THE VOID

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕨𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕪-𝕥𝕨𝕠

                 {Two weeks later - January 21st}

((Hero is in the backroom of his gallery, working on a few pieces. Felix arrives soaked))

Hero: "It's raining?" ((directing Felix away from the paintings))

Felix: "No, I just poured a bucket of water over myself for the hell of it" ((he rolls his eyes taking off his jacket))

Hero: "Watch it" ((he shouts, moving the final piece)) "What do you want?"

Felix: "Someone's snappy" ((he takes a seat)) "Trouble with the missus?" ((He adds humour in his voice))

Hero: "Missus?" ((He shakes his head)) "Only men in there 40's, you find at the pub use words like that" ((he puts his pen down, adding another completed passage to his pile))

Felix: "Whatever..you didn't answer the question" ((he smirks fiddling with Hero's stationary))

Hero: "It was a stupid question" ((he adds, his expression drained)) "The only issue Jo and I have is that we don't see each other much, but that's not a real problem because I am grateful for each second she gives me" ((he says becoming irritated with Felix's need to move his stuff around))

Felix: "Then what is it?" ((He picks up a piece of paper with scribbles on it)) "You've been moody for the past week, what's going on?" ((He scans the paper, trying to read the words underneath the lines that scratched them out))

Hero: ((takes a moment to think over the past week)) "I'm just not in mood for everyone's stupidity" ((he makes a move for the paper but Felix, reacts too quickly)) "Give that here" ((he shouts making another move for the paper)) "This is what I mean, you come in here all wet, almost ruining the paintings and now you're messing with my work" ((he stands up huffing before moving towards the door))

Felix: ((gently puts the paper back down before turning to Hero)) "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you" ((he says confused)) "You're upset?" ((He asks again, still baffled)) "By something I did?"

Hero: ((stops in front of the door, he was going to ask Felix to leave)) "I'm not upset" ((he turns to face his brother)) "Maybe frustrated" ((his expression matches Felix's)) "I feel frustrated a lot lately, like the other day with Jack" ((he moves back over to where Felix is))

Felix: "Why? He was just doing what he always does" ((his voice calm))

Hero: "I know, I guess I just never cared before but know it's like I'm sitting there and there he is making another comment about being in love with Mel" ((Hero gives a disapproving look)) "And I just snapped, he either needs to man up and tell her about his feelings or just leave her alone. She has never given any indication that she likes him" ((he takes a sharp breath)) "He can't keep going on like this, he becomes a nasty person when she talks about a guy she might like. And I get that it's because he's in love with her but the snide remarks need to stop"

Felix: "Wow, I agree with your point but it's not that simple" ((he feels a little sorry for Jack)) "I guess to him if he doesn't say anything, there's always that possibility that it might happen. Whereas if he does say something and she rejects him"

Hero: "I would say the odds are very certain she won't reject him" ((confidence evident in his tone)) "She had a huge crush on him the first year of our friendship"

Felix: "That doesn't count as anything she was 10 when we met her" ((he snorts a little)) "There's no way she would feel that way now, she knows too much"