Updated!

A/N: And I'm on to the next one…

NOTE:

00000 time pass

OFC—Stacey Mackey

OMC

Warning:

Cutting

Drug use and selling

Might have a bit of OOC Jeremy, but I don't know, only you can be the judge of that…

Disclaimer: Nope

MINE

Chapter 4: Life's a Little Less Complicated

As soon as Jeremy got to school he rushed over to the other side of school—where he'd meet Roger and sell him 'the first batch'—with a huge smile on his face. He'd had another cutting session that morning during his shower—it had been an instant stress reliever—and now he was going to be going back to his old ways, ways he was comfortable with and used to. It was going to be all good.

When Jeremy got outside he realised that Roger wasn't there—probably wasn't at school at all—and instead Michael Cowry, a huge football player who was also one of the few openly gay guys at the school, was standing at Roger's usual spot. Jeremy frowned but shrugged to himself and walked to his spot and sat down. He noticed Cowry looking at him for a few moments but chose to ignore him, instead pulling his hoodie over his head and down so it covered half his face.

"Hey, Gilbert," someone said. Jeremy looked up and found that it was one of his old customers. "Rumour has it you're going to start sell Gilbert-Glory again. Is it true?"

Jeremy shrugged despite having the merchandise right with him. He didn't know why Michael Cowry was around, but he couldn't very well start selling with the guy around here. Michael Cowry was one of those health nut guys, all work-out-eat-healthy-don't-drink-don't-smoke kind of guys. Jeremy couldn't deal with someone like that noting he was selling dope.

"Maybe… do you know where Roger is?"

"He got caught again and got expelled."

"Oh, okay." Dammit!

"So are you going to start supplying again?"

"Maybe, I don't know."

The guy nodded, looking disappointed that the rumour wasn't as true as he'd thought.

"Hope you do man," the guys said, "everyone misses Gilbert-Glory."

Jeremy smirked and nodded.

"Later, dude."

"Sure, man."

The guy walked away and Michael chose that moment to make his way towards Jeremy.

"Hi," he said, smiling down at Jeremy. "You're Jeremy Gilbert, right?"

"Um, yeah. And you're Michael Cowry."

"That would be me." There was awkward silence between them. "So um— Jeremy… Um— would you, I mean if you wanted to that is but if you don't I totally understand, and like, no harm no foul and all that, but um— well, would you like to go watch a movie on Friday night or something?"

Whow, wait. Was Michael Cowry asking Jeremy out…? Why?

"Like on a date?" Jeremy asked slowly, because what.

"Well— I mean, if you want it to be a date then sure, but it doesn't have to be— it can just be— —" Awkward hand wave. Right.

"Sure, Michael," Jeremy said after considering it for a moment. "I'll go out with you." Because why not? It's not like the guy he was in love with would ever be available for him, and besides, he might as well just come out of the closet with not a flutter but a bang. Better than being outed by Stacey fucking Mackey anyway.

Michael seemed surprised—what exactly had he been expecting? "For real?"

"Yeah, I mean, why not, Michael?"

"Awesome! Um, cool. Well, I should take your number then, I think."

Jeremy nodded. They exchanged numbers, Michael going as far as taking a picture of himself to save with his number because he was that type of guy.

"Well," the bigger teen said, "I'll see you around, Jeremy."

"Sure, Mike."

Michael smiled then made his way back to the school.

Jeremy sighed, running a hand through his hair a few times. People were going to know he was bisexual eventually right? Right! Might as well do it in his own terms and in his own way. That was, at least, one less thing Stacey would have over his head.

00000

Friday finally rolled in and Jeremy actually felt good with himself and with life in general. He hadn't cut since Monday and he actually hadn't sold or bought any 'merchandise' throughout the week. He was actually a little proud of himself.

He'd already told Jenna and Elena that he was bisexual and was going to be on a date with Michael Cowry so there was no need for them to be all shocked and confused. They'd accepted it very easily, which made Jeremy even happier. Him and Michael talk occasionally, or smiled at each other when walking up and down the halls between classes, which helped to cut down on the nerves for the date.

After having a shower and getting dressed for school, Jeremy went downstairs for breakfast. As expected, Stefan and Alaric were both around—he didn't mind them so much, just mentally complained about them finishing all the damned food in the fridge. Jeremy couldn't help but wonder if the two ever spent time in their own homes anymore.

"Morning," Jenna said smiling at her nephew.

"Morning," Jeremy said smiling back. He sat down and grabbed some toast and scrambled egg and began eating slowly. He could already tell someone wanted to say something about tonight, so he'd let them, because fuck, he was happy about it.

