Chapter 2: Consoling Jeremy

Well, on this particular night Jeremy and I had done our usual “smile and peek” routine and now I was watching him from across the room as he tried to start a conversation with one of the girls. Knowing how shy he was it must have taken an incredible amount of courage for him to even say hello to her so I was praying inwardly that she would at least be nice to him. She wasn’t all that hot herself and I know she didn’t have a boyfriend so hopefully he had a shot.

My heart sunk though as the little bitch brushed him off with a “Go away dweeb!” and then to make matters worse she laughed at him and went over to tell a group of girls about what he had done. They all looked over at him and giggled and pointed at the poor kid. Jeremy looked soooooo embarrassed and I felt a pang in my heart for the poor kid. Most teenage girls are just mean by nature and I was about to go over and give her a piece of my mind when I say Jeremy quickly walk out of the room with a crestfallen look on his face.

I followed him out of the room just in time to see him duck into one of the darkened rooms at the end of the hall. I quietly went to the doorway and listened. The poor boy was crying little sobs and I knew I had to do something for him so I silently entered the room and in the light of the outside street lamps I see him clearly as he sat at one of the tables with his head down in his folded arms. He was trying to be quiet but there was no mistaking the soft sobbing sounds emerging from him as his shoulders shook. I reached out to put my hand on his shoulder and he almost jumped out of the chair as I touched him gently.

“Who is that?” he exclaimed. Turning around he saw it was me and he quickly wiped his face saying, “I’m not crying Kelly, I just had something in my eye.”

It was all I could do to keep from laughing at that pitiful excuse but I knew that would’ve been the worst thing I could’ve done to him. I pulled up a chair and sat down next to him. I reached out and took his hands in mine and leaned over towards him.

“Oh Jeremy, I’m soooooo sorry,” I said softly, “You know, don’t pay attention to those mean girls. They really don’t intend to be mean to you, they just haven’t learned yet how it hurts people when they act like that.”

Jeremy slumped in his chair. I could see the tears forming once again in his eyes and one ran down the side of his face. He didn’t even try to brush it away this time as he sobbed, “The girls all hate me Kelly ... I hate me ... I hate the way I look ... I hate the way I act. She was right, I AM just a dweeb.”

I scooted my chair even closer until our knees were touching and put my arm around his shoulder and pulled him next to me. “No Jeremy,” I whispered, “You’re a handsome young man and I think you’re wonderful. Any girl would be lucky to have you as a boyfriend and someday that girl will realize what a mistake she made turning you away.”

Jeremy shook his head saying, “You’re just being nice to me Kelly. I know different. I haven’t even kissed a girl and I’m going to be seventeen soon! I’m such a pathetic loser.”