Jason didn’t respond. I didn’t blame him; how would you respond if someone said what I did?584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETif5N2Uf2
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZAbKqgFON
“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.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJqWm0jz8T
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9JlkSjdcE
“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.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDT4goys8aP
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTgFdglxYu
“What’s the dress like?”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0Qm8Buhd8
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNr82ksFuLb
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.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcpLxZDtCM
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKRqRGjGjZ
“That’s fair.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLbqY8XGnz
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yyKgMIKpG
We fall into an awkward silence, neither of us sure what we should say.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwnHQq5oF2
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAMHktmbJU
“Astrapophobia,” Jason says suddenly. I nod, looking at the weighted blanket. “It’s the fear of thunder and lightning.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiO3roQlOEH
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9l2xvKUdlL
“If you don’t mind me asking, how long?”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2tRJfc22J
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaedEC3zEoX
Jason shrugs, looking around the room. “About eight years, I guess. I can’t quite remember why I have it, but I have it.” 584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbnVdUA29P
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTViQXdWdnR
“You don’t remember?” I sit up a little straighter. “At all?”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJ5FJY0DFG
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPdr9iVVqy
“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.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdtMdRWNxP
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbtlxwJyWX
“Have you tried to remember?”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVX7nuUhx4c
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyCB5O75TH
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.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UbgVNoWKV
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFWwgvg6ND
“What if you asked your mom to take you to a therapist without telling your dad?”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnFkJVur8Q
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOF5sZxgqCC
Jason opens his mouth to say something, then closes it and blinks a few times.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4jMkigpzh
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Flu7LyeHA
“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.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3sadWcPoA
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05RTnPMoZE
“That- that doesn't sound like a healthy relationship."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9XNn4xKn9
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnIYrVab8I
"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.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6N4C6tYAaq
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbPrHpqERI
“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.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQnlpv1kIm
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7Ybd3VqeO
“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.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJM3FlVfC36
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgPD8UniW9
What’s with the sudden attitude flip?584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2dtZIMu81
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iJzc2ae4X
“Jason, I’m not trying to control your life, I’m just suggesting-”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUonHJJkbL
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWReL3M1Go
“Fuck off.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZz0rtsd3T
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7ORcwHBwE
I stand up and brush my hair behind my ear, turning as I do.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ejlC41thJ
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMX0WOgKvra
“See you around, Jason,” I say, walking out of the room. I manage to take three steps before breaking into a sprint.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBxiYmBZAr
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFqdquUPWR
This is what happens when you trust people. They only let you down.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF82YQZxlvU
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrneW7m9a5
“Woah, Xael!” Two hands grab my shoulders, preventing me from running into the person. “Where’s the fire, girl?”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgnzAugNrL
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCzlwo5Z0L
“Sorry,” I whisper, looking down at the ground, knowing that Jonny’ll be able to see right through any lie I try to tell.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeulhz2msgW
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVpltlYE9Q
“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?”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRP4dip2UE
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVCBhXLLyK
“Actually, where’s Lukas?” My voice cracks when I say Lukas’ name, and I mentally curse myself.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNVVcHCRVM
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcZx4RcMQh
“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?”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBKcHyPdY5
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmq6M2xZN8
“Thanks, Jonny, but I want to go speak with Lukas about something.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIM43LwLj47
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyGSXCRDI5
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.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuVsteCqqm
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8s3vNlwM9
“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.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOduzyVbVSx
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTOj5TuhzA
“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?”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsmZSyRYGO
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIhMFxshiE
Tears threaten to spill from my eyes as Lukas’ arms slide around my shoulders, holding me against his chest.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4MGT0CS5N
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2fYVjdQ5d
“I don’t know,” I murmur, my hands in fists at my sides. “I don’t know.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtXDvcHbBQ
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbquTDyE9wl
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. 584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvixooolaFw
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oOpnwZfac
“You were with Jason, right?” Lukas asks. I nod, looking down at the floor.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5T12cU6ai
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZrdMCWssJ
“I’m sorry about this,” I whisper, rubbing my eyes. “If you don’t mind, I’ll be on my way now.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRF13horbZA
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8FNS3ZiqU
“You aren’t leaving this room until you’re not about to cry,” Lukas orders. “Take a seat, hon.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BxvRbECQ0
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrQa3XtShL
“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.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphrZqUUoQz
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpp1UFDR8oV
“Xael-”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AqGlzze9u
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mdQfxqm95
“I promise I’ll be fine.” I look up into Lukas’ eyes, blinking away my tears.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsgOEqqF3N
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooM2h3H7Dl
“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?”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMORCzHl3J
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlgFSMYajB
I nod, even though I have no intention on going to Sophie.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtERyWtfyIr
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRgOaTjwXQ
“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.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIyTTLFpsT
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25cgw0fC3f
I won’t do it. I’m not going to stoop that low.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6s0TVM3hx
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs77BJRgcDv
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.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5q0xfqWHzE
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQwVp5eMkt
“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?”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DDkfjxVvv
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRGEULU65o
