Chapter 9: The Flashback

Today was the day students were joining different clubs. Of course, Jeremy, being Jeremy, decided to join ALL of the clubs as possible. He would only join clubs that he thought would fit him and his 'status' in school. Even though he wanted to join the football team (American football) or the soccer team, he'd only be made fun of. Apparently, you have to stick to the status quo; you have to stick with what you know.

Despite the fact that Jeremy wanted join all of the clubs, he only joined the clubs that 'nerds' joined. He joined science club, English club, history club, math club, and robotics club. He's also the president of all the clubs he joined.

He eventually finished joining clubs and headed to his locker which was right next to one of his best friends' boyfriends. Devon was his name. Jeremy never really had a problem with his best friends' boyfriends. In fact, he thanked his best friends. If they didn't have those guys as their boyfriends, he would still get bullied by them.

Although, that wouldn't help the fact that he still gets bullied, but at least his bullies decreased in number. He's already quite close with Devon, Jack, and Marius. Right now, he had to deal with Callum.

In Jeremy's opinion, Callum was a good looking lad with a sense of humor. He knew that, because everyday he sees Callum with Devon, Jack, and Marius at the soccer field messing around and cracking jokes. But his only concern is that he gets bullied by Callum. Nothing major, but it's still bullying. He prays every night that Tiffany would just let her pride down and just say 'yes' to Callum. He knew that it sounded a bit selfish, but come on, All that Tiffany wanted in a guy is in Callum! And if he's not mistaken, when they were 11 years old, Tiffany always, ALWAYS, said that she wanted a guy who can play soccer, a guy who's tall, and a guy who's blonde. There are only bonuses like: Callum has blue eyes, he has a good sense of humor, and he's actually fun once you get to know him.

* * * *

Jeremy smiled at the thought of Tiffany finally agreeing to being Callum's girlfriend and at the thought of his bullies decreasing, because once he has Devon, Jack, Marius, and Callum (plus the girls) on his side, he won't get bullied anymore. Yay for Jeremy!

He arrived at his locker and fixed his stuff. Everyday before he went home, Jeremy always fixed his stuff in locker. When he finished, he turned around only to see his best friends waiting for him.

"Geez Jer, this is why you take so long!" Tiffany whined. "You take longer than me when I get ready in the morning."

"Tiff, relax-" Jeremy said but got interrupted by Tiffany who said, "Relax?! How can I relax?! We waited here for like a long time!"

"I-I'll buy you a cupcake!" Jeremy said as he prayed that would work to shut her up.

"Omg. Really?! I want a-"

"I know. A red velvet cupcake. I promise!"

"You're the best, Jeremy!"

"Um... guys we're here too you know." Rachelle rolled her eyes.

"Well, you speak too slow, Rach. So I had to speak first!" Tiffany said excited to go for the cupcake Jeremy promised.

"Guys, since it's Friday, I think we should hang out at the park!" Jessica suggested clearly bored.

"Yeah! That's a great idea! Just like old times!" Erica smiled the cute smile of hers.

"Cool. It'd be fun to reminisce." Jeremy added.

"What're we waiting for? Let's go then!" Rachelle said.

"Jeremy! Don't forget my cupcake, okay?" Tiffany reminded.

"Yes I won't. I just won't buy it now, but I guarantee you that I'll buy you that cupcake." Jeremy said.

"Promise?" Tiffany asked as she held up her pinky.

Jeremy chuckled but locked his pinky with hers and said,"Promise."

* * * *

The five of them eventually arrived at the park they used to go to as children. They stopped going there when they reached the age of eight. A lot has happened at that young age of theirs that they can't be bothered to even go to their park and play around.

Jeremy's dad died that year and that completely ruined him and his younger brother, because they were close to their dad and they loved him loads.

Jessica and her family were struggling with Schmaguar and their low ratings.

Erica's mom wasn't on Broadway that much and her dad's music school wasn't doing great that time.

Rachelle's mom wasn't successful that time, because the clothes she designed weren't as good as she thought. And her dad's stand up shows weren't sold out like before.

Tiffany's family were struggling, because a part in their shopping center has been bombed.

That year was terrible for the five of them.

* * * *

"So, did any of you come here when I wasn't here?" Jeremy asked.

"When was that?" Rachelle asked completely puzzled.

"Y'know. The year 2006." Jeremy shifted uncomfortably on the bench that they are currently seated on. 2006 was always a touchy year for Jeremy.

"Oh. Well, I haven't been here a lot that year as well." Tiffany said.

As realization hit, the rest of the girls said that they haven't been at the park in that same year as well. Being good best friends, they didn't talk about that year, because they know Jeremy wouldn't want to talk about it. Silence fell amongst the group.

