Jason didn’t respond. I didn’t blame him; how would you respond if someone said what I did?557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLjGxJAV2s
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyrtiILee6
“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.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7lnrfAF3a
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9sqmKINHq
“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.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgRwBAxQdN
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8itvTiINw
“What’s the dress like?”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AbpsGzuIZ
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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.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVRTVl7oZL
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPezaoMT43d
“That’s fair.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHljkMbJn7
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp9JaKyWQk
We fall into an awkward silence, neither of us sure what we should say.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLzBTVoGUZ
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oj0OgEhXW
“Astrapophobia,” Jason says suddenly. I nod, looking at the weighted blanket. “It’s the fear of thunder and lightning.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WpZnYaYDg
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABzZVtSJGI
“If you don’t mind me asking, how long?”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5p95sl5xjT
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYHegsViVh
Jason shrugs, looking around the room. “About eight years, I guess. I can’t quite remember why I have it, but I have it.” 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmJTXoui7g
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjTqeNmQ4T
“You don’t remember?” I sit up a little straighter. “At all?”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzdTc2ITg1
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUk7Wfhi6s
“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.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpU6m7LCcjK
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHqITmFZf6
“Have you tried to remember?”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2czAjyTRk
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTenWe7vIwC
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.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NByC6zXNi
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXmEHdRnC2
“What if you asked your mom to take you to a therapist without telling your dad?”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP638KsRNO6
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxiHnLUsof
Jason opens his mouth to say something, then closes it and blinks a few times.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeg6SJUFEvc
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDqBDngcbN
“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.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8YHY2MDZT
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03nwPjhCAA
“That- that doesn't sound like a healthy relationship."557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KWkdWq42r
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9HIDTFrWR
"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.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqKSS6Y69j
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJivnZvRE5
“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.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5mbkDZ9WM
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUOW6WgzEU
“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.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhd4WAH5lf2
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MZpWtMc5s
What’s with the sudden attitude flip?557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR003FR87ed
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPInU1whqYk
“Jason, I’m not trying to control your life, I’m just suggesting-”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTHxklub9z
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbi33tREYY
“Fuck off.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uXzIPDyWC
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ri1I64ebN
I stand up and brush my hair behind my ear, turning as I do.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09Ez9YHpv4
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzv0fQwEWpd
“See you around, Jason,” I say, walking out of the room. I manage to take three steps before breaking into a sprint.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCaNeC9k4R
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHpKxNnUsJ
This is what happens when you trust people. They only let you down.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxzR0FL3aN
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdYge0qvVU
“Woah, Xael!” Two hands grab my shoulders, preventing me from running into the person. “Where’s the fire, girl?”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PMw5N6Afl
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eb9W1JTNc
“Sorry,” I whisper, looking down at the ground, knowing that Jonny’ll be able to see right through any lie I try to tell.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQOF6o1EYJ
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8OHzaUD0x
“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?”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrqyvywO8X
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XJh4oP4DX
“Actually, where’s Lukas?” My voice cracks when I say Lukas’ name, and I mentally curse myself.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcHznd3KUl
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4Prv6h4kQ
“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?”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1EMAizl9g
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrs58oh6Dmg
“Thanks, Jonny, but I want to go speak with Lukas about something.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zpeBVuk14
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS81Dxg3PjO
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.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBstUFvdC1
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nTXYOK3Vy
“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.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyadRWFoizo
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYpWKsb0Hw
“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?”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6FjOwQ8jC
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVIASD8OJK
Tears threaten to spill from my eyes as Lukas’ arms slide around my shoulders, holding me against his chest.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrrN6tBUH8
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeKOfgalf2
“I don’t know,” I murmur, my hands in fists at my sides. “I don’t know.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWcvWcpc3f
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡai1YRYCb2P
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. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SthyOLLns
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0V5mtOzyR
“You were with Jason, right?” Lukas asks. I nod, looking down at the floor.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMcuzp5iyH
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEarMEHkZOp
“I’m sorry about this,” I whisper, rubbing my eyes. “If you don’t mind, I’ll be on my way now.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYZCNXt3HS
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxZn58b9xY
“You aren’t leaving this room until you’re not about to cry,” Lukas orders. “Take a seat, hon.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLv1o0mAY5u
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoWgzpcNzC
“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.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGkAApDFuR
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFeV4aXTwx
“Xael-”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYHlUCIMfq
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AUzIdvr4d
“I promise I’ll be fine.” I look up into Lukas’ eyes, blinking away my tears.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5A2eOCFlmw
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdNapcTfxW
“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?”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqtNL9b95X
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2Pjg0C8Sq
I nod, even though I have no intention on going to Sophie.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVlboIFn1H
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZVt5P0zZq
“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.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJLa9nsaSw
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6zyWrvoBn
I won’t do it. I’m not going to stoop that low.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBAxLNZTiA
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlwXfFlwN7
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.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNipFoe8rs
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkJwaLD2j9
“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?”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qoQSiKiG7
