Jason didn’t respond. I didn’t blame him; how would you respond if someone said what I did?486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUU5m7rF2Xd
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTO3z6gUUp
“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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNlHRA6sUX
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBF0IwFTQ6
“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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcKxQXyeAu
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcpcd5Vkax
“What’s the dress like?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLUOGq1vUH
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVW12mCadY
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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgFZuiJuQO
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlhYE6xjDA
“That’s fair.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfG7q0ddjbY
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDDJsAxpMv
We fall into an awkward silence, neither of us sure what we should say.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8Dd846PyE
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiObCPZsd8
“Astrapophobia,” Jason says suddenly. I nod, looking at the weighted blanket. “It’s the fear of thunder and lightning.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWBfofYqqM
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFcT6Tkb0x
“If you don’t mind me asking, how long?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKhu8pVn1X
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTArfyySCXh
Jason shrugs, looking around the room. “About eight years, I guess. I can’t quite remember why I have it, but I have it.” 486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2sW6TSoD3
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1NfL6HtCt
“You don’t remember?” I sit up a little straighter. “At all?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJjPS5XjsC
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhk8FB05Ri
“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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83JUTHd6UP
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSPKZLM6OD
“Have you tried to remember?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡat0N6SyLEy
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT05dgKZq1r
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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKMPt13iId
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBljQzaIyDi
“What if you asked your mom to take you to a therapist without telling your dad?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4Xln3X12D
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfkrBUdUbM
Jason opens his mouth to say something, then closes it and blinks a few times.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIrkYRje7S
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgq3gcxIkJ
“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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0e43ii0Mu
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8ROXeLTQv
“That- that doesn't sound like a healthy relationship."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeyT9rA6Y0
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEf8tHbVOBP
"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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyxQQTQVwM
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQNAg8WvEx
“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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkq5kyTQgxl
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49FG0GkCyW
“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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFPyeiMwMM
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7SZNDsOf3
What’s with the sudden attitude flip?486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiC7z7s9El
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGtRO2twag
“Jason, I’m not trying to control your life, I’m just suggesting-”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmKmMtzemJ
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17QGqKzQkf
“Fuck off.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0RjhSYb2R
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACOerzkv1l
I stand up and brush my hair behind my ear, turning as I do.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFAG3PBTNP
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvbMrDd0Y1
“See you around, Jason,” I say, walking out of the room. I manage to take three steps before breaking into a sprint.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeZ1JNM8QL
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoW0i4MwIz
This is what happens when you trust people. They only let you down.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T9pdwWJJ1
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyz5VmSCVG
“Woah, Xael!” Two hands grab my shoulders, preventing me from running into the person. “Where’s the fire, girl?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIHmiCcys5
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioeWQ9y6yv
“Sorry,” I whisper, looking down at the ground, knowing that Jonny’ll be able to see right through any lie I try to tell.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gy0xolzMA
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bToaB56R8
“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?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXjSpoqjNi
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotdJJPdyiU
“Actually, where’s Lukas?” My voice cracks when I say Lukas’ name, and I mentally curse myself.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFiVGmcuZw
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUe1pjgObMK
“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?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdklGiHtcQZ
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡze3zc6KG6G
“Thanks, Jonny, but I want to go speak with Lukas about something.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXQ0rrpS51
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnT0CHpc7Q5
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3h6gFQxBz
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ITqnrOsSz
“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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmI9nYp93f1
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzV5s07k6D
“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?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLgBe93wLo
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkr9hlKJxs
Tears threaten to spill from my eyes as Lukas’ arms slide around my shoulders, holding me against his chest.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGUKNWDEM0
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPV64W1rEzg
“I don’t know,” I murmur, my hands in fists at my sides. “I don’t know.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAHT32fqZW
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGy1FZGXTN
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. 486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU37G5OjgEo
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjqVBkP3Mh
