Jason didn’t respond. I didn’t blame him; how would you respond if someone said what I did?774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjR5mRCUIEY
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeU2aOAo5b7
“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.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauIjCJ3A7Z
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡom4XUTYJ8s
“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.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OgkI05Omh
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0zAcH3Xf5
“What’s the dress like?”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSbo4pPVrM
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTZM1uQj1c
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.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsTo427GD0
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qd79xLCbi
“That’s fair.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdRhsoFOnF
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lmLs6gWtV
We fall into an awkward silence, neither of us sure what we should say.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxGsdgMNPd
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4a6qe49a5j
“Astrapophobia,” Jason says suddenly. I nod, looking at the weighted blanket. “It’s the fear of thunder and lightning.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sr0jaoKcd
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKXLabeIBv
“If you don’t mind me asking, how long?”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51hssBIHcM
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSlI4CRUZB
Jason shrugs, looking around the room. “About eight years, I guess. I can’t quite remember why I have it, but I have it.” 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvphD1QzVJ
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTzLENJlJq
“You don’t remember?” I sit up a little straighter. “At all?”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3eLQJhBOT
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqwuYSUv03
“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.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0vSopIM2W
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwQt3UM23t
“Have you tried to remember?”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaS1x8IfyF
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiI83bh63j
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.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzpAepqvIm
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3Ood7gFVU
“What if you asked your mom to take you to a therapist without telling your dad?”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26fkjbpn4x
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUu6vOylGwP
Jason opens his mouth to say something, then closes it and blinks a few times.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrvkxvqsel
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMmZwiiBmm
“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.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6H2IpdueiS
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAD287KzEIp
“That- that doesn't sound like a healthy relationship."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQb3xJPJUF6
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82uUyOWOdy
"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.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bYSO3NCel
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyMJgWXB8Q
“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.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LtBwNFOUn
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSorHqxT8yC
“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.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHPzmZRxg4
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlx2Z4dOfU1
What’s with the sudden attitude flip?774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6g8KL5Nf2c
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NoIoQd8EU
“Jason, I’m not trying to control your life, I’m just suggesting-”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUUxjEO95i
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdMnaxfT3C
“Fuck off.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4xmtt2r9f
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgI6nig2yXJ
I stand up and brush my hair behind my ear, turning as I do.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5g77OysEZk
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzc3ZMjLgsj
“See you around, Jason,” I say, walking out of the room. I manage to take three steps before breaking into a sprint.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DYNxtg4vr
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVNO5a5Jo3
This is what happens when you trust people. They only let you down.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpfGdNUsQV
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhB0XY6cbF
“Woah, Xael!” Two hands grab my shoulders, preventing me from running into the person. “Where’s the fire, girl?”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKTDSKXo9O
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4oenK1M5G
“Sorry,” I whisper, looking down at the ground, knowing that Jonny’ll be able to see right through any lie I try to tell.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNd94adlARj
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXPMszyu5V
“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?”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fBsmYdk9Z
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuy1M9Bl4VM
“Actually, where’s Lukas?” My voice cracks when I say Lukas’ name, and I mentally curse myself.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f4BWZIf0A
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdfMqzvWPt
“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?”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5vm8eDy9x
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmm0uAn0wBp
“Thanks, Jonny, but I want to go speak with Lukas about something.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNNjatzofn
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKO6rTs84R
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.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWLsRPHmwF
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ne7Op4vAD
“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.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9Hptky1Cr
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfa13kwOr08
“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?”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMFNqhXWWN
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPsp4bZxsl
Tears threaten to spill from my eyes as Lukas’ arms slide around my shoulders, holding me against his chest.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzSg2DoSZv
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11dVCkCULe
“I don’t know,” I murmur, my hands in fists at my sides. “I don’t know.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRuQ0FB2xH
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssDWRXVNlM
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. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNH2cCL8Zm
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrlgBoZI0s
“You were with Jason, right?” Lukas asks. I nod, looking down at the floor.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjCU6FnTYS
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8a6VtgtsB
“I’m sorry about this,” I whisper, rubbing my eyes. “If you don’t mind, I’ll be on my way now.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9M8GWAsB9
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oMlbv824W
“You aren’t leaving this room until you’re not about to cry,” Lukas orders. “Take a seat, hon.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYvPzgTWkZ
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenp9pGDJ4g
“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.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqJRLyn9un
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvuaVcmbZy
“Xael-”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKadbWAXJk
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraW5YF9m9p
“I promise I’ll be fine.” I look up into Lukas’ eyes, blinking away my tears.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozeXAl4shh
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNsAe3DCb5
“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?”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DYg8G61gX
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypjPSw79LH
I nod, even though I have no intention on going to Sophie.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCSrwEe7ne
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15uFk92ARL
“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.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0X37u0ogD
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaRBfm54gq
I won’t do it. I’m not going to stoop that low.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0INVG2PTX
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6b2yUDqzfO
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.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWOkFMyGG8
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjVsGR13HP
“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?”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoBjuymBrf
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIEG0pCesa
