I knew my wake-up alarm was the sound of a loud, blaring siren, but I was pretty damn sure there wasn't any screaming included the last time I heard it.

"Mattie, wake up, please! It won't stop! It's so loud and it won't stop!"

I groaned and forced my eyes open. If I wasn't still so weighed down by sleepiness I was sure I would've jumped at the sight of a face right up to mine. "The fuck?!" I nearly shrieked, shoving my pillow at John's teary-eyed face. I almost forgot I had someone crash in my place last night, though in retrospect it was an unexpected one. Unwanted? I'm not sure yet.

So it wasn't a dream, I'm not sure if I should be happy with that or not.

I sat up, rubbing my eyes as the alarm continued to echo in the room. "John, give me my phone," I ordered gently. John hurriedly went to the table for the said device. "It has a cord!" he exclaimed, helplessly yanking at my still charging phone.

"Wait, don't pull!" I shrieked.

I climbed down from the bed, nearly falling over in the rush to get my phone off of his hands. I took my phone, dismissing the alarm. I sighed in relief as the apartment was finally enveloped with silence, and John did the same. I removed the charger, and it lit up momentarily to show the full battery and the time.

"5:30..." I groaned. Thirty minutes before my shift. I slept in again.

How much sleep did I actually get? I wondered. I never really got the chance to check the time before I slept, so I didn't really know. "I'm going to be late for work," I muttered, moving past John as I placed my phone back on the table. I plugged in the oven and started the timer before grabbing a butter knife from the drying rack, followed by a plate, the margarine, the jar of sugar, and the loaf of bread and laying them all down on the counter in rapid succession.

"What are you making?" John asked from the bed.

"Breakfast. It's not much, I'm afraid."

I grabbed several pieces of bread and began to slather them with margarine. "Hey, can you boil some water?" I requested hurriedly. John hummed and made his way to the kitchen area. "How... do you do it?" he asked, and I mentally facepalmed. Of course he wouldn't know how to.

"Actually, just continue putting some margarine on the bread. I'll boil the water."

I pulled John to my previous spot, handing him the knife. "Afterwards, sprinkle some sugar on top," I instructed. I took the kettle and filled it with water. I watched John from the corner of my eye, and he was doing the task I assigned him with so much focus, it was actually adorable to look at. I put the kettle on its stand thing and plugged it on, and John looked up for a second as the indicator on the kettle lit up in front of him.

"Ooh, it has lights!" he gushed.

I giggled softly at his discovery as I went to take a shirt from my box. I then went around to get my other clothes and binder before rushing inside the bathroom. I cringed slightly at the cold feeling, the still drying floor against my bare feet. I brushed it off though as I changed out of my pajamas, walking out just as I put on my non-work shirt. By then, John was done with the bread and four slices were put evenly on the plate.

"Thank you!"

I grabbed the plate and shoved them in the oven. "Now we just let that toast for the next five minutes," I informed him, checking the time on my phone. 5:40. I was going to be late. I grabbed John's mug from last night and ran it briefly under the faucet before getting a thermos and opening the drawers. "Hot chocolate or tea?" I asked, already getting a bag of yellow tea for myself.

"Uh, tea," John decided.

I hummed and took a random bag for him, which was a jasmine tea, and put it in his mug. I didn't wait for the water to come to a full boil and unplugged the kettle before pouring the hot liquid into the containers. "Let it steep for three minutes," I told him as I put the kettle back. I continued scrambling around, shoving everything I needed into a sling bag. John simply stood in the kitchen as I ran all over the place, which was honestly the best choice since I wouldn't end up crashing into him.

"Have I told you that your hair is interesting?"

I didn't stop walking around as I ran my fingers through my half shave cut. "Thanks," I breathed, letting myself smile at the compliment. I took out a tupperware and an oven mitt from another cupboard, taking out the toast from the oven before the timer ended and placing them on the counter.

"Okay, so here's what's going to happen," I started while packing my breakfast. "I'm going to work and won't be back until around three in the afternoon, but I'll try to get out earlier. You can't go outside, you can only go until out in the balcony. I have snacks in the upper right drawer, please don't finish it all up, and there's water in the fridge. Please for the love of all that is good, do not use anything that is needed to be plugged in, and don't poke around, literally and metaphorically. Don't answer the door unless it's a delivery. Can you do that?"

"Yes, sir!" John saluted.

I stared at him.

"Oh shit, sorry!"

