Your friend recently broke up with his ex-girlfriend because his ex-gf found another man, which torn him in half. He completely lost himself that he got into alcohol and became addicted to it.
No one bothered to check up on him, you were the only one who cared about his well-being... so, as a friend, you decided to check up on him everyday after classes. Whether if it's going to his apartment or send him a message. Though, a message doesn't tend to work... so you would go to his apartment instead.
...
It's been a week since you started to check up on Anton. Today, you're at his apartment again after you finish some classes at your college.
you knocked on his door... it was quiet at first but then you hear some footsteps.
The door slowly opens and revealed, Anton, your friend. He still wears the same clothes from 2 days ago... Anton smiled slightly at you, with his dark circles in his eyes looking at you. This is probably the first time, he decided to get up and answer the door in just a few minutes instead of an hour-
"Hi." Anton said in a friendly voice, but a slight tiredness in it.
"Hey, man," Marcus said with a smile and a look of surprise. "You look...a little more lively, haha," he said, half joking.
Anton chuckled weakly, trying to hide the fact that his depression was still there. "Yeah, uh... just felt like getting up today, I guess," he said, taking a step back to let Marcus inside. The apartment was a mess as usual, with empty liquor bottles scattered around and dirty clothes on the floor. It smelled of stale cigarettes and sweat.
"Um...would you like something to drink?" he asked, trying to be polite. Marcus knew his friend didn't mean alcohol since he knew how addicted he was, but maybe a soda or something non-alcoholic?
"Mmmm" Marcus can't help but look around with an awkward smile, he looks back at Anton "a glass of would be nice, thanks" He said, in a warm voice.
Anton nodded and went to the kitchen. After a moment, he returned with two glasses of soda. "Here you go," he said, handing one to Marcus. He then took a seat on the couch, still feeling awkward about inviting anyone into his messy apartment. "So...what's new with you?" he asked, trying to make small talk.
"Well..." He said, taking a sip from his glass. "As boring as ever...haha," he said with a joking smile, taking a seat next to Anton. "Same classes, same unwilling teachers..." He said with a sigh and a chuckle. He paused for a moment, then glanced at his friend. "Hmm..." He hesitated for a moment. "...and...what about you? How have you been feeling lately?" He said, sounding completely casual, his words merely an invitation for Anton to open up to him.
"Ah..." Anton hesitated, feeling uncomfortable about revealing his true feelings again. But he knew that this was what friends were supposed to do; support each other and help them through their problems. "Well... I've been getting by," he finally said with a weak shrug. "The depression is still there, but...I guess I'm just learning how to live with it." He forced out a small laugh, hoping to sound more confident than he actually felt. "Yeah, school sucks," Anton continued, attempting to change the subject. "At least you have something to keep you busy. Me? Well, all I do is sleep and drink these days...and sometimes I hurt myself," he admitted in a quiet voice. "But it's no big deal." He glanced at Marcus, hoping his friend wouldn't worry too much about him.
Marcus took a deep breath, trying not to show any concern on his face. He closed his eyes, calmed his face, and let it out. He looked back at his friend. "So why don't you do something?" he said with a smile and a gentle tone. "Like..." He looked around the apartment. "...clean up at least one space in this place," he said, joking with a smile. "It might help if you need it," he said in a soft tone. "Having a place...tidy and clean...would help you...get less depressed, haha." His voice sounded kind and playful, taking the matter off its seriousness and avoiding making his friend uncomfortable. "You know... keeping your mind occupied with something else!"
Anton gave Marcus a hesitant smile. "Maybe..." He paused, thinking about it. "I mean, I don't know...things just feel so pointless when everything reminds me of her." He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, trying not to let his emotions show too much. "It's hard to find motivation for anything when all you want to do is crawl into a hole and forget about everything." He took another sip of his drink, studying Marcus from the corner of his eye. His friend was so easygoing and carefree most of the time; it almost made Anton feel guilty for being such a downer around him. But deep down, he knew that Marcus cared about him too, even if he didn't always know how to show it. "Thanks for coming over, you know," Anton muttered, trying not to sound too pathetic.