Jason shrugs, pressing his lips together into a thin white line.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9USUiF718
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuBp7NE0yP
“Not in the mood for talking. Got it. Hold this against your shoulder.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSK5UBV4qF
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dgF7HvRAz
Jason reaches a hand up and presses it against the cloth as I retract my hand, already scanning the room for hiding places.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumOcRKhFBh
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vvWObLjF1
“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.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZKc3rTbV4
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMjUZhmgjW
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.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiYUstvcRy
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMOxa9YXkW
“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.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcELR4O5Mw2
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uewEngKif
“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. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ETTlg3XLF
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoi9nWxQN9
“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.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQzTdIJOjb
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnjPdyDTh6
“They’re not in the cloth or the boxes.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOJOPVQo0m
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnL4Q82bdtm
I grab the cloth and unwrap it, satisfied when four razor blades drop onto the shelf.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdv1WRzf3N1
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHK6R2MRW1
“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.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hRGKeoHPJ
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogr78bDTWg
“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.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuMXuwJ625
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2M1lOMX1O
“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.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgzrvV2fP7
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg90rwekvwv
“You wouldn’t dare-”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmu2YxUXbJ9
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqj692CAZb
“Try me!”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFxsU9oWAC
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Jt6UjbUyC
We glare into each other’s eyes in silence. Jason seems to ponder my words before stepping back and nodding.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfq7PfCOdS7
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSiE95Lqzu
“We’re going to Sarah’s office though,” I state, marching past Jason and opening the door.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrGNUg5bJ3
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRofQu9RT5F
“You said that you wouldn’t tell-”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLOmkXE1dk
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7J3k7VV8N
“I’m not going to tell her, we’re going to dress your wounds.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUIHUHrPvL
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoe3etF6n9x
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.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTH1OoTsJI
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8Ch6t4ZuS
“How long?” I ask, walking faster than I’m used to in order to keep up with Jason. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpVOoxb8iw
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeW0YeM1xEp
“A while,” Jason answers. I roll my eyes and cross my arms.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpADB98BSk
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IfxaMr8qX
“Very specific,” I grumble. “Where else?”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MZyyXKEWH
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZPMSjavgf
“Nowhere. Just my shoulder.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrhwc2erqr
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡic2TULqCn8
“Now that’s a lie and we both know it.” Jason picks up his pace, forcing me to do the same. “Thighs? Ankles? Stomach?”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHI0RXBECe
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrgdMNEcRj
“Just drop it, Xael,” Jason snaps, turning to me and grabbing my shoulder. “Stop. Talking.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4E4wBbjw4k
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwwZrEjT1x
I close my mouth and glare at him. He turns and walks away, satisfied.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPOmImgjzl
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVp6gKJsNO
“So there are cuts on your stomach.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZi4aOl1h5u
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkezlfyi8E0
“No, there aren’t,” Jason growls. “Didn’t I tell you to shut up?”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsRVtkZRHi
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CY4TtZZEL
“You did.” I catch up to him quickly, lacing my hands together behind my head. “Doesn’t mean I’m gonna listen.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3oGfvzaOE
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcD6voxWqHh
“I don’t like you.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCpdJL8P8j
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeNCZY6ATy
“People usually don’t.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTcSpx2Jkx
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNYfVQXyWH
“You’re such a lovely person to be around, you know that?”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbi1wlkUTe
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdc2XDutpIB
“Thank you for the compliment!”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBuBHseUxE
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnwFCCDksB
“Wasn’t a compliment.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3Pw05oxfP
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34sDNSKWi7
“And I still took it as one so suck it.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ohniXinWm
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylJ9tFNBJR
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.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pJU2mqWVo
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaCPFGZ8ha
Maybe I am funny after all.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4fT9nVOO5
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQ8jwhcC5z
“Why did you come upstairs?” Jason asks, startling me.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCfSaNSBkp
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“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. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAprjPdndx
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9PxEwNTq3
“Draw?”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZVmTposX3
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmMP75A0WG
“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-”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0MLx0qU5K
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpSzoyevUr
“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.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfbD1jcGo6
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVvu4luCNO
“Exactly!” I snap my fingers and point a finger gun at Jason, happy he understands my thought process. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFqXh7HTzA
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEphXzcepK
“Do you have a spare pen?” Jason looks away from me and rubs the back of his neck, and I smile softly.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcx1SLiTiNd
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RzffuW68v
“Take this one.” I offer my pen towards Jason, who looks at me instead of grabbing it.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJXKqW5M1L
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYBboi6lul
“Are you sure?”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGHl2dzfll
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfFDOcJmxT
I nod, then slip the pen into his pocket. He immediately takes it back out and slips it into the other pocket.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyYa7IAUmT
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7YhOnwbR8
“There’s a hole in this one,” he explains, turning the pocket inside out and showing me. “Didn’t want it to fall out.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDmRL3FnTR
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2W7IspwBY
“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.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5RKPsob3O
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“If you can find it,” Jason states, watching me open a cabinet and immediately close it.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXk5ZZqFJm
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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.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArfRCd8vdv
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“I think she has a system?”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreauv8o95t
