"Are you in some kind of trouble?"
☆

Sunday morning and Milo wakes up to a very peaceful apartment. The only noise being the odd horn from the city streets outside. 

He spends a moment acclimatising to the daylight streaming through his window. Before pulling back the sheets and rolling out of bed. Milo half expects to see Hester lurking around, never really one to leave the apartment, but it seems he has, with Milo feeling strangely alone. 

As he fixes himself some breakfast he reflects on his date, still feeling that pang of guilt for leaving Jude somewhat hanging. He pulls his phone towards him from across the table and begins to text ...

Milo
Hey Jude...

Milo doesn't have to wait too long at all for a reply.

Jude
Hey.

Milo knows the ball is in his court and although his intention in texting is to ask Jude if he wants to meet up for lunch, he now felt like his fingers just couldn't tap out the words. 

Jude, who must be impatient for a response follows up his message...

Jude
Is everything ok?

This seems to spark Milo back into action

Milo
Are you free over lunch?

Jude
Yes.

The quickest response Milo has ever received! Milo has to suddenly think on his feet. What was he asking? He hadn't thought that far ahead! He hurridly messages back.

Milo 
The book cafe on the corner. How about we grab something to eat?

There! He did it...just.

Jude
Sounds good.

They arrange a time and Milo finally breathes out, letting a small "yes." Leave his lips, along with a fist pump. He had not realised how this simple message had gotten him just like a teenager. He takes a huge gulp of coffee to steady his sudden increase in heart rate.

"Hey you ok?" 

Milo nearly spits out his coffee in surprise. "H...Hessy, you're here!"

Hessy sits up from laying down on the sofa. "Yeah I'm here and your excitement disturbed me." 

"Sorry." Milo smiles. He then looks at the attire his friend is wearing. "That sweater! Didn't you have that on yesterday?"

Hester looks down at the rainbow striped garment. "Yeah...so? You always said you liked this sweater. Are you trying to steal it again?"

It was true that Milo had always liked that old item of clothing. Maybe it was the juxtaposition of it next to his own serious demener, or maybe it was because it always looked so good, especially on Hester. 

"No I'm good. Anyhow if you've been wearing it since yesterday, it's bound to stink." Milo pulls a distasteful face at the potential whiff. 

"Rude!" Hester huffs, getting up and heading to his bedroom. Why was the guy so moody?" 

Milo follows behind him, opening the recently closed door. "Hessy I was just kidding, what's up?" He watches his friend sitting on the end of the bed, leaning forward with his head in his hands. "I can't do this." he utters through gritted teeth.

"Do what?" Milo asks, slowly approaching. "Are you in some kind of trouble?"

Hester starts to bang his head with his palms in frustration, making Milo dash forward to hold back his fists. "Hey. Hey stop! "Your gonna hurt yourself!" 

Hester stops only to start pulling on Milo's dressing gown. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't even be here." 

Milo tries to pull Hester away, to gage eye contact. "Why shouldn't you be here? I want you here. It's ok." 

"Just go on your lunch date. I'll be fine." Hester says now withdrawing contact and curling up on his side in a ball on the bed. 

"But I can't leave you like this Hessy..." Milo begins, but he is interrupted. 

"Just get out of my room." Hester bites back. He doesn't shout but the words speak volumes. 

Milo looks down at his friend curled up in a sorry ball on the bed. "I can't leave you..."

"GET OUT!" Hester shouts a lot louder this time, making Milo know that his presence was not going to better the situation. He hurridly backs away, leaving Hester in this state. 

As he closes the door behind him, he thinks as he bites the thumb of his nail. Something Hester said what was it?...Then it dawns on him. He knocks on the door. "Hessy?" No answer. "He knocks again. "Hester!" Again the room is quiet. Having reached the conclusion that his friend wasn't going to open the door for him he decides to just shout through it.

"Hey, Hessy?...how do you know I'm going on a lunch date?