"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out." - Walter Winchell
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All Jayden could think about is why must all his hard work lead him to sleeping in a suffocating tent with a homeless guy in a homeless camp? If reporters got ahold of his current predicament, they would have a field day at his demise.

Sneaking Jayden in isn't a problem. The camp is dead quiet at night and Fletcher does not want to explain the newcomer while everyone's tired.  A fresh morning is what he'll do!

Fletcher's used to people sleeping next to him but with Jayden's uncomfortable tossing and turning, the night for both of them ends up to be restless. Not to mention, getting him into his tent is the worse part.

Both of them only get four hours of shuteye before the lively bustling sounds of the camp awaken them bright and early.

Oddly, Jayden's nose is completely immune to the strong smell by now. Being unable to breath and gagging for the past few hours seems to be the only solution to the unbearable odor of garbage and piss. He will never want to experience that again.

Now the musician is forcing the former CEO to eat something. A shiny red apple is being handed back and forth between the two with bits of bickering.

"God knows where that's been!"

"Come on, Jayden. I just bought this yesterday."

"So you wanna explain why  there's a new mouth to feed?" asks Zizi who approaches the two. She places her hands on her hips, glancing between the both of them. Her red curly hair is tied back like usual.

Zizi knows Fletcher tends to pick up other poor souls on the street and bring them to camp. This new one looks clean still.

Fletcher sighs, giving up on making Jayden eat the apple. He settles with eating it himself, making a loud bite into the fruit. He munches on his food while giving Zizi a puzzled look.

After swallowing Fletcher says, "I did buy more than enough yesterday, right Zizi? I'm sorry for troubling you guys again."

"It's okay, sweetie. You do so much for us that I don't want to restrict you on helping others."

Jayden interrupts, "There will not be anymore problems because I'm out of here." He then asks Zizi, "I hear you guys have a payphone nearby?"

Zizi raises an eyebrow, "Why yes- but why would you want to waste your money on that?"

"Because I shouldn't even be here," Jayden simply states before glowering at Fletcher. "Will you take me to the payphone already?" The former CEO still has a couple of coins on him that weren't in his wallet.

The musician sighs while Zizi gives them both a puzzled look. If the man has no where to go, why would he turn down Fletcher's offer to stay here. The camp doesn't usually let more homeless inside, in fear of overpopulation. But when it comes to Fletcher, he's the best way to gain access to living there.

Jayden follows Fletcher out of the camp, receiving suspicious glares from the camp's residence; the man doesn't fit in with these homeless people. He stays close to the musician, ignoring the stares. It won't be long until Barrick gets him out of here.

First thing Jayden wishes is a bath.

When the payphone can be seen from the distance, Jayden hustle to it with his two quarters in hand. Fletcher watches the man hurriedly get on the phone.

It only takes a minute for Barrick to pick up on the other side of the call.

"Hel-"

"Barrick, I'm on fifteenth street right now. I'll be waiting by a payphone. You can send whoever to pick me up. God, man, you have no idea how bad I stink."

"Jay? I'm sorry my boy but I wish I could have answered you last night. I'm afraid I'm in no power to help you out, my friend. You're father's settled with everyone's decision. You know how I hate to go against him."

"Barrick, what the hell do you mean! You are really going to abandon me like the rest of them!?"

"Again, I'm sorry, Jay. You're on your own. But! If you do feel you have changed your behavior, I could probably help you out at some extent."

"Do it now!" The CEO growls.

"Now now- Well I have a meeting to attend. Call me whenever, Jay. Goodbye."

Jayden hears the line drop and his heart drop at the same time. This really can't be happening. He thought this has to be all a joke. Why does it matter that he changes? Who cares what people think! Who cares about how people label him as a ruthless jerk who discriminates against the poor!

The former CEO chucks the phone angrily at the metal. A stream of curses emit from his mouth as he continues his tantrum by kick the payphone now.

Fletcher, who's leant against another payphone next to the raging man, flinches at every extreme motion. Seems like the businessman's "aid" isn't going to do zilch. The musician feels for the guy; having no one to come to their rescue sucks.

"You know, Jayden, you can still stay at my place-"

"Why must you be the only one feeling pity for me?!" the business man vents to Fletcher. He then closes the distance between the two and lowers his voice, "I don't need your pity." His finger presses into Fletcher's chest.

Fletcher shrinks back at the hostility. Despite the roughness, he knows the man lost a lot. It most likely is a tremendous impact to a rich guy who's "had it all." The anger is not surprising as well as Jayden's need to vent out his frustrations.

Jayden begins to stomp away with Fletcher following behind. After crossing two streets and weaving through others sharing the sidewalk, the musician is still keeping up with him. Oddly, the guy hasn't respond to either of Jayden's aggressive actions or the sudden leave away from the camp's perimeters.

The former CEO continues to look over his shoulder only to see Fletcher following. After checking a couple of times, Jayden comes to a halt and turns around to face him. Fletcher bumps into him from the sudden stop.

Jayden grits his teeth, staring him down "You are persistent."

The musician crosses his arms, "Well, you have to be when it comes to making a new friend."

Jayden widens his eyes, "Friend?" He scoffs, "Do you have a loose screw in your head or something?"

"Hey, I know it must be hard to adjust to this new lifestyle. I've met many guys like that. All they need is someone to guide them along," shrugs Fletcher. "Besides... you got no where else to go right?"