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡln4YP5TdcJ
Jason shrugs, pressing his lips together into a thin white line.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlAMfr98pZ
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsq4FVr0rH
“Not in the mood for talking. Got it. Hold this against your shoulder.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQi3iF4stFx
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQ90YWiZE6
Jason reaches a hand up and presses it against the cloth as I retract my hand, already scanning the room for hiding places.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJj4YrkdPnL
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1kDcvaFDT
“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.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCGwhMfNCf
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNau8MBKRQs
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.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7ChzSIAHL
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChRs7erFAL
“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.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMLBn0d9ND
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdiotmlBZm
“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. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClUHqNFCbp
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHtYA6IvFM
“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.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo93Ay2inOB
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oG4u4lAJk
“They’re not in the cloth or the boxes.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqV1FgB6kxH
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXNxPonH2X
I grab the cloth and unwrap it, satisfied when four razor blades drop onto the shelf.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ573f6BYDAN
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7f36s0NxAS
“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.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJyM7n6Dd1
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloCxwuvt4x
“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.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYwNRvTkwb
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAshl9K206F
“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.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhbhDMO8CA
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEwcGagXa8
“You wouldn’t dare-”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDH6UamczPw
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzejPpe0s9
“Try me!”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTu0TV2E9Y
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZJs8eBYeq
We glare into each other’s eyes in silence. Jason seems to ponder my words before stepping back and nodding.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4AvWq3dmz
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8UK2St1Dc
“We’re going to Sarah’s office though,” I state, marching past Jason and opening the door.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxY0Guhuag
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WXQZCj3cD
“You said that you wouldn’t tell-”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdzAcLml1s
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0lcGRhZX8
“I’m not going to tell her, we’re going to dress your wounds.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffzgqOUFTr
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArfaPBiDd0
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.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5XAXS9794
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvy0ByDeuwp
“How long?” I ask, walking faster than I’m used to in order to keep up with Jason. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pIXsFpHZQ
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeNRGpqaTM
“A while,” Jason answers. I roll my eyes and cross my arms.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHYHybkLb1
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3f3BjJyWY6
“Very specific,” I grumble. “Where else?”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HZ9JWkT0G
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLuvnnGz2d
“Nowhere. Just my shoulder.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoWwongv9a
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bzBMgNXmN
“Now that’s a lie and we both know it.” Jason picks up his pace, forcing me to do the same. “Thighs? Ankles? Stomach?”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhT5Y7AQunx
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBAJqXUoR2
“Just drop it, Xael,” Jason snaps, turning to me and grabbing my shoulder. “Stop. Talking.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXjSOvNAvy
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLMbpac7aW
I close my mouth and glare at him. He turns and walks away, satisfied.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihAOftHCNi
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Wzl0Y00EY
“So there are cuts on your stomach.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzFHznuQMA
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfF3PKoqba
“No, there aren’t,” Jason growls. “Didn’t I tell you to shut up?”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ031mN27iMb
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NjpMSmQS0
“You did.” I catch up to him quickly, lacing my hands together behind my head. “Doesn’t mean I’m gonna listen.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIH1lneD5Rl
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgREjWsTJZ
“I don’t like you.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbE50y8mjgu
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLWjeKuvdc
“People usually don’t.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28nIPcQxa3
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeD079UpqW
“You’re such a lovely person to be around, you know that?”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEjGg4jZE9
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBeib4Hozv
“Thank you for the compliment!”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKrLcc5KSy
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVFKsrm1lO
“Wasn’t a compliment.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHF1eCtYwY
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6S4odjPmN
“And I still took it as one so suck it.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFTQMY8DE0
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5blQv4Dz7
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.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QeqdHgC1c
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93LnmlcSTP
Maybe I am funny after all.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKs0bVeZLE
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEHjR7hMdG
“Why did you come upstairs?” Jason asks, startling me.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXTuHYDBVa
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU49dvhaerR
“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. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12P49KjbUr
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUVsoIHOgg
“Draw?”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbRHICSAhb
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69KGkVLOEb
“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-”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB92PLLoi7y
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVa6S602WV
“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.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZatEKZRBS
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzNko30iEt
“Exactly!” I snap my fingers and point a finger gun at Jason, happy he understands my thought process. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV98UrO3E9
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgHncqro36
“Do you have a spare pen?” Jason looks away from me and rubs the back of his neck, and I smile softly.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3em6xLJ1e
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWTRcHvV4S
“Take this one.” I offer my pen towards Jason, who looks at me instead of grabbing it.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaJGjYsQ6A
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmKu143XQx
“Are you sure?”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQK3QIK1i3
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrebtzwCj5
I nod, then slip the pen into his pocket. He immediately takes it back out and slips it into the other pocket.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27r7rbueJe
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3fnafEPFP
“There’s a hole in this one,” he explains, turning the pocket inside out and showing me. “Didn’t want it to fall out.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMIXHBGTAh
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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.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaOgoK0Tte
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“If you can find it,” Jason states, watching me open a cabinet and immediately close it.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBO2XKdzM29
