"When Trev told me that he didn't agree to live with you when you practically begged him to do, I was upset with him. What are friends for, if not to help each other? You don't have to beg Jake. But you must understand that he never does anything without discussing with me first. That's why he told you no. In a way I'm glad you are in need of a housemate. It works for everyone, right?" Mrs. Marshall smiled at me.

Begged? Housemate?

The fuck is happening?

Just ten minutes ago, I came home and got a text from Trev that he was coming here with his mum.

Everything worked out for Trev.

Mrs. Marshall had responded well to the counseling. Doctor Frank had indeed stood up for Trev and had made her weep in all the four sessions she went to.

Even though the competition result wasn't out yet, true to his word, Joel had sent a glowing letter, inviting Trev to his university. Mrs. Marshall had responded well to that as well. According to mom, she burst open a few veins by the overflow of her pride.

All these news came to me from different sources — Steph, Joel and my parents. Today's text was the first contact from Trev after I dropped him off that Sunday. More than ten days ago.

He didn't tell me he was planning of becoming my housemate, not even in the text. What was he thinking? Showing up like this? Lying to his mother that I wanted him in my house! I sure as hell didn't. Not after the way he went silent the past two weeks. Ungrateful brat!

"Now the only thing is, a car. If he is in dorms he won't need it. But now I suppose it's a necessary expense." Mrs. Marshall was saying while I was seething, trying to catch her son's gaze.

When Trev resolutely avoided my gaze, I decided to take my revenge another way. I smiled at his mother. "Oh, no, Mrs. Marshall. Don't even think about buying a car. Kids these days are completely irresponsible. I don't mean Trev, of course. But if he has a car, his class friends would want to use it and you know how they get."

Both mother and son stared at me.

"Oh my goodness, that's true. What should I do now?" Mrs. Marshall looked at me for solution.

I shrugged, "the campus is only three miles from here. The walk would do him good. Don't you think? He is in need of vitamin D."  That would make Trev rethink this idea. I almost put my tongue out when Trev shot me a deathly glare. Take that asshole!

Unexpectedly, Mrs. Marshall gave a relieved sigh. "That's settled then. Let's see your room."

That was when I saw the luggage. He was moving in like right now. There was no discussion or asking for my permission or even an opinion.

What the fuck?

****

"Refresh my memory, Trev. When exactly did I practically beg you to be my housemate?" I asked after his mother left. I was still trying to wrap my mind around this development. He was going to be here, with me all the time. For how long? A few months? A year? Why wasn't I told about this?

Mom and dad must know. Why the fuck they didn't tell me?

"What will you have me do? I can't go back to another dorm. I just can't. My folks won't pay rent on top of the college fees. And mum won't assent for me to stay for free with you. I had to imply that you require me to be with you. I had to. Surely you can see that. Can't you?" He asked, all innocent and self righteous.

I stayed silent, still angry. I wasn't angry because he decided to just show up as he pleased. It was nothing when compared to the heart ache he gave me. I was hurt that he didn't call me once. Not even a 'hi, how are you?'. And now here he was, asking me to see from his side. He hadn't had a single thought about me until he needed me. I had been worried sick and had been calling Mom every other day hoping she would have some news. My foolish heart bled terribly when he didn't so much as dropped a text.

"You did say that I was welcome here." He reminded me.

I didn't reply.

"Jake, say something."

"It's been ten days," I said.

"Twelve."

"You hadn't called me once." It was supposed to be an angry complaint to tell him how selfish he was, but it came out as a desperate admission.

His eyes went wide, "oh. I thought that's what you preferred. You said we don't have to talk daily to be friends."

"Fuck you."

"Watch your words. How was I supposed to know?"

"Common courtesy. Admit that you were a dick."

"I was no such thing. You're being childish because now you have to share your things. That's the real reason you're acting disgruntled." He smiled, completely missing the point I was trying to make.

"Listen, I'm not sharing anything with you. That's the thumb of rule. From TV to laundry detergent get your own stuff. Don't you dare touch my things." I wagged my fore finger in warning.

Trev laughed as if I told something really funny. For a second, I forgot that I was angry and stared at his mirth filled face.

God, how the fuck was I going to live with him? My blood pressure was going haywire to match my heart rate.

