Jason didn’t respond. I didn’t blame him; how would you respond if someone said what I did?410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGjq6Wcrjc
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWB9FGwlUi
“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.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzqh4NL0B6
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7h01y8Jeb
“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.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3dScAhaxr
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1U6874vCTh
“What’s the dress like?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHMxOktUqh
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyVzYRBBg9
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.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUtTim7iIZ
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VJattR2Q6
“That’s fair.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxtc5g4dWI
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Vr9s2LEFX
We fall into an awkward silence, neither of us sure what we should say.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xMS1naAye
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTg5X76uTng
“Astrapophobia,” Jason says suddenly. I nod, looking at the weighted blanket. “It’s the fear of thunder and lightning.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡij2A7dGeCS
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjn6hpJ3KkW
“If you don’t mind me asking, how long?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrN5vtB2trM
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOFJRwCKEu
Jason shrugs, looking around the room. “About eight years, I guess. I can’t quite remember why I have it, but I have it.” 410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydIQFKmZvn
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pMwbkY7MU
“You don’t remember?” I sit up a little straighter. “At all?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQr1Bsf7Gej
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmseAcz42Hf
“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.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbg3Wvt7Zzb
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhCHMJPb3i
“Have you tried to remember?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaC8BkZlsA
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TFLXWrX1t
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.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98VEpNzSEk
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFD3v977zN
“What if you asked your mom to take you to a therapist without telling your dad?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsolsGwKwjY
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2U9C77Bay
Jason opens his mouth to say something, then closes it and blinks a few times.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwPZyHZuAb
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqt2t0Xn1a
“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.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQUQ5omE5q
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GGiic2nki
“That- that doesn't sound like a healthy relationship."410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeFvKw6fmZ
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadaRL6RCDP
"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.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EVeZ9Xlbw
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNNIBxYNve
“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.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA8ptAXaOz
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReCInaTS5y
“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.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBkVsR7Oyd
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSgsQJ8hmD
What’s with the sudden attitude flip?410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPc1BVjDJj2
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasUWnfLj8z
“Jason, I’m not trying to control your life, I’m just suggesting-”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmLDkkAVFD
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXSyNpAGi5
“Fuck off.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHZKQDzmrr
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL934rHi2xv
I stand up and brush my hair behind my ear, turning as I do.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfCWH3ZUDr
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNyIjSxgu5
“See you around, Jason,” I say, walking out of the room. I manage to take three steps before breaking into a sprint.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDV4msuphfJ
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvGHgVoG9K
This is what happens when you trust people. They only let you down.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvNgyx8x8t
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycm15ZyO4i
“Woah, Xael!” Two hands grab my shoulders, preventing me from running into the person. “Where’s the fire, girl?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs37ygV0viD
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAufJCbtQn4
“Sorry,” I whisper, looking down at the ground, knowing that Jonny’ll be able to see right through any lie I try to tell.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2p2inV4gK
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrXTEhFdjJ
“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?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57iuesix0E
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQC2kyUhDs
“Actually, where’s Lukas?” My voice cracks when I say Lukas’ name, and I mentally curse myself.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡand75L5Sgl
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGRP2P9rNJ
“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?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q4Qqn0Ruc
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXs4z6PykG
“Thanks, Jonny, but I want to go speak with Lukas about something.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQD0NQsBwf
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtThiLEUq5w
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.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAwzj3Jc1H
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmeajCSrdP
“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.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLQ1eV8QSt
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0tSuMAUmV
“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?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaSjqgOsvU
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EzH8PPaKz
Tears threaten to spill from my eyes as Lukas’ arms slide around my shoulders, holding me against his chest.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8BEsLWNXM
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnOv1PqUBx
“I don’t know,” I murmur, my hands in fists at my sides. “I don’t know.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmKSKdUC56
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRmAHj5HRA
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. 410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08zIhaYMR2
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPVkhuqERj
“You were with Jason, right?” Lukas asks. I nod, looking down at the floor.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwaMKnPhJt
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofz0tJH4Ln
“I’m sorry about this,” I whisper, rubbing my eyes. “If you don’t mind, I’ll be on my way now.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKiiWB7XCE
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPV0g5jQjrp
“You aren’t leaving this room until you’re not about to cry,” Lukas orders. “Take a seat, hon.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXVuL2FsiQ
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvS1MzES7r1
“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.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJT7y18Xqy
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubaQT0LWbw
“Xael-”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47nSRbcQuK
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6cIhx8BzB
“I promise I’ll be fine.” I look up into Lukas’ eyes, blinking away my tears.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrlo1AhgJZ
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYRYaLzOpX
“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?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGnD2Isg7E
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zmKxrfe5t
I nod, even though I have no intention on going to Sophie.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjGO5zU3kn
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtY4Urcnrhm
“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.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QdQsnLXya
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlO98XSBeh
I won’t do it. I’m not going to stoop that low.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurlnivjPAu
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKkvsuIt3s
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.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9bH7FOtud
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTX0A3IqzSL
“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?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXu1Ektgut1
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSP4qtdQRb
