Jason didn’t respond. I didn’t blame him; how would you respond if someone said what I did?556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbaQlD9mNe
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCqF1yaI6m
“What do you think Alleata’s gonna ask me to wear?” I ask, desperate to change the subject. Jason shrugs, pulling his blanket off of his body.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcULpAB1t8X
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ312srFIwHi
“She just made a new dress,” Jason answers. “If I had to guess, she’ll probably ask you to wear that. She hasn’t seen anyone wear it yet besides a mannequin.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1o9T0hDQv
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgHykaJo24
“What’s the dress like?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMGMoDe2lP
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6U6LSRFx7
Jason shakes his head, quickly checking his phone. “She doesn’t like telling people what her clothes look like ahead of time. Other people would try to use that information and steal it.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvS0bmEOrsR
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9SA5xOrd9
“That’s fair.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYt90jd5c1
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwc9nQ2ZFHF
We fall into an awkward silence, neither of us sure what we should say.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbrwF78e8e
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzUo99TZK6
“Astrapophobia,” Jason says suddenly. I nod, looking at the weighted blanket. “It’s the fear of thunder and lightning.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssXgWfiAfd
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0ayvLWzJD
“If you don’t mind me asking, how long?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGCljh7K54
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xG6FK9YSS
Jason shrugs, looking around the room. “About eight years, I guess. I can’t quite remember why I have it, but I have it.” 556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqak8C38DV
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIlhK41yym
“You don’t remember?” I sit up a little straighter. “At all?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0q08w50G7
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xGOZptIEz
“I don’t remember anything, no,” Jason replies. “But I feel like I do. You know when there’s a word that you can’t remember, but it’s on the tip of your tongue? That’s how it is. It’s right there. I can feel it, but I can’t- I can’t see it. And it frustrates the hell out of me.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmZKV2Pv1G
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UPqeu3SjI
“Have you tried to remember?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYRymCKkgz
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQH5trMVfz
Jason lets out a bitter laugh. “Have I tried? Of fucking course I have. I just- I can’t remember. No one’s been able to help me remember. I had a therapist for a while, and then Dad decided that he didn’t need his son going to a crackpot and pulled me out of therapy.” Jason scoots back and leans against the wall, looking up at the ceiling. “The funny thing is, I was getting better. I could deal with thunderstorms for a longer duration without getting an attack. Now, it’s the first crack or first strike that gives me an attack. I got worse. It wasn’t this bad when I first got it.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrXVxlwKkK
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqhagyogsp
“What if you asked your mom to take you to a therapist without telling your dad?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjb2pX7yECv
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyKDGfu29e
Jason opens his mouth to say something, then closes it and blinks a few times.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgakq43FAGC
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡum7u6970Fb
“I could probably do that,” he murmurs. “Dad never pays attention to me anyways. He won’t notice if I’m missing once or twice a week.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUNcNtKuFL
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70KJYDWDep
“That- that doesn't sound like a healthy relationship."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAoteehJiV
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OTyXbz5fL
"It isn't, but there's nothing I can do about it. That's how our relationship has always been." Jason closes his eyes and a ghost of a smile appears on his face. "It won't change. It'll be like this until the day one of us dies.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DQW3ZZFp2
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQK06WOYP2k
“I know we just met today, but I think you should talk to your dad about this.” I lean forward and rest my arms on my legs, my fingers laced together. “Not your phobia, but your relationship.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGy9Y8CPZe
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqm5pc7bBJS
“Who’re you to tell me what I should do?” Jason spits, leaning forward and glaring into my eyes. “Like you said, we just met today. We’re not friends.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIF3b0hXNsI
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkumebGLSop
What’s with the sudden attitude flip?556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7kb6NnMiP
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCIfuAUWgj
“Jason, I’m not trying to control your life, I’m just suggesting-”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRr0vMngnVh
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsciAS1Lj9t
“Fuck off.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMugCfu6BWt
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCtHLn6h4R
I stand up and brush my hair behind my ear, turning as I do.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0eovdJEZN
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLobTo7zaKJ
“See you around, Jason,” I say, walking out of the room. I manage to take three steps before breaking into a sprint.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8CraNZCEX
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3offpg37v
This is what happens when you trust people. They only let you down.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pnfBT7lS6
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmHoztTOWa
“Woah, Xael!” Two hands grab my shoulders, preventing me from running into the person. “Where’s the fire, girl?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipIkqmYLVI
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGfmBmj9pR
“Sorry,” I whisper, looking down at the ground, knowing that Jonny’ll be able to see right through any lie I try to tell.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbjE75ZMO9
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4wEz6IvGH
“Weren’t you with Jason?” Jonny asks. I nod, and he pats my shoulders before letting go of me. “Sophie’s upstairs. Want to go hang out with her?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW27w9BYxIa
