Zayd looked at the time. It's almost 8 PM. 

Lewis is not back yet.

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

He almost told Lewis earlier that he's into guys as well. Most significantly, he's into Lewis.

He was sitting by the table, opposite the chair where Lewis sat earlier. He kept replaying in his head the same scene that happened earlier. He wondered if it was a good thing to urge Lewis to look for Hervy.

He couldn't stand Lewis spacing out and not being his usual, cheerful self. He saw how bothered Lewis was when that Hervy left. He felt his pain. He felt the same pain when Lewis left, looking for Hervy.

Yes, he wanted Lewis to be happy, but he didn't think Lewis would be happy with somebody else.

He couldn't blame Lewis; after all, he was the first one who left first.

But it's not like Zayd had a choice.

His family decided to leave the country so suddenly when Lewis needed him the most.

"Hey Lewis, what do you think of this song?" asked Zayd. He held a guitar, looking at the chords he wrote in his notebook.

Lewis was drawing something. He left what he was doing and quickly sat beside Zayd.

"Okay, Zee, hit it," Lewis answered, eager to hear what Zayd was about to play.

Zayd started playing the guitar. A few more seconds later, he started singing.

If I don't say this now, I will surely break

As I'm leaving the one, I want to take

Forgive the urgency, but hurry up and wait

My heart has started to separate

Lewis knew those lines – it was his favorite song.

He was not much of a singer, but he hummed to the song's tune while snapping his fingers.

Oh, oh, oh, oh be my baby

Oh, oh

Oh, oh, oh, oh be my baby

I'll look after you

Lewis enjoyed the music; he was so lost in the song that he didn't notice Zayd staring at him. He was also enjoying the moment.

Lewis slow-danced to the song – not that he's a great dancer, while Zayd went on and played the final part of the song. Lewis was having the time of his life. Sometimes it's good to have a friend who can sing and play an instrument.

"Man, that was awesome," Lewis said, catching his breath.

"Did you like it?" Zayd asked.

"Like it? I loved it!" Lewis answered.

"I'm happy to hear that," Zayd said in return.

His expression changed suddenly. Lewis was quick to notice it.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

Zayd took a deep, long breath.

"I'm afraid we won't be able to do it again. This is the last time," Zayd answered.

Lewis laughed.

"I'm confused. What do you mean?" Lewis asked.

"We're moving. My parents decided to relocate..." Zayd answered.

"That's great news!" Lewis answered, smiling. He seemed oblivious of Zayd's trouble.

"...we're moving out of the country.", Zayd said in return.

Lewis's smile slowly disappeared.

"When are you leaving?" he asked.

"Tomorrow," Zayd answered. He felt Lewis's heartbreak as he told him of the bad news.

Lewis turned around and slowly started walking, walking away from him.

"I'm sorry," Zayd added.

Lewis's walking stopped. 

He just raised his right arm, his hand showing the OK sign. He did not look back.

He took all his things, put them in his bag, and walked away.

He still did not look back.

Zayd thought he heard a faint 'Goodbye' coming from Lewis, but then again, maybe he thought wrong. All he could do was watch Lewis disappear.

Zayd looked at the only picture they had together. All these years, he kept it, held on to it. Every night he talked to that picture as if it was Lewis himself. He told the picture he would find Lewis and tell him everything. Now he's asking himself if it was a good decision to see Lewis again.

He's tired of thinking, and most of all, the jet lag. He moved from the table to the couch and lied down.

He closed his eyes and instantly fell into a deep sleep.

***

Hervy can't believe he's leading Lewis to his house. This is by far the bravest thing he did after Nyle passed away.

Lewis's confession particularly shocked him. He'll never have the same courage as Lewis – he'll never be able to tell someone he liked them. Ever since Nyle died, he never wanted to involve himself with other people, except for his family, of course. And yet, here he is, about to show Lewis who the real Hervy is.

Hervy looked back at Lewis, who was enjoying and appreciating the silence of the evening.

What a pure and gentle creature. Hervy said to himself.

They made a right turn on the last corner before Hervy's house. He motioned Lewis to follow him inside a gated community. A few minutes more, they are already in front of Hervy's apartment.