"So...remember that time when we all liked Jeremy?" Erica asked.

"Oh my gosh. Of course I do!" Rachelle clapped her hands excitedly.

"How could I forget? Oh and what we're about to talk about won't reach Jack. Got it?" Jessica said.

"Of course! Jeremy and I won't tell your boyfriends." Tiffany said as she zipped her mouth as if it were a zipper.

"Wait. What? When was that?" Jeremy laughed at the thought of his best friends liking him at the same time. To him, it was absolutely mental.

"Yeah. Oh memories..." Rachelle trailed off.

-Flashback-

"Haha! You can't catch me, Tiffany!" Rachelle squealed as she ran away from Tiffany.

"No! I'm gonna get you! Then you'll be it this time!" Tiffany said, determined to catch up to Rachelle as they were playing tag with Erica and Jessica.

"Kids! You'll be late for school! Let's go! Don't want to be late on the first day, right?" Mrs. Jones called out. The four girls were at the Jones' house, because they had a sleepover the day before. It was the kids' first day of school. They were adorable six year olds and today is the day they start kindergarten. Mrs. Jones dropped off the 4 girls at school and wished them a great first day.

"Girls! I am excited!!" Tiffany squealed in excitement.

"Yeah!!" Jessica and Erica agreed with Tiffany. However, Rachelle looked extremely scared. "Um...meeting new people is fun, right?" Rachelle asked.

"Of course it is! Think about having new friends! And then--" Erica stopped talking as she saw the cutest boy in their class.

"Oh...my...gosh..." Tiffany, Erica, Jessica, and Rachelle said at the same time. The girls looked at each other and started saying profanities.

"I wanna sit next to him!"

"Not if I sit next to him first!"

"Well, sorry. I'm already on my way there."

"Not if I get there first!"

And kept going on and on until the teacher came and told them to sit down. Everyone scrambled to find decent seats. Eventually, Rachelle and Erica ended up sitting next to Jeremy whilst Jessica and Tiffany were rolling their eyes behind them.

It was already recess time and all the kids were playing on the playground. The girls decided to just ate their lunch. As they were walking to find a table, they saw the cute boy eating alone. The girls immediately ran toward him. The cute boy looked up and asked politely,"May I help you?"

Tiffany was the one to speak as she was outgoing than the rest,"Actually, yes you may. Is there anyone sitting here?"

"Nope. Just me. Please, sit down." The boy smiled. The girls probably melted. They sat down and ate their lunch with the boy.

"So, what's your name?" Jessica asked.

"My name is Jeremy Lance Alexander Xanders!" The boy -Jeremy- grinned.

"Wow. That's a long name..." Erica shook her head in disbelief that someone as small as them would have a name like that.

"Haha! Just call me Jeremy." Jeremy smiled.

"Okay! Well, I'm Erica"

"I'm Tiffany!"

"I'm Jessica!"

"A-and I'm R-Rachelle.."

"Hello! You know, I've never had any friends before." Jeremy said whilst eating his sandwich.

"Really?!" Rachelle shrieked.

"That's okay! We'll be your friends! It'll be fun! Then we'd have sleepovers," Tiffany trailed off.

"Tiffany-" Rachelle said.

"Then we'd celebrate my birthday together..." Tiffany trailed off again as she cut off Rachelle.

"Tiff-" Erica tried, but she failed.

"Then we could go to the park..." Tiffany trailed off yet again.

"T-" poor Jessica...didn't even make it half of Tiffany's name.

"Then we could go trick-or-treating! We could do so many things!! I'm already excited! Right girls?" Tiffany clapped her hands.

"Yeah. That would be great! I've never been to a sleepover before. And it's been a long time since I've been to a park...I'm in!" Jeremy said excitedly.

"Welcome to the family, Jeremy!" The girls said at the same time.

"F-family?" Jeremy asked.

"Well, yeah. We aren't just best friends. We treat each other like siblings; like sisters." Erica grinned.

"Yeah. And since you're going to be with us for a long time, welcome to the family!" Jessica said.

"Geez. Thank you! You guys are so cool!" Jeremy smiled.

-End of Flashback-

"Guys. I'll never forget that moment." Jeremy smiled at the thought of them when they were 6 years old.

"Jess was right..." Erica said.

"Why? What'd she say?" Tiffany looked at her with a questioning look.

"That Jeremy's going to be with us for a long time." Erica grinned.

"Bitch, I'm always right!" Jessica flipped her hair playfully. They all laughed and relaxed for a little longer and thought of when they were all free for another sleepover at Tiffany's.