Goin' Viral (Kleinsen)

Chapter 1

A year ago, Jared really only had one friend. He wasn't even sure if he should call Evan that. Jared always pushed Evan away. He called them "family friends." Which was by no means the same thing as an actual friend. 

 Evan had panic attacks and was always so worried about everything. Sometime within the last year, Jared decided that he had to change the way he treated Evan. Instead of pushing him away, why not let him in? Evan was so precious, he had to protect him. He had to build a relationship with him. He wanted to be his friend. Evan didn't have anyone who was there for him, and neither did Jared. It made sense for them to just be there with each other. So, Jared reached out. 

Which brings us to now. One full year later. Jared and Evan were best friends and inseparable. IN the process of getting to know Evan better, Jared had began to fall for him. He wasn't sure when or why, he just did. And now, he was hopelessly in love with him. Of course, he'd never tell Evan. He just had to stand by him, and be there when he was needed. Then he could sit at home and cry until Evan needed him again. 

*** 

~jared's pov~ 

I walked down the hall to Evan's locker. He was talking to someone, who- 

Connor Murphy. Ew. 

He'd recently taken an interest in Evan, which I didn't like. Not because I was jealous or anything, obviously. The-insanely-cool-Jared-Kleinman didn't get jealous, especially not over boys. Not even if that boys was super smart, and cute, and obnoxiously, yet adorably obsessed with trees. No. Definitely.. not. 

"Oh look, the lovers!" I said leaning against the locker and smiling slyly at both of them. "Connor. I love the whole school-shooter look you have going. Really plays well off of that bright personality of yours." 

"Fuck off, Kleinman." Connor's eyes narrowed 

"Stop it, you two." Evan said 

"What? I'm just giving Murphy here a compliment! Did I do something wrong, Connor? I sincerely apologize." I put my hand on my chest, faking shock. 

"K-knock it off, Jared." Evan said. Connor smiled and returned his attention to Evan. 

"So what do you want to do tonight?" Connor asked him 

"Um, I don't know. What about you?" um, HELLO?! Evan had plans with ME tonight! Connor couldn't just steal him away from me! 

"Um, Evan? We have plans tonight.." I said calmly. How could he forget? 

"Oh- Jared I'm so sorry! I completely forgot! Can we reschedule?" Evan asked. I assumed he was talking to Connor, but he was looking dead at me. 

"Are you kidding me, Evan? We've had this planned all week, and you're blowing me off for him?" I asked utterly shocked. Then I took a breath to calm down. "You know what? Never mind Evan. Hang out with your boyfriend. I can see I'm pretty forgettable to you." I said and stormed off. 

I walked home alone in the rain. I got soaked but I didn't care. At least it covered up the fact that I was crying. He forgot our plans. He forgot me. I laid in my bed and cried. I didn't check my phone until around 11:00. I saw a couple texts from Evan, and one from an unknown number. I clicked on Evan's. 

my little evan: 

jared i'm so sorry i forgot about our plans. 

please answer me jared

you're very important to me and i'm so so sorry 

jared k. read at 11:03 p.m

I put my phone down, only for Evan to call it 30 seconds later. I picked up after a few rings. 

"What do you want, Evan?" I answered, sniffling a little. My voice was hard and angry. 

"I- Jared- I'm s-s-so s-sorry!" Evan was breathing funny. Shit. He was having a panic attack. 

"Evan, calm down. I'll be there in five okay? Calm down, it's okay." I talked him through everything as I put on my shoes and ran out the door. 

"N-no! C-connor's here. You h-h-hate him." He wasn't wrong, but that didn't matter. 

"I'll be there in five. Stay calm." 

***five minutes later***

I rushed through Evan's door. Evan was on the living room floor. Connor was standing over him, screaming at Evan to calm down. I put a hand on his chest and shoved him onto the couch. 

"You think screaming at him is going to make him any more calm?! Do not yell at my little Evan!" I yelled and then got down on my knees. I pulled a brown paper back out of my pocked, unfolded it and put it over Evan's mouth. I ran to his room to get his inhaler. I knew where he kept it and ran back in. Connor was still sitting on the couch looking pissed. Evan was crying even harder now, and it looked like he couldn't breathe, even with the back. 

"What did you do?!" I screamed at Connor. 

I sat next to Evan. I took the bag and gave him the inhaler. I rubbed his back. After he took a puff, I let him breathe for a few moments. 

"Count down from ten with me, okay Evan?" He nodded in response. We counted down together. "Good. Very good, Evan. Now, name five things around you." 

"Okay. There's you, and the floor. The walls. The tv." He looked at the couch. "a-and c-c-c-connor." He stuttered when he was scared or anxious. 

"Connor, I think you should go." I said with my eyes closed, then I looked up at him, serious. 

"I'm not leaving." 

"C-c-connor, go." Evan said, looking up at him too. 

Connor sighed, angrily and left. 

Evan wrapped his arms around me and I did the same to him. I held him as he cried. 

"It's okay Ev, it's okay. Shhhh.." I whispered.