"$10,000.” That was the first thing that caught Star’s eye—large, bold letters plastered across the top of the flyer. Just below it, in slightly smaller print: New Paid Drug Trials. He didn’t hesitate. He had just lost his job at the local deli, and within minutes, he was dialing the number listed.

"Do you have to go?" Bee had asked as Star packed the one bag he was allowed to bring for the trip. He and Bee had been together for over a decade. They had both grown up with little—lacking in most aspects of their lives. It was how they’d first bonded: two homeless, desperate teens surviving on the city’s streets. Star didn’t know how they’d made it through those days, but he knew one thing for certain—he wouldn’t have survived without Bee.

“It’s only for a month. And I’ll call you every night,” he reassured them, zipping up the knapsack that now held his clothes and slinging it over his shoulder. Just as he turned to face them, a beep from the heart rate monitor broke the moment. The small machine covered in different stickers of forget me not’s. Bee earned their name by how much they loved gardening. Their small apartment was a greenhouse filled with hanging plants and flowers. The smell traveled through the complex. Bee had been officially diagnosed with POTS, but Star knew—as did Bee—that it wasn’t the only illness at play. It was an unspoken truth between them: they needed this money, and it was for Bee.

Bee didn’t look any more convinced.But they produced a small paper flower for Star, placing it gently in his front jean pocket. Star sighed and set the knapsack down on the kitchen table of their apartment. He pulled Bee into his arms, gently patting their head as they leaned into his chest. “I know this is going to be hard,” he said softly, “but we don’t have another option. This is the break we need.” He pressed a soft, false kiss against their hair, knowing full well that nothing he could say would fully ease their fear. But Bee knew he was right—this was the best chance they had.

“Promise you’ll call every night?” Bee asked, those big emerald eyes looking up at him. Star couldn’t help but smile. “Of course, lovebug,” he replied.

With those final words, he picked up his knapsack and left the apartment complex. As he headed for the car, Bee’s voice rang out from the window above.

“I LOVE YOU!!”

His face flushed, but he smiled back up at them. This was going to be good for both of them.