Jason didn’t respond. I didn’t blame him; how would you respond if someone said what I did?795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMTxPWQGGj
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0uK2wdLZ0
“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.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5QTpFz2eS
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwkxawdHIL
“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.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzsndYkiwC
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpi3o3Mziu9
“What’s the dress like?”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXsE8NwJf2
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjxDPpCgbK
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.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2clO7lgZWh
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpSGoeu8PT
“That’s fair.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSELvjHU4r
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54ItcvHY9w
We fall into an awkward silence, neither of us sure what we should say.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrkUjT3KIF
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcKZZMbLNO
“Astrapophobia,” Jason says suddenly. I nod, looking at the weighted blanket. “It’s the fear of thunder and lightning.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokryL8TSNs
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6q6dPFMXX
“If you don’t mind me asking, how long?”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYNEG2koKE
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXerrYIE7O
Jason shrugs, looking around the room. “About eight years, I guess. I can’t quite remember why I have it, but I have it.” 795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13iDGY91Lm
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44bYSHBx7O
“You don’t remember?” I sit up a little straighter. “At all?”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24ccNDe00C
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzylDB70if0
“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.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePbObXuBdx
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBOTmlKeLF
“Have you tried to remember?”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvwHvaTI2b
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2rQuzUwms
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.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvPi8h575T
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJG07ULaOq
“What if you asked your mom to take you to a therapist without telling your dad?”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshLJB2uTPC
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvk1MNndke
Jason opens his mouth to say something, then closes it and blinks a few times.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6b5wWlUUY
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9XrQymJOI
“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.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabYfd7z6PU
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjvgLb4nnF
“That- that doesn't sound like a healthy relationship."795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYMO1Tt6hj
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKCMLTkXYy
"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.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ji1ZwVufe
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2DzsaCbvN
“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.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9V6TFDAIt
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesSIIsFWoP
“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.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AP21JrHMG
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mYOOKIxB0
What’s with the sudden attitude flip?795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKqyzpbC5j
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9ycPpYh0n
“Jason, I’m not trying to control your life, I’m just suggesting-”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9BLWMhelx
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCU7c3M3cD
“Fuck off.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNA0l7wxYo
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLI2jSqtHrX
I stand up and brush my hair behind my ear, turning as I do.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3yWcLij1g
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDtLWgLrAj
“See you around, Jason,” I say, walking out of the room. I manage to take three steps before breaking into a sprint.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBaOULuTd0
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZf25jk9ZWo
This is what happens when you trust people. They only let you down.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyap3oLNTNs
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEeykwBta4
“Woah, Xael!” Two hands grab my shoulders, preventing me from running into the person. “Where’s the fire, girl?”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYNBJxXNpx
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyNOPIFb3t
“Sorry,” I whisper, looking down at the ground, knowing that Jonny’ll be able to see right through any lie I try to tell.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQ29fDR1PX
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu06VM2qLZT
“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?”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrYm1riaF0
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8tBdh5PXL
“Actually, where’s Lukas?” My voice cracks when I say Lukas’ name, and I mentally curse myself.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMseXaMAKki
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzHtjKg2IB
“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?”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpu70CPYAW
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCrGD53ZhG
“Thanks, Jonny, but I want to go speak with Lukas about something.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOqGcXeQfs
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbE9H52FYCv
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.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNVsVS6CcK
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZlYYG1Dxc
“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.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxTIv0d73n
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEmRfH3AiT
“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?”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJ5xA4tDJL
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5klrGgaTm
Tears threaten to spill from my eyes as Lukas’ arms slide around my shoulders, holding me against his chest.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjunNl0IkHz
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMM2V61bCJ
“I don’t know,” I murmur, my hands in fists at my sides. “I don’t know.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTAIIjbBHk
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJtJXq4Q3c
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. 795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwudU0f9YYn
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGMHuRsEf3
