XII: Present

Lewis' weekend is productive as he was able to give his house a makeover. His garden plants all repotted, his pets were groomed, and most importantly, all his homework were done. What a miracle. He woke up early to buy the supplies and when he home, he immediately got to work.

He is smiling as he walked down the flight of stairs all the way down to the bus stop. The fresh morning air felt great, the sunlight made it greater. Matthew called out his name. "Hey Lewis!" Lewis smiled and waved at him. Matthew hurriedly approached him.

"Grandma wanted you to have this." He handed Lewis a set of polaroid film. "Thanks. I'll be sure to thank her when I get the chance too." He put it inside his bag and stretched out his limbs. "These early morning classes are really something."

"Yup, but I don't really hate it though… So, you like taking pictures? I mean that explains the film, right?" Lewis replied, "I guess so, this is kind of my hobby, you know? After that, I place them on my scrapbook with all of these descriptions. I organize my pictures from animals to places – I don't really take photos of humans."

Lewis sighed. "This isn't really much but I like it. How about you?" Matthew thought about the things he enjoyed, but turns out there was none. Occasionally, he would draw or paint, but could that really be a hobby? He did not spend a lot of time with art.

"I paint actually, but they are not that commendable if you ask me. Just something I do for leisure."

"Can I see one?" Matthew smiled. "If only I could see your scrapbooks." Lewis thought of it for a second. "Fine. But don't expect too much for me."

"I should say the same from you." Matthew looked up to the sky. "You aren't stuttering now." Lewis scratched his head. "I just do that when I'm nervous or anxious. I don't do well with people very much unlike my friend, Liam. He's this social butterfly that can basically fit anywhere. If socializing was square door, I'm a circle."

Matthew laughed heartily. "Ah, so you are like me then. Well, I'm not much of a talker around many. Heck, I loathe gatherings the most. I'm pretty much all on my own. I don't miss any people back home because I don't have anyone to miss. I mean, I'm not a total loner."

Matthew sighed. "I have a few friends there but enough to make me think of them. You get me?" Lewis nodded. "I get you. Before Liam came to my life, I'm just like you. Thanks to Liam, I get to be more open with others."

"This might be a sensitive topic for you, but…" Matthew replied, "But what?"

"Don't you miss your parents?" For Lewis, he missed them dearly. He enjoyed the moments when they finally have the time for him but alas, all good things do end quickly as they come. "No, I don't."

"No?"

"No."

"Really?"

"Really." Matthew crossed his arms. "I didn't really build a strong connection with them. They said they are there for me and I appreciate that. But with all their fighting almost every night, the lies wear out eventually."