Burn the light

Chapter 15

Should I tell the truth?

"Where are you living Aether? And why did you not tell us anything?"

"Why was I supposed to say?" I ask, panicked.

I did not expect the discussion to go that way. Hayes has advised me to be honest. But how could I have been? It is hard enough to admit that I don't live in my apartment anymore because of money issues, it is harder to tell my best friends I am living with men that are not them.

"The truth."

It is not that simple.

"I am waiting Aether. What happened?"

"I lost my apartment. I did not have enough money to continue paying for it." I admit.

"When did this happen?"

"Three days ago." 

"You could have asked for help." 

No, I could not. What would I have asked for in such a situation? Money to pay my rent for an unlimited time? I could not asked for help.

"Where are you staying?" he continues. 

I bite the inside of my cheek. Should I tell the truth? Should I lie? I remember Hayes' words when he drove me there 'Be honest. Lies never bring good outcomes.'

"I am staying at my friend's house." I answer. I am not lying but I am not telling the whole truth. 

His look is one of disbelief. 

"Which friend?" 

"You don't know him." 

Eiran and Hayes know a lot about my best friends, but the opposite is not true. 

"What?" I ask when he does not answer right away but looks at me like I have lost my mind. 

"Him? You are staying at a man's house?" he shouts. 

Sam looks at us from a distance. He is balancing from one foot to another. I can see him debating rather staying where he is to let us talk or come our way. 

I knew Matthew would not take well that I am staying at someone's place. The fact that it is a male only makes it worse. And if he knew I am actually staying with three men, he will be the one losing his mind. 

"I am staying at my friend's house who is a man."

"How do I not know of his existence?"

"You never asked about him."

"Because I did not know you had other friends to begin with." 

"Well I do..." I mutter. I start thinking about Eiran and can't help but smile. I try to stop it. This is a serious conversation. "He is very nice and smart."

Especially emotionally smart which is quite rare in this society. He seems to know everything without people saying anything. Also, he cares a lot. Well... I think he does, he does not really show how he feels which can be quite frustrating sometimes. 

I wish I could tell all of that to my friends but it would make it worse I fear.

"Call him." orders Matthew.

Why whould I call Eiran?

"Call him and ask him to bring back your stuff. You are staying at my place." 

I have thought of a way to not be a burden to Eiran. I thought the answer would be to find a job quickly but now that I have a way to leave his house, I realise I don't want to. Not now at least, not like that.