And she swears there's nothing wrong
I hear her playing that same old song
She puts me off and puts me on
Had a bad day again
--from Bad Day by Fuel
Gabe tipped her head slightly to the side, a frown twitching her brows.
"No, there's nothing wrong." Micah fiddled with his fork uncomfortably.
"Are you sure? Because Jeremiah's really been--"
"I promise, Micah." She gave him a reassuring smile. "Everything's great. He won't cause any more trouble."
(I wouldn't bet on that.)
"Okay," he said, surrendering. "What are we going to watch tonight?"
"Tonight?" Gabe echoed with a frown. "You're not going to stay up all night again." He poked boredly at his macaroni and cheese and made sure to keep his eyes lowered.
"Remember what happened last time I went to sleep?" Micah said quietly. "Besides, I'm not even tired." The girl let out a frustrated sigh and pushed her plate away.
"The circles beneath your eyes would suggest otherwise. Look, Micah, you can't stay awake your entire life! I'm starting to think we're in a Nightmare on Elm Street movie." He didn't look up, but smirked down at the yellow noodles.
" 'One, two, Freddy's gonna get you...' " Gabe was quiet for a moment before she laughed softly.
" 'Three, four, lock the door.' " She stood and took the empty plate to the sink. "I know the dreams scare you, sweetheart, but you can't just stay awake."
"Why not?" Micah offered his plate to Gabe, who took it and ran it under the faucet. "The Elm Street Kids did it." She tossed a skeptical look over her shoulder.
"And if the Elm Street Kids got chopped to bits by Freddy Krueger, would you want to too?" He stuck his tongue out at her.
"Hmph. It depends." Gabe rolled her eyes and wiped off the dishes, sliding them into the cabinets where they belonged.
"Oh, quiet. You're going to bed tonight at a decent hour--" She held up a threatening finger. "--or else." Micah put on a blank, zombie-like look and said dreamily,
" 'Five, six, grab your crucifix...' " Gabe snickered.
"I'm this close to whopping you one, boy," she said, ruffling his hair. "You're going to sleep tonight. And I mean it."
He could hear video cassettes falling over.
"I don't see anything really good," Gabe called distantly. "The only horror movies that are decent are 'Candyman' and 'The Exorcist'." She stuck her head into the cupboard where they kept the videos and sighed. "Either one sound good?"
(a possessed little girl)
"Candyman, please." Micah shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "I don't feel like a movie about possession tonight." Gabe reappeared, cassette in hand.
"Okay. One big black guy covered in bees comin' up." She flashed him a grin and dropped to a knee by the VCR. "It's pretty good for--" The door bell rang quite suddenly. Gabe paused, then pushed the video into the slot. "Be right back." She hauled herself to her feet and passed by Micah, ruffling her hair as she went. "Grab the remote and turn it on if you want."
" 'Kay," he piped. Wheeling the chair over towards the coffee table, he reached for the remote and pressed 'play'. Gabe disappeared into the hall. A door opened distantly.
"Yes?" There was a long silence. "What are you doing here?" Micah froze and slowly hit 'pause'.
"I need to talk to you." It was Jeremiah's voice, low and concealed.
(what does the bastard want)
"There's nothing we need to talk about," Gabe said tightly.
"Gabe," Jeremiah murmured, and there was a trace of a plea in his words. "Please." Micah tensed, the remote forgotten in his hand.
(don't do it Gabe)
But he knew she would -- Gabe was too compassionate to refuse a soul in need -- and she did.
"Come in," she said quietly, and the door closed.
(god damn it all to hell)
"Thank you." There were soft footsteps that padded into the hall.
"Stop here," Gabe whispered. Micah could hear them in the entryway, lingering just beyond his sight.
(stupid son of a--)
"What did you want to talk to me about?" she asked quietly.
"Gabe..." Soft scuffling noises echoed in the hallway. "I should think you'd know."
"Don't-- don't touch me, Jer--" More struggling sounds. "I'm warning you--" Micah, sensing danger, turned slowly from the television.
(If he hurts her...)
He wheeled towards the entrance to the hall.
"Please, just listen to me for a second." Jeremiah's voice was pleading again and the noises had stopped. "Please." Gabe spoke softly.
"Give me some room, Jeremiah." A quiet movement of shoes on carpet.
"There. Satisfied?" There was a pause. "Okay. It's about Micah."
(What about me?)
He stiffened and wheeled a little closer.
"Micah?" Gabe echoed, sounding concerned.
"Yes." Jeremiah spoke quietly, but there was definite venom in his voice. "Do you love him?" Micah's hands tightened around the wheels.
(Is that any of your business, you little prick?)
"What?" Gabe was taken aback. "Why would you--"
"Answer the question. Do you love him or not?" There was silence.
(Of course she does.)
Another long pause.
"I--" Gabe stuttered. "Jer, I--" Micah felt his heart sink.
(...doesn't she?)
"This isn't--" She sounded startled.
(Gabe?)
"Hm. Well." Jeremiah's voice was amused. "I guess that answers the question." Micah swallowed back tears and wheeled a little closer.
"What's your point?" Gabe had regained composure. There was an odd noise, soft and muffled. It didn't sound right. Moving closer to the hallway, Micah ever so carefully looked around the corner.