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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.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64nUI4Go6Z
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“I think she has a system?”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGA7qPEPZvt
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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!”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItUHOJilLa
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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.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5eQwzcOB3
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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!”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzWgutKUWP
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“Well, at least her countertop is organized,” Jason remarks. I nod in agreement, looking at the perfectly organized counter.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxx2NJ7zX4
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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-”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzrDhVaio2
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“Steri-strips?”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8brAfJwdYx
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“Yeah them.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45hmQ4QGE6
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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.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB03sWK7Qij
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Jason and I look at how messy the cabinet is and sigh in unison, then giggle. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsaeCceIyU
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“Are they in this one- they are!” Jason exclaims, handing me some sterile bandages. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AYJz8mOdP
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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.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uPKvYjhrV
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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.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xlXJp9vuz
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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.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4OoaOwR8P
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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.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bGo8QjwV3
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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.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RpkYYf1az
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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?”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iB9edy1PP
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“Absolutely yes please.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcwSglKRwt
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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.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsSScusf3p
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“This cabinet is just empty!” Jason shouts, gesturing wildly. I peek over and laugh quietly at the very empty cupboard.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXGkJlATKg
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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.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VlNryxfZW
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Jason and I fall into a comfortable silence as we empty out Sarah’s cupboards and drawers.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUsGz17W9Y
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“What goes where-”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbwNOAzzfk
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“Bandages go here.” I tap the cabinet most easily accessible to everyone. “Disinfectants too.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xCFoApPVy
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“Rolled up bandages, or band-aids?”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRQ9AnjKLJ
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“Yes.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZ5q49QEEY
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“That wasn’t a yes or no question!” Jason swats my shoulder, and I chuckle. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOMeSljYSC
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“Sorry,” I say, definitely not sorry. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMBZ5or8oJ
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“No you aren’t!”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmES3UD6dF9
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“I’m not you’re right.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55Tb6zIo4M
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“I could just let you do this on your own-”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6WmnGGXOT
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“Please don’t?”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6J5dEV1NU
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Jason rolls his eyes and raises his arms above his head, one of his elbows cracking in the process.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSFiXuTxnc
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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. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJqNT2ycOy
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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.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMycXjzyKjJ
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“I can do a magic trick,” I whisper. “Look into my eyes.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNwu2EgQKM
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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.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFzJWJ4jRK
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“I can do a magic trick too,” he murmurs. His eyes shake violently and I laugh.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBPT800TSh
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“I have never seen someone else do that. It looks so cool!”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTwZ0Zdx0Y
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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.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkpUVza925
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“I guess we should get back to organizing.” I point towards the cabinets.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGk1At6RAp
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“Did my breath smell?”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbb227n2Sg
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I groan and face-palm. Guess that subtle step wasn’t as subtle as I wanted it to be.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13JofWuASE
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“No, I’m sorry,” I begin. “I’m just not that comfortable being that close to someone for that long.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1io4ogGf19
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Jason nods in understandable.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKr7St6Gyn
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“I get that. So, you’re not a physical touch person.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJV42GPd4J
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“What do you mean?” I ask, confused.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCZlJAmzPv
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“The five love languages,” Jason explains. “It’s physical touch, quality time, and some others.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDUxNnRbJ0
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“How do you know what those are and why?”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguUdQf62Sf
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The smile on Jason’s face fades. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wMUVXgkKJ
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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.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZs6xq4ADpF
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“Did you ever figure out what it was?”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwf1ucIVPyE
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Jason chuckles and looks up at the ceiling.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNT4swl2QFW
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“I did,” Jason states. “His language is one of the last ones I would’ve thought it was.”557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pJfMW11w9
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“What is it?” I make a mental note to look up the love languages later. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHUpXUZi4x
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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?