Jason shrugs, pressing his lips together into a thin white line.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZ9DgN7L1F
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaSRevbES5
“Not in the mood for talking. Got it. Hold this against your shoulder.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsNO0jLcZe
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfNRE19JPd
Jason reaches a hand up and presses it against the cloth as I retract my hand, already scanning the room for hiding places.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BXmorLTV4
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9TMO2BQqv
“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.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOYcwExCGO
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9SLRN2Mv2
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.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGauXQveVtT
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrxs3kLyO2
“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.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDOqBHwXG2
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMS64lgoukY
“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. 410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnQJJrKR30
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJbGUSfxrQ
“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.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmk8VWDdM3
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JI86eTHxJ
“They’re not in the cloth or the boxes.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52MPqMu4wJ
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaq4nn9UQRg
I grab the cloth and unwrap it, satisfied when four razor blades drop onto the shelf.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYjldN8JCH
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZjJQNCS08
“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.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrsYZqzEPl
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJbke0jyG0
“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.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkLHKSXF5o
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAUemIhWQq
“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.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbNwhoC64l
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNnUGWrZMn
“You wouldn’t dare-”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQSxsy95vh
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr52JToq3V0
“Try me!”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iiQqEdSXC
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dCF8yOOqC
We glare into each other’s eyes in silence. Jason seems to ponder my words before stepping back and nodding.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXGcJD0J62
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONUcl5hIzR
“We’re going to Sarah’s office though,” I state, marching past Jason and opening the door.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNRbp8Dc3L
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujW5CY78KZ
“You said that you wouldn’t tell-”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXc4aOhrTlO
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTXf1KlC7d
“I’m not going to tell her, we’re going to dress your wounds.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNRDKB5Ye1
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9SmUoYorh
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.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBxEupsfdG
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEejoyIJmrG
“How long?” I ask, walking faster than I’m used to in order to keep up with Jason. 410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nS82nCEcJ
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoy7AtxHxN
“A while,” Jason answers. I roll my eyes and cross my arms.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnCE09wUAf
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5mjyvyzPK
“Very specific,” I grumble. “Where else?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jOWlnrBPm
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRM0owC0oHb
“Nowhere. Just my shoulder.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9GZROKxwQ
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRemVW27jSP
“Now that’s a lie and we both know it.” Jason picks up his pace, forcing me to do the same. “Thighs? Ankles? Stomach?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXV3I7dxUi
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcirOTakt1w
“Just drop it, Xael,” Jason snaps, turning to me and grabbing my shoulder. “Stop. Talking.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4L6vDbLWGy
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVILk4AoiFM
I close my mouth and glare at him. He turns and walks away, satisfied.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9MW5r4Wov
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpNSbh5B6F
“So there are cuts on your stomach.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TMprvKZs1
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXV9clWNtK
“No, there aren’t,” Jason growls. “Didn’t I tell you to shut up?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3cks7pjYf
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiWikPwzsv
“You did.” I catch up to him quickly, lacing my hands together behind my head. “Doesn’t mean I’m gonna listen.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ppV6sOX3N
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DkDhXNkxF
“I don’t like you.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6xEOj7kOD
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11o3vd6HOV
“People usually don’t.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2bKgOWciO
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhA7VvWKHSH
“You’re such a lovely person to be around, you know that?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdBfLfU4LG
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7gS55gUjt
“Thank you for the compliment!”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPMv7IXeKk
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUzkY1FB80
“Wasn’t a compliment.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehEYu9vtrN
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7OWn8XIfS
“And I still took it as one so suck it.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSxbcEOlt1
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFNKneMoar
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.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQeqtVJEZy
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbh8Z77Go1
Maybe I am funny after all.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7pJRF0NIa
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXKp5kOxir
“Why did you come upstairs?” Jason asks, startling me.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkO4GAISR27
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbGVu8K2w1
“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. 410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBbPW9trY2
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58snaGBjht
“Draw?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5HqDkiyZk
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZy6zL5FHM
“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-”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuggNgeX7B
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhpsIQxdyJ
“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.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMhaGc4HTE
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBi4WmxKKPT
“Exactly!” I snap my fingers and point a finger gun at Jason, happy he understands my thought process. 410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7bcSPfVsT
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bFS9vvXTB
“Do you have a spare pen?” Jason looks away from me and rubs the back of his neck, and I smile softly.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirkkalEPFi
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNmsiZjBYh
“Take this one.” I offer my pen towards Jason, who looks at me instead of grabbing it.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPPKfKrT5x
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvOQtGwgiN
“Are you sure?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCUBv0fdSe
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aLIoMIuTc
I nod, then slip the pen into his pocket. He immediately takes it back out and slips it into the other pocket.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUquydv2Rs
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNZHjTt9SR
“There’s a hole in this one,” he explains, turning the pocket inside out and showing me. “Didn’t want it to fall out.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjCyH9ZSLw
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5027FK3RZL
“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.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmH3Msbn68
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“If you can find it,” Jason states, watching me open a cabinet and immediately close it.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4X1OiOOi6p
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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.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFRO841lJx
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“I think she has a system?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2pEiA0hw5
