Loveb Irds

Jeremy II

Mikey strongly nudged me closer to the door, but my growing anxiety was stronger.

"I just- What if people think I'm weird or I get made fun of or-"

"Jer, is this something that you want to do?" Mikey put her hands on my shoulders.

I could feel how cold they were through my cardigan and striped shirt.

"Well, yeah-"

"Then what does it matter if other people think it's weird? In the great words of Shia LeBeouf, 'Just Do It!'" Mikey gave me another mischievous look.

She leaned back, letting the light bounce off of her lenses and keeping me from seeing the full extent of her playful look. "Of course, I won't force you to do anything you don't want to do. But if you don't do this, I'll mock you forever."

I sighed and stuck my tongue out at her indignantly.

"Come on, Jeremy. Let's go." I whispered to myself as I walked into the rehearsal room.

Immediately, a bright spot of denim and yellow turtleneck caught my eye.

"Yo!" I tried to hide my cringe after I said that.

"Yo." Chrissy replied, serious in tone.

They slid over a chair and gestured for me to sit down.

"Um, is this where you meet for the play?" I started fiddling with my thumbs.

A sincere, confused look spread all over their face. "Nope. This is where you meet for the swim team."

My heart sank. Of course, Chrissy could also do sports. They could do anything.

I was just going to embarrass myself. I had to leave before I made things worse. I should have just agreed to let Mikey mock me forever.

"Hey! I'm just joking, chill." Chrissy gestured for me to sit down again.

"Oh-" I said while lowering myself down into the red, plastic chair. "I'm Jeremy. I mean-"

"Are you ok?"

"Erm, uhh."

"You seem nervous." Chrissy put their hand on my knee.

My heart started pounding and my palms started sweating. What was happening?

"No, I um. I mean I always..."

Why was I going to say that?

Chrissy looked at me expectantly. I couldn't back out now.

"...I always sweat this much."

"No, I get it." Chrissy took their hand away and leaned back in the plastic chair. They only balanced on the back two legs.

Risky business.

"You're a virgin-" They didn't seem to notice my panic seeing as they continued. "-first play rehearsal."

I let out a small sigh. "You think I'm nervous about play rehearsal?"

"Why else would you be shaking? A lot."

I glanced down at my hands, it was worse than a cold Chihuahua in winter.

"Ha, yeah. Totally freaked out." Smooth Jeremy. Real smooth.

"It's ok-" Chrissy leaned forward, making the two front legs of the chair slam down onto the tile again. "-I'm a little jealous actually. You never forget your first."

They sighed and looked up whimsically towards the dusty, greyish ceiling tiles. "Coming here is the highlight."

My arms crossed over each other, and my hands tucked in, gripping my ribcage. "Of your day?"