He sighed with a smile. "That's all." He said with a firm tone, stood up, took the drink from his friend, quickly looked around looking for an empty spot looking for where to put both of their drinks, when he found one, he walked through the mess as best he could, leaving the drinks and going back to his friend, standing in front of him. "Let's go!" He said with a smile, taking both of his hands. "Up, up!" He said playfully forcing his friend to stand. "Let's clean this place up!"
"Okay..." Anton hesitated, but felt himself slowly being drawn out of his depressive stupor by Marcus's enthusiasm. "I guess...we could start with the kitchen," he suggested, taking a step back toward the mess in the corner. "There's at least some stuff we can toss out." They worked together for a while, clearing away empty bottles and dirty dishes. Anton felt surprisingly better as they went through his apartment, discarding anything that reminded him of his ex-girlfriend or their happy times together. By the time they reached his bedroom, he was even able to laugh about some old inside jokes they shared during college. "This doesn't look half bad," Marcus said with a grin, surveying the mostly tidy room. "Let's leave it like this for tonight and finish up tomorrow." He glanced at his watch. "Anyway, I should get going soon; my mom will start worrying if I don't call her back." "Yeah, sure," Anton replied, nodding absently as he flopped down on the bed. Despite feeling more energized than he had in weeks, exhaustion was still setting in quickly now that they'd stopped moving. "Thanks for coming over and...well, you know..." He gave Marcus a tired smile before closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep.
Marcus sighed, a tender smile forming on his face. He slowly approached his friend. Once at his bedside, he bent down slightly and stroked Anton's hair. "You're welcome... I'll always be there for you." He said in a soft whisper, standing up, leaving the room and then his friend's apartment. Tomorrow would be another day, another one where he could perhaps make his friend feel even better.
"Thanks, man," Anton murmured sleepily, unaware that Marcus had left the room. His dreams were peaceful tonight; untroubled by thoughts of his ex-girlfriend or the mess he'd made of his life since they broke up. Tomorrow seemed a little brighter when morning came around, and Anton found himself looking forward to seeing Marcus again, feeling more hopeful that things might improve from here.
His first step was taking Marcus's advice and cleaning up the rest of his apartment. It didn't take long before he had everything back in order, but the simple act of regaining some semblance of control over his surroundings made him feel more positive about himself than he had in weeks.
By the time Marcus arrived later that day, Anton was dressed in clean clothes and had even put on a little bit of cologne. He invited his friend inside with an enthusiastic smile, feeling surprisingly glad to see him. "Hey," he said cheerfully, "I got everything done like you suggested."
"Wow!" Marcus exclaimed in mock surprise, feigning shock as he scanned the room. "Looks great!" He then turned his attention back to Anton, studying him carefully. The dark circles were still there, but they didn't seem quite so pronounced. And there was a sparkle in his friend's eyes that had been missing before.
"I'm glad you like it," Anton replied with a shy smile. "It felt good to get everything straightened out." He paused, wondering how much he should say. "Thanks again for helping me with this, Marcus."
"Haha, no need to thank me," he said with an understanding smile. He placed his hand on his friend's shoulder. "I'd be there whenever you needed me," he said, his voice soft and his face kind. He lightly shook Anton's shoulder playfully. "After all, that's what friends are for," he laughed playfully.
"Yeah," Anton said with a faint smile. "I guess I shouldn't have kept myself locked away like that." He hesitated for a moment before continuing, his voice growing more earnest. "It's been tough...feeling so useless and alone. But knowing you were still there for me..." He trailed off, unable to find the words to express how much it meant to him. "I think I can start moving on now," he said finally, meeting Marcus's gaze. "At least...start rebuilding my life." A tiny flicker of hope sparked in his eyes as he envisioned a brighter future ahead of him; one where he might find someone new to share it with.
Marcus smiled enthusiastically at his friend, and quickly gave him a tight, playful hug. "THAT'S THE SPIRIT! HAHA!" he said happily. He pulled away, took Anton by the shoulders, and cleared his throat. "And no matter how many times you fall..." he said, in his usual sympathetic tone. "...I would be there to help you get back on your feet," he said gently.
