Jason didn’t respond. I didn’t blame him; how would you respond if someone said what I did?574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81lWgX2Tn8
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEt3M3zKk57
“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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAlU2hDDHH
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eEhHleTkg
“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.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8WUmolksa
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5atIdMfij
“What’s the dress like?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkS9mVFVxfH
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJ5cHUl7tK
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.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKw7oRNSaD
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9tj1I101t
“That’s fair.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyLQSgq3u8
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56sShKi0WE
We fall into an awkward silence, neither of us sure what we should say.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluAOhu9cJd
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQiBE1QFvL
“Astrapophobia,” Jason says suddenly. I nod, looking at the weighted blanket. “It’s the fear of thunder and lightning.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJvjMRE3iF
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9u8JV6Kj6X
“If you don’t mind me asking, how long?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQvo9ShY32
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWoLg7kInk
Jason shrugs, looking around the room. “About eight years, I guess. I can’t quite remember why I have it, but I have it.” 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIb5MqHCxLT
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMAox2EfbG
“You don’t remember?” I sit up a little straighter. “At all?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnhIuEMIMi
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgXKh8QnLs
“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.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYD6m20CGHs
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJEzce1cFg
“Have you tried to remember?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ718ZTF03Mg
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vyeWLSt0T
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.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLxvxVsN8o
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEP4esNirRQ
“What if you asked your mom to take you to a therapist without telling your dad?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcSTOnthWx
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5V75b2M80
Jason opens his mouth to say something, then closes it and blinks a few times.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJoldMQLAk
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5pBaRQCEH
“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.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPpvguLEp8
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAK7ecKljmV
“That- that doesn't sound like a healthy relationship."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdPQ23vUNz
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBlX4syJ8C
"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.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iXabvxdD9
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqUBh8BPaK
“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.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6LkBz2c65
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLMqCo0B90
“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.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkJdotkQ50
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvK0qnqg1m
What’s with the sudden attitude flip?574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrixrvTcSEV
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5R0d3eWhb
“Jason, I’m not trying to control your life, I’m just suggesting-”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYd2u7HdrU4
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRn0kPiAOie
“Fuck off.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMo5Foz0tii
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lRsJ0gBnU
I stand up and brush my hair behind my ear, turning as I do.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6Z5AzBrb8
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvo1xgsH4zx
“See you around, Jason,” I say, walking out of the room. I manage to take three steps before breaking into a sprint.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2AkpYITBa
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5dGCNWjNy
This is what happens when you trust people. They only let you down.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOLf6v81lf
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9LrkPmlcW
“Woah, Xael!” Two hands grab my shoulders, preventing me from running into the person. “Where’s the fire, girl?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGhfeela0b
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUobiIW81ID
“Sorry,” I whisper, looking down at the ground, knowing that Jonny’ll be able to see right through any lie I try to tell.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2QcDBig9h
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitkkVvxwV7
“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?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUzzkB4auq
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiz9hDpN17
“Actually, where’s Lukas?” My voice cracks when I say Lukas’ name, and I mentally curse myself.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOsF5XQ8gk
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HnjxVYbxp
“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?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XdxDqfrgK
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokwcEP4Tat
“Thanks, Jonny, but I want to go speak with Lukas about something.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5Cxbz3T5V
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFDpOUjNU0
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8g7zdBl04
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjj6dnMcaLV
“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.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpPbgi97Pl
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4FehZ4KZh
“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?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVXGHozy1m
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsEYLO0yW3
Tears threaten to spill from my eyes as Lukas’ arms slide around my shoulders, holding me against his chest.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6dbq10flZ
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3VZN75dgj
“I don’t know,” I murmur, my hands in fists at my sides. “I don’t know.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡre9YmIabUK
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJpvn4O9I3
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. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYIX9mgPWO
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYVkoiWXFR
“You were with Jason, right?” Lukas asks. I nod, looking down at the floor.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKejGxH2gfY
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHaMRbZ96N
“I’m sorry about this,” I whisper, rubbing my eyes. “If you don’t mind, I’ll be on my way now.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9A1T5SNl2
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYN1Bc9Or9
“You aren’t leaving this room until you’re not about to cry,” Lukas orders. “Take a seat, hon.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1jPFV4FB0
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniFmrOD8ck
“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.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHS9FU8mWp3
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXZ5HAvntm
“Xael-”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqUSXKcPI8
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjf7r5bH5qv
“I promise I’ll be fine.” I look up into Lukas’ eyes, blinking away my tears.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2l1P4tbqLc
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEDxEzRfty
“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?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfigUWiBoT
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDHsM6liYk
I nod, even though I have no intention on going to Sophie.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxYqTI4YJR
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMKlJyZYm3
“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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEShQjDoNHh
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLqHc2r2kO
I won’t do it. I’m not going to stoop that low.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWU2zyKfiYZ
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAN3keBFsh
