Ethan sighs: “Nothing. Everything’s so expensive. Maybe if I dropped out of school and worked full time I could afford it.” 

Jack shakes his head with disapproval: “No, that’s not an option that I’ll let you choose.” 

They sit in silence for a bit, Ethan still scrolling on his phone looking for somewhere to stay. After a few minutes Jack finally picks up the courage to ask. 

Jack: “What if you stayed here ?” 

Ethan giggles: “I already stay here.” 

Jack: “I mean permanently. Move in as my roommate, I mean we’re friends now, right ?” 

Ethan: “Yea we’re friends. But you’ve already gave me so much, I can’t do that to you.” 

Jack: “If it made you feel better, we’d split the rent, gas, electric and food. As in we both pay money.” 

Ethan thinks about it for a while. “I mean, I would love to stay here as your roommate but-“

Jack: “No buts Ethan please. I want you to be my roommate, hence why I gave the offer. Do you want to be my roommate ?” 

Ethan: “Yea.”

Jack: “Then that’s it. You’re now my roommate.” 

They smile at each other. 

Ethan: “So, the rent ?” 

Jack: “Okay so the rent is £500 a month. We would spend £100 on gas and electric and another £100 on food. Also keep in mind, this is to last the month. So it may seem like a lot but it’s to last a month.” 

Ethan: “Okay. I worked out that I get payed £384 monthly.”

Jack: “Right so for the rent I’ll pay £300 and you can pay £200. Before you protest, you get a lot less money than I do and if we fully half everything you won’t really have money left.” 

Ethan: “Then we have to equally split the rest then. We both pay £50 towards gas and electric, also we both pay £50 for food.”

Jack: “Are you sure ? I can pay more. You’ll only have £84 left over each month.” 

Ethan: “That’s £84 more than I’ve ever had, pretty sure I’ll be fine.” 

Jack sighs “The world needs more people like you.” Gently poking Ethan’s rib, Ethan letting out a laugh and cowering his body as he’s ticklish. Jack finds his action cute. 

The next day, Ethan gets up, gets ready and Jack hands him food. “Eat.” Ethan just looks at the food, he didn’t plan on eating, or even waking up Jack at that matter. “Please ?” Ethan eats his food, jack now happy that he actually listened. 

Jack drives Ethan to work, waving goodbye when he gets out the car. Jack isn’t sure why but he has this warm, proud feeling inside. He feels nervous and has butterflies, for Ethan. Will he do well ? Will anything happen to him ? I’m not there to help and protect him. I want to be there with him.