"Idiot, can't even make that shot?" the person said.

Callistus was back in middle school, playing basketball with his old friends, but all their faces were blurred.

The game started again, with everyone running around, catching up to the ball. Despite winning and losing, it was a fun game for all.

As they all sat on the floor, before one turned towards Callistus. "Don't you remember me?"

"What?" He looked at the blurred face.

"Bro, we've been friends for that long, don't you know me?" Another asked, before one by one moved closer to him, asking the same thing over and over.

He woke up, it was that dream again. Losing his memories and the faces he knew, but the voices were always clear. Some were familiar, but it always felt like someone else. Maybe he shouldn't have joined the gig. If he didn't, he wouldn't have gotten into the accident and faced the consequences behind it.

He looked out his window; the sky was still dark. It was just midnight. He fell back onto the bed, twisting and turning but couldn't fall back asleep.

"Fuck," he muttered.

He got out of bed and walked out of his apartment to a 24/7 convenience store. He walked around, looking at simple food he could snack on.

"Boy?" a woman's voice said from behind him. "Didn't think I would meet you at a time like this."

"Hi, landlady Amalia," Callistus answered. "I'm sorry if I haven't paid my rent yet."

"It's alright," she answered. "I don't plan to keep you long either. If you don't pay up by the end of next month, I might have to kick you out. It's been half a year."

"How much in total?" Callistus asked, unaware of how long he hadn't paid.

"12,000," she answered before walking out of the store. "I hope you can pay back at least half of it."

Callistus didn't react much and only put back the snack he wanted to buy. He sat back on his bed, looking at the amount in his account.

"Dirty money," he shut off his phone.

The end of the month was in a week; he could use that salary. He looked online for other places to stay if it didn't work out, but all were more expensive or far away.

—

"Really?" Myiesha said. "Do you need help?"

"Nah, I hope it can work out a bit," Callistus answered.

"Good luck to you," Myiesha said as she walked away.

Ivan was in the office again, smiling at Callistus every time they passed each other. In the evening, Callistus packed up as he was about to call a cab.

"Callistus," Star called as she walked to him. "Ivan said he will take you, just wait a while, he'll be out soon-"

"Don't worry, I can just call a cab-"

"Just take the offer," Star turned off his phone as she walked away.

Ivan didn't take long. After Star walked out the door, he immediately came out. Just like last Friday, Callistus followed Ivan and was about to head home before Ivan brought him out to dinner again.

"I really need to leave the office earlier," Callistus said.

"Why?" Ivan asked as they walked back to his car.

"To escape from eating dinner with you."

"You don't like me, don't you?" Ivan replied as he got into the car.

"Well-," Callistus got in too. "It's not like that."

Ivan didn't answer, and Callistus went silent, taking out something and counting.

"30 bucks," Callistus stuffed into Ivan's pocket as he drove.

As they reached a red light, Ivan took it out, not wanting it. Callistus pushed back the money, but Ivan didn't stop, causing Callistus to be annoyed.

"Just take it, I know it's not enough but just take it!" Callistus pushed back the money.

Ivan pushed back the money as the light turned green. "Wait,"

Callistus was having a headache. "Just this once!"

"No need," Ivan replied, his eyes still on the road.

"Please," Callistus answered. "I know that getting kicked out of my apartment doesn't mean I can't afford food," he covered his mouth after realising what he said.

Ivan didn't say anything for a moment, his expression softening. "You're getting kicked out?"

Callistus looked down, feeling embarrassed. "Yeah, I haven't been able to pay rent for months now. But I don't want to be a burden. I'll figure something out."

As Ivan found a parking space and parked, he reached out and gently pushed the cash back toward Callistus. "You're not a burden," he said. "Let me help you. We're friends, aren't we?"

Callistus felt a lump in his throat. He hadn't considered Ivan a friend yet, but hearing it from him felt comforting. "Thank you, Ivan. I just... I don't want to rely on anyone too much."

Ivan smiled warmly. "It's okay to lean on others. If you ever need a place to stay, my door is always open."

Callistus nodded, feeling a mixture of relief and gratitude. "I appreciate it, Ivan. Really, I do." 

—

The week went by quickly with Ivan finally agreeing to only take Callistus home and not dinner. Callistus received his salary, and Ivan gave him a full month's pay even though he had only been with the company for half the month. The next paycheck would only cover the remaining half month.

It wasn't a big gesture, but Callistus was grateful. He immediately paid one month's rent. However, after accounting for rent, he was left with only 500 bucks to use for the entire month. He knew he needed to find a more affordable place to live.

While scrolling through listings of cheaper apartments and rooms for rent, he felt a growing sense of frustration. Most of the options were either too expensive or too far from work. He sighed and leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. 

As he lay on his bed that evening, he couldn't shake the feeling of impending uncertainty. He knew he had to make a decision soon. His thoughts were interrupted by a message from Ivan.