Paper Bags

Paper Bags 13

Walking back to the motel wasn't an easy journey. In Haru's mind, all he could think about was what he had learned about Jason. Part of him didn't want to believe it. After all, this was the man he had known since they were in school. He would've noticed if his best friend was a bully. He definitely would have noticed if he bullied Adam. Haru couldn't help but to glance at the very man next to him. He had the stupid Bag over his head again, but he now knew how the bad boy wannabe looked like underneath that.

A soft sigh escaped his lips.

He wasn't sure what he was going to do when he saw Jason again. The last thing he wanted was to talk to him but... he couldn't run away from this mess. Now, the mystery of who created the rule that the air could turn people into frogs was less problematic compared to how little knew of Jason. His heart squeezed in his chest and following that was a wash of pain that him breathless. If he squeezed his eyes, he was sure he could still feel that one second-long warmth on his lips.

"Just great," Adam muttered, bringing Haru back to reality. "Rich boy is out of his cell."

He almost stopped walking at that. Snapping his gaze ahead of him, just like Adam had said, there Jason was. He was sitting at the small steps outside of the motel, his arms folded and placed on his knees. It looked odd, that picture he made. The man he called as his best friend also had his head ducked, shoulders squared. If Haru didn't know any better, he would think that the shorter man was getting ready for a fight.

A shiver ran down his spine.

The closer they got to the motel, the harder his heart beat. Clammy hands had him shaking his fingers, the nervousness and dread intermingling to bring forth a certain emotion that he couldn't put a name on for now. It wasn't happiness, it wasn't the usual warmth that enveloped him when Jason raised his head and looked at their direction.

No, all he felt was fear.

It wasn't a full blown fear, but it was there, hidden underneath layers of insecurities and unsureness.

Just who was Jason?

His best friend stood up, taking a step down on the stairs, turning his body to fully face them. His eyes darted from Haru to Adam and then they moved back to land on him again. Haru faltered in his steps, unable to get any closer.

Adam clearly had no such qualms as he took a few more steps, standing now in front of Jason and Haru could see his back.

The silence between the three of them stretched for a while, and for every second that passed without anyone saying a word, it was made Haru uncomfortable. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, forcing his gaze to land on the small space between a pillar and Jason's body. If he could squeeze past that, maybe he could find refuge in the girls' room for tonight. Just as he was about to execute his plan, he was halted by his best friend.

"Haru," Jason said.

His shoulders jolted, Jason's voice sunk into his mind and settled in a way that had his breath hitching in his throat. He curled his fingers into fists, pressing his arms against the side of his body tightly. Haru contemplated on ignoring him, but the years of friendship between them had him finally relenting and meeting his best friend's gaze. And reflected back in those eyes he liked so much were pain and unease. The confusion.

And slight irritation bubbled in him at that.

"Can we talk?" Jason said when Haru made no move to speak to him. "Please?"

Adam snorted, his voice muffled as always behind the Bag but it was clear he reacted. That earned a turn of Jason's lips downwards and a glare. Haru flicked his gaze away, standing straighter when Adam turned his body to face him. The emoji on the Bag was an eyebrow-raised one. And it was clear, at least Haru assumed it was clear, what he was referring to.