[this is moving kinda slow so im gonna skip the period week because that's kinda awkward. so time skip here. - k i t]

*one week later*

It was the last day before winter break. I had finally finished my last test, and was walking back to the apartment. It was cold, probably about 40 degrees outside. My coat was flapping in the wind, and the snow was getting harder and harder to walk through. My legs started dragging as I clutched my jacket shut tightly. Why was New York so cold?

I trudged through the cold and could catch sight of the apartment building. I had a little more hope and felt some energy come back into my system. Suddenly, I felt someone grab my arm. Out of fear, I turned back quickly and swung, punching their face. This guy then grabbed my hand and twisted it. I yelled in pain. I could feel tears forming in my eyes as he grabbed my other hand tightly. My heart was racing and I felt terrified.

Blood was trickling down his nose from my punch. But was so much bigger, taller, more muscular than me. I didn't stand a chance. He shoved me against a wall and ripped my jacket off of me. I was overwhelmed in tears and fear and the cold wind. He grabbed my hair with one hand, pinning me to the wall. Tears were streaming down my face as I yelled for help. His other hand, which was almost twice as big as my hand, held my wrists together. I choked back sobs. I did the only thing I could. I kicked his crotch with all my might and as he hunched over in pain, releasing his grip, I ran to the apartment building. I constantly looked back to see if he was behind me.

Once I reached the apartment building, all my adrenaline was kicking in. I ran up the stairs and to my apartment. Out of fear he was still behind me, I unlocked the door, ran inside, and locked it behind me in one swift motion. I locked all the locks and went to my bedroom, locking that door as well. I sat on the corner of my bed, trying to catch my breath and wiping my eyes. I brought my knees up to my chest, crying softly.

It wasn't until Laf got home about three hours later that I finally left my room. They knocked softly on my door. "John, are you okay?" they asked. I got up and realized how shaky my legs still were. I wiped my eyes one last time before opening the door. Lafayette looked at me. "What happened?" they started. I couldn't hold back anymore and I just stared to sob and breakdown in front of them. They hugged me tightly.

I told them about it, but I had trouble because every now and then I started to stutter and sob. Lafayette told me to go lay down and that they would make me some food and some hot chocolate. So I did. I went to my bedroom and changed into some warmer and not as damp clothes. Then my phone started buzzing. It was Alex. I hadn't talked to him or even seen him since the incident last week when I threw up.

I answered. "H-Hello?" I started.

"Hey John. Are you okay?"

I hiccuped. "Yeah. I-I'm f-f-fine," I said.

"What happened? You sound like you're crying."

"I..I don't want to talk about it Alex."

"Okay. Well, I won't force you. But I'm here if you need me John, okay?"

"O-Okay," I whispered.

"So I was going to some party tonight. My friend Aaron is throwing it. Well he isn't really my friend. He's just kind of like my roommate. I don't know. Anyway, I don't think I'm going to know anyone there and I was wondering if maybe you'd like to come with me."

I stayed quiet. Now, I didn't feel like being around anyone, but I didn't want Alex to be on his own. "Sure," I said. I could hear my voice was still weak from the crying. "Could you pick me up?"

"Of course! I'll pick you up around 8 o'clock. How does that sound?" he said, sounding so excited.

"Sounds perfect. I'll see you then."

He hung up and I laid back down. My head was going a million miles an hour. I tried my best to calm down, but really couldn't. Laf came and left some food on my nightstand, as well as a cup of hot chocolate and a pain killer. I smiled, took the pill and just sipped the drink. I poked my food around and ate a little bit. I just stayed laying down, under my blanket. My body felt so exhausted, so I took a short nap.

Well it turns out the nap was not as short as I thought it would be. I woke up to a soft touch on my shoulder. Alex was kneeling next to my bed. My alarm clock read 8:30. "Alex! I'm so sorry!" I said, jumping up. He laughed some.

"Hey, it's okay. You know, you don't have to go."

I shook my head. "No, I want to go. Just give me a few minutes to change and get ready okay?" He chuckled and nodded, leaving my room, closing the door behind him. Oh I felt so terrible. I quickly tied up my hair and changed into a plain grey t-shirt and a red flannel that stayed unbuttoned. Then I changed boxers and wore them high enough to where if I picked my hands up over my head, and my shirt came up a bit, you could see some of the waistband. I pulled on a pair of black jeans and my warmest pair of shoes. I reached for my coat but then realized I didn't have it anymore. I could feel tears coming back to my eyes as I thought about what happened. So much could've happened.

