Jason didn’t respond. I didn’t blame him; how would you respond if someone said what I did?436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKxGaTbESZ
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKol6WG5Cq
“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.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwe9omR054O
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDbM7hK7qj
“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.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkwD02Klpr
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdATplfQz9d
“What’s the dress like?”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCeEgdj49m
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGP9MuaLy2c
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.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4BvgZsIym
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLp4oJJfTr
“That’s fair.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhE5tz0xfA
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXX0Ufs9fFZ
We fall into an awkward silence, neither of us sure what we should say.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw8xtQAOHK
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL53KQNQvm4
“Astrapophobia,” Jason says suddenly. I nod, looking at the weighted blanket. “It’s the fear of thunder and lightning.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcg10T6E2w
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPIC92UUDS
“If you don’t mind me asking, how long?”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfKuWQhXxa
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VSWjWlmD8
Jason shrugs, looking around the room. “About eight years, I guess. I can’t quite remember why I have it, but I have it.” 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBJtfWCcO1
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3TWQonAp1
“You don’t remember?” I sit up a little straighter. “At all?”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvm1QXIsogm
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKraMFi07o
“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.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJCgcL36H0
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXLCMtEj9f
“Have you tried to remember?”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYXP5TCqY7
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyJWONklW9
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.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcYp0zyc5y
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWkiMq0qHQ
“What if you asked your mom to take you to a therapist without telling your dad?”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8mcAYDCYC
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDuxrOKvVk
Jason opens his mouth to say something, then closes it and blinks a few times.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8qpCFjTe5
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaTtqMXz8k
“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.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvotLM9ttLF
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwqgNMBJDK
“That- that doesn't sound like a healthy relationship."436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEm5tXwOgr
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEfDTM6b22
"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.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEt2BxK72X1
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfCPIbN2Qe
“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.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbryVlOZo8B
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PLNzljqsE
“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.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxG20leFDc
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQzPYGZ1cW
What’s with the sudden attitude flip?436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NEpbCRFq0
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RLPSyOO9v
“Jason, I’m not trying to control your life, I’m just suggesting-”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIS6Z2utzl
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmMuNRvq2R
“Fuck off.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSXeNd79UH
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebHMoT8hlx
I stand up and brush my hair behind my ear, turning as I do.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUySSKoVIVA
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrD6ZOaFI9
“See you around, Jason,” I say, walking out of the room. I manage to take three steps before breaking into a sprint.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujEnUl85Kw
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFDHT1KCMi
This is what happens when you trust people. They only let you down.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ctxRgVS9f
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmup0RSAGh
“Woah, Xael!” Two hands grab my shoulders, preventing me from running into the person. “Where’s the fire, girl?”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2s1fCK81K
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8RFyTqRVB
“Sorry,” I whisper, looking down at the ground, knowing that Jonny’ll be able to see right through any lie I try to tell.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5660himuy
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeAS6rtBYk
“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?”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwZIBRDupv
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNshTkU0Nu3
“Actually, where’s Lukas?” My voice cracks when I say Lukas’ name, and I mentally curse myself.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAfkikLtk9
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKzz0D3sK8
“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?”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AtxQRapsT
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGPVXRa45w
“Thanks, Jonny, but I want to go speak with Lukas about something.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV0rNhIcqk
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlQyKVxl5y
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.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGDqHmsGd1
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8d7c4EV9t
“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.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCaRqWZMBg
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0RljEcrBe
“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?”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCT1TyXAhMR
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcMbPGybTS
Tears threaten to spill from my eyes as Lukas’ arms slide around my shoulders, holding me against his chest.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeBarnP94n
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9kgKOX4rJ
“I don’t know,” I murmur, my hands in fists at my sides. “I don’t know.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGbwzsp4qj
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FeC7XgnTk
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. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9tYYEYnip
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43cmlG5Svt