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbLLinrKwj
“Actually, where’s Lukas?” My voice cracks when I say Lukas’ name, and I mentally curse myself.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tXRkwUy2U
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1uo1uPgql
“Lukas is still manning the gate.” Jonny tilts my head up, and I nearly start crying as we make eye contact. “Should I call him? Or should I call Sarah?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlkt4c9WYW
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsSVDqIXCm
“Thanks, Jonny, but I want to go speak with Lukas about something.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHkVKjIJK8
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFNkEbGhKh
Jonny takes a step back silently. I jog around him then up a set of stairs, biting my lower lip to try and keep myself from crying.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXNJzGlrHp
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzshaWwIdha
“Lukas!” I call, stopping in front of a cherry wood door and knocking once. When he doesn’t answer right away, my mind reels and I think over what I’m doing. “Actually, I’m okay. Sorry to interrupt you at work.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgPGhoIU1u
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDF3X19qqbC
“Stop right there young lady!” Lukas’ booming voice makes me jump. I look up at Lukas and watch his grin fall away from his face as he steps rapidly towards me. “What happened?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfzqisJBOq
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREi444I3gU
Tears threaten to spill from my eyes as Lukas’ arms slide around my shoulders, holding me against his chest.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sK3YuDdqs
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6wVrSvADy
“I don’t know,” I murmur, my hands in fists at my sides. “I don’t know.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsXgaxcCH9
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FyJgtXC3G
Lukas lets go of me and opens the door to where the gate control is, then presses a hand against the small of my back and ushers me inside. 556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7lvxnLNG0
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAhjz7tReX
“You were with Jason, right?” Lukas asks. I nod, looking down at the floor.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NacU3t7QK
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbh1us2QkBu
“I’m sorry about this,” I whisper, rubbing my eyes. “If you don’t mind, I’ll be on my way now.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMB7YDO9kQ
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7rz5eADQ4
“You aren’t leaving this room until you’re not about to cry,” Lukas orders. “Take a seat, hon.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nISl4XlrJ
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZWqcToTAo
“You’re at work right now,” I state, letting my stubbornness take over. “You should be doing your job, not cheering me up. I’ll be fine.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRQtOiXucN
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnjF6yavWW
“Xael-”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTH7KW9XihO
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNScXesKpw
“I promise I’ll be fine.” I look up into Lukas’ eyes, blinking away my tears.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweS8swnSMa
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5Un74DgkA
“Sophie’s chilling in the staff break room.” Lukas sits down in his rolling chair and spins around slowly, staring up at the ceiling. “Why don’t you go talk with her?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKPHokZPLV
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HVyRzdqgP
I nod, even though I have no intention on going to Sophie.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscpm2gvKYw
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4b1OKjUPfR
“I’ll see you at dinner,” I say, turning and walking out of the room. Once I hear the door close behind me I’m off like a bullet, up two flights off stairs while pulling a pen out of my pocket.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxup9meAjKN
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwYTjM3hgl
I won’t do it. I’m not going to stoop that low.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYgueXL2uy
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVPGtQvKR5
I open the door to a random room and Jason whips his head up to look at me, a razor in between his fingers. Without thinking I’m across the room and the razor blade is on the floor in the opposite corner.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQX4IIApFN
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLaweZ1yTs
“This is why you made me leave,” I say, grabbing a random piece of cloth from the shelf behind Jason’s head and pressing it against his shoulder. Jason nods, looking towards the door. “Why do you do this to yourself?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTsvKZyrkn
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcE9QSZG8L
Jason shrugs, pressing his lips together into a thin white line.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqtddfDX5A
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwk7LUTQ1tT
“Not in the mood for talking. Got it. Hold this against your shoulder.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA11KlFGaOa
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0G698nkwG
Jason reaches a hand up and presses it against the cloth as I retract my hand, already scanning the room for hiding places.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpfl05BFcQ
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EWmqLBdnt
“Where are your other razor blades?” I demand, looking directly at Jason. He looks at me and shrugs. “I don’t give a shit how untalkative you feel right now, you’re gonna tell me where they are.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicVlXNo9Df
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtoiAd0Tu1
Jason’s eyes dart from me to a space behind me, then back to me. I grin triumphantly before turning around and walking over to a shelf that contains some boxes and some pieces of rolled up cloth.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0tPBIHWaV
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBNw8uhfXC
“Which shelf are they on?” I muse. He doesn’t want anyone to find them, so they aren’t on a shelf at eye level. That knocks out these three, which leaves the top one and the bottom one. People are more likely to put things they need to use often towards the bottom, which means that they’re somewhere up top.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnLu9SNr5P
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZIvFJ3J0a
“You’re not gonna find them.” Jason’s voice is hoarse. I look over at him only to see that the cloth is discarded on the ground, blood dripping down his arm. 556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dAaEu1hcF
