Liam's POV
After finishing my shift at the café, I changed out of my uniform, grabbed my things, and waved goodbye to my coworkers. The walk back to my tiny apartment was uneventful, though the usual weight of the day hung over me. I stepped inside, kicked off my shoes, and allowed myself a moment to exhale.
The relief didn't last. Within minutes, a sharp knock shattered the stillness. I hesitated before calling out, "Who is it?"
"It's Mrs. Wong," came the curt reply.
When I opened the door, the sight of my landlord's stern face instantly set me on edge. "Good day, Mrs. Wong," I greeted cautiously.
"Save the pleasantries, Liam," she snapped. "This isn't a social visit."
Her words were sharp, and they cut deeper as she continued. "It's come to my attention that you're... different. That you like boys." Her voice was laced with distaste. "I've had complaints, and I can't ignore them anymore. You'll need to move out—preferably by this evening. I'll refund the rest of your rent so you can find a new place."
I stood frozen, her words reverberating in my mind. Before I could muster a response, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving me stunned.
The door clicked shut behind her, and I collapsed onto the cold floor. My mind spiraled with panic. Where would I go? How could I start over? My chest ached with the weight of rejection, but the tears I so desperately wanted to shed refused to come. Instead, I numbly packed my belongings, hoping to avoid a public scene. By evening, I was dragging my suitcases into the night, hood pulled low over my face.
As I passed my neighbors, I heard their whispers but ignored them. Nothing they could say would hurt me more than I already hurt.
I considered calling Kia, my only friend, but he was out of town. A hotel was out of the question—I hadn't received my rent refund, and the café where I worked was late with payroll. With no other options, I resigned myself to sleeping on the streets.
The park seemed like the safest bet, but as I made my way there, the sky darkened, and rain began to pour. I cursed my luck, dragging my suitcases faster to reach some form of shelter. But the rain slicked the road, and I slipped, landing hard on the pavement. One of my suitcases burst open, spilling my clothes into the muddy street.
As I scrambled to gather my belongings, a passing car splashed water over me, knocking me back down. Soaked, shivering, and defeated, I slumped onto the road, tears finally breaking free. I buried my face in my hands, the cold rain masking my sobs.
Ken's POV
"Matt, can you please hurry up?" I called, exasperated. "You said you were ready five minutes ago!"
"Relax, Ken, I'm done," he replied, strolling into the room. "Besides, this is the perfect time to explore—less crowded, not too dark, not too bright. Just how I like it."
"Of course you do," I muttered, rolling my eyes. "Let's go."
We headed to the mall first, then to an eatery. As we sat chatting over food, my thoughts wandered to Liam. I hadn't seen him in years, but his image was as vivid as ever. I found myself wondering where he was and how he was doing.
"We're heading to the park next, right?" Matt's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Yeah. I heard it's beautiful at night."
Halfway there, the rain began to fall. Matt suggested turning back, but as we slowed to make a U-turn, I spotted a figure on the road. They were drenched, sitting amid scattered belongings. My heart lurched as recognition hit me.
"Liam," I whispered, my breath catching.
"You know him?" Matt asked.
I didn't answer. I flung open the car door and ran toward him.
Third Person POV
Ken rushed to Liam, his footsteps splashing in the rain. Matt followed more slowly, shaking his head at his brother's impulsiveness.
Liam didn't notice their approach until Ken crouched beside him. "Liam," he said softly.
Liam's head shot up, his tear-streaked face a mask of disbelief. "Ken?" he choked out. "What... what are you doing here?"
"I should be asking you that," Ken replied, his voice gentle. "What happened?"
Before Liam could answer, Matt interjected. "Hey, sorry to interrupt, but maybe you guys can continue this in the car? It's pouring out here, and you're going to catch a cold."
Liam hesitated, his pride warring with his exhaustion. "I don't want to be a bother..."
"You're not a bother," Ken said firmly.
Matt rolled his eyes, already gathering Liam's soaked belongings. "Seriously, you two. Get in the car before I leave you both here."
Ken helped Liam to his feet, supporting him as they walked to the car. The ride back to Matt and Ken's apartment was quiet, the air thick with unspoken words. Matt drove in silence, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips as he glanced at the pair in the rearview mirror.