I broke into a short chuckle. "It's okay. 'Sir yes sir' is like, a whole expression regardless of who you're talking to, so I suppose it's cool." I smiled at John to show that I wasn't offended by his response. He visibly relaxed, but I was the opposite once I checked the time on the wall clock. 5:55. I gritted my teeth at what little time I had left. I threw the thermos and toast into the bag and went to unplug the oven.

"I have to go, don't burn the unit down please."

"Okay!"

"I'll be back with lunch!"

I grabbed my ID hanging at the bed and dashed out, locking the door on the way out. At least, I thought I locked it. I'm not sure, but John's inside anyways to keep watch. I hoped he keeps watch. I ran down the halls and to the stairs, skipping a few steps as I went to the ground floor. I ran as fast as I could, muttering a quick hello to the janitor sweeping the floor in the common room.

"You're going to be late again, kid."

"I know!"

I didn't react to his laughter as I sprinted out of the building. I continued on running, never stopping until I reached the convenience store a block away. I pushed one of the glass doors open, wincing at the sound of its metal frame scraping against the tiled floor.

"One minute," Chris informed me, an amused grin plastered to his face as he tapped his watch.

I shrieked and ran into the back room. I took my card and punched in my time in. 6:01, and just a mere few seconds away from being another minute late. I sighed, leaning on the wall with my arms pressed against it. Gosh, I felt like a ran a marathon.

I took a deep breath, straightening myself as I put my bag down and took out a face towel and my work shirt. I wiped the sweat away then changed shirts, putting my first shirt in a spare hanger I found lying around and hung it near my bag. I grabbed my tupperware and thermos before going back outside, bringing them to the counter and putting it in a spot away from the customers' eyes.

"What is it this time? Hangover? Deadlines? Binge watching?"

I stuck at tongue out at Chris, who had his back turned to me as he stocked the chips. "None of the above," I responded dryly, picking up my tupperware and taking out a slice of toast. The smell of melted margarine and sugar wafted through my nose, making my empty stomach growl at the delectable scent.

"So what, you just slept in like usual?"

"No, I had a visitor last night and kept me up 'till dawn."

Chris whipped around, his eyes wide as he gasped dramatically. "You finally got knocked up?" he squealed. "Not like that, you green-minded fuck," I hissed, shooting him a warning glare as I bit down on my toast. "Can you really blame me, Mattie?" Chris sighed, batting his eyes for additional effect. "When you say it so vaguely like that, it could mean so many things." I rolled my eyes in annoyance, but a smirk grew on my face anyways.

"Yeah, but no. He was lost and it was late so I took him in for the night."

"Is he hot?"

I laughed at Chris' eager expression. "I suppose he is, I don't know. You know I'm bad at judging those kind of things, come on!" Chris pouted at my lack of a direct answer, and I quickly matched his look. If I wasn't holding my breakfast I could've crossed my arms, too. "Okay, fine! But how was he? Didn't do anything weird or creepy? Didn't try anything on you?" he interrogated. I aww-ed softly at his concern.

"Don't worry, he's a big softie. Maybe because he was scared shitless."

"Good." Chris nodded approvingly. "I hope you're right about that though, 'cause I'll be honest, you and your dumb ass could get yourself in trouble for being too nice and not being wary enough with everyone."

"Hey!"

"It's true, don't deny it!"

"You have no evidence of such."

"Mattie, you apologized to a fucking robber because he crashed into you while he was escaping."

"That was one time!"

"And how often does one collide into a running thief? It's not as frequent as you want me to believe it to be."

I puffed my cheeks as I aggressively took another bite of my toast. "Okay, fine! I'm a nonbinary equivalent of a himbo. There, I said it. You happy?" I conceded. Chris' brows shot up at my statement, a large grin spreading across his face.

"You calling yourself dumb and attractive?"

"Why, am I not both?"

"Definitely both, if you choose to be."

"Yeah, I thought so."

I flipped my hair for emphasis. Chris rolled his eyes and turned back to shelving. "Back to the guy. You positive he's not out to harm you?" he asked, his voice lacking the bantering tone that he had just moments ago. I hummed in affirmation, my mouth full.

"He's jumpy, to say the least. He woke up nearly crying at my alarm."

"Really?"

"Yep."

"Poor guy, he must be really scared and lost."