“You were with Jason, right?” Lukas asks. I nod, looking down at the floor.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XQWFSBmLB
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKFIybFOCM
“I’m sorry about this,” I whisper, rubbing my eyes. “If you don’t mind, I’ll be on my way now.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojXe8v5ZDZ
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyul4q8q1p
“You aren’t leaving this room until you’re not about to cry,” Lukas orders. “Take a seat, hon.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHbOzz6G1N
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQN8JzymFb8
“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.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQL24LXHcVd
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvNr5Boi9W
“Xael-”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSCQJOj09R
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzW2f03Gsd
“I promise I’ll be fine.” I look up into Lukas’ eyes, blinking away my tears.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovwzMxtZof
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhPR8A8LGD
“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?”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORoF9QfS6p
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGFEFHTbKw
I nod, even though I have no intention on going to Sophie.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVAKgNzNKP
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Awbm8IQKq
“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.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sRwfq7cLl
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ45l63ZsO0
I won’t do it. I’m not going to stoop that low.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRxEWmOvmO
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zjG4IpxFk
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.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjHkqGQyuK
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboAcf0pPBl
“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?”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZuC8wij2J
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KHF21GxcY
Jason shrugs, pressing his lips together into a thin white line.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YnxbG1koG
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqvVTTPeOy
“Not in the mood for talking. Got it. Hold this against your shoulder.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr8rxEDT9N
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGGpNfP2Eh
Jason reaches a hand up and presses it against the cloth as I retract my hand, already scanning the room for hiding places.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAgbQxZkNN
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41zCsmaIu0
“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.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGXvCl26VC
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnF5L3ASRnM
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.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vqZYw7A6v
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbCAIyAy9N
“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.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5QqBxxTEY
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpM5xhZQyPv
“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. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMzZxDYJkp
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sNtJLTsUh
“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.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZALRY9eiq
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhKUw0tro6
“They’re not in the cloth or the boxes.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVksLgzEIn
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Bx9XiCPCz
I grab the cloth and unwrap it, satisfied when four razor blades drop onto the shelf.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWoteNWluP
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeiSXSJxHQ
“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.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡje5dXDWOzL
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QqLyO6HN3
“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.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB3tneTuDP
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD68rZHu2a
“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.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEfHF3LFpC
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mtqm5H6kC
“You wouldn’t dare-”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqdVeI5LjI
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrD0ZFz0GV
“Try me!”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8s3GHlaTsf
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfmRWBxWme
We glare into each other’s eyes in silence. Jason seems to ponder my words before stepping back and nodding.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLetLL7AlL
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtt4yqzEJ3
“We’re going to Sarah’s office though,” I state, marching past Jason and opening the door.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb53PmftHL5
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG05SnyaehU
“You said that you wouldn’t tell-”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1oo86DV4O
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttgW9QEsvC
“I’m not going to tell her, we’re going to dress your wounds.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBzt4hbZ9A
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5mfUnUeP2
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.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyRPAZOB1y
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5koTPV7W3D
“How long?” I ask, walking faster than I’m used to in order to keep up with Jason. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcm5wTqm3S
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpAZZL4Ze3
“A while,” Jason answers. I roll my eyes and cross my arms.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pR0suyeeg
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNeh8XpGnI
“Very specific,” I grumble. “Where else?”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYaJnPpBtc
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtLr9MRzLA
“Nowhere. Just my shoulder.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhTmi33ZBD
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0F5XSGFMOE
“Now that’s a lie and we both know it.” Jason picks up his pace, forcing me to do the same. “Thighs? Ankles? Stomach?”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4nsODJ9Dh
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKrExP7MND
“Just drop it, Xael,” Jason snaps, turning to me and grabbing my shoulder. “Stop. Talking.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaVVcAjhx9
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrONG0qucEz
I close my mouth and glare at him. He turns and walks away, satisfied.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsx1rfrOFS
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeqsJwwoH2
“So there are cuts on your stomach.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz69A5OzcM2
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnew1eIlQRi
