Week Four: Senior Year

Jake and I woke up entangled together. It felt weird to not feel a cast rub up against my feet. "Babe, we gotta-- we gotta go..." Jake grumbled as he moved to stand.

"Noooo..." I groaned. "Don't be Han Tholo and alwayth leave only to come back at the end!"

"You're such a nerd." He said covering his eyes and sighing as the alarm clock blared out Sinatra.

"I'm your nerd." I laughed and kissed him. I climbed out of bed and immediately felt freezing. Holy Mother of Frosty Monkey Tits it was cold.

Jake climbed out of the bed and stretched. He yawned and scratched his stomach, his shirt rode up to revel his abs, my own digestive organ did a summersault. We got ready for the day and left the house hand in hand.

The school wasn't too far away. Besides mom had packed us a lunch with a note saying if I came back before ten I was going to regret it. I appreciate my mom, but that was a little gross.

When we arrived at school Brooke and Chloe were arriving too. "Hey boys." Brooke flirted and I smiled and winked as Jake and Chloe nodded to each other. "So who's coming to my grad party! It's going to be a blast. Veronica even promised she'd go, which was weird considering all the shit that happened." She snorted and laughed.

Chloe looked at her softly. I don't even think she heard what her girlfriend had said.

Jeremy was inside playing with Michael on the DS. You could tell Jeremy was a wreck. He had deep circles under his eyes. I wondered what was up, but I didn't want to pry. Then it came to me like getting hit in the face with a brick. Today I had to take my reading final. I groaned and Jake looked over to me. "You okay there?" He asked.

I nodded because I didn't want him to know how nervous I was. Tests put me on edge. Especially since they remind me that I had a Squip. I'm not good at reading.

Jake must have seen my face or he just knew me too well by now, but either way he rapped me in his arms. I relaxed into his touch. "You're going to do great. You've worked really hard, and-" the school bell shrieked at us.

"Bye Babe." I said like I was heading to my doom. He kissed my forehead and smiled softly.

After the test I had that feeling, that only kids who have taken the English final, or black out drinks could have. What in fuck happened?

I was not feeling any better, but I didn't feel particularly bad. My head was feeling a bit fuzzy and I was on edge for some reason I couldn't place.

Michael was in my class and he looked calm. I came over to him as he hummed Marley and kicked his feet up.  "Yo, dude, how the hell do you keep tho fuckin' calm?" I said trying not to let anger seep into my voice. How could he be so relaxed when this class was so difficult?

He smiled, it was a little creepy, I'll admit. He motioned with his finger for me to move closer. I leaned in. If curiosity kills I'd be a cat. He got close to my ear and whispered, "Bro I'm sooooo fuckin' high rn." He leaned back and giggled. "Besides," he continued, "I don't sweat the small things." Then he giggled more like it was his own personal joke. I felt insulted. Was he laughing because he knew I had trouble? What the fuck was wrong with him! I wanted to punch his lights out.

Do it. Do it. DO IT! The voice in my head seared. I raised my fist. The voice prompted me and I shook. The bell rang before I could do anything and Michael gave a lazy blink in my direction before shrugging and leaving the class like the rest of the people.

I looked at my hand. No no nONONONO! I sank down and held myself. What was it that Jeremy always said when this happened? When it returned. "I have voiceth in my head, but the loudeth one ith mine. The loudest one ith m-mine." I said shrinking back. I could hear its laughter. "You can't get rid of me that easily Rich, you pathetic selfcent-"

The door to the room opened and my English teacher walked in. He was also Jake's theater teacher, Mr. Reyes. He was chill I guess, for a teacher. He looked around and spotted me. "Oh, Goranski, why are you still here? Dilinger's out in the hall. Said he was waiting for you."

"Yo Mr. R, I was just getting my thingth together. Thorry." I said standing and shoving random things in my bag to go. As I passed he put a hand on my shoulder.

"Don't worry, I'm sure you did fine. You are the hardest worker in here." He smiled at me and let go. I walked out to meet Jake.

He was checking his phone and yawning. "Hey, Jakey D, thouldn't you be at practice?" He cracked a smile as I walked over and hugged him.

"How are you always so warm?" He said resting his head in my hair. I let myself relax and laugh.

" r̼̯̤̈ͭ̃ͨ̆ i̞̟̫̺ͭ̒ͭͣ c͔ͣͦ́́͂ͅ h͚̖̜̍̃͐ " I gasped and backed away. Jake looked at me concerned.

"No!" I yelled holding my head. I sank to my knees. "Th--there are voi-th-voices I-in my head but t-the loudeth one is is..."

"Rich, Rich, baby stay calm I'm calling Jeremy. Don't freak out, that's right, just breathe. Oh God if I could punch that son-of-a-bitch I would." Jake said. I listened to his voice.

Everything sounded staticky until a voice breezed out over all.

"I'm back."