I drove straight to my home after dropping my friends to their homes. It was 10:40 and my home was still ten minutes away. My parents trusted me so much that they never set a curfew for me, but I had set my own limit at 10:30. If I hadn't taken an additional twenty minutes by dropping my friends to their home, I'd have reached home before then.

Just then I wondered how I was supposed to present the gift to Black. To be honest, I had never given anything to a guy in my life. I used to have a strange dislike towards them. And now I was too embarrassed to offer it to him.

My first thought was to reprimand him next time I see him shirtless and then throw it at his face. But I wasn't going to do that because I was a nice person and there was always a possibility of revenge. What if I asked him food one day, and he throws it at my face? I wouldn't want that. That was a very dangerous option of gifting someone. Black is nice and most probably, he wouldn't do that, but there was no need to play with fire. It is better to be safe than sorry.

My second plan was however more sane than the first. I thought of sneaking behind him in the balcony when he might be feeling cold and wind it around him.

My third plan was to wrap it in a wrapping paper and properly give it to him as a gift. But then again, it was just an ordinary sweater. I didn't think that it something worth wrapping.

The last plan I could come up with was to put the sweater somewhere where he was likely to notice it, like where he hangs his scarf or perhaps under the pillow. But it still was unlikely he would pick it up wherever I keep it because I never have seen him wander around the home and picking them up for himself. He might not even notice if it was right in front of his eyes.

Before I had time to make some more plans, I had already reached home. Too bad I couldn't reach a satisfactory course of action. I didn't like deciding spontaneously when something happens. Being prepared is always the most reliable way. But this time I couldn't prepare even if I tried.

The lights of the hallway were turned off. Normally, when I'd return from college, the hallway lights would be turned on and I'd find him cooking different dishes in the kitchen, just like how a good 'housewife' should. But this time, I could only see lights coming out from the living room.

When I entered the room, I saw Black sitting on the wooden platform outside. His back was against the glass door. His head was down. I threw my bag on the couch in a bid to make some noise and catch his attention, but he didn't hear anything.

Black didn't notice me when I opened the other door. His legs were folded, and his arms wrapped around them. His head was resting on his legs. It didn't appear that he was sleeping, even though his eyes were closed. He was awake but just lost somewhere in his own world. Black looked like a baby frightened by the monsters under his bed.

"Black," I called him. He didn't respond to me.

"Black!" I called him again, my voice much louder than before. He shook, waking up from his trance.

"Hi... Welcome back." Black spoke as if nothing was wrong with him. And this calmness actually told me that something was definitely wrong. He appeared sad again.

"What are you doing there?" I asked him while offering him my hand. Black accepted my help and pulled on me to get up.

"Nothing." Black lied in such a dull manner. Perhaps he didn't actually lie, but that statement was too empty. He was obviously sulking around while I wasn't at home.

I didn't know what was our relation, but at the very least, Black was my good friend. A friend is more than just a word. In friendship, you are there for each other. In high and low, in happiness and sorrow. You share your problem, even if there is no escaping it. You don't get shy or afraid of asking a friend for a helping hand.

He wears his heart on his face. I knew he wouldn't tell me anything at all. I'd have listened to him without being judgemental if he talked to me. He didn't want to tell me his worries, and I didn't want to force him. I'd wait for him patiently to open up to me. And I would then try my best to do whatever I can and prevent anything that was bugging him.

"You're such a liar," I complained.

He showed me a half-smile, as if he was expecting that. There's a word in Japanese for people like him- Baka.

"What?" He asked, and I realized that the word had accidentally slipped off my mouth.

"Nothing." I grabbed his hand and pulled him inside. He doesn't tell me anything. So why should I?

"Care for dinner?" Black asked when we were inside. At the food corner, I completely forgot that Black prepares food for me at home. I should have given him a heads up that I will be eating out. It was all the fault of my friends. As a penalty, I would delay their meeting with my Black!

"I'm full. I ate with my friends."

"Oh." He replied with just an oh. Not caring that his efforts had gone to waste. There was not even a trace of anger in his eyes. He was supposed to be slightly mad at me, perhaps not even making food for me for the next few days.

"I'm sorry. I really forgot." I still apologized to him.

"It's ok, angel. I'll just keep it for later," he sweetly replied.

"Did you eat?"

"I don't feel like eating." He spoke, but he must be hungry. I was sure. Sometimes, sadness steals away all the hunger.

"I can eat a little." I thought he didn't like to eat alone, so I offered myself as a companion.

"You don't have to do that for me. I'll eat a little before sleeping." Black read my mind again. But couldn't he read that I wanted him to say yes? He was so close to me, but at that moment, I felt that I didn't know him at all. He felt as if he was so far away, among the stars, and his worries would never reach me. At times, I feel like he is a cloud and he will drift away. It frightens me.

"I'll be going to my room then," I informed.

I wanted him to stop me and just talk to me. But he didn't hear my inner words. I didn't know if I should still thank him for not invading my privacy.

He started walking towards the kitchen, slowly. I sighed at my powerlessness. I could see he was hurt but I couldn't do a thing. Just then I saw my bag lying on the couch and picked it up. I remembered I had to give him his new sweater.

"Black," I called out for him.

"Yeah." He turned back.

All I had to do was hand him his sweater. The task was simple enough. But why did it felt so hard? I felt so flustered that I was unable to do it.

"Join me soon. I want to show you something." Black slept with on the other side of the queen-sized bed with pillows between us ever since Lilith visited us. I remember I forced him to stay in my room but over time, it felt so natural. I invited him in case he decides to sulk in another room.

Black smiled, and this time, his smile was genuine. I think he thought that I wouldn't mind cuddling him again. But I was happy that I could at least appease his sadness a little. My heart felt too heavy when I looked at him drowned in sadness.

"Um. Thanks."

"You should smile more often. You look more attractive that way." I teased him as I swaggered forward without looking back. If I did look back, I'd only be showing my face red from embarrassment. Flirting was really not my cup of tea.