108

The rain had poured down on the surface; while the sun shines brightly. Lark had just become thirty years of age this fine day. Though, he was not particularly fond of heralding his age or, more precisely, his business in general. 

He walked the streets; with a smile on his face. It certainly was not something one would see from him quite often. Not at all. He was in a great mood today. He walked, but to others, it looked as though he was dancing down the streets. Perhaps it was Casey agreeing to meet him today, or, the fact that his brother was visiting his place. It could have been both, who knows? 

A man with a strikingly ugly mustache had started pursuing Lark. With hindsight, he danced just as he had done in the past. And just as he had expected; Lark hated him a thousand times more for it. 

Lark stopped his euphoric dancing and slowed to a saunter. His smile had fallen. He narrowed his eyes at the man who pursued him. "Luis ... oh heavens ... here I thought today was perfect."

Luis had retained his smile despite being offended. He hadn't seen Lark smile in years. Of course, he had sadly suppressed the smile, making it merely ephemeral but he was satisfied, nonetheless. "Hey; I haven't seen that look on your face in a long, long, long, long, long, long—"

"Oh my goodness," Lark rolled his eyes; "I get it, Luis. I was happy. But that was before you intervened."

"Yeah, I know that," said Luis, "but still," he placed a hand on his chin, "What brought that smile to your face earlier? Meeting," he smirked, "a fine lady today, Mr. Lark?"

He was usually formal with Lark. Pity, Lark didn't return such respect. He always thought it made him sound decades older than he actually was. He hated getting old. Luis—at merely twenty-two years of age—on the other hand, yearned for age and manliness. Hence why he had been growing a mustache. 

It was ... unfortunately ... one ugly mustache. 

"Mind your own business," Lark said, blushing. "So what if it's a lady? What's that gotta do with you, huh?"

Luis smiled at him. "I thought you said 'women were users, and that you're a hater of love'? What's with the sudden change of heart, Mr. Lark? This is the ninth time, you know. Eh, Mr. Lark?"

"Just Lark," Lark said, "is fine. Drop the god damn formals. Maybe you should save it for your grandfather," he then looked at Luis, "Oh and ... Casey is different. No way she's gonna break my heart."

"And what if she does?" Luis asked, still retaining his merry smile.

"She's not gonna," Lark said. "But ... even if she does ... I don't think it matters much at all. After all, I don't have the heart to break anymore." 

Luis had heard things about Lark. On the face of it, it would appear that Lark had family problems. Luis did not quite get it. But he did know that Lark's heart was certainly not broken by a woman. No, not at all. It was his brother who had broken his heart. Only a measly few were acquainted with such a truth. 

"So ... where you headed?" Luis asked. "I do hope you're getting breakfast before you go off to work starving again."

"No, I ate already," Lark said, "but there's just an oddity to my chest right now. Can't stop burping. It's a real problem, and I'll tell you that right now. Casey almost got one in her mouth," a smile stretched across Lark's face. 

"This Cassey," Luis said, "is she a new one? You've been going on and on about her? Just who is she anyway?"

"I've actually known her for years," Lark said. "twenty-four years now, to be exact. We share the same birthday everything. It's amazing, the way she and I are alike. It's a pity I forgot all about her. We only started talking again last month, and I think things are running, finally, smoothly again. Just like when we were kids in elementary school. God, she still has that seducing laugh too."

Luis punched Lark to his arm. 

"What the- what was that for?"

Luis smiled at him. "You're too damn smooth for your own good, Lark. You made her laugh and everything already? Too damn smooth."

Lark glanced at him. "Heh heh. Hey, I mean, you're right about that. She says it herself."

"So ... are you guys dating yet? You and Casey ..." 

"We've been strictly talking over the phone. She's living so far away. I can't even afford to take transport over there. But hey, we're supposed to meet each other for our first date today, so that's that."

"And your little brother's paying a visit too!" Luis perked up. "Must be some birthday for you. I'm sure you're kicking your socks off right about now.

"Just how attractive is Cassey. Every time you mention her, you blush. Is she any better looking than Lauren?"

Lark jammed his hands in his pockets. "Nah, I don't think I'd ever get to date a goddess that is Lauren ever in my life again. Now that I'm out of money, she's gone. But Casey ... well ... she isn't anywhere uglier than that mustache of yours, that's for sure." 

Luis shrugged. "I mean, it is one ugly mustache.

"Also, we should totally get you some tea for that

'oddity to your chest' ... we don't want you screwing up that date nor causing poor Casey to swallow a burp through a kiss." 

"True ... but I told you ... I don't do coffee. I can't keep the thing in my mouth."

"Quit your crap, Lark. You do keep it in your mouth ... for like five seconds before you spit it out."

"That's not call drinking it!"

"Unfortunately, no."

"Fuck. And Casey really likes her coffee too. She's also always cleaning while speaking to me on the phone. I'm far from a clean man, and a coffee lover." 

Luis gawked at Lark. "Well ... then allow me to fix you up. Remember I'm here for you, buddy. We're friends. I'm definitely taking time off the job to help you. To the coffee shop!"

Rubescent, Lark pushed him away. "What the fuck? Where did all that come from ... wait ... I was telling you my business all along," he facepalmed, "guess I was so excited inside I just couldn't hold it in."

"But we get along so well!"

"Luis, for the last time .... we're not friends, okay? I don't ... do friends. I'm not that kind of guy. And I don't need your help. You're most likely giving it because you want something in return. That's how life works. So just," he looked away, "stay away from me, okay? Maybe you should go to work. If I see you at that coffee shop, I will be beating your arse up for the whole building to see!"

Luis, frowning, had slowed down until he eventually stopped walking. He watched as Lark walked away; not even looking back for a second. 

Respect due, but unreturned. A pity, it was. Luis felt his heart sink. But fortunately, it was about to be his final day of sorrow. For there was, after all, no tomorrow for him at all.