Lewis was surprised to see Hervy.

"S-sorry, I think I got the wrong house," Hervy said and quickly turned around, leaving Lewis and the other guy equally surprised as he is.

"Hervy, wait!" Lewis shouted.

Just like that, and Hervy was gone.

He's got long legs, after all. No wonder he can walk out as fast as that. He was hoping Hervy would at least look back but unfortunately, he didn't. He couldn't run after Hervy as he was wearing nothing but shorts.

"Who was that?" Zayd asked.

"That was Hervy." Lewis took a deep breath and turned around to face Zayd.

"Your friend?" Zayd asked again.

Lewis looked down.

"Well, you can't really call us that. We talked, ate out, and I even brought him here, once, but I'm not even sure we're friends," Lewis answered in a lonely voice, dropping his shoulders as he spoke. "It's complicated."

Lewis walked back inside.

Zayd noticed the change in Lewis's mood. He closed the door and followed him.

***

Hervy's heart was beating fast as he walked.

Why did you leave so soon?

You're making a loser out of yourself again, Hervy.

These thoughts kept on running through Hervy's mind as he walked.

You could have at least left this food with them.

You don't even eat spicy food.

He couldn't understand himself.

He just wanted to give Lewis a friendly visit, but he ended up being surprised when he saw him with another guy.

And they seemed close to each other.

In fact, very close to each other that the very thought of it clouded Hervy's mind. He was caught off guard by this feeling, and he felt he could just explode, blow up anytime.

He thought he had long forgotten this familiar feeling of insecurity and fear of losing someone, but somehow it came to the surface again. The feeling that once occupied his mind was like a bug that fed off his happiness and produced many negative, ugly thoughts.

Hervy's walking came to a halt when he finally realized what he was feeling. And he's not even sure he should feel that way.

The last time he felt like this was when he saw Nyle talking to another guy, only to find out it was his best friend.

***

"Do you like him?"

Zayd asked out of nowhere, breaking the silence. Lewis was awfully quiet while he played with his spoon and kept on stirring his coffee.

They were seated by the table, drinking the coffee Lewis had made for both of them.

Lewis was surprised by Zayd's question.

He looked up to Zayd, staring at him with a concerned expression. He did not know how to respond to his question.

"Come on, Lewie. I know you like him. I've known you since we were kids, and I sure know how you act when you are head-over-heels for someone." Zayd added.

Lewis was silent.

He still doesn't know how to react. He just stared at Zayd.

"Come on, Lewie. It's okay. I'll understand." Zayd assured Lewis.

Lewis let out a deep breath. "You knew I am..."

"...into guys?" Zayd finished Lewis's sentence.

Lewis nodded.

"Of course, I do!" Zayd smiled.

"So, you thought I didn't know and might get mad if I ever find you out?" Zayd asked.

Lewis nodded again.

Zayd laughed.

"That's crazy, Lewie! Of all people? You think I'd ever judge or be mad at what you are?" He went behind Lewis's chair then started messing with Lewis's already messy hair.

"I'd never be mad at you, Lewie. And if I ever get angry at you, it's certainly not for that reason ?!" Zayd added.

He quickly disappeared into Lewis's room and then came back holding a tank top and baggy pants.

He handed it over to Lewis.

"Go get him, Lewie.", Zayd said.

Lewis was puzzled. "Get who?"

"Hervy. Go after him. Look for him", Zayd answered. "Did you see his face when he saw us? He was surprised."

"It sounds crazy, but he might have thought we're TOGETHER. That's why he quickly went off," Zayd added.

"I'm pretty sure he's gone by now. Besides, I don't know where he lives. And now that you mentioned it, I don't even know his last name." Lewis answered.

Zayd let out a deep breath as he rolled his eyes sassily.

"It doesn't matter. At least you tried. If you don't ask, the only answer you'll ever know is NO. If you don't start moving, you'll never know how far you'll go." Lewis raised his eyebrow.

Somehow his mood is up now, thanks to Zayd. "So, you're suddenly an oracle now? Hold still, I'll get my blanket and find you a cane to complete the look. Don't forget to grow the beard."

Zayd pinched Lewis's nose. "Don't play around, Lewie. You have no time to waste. Dress up before your Hervy's gone."

Lewis saw that Zayd was serious, so he quickly took the clothes and dressed up.

"Tell Hervy I said hi," Zayd said as Lewis hurried to the door and left.

He just stared as Lewis disappeared into the night. He wore a bittersweet smile as tears started to run down his face. He wondered if visiting Lewis was a good decision.

