking like a lovesick puppy, Michael assumed I was thinking about Christine.

"That's progress!" he told me enthusiastically.

"I tore it up and flushed it." Actually, I wrote him a note recently, confessing I was bi, though I didn't say anything about how I felt. I'd tore that up and flushed it. Thus the inspiration.

He sighed. Disappointed because I wasn't getting the girl I wanted. Clearly not in any way happy because I stayed single. I wish. Not that Christine would hook up if I wanted to. No one would, ever. Jeremy, just face that you're one of those guys who'll be a virgin 'till he dies.I

To cheer me up, Michael told me about how it was fine to be a loser, how it was ok to be proud of doing, saying, and being into things coined for losers. Easy for you to say. I wanted to tell him, you'd be a fucking gorgeous angel no matter what the hell you do.

He was so perfect. So proud of who he was and so happy and ready to help others. So heartfelt. He looked good, he sang well, he saved the school and probably all of human civilization with his MDR. And he saved me, of course. After I was a huge jerk, even when the SQUIP was off. I still felt worse than shit whenever I remembered that.

"...So why try to be cool when you could be-" Suddenly, Michael nudged me, my heart skipping even though I really only came into contact with his sweater. "-Signing up for the play!"

I was more than confused, I was fucking lost, if I'm honest. That was a sign up sheet for getting called gay and that's not what I needed right now, while I was pining desperately after my best friend.

"...I thought you were gonna say 'getting stoned in my basement but-'"

"-No! I mean, look who's signing up for the play!" He pointed down the hallway. "Christine!" I tried to search his face for a sliver of jealousy or anything other than support but his face was thrown into shadow by the hood of his red hoodie that he still hadn't taken off.

Well, if Michael said so... I walked over and signed, to yells to gay and mocking laughter.

Gee, what a surprise. It hurt that they called me gay and were half right without knowing, but that they were saying gay as an insult, not a fact.

"Dude, I forgot they'd call you gay, bro, sorry about that. At least now you get to get cozy with Christine, am I right?" Michael's voice hitched up a couple notches when he said gay.

I knew he was a supporter, we'd been best friends for a really long time now. Still... maybe he would feel different if it was one of the people close to him...

~ ~ ~

"Mr. Mell, please take off your hood while inside. I have asked you multiple times."

Michael uncharacteristically was unresponsive, tilting his head for the clock. I could hear his warm voice muttering, "C-c-c-come on, c-c-c-come on, go, go."

"Five minutes," I muttered out of the corner of my mouth. "Then we're good to go."

When the bell finally rang, Michael still hadn't lowered his hood.

Boyfs, guys. How'd you like it? I'm bad at characters, sorry.

               -The Worst Writer on Wattpad.