I hummed once more, picking up my thermos since I finished my first slice of toast. "Kinda reminded me of myself when I first got here in Virginia. It was terrifying to be alone in an unfamiliar place halfway across the world away from home." I blew on the tea before taking a careful sip, the steam of the hot drink annoyingly fogging up my glasses as I did so.

"I see. Still, be careful."

"I will darlin', don't worry."

Chris turned his head a bit and shot me an unamused look at may failed attempt of a Southern accent. "That was awful," he huffed. "Please stick to your own accent."

"Halikan mo pwet ko."

"I said accent, not language."

"Bite me, bitch."

Chris sighed defeatedly and moved to another aisle, away from my sight. "You and your scary language!" he yelled exasperatedly, and I laughed. "Wait, I didn't mean to scare you!" I whined, stretching an arm out to him.

"Shut up, Mattie."

"Come back Chris, I love you!"

"Yeah, sure."

"Chriiiiiis."

"Yeah, no, get back to work."

------------------------------------

The rest of my shift was uneventful, with the usual fellow college students coming in to get a quick cheap meal during their break times. With the store just outside the university, it wasn't a surprise that they were our common customers, along with the occasional professors and tenants from nearby housings.

"Aight, I'll head out!" I announced to Chris.

"The ones after our shift hasn't arrived yet, Mattie. You know the rules."

I groaned and slid back behind the counter. "Fine," I scoffed, crossing my arms as I slouched back. Thankfully, it only took another two minutes before one of the employees of the next shift arrived.

"Hey Chris, hey Mattie."

"Sup, Emma."

"Emma's here, Imma bounce."

Emma watched me curiously as I hurriedly walked away from the counter with an empty tupperware and thermos. "What's the rush? Got a date or something?" she teased. "Ew, no." I cringed, making gagging noises. Chris and Emma laughed at my reaction, the former being much louder.

"I'm in dire need of food."

"Wait, you didn't take your break for this shift, you moron!"

I closed the door to the back room. "Whoops?" I said loudly, enough for my coworkers to hear from outside. I ignored Chris' complaints as I headed to my bag and changed back to the shirt I had on earlier. I put on my bag and punched in my time out, and as I opened the door, Chris went in. "Lunchtime!" I sang, heading to the lunchboxes.

"At least let me get changed first, jeez."

"Don't worry, I'll wait."

Once Chris exited out of his work clothes, Emma went in to get changed. I hummed nonchalantly as I scanned the options presented before me. "Don't go for the bacon," Chris advised, brushing past me to get a drink from a fridge. "Don't need to remind me," I huffed. I grabbed two boxes and a pair of cheese sandwiches after a long moment of contemplating.

"Good afternoon, sweetheart."

Emma sent me a store clerk smile that I knew was all too teasing. I scoffed, setting my food down at the counter. "Stocking up?" Emma asked knowingly, and I shook my head. "Heat them. Got an extra mouth to feed today," I told her meekly. She narrowed her eyes at me as she scanned the items before shoving the two lunchboxes into the microwave. I took out my wallet and placed some money on the counter, already knowing how much it costed overall.

"Mattie, I didn't know the guy was still staying with you," Chris said from behind me.

Emma looked up from toasting the bread in the sandwich maker. "He doesn't have a place to stay for the meantime," I told him casually. Chris pursed his lips. "And you left him in your apartment this whole time?" he inquired.

"Uhh, yes?"

Chris grumbled under his breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. "What?" I breathed, turning to face him. He shot his head up to look at me like I missed the most obvious thing in the world. "Dude, you left a complete stranger all alone in your apartment, the very place where you keep your everything, while you're out for work. What if he was just acting helpless and intended to rob your place the second you're gone?" he scolded me.

"He's harmless," I mumbled, my voice small.

"You're not sure!"

"Well, we talked the whole night so I'm pretty fucking sure! Plus, what's he going to get out of my place anyways? A few biscuits and a nearly decade-old laptop that's always needed to be plugged in?"

"Mattie, anyone can pretend for a few hours. Christ, I just warned you about not being wary enough!"

I flinched as I heard Emma drop something loudly on the counter. I whirled around saw her with a thoughtful expression. "A word of warning, Mattie," she sighed, pushing the bag of now heated food towards me. "Please think about yourself more above others." I scowled, grabbing the paper bag.

"Nothing's wrong with being nice," I growled.

"I know, but you're being too nice. Last week you paid for a customer's order because she was a dollar short. That's not normal," Emma pointed out.

"I... I felt bad for the kid!"

