I'll be here forever

chapter 20

Percy and I walked through downtown, earning more than a few strange looks. I mean, I couldn't blame them. If I looked even half as bad as Percy did, their judging glances made a lot of sense.

His hair stuck up every which way, and dirt and ash streaked his face, as well as his clothes. I probably didn't look much better, with my own hair half burnt off, my arms covered in burns and my singed clothes.

People avoided us like we were the plague, giving us a wide berth. I didn't mind very much. Honestly I was pretty thankful for it, but I was a bit worried someone might call the police and report us as criminals or something. Which, I guess we were, technically.

"Should we ask someone for directions or something?" Percy asked cluelessly, reaching out to tap someone on the shoulder.

"No!" I hissed, yanking his arm back, "we look like homeless people. We can find the place ourselves." I remembered that his arm was still in my grip, so I let it go, my cheeks turning red.

Percy held up his hands in surrender, falling back in silently. I had noticed that he was walking really close to me, so close if I reached back our fingers would brush. It was probably to reassure himself as much as to reassure me, but I enjoyed it. I was determined to keep myself from blushing, but I did so anyways.

We kept walking, seeing many shops. Some for clothes, some for desserts, some for furniture, but no places for cutting hair.

"Jesus, how hard is it to put in a barbershop somewhere," I grumbled.

That was when Percy ran into another guy, about 17, and they both stumbled over each other, pushing me forward and out of the way.

The other boy hastily took an earbud out of his ear and apologized profusely. He said it so much it almost sounded like "msurrymsurrymsurry-"

"Dude, you're fine," Percy laughed, brushing off his shirt, which didn't get rid of any dirt or dust whatsoever. He was a good few feet away, and I missed when he was right next to me.

The boy blinked.

"You're not- you're not mad?" he asked cautiously.

Percy looked confused, "No? Why would I be? It was an accident."

"I don't know, I just... I thought you would be," he said, shaking his head. Then he looked Percy up and down.

"Um... why are you so-"

"Dirty? Yeah, our car-" he gestured to me, "got in a pretty bad accident out on the highway."

"Oh god, are you guys okay?"

"Yeah, we're fine, our car isn't though. We're getting it repaired right now, and we were on our way to her hair appointment before so we figured we might as well find the place. Any way you can point us in the direction?" he lied through his teeth. I kind of admired how easily he was able to make up a lie just like that, and a little scared too.

"Well Cut Crew is just around the corner-" he said, pointing.

"Thank you so much!" I interjected, waving goodbye to him and grabbing Percy's wrist to drag him along. I had a feeling they'd chat all afternoon if I let them.

The boy waved back hesitantly, a little confused, before shaking his head, plugging his earbud back in and continuing to walk. Percy stumbled after me as I pulled him along, pushing through the throngs of people to where the boy had pointed.

Sure enough, tucked in a little alley, exactly where he'd pointed, was a little barbershop. Cutting Crew Hair Salon, read the sign, posted on the brick wall beside the entrance, along with the words Walk-ins welcome.

"You can let go now," Percy snorted, and I hastily let go of his wrist, my face flushed. I hadn't realized I was still holding it.

"Come on," I said sharply, pushing the door open and walking inside the shop, the door swinging open behind me. Percy followed, shutting the door softly behind him.

It definitely looked ratty from the outside, but you wouldn't have been able to tell from the inside. Nice rugs adorned the waiting area, making me hesitant to step on them; on the sides were some comfortable-looking chairs, and a lady behind a desk, engrossed in her tablet. Thick curtains separated the waiting area from the hair salon part.

"Excuse me?" I asked politely, and the lady snapped her head up, her very curly hair bouncing on top of her head. She was one of the prettiest people I'd ever seen; her dark skin contrasting starkly with the many golden necklaces clasped at her neck.

"Oh! I'm so sorry, we don't usually get walk-ins," she said, and I couldn't describe her voice in any other way but warm.

"You're completely fine! I was, um-"

"Oh dear! Oh, dear," the lady's eyes widened, noticing my burnt hair, a shocked and horrified expression on her face. I winced.

"Oh, honey, come on back, we'll fix you right up," she came up to me, gently guiding me into the back, and then nodded to Percy, "Come back in an hour or so, mkay?"

He hesitated, standing frozen there for a moment. I stopped as well.

"Um, he can't... he can't stay?" I felt my throat close up.

"No, dear. It won't be long," she assured me, sensing my discomfort. I almost changed my mind and walked out the door, because there was no way. I hadn't been away from him since he wandered off to gather blueberries the very first morning, and I wasn't looking to start now.

She seemed to sense my hesitance.

"I'll get ready for ya. Come back when you're ready, mk?" the lady walked behind the curtains.

Percy hesitated a second more before coming up to me and gently wrapping me in a hug. It felt so safe, so right in his arms, and I melted into him. I took a deep breath; strangely enough, he smelled just like the ocean.

"It'll just be an hour. I won't leave, I promise," he murmured, and I bit my tongue to keep from crying. When he pulled back, I almost cried out in pain, I was biting my tongue so harshly. I shrugged our backpack from off my shoulders and handed it to him. Percy slung it over one shoulder casually.

"I'll be right back, okay?"

I nodded, not trusting my voice. I watched him walk out the door, glancing back toward me once more and not again.