Hyesung woke up with a head ache. He heard bottle clinking as he stretches his body. That made him came back to his senses.

His body aches after sleeping in the couch. He almost gasped as he looks around.

It’s a mess!

Empty bottles of alcohol are scattered along some potato chip wrappers. The mess around him made his headache got even worse.

He took a cold shower after cleaning the living room. The decision that he made last night was still clear to him. He sighed and gathered all his strength while looking at the bathroom mirror.

Few minutes after, he changed his clothes and took his car keys before going out off the house. He stopped by a pharmacy to buy a hangover medicine. Then, he went to the grocery.

He bought a lot of things in the grocery, his cart is full and heavy. He bought a one month supply of grocery that is... enough for only one person.

As soon as he arrives home, he fixed all the groceries. The kitchen cabinet that starts forming some cob webs are now full of food. He also put some supply on the refrigerator. After that, he cleaned the house. From time to time his heart aches but he have no choice. He really have to do this and he thinks it is for the best.

Hours have passed and he’s finally ready. The only thing left to do is wait for Eric and deliver his line. Those words that he practiced on repeat in front of the mirror.

If Eric won’t come home tonight... I don’t know what to do anymore. He said to himself as time passed by. He was afraid that he might change his mind.

Hyesung starts shaking his legs, he was getting nervous as time goes by. If Eric won’t come home, then it means it is not the right time. He said once again, asking for a sign from the universe.

But right after he said those lines, he heard a rustling noise outside the door. Eric is here. Then he heard someone punching the passcode of their apartment.

Hyesung have already made his decision, he was sure of that. But as soon as he saw Eric coming inside from the door, he was having some second thoughts.

The moment he saw Eric, he wants to hug Eric. He wants to shower all his love to him and be the idiot once again.

“Eric... Are you okay? Haven’t you eaten yet?” Hyesung said with a concerned voice but didn’t get any reply.

Eric is not looking at him in the eye. He was avoiding him but then his eyes shifted to the suitcase that Hyesung was holding. “What is that for?”

Hyesung bit his lower lip. Maybe he did it too much that he could now taste his own blood. He grip the handle of the suitcase so tight. He wanted to speak but no words are coming out from his mouth. His throat becomes dry.

“Eric...” He started while holding back some tears. “L-Let’s break up.” Hyesung said which was a stupid thing to say. He rehearse so much in front of the mirror but it seems like he would not be able to say it all.

He wasn’t able to see Eric’s reaction, his vision was already clouded with tears. Those tears starts flowing his eyes, he wipes it right away and force a laughter. “Sorry... That is a stupid thing to say. We are not really a couple right? I’m just... a friend.”

What makes it painful for Hyesung is the fact that Eric isn’t saying a thing. He is just facing down so Hyesung cannot even look at his face.

“Sorry Eric... sorry that I forced you into this mess. I...” He can’t continue his words anymore, even though he still have a lot of things to say. He wants to say that they need some space to heal and become whole again. Hoping that they could go back to the time when they are so happy spending the night while playing their favorite computer game. Back to the days, before things became complicated... before he had ever confessed his feelings.

Unfortunately, all of those words just became sobs and hiccups in between. The cuff of his jacket is already wet as he constantly use it to wipe his tears. 

The room was filled with a heart-shattering silence. Hyesung was waiting for Eric’s reply or any reaction but still couldn’t get in the end.

As if that long silence is a cue for him to finally move out. He finally said. “I have to go... The bus... I have to catch the bus.”

Hyesung started to walk away and step out of the apartment. He held the door knob and stole one last glance of the place he once called ‘home’.

“Take care of yourself, Eric.” He said. I’m now setting you free.

Meanwhile, Eric was dumbfounded. In the end, he didn’t even utter a single word to prevent Hyesung from leaving him.

Like a fool... he just... let him go.