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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!”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgwfPieNfe
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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.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4YgXce1SK
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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!”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgH1AwLr2k
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“Well, at least her countertop is organized,” Jason remarks. I nod in agreement, looking at the perfectly organized counter.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnS4ZB9kuY
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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-”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SpyEFCupS
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“Steri-strips?”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgdnvAWXsX
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“Yeah them.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEZTF1nhoB
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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.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SuKCTxmq0
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Jason and I look at how messy the cabinet is and sigh in unison, then giggle. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTKfaJ14g0
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“Are they in this one- they are!” Jason exclaims, handing me some sterile bandages. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzomIatMOQ6
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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.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjEQrKXY8R
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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.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8k4QYgmlu
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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.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCN1XgY8aAs
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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.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHrOyd8f6T
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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.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgdkmFg7dO
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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?”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sUu3iMv9n
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“Absolutely yes please.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigEi1RzUQR
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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.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRvyRuoPyr
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“This cabinet is just empty!” Jason shouts, gesturing wildly. I peek over and laugh quietly at the very empty cupboard.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHI5rNPtDI
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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.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKh7KOEN5Kl
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Jason and I fall into a comfortable silence as we empty out Sarah’s cupboards and drawers.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLO7S1LW0XT
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“What goes where-”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByPPKbYqg2
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“Bandages go here.” I tap the cabinet most easily accessible to everyone. “Disinfectants too.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7vQyG8dCe
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“Rolled up bandages, or band-aids?”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKeKaD9kze
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“Yes.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSthr9bA3gv
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“That wasn’t a yes or no question!” Jason swats my shoulder, and I chuckle. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4btWq5pLCY
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“Sorry,” I say, definitely not sorry. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5aw2IIxxx
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“No you aren’t!”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgEdtvGWRf
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“I’m not you’re right.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNuACocoTG
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“I could just let you do this on your own-”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkI8TmVRYhq
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“Please don’t?”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRljt6ukgb
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Jason rolls his eyes and raises his arms above his head, one of his elbows cracking in the process.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EKe5wNzmf
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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. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ387FnOg7rG
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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.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCx3Mh32ni1
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“I can do a magic trick,” I whisper. “Look into my eyes.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8JETrrDaw
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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.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARWm2DGqke
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“I can do a magic trick too,” he murmurs. His eyes shake violently and I laugh.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzTSwIQ9lb
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“I have never seen someone else do that. It looks so cool!”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetoqvutoYV
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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.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJ8ZlgZ7kB
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“I guess we should get back to organizing.” I point towards the cabinets.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuvRi5pJrr
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“Did my breath smell?”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwPswLYkvy
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I groan and face-palm. Guess that subtle step wasn’t as subtle as I wanted it to be.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sr5vZAgr6
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“No, I’m sorry,” I begin. “I’m just not that comfortable being that close to someone for that long.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFc6haN90i
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Jason nods in understandable.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj37AZNh8rl
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“I get that. So, you’re not a physical touch person.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9ipPtY5DG
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“What do you mean?” I ask, confused.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgv635gEyF
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“The five love languages,” Jason explains. “It’s physical touch, quality time, and some others.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkAy08CEqn
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“How do you know what those are and why?”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTssECC0Yj
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The smile on Jason’s face fades. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14Xfqc0Umt
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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.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHivSFk82q
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“Did you ever figure out what it was?”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIJgjl2Y6S
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Jason chuckles and looks up at the ceiling.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RBcqhR7Eh
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“I did,” Jason states. “His language is one of the last ones I would’ve thought it was.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTymt7ONKt
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“What is it?” I make a mental note to look up the love languages later. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBIqUPup2Q
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63iJYqwLIx
“His love language is words of affirmation. He likes being told when people love him or appreciate him.”
___________________________________________________________________774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rIYki0u4M
Question of the chapter: what's Xael's love language? Why is Conner's language words of affirmation?
and then Add to home screen.