I shook my head.

"Why the fuck are you laughing, dickhead?" I snarled. I should start treating him like my hostel roommates or Harry. That was the only way to survive him.

"Ty was correct. You become unbalanced when you are surprised. Don't worry, I'll try not to do it. Now please leave my room. I have to unpack."

"Fuck you." I slammed the door shut on my way out.

Right on cue, mom called.

"Hey, Jakey."

"Is this how you treat your own son?"

Mom was shameless enough to laugh. "I take it that Trev is with you."

"Hah, don't act as if you didn't know your bosom buddy is going to infiltrate my home." I plopped down on my bed.

"I might have hoped for it to happen. But you never know with Julie. I wasn't sure she would agree."

"How long is he gonna stay?"

"I don't know, honey, until he's better? How long would it take?"

I sighed, I didn't have an answer for that. Six months? Six years? Forever?

"You could have given me a heads up." I said instead.

"I could have, but where is the fun?"

I had had enough people making fun of me. "Mom, you're forgetting something."

"What's it, darling?"

"I kissed him in a public parking lot. What do you think I'll do in my own house, behind closed doors, where no one could see?"

"JAKE!"

I cut the call with a satisfying smirk. Let her worry the fuck out. Damn them all to hell for teaming up against me.

I switched off my phone and buried myself under a mound of blankets.

Maybe I was being childish. I didn't care. I was betrayed and used. I deserved to sulk.

****

"Get up. I know you aren't sleeping." Trev called from somewhere behind me.

"Fuck off."

"Come on. Eat your dinner."

"I don't want dinner. Leave me alone."

"Jesus in heavens!" Trev shouted and thorn like fingers dug into my shoulder, pulling me out of my blankets.

"Eat. After that you can tell me what is bothering you."

A bowl was thrust in my hands. "What's this?"

"Chicken noodles."

"Why is it watery?" I took a spoonful to show him. The smell was waking up my intestines.

"That's how it should be." He sat on my chair and started browsing his phone.

I ate quietly. My eyes flicked back to his profile every now and then. He still had dark circles around his eyes and looked like he came out of a graveyard casket. Maybe I was being harsh on him. It was just ten days, he must have been busy, what with therapy and switching colleges. Maybe he really thought that I didn't want to talk often.

I scoffed at the thought. There was no justification for what he didn't do. A simple text message wasn't too much to ask. Was it? He didn't care enough. That was all.

I finished the bowl and stretched. It had been a long while since I got food served in my bed. It felt good. Fitting punishment for Trev.

"Start talking." Trev said, eyes trained on me.

I didn't blink. "You're an ungrateful, selfish dickhead."

"Explain."

"I cut classes for you, lent you my personal laptop, woke up in the middle of the night and switched beds just so you would be comfortable. Is it too much to expect an update from you?"

He scratched his head, "you specifically said—"

"Nah... nah... don't give me that bullshit. One text. Am I not worthy of one fucking text?" My eyes burnt from not blinking. Or maybe I was about to fucking cry.

He got up, his eyes became two expanding volcanoes as he closed in on me. "I could ask you the exact same thing, you idiot! Am I not worthy of a single text? Did you even think of me after I left? Definitely not. Do you care about me?"

Shit!

I blinked.

How the fuck did he turn the tables? "I do!" I yelled. "Why else would you be here now? Huh?"

My heart beat furiously, unable to handle the blame.

"I'm an anemic and you're asking me to walk six miles a day!! How is that caring? Is this how you plan to care for your future patients? I expected better than that from you. But I forgave you. I understood you were merely overwhelmed with the changes and acting out of normal due to that. I wasn't blaming you and calling you names! Am I?"

All blood drained from my face. How come everything was my fault?

Why do I feel like a shit-faced asshole?

I got an uncontrollable urge to get up and console him and apologize for my actions. But a small part of my brain called out 'Foul game!'

I couldn't decide what I should do.

After some uncomfortable moments, after his volcano cooled down, I murmured, "I'll drop you off to your classes. Okay?"

"It's the least you could do," was the response before he took the bowl and went out.

I let out a breath and prayed to God that I lived long enough to finish my degree. Trev was turning out to be dangerous to my health.