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxF0vNhR22
“I will though.” I turn around and drag a wood box over to the shelf, stepping on it once it’s close enough. “They’re either in these two boxes or in this piece of cloth.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNRbftmnW5
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUIXvs8jfv
“They’re not in the cloth or the boxes.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWtcCl2HHp
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLH5wyUTFDs
I grab the cloth and unwrap it, satisfied when four razor blades drop onto the shelf.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhbHE6qcCK
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBib5ih1jAK
“Never gonna find them,” I mutter, wrapping the blades back up and tucking them into my pocket. “Simple psychology tricks. This is what you learn when you have no friends and no social life.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQh4T7hJ4Fm
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOQL7W5cnz
“Give them back.” My back is pressed against the wall and Jason’s body is dangerously close to mine. His eyes bore into mine and my breathing hitches.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiJTKAn1eO
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgPPGCtz4u
“You don’t get them back!” I spit, putting a hand on his chest and pushing him away from me, silently catching my breath. “You don’t get them back, Jason. I either keep them, or you take them back and I’m telling Lukas, Cray, Jonny, and Sarah.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOy8KjwKmMQ
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5rRDpE7bP
“You wouldn’t dare-”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQsou7kJeZ
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWuJxydIqI
“Try me!”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BvVqmORto
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1CqICF7Qk
We glare into each other’s eyes in silence. Jason seems to ponder my words before stepping back and nodding.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlbLXW1SXZ
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QHWNAOQWW
“We’re going to Sarah’s office though,” I state, marching past Jason and opening the door.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKLXPSWcyp
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GI4RGOy6C
“You said that you wouldn’t tell-”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE05dA8fQtz
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZKNhsusCy
“I’m not going to tell her, we’re going to dress your wounds.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWr4rVxZsOV
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJ6ySh9lkP
Jason grumbles something that I don’t catch before rolling down his shirt sleeve and walking out of the room, his uninjured shoulder just barely clipping the edge of mine.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0L27f82qZ
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyboleYqnW
“How long?” I ask, walking faster than I’m used to in order to keep up with Jason. 556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfIdrbw9xR
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28F75heUYR
“A while,” Jason answers. I roll my eyes and cross my arms.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvvYhihtqh
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9ZtHLe2qA
“Very specific,” I grumble. “Where else?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLm4N6o0Hy
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkc17czNDY
“Nowhere. Just my shoulder.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmZiHonnXw
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLz7jgpZmQ
“Now that’s a lie and we both know it.” Jason picks up his pace, forcing me to do the same. “Thighs? Ankles? Stomach?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxX02zIQgxh
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscUP1DnGkd
“Just drop it, Xael,” Jason snaps, turning to me and grabbing my shoulder. “Stop. Talking.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBBb8T7AXF
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMEga05bFc
I close my mouth and glare at him. He turns and walks away, satisfied.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8ppKn3W4V
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8jfP6Y2rt
“So there are cuts on your stomach.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DQCf3jFQS
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsHI1v1Iar
“No, there aren’t,” Jason growls. “Didn’t I tell you to shut up?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKuxz1hvPs
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTaExBj9Ny
“You did.” I catch up to him quickly, lacing my hands together behind my head. “Doesn’t mean I’m gonna listen.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZuWD9BJkc
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmxHzMEzAc
“I don’t like you.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8aAtIlO7w
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlJI2UKxFL
“People usually don’t.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zIevNHoIJ
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUA9NvK4045
“You’re such a lovely person to be around, you know that?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaKCHsMGSJ
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg96b4TlPje
“Thank you for the compliment!”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQNlWoEnyo
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAkdE8YNHG
“Wasn’t a compliment.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZgdBVA2OS
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0bUujtaLQ
“And I still took it as one so suck it.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyz6ULNZFjL
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuaZxJLggL
Jason looks away from me and I worry that I made him super angry, and then I see his shoulders shaking slightly. He’s laughing. Despite what just happened, I made him laugh.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9k2bH6acl
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6m0v5NDx3
Maybe I am funny after all.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aoYa9c18r
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oWH31AbmG
“Why did you come upstairs?” Jason asks, startling me.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZINM7mFqh
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXfNVgAo8o
“I needed to step away for a moment so I could draw,” I admit. Jason looks at me, which seems dangerous as we’re currently going down stairs. 556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBVYZGbdOs
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtp8IFXX3v
“Draw?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV74jvdd6UM
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61uUuII6zQ
“Instead of harming myself, I draw something on me,” I explain, pulling my pen out. “I’ll draw something that would be a cool tattoo, or I’ll write a quote and make it all pretty-like. The red pen makes it seem like-”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ36ZhLLdDG