“No, there aren’t,” Jason growls. “Didn’t I tell you to shut up?”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF378UYZdP
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhn3JUFBpW3
“You did.” I catch up to him quickly, lacing my hands together behind my head. “Doesn’t mean I’m gonna listen.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLbSNoBGIT
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBVxlNSGBd
“I don’t like you.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSA69kqro2
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTs6G9iq96G
“People usually don’t.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFrY0yy346
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5M72wRjxir
“You’re such a lovely person to be around, you know that?”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgxSH8ATEt
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFNqvsrJn1
“Thank you for the compliment!”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rwldF7BHV
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryy2jGie66
“Wasn’t a compliment.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvgyxXz7OY
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3ggTy642T
“And I still took it as one so suck it.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaATPYop6OH
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JMWOAnTOc
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.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9aPnCeGtv
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BuVAHpIZK
Maybe I am funny after all.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXrBIggEJm
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrngd5qj47f
“Why did you come upstairs?” Jason asks, startling me.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bbWXswpJB
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Vc9rLRvxc
“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. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbxARxQy1Y
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLLBTRX9tp
“Draw?”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wFwtVjo96
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUM0aymexWU
“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-”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIx1jcTrrI
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o83BvOYUs
“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.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabvSUhRoQn
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn89EcdiTV5
“Exactly!” I snap my fingers and point a finger gun at Jason, happy he understands my thought process. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzaBEND7PY
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYYJRCfZhR
“Do you have a spare pen?” Jason looks away from me and rubs the back of his neck, and I smile softly.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISj6GV2QfV
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePetWF4v7o
“Take this one.” I offer my pen towards Jason, who looks at me instead of grabbing it.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzTo45KtQA
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4Bg2mhlLs
“Are you sure?”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdomi5mwK3I
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYKNwHNt6S
I nod, then slip the pen into his pocket. He immediately takes it back out and slips it into the other pocket.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8uuuwE5nQ
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7RoO8q9dR
“There’s a hole in this one,” he explains, turning the pocket inside out and showing me. “Didn’t want it to fall out.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cRvvyW1A1
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYw5xPJwkY
“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.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ubekWCS66
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“If you can find it,” Jason states, watching me open a cabinet and immediately close it.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2dXQF4iBC
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6q0GhfTO3K
“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.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMNFi31x4u
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGULqFhqQO3
“I think she has a system?”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvS3Kbaf95Y
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUmazoQDD0
“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!”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiVR7Td7CD
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM4UaVdsGU
“Xael.” Jason puts a hand on my shoulder, and I sigh. “Chill. It isn’t nearly as bad as it seems.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeulGXTP5V
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtJXgQ8UFZ
“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!”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kXMJ29XQJ
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kr765kQJv
“Well, at least her countertop is organized,” Jason remarks. I nod in agreement, looking at the perfectly organized counter.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHm0rUR9qP
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiSUriabFP
“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-”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnxeAKFeTo
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnOVEilhYi
“Steri-strips?”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsm41hAIvO
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rKYupBdNO
“Yeah them.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVY4FNQEpS
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkAdh0UoPi
“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.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPBKggCtOZ
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxapWDBgDl
Jason and I look at how messy the cabinet is and sigh in unison, then giggle. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcgjQLTbL9
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFo4SuKp92r
“Are they in this one- they are!” Jason exclaims, handing me some sterile bandages. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6BV2KGqve
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtOie2Esxk
“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.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CyLW8P8o1
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJso02CKqW
“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.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98tmmwUGQb
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlTaGoJzhv
“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.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLT5sK1aoCt
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UVF4yDMky
“What story has a scene with self-harm wounds?” Jason helps me with the Steri-strips. “I’ve read all of your works.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAaIB3ypSH
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IvFBCBSqp
“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.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40aJeYDHWZ
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwdI0c1RxO
