the moon [h.s.] - EDITING

one.

One thing he's a hundred percent certain about is that love is a load of shit. Certainly, there's no way two people can devote themselves fully into each other and not fall apart, he thinks. Even when you think you're in love, you really aren't. He has so many explanations as to why he thinks this way.

For some reason, Harry cannot translate his explanations onto his word document. He sits there, on a stool belonging to an overcrowded coffee shop. His fingertips slightly hover on top of the keys of his laptop. He can't write.

"Harry?"

His eyes leave his screen to look for the familiar voice. The memory stands tall behind him. Harry twists himself to the right, the seat of the stool moving with him. "Oh, hey... Um, what are you doing here?"

"Thought I'd get some coffee... Forgot you come here a lot. How's it going?"

Forgot. That part stung Harry. For his old best mate to forget where Harry gets his favorite cup of coffee was absurd. He's starting to think the friendship kind of love is also a load of shit. Harry takes a look around the shop, avoiding eye contact. "I come here all the time, Zavier. Have been for the past three years. Best coffee in New York, if you ask me. I guess it's going great."

Zavier sees the forced smile on Harry's face. He tries to match it. "Right... I mean, I know. I actually came here hoping to find you, man."

With that, Harry meets Zavier's eyes. It was odd, but the warm and honey color of his eyes let his tensed shoulders relax. "Oh? What for?"

"The way... things were left between us. It bothers me. And, um, I was wondering if you'd like to hang out? Talk it out? Just because of what happened-"

Harry decides to stop Zavier's sudden rambling. "Wow," he says. He turns his body halfway to shut his laptop close. "You know what? That sounds like a good idea, but I'm pretty busy right now." Harry stands up. He lifts his bag to tuck in his laptop. As he flings the shoulder bag across his body, his other hand grabs his empty cup. "I have to submit a piece by noon. Another time?"

Harry knows he has frantic behavior. He can't help it. He's not ready to hash it out with Zavier or the others. There are others.

"Sure... another time," Zavier says, but Harry's already tossed his cup as he's out the door.

Harry walks quickly past the many bodies. He goes straight home.

»»

"I saw Zavier today," Harry says. He looks over at his new flatmate. The not-so-tall-but-tall-enough lad raids the fridge. He takes out the leftover pasta Harry had cooked the night before to warm it up.

"Your ex-best friend? No way, how did that go?" He asks.

"Um, Levi? Before you warm that up... don't put any silverware in the new microwave," Harry says while watching his flatmate cautiously.

Levi rolls his eyes. "That was one time, Harry! Don't worry, I got you." He gave him a warm smile. "But seriously, how did that go?"

Harry lies back onto the couch. He heaves a loud sigh then fixes a pillow behind his neck. He looks at Levi from where he is. "I think he wants to be friends again? He asked to hang out to talk it out."

Levi eagerly stares at the spinning plate in the microwave as he listens to Harry. "And did you hang out?"

"Nope, I'm here," Harry says. He closes his eyes and shakes his head. "I don't think I'm ready for that. I'm not really up to be reminded, let alone talk, about what went down. You know what I mean?"

Levi breaks his stare away from his food to watch Harry. He nods slowly but then presses his thin lips into a line. "You don't think maybe you'll feel better if you talk about it with him? He was your best mate."

Harry sits up. "Best mates don't cut you out of their lives. We had a chance to talk. He didn't take it," he says to Levi.

Levi opens his mouth. Before he could say anything, the microwave timer had come to an end. "Finally!" He excitedly takes his warmed food out to enjoy it standing by the kitchen island.

"I'm gonna head down to the office," Harry says. He excused himself as he walked towards the main door of their flat.

"Alright, Mr. Big-Shot Writer... I'm gonna head back to work, too, after this delicious pasta, then I'll meet you at the bar tonight! Don't forget!" Levi reminded Harry.

Although they have been flatmates for only a few months, Harry and Levi have gotten along very well. It hasn't felt like living with a stranger for Harry. Levi feels like a genuine friend he can trust.

"Okay, don't worry. I'll see you there," Harry says to Levi before stepping out into the hall.

____

hi!

if you have made it this far, thank you for giving my book a read.

i know this was short, but it's only a taste of what's to come.

i am completely open to feedback or constructive criticism to better my writing or your reading experience!

if you liked what you have read so far, a vote would be greatly appreciated! thank you again... and treat people with kindness.

mila.