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPLIL45tVe
“You’ve cut yourself, but you don’t leave any permanent scars and you can wash it off if it’s in a less covered spot.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRc2ZAopzUC
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqCWexyqEQ
“Exactly!” I snap my fingers and point a finger gun at Jason, happy he understands my thought process. 556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8zXj5bK94
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Nblwi9Wdr
“Do you have a spare pen?” Jason looks away from me and rubs the back of his neck, and I smile softly.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kjTgapT44
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumn5n5jWBZ
“Take this one.” I offer my pen towards Jason, who looks at me instead of grabbing it.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmav2xf2vQx
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWTKknUPNF
“Are you sure?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV77SX4cEhJ
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dVctu08Rt
I nod, then slip the pen into his pocket. He immediately takes it back out and slips it into the other pocket.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XM9Muz6JG
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOQE8aTii0
“There’s a hole in this one,” he explains, turning the pocket inside out and showing me. “Didn’t want it to fall out.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyFaZ4DkxN
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR89vA7h3aX
“And we’re here!” I exclaim. I open the door to Sarah’s office, knowing that she’s currently chatting with Sophie because the two are basically best friends. “Take a seat in any chair, I’ll address your shoulder once I get all the stuff out.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLU1roYdez6
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“If you can find it,” Jason states, watching me open a cabinet and immediately close it.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumnWWZO1JY
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“How does this woman work like this?” I mumble, horrified by how unorganized Sarah is. Jason laughs, the melodic sound unlike anything I’ve ever heard before. “Once we’re finished with you I’m fixing this.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0jfSkGGtV
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5p0TMRHmQt
“I think she has a system?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2LA8iSUXc
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvzTKd8sht
“If her system is grab something out of somewhere and then put it back in a spot eight feet, then yes she has a system!”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKqNaQpu4q
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDLTOXvts6
“Xael.” Jason puts a hand on my shoulder, and I sigh. “Chill. It isn’t nearly as bad as it seems.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwj8JsRCON
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“You’re right,” I agree. I open another cupboard, and then immediately understand that we were both wrong. “It’s worse. Why is it worse? How? Woman, how do you work in these conditions!”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEeqSubp66
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“Well, at least her countertop is organized,” Jason remarks. I nod in agreement, looking at the perfectly organized counter.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5xwHX4Qd6
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“If only her cabinets and drawers could look like this,” I grumble. “Anyways, I need sterile dressing, and some, uh, some sticky tape. What’s it called-”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovDjwb6b7Y
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJUNGzwd13
“Steri-strips?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FNrtgoAjo
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“Yeah them.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2eei7orfB
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“They’re right up here.” Jason reaches over my head and grabs the box of steri-strips. I open a different cabinet and look for some sterile dressing, only to be disappointed by the fact that they aren’t in this cupboard.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr155yDNfE2
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtAgeH2Uqq
Jason and I look at how messy the cabinet is and sigh in unison, then giggle. 556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5fRG889f3
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WjOHp6zki
“Are they in this one- they are!” Jason exclaims, handing me some sterile bandages. 556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZsib4edGK
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BCasniJEb
“Take a seat,” I instruct him, gesturing towards Sarah’s rolling chair. Jason sits down and spins himself around a couple of times before remembering why we’re in here.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXfkqIpWBh
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVswvB9sYVg
“How do you know what to do?” Jason questions, watching me as I roll up his shirt sleeve and unroll the bandages, measuring out what size I need the bandage.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCrzWy3fXc
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fDec3WIzB
“The internet,” I explain, grabbing a pair of scissors from the counter and cutting the bandage to size. “I needed to know for a chapter of a story. The information seems to have stuck with me.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyigXZZ9OM
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjH8V0c6rRG
“What story has a scene with self-harm wounds?” Jason helps me with the Steri-strips. “I’ve read all of your works.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpss7DwTH4E
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRbLb34rLv
“It’s actually a story that’s still in the works.” Jason winces, and I immediately rub where my hand was. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to press as hard as I did.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDV2t7USaL
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvWm4sjQvO
“You’re good,” Jason assures me. I stick the last Steri-strip onto his shoulder, then roll his sleeve back down. “Organizing time?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucAvHbeKKy
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7N2W0mAcZE
“Absolutely yes please.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6esX8E8Zkm
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Jason opens a random cupboard and pulls everything out, setting the items down on the counter. I copy his actions, picking a random cupboard and moving everything inside of it to the counter.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkj9nkWzoig
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7C82fa9jI
