Jason didn’t respond. I didn’t blame him; how would you respond if someone said what I did?463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdw6dQJKYIa
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GXK2dE80T
“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.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAHifpv8UW
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22KzmttBGt
“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.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uuGnYpFha
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7peSZznIu
“What’s the dress like?”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsxhEeDq0B
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aeyNpxW9R
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.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxUsUInxJh
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0rZIcJu2j
“That’s fair.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzCEr0VJXK
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YqXJM3GKk
We fall into an awkward silence, neither of us sure what we should say.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqar6u2gRks
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3ODueLHsi
“Astrapophobia,” Jason says suddenly. I nod, looking at the weighted blanket. “It’s the fear of thunder and lightning.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINAvj2NbWG
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVWp3y24XJ
“If you don’t mind me asking, how long?”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4RDHrClLD
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1ZoQkURS0
Jason shrugs, looking around the room. “About eight years, I guess. I can’t quite remember why I have it, but I have it.” 463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPFM6IAWye
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIM8DDIo8z
“You don’t remember?” I sit up a little straighter. “At all?”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnNJrQ9Ptf
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQKogBDG5c
“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.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWhHnfYUP9
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09k1xUfnhX
“Have you tried to remember?”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDT4HFcvYTE
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYMPmk3uqX
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.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6K5G4afQS
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwBqAqV1Uf
“What if you asked your mom to take you to a therapist without telling your dad?”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMaWvSwnBG
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaVYoxqSz4
Jason opens his mouth to say something, then closes it and blinks a few times.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVcOrIASIZ
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljBQR4ZRVa
“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.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiHy6ggHMV
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9LSelXS4P
“That- that doesn't sound like a healthy relationship."463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLJAXOXyAG
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzCWgEYorr
"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.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXFhJeOSgF
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrj5qDiY0v
“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.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNfDpXmZGo
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7GdmwA297
“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.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7eA5s3fvM
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2lmEed1fm
What’s with the sudden attitude flip?463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplmhkjbNPY
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeYmcvw43V
“Jason, I’m not trying to control your life, I’m just suggesting-”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSAECgsGaj
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTlXWUL5yN
“Fuck off.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLgDkEjt2s
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9kbA0uype
I stand up and brush my hair behind my ear, turning as I do.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGk98AYiqSw
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmS2L8fl9G
“See you around, Jason,” I say, walking out of the room. I manage to take three steps before breaking into a sprint.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZ4r0vrBmi
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoXQad6sXQ
This is what happens when you trust people. They only let you down.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6YLmtqEVJ
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr09Nyi9Di4
“Woah, Xael!” Two hands grab my shoulders, preventing me from running into the person. “Where’s the fire, girl?”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRsdIrr6md
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8noMInVg4
“Sorry,” I whisper, looking down at the ground, knowing that Jonny’ll be able to see right through any lie I try to tell.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVsxB0ixmB
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhymnv5vN3c
“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?”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8Zu0n1cq4
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdXTXWP0Dr
“Actually, where’s Lukas?” My voice cracks when I say Lukas’ name, and I mentally curse myself.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyaDzP5S8F
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IbzQBwASa
“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?”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCcqEOOV6c
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyBNbJ4lub
“Thanks, Jonny, but I want to go speak with Lukas about something.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQM6ky4TlOD
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIlIZd6Bts
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.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuutO9ZUeK
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfiKTeOphv
“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.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6G8lrXyekS
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxO9nd92D0
“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?”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzGA6jHhMI
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhoo3xpIo5
Tears threaten to spill from my eyes as Lukas’ arms slide around my shoulders, holding me against his chest.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHR37PT9RC
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3ofBbCMWC
“I don’t know,” I murmur, my hands in fists at my sides. “I don’t know.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcDmnf9TYN
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQY2HNMLCIE
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. 463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uqDWNasCJ
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZRUQRR2qN
“You were with Jason, right?” Lukas asks. I nod, looking down at the floor.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdysbYGcoB7
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSJwPYuSTd
“I’m sorry about this,” I whisper, rubbing my eyes. “If you don’t mind, I’ll be on my way now.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYrZNQRfP0
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QwZV1eXFS
“You aren’t leaving this room until you’re not about to cry,” Lukas orders. “Take a seat, hon.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDudepGcWBf
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7dkmJvUA9
“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.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdey3O783tB
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02FePzQanV
“Xael-”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuDxJPN20r
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsucZugPO4X
“I promise I’ll be fine.” I look up into Lukas’ eyes, blinking away my tears.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmuJzG4k5a
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRnxgvQQTB
“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?”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1Eq3CbWmq
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2fImGN4od
I nod, even though I have no intention on going to Sophie.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03G410jCDN
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4i1ODcB7Xs
“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.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNej7Q97ea
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAjVKKOjcy
I won’t do it. I’m not going to stoop that low.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSyi1svyWK
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFryXToPWK4
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.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMdg2iDXLp
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsBEkbY02U
“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?”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNLdm7t1hT
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYik5sSEKo
Jason shrugs, pressing his lips together into a thin white line.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHDbPngrKv
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQvM6I8ktD
“Not in the mood for talking. Got it. Hold this against your shoulder.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3jZjE71um
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsMFGUfLoc
Jason reaches a hand up and presses it against the cloth as I retract my hand, already scanning the room for hiding places.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDdch7LNlK
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyd6RkN7SWL
“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.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmiltwz6lC
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEv6tke2Gi
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.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI28NhzuW9M
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0JxC0I1Ey
“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.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsYZkujyaM
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiVBh9vHrV
“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. 463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUijpG8VLlu
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQpG8W5i5a
“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.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCisxdPXRQ
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoVMyVPxf8
“They’re not in the cloth or the boxes.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtePHm6MIkR
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzAxdbcpXa
I grab the cloth and unwrap it, satisfied when four razor blades drop onto the shelf.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbqb7BUObd
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxI9UiiXgQ
“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.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3bXZvbmki
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SNu3nsc0F
“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.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpHC6YGtnU
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9YANJPaoO
“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.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfabxw5N6Tw
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zmMYqMjpd
“You wouldn’t dare-”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡll8Sondcz6
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhaztogRlW
“Try me!”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3RyDldQxi
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUW5fmXHA5
We glare into each other’s eyes in silence. Jason seems to ponder my words before stepping back and nodding.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LQi0XnRrF
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2klAmPQM3I
“We’re going to Sarah’s office though,” I state, marching past Jason and opening the door.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubQn2BhNub
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ412VTGfWk8
“You said that you wouldn’t tell-”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8xluKA42B
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAxeAezOV3
“I’m not going to tell her, we’re going to dress your wounds.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvhnMvZk5f
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOT175E6hyC
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.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeVNN8PrR3
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFryPrPigC
“How long?” I ask, walking faster than I’m used to in order to keep up with Jason. 463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ubSSuWBGn
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dPkMjMmBm
“A while,” Jason answers. I roll my eyes and cross my arms.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISS0FP3dgy
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjD0uYGSafQ
“Very specific,” I grumble. “Where else?”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1VoxApSP1
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFTx9KvjA2
“Nowhere. Just my shoulder.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZCW0ANDCx
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkObUksJsGW
“Now that’s a lie and we both know it.” Jason picks up his pace, forcing me to do the same. “Thighs? Ankles? Stomach?”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY0OCHbbb9
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2bazFXNlV
“Just drop it, Xael,” Jason snaps, turning to me and grabbing my shoulder. “Stop. Talking.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNFJcHhXpG
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxroPHPDjg
I close my mouth and glare at him. He turns and walks away, satisfied.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtoGFICPAv
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8tz0dIZvp
“So there are cuts on your stomach.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKKifJrDWE
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYbSIoKkhw
“No, there aren’t,” Jason growls. “Didn’t I tell you to shut up?”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzI90CODs0p
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYMup9EnR6
“You did.” I catch up to him quickly, lacing my hands together behind my head. “Doesn’t mean I’m gonna listen.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjWNTlTl77
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxo41qt697
“I don’t like you.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5ibVBp79B
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeE3yMHLAt
“People usually don’t.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hvgAeRIgB
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wuRatc2mu
“You’re such a lovely person to be around, you know that?”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Bk9aIHRLl
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtDuWTSyjw
“Thank you for the compliment!”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJk1BTBEPRD
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYmED70s4b
“Wasn’t a compliment.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvOkcjeGDE
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPx0Oy3A3XA
“And I still took it as one so suck it.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNzOYgJGau
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD2cMNCN9d
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.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpojeShrNR2
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMCisMAQD0
Maybe I am funny after all.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJht66VxtTa
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfvGB7a5oz
“Why did you come upstairs?” Jason asks, startling me.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71NdV3PeOr
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhVxg989eb
“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. 463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eqyjtu6mL
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QGj2Hu6EK
“Draw?”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrViq16hEU
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbm1Qy4xLa
“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-”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5DT2QKIgi
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIg2rLgSbvE
“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.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbY89Ivms69
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYvGSpWqFi
“Exactly!” I snap my fingers and point a finger gun at Jason, happy he understands my thought process. 463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZHaHwF6Nb
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1KJ0HGpxC
“Do you have a spare pen?” Jason looks away from me and rubs the back of his neck, and I smile softly.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLW8XUdqVjR
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn7Uk8BBE8
“Take this one.” I offer my pen towards Jason, who looks at me instead of grabbing it.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnIULwNmI1
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cVqHZfgjM
“Are you sure?”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBXx9XOThe
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxlQbShTL9
I nod, then slip the pen into his pocket. He immediately takes it back out and slips it into the other pocket.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgU0pGBf9H7
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5epbWYAeXw
“There’s a hole in this one,” he explains, turning the pocket inside out and showing me. “Didn’t want it to fall out.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y0mmEaVuM
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggCtgHfZWB
“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.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBnu0fWK34
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“If you can find it,” Jason states, watching me open a cabinet and immediately close it.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqCTI823ey
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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.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7BzlrJESx
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“I think she has a system?”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokLtxjw2cL
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01shocVwBZ
“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!”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhD2aPi7tdH