He closed the door and wiped the tears off his face.

***

Lewis looked at the time. It's 15 mins past 7PM, and he's been wandering around aimlessly, looking for Hervy. He didn't know where he lived, so he did not know where to start looking.

He tried going to KFC, Hervy was not there.

He's starting to feel tired.

And he also felt afraid. Afraid he might never see Hervy again.

He didn't really worry that much about not crossing paths with Hervy again, but this time the fear is starting to eat him up.

This feeling is somehow new to him. He didn't really care that much about the people he met, but Hervy's becoming a different case.

Lewis didn't notice he's reached the park where he first met Hervy. He helped himself to the nearest bench and sat down.

He's exhausted, both physically and emotionally.

He's still lost in his thoughts. He didn't notice the person sitting on the bench next to him.

***

Hervy was sitting quietly on one of the park benches where he first met Lewis.

It was a quiet, peaceful night.

Hervy was never accustomed to hearing nothing but silence, but for a moment, the same deafening stillness helped him forget the turmoil he had earlier.

He started munching on the chicken meal he bought earlier. He just looked at the other box that contained the spicy chicken he bought for Lewis while he heartily ate his food.

The silence was disturbed by a gentle noise coming from the left side of Hervy. He looked in the direction of the noise, trying to make sense of who or what could its source be. The place was dimly lit. He had to stare for at least five seconds more before he realized who was sitting on the bench next to him.

It was Lewis.

He did not look so well. 

He looked worried. 

He could hear his long, deep breaths. His eyes were staring blankly at the sidewalk as if he was in a sort of trance. He's spaced out.

Hervy just stared at Lewis.

It was the first time he saw Lewis like that. This is very far from the cheerful and all-smiley-Lewis.

Hervy breathed slowly and quietly, afraid he might make some noise, when Lewis subconsciously looked in his direction.

He could see the change in Lewis's expression.

Lewis's frown immediately turned into a smile as his eyes widened.

"HERVY!" he screamed.

He quickly got up from his seat, moved to Hervy, and sat next to him.

"Oh my God, Hervy. I've been looking everywhere for you," Lewis said in a distraught tone.

"I didn't know where to start looking for you. I've been walking around for almost an hour," Lewis added.

Hervy couldn't believe what he heard.

"B-but... the other guy and you," Hervy answered, finally mustering the courage to open his mouth.

"That guy was a childhood friend, Zayd. He is like a brother to me," Lewis explained.

"He came to visit me. I was half-naked only because we were playing when you rang the doorbell earlier. We were not doing anything else," he added, putting emphasis on his last two words.

Hervy didn't know how to react. He was embarrassed about how he acted, what he did, and the troubles he gave Lewis.

"He even urged me to follow you, look for you," Lewis assured Hervy.

Lewis held Hervy by the face and looked him in the eyes.

He took a deep breath. "Hervy, I like you."

Hervy's eyes widened.

He can't believe Lewis is confessing.

"You don't even know me, Lewis," Hervy answered.

"I know. And damn, I don't care," said Lewis.

"I've been thinking about you since the first time I saw you – here, at this park. You have no idea how hard I've been trying to brush this off. I thought this feeling was eventually going to disappear. But when I saw you the second time, I knew I wanted to see you always or else I'm going to lose my mind, " he added.

"Yes, I have not seen you for more than a week after that, and I honestly thought I was going to be okay. But when I saw you walk away earlier, I was terrified maybe this time I'd never see you again," Lewis said, eyes still fixed on Hervy's eyes.

"I was worried it was the last time you'd walk away from me because it's the last time we'll see each other," he added.

Hervy can see the sincerity in Lewis's eyes.

He took a deep breath. Lewis let go of his face, but Hervy took his hands and pressed it firmly.

"It's difficult to explain everything here, plus it's getting late. It's the end of the day after all," Hervy said.

"Crazy idea – how about I show you who Hervy is?" he added, smiling at Lewis.

Lewis's face lit up, smiling at Hervy. "For real?" he asked.

"Yep. But first..." Hervy pointed at the chicken meal he had bought for Lewis. "Eat up."

"You bought this for me? Thanks!" Lewis said as he opened the box.

His eyes widened. He looked at Hervy, then to the box, and back at Hervy again.

"Yup, two-piece chicken meal, spicy, no gravy." Hervy laughed as he said it in a sing-song manner.

"I was at the fast-food earlier, ordering a meal for myself when I remembered you and thought maybe it'd be nice to bring you some," he explained, all to Lewis's surprise.

The two ate the chicken meal before they left the place, Hervy leading the way.