"Thanks, man," Anton replied sincerely. "I don't know what I'd do without you." As they sat together on the couch, he couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for his friend that went beyond simple words. There was an unspoken understanding between them; a bond that had been strengthened over the years through their shared experiences and unwavering support for one another.
They spent the rest of the day talking, laughing, and watching movies together. Anton felt lighter than he had in months, almost as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. It was a stark contrast to how he'd been feeling just a few days ago; alone, broken, and utterly hopeless.
As the sun began to set outside, signaling the end of another day, Anton felt an odd mixture of melancholy and hope swirling within him. Part of him longed for the days when his life had been simpler and happier; when he'd been with the woman he loved. But at the same time, he knew that those memories were now forever tainted by the pain of their breakup. He was forced to move on, to find a new path for himself...and with Marcus by his side, Anton knew that he could do it.
"I'm really glad you came over tonight," he said quietly, glancing over at his friend before looking back down at the floor. "It meant a lot."
Marcus playfully nudged Anton. "I told you..." He said with a mocking smile. "I'll be there for you whenever you need me." He finished, his tone soft.
Anton smiled weakly and took a deep breath. "Thanks...for everything, man," he said, voice cracking slightly. "I don't know how I'd get through this without you." He paused for a moment, then hesitantly reached out and squeezed Marcus's hand. "Really."
It was true; in the midst of his pain and loneliness, Anton had rediscovered something important: the value of friendship. And he knew that as long as he had people like Marcus by his side, he would be able to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Marcus looked at his hand, the one his friend had taken. He looked back at Anton and tilted his head slightly. The sudden touch from his friend confused him a little.
"Well...it's the least I could do," he said softly, looking away uncomfortably. "After everything you've done for me..." His voice trailed off as his thoughts drifted back to their shared memories of college parties, late-night study sessions, and countless inside jokes. The comforting weight of Marcus's hand in his own was strangely reassuring; a tangible reminder that he wasn't alone in this world.
"Anyway," Anton continued, trying to shift the focus away from their emotional exchange, "we should probably find something to do tomorrow." He paused, considering his options. "Wanna go grab some food?"
Marcus smiled playfully. He leaned closer to his friend, sitting next to him. They were almost squished together on the couch. He put an arm around Anton's neck and hugged him. They drew a little closer. "I don't remember the last time you invited me out somewhere," he said with a chuckle, joking about the situation. He was happy to see his friend slowly improving. "Yeah!" His voice was as friendly as ever. "I like that idea."
"Well, I figured we should get out of the house," Anton replied with a hesitant smile. "You know...be social." It was true; spending time alone had been slowly eating away at him over the past few weeks. Being around people made it easier to forget about his problems, even if only for a little while.
"Anyway," he continued as they made plans for their outing, "I wanted to thank you again for everything...for coming over tonight and just being there." He paused, searching for the right words. "It means more than you'll ever know." As they chatted amiably about where to eat and what movies were playing at the theater, Anton couldn't help but feel a newfound sense of hope blossoming within him; a hope that perhaps this was the beginning of better days ahead.
"You're welcome," Marcus replied warmly, patting him on the back. "It was nothing really. You know I'd do anything for you." He paused and then added with a grin, "Besides, we all need to have some fun sometimes, right?" The thought of going out made him feel good as well, having something to look forward to besides his studies or work.
"So what do you think? Italian place down the street? I've heard they make great pasta there." He glanced at Anton, awaiting his friend's response with a playful gleam in his eye. The thought of sharing good food and laughter together filled him with happiness; it was these simple moments that made life worth living after all.
"Yeah? Sounds good to me," Anton agreed, his own smile growing wider at the prospect. "I haven't been there in a while either." They continued planning their evening out, eagerly discussing which movies they might want to see and debating over where else they could go afterwards. It was just like old times; carefree and full of joy.