“You were with Jason, right?” Lukas asks. I nod, looking down at the floor.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCY6cj0Glu
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wUQReJnkh
“I’m sorry about this,” I whisper, rubbing my eyes. “If you don’t mind, I’ll be on my way now.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx97mgOGzJH
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CO8PPm1H2
“You aren’t leaving this room until you’re not about to cry,” Lukas orders. “Take a seat, hon.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVl0K7M4urT
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2uJc3070C
“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.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yzeWDGmPl
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvriN0O0UVp
“Xael-”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCQLsBDbZr
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8OMod33gb
“I promise I’ll be fine.” I look up into Lukas’ eyes, blinking away my tears.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJni6BjV96
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPjIABURQI
“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?”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3FuACnHrd
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡna2dZ3mIlj
I nod, even though I have no intention on going to Sophie.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CwekwqDXJ
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4G7x2Y3JXC
“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.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzwyP6qRKB
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPg3D1Tau5T
I won’t do it. I’m not going to stoop that low.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRq7pvA4cu
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUxTY0GQBn
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.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEWIQ0ra7d
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMalNEZ2wC
“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?”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTA3srxvkQA
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjzsjGmWZr
Jason shrugs, pressing his lips together into a thin white line.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYTWLgLqlQ
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxsbYgg584
“Not in the mood for talking. Got it. Hold this against your shoulder.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmRqSB02St
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEykQhl7Aw
Jason reaches a hand up and presses it against the cloth as I retract my hand, already scanning the room for hiding places.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvdCD4dx8J
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJkAQzposG
“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.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64VSJZ7LRp
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAoGjDu4Js
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.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrY1eRiUEeE
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwy6sdLYXw
“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.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUaAyGEbsQ
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1MCL4Jx4y
“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. 795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdAVkLe8Cm
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1bcXuHFwT
“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.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMerwrxSP0A
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvP0xupS4c6
“They’re not in the cloth or the boxes.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8ymJ45V40
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk5lGQhbyn
I grab the cloth and unwrap it, satisfied when four razor blades drop onto the shelf.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jZRaAbSJw
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4tXg6Iz7H
“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.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fF0kefZce
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZulNqyOUXB
“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.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7G7XNknlo
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJg2Qu1tbm
“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.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2RVlHwMln
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIeyCP2oO6
“You wouldn’t dare-”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxO7xoQNAHG
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyVFe6Ffh8
“Try me!”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpi6GZMZVD
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3SLq9kRFN
We glare into each other’s eyes in silence. Jason seems to ponder my words before stepping back and nodding.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXgxzZ9K1D
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrYt5KVsuJ
“We’re going to Sarah’s office though,” I state, marching past Jason and opening the door.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GGDqKCsph
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkQ99JoaSr
“You said that you wouldn’t tell-”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJIhl7k7mE
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniTzG2O2ZZ
“I’m not going to tell her, we’re going to dress your wounds.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDkA3anmaD
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQyifJTON8
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.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRBzw3icq2
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bzJnf9E9I
“How long?” I ask, walking faster than I’m used to in order to keep up with Jason. 795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zr3T2K9JF
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSadXACJUQ
“A while,” Jason answers. I roll my eyes and cross my arms.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hg3ajcu02
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLatNfTeAow
“Very specific,” I grumble. “Where else?”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RuAumSc54
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWcBAclpDW
“Nowhere. Just my shoulder.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLYAlCbSSP
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQ4I3b0web
“Now that’s a lie and we both know it.” Jason picks up his pace, forcing me to do the same. “Thighs? Ankles? Stomach?”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zQJAgkQ94
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5VJye1OnJ
“Just drop it, Xael,” Jason snaps, turning to me and grabbing my shoulder. “Stop. Talking.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCXDckKeGZ
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7OwWYIldr
I close my mouth and glare at him. He turns and walks away, satisfied.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMU8x1PSHSN
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxskKthi0Q
“So there are cuts on your stomach.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoMcKeDNtW
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpudK9Iecw5
