Feathers

Chapter 14 - Soul

I was back at the same park I used to go to with my mother. I glanced at my phone. Same time of night too. The air was frigid and my wounds ached from all my running but I continued to walk forward.

The park was more run down now. Before, the small park was painted in a fresh batch of forest green, and there was light tan pebbles that covered the ground. Children were always here in the morning. Now, the parks paint was chipping and most pebbles were overrun by the grass that seeped through. I'm sure no parents would bring their children here anymore.

One thing was the same though.

The bench me and my mom sat at. It was a wooden bench, imbedded into the ground. It had chalk stains around the corners of it. I took a seat and tried to relax, but my breath wouldn't contain itself. I found myself breathing in faster and faster till I couldn't at all.

What's wrong with me? Am I having a panic attack?

TSUKISHIMA POV:
I don't know why, but I went outside to walk around late at night. I wasn't going far from my house, I just needed some fresh air.

While listening to music, something caught my eye.

Shoyo?

I saw the short ginger sitting on a bench in an empty park with his knees to his face and his body breathing in air quicker than normal. He was shivering too.

Who comes to the park at this hour? Especially this old park...

"Sh-Hinata?" I called out.

He immediately snapped his head toward me. Fear looked like it completely had him in its grasp.

Is he having a panic attack?

I walked over to him and stood in front. I don't know why I felt bad. I'm not usually a sympathetic person.

"Take deep breaths." I muttered with my hands in my pockets.

I could see him beginning to calm down. But he still wouldn't look at me. I decided to sit down next to him. He shivered in the cold.

Why the hell isn't he wearing a jacket?

I put my hand on his shoulder and he immediately yelped in pain and got up. His hand covering his shoulder. The fear in his eyes made me scared. I looked down at the ground. I took off my jacket and handed it to him.

"I'm wearing long sleeves. I'll be fine."

He hesitated before taking it and sitting back down.

"Why're you here?" I asked him.

He fiddled with his fingers for a while before responding. "I don't know."

What does that mean?

I looked over to see him but his face surprised me. He looked emotionless. There was no life behind his eyes. Kageyama talked to me about this. How Shoyo had changed, and he was afraid of everything now. I didn't believe him that much at first, but I guess he was right.

I wanted to ask him if he was okay, although I stopped myself, because I knew his lies would piss me off.

"It was muscle memory, I think." He finally spoke.

"Huh? What're you talking about?"

"I come here with my mom. I was just runn- walking.. It brought me back here."

I heard that he was going to say running, but decided to ignore it.

"Park is a little run down now. No one comes here." I responded, trying to keep the conversation going.

"Mhm... It's still nice though. It'll always be."

He's acting strange. Like he's given up.

"Oh shit! Natsu!" He stood up.

"Who?" I was a bit startled.

"I have to go home. I'm sorry."

"Uhm, it's okay. Just remember we're meeting up tomorrow, y'know, me, Sugawara, and Kageyama."

He was already walking away. "Mhm. See you."

HINATA POV:
Once he was out of sight, I ran back home.

I completely forgot about Natsu. Gosh, I'm such an idiot.

I quietly entered the house but what stood ahead shook me to my core.

My dad comforting Natsu.

"Natsu?! Why're you crying? Whats wrong?" I took a few steps forward but her eyes pierced me with hatred.

She ran over to me and began hitting my chest. "YOU LEFT ME. DAD TOLD ME THE TRUTH! YOU GOT TIRED OF ME AND LEFT!"

Huh..?
WHAT?!

"W-what're you talking about?! Why would I leave you? What did dad tell you?" I immediately responded, letting her hit me, even though it ached.

"HE TOLD ME THE TRUTH! THAT YOURE GONNA LEAVE ME! STOP BLAMING HIM! I- I HATE YOU. I HATE YOU!"

I froze.

Why? What did he say to her? No, more so, what did I do?

"Don't worry, you can sleep in my room Natsu. I'm so sorry you're brother told you those things. I'm here for you." My father took her in for a hug and flashed a wicked grin at me.

Evil.

I went up to my room and shut the door. I wasn't exactly tired, but I had school tomorrow so I had to rest. Everything I did felt like it was for nothing so I'm not sure why I felt so productive all the sudden. I showered, washing the dirt out of my hair and disinfecting my wounds. I brushed my teeth and washed my face. I even got clean and comfy clothes to wear for bed. In the end, It took me a long time to fall asleep.

Next morning, I got ready. I brushed my teeth, washed my face, changed the bandages on my body, and ate what I could find. Natsu was already about to leave when I got downstairs.

"Natsu! Did he hurt you?" I ran over to her before she went out the door.

She slapped my hand away. "No! Leave me alone. Get away from me." Her words felt like daggers piercing my skin. And I know from experience how that felt like.

I walked a few feet behind her while on our walk to school. She didn't look back or say a word to me.

When I arrived to school, I went to class as normal. My heart, soul and body were broken, but I kept moving forward.

"Hey, Shoyo." Kageyama stopped me in the halls.

"Hey, what's up?" I smiled at him.

"Oh- uhm... I just wanted to apologize for what happened the other day. I pushed you too much. He looked flustered.

"It's okay. Don't worry about it." I patted him on the shoulder before walking away.

"Wait! He caught up to me. "You're still meeting us after school right?"

"Mhm." I continued to smile and walk away.

Classes went by quickly, although I didn't pay much attention. There was no reason to. Not anymore.

I actually do plan on going to see my teammates later at 6. Before, I was planning on not going, but they deserve my thanks.

Besides, I think it's time.