Jason didn’t respond. I didn’t blame him; how would you respond if someone said what I did?489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCN7bHB0wae
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfmspHlRGn
“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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLNkrHubbE
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzOI5vXFxP
“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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcMarjIZs3
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDPHdwf1bT
“What’s the dress like?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HR8KWPEGZ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYSxPq05XV
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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTv6fG2thns
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OEuCq4P7i
“That’s fair.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3K4g19IEf0
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCvdzwAweZ
We fall into an awkward silence, neither of us sure what we should say.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcLdJTZRDw
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kJFfttcbD
“Astrapophobia,” Jason says suddenly. I nod, looking at the weighted blanket. “It’s the fear of thunder and lightning.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQC7SKv6eU
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiopMzfrRi
“If you don’t mind me asking, how long?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbCcQfpkTP
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENpd4c4XLa
Jason shrugs, looking around the room. “About eight years, I guess. I can’t quite remember why I have it, but I have it.” 489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOr74Ezhpb
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZRBAhg4HL
“You don’t remember?” I sit up a little straighter. “At all?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTBBnznltz
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoaYccc57b
“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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwp3DWadHg
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cLIZuNSum
“Have you tried to remember?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Oukez1wm3
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhyodBuUV3
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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMac7xGGs25
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wQIDumk5O
“What if you asked your mom to take you to a therapist without telling your dad?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yg3uKlD04
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgE0TP6qkd
Jason opens his mouth to say something, then closes it and blinks a few times.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiheAdF19tj
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumFLDXMC3E
“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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FsIPnphex
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlt3oHsk2SH
“That- that doesn't sound like a healthy relationship."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyY2DREhkMq
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhrm1TfxDc
"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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXgXUt520x
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNLeBB88Dd
“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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJso3ULoIO
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rsYvYX0Qk
“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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsZbJOH0E6
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzHrCWqEGe
What’s with the sudden attitude flip?489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyG2bRmPA0
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpJ5m85J27
“Jason, I’m not trying to control your life, I’m just suggesting-”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JcoYNJgGt
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZhG4c8h0B
“Fuck off.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9R2I0PeRq
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoIFBD4Wq2
I stand up and brush my hair behind my ear, turning as I do.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaWBWjXCXD
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmzop2gU14
“See you around, Jason,” I say, walking out of the room. I manage to take three steps before breaking into a sprint.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMexPrdXw1N
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbPhjNZeSx
This is what happens when you trust people. They only let you down.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeHQmJQXUD
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrQ8m4dHAG
“Woah, Xael!” Two hands grab my shoulders, preventing me from running into the person. “Where’s the fire, girl?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdc29WvwrQ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZ414BSxYf
“Sorry,” I whisper, looking down at the ground, knowing that Jonny’ll be able to see right through any lie I try to tell.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcBI1TOQJ7
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNywMPcGHc
“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?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2rMoO7p6s
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oRB9NrbIr
“Actually, where’s Lukas?” My voice cracks when I say Lukas’ name, and I mentally curse myself.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnE1ApVOU80
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchMS8gcFHt
“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?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK723GvQ9nw
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUFNV3uhTH
“Thanks, Jonny, but I want to go speak with Lukas about something.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WwW6H5O6p
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUh8WwlOYpb
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenwCOY9iBj
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfEENMdT1w
“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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD00AyzGcb1
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYmR1w5Bz0
“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?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0yNL9WdSF
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2FZfCJo8w
Tears threaten to spill from my eyes as Lukas’ arms slide around my shoulders, holding me against his chest.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5wIXfVoa6
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mnHUloR9x
“I don’t know,” I murmur, my hands in fists at my sides. “I don’t know.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa510CAoOEo
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGsP7ErRYa
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. 489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr3XRVOvH0
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsDRvt7ZLD
“You were with Jason, right?” Lukas asks. I nod, looking down at the floor.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUt2qj2fl7
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMMWpKbPxP
“I’m sorry about this,” I whisper, rubbing my eyes. “If you don’t mind, I’ll be on my way now.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfR7ZL7asfz
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMCQUKylSz
“You aren’t leaving this room until you’re not about to cry,” Lukas orders. “Take a seat, hon.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIH6ghS4G9f
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqqIx5dLE1
