Manhattan

10.

ON SUNDAY, AIDAN headed to his photography class. He wasn't late this time, thankfully, and he chirped a quick hello to Ms. Rousseau, who gave him a friendly smile back. He went to his seat and set his things down, frowning at the empty seat beside him. Benji hadn't shown up for the last few classes, and Aidan wondered why. He certainly wasn't sick, Aidan knew, he'd seen Benji multiple times this week and he seemed fine, save for a few of his usual scratches and bruises here and there. He was still wondering as Ms. Rousseau closed the door and began class.

He couldn't seem to focus on the lesson. Oblique angle shots were the farthest thing from his mind right now and Aidan couldn't stop the thoughts that plagued him, as ridiculous and paranoid as they were. He couldn't stop thinking that maybe the reason for Benji's absence was because of Aidan, couldn't stomach the thought of Benji being mad at him again.

The same thoughts followed him to work. Taki's had an easy routine to fall into. After two days on the job, Aidan had been able to easily pick up on the tasks assigned to him. Today, though, was different. Needless to say, his natural-born clumsiness and his troubled mind didn't seem to be a good combination. He was glad when May picked up on his distress and let him off early. He gave her a grateful thanks before discarding his red apron, grabbing his coat, and heading out the door in a rush.

He took the familiar shortcut to Benji's apartment. If Benji was mad at him again, for whatever reason, Aidan was determined not to make the same mistake twice. He would find out why, and he'd resolve the problem before everything repeated itself.

Soon he stood before the door to the apartment, panting from running here so fast. Breathlessly, he knocked on the door. He was slightly taken aback when Benji's mother opened it. She gave him a warm smile, which Aidan couldn't help but notice looked sort of weary, the smile not quite reaching her eyes, and pulled him into a hug. She smelled like soap and sandalwood. It reminded him of home, of Benji.

"Aidan," she said, letting him in and taking his coat. "It's been a while."

Aidan smiled back at her. "It's good to see you," he said. "How are you?" 

He noticed the heaviness of her shoulders as she shrugged. "All is well, I suppose. How about your mother? Is she doing okay?"  She gestured for him to sit down on the sofa. "Do you want anything to eat?"

Aidan shook his head. "She's fine. And no, ma'am, it's okay, thanks. I'm just here to see Benji, actually."

She smiled. "Of course. Well, you know where to find him. I'll be here if you need anything," she added over her shoulder as she headed to the kitchen.

Aidan made his way to Benji's room, stopping to give quick hugs to Benji's siblings. He knocked on the bedroom door, holding his breath and Benji looked surprised to see him there.

"Aidan," he said. "What're you doing here? Don't you have work?"

"I got off early," Aidan replied as Benji let him in his room. He kicked off his shoes and laid down on the bed, sighing contentedly when his head hit the pillow.

Benji sat down across from him on the chair at his desk. He swiveled it around to face Aidan. "And I came to see you. You weren't at class."

When he didn't answer, Aidan sat up. Benji looked away, rubbing his neck. "Yeah, um, about that," he started. "I sort of . . . quit." 

Aidan's eyes widened. "Quit?" Benji nodded. "I thought you liked it," Aidan said, surprised.

Benji fidgeted. "I do like it. It's just -" He sighed and looked at Aidan. "Jeremy wanted me to quit. He said he didn't want me wasting my money on meaningless things."