Jason shrugs, pressing his lips together into a thin white line.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZiY5Q9sHP
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPEMKDsBxs
“Not in the mood for talking. Got it. Hold this against your shoulder.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniGqu62Lci
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5h9XYuvORD
Jason reaches a hand up and presses it against the cloth as I retract my hand, already scanning the room for hiding places.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HxUFeQIII
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhV3b9PDgh
“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.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nvemstVEc
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8I6mQCZiBS
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.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpjtHvsF3i
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3wgFMa54P
“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.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59xCZoEWL4
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDBJMfHrdc
“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. 584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCM7GRjW69
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanGNef0LnU
“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.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchs5W4sbSP
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UpA2yuUSA
“They’re not in the cloth or the boxes.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8vul0tCWU
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOEhxMeYda
I grab the cloth and unwrap it, satisfied when four razor blades drop onto the shelf.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrlJURfdU6
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60l7xZf3P1
“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.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmI0QpO4Q4K
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BSSnZcHfB
“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.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKXhnvIQPU
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oes1tQDqC
“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.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqkwGDWKJY
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkwAhSDWjo
“You wouldn’t dare-”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL41FWJIZD5
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIU4HBUDMM
“Try me!”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYo40yist2
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbI1N4oimb0
We glare into each other’s eyes in silence. Jason seems to ponder my words before stepping back and nodding.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLG3k8X7M84
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeylYM4Rbot
“We’re going to Sarah’s office though,” I state, marching past Jason and opening the door.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKuGVJFgyc
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrBEBEeWTp
“You said that you wouldn’t tell-”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95fPluE5N5
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzYzFpZ9gd
“I’m not going to tell her, we’re going to dress your wounds.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXPxi6z0Bp
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVldlkjK1Vg
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.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqiP82pSTk
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QZSwaeK8c
“How long?” I ask, walking faster than I’m used to in order to keep up with Jason. 584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7owWo7psnv
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VTMbhx8jW
“A while,” Jason answers. I roll my eyes and cross my arms.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQCs20IviX
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjhQRPUQEn
“Very specific,” I grumble. “Where else?”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbrmYQOWxh
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpHZZn9QkF
“Nowhere. Just my shoulder.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlbXna6upS
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jqBGphF6H
“Now that’s a lie and we both know it.” Jason picks up his pace, forcing me to do the same. “Thighs? Ankles? Stomach?”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuFTQnFrSZ
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmaWL5ppB6
“Just drop it, Xael,” Jason snaps, turning to me and grabbing my shoulder. “Stop. Talking.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9bjLOjVIJ
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5BpooEyj3
I close my mouth and glare at him. He turns and walks away, satisfied.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYajwC5YBF
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjc9qaIsY93
“So there are cuts on your stomach.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpN2T1tUGnM
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbaRo7HM1X
“No, there aren’t,” Jason growls. “Didn’t I tell you to shut up?”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwELoY6MW2
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMT1aKQcnM
“You did.” I catch up to him quickly, lacing my hands together behind my head. “Doesn’t mean I’m gonna listen.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmDyBJD481
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAC1JNhX3S
“I don’t like you.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCRAdyVbGk
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTBtyI6PC0
“People usually don’t.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rsF2KxBI2
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugPbDBqdg3
“You’re such a lovely person to be around, you know that?”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlVnmgzq4M
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVVFmEK139
“Thank you for the compliment!”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjr9yViTvau
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiAxb8ZkAB
“Wasn’t a compliment.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJO28QQoB1
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4lQdIkW96
“And I still took it as one so suck it.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeU5CPN3eyF
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTmLbLMgab
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.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyHVwqc522
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0zXcyBljA
Maybe I am funny after all.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Dd9RMmdVP
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUdhuqVrGK
“Why did you come upstairs?” Jason asks, startling me.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3c6X95QUW
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsi5B6NuwCC
“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. 584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZw9OtDY9t5
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsF8SvEhHW
“Draw?”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqpqeNP6nI
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGZ3INX0Ed
“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-”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mcJON9Iu2
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPinUrE2Bn
“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.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OlzdUpRy6
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHMWdmrO1G
“Exactly!” I snap my fingers and point a finger gun at Jason, happy he understands my thought process. 584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWjgVgjk5g
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24fwslZs5i
“Do you have a spare pen?” Jason looks away from me and rubs the back of his neck, and I smile softly.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2W45qbqfC
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gSWFkdXCQ
“Take this one.” I offer my pen towards Jason, who looks at me instead of grabbing it.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3TVjaRKKd
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiSTJylS3W
“Are you sure?”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4uPSog46T
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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.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblLJoBhLgW
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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.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuliEdvYkgX
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQ0QXDVySb
“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.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5IReezDsD
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“If you can find it,” Jason states, watching me open a cabinet and immediately close it.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzI5JNlHQYl
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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.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvWHmnx5Wh
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“I think she has a system?”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPul7OTTjJ
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLw7EVLzR6
“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!”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBjfXAnkbB
