An old friend

Jay was supposed to be at his 8 am lecture, but instead, his eyes cracked open around 9. He blinked at the ceiling, sighed, and decided there was no point in going now anyways. Skipping the entire day felt easier, so he pulled the blanket over his head again and went right back to sleep.

But fate had other plans.

A loud knock on the door crashed the silence, pulling him out of bed with a groan. Angry and half-asleep, he dragged himself toward the door, flung it open, and froze. Standing there was the landlord.

Jay blinked, confused. It wasn't even rent day so what was the old man doing here.

Before he could speak, the old man cleared his throat and said in a calm yet shaky tone."Son, I need this apartment empty by tomorrow."

Jay stared at him. "What?" The only word that he was able to form."I said I need the place cleared by tomorrow. Someone paid triple the rent. I have mouths to feed, kid. I don't have time to care about your life or struggles."

Jay's fists clenched at his sides. "You can't do that. I pay on time. I don't cause trouble. This isn't legal."

The old man chuckled bitterly, "Legal? You're too young to understand. There's no such thing as justice in this world. It's all just survival so just leave the place by tomorrow." And with that, he walked away, leaving Jay standing there, heart pounding with helpless rage he was trying so hard to hold himself back from going after that man.

For a moment, Jay stood frozen, his chest tightening. His gaze shifted toward the photo of his mother hanging on the wall. He felt the tears build in his eyes, but they never came out. Instead, he just stood there, swallowing it all down like always.

Evening hit and Jay found himself at the training hall, getting all his anger out on the punching bag until his hands ached. He didn't know what else to do.

The coach approached him quietly, "That's enough for today. Go get changed. I need to lock up the place."

Jay didn't argue. He grabbed his things and walked out into the cold night air. He reached the bus stop just in time to see the bus driving away. He cursed under his breath, staring at the road like it betrayed him.

His phone buzzed. A message from Jacob, his coworker. "Yo, where you at? You forgot your shift?"

That's when it hits him, he was supposed to be at the café today. He closed his eyes in frustration. Could this day get any worse?

Before he could think about anything else, someone jumped on him from behind. Jay spun around, fists up, ready to fight. But his eyes widened.

"Aidan?"

The familiar messy blonde hair, the stupid grin, the same annoying behaviors it was really him.

"I can't believe it You look like shit man what happened to you " Aidan grinned, pulling Jay into a hug that felt like home.

Jay… smiled. For the first time in months.

They stood there, catching up well, mostly Aidan rambling and yapping and Jay listening. Turned out Aidan was back to study at the art school nearby since it's the best in the country, but this time he was back alone.

"Alright enough about me what about you now ? You kinda ghosted me last year" Aidan frowned.

"Studying economics. Still boxing. Currently homeless." Jay said in his usual calm tone , but Aidan's jaw dropped.

"Wait bro what do you mean homeless?"

Jay explained everything.

Aidan listened silently, then suddenly grinned like an idiot.

"Perfect. You're moving in with me."

Jay blinked, "Nah don't worry about it. I'll find another place tomorrow."

"Shut up. You're moving in. I didn't ask for your opinion if you didn't notice." Aidan crossed his arms, it was already decided.

Jay sighed. He knew that arguing with him was pointless. He knew Aidan too well.

So the plan was to go back to Jay's place and pack his things up to move out tomorrow.

They packed up Jay's apartment that night. Aidan slept right away on the couch while Jay stayed awake, staring at the walls that carried too many memories breakdowns, grief and silence.

He was really leaving everything behind.

Morning came, and they finished the move. Aidan, curious, asked, "Why would anyone pay triple for this tiny place?"

Jay shrugged. "No idea. Don't care." But he did care. A lot. He just wasn't ready to say it out loud.

Hours later, they arrived at Aidan's place. Aidan whined like a child about being hungry, forcing Jay to go out for food. Jay rolled his eyes but went anyway.

On his way back, something clicked in his head what if this wasn't random? What if someone wanted him out?

Jay shook the thought off why would anyone do that he's not that important, and as he was going back to the apartment building, he froze.

Right across the hall, a girl stepped out. Dark hair, gentle hazel eyes it was her. The girl from the bus.

And just like that, Jay's heart skipped a beat.