“No, there aren’t,” Jason growls. “Didn’t I tell you to shut up?”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpYEZkLNlP
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiqsUHNTdm
“You did.” I catch up to him quickly, lacing my hands together behind my head. “Doesn’t mean I’m gonna listen.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡko5WADWzhy
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVYqz13mkv
“I don’t like you.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtvljrMf7g
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QwYuBHvvY
“People usually don’t.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ00YgAGjRL
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriLNj5TmzO
“You’re such a lovely person to be around, you know that?”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuFKqDVggq
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9HGk5TlFe
“Thank you for the compliment!”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9dreYfvYI
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEY4QGHbKrn
“Wasn’t a compliment.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XGj9v1smH
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9EqGmNLSh
“And I still took it as one so suck it.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6kgDDZI8e
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcB9qCtfF1
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.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgmrHhRTti
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIO865XUag
Maybe I am funny after all.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGugvrFs6nY
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplc3VT2dBn
“Why did you come upstairs?” Jason asks, startling me.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLASHVYrHo1
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNK6YGBynwm
“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. 795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45r0zLYlvm
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipXLU8l8Yy
“Draw?”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EI3igVOcB
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEhsCoYMgG
“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-”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ725eKk4pKH
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJxTa6YxjX
“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.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO81M8XD87q
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70tEfvwvgU
“Exactly!” I snap my fingers and point a finger gun at Jason, happy he understands my thought process. 795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH38KzCQZa
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSg2djPCVz0
“Do you have a spare pen?” Jason looks away from me and rubs the back of his neck, and I smile softly.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIk7vv0hYpA
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDUQnCgXdp
“Take this one.” I offer my pen towards Jason, who looks at me instead of grabbing it.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡow1Yvrk9hy
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHwbOYuR6H
“Are you sure?”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOyRCcUfQJ
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYIIgNjFvt
I nod, then slip the pen into his pocket. He immediately takes it back out and slips it into the other pocket.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjF21vwbBx
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡze3LUh3hpK
“There’s a hole in this one,” he explains, turning the pocket inside out and showing me. “Didn’t want it to fall out.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZKLXXiqf4
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrEg6Gfnq6
“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.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs543RgHwPv
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGoCOrbLZU
“If you can find it,” Jason states, watching me open a cabinet and immediately close it.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDkpoelPEI
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitAK7HiV3H
“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.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOeeQdGdRX
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdlPuNPbYm
“I think she has a system?”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiShl9SGyJ3
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dWhDh2wBU
“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!”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BLjiyhWcG
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡti5VwpHhJv
“Xael.” Jason puts a hand on my shoulder, and I sigh. “Chill. It isn’t nearly as bad as it seems.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPN8Z8neZQ2
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lxR7QKCNk
“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!”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVLTJtZLHI
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OcMXwCRd1
“Well, at least her countertop is organized,” Jason remarks. I nod in agreement, looking at the perfectly organized counter.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdR2JS74hio
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYQiB4mKnk
“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-”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLITaBsZhT
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECSpPIvULU
“Steri-strips?”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNBv9w6GHZ
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgvnZ9TX7p
“Yeah them.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTtTVoIzif
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOqtNs2pFX
“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.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLKWgNBh6j
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8UnvjEqTY
Jason and I look at how messy the cabinet is and sigh in unison, then giggle. 795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56oYbnGYwR
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYnoS4sFG6
“Are they in this one- they are!” Jason exclaims, handing me some sterile bandages. 795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHaKZzOGNI
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyC6sNAdUh
“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.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriIDg0CmRR
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9dbIAPaU1
“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.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDunXBRUfnC
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauMSB2PbAX
“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.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YHK8DdbO9
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBIeZpiyf9
“What story has a scene with self-harm wounds?” Jason helps me with the Steri-strips. “I’ve read all of your works.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRgaVkW9PL
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZvjHzOuw3
“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.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21knXPLvoz
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUDFyB6q6H