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“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!”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡym78LpqASf
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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.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdn3Rk8enwm
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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!”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAG4O9wo296
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“Well, at least her countertop is organized,” Jason remarks. I nod in agreement, looking at the perfectly organized counter.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPO4TIGWTwS
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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-”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVagXp8bG9k
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“Steri-strips?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG76pzn6Fj3
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“Yeah them.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzyLIQ16ln
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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.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IbztGghYX
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Jason and I look at how messy the cabinet is and sigh in unison, then giggle. 410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8irSWaJ1rk
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“Are they in this one- they are!” Jason exclaims, handing me some sterile bandages. 410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8xzn3oK84
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“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.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwU2ioWe8zD
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“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.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6I13TROL9e
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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.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8tCwOfaTu
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“What story has a scene with self-harm wounds?” Jason helps me with the Steri-strips. “I’ve read all of your works.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCMwGL8if0
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“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.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QPSPFIlo9
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“You’re good,” Jason assures me. I stick the last Steri-strip onto his shoulder, then roll his sleeve back down. “Organizing time?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfDqsCr9Jc
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“Absolutely yes please.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dMoBjBZTC
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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.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJ7AVZuFoZ
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“This cabinet is just empty!” Jason shouts, gesturing wildly. I peek over and laugh quietly at the very empty cupboard.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsZwMGCCho
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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.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Et3ycAWCC
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Jason and I fall into a comfortable silence as we empty out Sarah’s cupboards and drawers.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBFmdncxAq
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“What goes where-”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ311rPVHVrp
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“Bandages go here.” I tap the cabinet most easily accessible to everyone. “Disinfectants too.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELh4pFCp9M
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“Rolled up bandages, or band-aids?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeDYcY7dJK
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“Yes.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pvwGsKWLx
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“That wasn’t a yes or no question!” Jason swats my shoulder, and I chuckle. 410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcL7wf8ShG9
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“Sorry,” I say, definitely not sorry. 410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLR0nMEGdcG
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“No you aren’t!”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvq9orknDVW
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“I’m not you’re right.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJRowu3ifJ
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“I could just let you do this on your own-”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcdCdx5S3v
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“Please don’t?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lwdEW21tG
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Jason rolls his eyes and raises his arms above his head, one of his elbows cracking in the process.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYamdPMt9SP
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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. 410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdI3Whsgugg
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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.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ScUzKIw1G
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“I can do a magic trick,” I whisper. “Look into my eyes.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdVNv7xH1V
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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.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjNQQNDxOi
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“I can do a magic trick too,” he murmurs. His eyes shake violently and I laugh.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRjQF7zpee
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“I have never seen someone else do that. It looks so cool!”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2vZ4WSNBU
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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.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5HYUiaHa4
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“I guess we should get back to organizing.” I point towards the cabinets.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnh1EN1skrh
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“Did my breath smell?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CVuJCxjWg
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I groan and face-palm. Guess that subtle step wasn’t as subtle as I wanted it to be.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsSHHCzlId
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“No, I’m sorry,” I begin. “I’m just not that comfortable being that close to someone for that long.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfS1zFRvGmM
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Jason nods in understandable.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGM8nWyPgYX
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“I get that. So, you’re not a physical touch person.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjozd7kkCsl
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“What do you mean?” I ask, confused.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PM6SFtMl9
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“The five love languages,” Jason explains. “It’s physical touch, quality time, and some others.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0ftSF19f5
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“How do you know what those are and why?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToNMFsFMOd
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The smile on Jason’s face fades. 410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1V0CzazXIP
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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.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVU1F98JKUz
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“Did you ever figure out what it was?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd23vNYKGup
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Jason chuckles and looks up at the ceiling.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4u9bEA32h
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“I did,” Jason states. “His language is one of the last ones I would’ve thought it was.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8LQXKeMn2
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“What is it?” I make a mental note to look up the love languages later. 410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBLN4jBGPU
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“His love language is words of affirmation. He likes being told when people love him or appreciate him.”
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Question of the chapter: what's Xael's love language? Why is Conner's language words of affirmation?