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“Xael.” Jason puts a hand on my shoulder, and I sigh. “Chill. It isn’t nearly as bad as it seems.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLwSJ5RbM2
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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!”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBlMFTyqrz
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“Well, at least her countertop is organized,” Jason remarks. I nod in agreement, looking at the perfectly organized counter.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLVF8uYHEf
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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-”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcSmj5pcxJ
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGM6EXvjJkY
“Steri-strips?”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWd3JdkqTQw
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“Yeah them.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UzgFSWZEg
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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.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5I4zMVe6J1
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Jason and I look at how messy the cabinet is and sigh in unison, then giggle. 463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkyqfTUCol
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSBKQPuO8w
“Are they in this one- they are!” Jason exclaims, handing me some sterile bandages. 463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPgiqlvGW8
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9jheRJvSw
“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.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfRmZTgbea
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfU0D0CIjB
“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.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iDJNKxHM8
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“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.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJJPAiMz1c
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0rJKD0Sqn
“What story has a scene with self-harm wounds?” Jason helps me with the Steri-strips. “I’ve read all of your works.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJHisoFHz3
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwydbaIat6
“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.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRKTbYfTaF
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwfGYUiZOj
“You’re good,” Jason assures me. I stick the last Steri-strip onto his shoulder, then roll his sleeve back down. “Organizing time?”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUW12uwkiUz
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“Absolutely yes please.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIaFS6VYRl
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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.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawl0pfvzz1
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“This cabinet is just empty!” Jason shouts, gesturing wildly. I peek over and laugh quietly at the very empty cupboard.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmDABYX5mE
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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.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fjh9h9x1Q
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Jason and I fall into a comfortable silence as we empty out Sarah’s cupboards and drawers.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMy0hCht7d
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynuis0OlOD
“What goes where-”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmPGtxP0Dc
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8QGEehPZO
“Bandages go here.” I tap the cabinet most easily accessible to everyone. “Disinfectants too.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAzRsCsXT4
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“Rolled up bandages, or band-aids?”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2KFNPNqin
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“Yes.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZxNAqQkz4
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXDPhBCiwU
“That wasn’t a yes or no question!” Jason swats my shoulder, and I chuckle. 463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONCylwLcAU
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“Sorry,” I say, definitely not sorry. 463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAui4hnGS4
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“No you aren’t!”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQNkG98RNt
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“I’m not you’re right.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeQTgZJmBb
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“I could just let you do this on your own-”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡps2bTAT1Rt
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGAmivrxfX
“Please don’t?”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLqy3j1DRG
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Jason rolls his eyes and raises his arms above his head, one of his elbows cracking in the process.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokitLSbSLL
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“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. 463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjqsMUFLCW
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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.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauSQs7Y156
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“I can do a magic trick,” I whisper. “Look into my eyes.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdsLH2mEnr
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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.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtUeO79E4V
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“I can do a magic trick too,” he murmurs. His eyes shake violently and I laugh.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjRpJCL2mL
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“I have never seen someone else do that. It looks so cool!”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7CMPn8JrM
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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.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaDw2RQF7c
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“I guess we should get back to organizing.” I point towards the cabinets.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLFfZ53U8f
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“Did my breath smell?”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9nVCUdgGh
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I groan and face-palm. Guess that subtle step wasn’t as subtle as I wanted it to be.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLH9H2rLIw
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKMr9kRaiY
“No, I’m sorry,” I begin. “I’m just not that comfortable being that close to someone for that long.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLbuOuCUJg
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Jason nods in understandable.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJ54eZ2IvN
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“I get that. So, you’re not a physical touch person.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzltCqeJHt
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“What do you mean?” I ask, confused.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEziArvpG8
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“The five love languages,” Jason explains. “It’s physical touch, quality time, and some others.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iPQK9bT9m
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“How do you know what those are and why?”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvb5TR16cgo
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The smile on Jason’s face fades. 463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzoJqJT3FZ
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“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.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCxzER51M6
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“Did you ever figure out what it was?”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aGmXc5jJu
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Jason chuckles and looks up at the ceiling.463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrOrovnqQw
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“I did,” Jason states. “His language is one of the last ones I would’ve thought it was.”463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpflAnn9s8
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“What is it?” I make a mental note to look up the love languages later. 463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfjvKjaZUk
463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfdSLuVSXb
“His love language is words of affirmation. He likes being told when people love him or appreciate him.”
___________________________________________________________________463Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SeDFlTEtO
Question of the chapter: what's Xael's love language? Why is Conner's language words of affirmation?