“You were with Jason, right?” Lukas asks. I nod, looking down at the floor.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLU3val3Fm8
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkClWO7sit
“I’m sorry about this,” I whisper, rubbing my eyes. “If you don’t mind, I’ll be on my way now.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrT0OxoyAef
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusOnHuEhrC
“You aren’t leaving this room until you’re not about to cry,” Lukas orders. “Take a seat, hon.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRJwTIxqO7
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ915sNr6iPM
“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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifiss3XFRA
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3e8e7iEpK2
“Xael-”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsivPbfzRqO
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcJqqw1KIA
“I promise I’ll be fine.” I look up into Lukas’ eyes, blinking away my tears.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5MiNwRvB4
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcM8qwWDgJ
“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?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIjyVz7K9u
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPEMXvknVq
I nod, even though I have no intention on going to Sophie.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XJYQ8A5Bp
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmN7UccwrGq
“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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiLbOn8nPD
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RyiqnYdsL
I won’t do it. I’m not going to stoop that low.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhA34QzdNNi
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEf466KCE3
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTvvg4Hvpc
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkN90e656y
“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?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSNnWPFdom
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWaxDNRG0W
Jason shrugs, pressing his lips together into a thin white line.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwsbxOVg6V
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o8ctKAB2u
“Not in the mood for talking. Got it. Hold this against your shoulder.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXKq2TLRih
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsRLHb20It
Jason reaches a hand up and presses it against the cloth as I retract my hand, already scanning the room for hiding places.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9baZ1bzS9
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7SvZ7xZai
“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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5sLzIDoaA
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNYySd35ON
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslYRI04ZZ1
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBVpwv6ODX
“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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaL7TWYiy8
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yafnGfZtR
“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. 486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pKMHjHQ6t
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoaqhSzJiC
“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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnD45hP2re
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPtYgXvYpp
“They’re not in the cloth or the boxes.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89CBBMJAey
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWn4RNfMM1l
I grab the cloth and unwrap it, satisfied when four razor blades drop onto the shelf.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWnpNVrH0Z
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQFymmG9FZ
“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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcA6UDfy8xP
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXBaGRG0Fj
“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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MB5ARC24J
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHS76HosQNA
“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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbE4APJmnML
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQpTVI8zvx
“You wouldn’t dare-”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88itYE8tIA
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PqjvQppjs
“Try me!”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZAHFiIuOk
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbBhcD7FDr
We glare into each other’s eyes in silence. Jason seems to ponder my words before stepping back and nodding.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6R4q0eVxqK
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1iFzCnEDT
“We’re going to Sarah’s office though,” I state, marching past Jason and opening the door.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFWDJtvSq0
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXusZQHvhkR
“You said that you wouldn’t tell-”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCMi3Ci6wK
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQtAwPTemb
“I’m not going to tell her, we’re going to dress your wounds.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBM20qACy5
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKRvleBqYU
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSS5fozLb5
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl30lgjEZ6j
“How long?” I ask, walking faster than I’m used to in order to keep up with Jason. 486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePgrZ3IToW
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiEDV1BgDp
“A while,” Jason answers. I roll my eyes and cross my arms.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAXn6tlqI0
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46FTiogWVP
“Very specific,” I grumble. “Where else?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfV1JARj9c
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYRdXZkZvf
“Nowhere. Just my shoulder.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsBuz8QYlm
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQgX56qpZ0
“Now that’s a lie and we both know it.” Jason picks up his pace, forcing me to do the same. “Thighs? Ankles? Stomach?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBm5NJPCeS6
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsYRrQFiNr
“Just drop it, Xael,” Jason snaps, turning to me and grabbing my shoulder. “Stop. Talking.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvACx3xEY2
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2pyS2LR7E
I close my mouth and glare at him. He turns and walks away, satisfied.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCTL7CKZf3
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyOgmmx3Mv
“So there are cuts on your stomach.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3S2YmsAJx
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JZVXniXPj
