Gun and the rose

Ethan

I was tired, sick of my living situation, sick of my boss and how she treats me, sick of the way I am; I'm just tired. I want to sleep, but I can't sleep; I have nightmares. Getting tortured isn't sleeping.
When I wake up, I feel the relief I can finally sleep; there's a tight grip around me, I think, down to my stomach. It's Liam's hands. Why Is he doing this? He Doesn't know, does me? Why couldn't you just let me go? It would have been so easy. I tried to turn around he had a tight grip on me. Luckily, I could turn to the other side, seeing him sleep.
"your so annoying I hope you know that"
He moved closer to me, touching my nose with his; I couldn't move. He was gripping me so hard; he was so close. I'd never been this close to anybody. It's strange. I lay there watching him sleep; sometimes, he moans and moves closer.
Ok, Liam, it's time to back up, I try to move his shoulder, and he opens his eyes and smiles at me, so annoying.
"Ethan, don't go anywhere; I want you safe, please."
I couldn't answer what response I could give him im dumbstruck. I lay deeper on my mattress, enjoying the calmness. I fall asleep again.

I wake up seeing Liam making food again and check my watch. It's three o clocks; I'm late. I get up and head to the door.
"I already called your boss and said you won't be going in for a couple of days."
"why!"
"here, have some food I made for you."
I walk over to him slowly, seeing what he has made. It's a grilled cheese sandwich. I've never had one before. I hold back my tears, pick up the sandwich, and take a bite to eat. It's so good, shedding one tear.
Liam was looking at me. I got embarrassed, but I ignored it and looked away. I finish the sandwich.
Looking at Liam, seeing what he's going to do next, he says.

"We're going to the precinct today and see if I can get my job sooner to help you out, ok."
"I-I don't need your money. I'm fine with what I have; now, if you're on your feet, good; you can leave!."

"mm, I don't think so; you won't be able to pay your first month's rent; you probably paid all you got to the landlord in cash; I can and will help you; I can't watch you suffer anymore."
"I've been suffering way before I meet you and going forward without anyone!".
Tears fall. I don't get angry or sad, but when I do, I cry; Liam walks over to me and hugs me
"I'm sorry, Ethan. I want to help you; I do. I want you to live a good life. Please let me help you."
I don't care to argue. Liam will do what he wants. I nod to him, and he hugs me tighter.
"you don't even know me, it hasn't even been a week, and you're going to help a stranger out of pity."

"no! I want to help you only you. I care for you, please!."

"you care for me?"

"yes "

" mm, ok, then."
He hugged me even more, I could barely breathe, but I didn't tell him that.

Two days later were taking the train going to Liam's job; I was not worried or anything. I hadn't been there in a while, and hopefully, nobody noticed me.

I sit next to Liam. He's nervous, looking down, tapping his fingertips together. I tap his shoulder

"don't be nervous; you will get your job back."

"your right. Thank you, Ethan."
He breathed out and relaxed a  little; entering the train was pretty scary. Many people pushed me, and Liam had to shield me from them. It was lovely. We make it to present

"Now sit here, ok? I will talk to my boss, don't move. I will be back, ok."
"ok, ok, go."
I smile weakly, and he goes off.
Many cops walk by, eyeing me. I ignore them; Liam goes through the door, thinking this was in vain he smiles and shows me his badge. I'm shocked it worked.
"you got your job back; how."
"I'm pretty new; I made a stupid mistake. Now that I am free from the problem, I'm better and won't do it again, I told him what happened, and he understood". "I start tomorrow, ok."
I nod. I'm pretty happy for him; I feel my walls go down with him, he's my first friend, so it's new ground I have yet to explore. We go back home.