“You’re good,” Jason assures me. I stick the last Steri-strip onto his shoulder, then roll his sleeve back down. “Organizing time?”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uFM13ehit
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsaI4OVKry
“Absolutely yes please.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Zvqg17mN8
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOPIgI0oUs
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.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlF7VlApNuR
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLhnIA9Ih7
“This cabinet is just empty!” Jason shouts, gesturing wildly. I peek over and laugh quietly at the very empty cupboard.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzxwN5c9WZ
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMc8wORVpa
“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.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohhou3OOzw
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0XunsWlwS
Jason and I fall into a comfortable silence as we empty out Sarah’s cupboards and drawers.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxMlNb8hA3
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPRTXLtqPW
“What goes where-”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mnnz7ReQx
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQqAC5OVEk
“Bandages go here.” I tap the cabinet most easily accessible to everyone. “Disinfectants too.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOzJrxk9kC
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWlm3i4xB4
“Rolled up bandages, or band-aids?”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15j13Pg08f
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKn15HtTKf
“Yes.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBByv29u2Z3
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7fXSEVhW1
“That wasn’t a yes or no question!” Jason swats my shoulder, and I chuckle. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkz0q4x5Oqz
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“Sorry,” I say, definitely not sorry. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy07fTJoepw
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKDlHiUJe9
“No you aren’t!”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRivN9VBEw
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKxYisYCYA
“I’m not you’re right.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqrIlTIoQE
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCP9s1MjSo
“I could just let you do this on your own-”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaP0KGiaS8E
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnCFUoANEc
“Please don’t?”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49R3MRVZzU
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQy6gDGeai
Jason rolls his eyes and raises his arms above his head, one of his elbows cracking in the process.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbocdkC2RH0
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw24UHgonZy
“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. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCVtRHakl5
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkjr4cRc5P
“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.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGqiSjqPLH
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSob9EoaQUS
“I can do a magic trick,” I whisper. “Look into my eyes.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xBdjyrNvI
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHam7g2ZXlN
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.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsHieayIwA
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb4W7rMAhn
“I can do a magic trick too,” he murmurs. His eyes shake violently and I laugh.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVwZQLqetT
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDj4etV6El
“I have never seen someone else do that. It looks so cool!”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3V67d4qRZ
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oE2madzQJ
“I know right?” Jason and I laugh together, then catch our breath. I realize how close we are and take a subtle step backwards.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKzVdTk1YF
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xgLDyvRHK
“I guess we should get back to organizing.” I point towards the cabinets.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQJyq1aFkN
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGdAFtjLyv
“Did my breath smell?”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEi2VA9NuyK
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUK4eQT6KUN
I groan and face-palm. Guess that subtle step wasn’t as subtle as I wanted it to be.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzReLTSuFB
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTCGCAPVvW
“No, I’m sorry,” I begin. “I’m just not that comfortable being that close to someone for that long.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUYyhVMKQR
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Jason nods in understandable.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZ67VrZFRF
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjn3CxySo2
“I get that. So, you’re not a physical touch person.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGupL1thzF
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd30Z9NzHsl
“What do you mean?” I ask, confused.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJikCJ9RrKb
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“The five love languages,” Jason explains. “It’s physical touch, quality time, and some others.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1s2eBpMcM4
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RstZjUpnS
“How do you know what those are and why?”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡos4BxoBXFu
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lVguiChDl
The smile on Jason’s face fades. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7P0r4SemzS
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OnR7d6WEz
“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.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbg4gvaW39
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtACTxByPr6
“Did you ever figure out what it was?”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVeRpcrcX9
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QwBpGXqQF
Jason chuckles and looks up at the ceiling.436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6KDBxzZ7A
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaUPW5V7dA
“I did,” Jason states. “His language is one of the last ones I would’ve thought it was.”436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KIQh1SQww
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRVNBxU113
“What is it?” I make a mental note to look up the love languages later. 436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31Zuvy1jCJ
436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPUaZolxF6
“His love language is words of affirmation. He likes being told when people love him or appreciate him.”
___________________________________________________________________436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1whNBxy799
Question of the chapter: what's Xael's love language? Why is Conner's language words of affirmation?
