Chapter Text
"What the actual fuck?"
Micheal jolts up from the chair he was sitting in with a puzzled expression on his face.
"Fuck!" Jeremy says. "What the actual fuck?"
Jeremy stares at the ground unable to believe what happened. His older brother broke his arm by falling out of a goddamn tree.
"Dude," Micheal gives him a concerned look. "Can you tell me what the hell is going on?"
"Evan broke his arm."
Micheal looked up at him. "Damn. Really?" Jeremy stared off into space. "He fell out of a tree..." Jeremy trailed off.
"Fell out of a tree?"
"He could've died Micheal!" Jeremy spat. He slumps back in his chair. "Heidi just told me. I need to come home." Micheal nodded. "I could drive you home." Jeremy shakes his head. "No. I'd rather walk but thanks anyway I couldn't have asked for a better friend."
Micheal snorts, looking away, and desperately attempts to control the heat rising on his cheeks. Jeremy sighs, staring at a wall. What a great brother I am, he thinks bitterly. "Hey Jere?"
"What?" He asks, venom lacing his words. He winced, not meaning to sound so annoyed with his best friend.
Micheal flinched before responding to him. "You didn't know. It's not your fault Jere. Just...don't be too hard on yourself."
Jeremy stands up, giving Micheal a weak smile. "Alright...I guess?" His friend grinned back at him.
Jeremy still felt like blaming himself, thought he wouldn't say anything else around Micheal. "Welp. I gotta go."
"I'm coming with!"
Jeremy looked back at him. "What? Why?"
Micheal took a step towards Jeremy. He shoved his hands in the pockets of his red hoodie, a soft smile upon his features. We're supposed to start school in a few days, Jeremy reminds himself. Poor Evan's going to be walking around with a broken arm. What the hell was he doing in a tree anyways? Isn't he some sort of tree expert?
Micheal reaches out a hand and places it on Jeremy's shoulder in reassurance. "I've only met him once but it feels wrong to just stay here while your brother's hurting."
Jeremy glances over at him and nods. He had just met Evan and Heidi 6 months ago and Jeremy was very happy. He had a new mother and a brother. Micheal and Jeremy's eyes meet for a moment before Micheal turns away laughing awkwardly.
Giving up any chance of going alone, Jeremy sighs. His friend grins and walks out.
"Now," Micheal says. "Let's go see your brother."