The Paperback Theater

"Yeah man, I'm fine. Just gimme a minute," he said, waving him off.

Charlie looked around the restaurant in search of a certain door and her face turned slightly red when she couldn't see it. She shifted uncomfortably and put the money back in her pocket as the two talked.

"Um, ok man." Michael walked back over to the booth and slid back into his spot across from Charlie

He walked quickly toward the doors outside, then ended up jogging and bursting out of the doors. Asura went to the back of the building and slumped against the wall, digging his nails into his palms. "Fucking dumbass," he whispered to himself.

Michael felt kind of bad now, so he went back to trying to down his milkshake. He felt like he should check on Asura, but he also felt like maybe he should give him space. He subconsciously frowned down at his milkshake

He slid down against the wall, glaring at the ground. "God dammit Asura, what the fuck is wrong with you? Why would you even say something like that?"

Michael sighed. "Yeah, I'll go with you. It's my fault he vanished anyways." He set his milkshake down and started to walk towards the door to find Asura

Asura crossed his arms and just let himself… be angry. But he didn't cry. He wouldn't.

Michael found Asura leaning against one of the pizza place's far walls. He slowly walked up to him. "Hey, uh. Your food should be ready soon. Um. You wanna come back inside?"

He jumped, startled by Michael's presence. "What are you doing here?" he said in a tone that was a little bit harsh.

Michael put a hand on the back of his neck. "Um, I was just wondering if you were okay."

Asura took a deep breath, shrugging away from Michael. "Yeah, I'm fine. Go back inside, I'll be back to pay for your food later."

He sighed. "Are you sure? Like, really sure?"

He laughed. "Yeah dude. Unfortunately I have emotions and I need a little bit to get a handle on them before I go inside and start talking to everybody again."

He laughed bitterly. "I doubt it, I'm a dick."

"Oh come on, you're not a dick. You know who's a dick? My parents. And you aren't my parents. Therefore, you are not a dick."

He looked at them for a moment, before getting to his feet and brushing his jeans off. "You guys don't have to comfort me, you know."

Michael waved a hand in the air. "It is my duty as your friend to make you feel better! Now come on, you need food."

He sighed. "I'm not really hungry anymore," he admitted.

"Well in that case you can have a tiny slice of my mini pizza and you can take what you ordered to go. I'm not letting you starve on my watch." He flashed a grin he hoped would make Asura feel a little better

Asura felt his stomach twist. He didn't want anybody going out of their way to make him feel better. "No, I don't feel good," he argued. "But I'll sit down with you guys."

He followed Cam inside, stretching his arms. "Sorry about that," he said.