Jason didn’t respond. I didn’t blame him; how would you respond if someone said what I did?513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGd0iOjH2TP
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“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.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1siCu8xQG
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“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.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6V1V2EH3C
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“What’s the dress like?”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbnfieOua4
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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.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTMbTGobew
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“That’s fair.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYFuRlMUPN
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We fall into an awkward silence, neither of us sure what we should say.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKIqeYFTad
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“Astrapophobia,” Jason says suddenly. I nod, looking at the weighted blanket. “It’s the fear of thunder and lightning.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH0b4QkQL0
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“If you don’t mind me asking, how long?”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5W3DqdPFs
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Jason shrugs, looking around the room. “About eight years, I guess. I can’t quite remember why I have it, but I have it.” 513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphv3AUNjxT
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“You don’t remember?” I sit up a little straighter. “At all?”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeKvpC1bok
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“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.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FtmLMn6m8
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“Have you tried to remember?”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsmZ0s9Iyb
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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.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqZ7M6FUPz
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“What if you asked your mom to take you to a therapist without telling your dad?”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33qdQcCQcz
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Jason opens his mouth to say something, then closes it and blinks a few times.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLyN7VkqYi
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“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.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDV1IYThat7
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“That- that doesn't sound like a healthy relationship."513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsL2hqY2kR
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"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.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBefZIEUWN
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“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.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOrkhThWSP
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“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.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ooDgUYpXT
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What’s with the sudden attitude flip?513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyq9wEQpCn
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“Jason, I’m not trying to control your life, I’m just suggesting-”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbs9s9rzZs
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“Fuck off.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXLANdTqU8
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I stand up and brush my hair behind my ear, turning as I do.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISprLqPx91
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“See you around, Jason,” I say, walking out of the room. I manage to take three steps before breaking into a sprint.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4ZyYG6Ajk
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This is what happens when you trust people. They only let you down.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWVo3ClG56
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“Woah, Xael!” Two hands grab my shoulders, preventing me from running into the person. “Where’s the fire, girl?”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTDK9TToQ8
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“Sorry,” I whisper, looking down at the ground, knowing that Jonny’ll be able to see right through any lie I try to tell.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBtJanBU85
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“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?”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3cktzf73S
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“Actually, where’s Lukas?” My voice cracks when I say Lukas’ name, and I mentally curse myself.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59r6v4vk81
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“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?”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡam5lgEl0gZ
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“Thanks, Jonny, but I want to go speak with Lukas about something.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeJEt8kmmD
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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.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWc8ifXV4c
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“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.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5CNyhuVY3
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“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?”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMfOXqHASh
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Tears threaten to spill from my eyes as Lukas’ arms slide around my shoulders, holding me against his chest.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlS0ZBrlC9
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“I don’t know,” I murmur, my hands in fists at my sides. “I don’t know.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rsJnd8J7x
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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. 513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefQN8jpewV
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“You were with Jason, right?” Lukas asks. I nod, looking down at the floor.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMA3263MMQ9
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“I’m sorry about this,” I whisper, rubbing my eyes. “If you don’t mind, I’ll be on my way now.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzIgCOqpBL
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“You aren’t leaving this room until you’re not about to cry,” Lukas orders. “Take a seat, hon.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mbB8n4ilp
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“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.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATHQVeAlf8
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“Xael-”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7nGL5BLfL
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“I promise I’ll be fine.” I look up into Lukas’ eyes, blinking away my tears.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgoekdpcmj
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“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?”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbwODmxDAM
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I nod, even though I have no intention on going to Sophie.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzlMQVSvzc
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“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.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FHwxY8iAY
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I won’t do it. I’m not going to stoop that low.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE3mMy5IXP
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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.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQLIoNEiAM
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“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?”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HwplFwIyS
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Jason shrugs, pressing his lips together into a thin white line.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoYjZKW8PE
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“Not in the mood for talking. Got it. Hold this against your shoulder.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgInZC8jbrT
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Jason reaches a hand up and presses it against the cloth as I retract my hand, already scanning the room for hiding places.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGgiMV7c50
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“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.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BgnAIAG7G
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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.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoFeKszESH
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“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.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIjU5HLmse
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“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. 513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqwRuxeNOg
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“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.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdN77wkts6
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“They’re not in the cloth or the boxes.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHa0GrF7svu
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I grab the cloth and unwrap it, satisfied when four razor blades drop onto the shelf.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvuApRZhIN
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“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.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Irz8jUIrb
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“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.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrO0tfUD4A
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“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.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQBaSELK4v
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“You wouldn’t dare-”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NxwdtDR8x
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“Try me!”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6dBLcTGQF
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We glare into each other’s eyes in silence. Jason seems to ponder my words before stepping back and nodding.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyV6xUSGLAg
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“We’re going to Sarah’s office though,” I state, marching past Jason and opening the door.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPnaNQNWeN
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“You said that you wouldn’t tell-”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSL13jUFxks
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“I’m not going to tell her, we’re going to dress your wounds.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbyhe7t61C
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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.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjvJK4po02
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“How long?” I ask, walking faster than I’m used to in order to keep up with Jason. 513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhdWCyjFqU
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“A while,” Jason answers. I roll my eyes and cross my arms.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkR4OSab51Y
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“Very specific,” I grumble. “Where else?”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIvHIb4uVD
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“Nowhere. Just my shoulder.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVQBBSbyk9
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“Now that’s a lie and we both know it.” Jason picks up his pace, forcing me to do the same. “Thighs? Ankles? Stomach?”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXVbR4Z9zL
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“Just drop it, Xael,” Jason snaps, turning to me and grabbing my shoulder. “Stop. Talking.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BWSHwnsMQ
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I close my mouth and glare at him. He turns and walks away, satisfied.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAydLtCpsnC
