Just Sh*t: A New York City Story

Chapter 19: A Fragile Truce

Days passed, and the boys tried to forget about Bryan. They returned to their routines, but the memory of him lingered, particularly in Alex's mind. When he spotted Bryan on the street a few days later, it became clear that Bryan wasn't just being lazy—he had nowhere else to go.

Standing there, watching Bryan lean against a building looking disheveled and lost, Alex felt a pang of guilt. He realized that Bryan's carefree attitude had masked deeper issues. Should he reach out? Or was it better to keep his distance and let Bryan figure things out? This dilemma weighed heavily on Alex, leaving him torn between compassion and frustration.

As the days went by, Alex noticed Bryan more frequently on his commute to work. Each morning, Bryan seemed to be in the same spot, either leaning against a building or sitting on a bench, looking worn and a bit lost. The sight tugged at Alex's conscience, filling him with conflicting emotions.

On one hand, he remembered the frustration of Bryan's stay at their apartment—the way he'd eaten their food without asking, his easygoing attitude that often felt inconsiderate. But on the other hand, seeing Bryan in that state made Alex acutely aware of the gravity of the situation.

"What am I supposed to do? I can't just pretend I didn't kick him out," Alex muttered to himself, feeling the knot in his stomach tighten each time he walked past Bryan. He glanced over, half-expecting Bryan to wave or smile back, but instead, he often found Bryan with his head down, lost in thought. The awkwardness of their last interaction hung heavy in the air, making it even harder for Alex to approach him.

"Ugh, I really should say something... But what if he's still mad at me?" he sighed, grappling with the decision. Should he offer Bryan a meal or a few bucks? Maybe suggest a place to stay? But every time he imagined the conversation, Alex hesitated, recalling Bryan's hurt expression from when he was kicked out.

One particularly chilly morning, Alex noticed Bryan wearing a thin jacket and shivering slightly. The sight sent another pang of guilt through him. He could almost hear Ryan's voice in his head, reminding him that they weren't just friends; they were human beings who needed to look out for each other.

"He might not be a great guest, but he's still Ryan's friend," Alex murmured, determination beginning to replace his hesitation. Finally, mustering all the courage he could, he approached Bryan.

"Hey... Bryan," he said tentatively.

Bryan looked up, surprise flickering in his eyes.

"Oh, hey, Alex," Bryan replied softly, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

The air felt charged with unspoken words, and Alex struggled to find the right ones.

"Uh, how have you been?" he asked, his voice steadying slightly.

Bryan shrugged, a hint of a smile on his lips, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Surviving, I guess. It's tougher than I thought."

"Look, I... I'm sorry about how everything went down. I didn't mean to—" Alex started, but Bryan interrupted.

"It's cool, man. I get it. I probably overstayed my welcome," Bryan replied, the tension easing a little.

Alex felt a wave of relief mixed with sorrow. "If you need anything—food, a place to crash for a night, whatever... Just let me know."

Bryan met his gaze, vulnerability evident in his expression. "I appreciate that, really. I just didn't think I'd end up like this. It's... humbling."

The conversation felt like a fragile truce, a bridge slowly being rebuilt between them.

"Maybe we can grab some food later? I can bring something from the apartment, just like old times," Alex suggested, hoping to rekindle their friendship.

Bryan chuckled softly, the atmosphere lightening just a bit. "Yeah, I'd like that."

As they parted ways, Alex felt a weight lift off his shoulders. The path ahead was uncertain, but at least he'd taken the first step. Bryan might have made mistakes, but he was still a person in need, and Alex was ready to extend a hand.