I tug him a little closer. I start mumbling reassuring words. "I won't let them hurt you. You're struck with me until we graduate and go to college. We'll fit in there. Like you always said, 'guys like us are cool in college'. College will finally get us away from the teachers we imprinted our horrible reputations onto and the kids that hate us. We'll finally get out of our houses. We'll finally be free to be and do what we want."

Michael's sobs die down. I smile and press a small kiss to his head without thinking. He looks up and pulls away. His face is still red but it's probably just from him crying. I pick up his bag and sling it over my shoulder before flashing him a smile. He smiles back. It might be small, but it's still a smile. It's genuine too. That's all that matters.

Michael's POV

I stare at whatever's in my hand as I pack my bag. Jeremy's eyes are on my back. I can feel it. Everything in my head is just blank. Nothing. Finally, a thought pops into my head. Why does Jeremy care? Why does he put up with me? I should be so thankful to have him. I am thankful. Maybe I should be more thankful.

I soon finish and turn to Jeremy. I sniffle a bit.

"Ready?", He asks. I nod. It looks like realization hit him. "Does it hurt to talk?" I nod again. He begins to walk over to me and hugs me tightly. I hesitate and wrap my arms tightly around him and begin to sob into his shoulder. He holds me closer and starts mumbling reassuring words to me. I smile a small smile through the sobs. The sobs began to die down eventually. I feel a small amount of pressure against my head and I instantly flush. A kiss. I look up and pull away. Jeremy Heere just kissed me. Of course it was just on the head and was probably just to comfort me but it was still a kiss. Jeremy slings my bag over his shoulder and smiles. I smile back. It's the same small smile as before but it's still an attempt. Jeremy Heere kissed me, even if it was just on the head. Maybe we could really get somewhere!

All the heat that had previously rushed to my face disappears.

Jeremy has a girlfriend.

That girlfriend is Christine Canigula.

Jeremy has had a crush on Christine since seventh grade.

Fat chance at getting him to fall for me.

"Michael?"

I get pulled away from my thoughts by Jeremy. I let out a small, "Hm?"

"Let's go. Before they get back." I nod and follow him out the door. I get in the passenger side and stare out the windshield. Jeremy starts the car and we're off.

"Michael?"

"Hm?"

"I hope you know it isn't your fault they're doing this. They're doing it because they can't see past the petty lies people threw at them."

I nod to show I understand. "Jere?", I mumble without moving my mouth too much.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks"

Jeremy smiles. "It's not problem man. I'd do anything for you."

I smile back. 'I love you', I say in my head, hoping that one day I'd be able to vocalize these words, with anyone really, especially Jeremy though. God he's just so beautiful.