Jeremy was running. Tears blurred his vision as he ran faster and faster. He collapsed on Michael's front porch, shaking and sobbing. He couldn't muster the energy to knock or ring the doorbell, so he remained lying on the ground, terrified. After what seemed like an eternity, someone opened the door, but he was already blacking out. He glanced up just long enough to see someone he thought to be Michael running over to him, concern etched in their face.
"Michael?!" Jeremy cried. He couldn't see anything, and was stricken with fear.
"Jeremy, can you hear me?" Michael asked, panic taking over. Jeremy was crying, and Michael could tell he was drawing in on himself. When Jeremy didn't respond, Michael started to leave to get Mt. Dew Red. He felt something grab his wrist. Jeremy's pupils were glowing an eerie blue.
"Hello, Michael Mell," Jeremy said, only it didn't sound like him.
"Jeremy?" Michael asked. Jeremy chuckled darkly.
"No... I'm afraid Jeremy isn't heere right now," Jeremy explained, briefly laughing at his own pun. "I am the Super Quantum Unit Intel Processor." The voice paused as Michael's eyes widened. "Or as you may know me... His SQUIP."
"No... Jeremy hasn't been drinking his Mt. Dew red, has he?" Michael guessed, terror seeping into him as he stared at the SQUIP controlling Jeremy's body.
"I'm afraid he actually drank a bottle of normal Mt. Dew to bring me back," the SQUIP explained calmly, admiring Jeremy's spindly hands. "But... I must clarify his reasoning."
"What could have possibly caused him to do it?" Michael exclaimed. "He promised me he'd never do it again!!"
"Calm down. I'm trying to explain," the SQUIP demanded stiffly. Michael silenced himself.
"He did it... for love," the SQUIP stated, making a face of disgust as he said the final words. Michael's eyes widened.
"Is it Christine again?" Michael questioned. The SQUIP smirked, shaking his head.
"You have no idea, do you? This loser is in love with you," he said coldly. Michael held his breath, not knowing whether or not to believe the computer.
"I know you don't trust me, Michael. I have given you and Jeremy both enough reason to. But I assure you that what I say is truth. I'm afraid that Jeremy is indeed smitten with you, though I can't fathom why. He'll go on and on about how protective you are, how intelligent, how unique, caring, practically every positive adjective created. It annoys me to no end. I believe he realized the mistake he was making, and ran here in a panic. You can give him the Mt. Dew Red, but my voice will always be in the back of his head, tormenting him to no relief," the SQUIP grinned evilly. Although, Michael thought he saw a glint of something else in the electronic blue of Jeremy's eyes, and the SQUIP's smile faltered.
"And I can guarantee you this. I will always be here to remind him that you are nothing. That you cannot do anything, and that everything you say is a lie. That everything about him is wonderful," Michael fought back passionately.
"Oh really? And if he abandons you? Just like he did at the halloween party? That was all him, not me. Alcohol temporarily disables me, and he had quite a few drinks," the SQUIP recalled. Michael smiled cockily.
"He has friends. He's happy with who he is now. This is the happiest I've ever seen them. He didn't even need you to win me over," Michael described. The SQUIP seemed to genuinely smile for a minute.
"Yes... I know," he chuckled. "Goodbye, Michael Mell. I hope that we never speak again."
"Likewise," Michael said curtly, nodding. The light disappeared, and Jeremy's eyes became clear and blue once more. The was still shaking, and fell to his knees. He looked up at Michael, tears falling. Michael smiled sympathetically, picking Jeremy up. Jeremy clung to him for dear life, still shaking and crying.
"Hold on, almost there," Michael whispered. He brought Jeremy to his room and set him on the bed. He could tell the SQUIP was still making his presence well known, but was showing mercy. For now. Michael grabbed the Mt. Dew red and handed it to Jeremy, who drank it almost immediately. Relief flooded over Jeremy's face, and he looked at Michael, wiping his face.
"I'm s-sorry... I shouldn't have taken the SQUIP," Jeremy apologized. Michael smiled, taking Jeremy's hands in his own.
"It's okay. The SQUIP told me why you did it," Michael explained. Jeremy's eyes widened.
"You... You talked to him?" Jeremy asked in disbelief. Michael nodded. Jeremy suddenly became red in the face.
"He- he told you?" Jeremy stuttered. Another nod.
"I'm sorry. I get it if you don't feel the same way I- what?" Jeremy suddenly looked towards the wall. Michael guessed he was talking to the SQUIP. Suddenly Jeremy was shaking again.
"He said that?" Jeremy questioned in surprise. Michael became angry, thinking the SQUIP was lying. He looked back to Michael, tears streaming down his face.
"Did you mean it? What you told the SQUIP? Do you real-"
"Whatever the SQUIP said is a lie," Michael argued, looking towards the wall where Jeremy had.
"So you don't feel the same..." Jeremy concluded, looking downwards. His shoulders hunched and he made himself smaller.
"Wait. The SQUIP told you I said I loved you?" Michael inquired. Jeremy nodded, wiping his face.
"Yeah... He said you told him I didn't need him to win you over. That I would be happy with my life and he would leave me alone because you'd be there," Jeremy repeated the SQUIP's words. Michael's eyes widened.
"So he did tell the truth..." Michael mused. Jeremy's head shot up, looking into Michael's eyes.
"Wait? He meant it?" Jeremy asked. Michael grinned and nodded. Jeremy tackled Michael, wrapping his arms around Michael's neck. Michael held Jeremy tightly, running his hands through Jeremy's curly hair. He kissed all over Jeremy's face, causing Jeremy to giggle. The two boys finally fell asleep, holding onto each other tightly The SQUIP, unbeknownst to both boys, was watching, a smile making its way to his holographic face.
"Well Jeremy Heere, Michael Mell, I suppose I will leave you to each other. I have no power anymore..." he said to no one in particular, then disappeared. (but he would be watching over the two.)
Written by: Connor....THE ONE AND ONLY!!!!1
