Better When I'm With You (Expensive Headphones: Michael Mell x Rich Goranski)

1| I Forgive You

*Rich POV*

 Jake sat stiff in his wheelchair staring up at me, pity, regret, sorrow, I could see it all in his eyes. "Rich...you suffered through that thing controlling you for two years...Why did you  take it in the  first place?" My breath hitched while my heat beat quickened, this was a difficult part of my life I wished to  forget. "I fell in love freshman year, and I knew I'd never be cool enough for them to notice me otherwise."

I rested my hand over my face, my emotions were bubbling up, I cant pretend I dont know about the pain I caused. I looked at Jake's legs, thick and heavy from the white plaster weighing them down. Scorched and broken from saving me, scorched and broken because of me. I took a shaky breath and continued. "But it turns out Squip's don't let you date the same gender. So....jokes on me I guess."  I let out a small laugh.

Jake reached for my hand, my crying turned to sobbing. "Rich, you are perfect just the way you are, you're  wonderful. Soon, you'll find  a partner that can remind you that  everyday." I wiped my face and smiled, "Jeremy sure is a lucky man." "I'm even luckier." I grabbed his shoulders and turned him around, "Go with your man, i'll be fine." Jermey waved at Jake from across the hall. "I'll see you later Richie."

I left my locker and walked down the halls, whispers and stares followed my every move. "Hey look Pyro's back in school."

"He should be locked up."

"Is Goranski GAY now?"

I held my head low and kept walking, there wasn't much I could do. "Move it short-ass." I was pushed into a locker by some ass. But I deserve it, it's a taste of my own medicine. 

"Hey Rich!" The best person in the world called my name. Christine Canigula. "First day back? How you holding up?" Her smile  was contagious, it made me feel so much better. "As good as highschool could be." 

"Why is  she with him?"

Christine gave me a troubled glance. "The rumors suck dont they? Ignore them, they'll get bored." "It's whatever. Shouldn't you be with headphones or rehearsing for some play?" She laughed, "Come hang with me and Michael." 

I was hesitant to respond, I dont know how he feels about me, I'm the reason his bestfriend left him. I'm the reason he had a panic attack on Halloween. It's my fault his bestfriend's boyfriend can't properly walk. I'm the reason this school goes quiet in every hall I walk into, I- "Rich it was Michael's idea, come on!"

My stomach churned and my vision went blurry. My legs wobbled as my mind went to static. "Christine, I don't feel so good." My face felt hot and my knuckles turned white. "Woah, Rich lets go to the nurse...RICH!"

My body felt weightless, a warm sensation pressed against my cheek. I squirmed slightly, it was useless, it was a struggle just to see. Then darkness consumed me, all I could see was black.

*Time Skip*

My eyes fluttered open, I laid in a small bed with a thin blue blanket covering my frame. I looked around the room, Michael stood near a window looking outside. His hair was masked by his hoodie, the sunlight generously kissed his tan skin, he was lost in thought.

"Michael? What happened?" He didn't turn my way. "You fainted at lunch...you've been sleeping for a while. I carried you here, were in the nurse's room." Then the room fell silent. There was much to say between us, we had somewhat of an awkward history. We always caught each other in our most vulnearble moments. 

I looked away, thick silence filled the room. I tried to break the ice, "Hey man, I just wanted to say I'm sorr-" "I never got to say thank you." He finally looked my way. "That night at Jake's party, before everything happened..." He struggeled to string words together. "You saved me that night...I'm sorry I couldn't do the same for you." Tears brimmend his eyes. "I owe you so much Rich."

My heart shattered seeing him in this agony. "Hey...come here." He walked to a chair near the bed. "You don't need to worry about me anymore, I got that thing out of my head. I'm free. I'm finally happy." I pulled Michael towards me, "I could never apologize enough about Jeremy. It's just- I remember when it felt like I was a background character in my own life. I truly thought he would become happy. I didn't know it would come between you two, I'm sorry I caused you that pain. I-" 

Michael cut me off. "Rich...I forgive you. Jeremy  chose to take that pill, we've forgiven him for that. We've forgiven you for everything.  I forgive you." I pulled Michael onto myself and wrapped  my arms around him. "Thank you Michael Mell."

Welp this is the first chapter! I have so many ideas for this story so dont forget about it! Thank you all so much for reading, until next time!