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZdlFrS8er
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowrczkPmZK
“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?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflon6FaCos
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9BGPTC3p8
Jason shrugs, pressing his lips together into a thin white line.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaaSHcb2bg
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jafKC232l
“Not in the mood for talking. Got it. Hold this against your shoulder.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppeY7pzsd1
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vnJ9MNzHi
Jason reaches a hand up and presses it against the cloth as I retract my hand, already scanning the room for hiding places.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2u2rIK8Vx
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyE8SZDNiX
“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.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBp5m4EKt1r
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTodc0mDlv
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BcWOvTX8u
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0WZMyjgUl
“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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6R5elMGp1G
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwjZCSulKR
“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. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzphbZamQu
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPYG6lD8ON
“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.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyp4J8wgnkz
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5O71jDxnf
“They’re not in the cloth or the boxes.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9gVq7lckh
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1H8ORLHq77
I grab the cloth and unwrap it, satisfied when four razor blades drop onto the shelf.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzJhViN7dX
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWnoILXyLK
“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.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMSWsvIsHO
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuSLQCd9uE
“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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVjllQ5ARK
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhif1AERktG
“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.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOfXMDjIH5
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4UySPu4FT
“You wouldn’t dare-”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15BNOS8KME
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtbZ85McxT
“Try me!”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeaCIVOQWb
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7ZQVEMcyi
We glare into each other’s eyes in silence. Jason seems to ponder my words before stepping back and nodding.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfF3a8M75B
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDNf4vLKpf
“We’re going to Sarah’s office though,” I state, marching past Jason and opening the door.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF88Pp8v5IE
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4qWdfVhFx
“You said that you wouldn’t tell-”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HhRJC76PP
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScvn3gGC15
“I’m not going to tell her, we’re going to dress your wounds.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMh21ajYb1
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7JveRxbda
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLUI4o2axf
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvicudGPvI2
“How long?” I ask, walking faster than I’m used to in order to keep up with Jason. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZ2NSgNdfw
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7zoQpveFh
“A while,” Jason answers. I roll my eyes and cross my arms.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ltmoRFneI
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0SPPsBbnc
“Very specific,” I grumble. “Where else?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvFFqUOQ1b
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYd0uA175yq
“Nowhere. Just my shoulder.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLEPwLh5SV
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMt1HlHQiN
“Now that’s a lie and we both know it.” Jason picks up his pace, forcing me to do the same. “Thighs? Ankles? Stomach?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLr7Fl5k3TJ
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCd5U4qYrPc
“Just drop it, Xael,” Jason snaps, turning to me and grabbing my shoulder. “Stop. Talking.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24dtt0SydB
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sGrzWOuA0
I close my mouth and glare at him. He turns and walks away, satisfied.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrr1FH7KeCU
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiRqoL3W0F
“So there are cuts on your stomach.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWK0dx2wYrf
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaNWGTPH8C
“No, there aren’t,” Jason growls. “Didn’t I tell you to shut up?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHBbWPDRKW
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZajobmWnK
“You did.” I catch up to him quickly, lacing my hands together behind my head. “Doesn’t mean I’m gonna listen.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9GQTAj0V4
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfyIRxt9bt
“I don’t like you.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8PRU9Cvwx
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoLYS0eQok
“People usually don’t.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RaRBeaQxA
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yQAOpF6BI
“You’re such a lovely person to be around, you know that?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbO5IcV6hN
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxz9YhaqmlY
“Thank you for the compliment!”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXO9xusiMEv
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3zfGcw1DR
“Wasn’t a compliment.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7aeQAVeyW
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4veolLXu4y
“And I still took it as one so suck it.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVLX9ACGsT
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfanz64fSM
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRlp3ZKRYo
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYUfdvuBoD
Maybe I am funny after all.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJHzGb7m2m
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KPblitqTT
“Why did you come upstairs?” Jason asks, startling me.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VKF0iVyXY
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpemFkGEdn
“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. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4C3B3QqQ88
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkvGlpKx2Q
“Draw?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PChTmvFs1
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiLozEsebK
“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-”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgd2vVNHZ0i
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cSOaJBHaT
“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.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdzkJzbg94
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9wolux48L
“Exactly!” I snap my fingers and point a finger gun at Jason, happy he understands my thought process. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToqLlKfsZc
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrUFqrEtQL
“Do you have a spare pen?” Jason looks away from me and rubs the back of his neck, and I smile softly.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmTsIluJm4
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDooYaQcbUn
“Take this one.” I offer my pen towards Jason, who looks at me instead of grabbing it.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDWD24fldc
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbEWGGDJQX
“Are you sure?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMVI2G57oO
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kOUFwYexx
I nod, then slip the pen into his pocket. He immediately takes it back out and slips it into the other pocket.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8DNX1OnLO
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUmbBgA42v
“There’s a hole in this one,” he explains, turning the pocket inside out and showing me. “Didn’t want it to fall out.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhs5btxIIX
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ538Y1Qq8qi
