Chapter Text
This day started out like any other normal day, with Jeremy getting up and going to school.
Today was different though, the reason being that today was the last day of finals before school let out for winter break.
“Jeremy, this is going to be an amazing break! We can play video games and hang out at each other’s houses!” Another boy says to Jeremy, bouncing with every step towards the school.
This boy was Michael, Jeremy’s best friend of about 10 years.
Jeremy laughs. “Michael, we do that all the time, what’s different now?” “What’s different?” Michael repeats, scoffing. “This is the first time since we started our freshman year that we can do it everyday!” He flashes a wide grin at Jeremy.
“Yeah, yeah” Jeremy rolls his eyes, fidgeting with his blue cardigan sleeves. “Remember, we still have to get through these last two finals, stupid”
Michael lets out an exaggerated gasp, making Jeremy laugh again. “That was so uncalled for, I am insulted! How dare you?” He finishes off his sentence as they approach the doors to school.
“Ha ha, get over it, Micah” Jeremy groans after a moment. “We have to take more finals” He drags out the last word. “Yeah, uh, I know” Michael says. “It sucks but I’m sure you’ll do great, man” He smiles at his friend.
“Thanks, Michael,” Jeremy smiles right back at him. “I better get to my class though” he sighs. “Yeah, me too.. good luck!” The other boy gives him another smile as he walks away to his classroom. Jeremy dejectedly walks over to his class after Michael walks out of view.
(After the final)
Jeremy finally gets to his locker and leans against it, then his face lights up.
“Michael! Hey!” He waves over to his best friend. “Hey, Jere!” He grins and makes his way over. “Damn it, I wish I had your hoodie, it’s so cold” Jeremy exaggerates his actions, folding his arms tightly.
Michael chuckles at his actions and shakes his head. “Sorry, but this is all mine, Miah, you bought it for me!” “Whatever.. how do you think you did on your final?” Jeremy asks him.
“I think I did fine, it was only English after all.” Michael replies, energetic. “What about you?”
“..I did okay” Jeremy replies offhandedly. Michael laughs. “Okay, I’ll let that go then”
*RING*
“Oh! Jeremy, see you later! Good luck on your last final” He smiles to Jeremy behind his shoulder. “Thanks..” Jeremy replies belatedly, stepping on his way to his Science class begrudgingly.
(End of the day!)
Jeremy steps out of his classroom, just to almost be trampled by a horde of students on their way out of school.
He carefully makes his way through the crowds as best as he can, going to where he knows Michael will be.
“Jere!” Michael meets him halfway, grinning again. “Hey Mike! You coming over tomorrow..?” Jeremy asks awkwardly.
They may have been best friends for 10 years, but he still finds it kind of hard to talk to him. He really needs help with that.
“Yeah, for sure! Sorry it couldn’t be today, the moms want me home tonight” Michael apologizes. “No, it’s fine man, I’ll get by” Jeremy replied.
I mean, it wasn’t a lie, but life could be better at home since his mom left. His dad doesn’t really take care of him that much now. “Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow, Miah!” Michael smiles and goes on his way to go home.
Jeremy leans against the wall, sighing. He didn’t really want to go home. He wanted Michael there with him. “Hey.” A voice sounds behind Jeremy, making him jump.
He turns around, scared. “Uh.. hi?” He replies, quietly. He vaguely recognizes the boy. He is taller than him, has short brown hair.. he eventually recognizes him as Shane Hansen.
“I’m gonna get right to the point, yeah? You’re obviously a loser, and I have something to offer you.” The taller man says. Jeremy doesn’t say anything, and Shane sighs, annoyed.
He shows him his fist and opens it to reveal something like a.. pill. “Uh?! Is that drugs?” Jeremy blurts out, making Shane smirk.
“Nope, it’s actually better, I would say. It’s called a squip, and it’s from a company in Japan that specializes in nanotechnology” Shane tells him. “This will singlehandedly help you become more popular.”
Jeremy furrows his eyebrows, doubtful. “But.. how though?” Shane thinks for a minute. “Okay, how about this, I give you the pill for free and you can see for yourself. It’s usually 400 but you look like you need it, kid.”
“Oh, uh- thanks?” Jeremy stammers and takes the pill from his hand. Shane holds out a bottle of Mountain Dew to Jeremy. “You need this too” The boy in the cardigan takes the bottle from Shane hesitantly.
“You’re gonna watch me take it..?” Jeremy asks. “Just to see your reaction” The taller guy nods. Jeremy hums nervously and opens the bottle of soda. He takes a drink, puts the squip in his mouth, and swallows it.
“Now wait a minute” Shane stops him from saying anything. “Ok, what are you trying to-“ Jeremy stops suddenly and doubles over.
“Ah! Ow! What the hell?!” Shane just smirks. Searing pain spreads across Jeremy’s head as he goes onto the ground. He hears a voice speak inside of his head.
Accessing neural memory
Accessing muscle memory
Access procedure completed
Jeremy begins to see something appear before him, glitching into his vision.
Jeremy Heere
Welcome to your Super Quantum Unit Intel Processor
Your SQUIP
All of a sudden, the form in front of him is.. “Keanu Reeves?” Jeremy groans out in pain. “So it’s showing! That’s great” Shane finally speaks.
“W-what does the squip do exactly?” Jeremy asks. “Oh, for me it helped with homework, chores, and especially getting a girlfriend and becoming popular.” Shane replies. “For you, it will do whatever you set the objective to. It could be anything you want.”
The Keanu Reeves look-a-like stood before Jeremy, smirking. “Yes, Jeremy, I will help you with whatever you request. I suggest you choose some of the same as Shane Hansen here.” It says, voice ringing inside Jeremy’s ears.
“Excuse me for a moment. Up, up, down, down, left, right, A” Jeremy jumps and so does Shane. “I just synced up with his squip, this will help you in the future.”
“You’re welcome, kid.” Shane says as he walks over to his car and gets inside. “What would you like your objective to be” Jeremy barely has any time to look back at the squip before it asks him this question, using a monotone voice.
“Uh- become popular? And get a girlfriend? Basically just S-Shane’s objectives” He stutters. The squip hums. “Very well, I will set that now. Also, we will have to work on that stutter, Jeremiah.”
“Oh, uh, o-okAY-“ His voice raises an octave as a shock courses through his body. “What was that?!” “I shocked you, it will stop slouching and it will also teach you not to stutter” the squip replies coolly.
Jeremy just nods. “Alright, I’ll trust you, I guess” “That’s a good boy” The squip teases him, making Jeremy cross his arms, annoyed.
“We will start working on improving your social status by buying you some new, cool clothes.” “What’s wrong with- uh, okay I guess..” He decides to appeal to the squip, after all it is helping him improve his life.
“Also, you will have to start speaking to me in your mind.” The squip tells him. “Like X-Men!” The young boy replies in his head.
The squip doesn’t reply to that. “You will not go home right now, I will direct you to the mall to shop for your new clothing.” “Got it” Jeremy nods, yet not questioning how he will get there. “Welcome to the start of your new life, Jeremy Heere”