Jeremy found it pretty ironic that he was starting to have to convince himself that he loved Christine.

Their relationship was incredible at first, then Christine started getting super secretive about things. They'd be in the middle of a date when Christine would say "I gotta go, sorry." This happened far too frequently. It even happened at the movie theater once with some "nerd movie" that Jeremy "dragged" Christine to, even though she happily agreed to go.

As soon as they started dating, Christine kept trying to change Jeremy, accusing him of not paying attention to her every time he ever waved at Michael in the hallway.

Jeremy remembered that a few weeks ago, when Michael gave Jeremy a birthday card, Christine ripped it in half before Jeremy could read it. Right in front of Michael.

Jeremy remembered the way all of the color drained from Michael's face at that moment. The way that the fragile boy slumped his shoulders and walked away.

Of course, Jeremy started to go after Michael, but Christine held him back. Out of the ripped envelope Jeremy clutched onto, was a keychain that was half of a pixelated heart with the words "Player 2" on them. Jeremy stuffed it in his pocket, thankful that Christine didn't notice.

He kept that keychain in a box under his bed with other items from Michael, and thankfully he moved some of the contents before last week, when Christine snooped through his room, found the box, and burned it in front of Jeremy.

Considering Jeremy has never been in a relationship, he thought Christine's possessiveness was wrong. She pressured him into things he didn't want to do, but he assumed it was out of love.

More recently, however, Christine started punching Jeremy "playfully" on his arms and stomach whenever he said or did something she didn't agree with. Jeremy learned to think for a long time before he said anything to her, only telling her reassuring things and repeatedly showering her in compliments. And Christine loved this.

Jeremy was finally starting to learn.

It wasn't until he talked to Rich about what was going on with Christine when he realized that it wasn't how relationships were supposed to be, but at this point, even mentioning this would be a crime in Christine's book, so Jeremy learned to live with it.

He got weird looks from the cashier at the pharmacy when he bought bottles upon bottles of makeup to cover his bruises.

And then the thing with Michael happened. He was too shocked to even think of it being Christine who beat up Michael, even though the thought crossed his mind a couple of times since. Each time he thought this, Jeremy pushed the idea away, telling himself that "Michael never did anything to her" and "From what I've seen, she's been nice to Michael!" She may have slipped up a few times, but Christine was selling the act pretty well.

It was almost like Jeremy was brainwashed, and Christine had him wrapped around his finger.

However, Jeremy had dreamed of dating Christine since seventh grade, and now that it was a reality, Jeremy wasn't going to let it go anytime soon. He was just glad someone showed him any affection whatsoever, despite the relationship being "borderline abusive," in Jeremy's words. So Jeremy went with it.

It wasn't any of these things that made Jeremy want to leave the relationship. In fact, Jeremy was on his way to Christine's house to take her on a surprise date. He had a romantic picnic planned out, candles and all. Not to mention, Jeremy had a specially designed teddy bear to gift to Christine. He even bought a shirt for it with a selfie the couple took together printed on the front. Maybe it was a bit dorky, but it reminded Jeremy so much of Christine.

Jeremy took a deep breath when he reached her house, slightly anxious for whatever reason, although he liked to believe he had no reason to be. He unlocked the door with the spare key he practically begged Christine for and walked into the house. He turned the living room light on only to see Christine making out with a boy from Jeremy's English class.

Jeremy choked back a sob at the sight. "Chr-Christine?" Jeremy just stood there, picnic basket in one hand, teddy bear in the other. When Christine looked up and visibly gulped, Jeremy ran all the way home, never looking back.

A/N: another short chapter, but I'm going to give myself credit for writing a chapter before midnight. Also somehow I almost have 200 reads, so thanks to everyone who enjoys this story!