“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.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdYxU5Kf61
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“If you can find it,” Jason states, watching me open a cabinet and immediately close it.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc27pDbvaPM
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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.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHI2p3DietN
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“I think she has a system?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1sSC0ewiU
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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!”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmP8aTNQkKA
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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.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71x2ceoB1m
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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!”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7ZOtgfGiv
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“Well, at least her countertop is organized,” Jason remarks. I nod in agreement, looking at the perfectly organized counter.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6augSvDnL
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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-”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDZonaynPg
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“Steri-strips?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkxxU6tkJY
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“Yeah them.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2HiBZ1YKb
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhEeN688eG
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Jason and I look at how messy the cabinet is and sigh in unison, then giggle. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyV03GPWHlY
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“Are they in this one- they are!” Jason exclaims, handing me some sterile bandages. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfN12cchoc
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmN2BcgSnJG
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLguj4UGVug
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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.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoshtclDxof
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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.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyLKqo9mS1
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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.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCCVb3RJmS
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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?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFnYdGIOFF
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“Absolutely yes please.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxdkPaa1t0
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NoCKS0j7E
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“This cabinet is just empty!” Jason shouts, gesturing wildly. I peek over and laugh quietly at the very empty cupboard.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRogAwmPFr0
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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.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6m5GgdkHP
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Jason and I fall into a comfortable silence as we empty out Sarah’s cupboards and drawers.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhmwccf1wj
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“What goes where-”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGe9vecQp6
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“Bandages go here.” I tap the cabinet most easily accessible to everyone. “Disinfectants too.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxhr2QxCL5
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“Rolled up bandages, or band-aids?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LHUpmYIGm
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“Yes.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtcZ7fNNlO
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“That wasn’t a yes or no question!” Jason swats my shoulder, and I chuckle. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ99mesohQ8
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“Sorry,” I say, definitely not sorry. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7BlOOF13j
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“No you aren’t!”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlenIgsCEuf
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“I’m not you’re right.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucdvRDNhfB
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“I could just let you do this on your own-”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0APJTERh2
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“Please don’t?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9hcip1gfA
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Jason rolls his eyes and raises his arms above his head, one of his elbows cracking in the process.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9vITbZH4n
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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. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92R8C0kMLg
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtd6bBiGUb2
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“I can do a magic trick,” I whisper. “Look into my eyes.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfzDzJq8wh
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40Tp54jO8t
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“I can do a magic trick too,” he murmurs. His eyes shake violently and I laugh.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPWg0Gx1rA
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“I have never seen someone else do that. It looks so cool!”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVXd8CqSCb
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRp3RfwU4a
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“I guess we should get back to organizing.” I point towards the cabinets.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx0gsnV8EW
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“Did my breath smell?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZEBcs89kj
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I groan and face-palm. Guess that subtle step wasn’t as subtle as I wanted it to be.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8KtYEBH9w
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“No, I’m sorry,” I begin. “I’m just not that comfortable being that close to someone for that long.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXTleDaCks
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Jason nods in understandable.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTeqT1cRlX
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“I get that. So, you’re not a physical touch person.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dc0JmHyqj
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“What do you mean?” I ask, confused.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtq8XR2HUC
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“The five love languages,” Jason explains. “It’s physical touch, quality time, and some others.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBMcEjKlV8
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“How do you know what those are and why?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81KSIbWJCS
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The smile on Jason’s face fades. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIYukGyvJh
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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.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkPPXwdhrB
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“Did you ever figure out what it was?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRK3EgLvcCO
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Jason chuckles and looks up at the ceiling.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rEWp0Qv52
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“I did,” Jason states. “His language is one of the last ones I would’ve thought it was.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMg0IRsA4ZG
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“What is it?” I make a mental note to look up the love languages later. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6IjSnus9W
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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?
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