He holds my hand

I see how scared he is

I'm just as scared for him

His grip tightens

Tears stream down his face

I make him look at me

To reassure him that I'm here

He breathes hard

I breathe alongside with him

We prepare ourselves for what's next

"Mom, this is my friend, she's here to stay with me"

She looks back at me with concern

What happens now is the expected

Screaming.
Anger.
Disappointment.

We leave his house with little weight lifted off our shoulders

"You're going to be okay, I promise"

The argument seemed to drain the life out of him

"If you want, you can stay with me at my place,

I can ask my parents if you can - "

He holds my hand again, and smiles

"You're right, I'll be okay."