Paper Bags

Paper Bags 20

Haru braced himself. If Adam was going to land a punch on him, he would stand here and take it. It sure beat running from the situation and knowing he would get caught — he wasn't the best when it came to track... or any exercise really. Still, his heart raced and fear settled underneath his skin.

It was going to hurt, he was sure of it. He just hoped he wouldn't cry like a baby. The last thing he wanted was to give Adam more reasons to make fun of him after this. Truthfully, it should be disturbing that he was already thinking of how to avoid being made out as a joke. Bullying shouldn't be something he was so used to expecting — but the pathetic side of him cowered anyway.

Perhaps this was what his mother had meant when she told him he had a defeatist attitude.

Why struggle when the conclusion was right in front of his eyes?

He clenched his teeth and closed his eyes tight when the other man got close. Haru could almost feel his warmth washing over him. A few seconds passed and the pain he had been bracing himself for didn't come. Instead, he heard chuckles coming from in front of him and then a sharp flick on his forehead. Snapping open his eyes, he immediately touched the spot between his eyebrows to rub the ache away.

"You're such a weirdo, man," Adam said. Haru lifted his gaze to meet his eyes, frowning when he noticed a smile on the other man's face. "Did you think I was going to punch you?"

"Can you blame me?" Haru huffed. "You look intimidating on a normal day."

Adam hummed, taking a step back before shoving his hands in his hoodie pockets. He seemed to default into that move when he had nothing to do with his hands. "I guess my face doesn't really help with the rumours," he said, startling Haru with his words. "Anyway, come on. I'm hungry."

Haru bit his inner cheek as the words settled in his brain. He knew he was judgemental of Adam — and really anyone that he found scary. Still, it made him feel guilty every time he came to the realisation that he hadn't given Adam a chance since he found out the truth behind his actions.

Why could he easily listen and adjust his views on Jason but not Adam?

He had no answer to that. Maybe he was friends with Jason and he wasn't with Adam. Not really.

Deciding to change the subject instead of apologising, Haru said, "How did you find that shop? The small hole in the wall shop."

"I went there with my uncle once," Adam said, shrugging. "One of the better finds."

"Better finds? Sounds like you go food hunting or something," Haru said, picking up his pace so he could walk side by side with the other man. "Didn't peg you for that kind of person."

"And what kind of person did you think I was?" Adam said before he shook his head. "Wait, I know what you thought I was all this while."

Guilt once more surged through Haru before settling into the deep crevices of his chest uncomfortably. Another apology was right at the tip of his tongue, but he didn't think it would be any good to continuously apologise. After a while, the word would lose its meaning and Haru wanted it to mean something when he did say them. He looked away, glancing at the shops decorating the path they were walking on. Filled with neon lights and signs, some with shady atmosphere usually located closer to the entrances of alleyways, the shops indicated nothing of a 'hole in the wall' restaurant that they were supposed to find.

Just where were they going?

Haru didn't start another conversation and judging by how Adam wouldn't look at him, he seemed to be of the same mind. He released a slow breath, making sure the other man didn't outpace him. Taking a sharp turn down another row of shops, he noticed from the corner of his eyes a shop that didn't stand out like the others. It was quieter in terms of the sign design and had white lights to highlight the name rather than any other bright colours.