(In this AU, Jeremy still has his squip in the bathroom and knows that mdr shuts it off. Also Rich doesn't set a fire. I wrote this whole chapter and clicked out without saving so FML, now I'm writing the entire thing again. I spent 2 hours on it cuz I write slow af. Ok enjoy)

Jeremy's POV

"G-get out of my way, lo... los-"

I couldn't do it. I didn't want to. It was forcing me to.

I watched as Michael's outstretched arms fell to his sides. His eyes were watering and his lips trembled as if he would break down at any moment. I couldn't help but feel bad for him. 12 years and $600 wasted on a stupid pill from Japan that was keeping me from my best friend. I'll do anything to rid it from my brain. Freeze it, even.

YOU SHOULDN'T THINK LIKE THAT, JEREMY. YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I CAN DO TO YOU.

A distorted voice in my head spoke. I couldn't take it any more.

"STOP! JUST STOP!" I yelled with a visible voice crack as I shut my eyes tight, kneeled to the ground and grabbed my hair with shaking hands.

As I opened my eyes a crack again, tears blocking most of my vision, I saw Michael's expression from the corner of my eye go from sadness to confusion.

"Please, Michael! I'm sorry! AH!" I screamed as I fell to the floor, hands  still gripping my hair vigourously as a sharp pain intruded my head.

SEE? YOU CAN'T STOP ME. IF THE OTHER FIND OUT ABOUT THIS,, YOUR SOCIAL STATUS WILL DECREASE BY AT LEAST 23%.

"I don't care about my social status you overgrown tic tac! Michael, please save me! Red!" His eyes widened with realisation. He quickly unzipped his bag that now had "riends" crossed out with bright red sharpie and brought out a short fat bottle. By the time he was able to uncap it, I was on the ground shrieking and screaming as more tears escaped my eyes and flowed down my face nonstop like blood from someone on their period.

He attempted to push me off of the ground, swiftly bringing the bottle up to my lips when he succeeded.

YOU DON'T WANNA DRINK THAT, JEREMY!

"WHY NOT?!" I yelled to the non-existent figure behind me where the voice was coming from. Michael turned my face back around to meet his gaze.

That was when I noticed his expression. His worried and tired but caring eyes with tears slowly streaming down, his quivering lips and slightly pink nose. My heart sank at it. I just wanted to wipe it off his face and replace it with his eyes shut from laughter and his mouth wide open, bellowing from some probably sexual joke. His laughter echoed in my head, suddenly becoming louder than the evil one. I would do anything to get that happy Michael back.

So I did.

With all the strength I had left, I snatched the liquid from his hands and guzzled down the entire bottle, noticing the cherry flavour. As soon as I was done, I released to my grip, watching little specks of leftover liquid splat onto the floor. I remained coughing and gasping on the floor, feeling someone's hand soothingly rubbing circles into my back. I expected the harsh voice to come back and scold me, but it never did.

And just like that it was over.

I cried and cried waterfalls as a warmth engulfed my back. I looked around to see Michael spooning me on the floor, his arm wrapped around my stomach with a weak smile. I turned around and hugged him tight, scared to lose him again.

I mumbled "sorry"s and "thank you"s into his shoulder between gasps and cries.

He brushed his hands through my hair and whispered "it's okay, I'm here, you're safe now." into my ear.

We lay there for who knows how long before I finally lifted my head out of his shoulder and looked at him smiling. We laughed weakly as we got up and intertwined our hands.

"I'm sorry, Michael. I'll never do that again. I didn't want to, it was forcing me, I don't ever want to lose you."

"Shh, I know, I know. It's alright. It wasn't your fault. It's over now."

And then we hugged again, I inhaled the scent of weed from his creeps shirt. I never thought I'd say this, but I really missed it.

We parted once more and he lifted his hand to my cheek, causing me to have a small blush. He stroked it slowly as his beautiful hazel eyes met mine.

"Mahal kita, Jer."

"Mahal din kita, Micha."