Orphanage AU: Lams

Chapter 59: Boyf-riends

Jump right in, shall we?

---Michael's POV---

"He could still get to John."

"He barely has any time."

"Barely any is still time-"

"Michael." Brooke spoke in the petulantly stubborn tone that somehow called for silence. "You're the younger one. John can take care of his own damn self and you know you want to do this. You don't have to worry about your dad anymore! Embrace the gay."

I threw a look at her, a glare to mask my laughter. "I will not embrace anything that could get John hurt."

Brooke groaned. "He doesn't even know where John is. I- didn't you say you've done every freaking thing to make sure he has no clue what orphanage John's at? You wouldn't let me text the name, you wouldn't look it up, you-" She waved her hands around. "God- do something for yourself for once!"

I stared at my hands, working my napkin to bits. "He doesn't know where John is..." I repeated.

When she heard me give just a little, Brooke pounced. Clumsily. "Yes! No! He doesn't!" Then her eyes lit up- she had an idea. Or she realized something. Either way, it was not good.

I waited.

"Jeremy's getting you weed... Jeremy will be there!"

My eyes popped, I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks. "Fuck no I will not pull a cliché love confession."

Brooke shook her head. "I would never ask you to. You're above that. I'm just saying, he'll be there for you. You always liked dramatic entrances."

I bit my lip. "When's the game?"

"Is that a yes?"

"When's the game?"

"That's a yes."

---Jeremy's POV---

"Sounds like he really likes you."

I stopped. "Uhh.... what?"

Justin laughed, watery and hollow, but a laugh as real as anything. "He likes you. Obviously. This Michael? He's head over heels in love."

I shook my head vigorously. "I- You don't understand. Did you hear anything I said?"

Justin shrugged as if it wasn't important. "What about it?" He sat up a little as players filed onto the field.

I gaped at him openly. "He's dating my ex-girlfriend!"

"Well, you did say he's pretending to be straight."

"Oh." Oh. I guessed that really did make sense. Wow.

Justin just chuckled, his eyes filling almost halfway with a smile.

A girl stepped onto the field, our school being too broke to afford any sort of platform for her to stand on. I stood up, the cool air playing lightly across my cheeks, hopefully lessening my blush. I could feel the warmth of that blush from head to toe.

Did he really not like Brooke? Maybe not right? I mean, he was gay... I unraveled my hands as my nails bit into my skin.

I still had no chance. Someone like me?

I tapped Justin's elbow, more for a distraction than anything. "National anthem."

He jumped up. "Oh-!"

Or- maybe he was purposefully sitting. "I mean, if you don't want to stand, that's fine- I totally support you on that, I was just saying, like, hey, look, they're doing the national anthem."