Foreign Objects

01 • Spe

"Why is he still so obsessed with me?" Peyton huffs. "He keeps looking at me."

"Um babe, I think that might be because you're looking at him too."

I don't need to turn around to know that Peyton is currently murdering Mike with her eyes for the comment.

From my peripheral, I see Jeremiah and his friends walk past us. Just on cue, the bells ring.

Peyton shakes her head, inhaling and exhaling. She's clearly still not over things despite the positive change in her character.

"You okay?" Jenny asks her.

Peyton gives her the famous Peyton Kelly smile. "Dandy."

🛸🛸🛸

I need to talk to Jeremiah.

I never thought I'd say these words. If I wanted to be in the same space with that boy, it would've most likely been to cuss him out but, right now, I'm not thinking about his asshole tendencies towards Peyton, I'm thinking about what we experienced yesterday and what he knows.

So far, that heavy feeling in my chest has turned down a notch. It's still there but it's now unnoticeable so, I take it as a sign to get moving.

After first period, I'm on a hunt for Jeremiah.

I find him on social media. It's relatively easy because Peyton reposted a lot of his posts on her Instagram story when they were dating and so against my will, I got accustomed to his poorly crafted username. Jremiah56.

I unblock him because I blocked him prior, because when your best friend breaks up with her boyfriend, that's what you do.

deelilahjc:
Hey, where are you?

He doesn't seem to be online as there's no blue tick to his name and I grit my teeth and let out a frustrated groan, because I am annoyed and impatient.

Five minutes later and he's still not online. I rest my head on my locker and for dramatic effect, I begin hitting my head against it (softly) for a few seconds, wondering what I should do next.

"Hey."

I stand up straight, surprised by how close the voice is and relief, somewhat, washes over me when I see Jeremiah standing in front of me.

"Why aren't you answering your messages on insta?"

He quirks an eyebrow, pulling the strap of his bag up on his shoulder. "Um, I thought you blocked me on insta?"

"I did but then I unblocked you."

"Really? Why did you unblock me?"

"Because I needed to see you so we can talk, I'll block you right after though."

He scoffs, shaking his head, a bang from his chin length blonde hair falling on his eyes. He pulls it behind his ear.

"We need to talk." Then I look around swiftly, relaxing when I don't spot Peyton or any of my other friends. "But not here."

"Scared your bestie's gonna see us together?"

"I'm scared of anyone seeing us together."

🛸🛸🛸

We're at the field now, under the bleachers. It's the only place I could think of that isn't occupied right now.

Jeremiah drops his bag down, rolling his shoulders briefly as he looks around. Is he hurt? I squint my eyes as I survey him, trying to see if there's any physical distinctions. He's on a basic t-shirt and jeans. He wears them slung a little low on his hips like always, slightly revealing the waistband of his boxers. His sneakers are dirty and worn, like he's been wearing them for years. His blonde hair is tousled, and there's a couple of rebellious strands that stick out from the rest, falling on his long and thin face.