I awoke in a room I hadn’t seen before. There were framed pictures on the walls and a tank of fish in the corner. “Where in hell…”

I sat up and found I was on somebody's couch. Footsteps echoed down the hall to my left, followed by a voice.

“Hey, surprised you're awake already, it's only been like a few hours.” Jake smiled as he sat by me on the cramped couch. “Oh, this is Lea’s house. She just hopped in the shower.” I nodded and took another glance around the room. Then I took my eyes back to Jake.

“I…” He looked up at me and stared, puzzled. Clearly waiting for more words. “I’m sorry.”

Though it was not what I'd planned to follow up with, it felt only right to say. “Don't worry man. It's not like you started it. Besides, what kinda friends would we be if we left you there.” It echoed in my head, making me wince. ‘You just left me there!’ I dropped my head and just exhaled.

“I left him there….. and.. I knew him for a lot longer than you've known me so... you’d be a better one than me I guess.”

I hadn’t meant to say that out loud. Slowly, I forced my head up to face him.

Looking clearly sympathetic, he stared, slightly shocked as well. “It's ok. You did what you needed for you. It's different.” He tipped his head to pull my eyes to his, and let a slight smile show. I was confused and couldn't put together what he was referring to. So I just stared.

“I don’t know you Mye. But I remember you. I..” He looked conflicted yet determined. “I could only watch from afar. You intrigued me but.. then you were gone. Before I ever....” He looked so lost in thought.

“He was with you, always by your side wherever you went. Always. You left and so did he. But you came back around alone. Anyone with eyes could put two and two together, based on how he was, just. I just know.” He resurfaced and I was so shocked and.. in disbelief. “I must sound crazy, sorry.” With a warm smile, he shook his head, as though to rid his previous words, then he just up and walked off down the hall.

I could hardly believe it. He..remembered me? I felt as though I’d seen him before, but, I didn't remember him. “One day. And my past is already bringing them grief.” I rolled my eyes and stood up, which was definitely a regrettable idea. The dizzy feeling led me to collapse with a thud almost instantly. “Agh! Stupid!”

As I scrambled to my feet, I felt a hand on my arm. “Let me help you, you clumsy idiot.” Jake was back with an ice pack wrapped in cloth. I stood successfully, with his help of course, only to be forced back onto the couch. He handed me the ice pack, and resumed his spot next to me.

We sat in awkward silence until Lea came out of the shower. “Hey Jake is- Oh, Mye you're up! Good, good.” She rubbed her head with the small towel draped over her shoulders. Her yellow tank top and white leggings were like the modified lounging version of what she'd been wearing all day.

She glided over to the ottoman and sat, crossing one leg over the other. “So, I'm not gonna push if it's too personal since we’ve known you for… well since this morning.” I looked up at her clock to see that it was already past ten..

“But.” She pointed her finger up and then to me. “I am curious to know the slightest of details as to why I just drove your ass here with a bruised up face and torso.” I could feel their expecting stares, and realized I kinda owed this to them. Considering how they helped me despite their lack of knowledge toward me. 

“Ok, well.. How do I sum this up to the important stuff..” I took a moment to decide before continuing on. “Luke was very close to me before. But, his lovely personality was constantly getting me into stuff I knew I couldn't handle for much longer. So, after having ran off to the crappier part of the city with him,”

I glanced at Jake and couldn't help but think back to what he'd said. “Leaving behind high school in my second year, and getting into a lot of law trouble for a while. I decided I couldn't live like that. So, I just took my things and...left. Came back, re-enrolled in my second year and never looked back.” Lea’s concerned face reminded me I had barely taken a breath, so I took a deep shaky breather and sat. Waiting for loud voices and possibly a boot to kick me out.

“I never even… I didn't even tell him. I just left a note telling him I was fine but I was leaving for good. And took off. I never even checked to see….to see if he ever made it out alive.” At this point, I almost wanted to cry, or puke, or both. But I just spoke with an emotionless tone, to the best of my ability anyway.

Lea leaned over and pulled me closer by the shoulders into a hug. I just froze and leaned on her a bit till she let me go. “Look, it's been one hell of a night. How about, you stay here on the couch, I'll get a futon or something for Jake and we'll all sleep here. Jake can take us to school tomorrow since his car is here. Ok? Sounds like a plan?”

We just nodded and she smiled. We figured out later that she in fact, did not have a futon. But, her couch had a fold out bed that she was somehow unaware of. So, she just gave us extra blankets and told us to share. “You're both guys so it'll be fine, right?” Jake had agreed, and I had no valid excuse of opposition, so I was stuck.

Come time to sleep, there was nothing but a power strip, button light to dampen the darkness. We were faced opposite, but I could feel his feet brush mine as he tossed and turned.

This is going to be how I die, overwhelmed by the fact I'm sleeping next to a dude. I thought to myself. Sharing a bed with a guy I barely know. A guy who is undoubtedly, the reason I hadn't gone home. His warmth was the first I'd felt in forever, and I never wanted that warmth to leave again upon meeting him.