"No."

The word was out of Michael's mouth faster than a snow cone would melt in Hell. He wasn't even sure why he said it, either. Until he looked at his SQUIP and realized that that mother trucker had taken control of him and forced him to say it.

'Uh, why didn't we tell Jeremy the truth.'

'Because he would of had what you would call a "freak out". His SQUIP understands though.'

'You can communicate with other SQUIPS?'

'Yes.'

Michael realized he probably wasn't going to get much more than that, so he gave up on the topic for now. He focused on Jeremy again, who looked confused.

"How do you get it then, Michael?" Jeremy seemed genuinely concerned, and Michael almost felt bad for not telling him the truth. Key word being almost. Michael knew he needed this, and if Jeremy's SQUIP knew the truth, then he figured him and Jeremy could at least be friend again.

"I, uh, kept asking around about them after I left the party," Michael lied easily, following his tic tacs lead. "I meet someone who actually had a SQUIP and they explained it all to me. I get it now." He knew it sounded lame and unbelievable. He could see it in Jeremy's eyes. But Jeremy didn't say anything about it. He just shrugged, as if he didn't want to fight about this. "Do you want to come over tonight? My moms aren't gonna be home because date night, and I-" Michael was going to say miss you but his SQUIP cut him off. "-well, we, still have to finish Apocalypse of the Damned?" he finished lamely. Jeremy paused a second, biting his lip.

"Yeah, sure," he finally said. Michael noticed how cautious the other sounded, as if he was scarred Michael was still going to yell at him for the whole bathroom thing. "Hey, what's with the new clothes, by the way? They're a little, ah, 'tight' for your style."

"Oh, I just thought I'd try something new," Michael knew that sounded so fake. He never really tried anything new. Heck, he had had the same earphones for three years running. But again, Jeremy just shrugged.

"Alright. As long as you still have and plan on wearing that freaking expensive weed binder I helped you get." Michael laughed, grinning at Jeremy. He felt himself relax a bit, and sighed.

"As if I could ever get rid of that," he told Jeremy. "Alright, well, I better get home and clean up. Mom is probably worried about me by now." Jeremy nodded, and opened his car door. He smiled at Michael, before waving.

"See you later, Player One."

"Bye, Player Two." Michael was getting ready to head back to his car, before Jeremy stopped him again.

"And Michael? It's great to see you again."

Michael wasn't aware how stupidly he was grinning till he walked into his house and his Mom pointed it out.

"Oh, did someone have a good day?" his Mom questioned, grinning at him. Michael laughed. He had always felt more comfortable around Mom instead of Mama. He wasn't sure if it was just because his mom had such a maternal sense around her, or if it was because Mama had such a cool unfeeling air around her. He figured it was both.

"Yeah, I saw Jeremy today," he told her. Both his moms knew that he liked Jeremy. Really, the only person who didn't was Jeremy himself. "Hey, he's going to come over tonight while you guys are out."

"Okay. Please, try not to get to high. And no inappropriate touching!" Yeah, Michael's moms also knew he did drugs. How could they not, when he did it in the basement all of the time. At first it was just to help his anxiety, and then he started using it to get ride of his intrusive thoughts. Then him and Jeremy just did it for fun, one day. It just kind of progressed.

"Yeah Mom, I promise." He grinned at her, before puling her into a hug.

"Hey, what's this for, kiddo?"

"Because I wanted a hug." He hadn't gotten to see them lately with all this SQUIP stuff, and he missed his moms. He pulled away after a few seconds, and smiled. "I'm gonna go upstairs. Yell if you need anything."

Michael's moms had left about thirty minutes before he heard someone knocking at the door. Michael figured it was Jeremy, and threw on his old hoodie. He was back in sweatpants and his hoodie, and his SQUIP sort of hated it. But they compromised by Michael agreeing to take off his binder so he wouldn't hurt himself by wearing it to much. He had on one of his old sports bras instead, and decided that it probably wasn't any more comfortable. Michael ran down the stairs, which did not feel good without a binder, and rushed to the door.

'Breath, Michael. It's just Jeremy.'

'It's just Jeremy? It's JUST Jeremy?!'

'He's come over many times before, Michael.'

'I know but this time I have you.'

'Yes, well, just calm down.'

Michael took a deep breath, and opened the door.

"Hey Jeremy," he said, smiling.

"Hey Michael," Jeremy responded, stepping into the house.

"You know you can just walk in, right? You basically live here too, you know?"

"I didn't know if I was still that welcome," Jeremy told him. Michael shook his head, smiling.

"Dude, you're always welcome here." Jeremy nodded and walked over to the kitchen. Michael followed him, letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

"So, what's the plan? Are Alice and Robin home still?" Jeremy asked.

"Nah, the moms aren't home," Michael replied, opening the fridge. He caught sight of the Mountain Dew Red he still had, and had quick thought that maybe he should offer some to Jeremy. Before he could say anything though, he felt a small shock go through his body.

'Michael,' his SQUIP warned. Michael sighed, knowing what that meant. They had talked about this before. He made a mental note to throw that shit away later so he wouldn't think that again. He pulled out some grape soda though, and turned to Jeremy.

