Marcus's POV:

I heard the sirens before I saw the ambulances.

Everybody gathered around the entrance to see what the hell was going on. 

I texted Lyle about this and asked his opinion on this.

Hey, wht you tink abut the abulaces????- Marcus

He didn't answer.

It's been hours, and I don't know where he is. I'm in our dorm pacing back and forth. 

I'm not his mother, but Lyle always texts back really fast.

Is he ok? Shit. 

I have the idea to text his sister, we exchanged numbers when she came over.

Hey, I know we haven't talked much, but I'm worried about Lyle. There were sirens, and it's been hours... Srry - Marcus (I only spell correctly when I'm talking to someone I met recently)

NO WAY ALRIGT AHHH ILL CAL MIM UHHHH TAHNK YUO FOR TELING ME!!!!! Iris :P <333

I waited...

And waited...

She eventually texted me back telling me what happened. Apparently Ken had passed out and was unresponsive, Lyle had been there and was absolutely devastated when Ken fell. 

Even though I don't like Ken, I never wanted this for him. I wanted Lyle to be happy, and Ken made him happy. That's why I never objected that loudly about their friendship. 

I went on with my day worrying, but knowing I couldn't do anything. 

The next day

I hear the door creak open with Lyle there, 

"Hi," he whispered.

"Hey," I whispered back, "Are you ok?"

He laughed, a truly broken sound, "I don't think so, Marcus. I'm just packing. I talked to the administrative staff... I'm moving in with Ken. He passed out because he has anorexia and didn't eat anything for 58 hours. There's going to be someone else moving in with you, I think his name's Oliver. I'm so sorry, oh god I'm sorry, please forgive me, I'm so so so sorry, I know I'm a failure as a friend, holy fuck I'm so selfish. Please tell me if you need anything ever, alright? Promise me."

I'm shocked.

"Lyle, you're ok. That's all I wanted to know. I didn't know about Ken, and you didn't either. Of course, I'll stay friends with you, and I'll try my best for Oliver," I reassured him.

When I guided him to the couch, I hugged him while he cried on my shoulder. Sobbing about how he just wants to die because he's worthless, and even if he moves in with Ken, he's scared that he'll do nothing and Ken will starve to death. 

I swear to god, Ken's not going to kill himself, I will. 

Sigh, Lyle would still blame himself.

I helped Lyle pack his shit and move down the hall.

And I also met Oliver, and we clicked pretty well. He's shy and introverted. 

I can work with that.

Ken looked like shit.

We nodded at each other. A silent white flag. But something was off between Lyle and Ken; it was tense, and Lyle flinched whenever they touched. Then, he moved off to somewhere else...

Weird... 

I went to my room after all of that and called my أُمّ (Umm). That's Arabic for mother, if you didn't know. I don't know why English speakers don't try to learn more, حرك(taharrak(Get off your butt)).

We had a nice conversation, I talked about how much I miss her, and how I couldn't wait to see her during the summer. She talked about how I should get a wife, oh, and how much she loves me and how I better be eating, and how I was too skinny, how she loved my hair but it wasn't something that Allah would like, and how she wishes I would keep my brown hair since it's my natural hair. 

I love her.  

Even with all of her worrying, at least she's mine.