Chapter Text
*One Month and 29 Days Later*
Jeremy normally doesn't spend long getting ready in the morning, but today's different. His nerves had him up at five a.m., and he's been out of bed and making himself look decent ever since.
After he showered, he spent a solid twenty minutes combing his short hair, parting it left, then right, then down the middle, but nothing felt right. So, he combed his fingers through his hair like he normally does and moved to his closet, where he now stands staring at his poor fashion choices with a low sigh.
The many hangers hold polos and cardigans. It's a safe look, he thinks, but he's not sure he wants to be safe today because today is different, bigger than any other regular day.
He opts for a soft green shirt that looks as if it's been dipped slightly in a subtle grey, an almost clear match to his eyes. The sleeves are quarter sleeves, still bold since he normally hides behind a cardigan but not daring enough to where he's left feeling uncomfortable.
He combines this with a clean pair of jeans and has just enough time to slip his cons on before he hears the echo of a familiar car horn that, for the first time, leaves his heart thumping loudly against his chest.
Slinging his backpack over one shoulder, he spares one final glance to his bedroom mirror, carding his fingers once more through his soft brown locks before he's taking the steps downstairs two at a time.
When he pulls the front door open, his heart flutters inconsistently against his chest, and his breath catches in his throat when he spots Michael leaning against his signature golden PT Cruiser, eyes closed and head tilted up toward the soft pink morning sky with his beats undoubtedly pulsing loud music in his ears.
Jeremy's cheeks are already flushing a bright red when he hops down the steps and closes the distance between the two. Michael has yet to acknowledge him, unsurprisingly lost within the loud, pulsing music, so Jeremy curls his fingers into a fist and knocks his knuckles lightly against Michael's chest.
"Abuse already?" Michael questions, voice teasing as he slips his headphones around his neck and tilts his gaze to meet Jeremy's.
Jeremy shrugs, lips pulling up into a soft smile that contrasts the nerves building and dancing throughout his body. When Michael leans toward him, his nerves jolt like a shock of electricity down his spine, and his eyes flutter closed, slightly trembling lips welcoming Michael's steady warm ones in a soft kiss that lasts only a few moments before Michael pulls away with a slight frown.
"You're nervous." He tells Jeremy, voice low but giving off a slight hint of concern.
"I'm okay," Jeremy lies, and Michael breathes out a slight huff.
"You're a shitty liar. Are you having second thoughts-"
"No!" Jeremy steps away until he can see Michael clearly, but he keeps his hands pressed firmly against Michael's shoulders. "I want to do this."
Michael considers this with furrowed brows. He's gotten really good at reading Jeremy, so he takes in the tensed shoulders and stick-straight back with concern. "Jeremy-"
"We are doing this," Jeremy interrupts, dropping his hands and rubbing his slightly sweaty palms up and down his jeans. "Besides, I know Jake told Jenna, so the whole school probably knows by now."
"Are you worried what people will say?" Michael questions, tilting his head slightly as he scans Jeremy's eyes for an answer, but Jeremy only shrugs.
"Doesn't matter as long as you're here," he admits, shifting his gaze to his worn shoes as a blush paints across his cheeks.
"Then let's go conquer the world," Michael says before he turns around and opens the passenger side door for Jeremy.
*****
Jeremy thought he had it mostly together, but when he and Michael get out of his car with the school looming over them, his togetherness crumbles, resulting in slight, nervous tremors that he fails to hide.
"Jeremy," Michael says, voice firm despite the blaring trace of worry. "I don't mind keeping this just between us."
Jeremy eyes all of the returning students trudging up the school steps, not quite eager to start yet another long year. He swallows the clump of nerves blocking his throat and shakes his head, mentally telling himself that he doesn't care if people mock him for being an idiot with the SQUIP since he's had the best thing with him always.
"Let's do this," he tells Michael, sliding his faintly trembling hand into Michael's, and Michael laces their fingers together and offers a tight squeeze.
The two walk up the steps and enter the old building, and they are instantly met with the familiar sight of students chattering and crowding around lockers. Only a few passing students spare the two a glance, but none say anything about their locked hands.
Michael takes lead, pulling Jeremy toward the brunet's locker, and when they manage to shove past the masses of students, they spot Rich leaning against the set of lockers beside Jeremy's.
"Well hello, you beautiful gays," Rich says with a sing-song tone.
"We've talked about this," Michael tells Rich as Jeremy opens his locker. "Jeremy's bi."
"Details," Rich says with a shrug. When Jeremy shuts his locker and Michael resumes his position at his side, Rich rolls his head to face the two, lips pulling up in a sharp, devious grin.
"Now that it's been over a month," Rich starts with a serious voice, a blaring contrast to his teasing grin. "I have to ask."
"What?" Jeremy asks, relaxing against Michael's side.
"Who's got the bigger dick?"