Just Sh*t: A New York City Story

Chapter 20: The Fine Line of Friendship

When Alex finally offered Bryan a place to stay, he was taken aback by how eagerly Bryan accepted. It was as if he had been waiting for the chance, and within moments, he was back in their apartment, making himself comfortable in a way that felt intrusive.

At first, the boys tried to be accommodating, giving him space and time to settle in. However, it wasn't long before Bryan became a major nuisance. He sprawled out on the couch, consumed by whatever was on TV, and snacked on chips, letting the crumbs fall onto his chest as he laughed at jokes that only he seemed to find funny.

Judah glanced over at the mess, incredulous. "Is he seriously eating chips off himself?" he asked, shaking his head in disbelief.

Jamie, trying to lighten the mood, snickered. "At least he's saving on dishes," he joked, though even he could see that it was more than just a humorous situation.

As the days passed, Bryan showed no signs of contributing to the household. He didn't help with cooking or cleaning, and soon the sink began to fill with dirty dishes. The boys exchanged glances, silently agreeing that this was becoming unbearable. They didn't want to be mean, but Bryan's behavior felt increasingly like he was taking advantage of their hospitality.

One evening, as they gathered in the living room, Bryan was sprawled out, engrossed in a movie, a half-eaten bag of chips beside him. The couch was littered with crumbs, and a heavy silence filled the room as the boys began to feel the weight of the situation.

Ryan sighed, looking at the mess that had become a familiar sight. "This isn't going to work, is it?" he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

The others nodded, and a palpable tension hung in the air. They turned to Ryan, knowing he had been closest to Bryan before.

Jackson, crossing his arms, spoke up. "You should talk to him. He needs to know he can't just hang out like this."

Ryan looked hesitant, aware of the delicate nature of the conversation, but finally stood up. "Alright, I'll talk to him," he replied, steeling himself for the impending confrontation.

He approached Bryan, who barely acknowledged him, too absorbed in the movie. "Hey, Bryan, can we chat for a sec?" Ryan asked, trying to keep his tone casual.

Bryan paused the TV and turned to him, confusion etched on his face. "What's up?" he asked, seemingly oblivious to the tension.

Ryan took a deep breath. "Look, man, we appreciate you staying here, but it feels like you're not really contributing to anything. It's becoming a bit much."

Bryan shrugged, seemingly unfazed. "I'm just taking it easy, you know? Just enjoying being in the city."

"Yeah, but you can't just chill here indefinitely without helping out," Ryan pressed. "Maybe it's time you think about going back home?"

Bryan's expression shifted, irritation flaring. "Come on, man. I thought you guys were cool with me crashing here."

"We were, but it feels like you're just being a bum. It's not fair to us," Ryan replied, frustration creeping into his voice.

After a beat, Bryan's bravado faded, and he didn't argue further. He simply nodded, looking defeated. "Fine. I'll leave," he said, his voice flat.

He gathered his things without a word, leaving the unfinished bag of chips on the coffee table as a testament to his careless presence. The room felt heavy with unspoken relief as he walked out, the door closing behind him.

Once he was gone, the boys shared a collective sigh, the atmosphere lighter now that the tension had lifted. Judah grinned, breaking the silence. "Good riddance. I thought we were going to be stuck with him forever."

Jamie nodded in agreement. "Next time, we just say no upfront. Lesson learned."

As they started cleaning up the mess Bryan had left behind, they felt a sense of normalcy returning. They could finally breathe easy in their own space again, ready to reclaim their routines and enjoy each other's company without the weight of Bryan's presence hanging over them.