“No, there aren’t,” Jason growls. “Didn’t I tell you to shut up?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mGmyO0cyh
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9FFr8fKU2
“You did.” I catch up to him quickly, lacing my hands together behind my head. “Doesn’t mean I’m gonna listen.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEjIOQLTTt
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrN5X8VPOx
“I don’t like you.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90rn2Ydns2
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpVC1Gc9TW
“People usually don’t.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1biw7ZRcxD
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPc60HIbjaN
“You’re such a lovely person to be around, you know that?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTD9ahtuWw7
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lpGpjyK6l
“Thank you for the compliment!”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtd6u2vbwKl
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIRN3NLSSp
“Wasn’t a compliment.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyqKpEp80o
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUYTHPZJba
“And I still took it as one so suck it.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8imD7UCZkq
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUv5qWVaeZH
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡel609kMwHk
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaCs1Bdu3K
Maybe I am funny after all.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nM5Md4P8P
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqDNOaeCam
“Why did you come upstairs?” Jason asks, startling me.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQjkz3v14e
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLshLIYXJs4
“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. 486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIxnzR7d0M
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUD4xNU700
“Draw?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVIjfRDJhu
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLgPRG3eON
“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-”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkH761Jr5XH
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uq5x7Ecs4
“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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBYDF4HJ6I
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMz8Uh4DkvD
“Exactly!” I snap my fingers and point a finger gun at Jason, happy he understands my thought process. 486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOYmnlhlju
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqvpvYohCU
“Do you have a spare pen?” Jason looks away from me and rubs the back of his neck, and I smile softly.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejoUS0vilQ
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4j2bSkMhe
“Take this one.” I offer my pen towards Jason, who looks at me instead of grabbing it.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu6BYBnRa9
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARqS5qXG58
“Are you sure?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMVhfJ0l2D
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGu4Der3kTm
I nod, then slip the pen into his pocket. He immediately takes it back out and slips it into the other pocket.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10TSK0gqnw
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LoZTq0bST
“There’s a hole in this one,” he explains, turning the pocket inside out and showing me. “Didn’t want it to fall out.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLyVo4VqFL
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjg6q1sx6b
“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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlLypJSIwm
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzDOScQrWv
“If you can find it,” Jason states, watching me open a cabinet and immediately close it.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFo3W78IdtK
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iDPH8c9Qk
“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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSEZWK7KCK
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfNpahXyRw
“I think she has a system?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqpJWolzzC
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jzWWEalVA
“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!”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawS61TC8k3
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyFuxqAJaM
“Xael.” Jason puts a hand on my shoulder, and I sigh. “Chill. It isn’t nearly as bad as it seems.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJGPC4Y3fn
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAT5kHxEIe
“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!”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTKC85vDAD
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3REVol6BaD
“Well, at least her countertop is organized,” Jason remarks. I nod in agreement, looking at the perfectly organized counter.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNrnVI1Ylx
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYsM6DR4F8
“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-”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEj47FEPfk
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xZqmENpLl
“Steri-strips?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQfPvWylAC
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLnWqFosiG
“Yeah them.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDT95DgT6m9
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPmF7BlgWf
“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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQR7Ag959e6
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ofN8ylqFW
Jason and I look at how messy the cabinet is and sigh in unison, then giggle. 486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMcJUV975L
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpTgMNRRAE
“Are they in this one- they are!” Jason exclaims, handing me some sterile bandages. 486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kkORfwIgn
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ7w9SVf0m
“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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmqzLmMGYc
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6K6HNIwmt
“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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehvW0vMpdl
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHAYDSPrNJ
“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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcTzL0MLPg
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Gv7ksPPvl
“What story has a scene with self-harm wounds?” Jason helps me with the Steri-strips. “I’ve read all of your works.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTb508f517P
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOStdbVWu4N
“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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5321Nsxu9g
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9SIsJ8lPp
