Forest hadn’t been to the mall yet. His mom liked to shop at local markets and large crowded spaces weren’t exactly Forest’s preferred habitat.
“Just look for something shiny with an extortionate price tag,” Tide grinned as they walked along an arcade of fancy looking stores.
“Is your stepmom nice?” Forest asked.
“Yeah, she’s alright,” Tide laughed. “She’s mainly away on vacations but she makes my dad happy. Hey, do you want to get something to eat?”
Tide didn’t give Forest a chance to reply before he steered them over to a sushi restaurant and started looking at the menu. “Do you like sushi?” Tide asked, hesitating as a server came over to greet them.
“Yeah, definitely,” Forest grinned. “It’s probably my favourite food.”
“Same,” Tide beamed, “that and tacos.”
Forest and Tide were seated at a corner table next to a painting of a waterfall and cranes taking flight.
“It’s my treat by the way,” Tide told Forest without making eye contact. The AC in the restaurant wasn’t particularly high and Forest guessed Tide must be overheating slightly, judging from how red his face was.
“No!” Forest exclaimed. “Please, I’ll pay for myself.”
“Nope,” Tide shook his head. “You’re doing me a favour so at least let me buy us dinner.”
Forest squirmed awkwardly but smiled his thanks as Tide grinned in relief at him.
Whilst they waited for the food to arrive, Forest glanced nervously across at Tide.
“You have an important game on Friday right?” Forest asked, wondering if Tide might laugh at him for attempting to make conversation about sports.
“That’s right!” Tide replied enthusiastically. “We’ve been training super hard for it. There’s going to be college scouts there and everything.”
“Who is it you’re playing against?” Forest questioned, he had seen banners around the school but couldn’t remember.
“West Peak High,” Tide nodded with a serious expression, “they’re good, really good. But I think we could have the edge on them this time.”
“You…” Forest fumbled, unsure how to continue. “You are going to be allowed to play right?”
“Yeah, why...” Tide trailed off, “ah, you heard about the fight.”
Forest felt his cheeks colour red like traffic lights, “I heard some people talking in Art, you…you punched Trev Buchanan?”
Tide chewed his lip and looked away uncomfortably. “I swear I don’t normally fight,” he said quickly, in a low voice. Forest raised his eyebrows in surprise as he realised Tide was embarrassed.
“I’m sure you don’t,” Forest garbled, “you seem really nice and gentle!”
Gentle
Forest wanted to slap himself, what kind of wording was that?
Tide, however, looked back across at Forest with a warm smile. “Thanks, I’m glad you don’t think I’m some kind of violent asshole.”
“Why,” Forest paused and took a steeling breath, “why did it happen? You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to of course.”
Tide gave Forest a considered look for a moment with a tight smile. “Just him being a jerk and winding me up, no big deal,” he replied. The waitress arrived a moment later with their food.
“Wow, this looks amazing!” Forest exclaimed.
“Right?” Tide grinned cheerfully. “This place is the best.”
Forest noted that Tide was actually good with chopsticks as they began to tuck into their food.
“What do you think about hair care?” Forest suggested through a mouthful of salmon.
“I –“ Tide paused, looking slightly bewildered. “I dunno, I just use a drugstore 2 in 1.”
Forest couldn’t help the snort of laughter that he let out as Tide’s eyes widened in shock.
“Oh my god, I’m sorry,” Forest flushed, noticing he had spat some sushi across at Tide, he immediately reached over with a napkin to conceal the offense. “I um, I actually meant as a present for your stepmom?”
“Oh Jesus,” Tide groaned, grinning sheepishly as he rubbed his hand down his face. “I’m such an idiot.”
“It’s okay,” Forest smiled, biting his bottom lip. “Your hair always looks nice too though. Maybe we should just get the drugstore version?”
Tide laughed brightly and shook his head, “I don’t think my stepmom’s ever set foot in a drugstore. But no, hair care is a great idea actually.”
“I noticed we passed by a pop up stall on the second level,” Forest told him. “They were selling organic hair masks and conditioners that looked pretty fancy.”
“Oh great,” Tide replied. “The second level is also where the games arcade is. I wanted to take you there.”
Forest flushed, feeling pleased about both being helpful and that Tide had wanted to take him somewhere non present buying related.
“Ryan and I hang out there afterschool sometimes and try to get our names up on the scoreboards.” Tide told him. “If you hadn’t noticed, I’m pretty competitive.”
“I guessed you’d have to be, being a team captain,” Forest smiled.
“Have you ever played basketball?” Tide asked, his expression curious.
“Only when I’ve been forced to by a teacher,” Forest shook his head glumly, “I suck at sport, plus I’m way too short.”
“Short people can be good at it too!” Tide insisted before cringing. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to agree that you’re short.”
“It’s okay,” Forest laughed. “It’s hard not to agree with irrefutable physical proof right in front of you.” He swept a deprecating hand across his body.
“Good things come in small packages!” Tide beamed before his face twisted and went a strange colour. “That sounded incredibly creepy, I apologise.”
“No need,” Forest giggled, his chest felt light and happy. “I like that motto, I’ll share it with Cindy too – she always complains about having to shop for skirts in the kids' section of stores.”
Tide laughed, looking relieved. “Anyway, I only asked about basketball because there’s a ‘shoot the hoops’ game at the arcade. You know – how many balls you can get in the net in a time limit. I mean it’s totally rigged and the balls are weighted all wrong, but I’ve grown kind of good at it.”
“Sounds fun,” Forest nodded. He wasn’t lying, he did like the idea of playing games with Tide, but he was also worried about showing Tide truly how awful he was at sports.
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