“This cabinet is just empty!” Jason shouts, gesturing wildly. I peek over and laugh quietly at the very empty cupboard.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoCD4tY0pR
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“And this one is the exact opposite,” I state, catching the few boxes that fell out of the cabinet. “I mean, I knew it was bad but this is ridiculous.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOidvUSVZ1Y
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8u2QRBqju
Jason and I fall into a comfortable silence as we empty out Sarah’s cupboards and drawers.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8ujSZetrf
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmiSIfQCjE
“What goes where-”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0XfR0vZ3W
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVCsIU8y7p
“Bandages go here.” I tap the cabinet most easily accessible to everyone. “Disinfectants too.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWBP5H7wHP
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOMqPWdRit
“Rolled up bandages, or band-aids?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zTseIRlyg
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“Yes.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpL21mQsCv
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“That wasn’t a yes or no question!” Jason swats my shoulder, and I chuckle. 556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uSYIe8jxO
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“Sorry,” I say, definitely not sorry. 556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRprnYXtXq
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“No you aren’t!”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xXdlqJMy4
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2kbLntRL7
“I’m not you’re right.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpEpuTg0yB
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EaDY2TGqd
“I could just let you do this on your own-”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MaGDeGNUh
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxQqo3s9ll
“Please don’t?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupXX3H4LFR
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Jason rolls his eyes and raises his arms above his head, one of his elbows cracking in the process.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoye29FL6T6
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkptSGsJ2TL
“Hey you can crack your elbows too!” I exclaim. Jason lowers his arms and nods, his eyes gaining a sparkle that wasn’t there during any of our talks. 556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmoaIriDTW
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“I can also do this.” Jason thrusts his hand out and wiggles his thumb- no, he doesn’t wiggle his thumb. He moves it in and out of place.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIj8Lt2c6y
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“I can do a magic trick,” I whisper. “Look into my eyes.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPxQvE2AK1
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Once I’m sure his Hershey brown eyes are focused on mine I shake my eyes. My vision flickers rapidly, then stops on Jason’s smiling face.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2G27e0ER4
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nwj1zd359
“I can do a magic trick too,” he murmurs. His eyes shake violently and I laugh.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wwjFzY2Qj
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QEUxJuInJ
“I have never seen someone else do that. It looks so cool!”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMrkKTXG9S
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“I know right?” Jason and I laugh together, then catch our breath. I realize how close we are and take a subtle step backwards.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ644kp9aKv3
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxngAi6qfV
“I guess we should get back to organizing.” I point towards the cabinets.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMU8mLLYezK
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“Did my breath smell?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NUggKF9A6
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I groan and face-palm. Guess that subtle step wasn’t as subtle as I wanted it to be.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMo3RIrxuy
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd7BhgbBxF
“No, I’m sorry,” I begin. “I’m just not that comfortable being that close to someone for that long.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvjKUEkCgs
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Jason nods in understandable.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjD07lFdb2y
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“I get that. So, you’re not a physical touch person.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoobBLHzFnu
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“What do you mean?” I ask, confused.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkIFTiheW7
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“The five love languages,” Jason explains. “It’s physical touch, quality time, and some others.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCJm2FJz73
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIw03G1pnQ
“How do you know what those are and why?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcjR8B1Y9P
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nwocpdU59
The smile on Jason’s face fades. 556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbwLcQSF4t
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gN20jtgv4
“I wanted to learn what Connor’s language was,” he says, his voice barely above a whisper. “I hoped that if I knew what it was, we would get along.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNePj9j6Hy
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgiYsnxiM2
“Did you ever figure out what it was?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORwJm5rvcP
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Jason chuckles and looks up at the ceiling.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifemuxOMtV
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“I did,” Jason states. “His language is one of the last ones I would’ve thought it was.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wSoXoYwEy
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7frTlT2JtT
“What is it?” I make a mental note to look up the love languages later. 556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cMrIbw7tS
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6j8EAZ9mP
“His love language is words of affirmation. He likes being told when people love him or appreciate him.”
___________________________________________________________________556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgtQIKlssv
Question of the chapter: what's Xael's love language? Why is Conner's language words of affirmation?