“You’re good,” Jason assures me. I stick the last Steri-strip onto his shoulder, then roll his sleeve back down. “Organizing time?”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpL6D0m2TXK
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYe8FeFqDQ0
“Absolutely yes please.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFRX9Lpz50
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQIv9ZbenQ
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.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMstHU7XPn
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqiLEPBSbQ
“This cabinet is just empty!” Jason shouts, gesturing wildly. I peek over and laugh quietly at the very empty cupboard.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1zFcrDRNV
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkSu7mEfnZ
“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.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyM49zYsEOv
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJFK7fOUYR
Jason and I fall into a comfortable silence as we empty out Sarah’s cupboards and drawers.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NZK9QDsDM
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjF73xHq7U
“What goes where-”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2fXAGbAie
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtyZMB6s1u
“Bandages go here.” I tap the cabinet most easily accessible to everyone. “Disinfectants too.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIiGQliFs0
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlwnoLnUSZ
“Rolled up bandages, or band-aids?”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsr6ANJmBH
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYOL7hW73B
“Yes.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDgTSDRG6r
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcFNy8QIqP
“That wasn’t a yes or no question!” Jason swats my shoulder, and I chuckle. 795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiZuyuGwP7
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrJ5hgJRQk
“Sorry,” I say, definitely not sorry. 795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrsOTksCon
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HOKf3CnS1
“No you aren’t!”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFuIyLIshz
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23iqZJ4ccx
“I’m not you’re right.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoMqNdw7Co
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUdKNu1lSK
“I could just let you do this on your own-”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CaoOjMxla
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnfx2o2PIv
“Please don’t?”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07hnm7RQlN
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYX62dB3qnO
Jason rolls his eyes and raises his arms above his head, one of his elbows cracking in the process.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVjnA2louP
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHilv9qUmsR
“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. 795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjquUBPlAU
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rrN26dFUO
“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.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cZHsFrWOr
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigKL9voblf
“I can do a magic trick,” I whisper. “Look into my eyes.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHVtehxVCL
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFZzKH4p8J
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.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PMDQBXsg2
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBC4dLDvm7
“I can do a magic trick too,” he murmurs. His eyes shake violently and I laugh.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2XnMEnELV
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcAM1kY1ZX
“I have never seen someone else do that. It looks so cool!”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajWcItt4oK
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGluSGMWXtM
“I know right?” Jason and I laugh together, then catch our breath. I realize how close we are and take a subtle step backwards.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW82N26GxeZ
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBhKvM3F6z
“I guess we should get back to organizing.” I point towards the cabinets.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsay8WIC5c
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXi7dFpi3c
“Did my breath smell?”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFM5KVMndBs
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Lzu5gp9yy
I groan and face-palm. Guess that subtle step wasn’t as subtle as I wanted it to be.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb62or0ajyj
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6G7duayhk7
“No, I’m sorry,” I begin. “I’m just not that comfortable being that close to someone for that long.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5khStx5MIc
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4aYTLaZJ8
Jason nods in understandable.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPHALNxAxX
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Rp3qMAhly
“I get that. So, you’re not a physical touch person.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ozwet2xel
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVX8s695A0
“What do you mean?” I ask, confused.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmnizxVQgd
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2vnvyojVG
“The five love languages,” Jason explains. “It’s physical touch, quality time, and some others.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzl9hNN3VRf
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdEoHwIpNA
“How do you know what those are and why?”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRLSllxGwS
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4xsLwwqNb
The smile on Jason’s face fades. 795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknxX6ObEEN
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxXYzIdXtl
“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.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5juG0kFY8X
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQtCK3yM7B
“Did you ever figure out what it was?”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQa5UCQHZ8Z
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9dk7RSmxn
Jason chuckles and looks up at the ceiling.795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HiNSXN4Z5
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIS3CIquCl6
“I did,” Jason states. “His language is one of the last ones I would’ve thought it was.”795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfZNYo3KQB
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIFJsuxLy3
“What is it?” I make a mental note to look up the love languages later. 795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5Or7cruPB
795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqln9ZlQ36o
“His love language is words of affirmation. He likes being told when people love him or appreciate him.”
___________________________________________________________________795Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZGFxRK8cD
Question of the chapter: what's Xael's love language? Why is Conner's language words of affirmation?
and then Add to home screen.