"Are you nervous about tonight?" Alaric asked. Jeremy figured Jenna had told Alaric and Elena had told Stefan. No biggy though, they were going to find out eventually. Maybe Jeremy would've liked to be the one to tell them, but this was fine too.

"Not really," Jeremy replied honestly. "I'm actually looking forward to it." Elena and Jenna smiled at each other, relief evident on their faces. Jeremy was going to be fine.

"Michael's a nice guy," Elena said. "I remember him from like way back. He doesn't tolerate bullying. He helped me when these older kids were making fun of me in the fourth grade. I remember he fought every single one of them."

"Yeah. I remember that story."

Elena had been 'in love' with the guy for an entire week before he'd told her he like guys, not girls. And surprise, surprise Jeremy was one of those guys.

"Well anyway," Elena said, putting her own plate at the sink, "you better finish up or we'll be late for school."

"Sure." Jeremy stuffed the last of his toast and eggs in his mouth and got up.

"Bye, guys," Jenna said, smiling at all of them.

"Bye, Jenna." They all left, Alaric in his own car and Elena, Jeremy and Stefan left in Stefan's car.

00000

The day went on pretty well. Jeremy grew more and more excited about the events that would be taking place that evening, though he didn't really know why—he just had a feeling things were going to be better.

Finally, the final bell rang. Jeremy sighed, relieved. He got up from his seat and rushed out the class. He wanted to get home as soon as possible to get ready for his date. He didn't know why he was so excited, he just was. He just had this feeling that things were finally looking up and were finally going to go his way.

00000

At seven-thirty, Michael Cowry was in the Gilbert living room being thoroughly interrogated by Jenna, Elena, Alaric and Stefan, much to Jeremy's annoyance. When they were all satisfied that he was safe and that his 'head was screwed on right'—that one from Jenna—they allowed Michael and Jeremy to leave, but not before Elena and Jenna could throw in the 'no funny business' and 'be back by ten' card.

"Sorry about my family," Jeremy said as they made their way to Michael's car.

"It's okay," Michael said chuckling a bit. "It was actually sort of funny." They got into the car.

"A little annoying too."

Michael laughed, driving them towards their destination.

"You have a cool family, Jere," Michael said. "They all love and care for you."

"Yeah, I know."

The boys finally arrived at the movie house. Michael put out his hand and Jeremy took it graciously, blushing slightly. They walked into the movie house, hand-in-hand, without a care. It felt nice, different to what Jeremy was used to, but nice either way.

"What would you like to watch?" Michael asked when they reached the boards showcasing the movies currently being shown.

Jeremy looked at all the movies that were on and shrugged. "Anything's cool with me." None of the movies looked bad, so Jeremy could literally watch any of them without complaint.

"Do you mind horror films?"

"Nah, not at all."

"Okay, cool."

They bought tickets then got popcorn and made their way to the room their movie was being shown. As horror movies went, it was actually pretty decent. The acting was pretty good, the lead being some famous face that was making waves in Hollywood, so. In all realness, Jeremy would say that he actually enjoyed it, and the fact that he got to hold Michael's hand for most of the movie.

When the movie was over, Michael took them to a fancy restaurant for dinner. It was some new place that people had been talking about for a while, and Jeremy was kind of impressed that Michael had planned enough to be able to get them inside. It was a cosy type of place, with great lighting and the smell of vanilla and sandalwood. Fancy.

Everything went well, it was all good. Michael was really a great guy, cracking jokes that actually made Jeremy laugh for real, and stories that had Jeremy reacting. He didn't once have to fake anything, glad that Michael was such great company.

The evening finally came to an end, and the boys found themselves in the awkward 'do we kiss, don't we' goodnight situation. They weren't quite sure if they should kiss, shake hands, hug or just say goodnight and go their separate ways. Finally, Michael made a move. He kissed Jeremy gently then pulled away and smiled, leaving Jeremy slightly breathless and blushing.

"Night, Jeremy," the other boy said softly, "I had a good time tonight."

"Yeah," Jeremy whispered, "me too, Michael."

They smiled at each other than Michael left and Jeremy went inside. He wasn't surprised when he saw that Elena and Jenna were waiting for him. He rolled his eyes when the women jumped up and down excitedly and pulled him to the couch, demanding to know everything that had taken place.

Jeremy told them about the night in his usual Jeremy 'don't make a big deal out of it' way, though he couldn't stop the smile that kept coming back.

He was going to be fine, he was going to be okay. Even though it wasn't Tyler, it didn't matter. Michael was a great guy, an awesome guy, way better than Tyler could ever be. Right?

…TBC…

So yeah… there you go… another done and dusted (is that how you say it? LOL) I know it's rushed, but I wanted to get to the good stuff… LOL!

Anywhoo…

MwahzZ

(",) SmilezZ Ya'll