Chapter Text
This Side of Paradise
What it feels like to be loved… to be loved and not expecting anything from you?
Words left as I look at the back of my hand. My outstretch arm doesn’t feel any weariness. I sighed and sat up. I’m hungry. I haven’t eaten anything since this morning… not even thinking of making a lunch.
I sighed again.
I looked at my watch and lie down. I still have 40 minutes to take a nap. I’ll just sleep it out… the hungry I mean.
The sky is clear, but it’s kinda hot today. Frustrated, I sighed… again.
I should have bought some chips, or something.
I pick up the book I was reading and continue where I left off. As I read, I remember that I have to work late tonight because I’m going to cover for Shorter’s shift… the thought is exhausting.
The ‘not going to work’ thought is enticing, but I’ll probably get fired, and will not eat for the rest of the week.
That is more troublesome.
“What are you reading?” I was startled, and the book I was reading fell on my face. He laughed. I slowly move the book out of my face and saw a black haired boy, smiling at me.
My lips went dry. I’m sure that even though I skip meals most of the time, I make it sure to drink plenty of water to compensate. So I’m sure I’m not dehydrated. “H-Hey.” I said timidly.
Why is he talking to me?
“I saw you went here so I followed you.” My brow raised in confusion… followed? So that means he’s here the whole time? The black haired boy sat beside me and peek at the book on my hand.
“Catcher in the Rye.” He said and his eyes move up to my eyes. His eyes are black too, yet, it’s alive. They were right… black absorb all the color, and his’ did it, so that’s probably the reason why I feel that his eyes are so… prismatic.
I want to slap myself, this is the first time that I describe someone else’s eyes… let alone stare them. “You must love that book.” He said and lie down. “Now I understand why you like it here. It’s quiet.”
“Y-Yeah.” My voice was too quiet. I was just sitting there staring at him. He opened his one eye, and looked at me. “Hmm?”
I felt my cheeks heat up so I look away and cleared my throat. “I’m Eiji.” He said and sat up. He reached for my hand on my side. His hands are soft, and warm. It’s weird that even though it’s hot today, this warm doesn’t make me uncomfortable.
“A-Ash.” I said. I wish I can read what’s on his mind.
“Ash, nice to meet you.” I just nodded my head and he grabbed the book on my hand, “Hey!” he flips the pages, “What are you doing?” His eyes were narrowed, he looks so troubled that it made him look adorable… until his face brightens, he gave the book back and pointed something.
“Lots of times you don’t know what interests you most till you start talking.”
“What do you mean by this?” I raised my brow in confusion. He just shook his head and got something on his pocket. “Candy?” he offered. I was about to get one when my stomach hurled.
Eiji chuckled. I felt embarrassed. I don’t even know him but he’s laughing at me as if we’re close. I rolled my eyes, “You haven’t eaten?” I groan and lie down, “I forgot.”
“You forgot? Why didn’t you buy one?”
“Why are you so nosy?” I snapped though I realized that I was rude so I look at him but he’s just smiling, “Want to grab some later?”
Huh? “Why are you talking to me?”
He just shrug his shoulders. To be honest, this isn’t the first time that I met Eiji. It’s just the first time that I talk to him, and him talk to me. It’s just weird. Whenever I see him, it feels like we’re in a different world… we’re the opposite.
I look at my watch and stood up. I shake off the dust on my clothes. I thought that I’ll take this chance to sleep since I have a long night later but this boy decided to interrupt it. “Bye.” I said but he grab my hand.
Which shocked me. “W-What—“
“I’m Eiji.”
“I know! You said it before.” He stood up too, still holding my hand, “Just making you remember it properly, I don’t want you to forget it.” He gave me a candy and went in first. I sighed. What a day.
Later that evening, the restaurant was packed. I closed the shop at 10pm and head home. As I was putting my laundry on the machine, the candy Eiji gave me fell on the floor.
“How can I forget you? You’re always on my mind since the first time I saw you?” I said and closed my eyes. I squat beside the machine and buried my face on my arms. My heart’s beating so fast.
I hate the fact that I acted like that earlier and now I’m like this.
I feel stupid.
I look at the candy on my hand and unwrap it. “It’s impossible.” I opened it and threw the wrapper in the trash. I watch my clothes as they spin. He gave me strawberry flavored one.
Is strawberry is his favorite flavor?
Eiji Okumura.
I don’t want you to forget it.
“Fool.” I whispered and felt my cheeks heat up.
The next morning is a disaster. I woke up late, and more tired than usual. He’s on my mind the whole night. Ash, what the hell!
Whole morning is a nightmare. I’m hungry, and I have this headache. I chugged my bottled water, it’s noon, and it’s hot. I should have just stayed home, and sleep all day.
“Hello!” I frowned, but now, my heart starts to become erratic. Unlike yesterday, it seems like my heart is finally trying to adjust with this proximity, and it’s not calming down! “W-What—“
He’s holding a plastic and gave it to me. “Here, I bought you food. I saw you before eating this so I assumed that you like it.” He gave me a burger but I scowled, “What?”
“Nothing.” I said quietly. I hate burger. “You don’t like it?” He asked, “N-No! It’s fine! Thanks.” probably that was the time that I don’t have any choice but to eat a burger. It was cheap… though Eiji bought me an expensive one.
“Why are you here?” I asked, he starts eating too. “Because you are here.” He said. I wish I could just shut down, because this beating is annoying as hell. All he just said were 4 words yet my heart felt like bursting.
And so what if he said that? It doesn’t have any meaning.
“You don’t have friends?” I asked, impossible. I always see him with different groups, he’s like a ball of sunshine. He can fit in. I don’t. So I don’t understand why he’s here with me. “Aren’t you bored—“ I look at him but my eyes widen when his hand’s reaching on me.
I feel as if I was being paralyzed when his thumb touch the side of my lips. “There’s something on it.” I absent-mindedly flick his forehead. “Ouch!”
“What are you doing?!”
“There’s sauce on your lips!” He pouts and rub his forehead. My face is probably red right now.
-
The headache becomes severe today. I feel so hot yet my place feel so cold. I curled up inside my blanket. I haven’t eaten anything, and I don’t have someone to ask for medicine. This sucks. I probably don’t have the money to buy meds.
I decided to sleep it out and when I woke up, I smell something nice. Something’s cooking. My body’s still weak, and the headache’s still there. “Oh, you’re awake!”
“You?” What is he doing here?
I felt his hand on my forehead. It felt nice. He put a damp cloth on it after. “Sorry I went in without your permission. The door isn’t lock, and you didn’t come to school today so I got worried—“
“Why are you here?” I asked, no… this isn’t supposed to happen. Of all people, why is he here? Witnessing this mess. I hate it. “Go home.” I said sternly but he just smiled, “I’ll go after you eat.”
“Just leave it there.”
“I’ll help you out—“
“Please! Leave!” Eiji sighed and stood up. I clenched my fist. This is fine. If he do these things to me, it will only makes me hopeful, there will always be a repercussion. I’m just tired of it. I heard the door closed and a tear fell on my cheek.
Though I was surprised to hear the door open after a while, seeing Eiji holding a plastic. “W-What—“
“I forgot to buy a medicine for your fever.”