Through the wall

XIV

Monday had arrived quicker than Gun would have liked. He wasn't quite sure how they'd convinced him, but there he was, sitting in the office of a very kind woman named Lia. Off and Camila were by his side. He felt a wave of nervousness, an almost overwhelming urge to bolt from the room.

Camila must have noticed how he felt because she reached for one of his hands, which he had been wringing nervously in his lap. She intertwined her fingers with his and gently squeezed his hand, as if to remind him she was there, supporting him.

The woman had introduced herself and seemed to have known Off since he was a boy.

"Well, Gun, Off has told me a little about what happened, but I need you to give me more details so I can understand how we can help," she said in a calm, reassuring voice.

"Ok... but I'm just here for advice. I don't want this to turn into a big deal," he said, feeling embarrassed as his voice wavered slightly.

He noticed the lawyer exchange a glance with Off that he couldn't quite decipher before she turned her attention back to him. Her tone softened even more, almost maternal, as she began to speak again.

"Listen, Gun, no one here is doing anything you don't want, and no one will pressure you into doing anything, either. Even if you don't feel like telling me what happened, that's entirely up to you. I understand why your friends might have encouraged you to come, and I'd have done the same in their shoes, but you're under no obligation. I just need to understand the facts so I can explain what we might be able to do and how. But it's your choice whether you want it or not. Whatever you decide is absolutely fine. I can also ask Camila and Off to step out if you'd feel more comfortable."

"No, it's fine," Gun replied.

Gun felt relieved. He truly wanted someone to help him; he was terrified of what he was going through, and Sing wouldn't stop bothering him. But he was equally scared of his sister finding out. He decided to speak—if he didn't agree with the solutions offered, he could simply refuse, and that would be the end of it.

"Sing and I are... were friends from my first year at university. He was my best friend. When I moved here, I didn't know anyone, and he was always there for me. One time, we went out dancing, and during a game, I kissed a classmate. He got angry about it. On the way back home, he tried to kiss me at the door, and I let him because I thought he was cute, he looked after me, and I cared about him... and maybe it could work. But I realised I didn't feel that way about him, so I spoke to him and told him it had been a mistake.

We didn't see each other for a few weeks after that, but then one day, he came to my house and apologised for what had happened. But he also told me he was in love with me and wanted us to be together."

Gun paused, feeling deeply embarrassed about everything he had to say, especially with Off sitting there. Still, he thought it might be a way for Off to understand how he felt without having to beg him to listen—something he'd grown tired of doing. His face burned with heat; he was probably as red as a tomato.

"I told him no because... because I liked someone else. Looking back now, his reaction was strange. He hugged me and laughed, saying it was all a joke. After that, we went back to seeing each other often, but he always found ways to touch me or ask who it was I liked. I didn't realise he felt all those awful things about me. I didn't know he thought I was leading him on... I swear I never did anything to make him think that. I cared about him... we were friends. Now I can't stop thinking that maybe I shouldn't have been affectionate with him.

"On Saturday, we agreed to meet at the bar we always went to. He was supposed to introduce me to his boyfriend, but he never showed up. I don't remember much of what happened after that. I just recall sitting with him at our usual table, and he said he'd get me a Coke. Then, the next thing I remember is being at my front door... and him forcing himself on me."