The day had dragged on like a never-ending loop of monotony and worry. Each tick of the clock seemed to echo louder that the last, reminding me of how out of place Asher looked while walking down the hallways. I hated seeing him like this-like a shadow of his former self, burdened by the weight of what happened.
I had spent the entire afternoon mulling over how I could help him. I knew he needed a break from the endless questions and rumors that were surely following him like a storm cloud. It wasn't much, but maybe a change of scenery could lift his spirits, even if just a little.
I quickly scanned through my phone fire ideas and settled on the mall. It wasn't anything extravagant, but it was a place where we could just walk around, eat something, and maybe even buy a few small things to distract ourselves. The mall was always a haven for me, a place where I could forget about my worries, even if just for a short while.
I texted Asher if he was up for the mall and after a while, he responded with a yes.
I picked up my phone, the message from Asher still glowing on the screen. He had agreed to hang out after all, and I was determined to make it a good day for him. It would be a change of scenery and hopefully a distraction from everything that happened.
We met up in front of the mall, and Asher looked a bit more relaxed than he had the day before. He gave me a small smile as we walked through the entrance.
"Thanks for inviting me out, Ethan," he said. "I could use a break from everything."
"Of course," I replied. "Let's just take it easy today. We can grab some food, look around, whatever you feel up to."
As we wandered through the mall, Asher seemed to be enjoying himself. We jokes around, checked out a few stores, and even stopped by the food court to grab a bite. The noise and activity of the mall were a welcome change from the quiet of his house and the tension of the last few days.
While we were in the electronics store, I spotted someone who looked vaguely familiar. It was a tall man with a cold yet calm demeanor, browsing through the gadgets on display. As I took a closer look, I realized it was Matthew-the same Matthew who had rescued Asher.
"Hey, isn't that Matthew?" I asked Asher, nudging him.
Asher turned to look and nodded, though he didn't seem to recognize him right away. Matthew was engrossed in examining a new tablet, his expression impassive and focused. I could see his sharp eyes scanning the details, his demeanor a stark contrast to the bustling atmosphere of the mall.
"Should we go say hi?" I asked.
Asher hesitated for a moment, "I guess we could. He did help me a lot."
We walked over to Matthew, and as we approached, he glanced up, his gaze indifferent but not unfriendly.
"Matthew, right?" I said, trying to break the ice. "It's Ethan. We've met before."
Matthew's eyes flickered with recognition. "Ethan, Yea, I remember you." His tone calm, his expression still cold. "And you're Asher, correct?"
Asher nodded, his gaze steady but cautious. "Thank you again for everything. I didn't get a chance to thank you properly before."
Matthew gave a slight nod, his face maintaining its composed appearance. "You're welcome. I'm just glad I could help."
Asher and I exchanged a glance, unsure of what to say next. The atmosphere was a bit awkward, but Matthew's presence was a reminder of the ordeal we had been through and the support we had received.
"Do you mind if we join you for a bit?" I asked, trying to ease the tension.
Matthew's expression didn't change, but he gestured toward a nearby bench. "Feel free. I'm just here for a bit of shopping."
We sat down, and as we chatted, it became clear that Matthew's calm and detached manner was simply his way of dealing with the world. He answered our questions briefly and returned to his quiet observation of the mall's activities.
For a while, the three of us sat together, and despite the initial errands to run. Asher and I watched him leave, and I could tell that even though Matthew wasn't the most expressive person, his presence has been a reassuring reminder of the support we had.
"Thanks for making me come out today," Asher said as we continued our walk through the mall.
"I'm glad you're here," I replied. "It's important to have a change of scenery sometimes."
As the day went on, the mall's lively atmosphere and the unexpected encounter with Matthew helped lift Asher's spirits. We spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying the mall, but then, something happened that woke us from our happy dream.