He could've raped me or robbed me or killed me. I was in state of withdrawal when Alex reached out for my arm. I flinched then shook it off like nothing was wrong. Alex commented on how handsome I looked, which made me blush some. Laf gave me their jacket since they were staying in tonight. Alex took me to his car and we drove back to where Aaron was having this party.

The party was the last thing I expected when Alex told me about it. It was a frat party. I immediately regretted my decision. But nonetheless, I stayed quiet and followed Alex everywhere like a lost puppy while loud music echoed through my ears and so many people bumping into me. "Who's this?" someone yelled.

"Aaron, this is John. He's my friend. John, this is my roommate Aaron Burr."

"Hi," I said awkwardly. He looked over me, like I needed his approval.

"Drinks are over there. Rooms are upstairs."

"What do I need a room for?"

"In-"

"Hey, I'm going to get a drink, do you want something?" Alex interrupted. I looked back at Aaron, who was already engaged in conversation with someone else.

"Uh, sure." So Alex went to get us some drinks. I looked around. A crowded room with barely enough room to breath was definitely not my ideal plan for the last day before break, but I didn't want Alex to be on his own. I awkwardly tried to start conversations. Nothing worked. Alex was taking a while to get those drinks, so I stood and balanced on my heels looking around.

That's when I made eye contact with someone who's eyes were very similar to the ones from earlier today. And his nose was a tad swollen. A smirk grew on his face as he took another sip and walked towards me. Except now I had no where else to go. He was mere inches away from me. He had a strong grip on my elbow, and I felt tears rise to my eyes. His breath smelled like alcohol. He yanked at my hair, forcefully turning me to face him. My heartbeat was barely existent. "You're going to pay for what you did boy." I gulped.

"Hey!" someone shouted. It was Alex. Alex came and shoved him off of me, taking me protectively into his arms. "Back off, George. What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Finishing what I started. This little punk punched me in the face earlier and he has to learn his lesson," he growled, yanking me from Alex's arms. I just looked back at Alex with teary eyes. I felt so helpless. George pushed himself against me and I wanted out. I tried to get away but his grip on my arm was so tight, there was definitely going to be a bruise. Alex came full force, tackling him. I fell to the floor two, but free from George's grip, I ran off and hid. Alex was on top of him, throwing punches. Everyone had gathered around them and childishly started to chant fight'.

I broke through the circle to Alex and pulled him off, taking his hand and upstairs to an unlocked bathroom. He locked the door behind us. His nose was bleeding and his lip was too. But he wasn't that cut up. I didn't want to see how bad George was. I hopped up onto the counter next to the sink and wet a small towel. Alex put his arms around me as I tried to clean off the blood. I noticed a cut on his forehead. "George must wear rings huh," I said. He laughed a little. I got off the counter and looked for some band aids. Once I a small first aid kit, I resumed my place, and Alex put his arms back. I didn't really pay much mind to that. I cleaned the cut on his forehead and put a bandaid on him. I had started to clean his lip when I felt the sharp pain in my arm. I looked down at the newly forming bruise on my arm.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left you alone," Alex says, gently rubbing his thumb against it. I moved my arm a bit. "Sorry," he mumbled. I shook it off and continued to clean his face. He brought up his hand to my cheek and wiped my eyes. I laughed a bit at the intimacy of the moment.

"You don't have to apologize," I said, "for anything that happened tonight. It's my fault."

He shook his head. "It's not your fault that George is a douche okay? Really. I can't believe he would do this to you. But what did he mean by earlier. Did you meet him today?"

I sighed. "I wouldn't necessarily say meet." I told him how George grabbed me on my way home.

"I'm so sorry John," he said, gently brushing back some strands of hair that came out during all the drama. I shook my head.

"It's fine," I said. I continued to clean his nose and lip. "Your lip should heal in no time." And we were in the silence, but it wasn't awkward in any way. It was more intimate. He put his arms around my waist and stepped closer to me. I found my arms trailing up his and going around his neck, letting my hands dangle behind him. I couldn't look him in the eye. This was all to intimate and after everything that happened, I just wanted to go home.

"John, will you please look at me," he whispered. So I did. He smiled some. "John," he started again. I didn't look away from his eyes. I couldn't. They were just so mesmerizing. "John, can... can I... can I kiss you?" he asked. I was caught off guard again, like I was with the hug.

And then we kissed.