The Mask That They Wore

Help and Gossip

Why did he say that? He was used to musing about crushes or, well, Christine to Michael. Why was the new guy so different? Maybe it was because it was a dude this time, or maybe something else. He wasn't really sure, plus, the stranger wouldn't probably be interested in him anyway.

Jeremy decided to go to the kitchen to accompany Michael while he waited for the food to arrive. He may have stood up a bit too fast because he felt his vision blur, he was fine though. He walked slowly, he wanted to try to scare Michael by appearing behind him. At least, that was the plan until he heard Michael talking to himself.

“Yeah, that's probably for the best anyway.”

“What’s probably for the best?”, Jeremy asked curiously. Jeremy has never heard his best friend screech so loudly.

“Jeremy what are you doing here? How much did you hear?”, Michael was breathing fast.

“I decided to keep you company while you waited and not much. Why? Is this a secret that I need to know about.”, Jeremy asked playfully.

Michael started to blush as he said, “N-no...it's nothing important Jere. Just ignore it.”

Jeremy stood there, staring at Michael's face trying to decipher what was going on with his friend. Thirteen years of friendship can give you skills at figuring out what you friend is thinking. It was surprisingly hard though, so he just gave up and enjoyed the others company as they waited.

Soon enough, the doorbell rang and they opened the door. They paid the guy, which was by know like family since they see him so often. They put on a movie in the living room and ate.

***

When it was nearing 9 pm, Mr. Heere called Jeremy to come home, since he wanted to have a late father-son dinner.

“Hey Micah, can you drive me home?”, Jeremy asked, adding with a child voice. “It's getting dark.”

Michael just chuckled at his friends antics. “I always drive you home, is that even a question.”

“Just in case, you never know.”

They both walked towards the P.T.Cruiser and got in. Michael decided to put some tunes as they drove to the Heere household. Something about what was happening made Jeremy feel a deja vu, probably just because they do this so often though. He started to nod off, until he fell asleep. Michael looked over towards Jeremy, smiling dreamily. He looked beautiful with the street lights reflecting on his face. Soon enough, they reached their stop. Michael shook him a bit so that he would wake up, a sleepy Jeremy said thanks to his best friend as he walked inside his house. He waved to Michael as he closed the door. Soon after, Michael went back home.

***

It was finally Monday again, the most dreaded day of the week, to most students at least. Some kids were still talking about all the things that happened in Jake's party. Jeremy walked through the halls, it was now lunch period so he was heading towards the cafeteria. As he opened the door, he shuffled to the table that now he shared with Michael and his new friends. Jenna, Chloe and Brooke were gossiping about something that Madeline did at the party. Rich and Jake were laughing at this funny video that they were watching.

“Hey guys!”, Jeremy said.

“Hey Jeremy!”, Christine said as she pointed to an open seat next to her. It was nice that even if they weren't together, they could still enjoy some time together. The others nodded at his presence and kept doing there thing.

“Have you seen Michael around here?” As if on cue, a red dancing guy came close.

“Michael!