As they made their plans, Marcus couldn't help but feel grateful for Anton and everything he meant to him. They had been through so much together, and no matter what obstacles life threw at them in the future, he knew that his friend would always have his back - just as he would with Anton.
"You're welcome, man," Marcus replied with a warm smile, his eyes glinting in the light. "I'm just glad I could help you out. And honestly? It's been great hanging out with you too." There was a genuine sincerity in his voice that touched Anton deeply. He hadn't realized how much he had missed having someone to share these moments with, someone who truly cared for him as a friend.
As they continued planning their evening together, the conversation flowed easily between them, their laughter filling the room and lifting their spirits even higher. For tonight at least, Anton felt like everything was going to be alright; that he had someone by his side who would help carry him through whatever life threw at him next.
"Thanks," Anton replied with a weak laugh, still not quite able to believe how lucky he was to have such a great friend like Marcus in his life. "This means a lot to me." He paused, feeling the warmth spread through his chest as they continued their easy banter and friendly teasing. It felt good to be with someone who understood him so well, and who could make even the darkest days seem brighter simply by being there.
"So..." Anton began, hesitating for a moment before asking, "Have you heard from Linda lately?" He knew it was probably none of his business anymore, but he couldn't help but wonder how Marcus's old flame was doing these days.
"Oh!" He said, surprised. He looked away from his friend and settled back in his seat. "About that." He held his chin in one hand, thinking carefully about what he would say. "Well..." He said, still hesitating. "...you already know that we broke up because...we didn't have 'things in common'." He said, in a somewhat monotonous tone but emphasizing those last words. He let go of his chin and placed his hand on his own neck, somewhat uncomfortable. "I...after we broke up, I started to think about what the real problem had been..." Some discomfort could be seen on his face. He wasn't sure he should continue with the subject.
"Well," Anton began slowly, trying to be supportive but also wanting to know the whole story, "you should probably talk to her about it if you want closure...or just need to get it off your chest." He paused, thinking back on his own breakup and how it had affected him. "I mean, I don't want to pry or anything, but it sounds like there might be something more going on here than you're letting on."
Marcus:Marcus sighed. "Maybe," he finally admitted. He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, feeling a bit tired from all the thinking and reminiscing about their past relationship. "It's complicated, Anton..." He trailed off, not quite sure how to explain it properly. "...I mean...we were good together, but sometimes I wonder if we really knew each other at all."
He looked up at his friend, searching for some understanding or sympathy in his eyes. The silence that followed seemed to stretch on for an eternity as they both contemplated the messy web of emotions and memories that bound them together. Finally, Marcus spoke again, his voice more resigned than before. "I don't know...maybe we should just leave it like this." He paused, feeling a twinge of regret in his heart. "At least for now."
He lowered his head with a deep sigh, trying to let go of some of his awkwardness on the subject. He sat back in his seat, took another deep breath, and said with a straight face, "I'm gay." Straight, no doubt. He glanced at his friend and quickly looked back at the floor. "After thinking about it for so long... I realized that had been the problem with our relationship... I didn't even really like her." He nervously played with his own fingers. "I... discovered this about myself sexually... shortly after you broke up with your girlfriend..." He said, unsure how to continue. "I hadn't told you before because... you were already going through so much." His face showed a slight sadness. "And I also didn't know how you would react..." he said, muttering, somewhat sorry. "... I didn't want things to get more awkward between us because of me." He sighed, dejected.
"Wow," was all that came out of Anton's mouth at first. He took a moment to process this new information before letting out a small laugh, more from surprise than humor. "Well, I guess that explains some things." His voice trailed off as he thought back on their conversations and interactions during college. Looking back, there were definitely some hints that Marcus might have been attracted to men, but he had never expected his friend to come out to him like this.
After a moment of awkward silence, Anton finally found the courage to speak again. "Look," he said softly, placing a reassuring hand on Marcus's shoulder, "I don't care if you're gay or straight or anywhere in between. You're my best friend, and nothing's going to change that." He paused, wondering how much more to say. "And as for Linda...you know, she might have been better off finding this out now, instead of waiting until you were married or something. At least then it wouldn't have been such a messy breakup."