Be More Chill Reacts To Be More Chill

When Jeremy Does Dumb Shit

Gonna give y'all some Expensive Headphones action uwu

•••

"Should I go after him?" Jeremy asked in a panic.

"Don't take thith the wrong way, Jeremy, but I think you're the latht perthon he wantth to thee right now," Rich said. "I'll go."

Jeremy nodded. "Just make sure he comes back out with you, okay?"

"Of courthe."

Rich headed out of the theater and began searching for Michael.

"Michael?!" he called. He sighed when nobody responded. "Michael, where are you?"

It seemed as if he had checked every room when he finally heard a noise from down the hallway. When Rich listened closer, he could make out the sound of crying. He began to speed walk down the hall, stopping outside the door where he heard the soft sobs.
He knocked.

"Michael, are you in there?"

"No!" The voice that responded sounded like a male voice trying to imitate a girl's voice.

Rich sighed, resting his forehead against the door. "C'mon, man. I jutht wanna talk. Pleathe open the door."

After a moment, the lock clicked, and the door slowly opened. Rich frowned at Michael's puffy eyes and unsteady breathing. He walked in, closing the door behind him. They sat on the floor, Michael leaning on Rich's shoulder while Rich rubbed his back. Rich knew from personal experience that rubbing circles on someone's back helps them calm down. Sure enough, Michael's breath steadied.

"What'th wrong, Micha?"

Michael sniffed. "I-it's just..that was our last happy moment together. Our meaning me and the Jeremy that I knew before the whole Squip incident. And..I don't know. The voices in my head wouldn't shut up. They were saying- nevermind."

Rich lifted Michael's chin, wiping a tear on his cheek. "What were they thaying?"

Michael took a shaky breath before opening up to his friend. "That Jeremy's never liked me, and that he's better off without me. That..that I should kill myself."

A gasp escaped Rich's lips, and he pulled Michael into a hug. Michael cried into his shoulder, fogging up his glasses. Tears soaked Rich's shirt, but he didn't care. All he cared about was comforting his friend.

Michael finally pulled away and gave Rich a hug. "Thank you," he mumbled into Rich's shoulder.

"Anytime, Micha," Rich whispered. He pulled away, got up, and helped Michael off the floor. "Now, ready to head back out?"

Michael nodded, and they walked out together.

When they walked into the theater, Jeremy's face lit up. He ran over to his best friend and embraced him tightly. Michael hesitated, but hugged Jeremy back. Rich smiled and walked over to Jake, leaning into him.

"You did good, baby," Jake whispered, kissing Rich on the top of his head. "Real good."

"I'm so sorry, Micha," Jeremy whispered.

Michael smiled and pulled away from the hug. "It's okay, Jer. The important thing is that it's over now." Though he knew what he was saying was a lie, Michael didn't let his doubt show through his smile. Sure, the Squip incident was over, but it's effects remained. Jeremy would still have nightmares about it, causing him to wake up in panic attacks, and Michael still felt uneasy every time he entered a bathroom. Michael wasn't too sure, but he felt confident in believing that everyone in their group still had one more challenge, big or small, that they now face because of the Squip.