Hervy took out his keys and started unlocking the door. He can see in the corner of his eyes that Lewis was fascinated as he examined the exterior of the house.

"Let's go inside," Hervy said softly.

To be honest, Hervy's not even sure he should be doing this.

Now that he knows how Lewis feels towards him, he's not sure of his feelings for toward the other guy. He just thought it would be fair if Lewis knew more about him as well. He already knew a lot about Lewis, but the poor guy doesn't know his last name.

He still has his mind wrapped around Nyle and Nyle alone.

His Mom once told him he should learn to move on from him. No matter what he does, if he shuts people out and stays inside the confines of the four walls of his apartment, NYLE IS NOT COMING BACK.

Hervy knows that. He's not stupid enough to hope Nyle will ever come back.

"Hervy, whenever you feel lost, or broken, just think about all the good times we had together. If you miss me, just look up, you'll see me up there, in the constellation of stars. Look for the star that shines the brightest. That is me, looking at you. You may not feel it, but I'll always be beside you."

Hervy held on to Nyle's last words and tried, with all his might, to just think of all the good times they shared. He never thought it was only easier said than done because every time he tries to think of all their happy moments together, what follows right after is the harsh realization that it's not going to happen again.

His happiness solely depended on Nyle that he's afraid with him gone, he'll never be happy.

Ever.

Again.

"Uhm, Hervy... are we still going inside?" he heard Lewis. Hervy realized he was just holding on to the doorknob.

"Oh, sorry. Come on in," Hervy answered, waving Lewis to follow him as he pushed the door open.

Hervy opened the lights.

He looked back to Lewis, who was just standing by the door, eyes busy scanning the whole place.

"I think you should close the door." Hervy decided to break the silence.

"Oh yeah, sorry hahaha," Lewis laughed as he turned around and closed the door behind him.

"I'm going to get us something to drink. Anything you like in particular?" Hervy asked Lewis.

"Warm or cold?" Lewis answered.

"Could be anything," he quickly replied.

"Alright. Coffee will work, but not too hot." Lewis said as he smiled at Hervy.

"Cool, I'll be back in a few.", Hervy said as he left for the kitchen, leaving Lewis in the sitting room.

Hervy filled the percolator with water and turned it on.

He took another mug from the cupboard. It had been forever since he offered someone coffee; he just limited his kitchen to having just one of everything – one plate, one spoon, one fork, one bowl, one mug, one of basically everything.

He can't choose between using ground coffee beans or just using the instant, powdered one.

What would Nyle choose?

He asked himself.

Nyle preferred instant coffee; he never wanted Hervy to take too much time preparing for something he'd finish in a matter of minutes.

Hervy ditched the ground coffee beans and went in for the instant coffee. He poured hot water into the mugs when he remembered Lewis did not want it too hot.

Just like Nyle.

He half-filled Lewis's cup with hot water then added cold water.

He grabbed something they could nibble on and then he left the kitchen.

***

Lewis stared at the pictures on the wall; they seemed familiar. He took a closer look at each of the frames.

A Warning Sign

Two Spirits

Beautiful Creature

They were all books made by H.S.

He didn't know who H.S. was. Maybe Hervy is also a fan of his books, and perhaps that's why he decided to hang a larger version of each book cover.

"Do you like them?" said a voice from behind Lewis.

He looked back to see Hervy holding a tray with coffee and bread on it.

"Yeah, they're beautiful," Lewis answered as he turned around and moved closer to Hervy.

Hervy placed the tray on the small table and politely asked Lewis to sit down.

They sat opposite each other.

He then handed over Lewis's cup.

Lewis took a sip. "Ah... This is perfect."

"Those are books by H.S.," he said, looking at the pictures on the wall.

"Are you a fan of his works?" he added.

Lewis could see that Hervy was a little surprised by his question.

"Well, not necessarily," Hervy answered. "But some find his works good, don't you think?" Lewis nodded.

"Yeah, I particularly like A Warning Sign.", Lewis answered.

"Actually, I think I told you that already." Lewis laughed.

"I haven't read the rest of his books yet. Also, I thought a sequel would be released for A Warning Sign," he added.

"Maybe the writer didn't have the time to make a sequel," Hervy answered.

His expression was bland for a moment.

