Jack POV

When I had sufficiently soaked, I got up and dried myself. My skin was rosy from all the heat and I was completely relaxed. I smiled at my now beardless face in the mirror. I still looked tired but at least I was cleanly shaven.

I picked up the clothes Alex had given me. Dark-blue sweatpants and a light blue t-shirt with a cosy sweater-jacket. Something fell from the pants; it was a boxershort and a pair of socks. I was so excited about all of this but it made me feel kind of weird and worthless that Alex had given me all these things while I could not pay him back. I let the feeling be for a while but then I told myself that I was not going to let it win; I could always pay him back later.

I put on all the pieces of clothing. They fit nicely even on my skeleton-like body. I was not happy with how I looked. I was too skinny. But what can you do if you don’t have any food? I was lucky to even be alive although there have been times when I thought differently.

I got all my things and slowly unlocked the bathroom door. I opened it quietly and peeked outside. Alex was lying on the couch, a framed picture pressed against his chest. He was crying, judging by the trembling of his body. I was shocked. I didn’t want him to know I saw him so I slowly backed off, going back into the bathroom. I guess I would just wait.

When I finally got out, quite some time had passed. Alex was sat by the kitchen table, clutching a cup. There was no picture to be seen around him. His eyes were rimmed red and he looked very tired.

“Hi Jack… I made your bed,” he greeted me.

“Thank you so much Alex,” I replied. I was so grateful for the possibility to sleep here tonight.

“Do you want to eat some more?” Alex asked.

“No, thanks…” I said.

“Well, the fridge is all yours,” he stated. I smiled at him and he gave me a very tiny smile back. It wasn’t like I was ever gonna dare to eat something from here. This was his food and I had no right to touch it. “I planned on letting you choose the tea but I couldn’t wait anymore. I hope you like peppermint.

“Yes I do,” I answered. He poured me a cup and I took it quickly. Warmth. I was still not fully warm.

We both sipped in silence for a few minutes and I couldn’t stop thinking about him crying on the bed. He broke the silence.

“Tell me a bit about yourself,” Alex requested. I nodded, feeling a bit uneasy though.

“Uh yeah well, I’m Jack Barakat, 24, I live in the streets,” I said. Lame, I know..

“What do you like to do?”

“I love writing so-“ I stopped myself quickly. He was not to know about that yet. “So much about baby kittens,” I blurted out. Oh my god what load of crap was that?

“Baby kittens? Are you alright?” Alex asked, grinning. I nodded, blushing really badly. I probably looked like a beetroot. Very attractive.

“Well anyways, I just want to know a bit more about you. But we can also do that tomorrow since it’s really late already, can we? It’ll be Saturday tomorrow so I don’t got to work,” he explained. I smiled, I was tired too.

“Goodnight,” Alex wished me as I stood up.

“Goodnight,” I replied. There I came, soft cosy sofa.

Notes

Aw they're so cute, don't you think? c:

-Laura