Bab 105: Chapter 102
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I had to cut down on a few things, but I finally saved enough to afford a haircut at that fancy place some blocks away. I was intending to save more so I could buy a new outfit as well, but then I heard Austin's mom say she was going to take me to a barbershop herself and I don't want that. She always spent way too much on me as it was and I didn't want to feel like a burden. It's odd, had it been Austin who took me there and paid I wouldn't have had an issue. Despite the fact that we were both ten and the cash technically came from his parents, but him and I had a unique sort of connection that couldn't be explained. So I decided to just go get the haircut during the weekend, and when she saw and complemented me, I'd say my mum took me. They all thought she was a terrible mother, so perhaps if I did that they would change their minds. I didn't want to be the reason why her image was ruined.
Being a Saturday, Austin was expecting me to go over at around noon. His mum would be picking me up so I had to be ready by then, which was why I woke up extra early to go get my haircut. A few more weeks and the strands would probably get out of control. Some of them were poking my eyes already and I had to keep pushing them back. It was exhausting.
When I left, my mum was passed out on the couch. I was careful not to make any noise and wake her. It was around eight, I had even made breakfast and set it out for her, and this time I didn't even get burnt. Last time I touched the hot pan by accident and my fingers were in so much pain, and later on when Austin had realized, he had applied this cooling ointment even though it had been hours since the incident.
I walked for a while and was glad when I eventually got there. They were just opening up, and the new sign outside read the name of the shop," Genesis " . I admired the calligraphy for a while before I headed to the exit. The owner was this gentleman, he seemed a bit old, and next to him was this boy that was about my age and size. They were Asian. I had seen the boy around a few times, like a couple of weeks before when we had crossed paths in the local convenience store. He had bought a ton of snacks and candy, and when he had been putting them I to his backpack, a lollipop had fallen down and I had picked it up for him, but he had just casually told me to have it before walking away. The thought had stuck with me.
I knew he was somehow related to the shop because each time I passed by he was always lurking somewhere around.
" Hello there young man, " the elderly gentleman greeted me once I stopped where they were. His hand was fondly wrapped around the kid's nape. I found myself admiring his haircut. It was honestly really cool. If I got one just like that Austin was definitely going to like it. I just wanted to see his impression when he saw me. Although I also considered the fact that the boy had amazing hair. It was so dark and thick.
" Hi, " I greeted back.
That little interaction felt draining already. It always took a lot for me to interact with strangers. I was panicking I side but trying my best to appear cool and relaxed on the outside.
" Here for a fresh change I assume, "
The man warmly reached out and pushed my hair back. My heart started pounding at the unexpected touch but I didn't let myself focus on it. I looked at the kids hair again, and when my eyes travelled a little lower, it was to find him looking at me. He smiled, so I returned it, assuming he remembered me from the convenience store.
" Yes please," I told the barber who nodded and led me inside. I followed him and once I was seated, he asked me whether I had anything in mind. I once again turned to the kid. He was seated on the waiting couch not too far away, his legs crossed on the seat and all his focus on us.
" You like that, don't you?" the owner asked and I nodded. And when he further asked whether I wanted the same style I told him I did.
" Okay. I'll switch it up a bit but don't worry, it'll turn out great!"
I nodded and he went straight to work. He was focused, and I wasn't worried at all because I naturally felt like I could trust him. I was certain he had been the one to cut that boy's hair as well.
" Adrian, pass me that brush. Over there, next to the towel. "
The boy stood up and did as asked. And instead of going back down, he remained standing right by my side, his hand in the chair. It didn't take nearly as long as I had thought it would, and in the next few minutes, I was done. He stood back and asked me what I thought. I stared at myself in the mirror, completely impressed. The only thoughts in my head being of Austin and what he would think. I was already so eager to go meet him just so I could hear his opinion. He was always so open so I knew whatever he said would be the absolute truth.
" I really like it. Thank you. "
He seemed impressed with himself as well. My hair had never looked that good, I felt like a famous celebrity. Like an actor! It had definitely been worth it. I asked him how much it was, and after paying, I stood up and dusted the few stray strands off me. Adrian walked out, and not long after, so did I. I found him outside, playing with a football. Although it wasn't as much playing as it was idly kicking the ball around. When he saw me he stopped, then I watched as he purposefully kicked the ball towards my direction. It stopped right by my feet, I stared at it for some seconds before slowly looking up at him with a quizzical expression.
" Wanna play?"
I raised my brows, my way of confirming whether he'd literally just asked me to play.
" Your hair looks really good by the way,"
How was I supposed to turn down
his offered when he complemented me so kindly? I wasn't sure what time it was, but I guessed it was some time after nine. I could spare some time to play with him before I went back home to finish up getting ready. I thanked him, then I took a slight step back and kicked the ball to him again. He noticed that I remained in ace after doing so, my way of accepting his offer. We kicked the ball back and forth a few times.
" I'm Adrian, what's your name?"
" Kyle, "
" Wanna see something cool Kyle?"
I looked at him wearily. I didn't necessarily know him, but somehow I felt as if he was a really nice kid and that I could trust him. So I nodded. He took the ball and quickly took it inside the shop, asking me to wait right there, and when he came back out, he held my arm and began leading me away. Not long after, I was in a pet store staring at this very colorful parrot. I had never seen anything like it.
" It's pretty, right?" He asked, and I caught my breath when the parrot repeated the words. I knew they could do that but I had never actually heard one doing so. And I had also never been in that store before because there was no way my mom would let me own a pet.
" It is. I read about these, did you know there are over three hundred and fifty species? And they're super smart!"
" Really?! I asked my grandpa to buy this one for me but he refused. He doesn't think I'm old enough to look after it. "
" How old are you"
" Eleven. And you?"
" I'm ten. Is your grandpa the one at the shop?"
He nodded and sighed, then he explained that his parents were always busy working so they had sent him there to live with his grandfather. He was in a more capable position of watching over him. The parrot repeated his last two words and he giggled, standing up straight. We toured the store for a while, he must have gone there a lot because he knew everything that was in there so well. And when we finally left, he reached into his pocket, confirmed whether he had money in him, and then asked whether I wanted to play computer games with him. I bit my lower lip and looked around, knowing I couldn't because i didn't have any cash left. Then as if he could read my mind, he told me not to worry since he'd pay for us both. And he seemed so eager I found it impossible to refuse.
" But I can't play for too long, my mum will get worried. "
No she wouldn't, but it was the only thing I could think of that would save me from having to explain anything in detail.
" Okay, just one game then. "
I followed him to the location, Austin and I had actually been there once before.
I could tell that Adrian was quite shy, a little like me I suppose. But he had a bit more confidence than I did because there was no way I would have approached someone and asked him to play the way he had done with me. And he also had a lot of interesting stories so I didn't get bored at all. It also felt nice because apart from Austin, no one else had ever shown any interest in being friends with me.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone