James's POV
The evening felt quiet when Ronald came over. He had texted earlier saying he needed to talk, and something in his message told me this conversation would be different from the others. When I opened the door, he stood there with a serious expression, hands in his pockets.
"Hey," I said, stepping aside. "Come in."
Ronald walked in and sat on the couch. I sat beside him, giving him space. For a moment neither of us spoke. The silence felt heavy but not uncomfortable. It felt like the kind of quiet that comes right before something important.
Finally, Ronald took a deep breath and looked at me. "James… I think it's time I stop running from this."
I waited, letting him find his words at his own pace.