The business man diverts his gaze, forming fists with his hands and tightens his jaw. Through all the temper that hazes his logical judgement, he can't help but agree. He doesn't know how the streets work. Someone's blatantly offering a hand... but what is Fletcher's gain to all of this?

Jayden takes a deep breath, calming himself to think before he acts. He turns his focus back onto the man before him, "Okay, Fletcher. You have me."

Fletcher grins, "Think I can convince you to stay?"

"You're an odd fellow, you know that?" the former CEO shakes his head. With a sigh he asks, "You guys won't have problems letting me stay?" Jayden remembers the lady who seems to be the head of the camp ask about his presence.

"No.... technically someone just left and won't be coming back," Fletcher alludes to JC without mentioning his own troubles. He hasn't seen the man since he ditched Fletcher with the thugs. "I guess you can say we have an open spot."

"Hmmm.. alright." The too stand in silence wondering about this setup. Fletcher wonders if he's too nice with a man who's been a jerk this whole time while Jayden wonders if he'll ever return to his company. But what's done is done.

Fletcher motions Jayden to follow him. He smiles, "Let me show you how I earn money for the camp. I have payments to do today."

It isn't long when they reach back at camp.

Jayden continues to receive the stink-eye while standing alone by Fletcher's tent. He returns each one with an unshakable glare; if they don't like him here, well too bad.

The businessman hears Fletcher rummage through stuff in the tent. He still wonders how the two of them fit in such a confided area with all those other items occupying some space. Luckily, Fletcher had the tent open half way last night that Jayden could tolerate the discomfort.

Somebody sleeping next to the businessman isn't new. Jayden doesn't mind whether it be a woman or man. Though with that thought, he's never had someone wake up next to him who he hasn't held the night before. "Platonic" doesn't seem to fit his agenda until now.

Jayden hears the tent's zipper open and Fletcher steps out with an instrument case in hand. He raises an eyebrow at the case; he recognizes the size, "A violin? You play?"

"Yup! Now, follow me," Fletcher ushers him with a wave of his hand.

A street performer huh?

Jayden is led to an open square close to the park. It takes them a couple of minutes to reach their destination when it could have been a minute or two with a car. The square is free of anything, with only passerby flooding in from the busy sidewalk.

Fletcher motions Jayden to stand back a bit. He unlocks his case and pulls out a worn-out violin and bow. But before he plays, he asks Jayden, "Do you have any song you like that I could probably play?"

Jayden crosses his arms in disbelief, "Any song?" The man can't be able to play any song. As a test, Jayden requests, "Game of Thrones theme song." Fletcher can't possibly do this without reading sheet music or watch the show.

"Game of Thrones? A favorite choice among my audience," the musician smiles. Jayden frowns; no way could- The music plays with no hesitation.

The song comes out so smooth, like a satin sheet brushing against his ears. The music catches the attention of multiple people already and the crowd grows in only a minute. Jayden watches Fletcher, astonish by the fact the guy can even play a song he randomly asks for without a music sheet.

Is this man a hidden genius or is the Game of Thrones theme requested a lot?

The song ends soon because of how short it is. But even with the small length, money still lies in the open case near Fletcher's feet. Anyone who can connect to the song will contribute to the pile. It's a success.

The crowd waits for another song to play while some continue to walk to whatever business they halted for those few minutes.

Fletcher glances at Jayden, "Give me a few more minutes then we'll head off." The former CEO slowly nods, curious to see what other songs the musician has up his sleeve.

Each song that comes after Jayden's request is played just as skillfully as the first. It's as if the guy doesn't get tired playing the violin. The businessman wonders if he's just discovered a really talented person who could make it big in the entertainment world.

Maybe when he get's his job back, he can offer Fletcher connections to performing on a much grander stage as repayment for helping him.

Jayden checks the time; twenty minutes have passed and the last piece comes to an end. It feels like a full professional recital.

The small crowd cheers as Fletcher does his usual bow and then disperses when he begins to pack his instrument away. Jayden approaches, amazed by the amount of support he's gotten from the crowd. The pocket change expresses their satisfaction.

Fletcher shoves the handful of dollar bills into his wallet and slings his violin case over his shoulder. He then faces Jayden with a genuinely joyful grin.

"What do you think?"

Kind of shock at the pure expression, Jayden responds, "Huh?" In the business and entertainment world, people wearing a masks and hiding their true intentions are usually the norm. This... this is usually different.

"My performance. What do you think of it?" Fletcher asks once more. He doesn't know why he's fishing for a review from Jayden but from the man's astonished look, it has to be good.

Jayden answers, "It was... it was fine."

Fletcher pouts, "Just 'fine?'"

Jayden rolls his eyes and sighs, "Ok it wasn't fine-" Fletcher frowns. "-it was brilliant. What the hell are you? The reincarnation of Niccolo Paganini?"

Fletcher breaks into a fit of laughter, clutching his stomach at the comment. He shakes his head, "That's a dramatic way of putting it."

Jayden looks at Fletcher from head to toe.

The musician is a living mystery. Someone talented as Fletcher should be successful, playing on a large stage at a concert. Not only does the man know professional pieces other than pop culture shows, he remembers all of them with no music sheet.

A hidden gem... Jayden huffs, "You're an odd fellow, you know that?"

Fletcher responds with a chuckle.

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A/N: Jeez, time flies when you're on a video game binge. Delayed both my books but now I'm trying to catch up.
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