Touch

Part 2

He was such a shitty friend.

Jeremy had lied to Michael's face and he hated himself for it. He wasn't in high school anymore. He shouldn't be protecting the Squip.

This was ridiculous.

It was 2 a.m. and Jeremy was condemned to staring at the wall, wide awake, consumed with guilt and frustration. The Mountain Dew Red was right there. All he had to do was roll over, take a quick swig, and the Squip would be gone forever. Boom. Problem solved. But he just couldn't do it.

-...Reactivate.-

And there the Squip was, standing before him, arms crossed over its chest, looking exactly the same as Jeremy remembered. It made his stomach hurt.

What are you doing, Jeremy?

The Squip looked just as confused as he personally felt. It was a weird look.

-I just... wanted to talk.-

The corners of the Squip's lips dragged down into an unpleasant grimace.

Why are you hesitating? I'm of no use to you.

-I don't want to get rid of you. Not yet.-

Jeremy stared straight ahead, ignoring the look the Squip was giving him.

So you do want my help? Your previous objective was to "be more chill". Is that still what you want?

-No.-

You want to pursue a different goal?

-No...-

Are you sure?

-Uh. Yes.-

...But you don't want to get rid of me.

-Right.-

I'm failing to understand the point of this, Jeremy.

Jeremy heaved a sigh, rubbing his face in irritation as he rolled over onto his back, glaring at the ceiling. The Squip peered over him, head cocked to one side, analyzing. It always looked so weirdly smug and sure of itself, but there was something else in its expression that Jeremy couldn't quite put his finger on.

-It's... complicated? I don't know. Activating you was a complete accident.-

I'm happy to report there's an easy fix for this accident. Right there. On the bedside table. Don't tell me you're that oblivious.

Jeremy turned his head and glowered at the Squip.

-Look. When I first got you, I was in a bad place, and I was miserable, and I thought you could fix things. But your advice was terrible, and you nearly ruined my life and tried to take over the world.-

The Squip looked thoroughly unimpressed, waving its hand in the air as if to say 'yes, yes, get on with it already'.

-I mean, I did end up with Christine, and my dad started wearing pants, and I have friends now. Which is all junk I don't think I could have accomplished without you making things worse first. So in a weird way, you did improve my life. Some. But I don't need that kind of help anymore.-

The Squip stared at him blankly, brows creased ever so slightly.

So you're thanking me?

-Not exactly?-

The Squip stayed silent.

-So, uh. What I'm trying to say is, you weren't a complete failure. And if you aren't going to turn the entire campus into a crazy zombie hivemind, then I can't fully justify just throwing you away.-