(oh god oh god oh god)
Jeremiah had backed Gabe into the wall, palms spread across the wallpaper on either side of her head. It would've been bad enough that he was that close to her, but his lips were pressed against Gabe's in what looked like a very rough kiss.
(son of a BITCH)
Micah felt frozen. He didn't move any closer or farther away; he was only able to stare at the horrifying scene before him. Jeremiah pulled back after what seemed an eternity. Gabe stared at him in disbelief, her mouth hanging open.
"What the hell was that?" she asked softly. The boy ducked his head a little to press his brow against hers.
"Why do you think I've been acting so crazy lately?" Jeremiah tapped her lips lightly with a fingertip. "Seeing you with him... it's driving me nuts, Gabe." Micah felt his fingers tighten even more around the wheels. If they got any tighter, he observed dimly, they were going to fall off.
"Jeremy," Gabe murmured quietly.
(oh my GOD)
"Jeremiah," the boy corrected, and gave her another hard kiss. This one lasted a lot longer than Micah thought it should. Gabe didn't look as indignant as she should've either.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Her voice was huskier than before.
"It wasn't the right time." Jeremiah smiled a little and tipped his head towards hers. "I didn't want to tell you-- I couldn't tell you until it was time." His lips moved dangerously close to Gabe's ear as he whispered. "It's time, Gabe."
His hands were moving before he even knew what was happening.
"Get out," Micah growled, teeth clenched so hard they hurt. Gabe's head poked over the boy's shoulder.
"Micah!" It came out in a surprised squeak. Jeremiah turned slowly, not looking the least bit startled.
"Good evening, Mr.--"
"Get out." Micah didn't yell yet; he was too mad to even shout. The anger was just compacted into the two tiny words that dripped venom. He wheeled closer to the two who had consequently moved away from each other.
"Jer, you need to leave," Gabe said quickly. Jeremiah didn't even wait for another suggestion. He slunk slowly out the door, hands in his pockets, looking as if he was simply late for a favorite television show. Now that Jeremiah was gone, Micah turned his blackest glare on the now-pallid girl.
"Let me guess," he said softly, wheeling a little closer. "It's not what it looks like?"
"Micah--" Gabe scurried forward and grabbed his hand. "Micah, please, don't be--" He jerked away convulsively.
" 'There's nothing going on'," Micah quoted, voice a harsh whisper. " 'I swear it.' " She stared at him, blue eyes hurt and confused and terribly, terribly frightened.
"I didn't do anything wrong," she said quietly as she backed up a few steps.
"Oh?" He felt his lips curl into a sneer. "Let me guess. He tripped and you caught him with your lips?"
"Stop it!" Gabe put her hands over her ears and backed into the wall. "Stop it! Nothing happened, nothing at all--"
"DON'T LIE TO ME!" Now it seemed that yelling was appropriate. Micah wheeled closer, knuckles white as he clutched the wheels. "DON'T LIE TO ME, GABE! I'M NOT AN IDIOT!"
"I know that!" she shrieked, looking panicked. "Stop yelling at me!"
(you were stupid to trust her you were stupid to trust anyone)
"I should've known," he muttered as he turned his wheelchair slowly around. "You never even said you loved me. I guess it's not real until you say the words." There was a short silence before Gabe's footsteps followed him.
"That's not funny." She dodged in front of him; now her eyes were angry. "That's not something you joke about, Micah. Take it back right now." Micah looked up at her and -- after only a brief pause -- gave her a sneer. Not just a little leer, an all-out lip-curling venom-filled snarl.
"When Hell freezes over and we all go ice skating." Gabe staggered back like she had been slapped. Her blue eyes were wide and still angry, but filled with incredibly intense hurt.
"Fine. Fine." She stepped aside and gave an over-elaborate flourish. "Go right ahead." Micah felt a sharp sting of surprise mingled with pain, but he wheeled quickly past.
"Great." He pushed the wheelchair forward with hard, angry shoves of the wheels. He had almost reached his room before Gabe yelled, her voice wounded and furious.
"Every night while you slept!" Micah frowned, not understanding, and looked over his shoulder.
"What?" She stood in the living room, her hands clenched, and he saw how terribly alone she looked.
"That's when I told you I loved you," Gabe said in a trembly voice. "Every night while you slept."
(oh my god what have I done)
"I--" His voice cracked, and he coughed to cover the fact. "Gabe, I--"
"Want to apologize?" She glanced at the floor. "Then do it."
(but you aren't wrong you're right)
"Apologize for what?" Micah said calmly, and the anger reappeared in her face.
"Screw you, then," she spat, and whirled towards the kitchen.
(No, wait, Gabe--)
"Maybe later," he said with a smirk that didn't feel right. She disappeared past the doorway.
(Come back, no, please--)
"Screw you!" The shriek echoed eerily in the now empty living room. "Screw you, Micah! I don't care anymore!" He sat frozen in his chair, the smart comments finally gone, hot tears stinging his eyes.
("Cut out her tongue and carve out her heart.")
Micah wasn't sure if that was what had happened. All he knew was that it felt as if his own heart had been carved out -- and salt rubbed into the gaping wound.