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“So there are cuts on your stomach.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFP2aeWoMP
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“No, there aren’t,” Jason growls. “Didn’t I tell you to shut up?”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2cMJtFg7h
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“You did.” I catch up to him quickly, lacing my hands together behind my head. “Doesn’t mean I’m gonna listen.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYI8OrR3iJH
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“I don’t like you.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgh2Xr7Nno
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“People usually don’t.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyj2S8rVnZg
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“You’re such a lovely person to be around, you know that?”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lP2eTCkIf
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“Thank you for the compliment!”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ044hAi2Wnx
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“Wasn’t a compliment.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER8vz1j68l
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“And I still took it as one so suck it.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASMeBBzCJK
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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.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XxuseGPxD
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Maybe I am funny after all.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTlYia4FN3
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“Why did you come upstairs?” Jason asks, startling me.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQGrYGqfmV
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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. 513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrWi7HB8Q8
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“Draw?”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDsiYCP6hg
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“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-”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk23ycpYAus
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“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.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9WqImo6Jv
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“Exactly!” I snap my fingers and point a finger gun at Jason, happy he understands my thought process. 513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVN41YTM34
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“Do you have a spare pen?” Jason looks away from me and rubs the back of his neck, and I smile softly.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjK4LYJg9Is
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“Take this one.” I offer my pen towards Jason, who looks at me instead of grabbing it.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPctgZVPYM
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“Are you sure?”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLuy6A4ptt
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I nod, then slip the pen into his pocket. He immediately takes it back out and slips it into the other pocket.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n3lkxrVin
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“There’s a hole in this one,” he explains, turning the pocket inside out and showing me. “Didn’t want it to fall out.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzG4nxfmOe
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“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.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErnKGMMGWu
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“If you can find it,” Jason states, watching me open a cabinet and immediately close it.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqJ5P0N3E7
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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.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQkrJJrNaH
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“I think she has a system?”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOa82FjCXO2
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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!”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gD1ujbN6Q
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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.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPVM4EnwRu
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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!”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV84s08xEcN
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“Well, at least her countertop is organized,” Jason remarks. I nod in agreement, looking at the perfectly organized counter.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡca7vupKV7J
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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-”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMxjB4VunS
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“Steri-strips?”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3ii5N9Z7Z
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“Yeah them.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnFyKsPMXo
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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.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJDoOi7Kmp
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Jason and I look at how messy the cabinet is and sigh in unison, then giggle. 513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeMo3wCqbx
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“Are they in this one- they are!” Jason exclaims, handing me some sterile bandages. 513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHwPeDmJFJ
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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.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3DvfbCuq7
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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.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT13LEx7wm2
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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.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GUXkk1ZRN
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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.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TgkrxeiA3
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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.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqPizbdQFv
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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?”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiD8LYGCI8
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“Absolutely yes please.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHwR5Tsjbu
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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.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtImR77aVr
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“This cabinet is just empty!” Jason shouts, gesturing wildly. I peek over and laugh quietly at the very empty cupboard.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G8SAmkfTq
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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.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXMwYxprl0
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Jason and I fall into a comfortable silence as we empty out Sarah’s cupboards and drawers.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lDvDSANTa
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“What goes where-”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrG1T987UUi
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“Bandages go here.” I tap the cabinet most easily accessible to everyone. “Disinfectants too.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6M3sMJIIRZ
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“Rolled up bandages, or band-aids?”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOK9TrIyOlu
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“Yes.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmiwS50o4C
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“That wasn’t a yes or no question!” Jason swats my shoulder, and I chuckle. 513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMr6912rMG
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“Sorry,” I say, definitely not sorry. 513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DboHqNdp0
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“No you aren’t!”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsePX2n8QdC
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“I’m not you’re right.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJwYRWAU0t
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“I could just let you do this on your own-”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCinb92A35
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“Please don’t?”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnG64auXc6
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Jason rolls his eyes and raises his arms above his head, one of his elbows cracking in the process.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRF4kI6Ilhj
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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. 513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3TEbmIiDB
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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.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87IcWehm2D
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“I can do a magic trick,” I whisper. “Look into my eyes.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMnPi7FkNc
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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.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkq3as4dcRm
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“I can do a magic trick too,” he murmurs. His eyes shake violently and I laugh.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5zwjBYz6M
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“I have never seen someone else do that. It looks so cool!”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxOcwKcmaG
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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.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTPsaiDoFx
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“I guess we should get back to organizing.” I point towards the cabinets.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNETWn32rS
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“Did my breath smell?”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrVrVQKYL2
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I groan and face-palm. Guess that subtle step wasn’t as subtle as I wanted it to be.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqDEGBpurN
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“No, I’m sorry,” I begin. “I’m just not that comfortable being that close to someone for that long.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI47OXoHhJN
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Jason nods in understandable.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstUpAvU95n
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“I get that. So, you’re not a physical touch person.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcXRVEBfyT
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“What do you mean?” I ask, confused.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjvkDfolwn
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“The five love languages,” Jason explains. “It’s physical touch, quality time, and some others.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYU3tKA97kX
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“How do you know what those are and why?”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4T96PZnHx
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The smile on Jason’s face fades. 513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5PJaQFfwX
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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.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJTvPHQvsQ
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“Did you ever figure out what it was?”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnu7K9YvbNL
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Jason chuckles and looks up at the ceiling.513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBGxJpljjP
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“I did,” Jason states. “His language is one of the last ones I would’ve thought it was.”513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLlIo7Qto8
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“What is it?” I make a mental note to look up the love languages later. 513Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqnDfuJn81
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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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