“You’re good,” Jason assures me. I stick the last Steri-strip onto his shoulder, then roll his sleeve back down. “Organizing time?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GwO776nW6
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4rUB5VmCA
“Absolutely yes please.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABrTCiatqX
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iczY4ncnq
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicIyOyQlSI
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldujQrpJ1q
“This cabinet is just empty!” Jason shouts, gesturing wildly. I peek over and laugh quietly at the very empty cupboard.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPHTlj6ktu
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkw7iv2Z1OQ
“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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tXX7Pd5Ot
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwX6CvvwUs
Jason and I fall into a comfortable silence as we empty out Sarah’s cupboards and drawers.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8GavvRJzi
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3YI4v7bZz
“What goes where-”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBtDDpMEOb
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdydtI32aJa
“Bandages go here.” I tap the cabinet most easily accessible to everyone. “Disinfectants too.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRq3qNdl7VO
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5csHE1b0yj
“Rolled up bandages, or band-aids?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3GTgvqA4m
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qPSEka0Gw
“Yes.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4QuI40aeT
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8DGfIhilv
“That wasn’t a yes or no question!” Jason swats my shoulder, and I chuckle. 486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4iI9tKFRh
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBSiyBxOFf
“Sorry,” I say, definitely not sorry. 486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXzKFfddYw
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgebF0ov7k4
“No you aren’t!”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfreUc3XrlB
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbzy3VD9oz
“I’m not you’re right.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPncsSYhNg
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Dzn1hmLb9
“I could just let you do this on your own-”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0x39TXLbU
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDF3y8V8e8T
“Please don’t?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJMKhl3tTJ
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3Pb7AcInK
Jason rolls his eyes and raises his arms above his head, one of his elbows cracking in the process.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbLMlyIU0Z
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhNeanpQcv
“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. 486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00sIj02zwf
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcLDvF2V9u
“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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxY5JBJTXex
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOwiq3YVRO
“I can do a magic trick,” I whisper. “Look into my eyes.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IkMYVsrF6
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsHfOWn53K
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVmhHawG70
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrh3V7u5F4
“I can do a magic trick too,” he murmurs. His eyes shake violently and I laugh.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMN30KX7eNi
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWV2Pj0idO
“I have never seen someone else do that. It looks so cool!”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysviBRzxlZ
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlm8VbkXnXH
“I know right?” Jason and I laugh together, then catch our breath. I realize how close we are and take a subtle step backwards.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ulJHKGRMP
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiS188mF5bo
“I guess we should get back to organizing.” I point towards the cabinets.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUcxuAZl89
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TnD1ip59H
“Did my breath smell?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8Z4qyeUHO
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiB3gf0zob
I groan and face-palm. Guess that subtle step wasn’t as subtle as I wanted it to be.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhs1WpC3als
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCXT8LGqLc
“No, I’m sorry,” I begin. “I’m just not that comfortable being that close to someone for that long.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27idfj8pry
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62cRhVIXIv
Jason nods in understandable.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KRgozFUrN
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfp0ZEyLIC9
“I get that. So, you’re not a physical touch person.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR74tyhBnF1
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡse1wfb8kJU
“What do you mean?” I ask, confused.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94WosquUSP
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“The five love languages,” Jason explains. “It’s physical touch, quality time, and some others.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFvL5STVDZ
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa340PSH8Hg
“How do you know what those are and why?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5I1TuFTosI
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwbuMeLpEu
The smile on Jason’s face fades. 486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijW8ozYkq9
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEUglkJ3lj
“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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2k34Tcji3S
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ0sUBtbLp
“Did you ever figure out what it was?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATeluDgiYA
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZ42yGn3ar
Jason chuckles and looks up at the ceiling.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QtAnxfG1h
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“I did,” Jason states. “His language is one of the last ones I would’ve thought it was.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Hnqv6jyx2
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelznOotEXO
“What is it?” I make a mental note to look up the love languages later. 486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CxoHFl2ZE
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09Ibv39ax8
“His love language is words of affirmation. He likes being told when people love him or appreciate him.”
___________________________________________________________________486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbzUPdCEAE
Question of the chapter: what's Xael's love language? Why is Conner's language words of affirmation?