"That's not an excuse. You're not obliged to help solve the problems of every individual you cross paths with, especially when you know you're in a pinch of your own."

I inhaled sharply, wrapping the paper bag around my arms. I couldn't care for the burning sensation that was sinking into my skin, hugging something was keeping me calm. "What is this, gang up on Mattie day?" I snapped at the two people as I backed away. Emma shook her head in disbelief, while Chris stared at me pitifully.

"Hey, we just want you to be safe," Chris pointed out.

"I'm perfectly capable of doing that on my own, thank you very much."

I walked out of the store, not daring to look back. I still have the bag enveloped in a hug, and the searing feeling wasn't really registering into my brain as I was too busy trying not to stay mad at Chris and Emma. Yeah, I get that they're just looking out for me, but I just really, genuinely wanted to help people. That wasn't wrong, I'm sure of it, but why do they make it sound like it was? I wasn't in the wrong just because I wanted to help out! So what if I scrape my knees afterwards? It's just me, I can get by after that. I always get by after that...

A sinking feeling set in my stomach. "I'm fine, I'll be fine," I mumbled, ignoring the familiar sensation of my throat closing up. "I can work this out." I continued walking until I was now by my apartment door. I took a breath, pulling out my ID from the bag. I fumbled for the key, and as I unlocked the door I was greeted with the usual silence.

I bit the inside of my cheek, not knowing if I should call for John. Nothing was out of place, except for the remnants of the rushed breakfast earlier. Maybe I was just dreaming about John after all? An illusion? Hallucination? I didn't know. I'm not sure anymore.

I closed the laptop and pushed it aside so I could set the paper bag on the table. I suddenly felt bad. I didn't mean to be so defensive. It's just... ah, I don't want to explain it. I need fresh air.

I walked out to the balcony, almost screaming bloody murder when I was faced with someone's back. "John!" I yelped, and the said man jolted at the sound of my voice. He whirled around, beaming when he saw me. "Mattie, you're back!" he sighed in relief. "This place is amazing, by the way."

I stared at him for a second before facing the view the balcony offered. We could see the colorful houses and condominiums that dotted the place, and the main street was in view. "What are those really fast box things on the street?" John asked eagerly, pointing to the cars passing by. I laughed quietly at his description.

"Those are cars. They're like carriages, but way faster and don't require live horses to run them anymore."

"Really? Do you have one?"

"No, I don't really know how to drive. At least, not here."

"I see..."

A silence hung in the air. John continued to admire the outside world from where he stood, leaning on the cement railing that kept him from falling off. I stared with him, but I was fairly certain I didn't hold the same awe and excitement at him. I've seen this scene far too many times that it didn't really strike me as much anymore. Whenever I went out to my balcony it was to dry my laundry or to water my plant, but now, standing here and just watching life go on beside this curiosity-ridden stranger put me on a weird sense of comfort. Though, it wasn't enough to keep Chris' warnings from echoing in my mind.

"John," I spoke up. My voice was gentle, as if I was too afraid to break the delicate atmosphere.

"Yeah?"

"You're not dangerous, are you?"

John hesitated to answer. His smile dropped by a fraction, and maybe if I was looking at him I would've noticed, but I didn't. "I fought in the revolution for years, I cannot say I'm the safest person to be around," he admitted truthfully. I nodded silently, my hands involuntarily curling up.

"But I know I would never hurt you, Mattie. Not after you helped me and stayed patient with me for a whole night. I've done a lot of thinking, and I know this whole ordeal is crazy for the both of us, so I'm just really glad you're sticking your neck out for someone like me."

I smiled at his words. "I know how it feels like to be in a place that I don't know, and that shit's terrifying, so I kind of get what you're going through. I don't have much to offer if you stay here with me, though," I said. "I'm just a college student who's barely even an adult living far away from my family." John hummed, letting his head drop a bit. "I don't mind that," he replied softly. He looked over his shoulder to me, a grateful smile adorning his face. "You're a kind person. I know you have a life going on, so I'll try to help around the best I can."

I glanced down, my fists unfurling. I stepped up, folding my arms on the railing beside John. "Some company is always nice, it gets a little lonely living by myself," I whispered. While I kept my gaze down, I could feel John's eyes on me. I focused on the chilly breeze that passed by, the wind gently brushing my hair. I pushed myself up and walked back inside.

"Come on, let's have some lunch before it gets cold."

Being nice isn't wrong... it's never wrong, if it meant helping people like John.