"Anyway Hervy, what do you do? I mean, your work, hobby or stuff like that. You know, GTKY", Lewis asked.

"GTKY?" Hervy asked in return, his right eyebrow raised.

"G – Get, T – To, K – Know, Y – You. GTKY – Getting to Know You!" Lewis answered.

"Oh, I had no idea that's what it meant," Hervy replied.

"Okay, so I work as a writer. I've written quite a handful of books already." He added.

Lewis was amazed by what he heard. Now that he mentioned it, Hervy did look like one. He had this aura that only writers have.

"Wow! That's cool," he exclaimed.

"Do you use your real name on your books or do you have a pen name?" he asked again.

"Actually, no. You see, my real name is Hervy Easton Styles. Easton is my middle name." Hervy answered.

"So, your last name is Styles. Hervy Styles is actually a cool name to be written below the title of your books. What do you use then?"

Hervy took a deep breath and smiled at Lewis.

"Just the initials of my first and last name– H. S."

It took Lewis a few minutes to understand what Hervy had just said.

When it finally dawned on him, his eyes widened. He did not know how to react. With his mouth open, he just stared at Hervy.

Finally, it all makes sense.

It makes sense, Hervy Styles – H.S... and the framed book covers. Most of all, it made more sense why Hervy's house was enormous.

All this time, the writer he'd been searching for all over the internet lived in this neighborhood!

He might be a big-time writer, but Lewis could not see any hint of arrogance from him. He thought Hervy might not have even told him if he did not ask.

"Wow..." Lewis said, finally.

"Wow what?" Hervy asked.

"Wow as in WOW - I can't believe I'm having a conversation and coffee with the author of the book I love," Lewis answered.

Hervy chuckled. "Don't be silly, it's not like I'm an important celebrity or something."

"Really. Do you realize how many people bought your books?" Lewis asked.

"Of course, I do, it's just that I don't necessarily get into the numbers. As long as someone wants to read the book, it doesn't matter how many, I am happy with that," Hervy explained.

Lewis was amazed at what Hervy said. He didn't realize he'd be that down-to-earth. He didn't know him that much after all.

He was about to take one more sip of his coffee when he realized the cup was already empty.

It also appears like Hervy's coffee's finished as well.

Lewis just stared at Hervy as he pretended to take one more sip. He was happy, happy to be sharing this moment with Hervy.

Actually, happy was just an understatement of what he's feeling now. He didn't want this moment to end. If only he could capture this moment on videotape so he can keep replaying it.

Hervy's eyes met Lewis's gaze, and the two just stared at each other silently.

A few minutes more, and Lewis felt Hervy was getting embarrassed. 

Hervy looked away. Lewis looked away as well.

He looked to his right side when he saw a small picture of Hervy and someone he thought looked familiar.

It was Nyle Hannigan.

He didn't meet the guy before, but he saw his picture at the back of his book Flicker.

He almost reflexively reached for the picture.

"Is this who I think he is?" Lewis asked Hervy.

***

Hervy felt his cheeks getting warm as Lewis stared at him.

They didn't say anything. They just looked at each other.

Hervy was the first to look away. Lewis looked away right after.

A few more minutes, and Lewis started asking again. "Is this who I think he is?"

He stared at what Lewis was holding for a good five seconds before he realized what it was. It was his picture together with Nyle during the book signing event.

He suddenly felt sad seeing that picture again. He didn't realize it was still there.

The next moments were nothing but silence, riddled with Hervy's deep breathing.

Hervy finally decided to break the silence.

"Yes, it's Nyle, the author of the other book you have," he slowly answered.

"Are you friends?" Lewis asked.

He could see the excitement in Lewis's eyes.

Quite honestly, he couldn't blame him. The guy obviously adored Nyle's book.

Hervy took another deep breath and looked at Lewis.

"Yes. We were..." Hervy answered slowly, "... we were friends."

"He was... my... boyfriend," Hervy added.

He could see the excitement leave Lewis's face. Lewis was holding his breath, and he was taken aback by what he heard.

That's already bad news for Lewis. Though Hervy didn't want to be the person to break the news to Lewis, Hervy felt the need to tell him one more piece of information.

"He's dead."