"You want any?" he asked the other, closing the fridge and pulling out a cup.

"Nah, I'm good."

"Suit yourself." Michael poured himself a glass, before putting the soda away and sitting down next to Jeremy. "And, uh, playing video games is the plan! Duh!" Jeremy raised an eyebrow. "And maybe getting a little high," Michael admitted. Jeremy chuckled.

"Yeah, I figured." Michael grinned. He could feel the tension falling away as they both got comfortable with each other again. Michael laughed, before downing his soda.

"Alright, let's beat this two player game!"

Michael wasn't sure what time it was or how long he and Jeremy had been in this basement. All he knew was he was pretty high and Jeremy had already hit his drug limit. If there was a such thing as a drug limit. Was there? Michael wasn't sure, but he giggled at his thoughts.

"Hey Jers, there's a zombie comin' up behind ya!"

"Thanks Mich! Hey, grab that grenade! Wait, is that how you say that? Or do you saw gernade?"

"I think it's gernade, dude."

"Bro, I agree. Thanks."

"No problem bro." Michael giggled again, and lost focus for a second.

"God dammit! Bruh, where were you?" Jeremy freaked when they both died. Michael groaned and laid back on his bean bag. His thoughts were getting slow and fuzzy, and he wasn't sure what to say.

'Hey hey what do I say? Oh my god that rhymed! Am I a poet? Should I try to be a poet?'

'WARNING WARNING WARNING.'

'Uh, SQUIP dude?'

'POWERING OFF TO CONSERVE DATA IN 3...2...1...'

'Tic tac?' Michael thought out desperately. No, he needed the freaking computer to help him with Jeremy. But he had to admit his brain felt kind of empty now. Did his thing seriously power off? Was it because of the weed? What happened? If his was off, was Jeremy's too? But he couldn't just ask Jeremy. because then Jeremy would be suspicious. Michael hadn't even realized he had zoned out until Jeremy started shaking him out of his thoughts.

"Hey, hey, dude, you good?" Michael starred up at Jeremy, who was sitting on his lap shaking him. Michael wasn't sure why Jeremy was on his lap, but he kind of liked it. God, he was so helpless.

"I, uh..." Michael wasn't sure if it was the drugs or just the fact Jeremy was right there, but he couldn't form real words. His eyes glanced down at Jeremy's lips for a second before shooting right back up to the other boys eyes. Michael was surprised to see that Jeremy seemed to be looking at his lips, and he sucked in a breath. Jeremy leaned down, and Michael closed his eyes as both of their lips connected. The kiss was sloppy and probably drug induced, but Michael enjoyed it no less. He grabbed Jeremy's shoulders and pulled him closer. Jeremy didn't fight against it, and brought a hand up into Michael's hair. The hoodie clad boy pulled back for a second to get his breath back. They both opened their eyes at the same time. Michael was flushed and breathing heavy, and Jeremy was so red , he blended it with Michael's hoodie.

"O-oh shit," Jeremy suddenly said, quickly climbing up off of Michael's lap. "Dude, I'm so sorry."

"No, it's...uh," Michael couldn't think straight. Between the drugs and the fact he just made out with Jeremy, it was no surprise his thoughts were completely jumbled up. Jeremy pulled his sweater tighter around him, standing awkwardly.

"I'm just gonna go," Jeremy suddenly said.

"No, dude, you don't have to go," Michael said, standing up quickly. Jeremy's blush deepened somehow, and he shook his head.

"No, I think I need to go. Your moms are probably going to come home soon anyways." It seemed like Jeremy was completely down to Earth now, as if he hadn't been high this entire night.

"No, Jerremy, please do-"

"See you tomorrow." Jeremy more or less ran out of the room. Michael went to follow him, but fell back on his beanbag. Looks like the weed was still affecting him, even though he felt like he had just gotten soaked with a cold bucket of water. He covered his eyes with his hands, sighing loudly.

'POWERING BACK UP IN 3...2...1...' The Jeremy look alike appeared on the beanbag right next to his, and seemed a little put out of it. Michael refused to look over at it, not wanting to see Jeremy's face.

'Are you back now?'

"Hello Michael. You do not sound happy to see me.'

'Yeah! Cause you freaking abandoned me and I think I just fucked up everything.'

'Give me a second as I review this evenings data.' Michael was silent as the SQUIP reviewed the data. 'Oh.'

'Yeah.'

'I didn't think you had the guts.'

'Thanks.'

'No, I mean, you actually-'

"I KNOW!" Michael yelled.

"I just freaking made out with Jeremy Heere. Oh shit, what am I gonna do? I can't go to school tomorrow."

'You can and you will. Now, let's make a plan.'

"No. I'm going to go to sleep and sleep off the rest of my high. You can come up with a plan. Good day to you sir." He laid back on his beanbag, ignoring his SQUIP's protests.

'Michael...'

Michael was out before the SQUIP could even think of lecturing him.

It's over 2,000 words. I hope y'all are happy with this. I really tried, and I had blast. My fingers are in pain though and I'm so tired of the word bro. But yes, this was a lot of fun! If you have any questions, feel free to ask!