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CBMMd4k9z
“Xael.” Jason puts a hand on my shoulder, and I sigh. “Chill. It isn’t nearly as bad as it seems.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEeNr2dnuU
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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!”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2myBCLzGPS
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3fE161KFY
“Well, at least her countertop is organized,” Jason remarks. I nod in agreement, looking at the perfectly organized counter.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTniVr8hdnZ
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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-”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9uyjDlgEn
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwR2Wom1WP
“Steri-strips?”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjYjMMwa5G
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“Yeah them.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3pbRVpP6F
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3swRGEjM1
“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.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqUIkoRDHH
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKHgYQ0hwS
Jason and I look at how messy the cabinet is and sigh in unison, then giggle. 584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbT3gyf9OlY
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjPadUYDmF
“Are they in this one- they are!” Jason exclaims, handing me some sterile bandages. 584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcaf3ky3CS
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oC8U3mFBj
“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.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRusHJv9wf
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHF7ydeQv8c
“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.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofGCIy5b0s
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBuwzkVQw3
“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.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBGN862ynW
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGJVfuW8kC
“What story has a scene with self-harm wounds?” Jason helps me with the Steri-strips. “I’ve read all of your works.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YbpL8m383
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIfbPUlIcc
“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.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBg72S6oiR
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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?”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3h6hgAQ5rm
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“Absolutely yes please.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjdPD7OQDw
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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.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXOJltBqmI
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAgmQgjISv
“This cabinet is just empty!” Jason shouts, gesturing wildly. I peek over and laugh quietly at the very empty cupboard.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aJgxJkNq1
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EKt1FmDbK
“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.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOx4TC0OQPP
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡko4DrSi7wg
Jason and I fall into a comfortable silence as we empty out Sarah’s cupboards and drawers.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW85mCwNCm
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“What goes where-”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcktCe5k2t
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“Bandages go here.” I tap the cabinet most easily accessible to everyone. “Disinfectants too.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTH5EW7n2Do
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtSasqZlhe
“Rolled up bandages, or band-aids?”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUgkEY8eCM
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“Yes.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlysPqqYScW
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“That wasn’t a yes or no question!” Jason swats my shoulder, and I chuckle. 584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofbIeMsnax
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“Sorry,” I say, definitely not sorry. 584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJgo57HEly
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“No you aren’t!”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYltYbVhWXr
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“I’m not you’re right.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoXSaa6ScK
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“I could just let you do this on your own-”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EXM1g6KFF
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“Please don’t?”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UNL9LiPRi
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Jason rolls his eyes and raises his arms above his head, one of his elbows cracking in the process.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNiFSy3PqF
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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. 584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZlxoQ5LgA
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhx1PmnABIG
“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.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUUuBrpfrM
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhLFm1dKz6
“I can do a magic trick,” I whisper. “Look into my eyes.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8sdc4NdQv
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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.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpdvAUqTG5
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“I can do a magic trick too,” he murmurs. His eyes shake violently and I laugh.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0l84nkQy7
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“I have never seen someone else do that. It looks so cool!”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqxdnzmudv
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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.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYu9Qn9W8M
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“I guess we should get back to organizing.” I point towards the cabinets.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWu7nIcrfm
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“Did my breath smell?”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpPXtjqDkN
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I groan and face-palm. Guess that subtle step wasn’t as subtle as I wanted it to be.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegTabIcvAk
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“No, I’m sorry,” I begin. “I’m just not that comfortable being that close to someone for that long.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUoFJl7KYq
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Jason nods in understandable.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCq1Pw3Vn4S
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“I get that. So, you’re not a physical touch person.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5L3hQx4xJ
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“What do you mean?” I ask, confused.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAqSaiEq1B
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“The five love languages,” Jason explains. “It’s physical touch, quality time, and some others.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOLW4hSDMa
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“How do you know what those are and why?”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75NDvtjdtg
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The smile on Jason’s face fades. 584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5u1ptwnGH
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2q572VLKY
“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.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxf8yQuoJP
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“Did you ever figure out what it was?”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1ObMD5fRn
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Jason chuckles and looks up at the ceiling.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LibTQiZr4
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“I did,” Jason states. “His language is one of the last ones I would’ve thought it was.”584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioiIBp4Mrp
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“What is it?” I make a mental note to look up the love languages later. 584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9g3gIrSXQ
584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIx25tw1KaL
“His love language is words of affirmation. He likes being told when people love him or appreciate him.”
___________________________________________________________________584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9ZOyQUl6z
Question of the chapter: what's Xael's love language? Why is Conner's language words of affirmation?
