the moon [h.s.] - EDITING

two.

It's later in the evening. Harry makes his way out of his office building on Eighth Avenue, shaking his head from the recent criticism he has received on his writing piece.

When he first moved to New York City at twenty-two, he was fresh out of uni. He arrived to the states with a passion for writing and all things journalism. À La Mode, one of the most popular lifestyle and fashion magazines, recognized Harry's talents. He was hired almost instantly out of all the other hopeful and strong candidates. For the past three years, Harry has made a name for himself as a columnist. He's the youngest journalist in À La Mode to have his own column in every issue. His recurring piece is all about how he manages as a twenty-something-year-old in New York City. He has dedicated readers, but he doesn't understand why.

According to Beth, his latest piece is something his readers will not enjoy. Beth, À La Mode's editor, thinks Harry has not been giving his best work lately. Apparently, readers don't want to read that love is a load of shit. Readers want to know if flare jeans are back in.

Even though Harry had so much to say to Beth, he bit his tongue instead. He agreed to rewrite his piece. If he has to write about flare jeans, which he finds lovely actually, then so be it. But as for now, Harry needs a break. He needs a drink.

After riding a taxicab through the busy streets of New York, Harry arrives at Levi's favorite bar. He steps in, immediately scanning the room for his flatmate. Without spotting him, Harry sits down by the bar.

'To Levi

At the bar. Where are you?'

Harry looks down at his phone screen after sending a message to Levi. He locks his phone then places it flat on the surface when the familiar woman behind the bar walks up to him. She's only familiar to him because she's been in and out of his flat a few times. He hands over his card to start a tab and smiles at her.

"Hi, Jade. Can I just have a beer? Whichever. Drafts fine."

"Sure thing, hun... Where's your hot roommate?" She asks, taking his card.

"That's what I'm trying to find out..." He takes another look around.

'From Levi

Stuck at this PTA meeting. I will be there soon! Tell Jade I miss her tits.'

When Jade comes back with his card and beer, Harry turns his phone around to show her Levi's inappropriate message. She leans forward with squinted eyes to read. Her lips curve into a grin after glancing down at her breast. She stands straight and rolls her eyes. "Should've never slept with him..." she mutters.

Harry laughs softly. He puts his card and phone away then lifts his glass to take a drink.

He attempts to think of what he can write before his new deadline, but he can't. The thought of running into Zavier in the morning had suddenly crept upon him. The feeling of loneliness has filled him by the end of his second glass of beer.

"Another?" Jade asks. "I think your date stood you up." She laughs lightly, only teasing him.

Harry laughs as well. "I think so, too... and yes, please."

He thanks Jade after she brought him his third beer.

Within moments, Harry's drinking the cold beer down to drown his feelings. Just like every time he has tried, he's never successful at it.

He looks over, two stools down, when a brunette slumps onto the seat with a sigh. "My new roommate has one insane girlfriend. She thinks I'm fucking him!" She tells Jade.