“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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCzZQkDFXA
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFjDXvmzRP
“Xael-”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslf6lPy2Sz
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5JJ5l6vEg
“I promise I’ll be fine.” I look up into Lukas’ eyes, blinking away my tears.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjygMiPK0Y
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8MXt09cHP
“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?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhJGcDrMw7
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtWGZIwRMg
I nod, even though I have no intention on going to Sophie.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Lsfg5l7m5
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1syBS1vuB
“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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLXoQwDoCD
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT1Zfgd3jF
I won’t do it. I’m not going to stoop that low.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPJswh1O8p
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBa7DidF4H
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16BR0QZZjM
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOt2qz6G2h
“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?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Q4u1Rj5l9
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDke9A4qKH
Jason shrugs, pressing his lips together into a thin white line.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iO6FbqL5R
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BICw4rLXA
“Not in the mood for talking. Got it. Hold this against your shoulder.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkP6f5bkQHN
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUImQNCMvl
Jason reaches a hand up and presses it against the cloth as I retract my hand, already scanning the room for hiding places.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE25HAWKqTe
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MiG5T0pZk
“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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNV75OYoOfA
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWodKwedf97
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuT6EAutep8
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWHxxlQUIg
“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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX57RRiGuGm
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmTgnuib7M
“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. 489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SNeSwNF0M
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4P7a6qgSuX
“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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLrtbCn6SL
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGk4jBMRX4
“They’re not in the cloth or the boxes.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJKmJeZkGI
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeJFBKoMUF
I grab the cloth and unwrap it, satisfied when four razor blades drop onto the shelf.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4Plad2cJ6
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyphhrpmmlD
“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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsPlRExR3e
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVNUoOd12j
“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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSqhdY5yJL
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrZrh5ddUa
“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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTjx8maP12
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyT2CfLbcsy
“You wouldn’t dare-”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmCYvaskTZ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrISlGEeWR
“Try me!”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkKM127VwG
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdW8xsAbdJ
We glare into each other’s eyes in silence. Jason seems to ponder my words before stepping back and nodding.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IDeFTRXyj
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyISHhbhdrH
“We’re going to Sarah’s office though,” I state, marching past Jason and opening the door.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK90Corxyqs
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8we2ddhcBI
“You said that you wouldn’t tell-”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPn9SXKMkT
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspR6GLwHqe
“I’m not going to tell her, we’re going to dress your wounds.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHW7rN9nV0
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqCeNcLkBC
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsR5CC0i4f
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlUl8mSqPi
“How long?” I ask, walking faster than I’m used to in order to keep up with Jason. 489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLfQHlkim9
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsC7Yz1rUo
“A while,” Jason answers. I roll my eyes and cross my arms.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8huHoW3tUA
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmr9tIYPNq
“Very specific,” I grumble. “Where else?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUX3rTgBzD
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJGcdEAmhQ
“Nowhere. Just my shoulder.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YFWi954M4
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxGcxuTOWz
“Now that’s a lie and we both know it.” Jason picks up his pace, forcing me to do the same. “Thighs? Ankles? Stomach?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GzhmdFc06
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNHAui343l
“Just drop it, Xael,” Jason snaps, turning to me and grabbing my shoulder. “Stop. Talking.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcU5lF9K8h
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlvUljrBCr
I close my mouth and glare at him. He turns and walks away, satisfied.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zSNTUwXKl
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAplXJXVM9L
“So there are cuts on your stomach.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDl1YXMeQ8
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BthrOES7Q
“No, there aren’t,” Jason growls. “Didn’t I tell you to shut up?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyrlaPZ6fU
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6h1MAtXUiR
“You did.” I catch up to him quickly, lacing my hands together behind my head. “Doesn’t mean I’m gonna listen.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1C2KANVnN
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYn0AOLFUn8
“I don’t like you.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaDYUWVkB2
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFn4263PSYN
“People usually don’t.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkU2mKaBWm
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiDPJTYgVj
“You’re such a lovely person to be around, you know that?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHOOaRNGzS
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9Jpd338in
“Thank you for the compliment!”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlGfwhGSkK
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJPFSmYw6s
“Wasn’t a compliment.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QFnBDL8Ol
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kuEqHUNGw
“And I still took it as one so suck it.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1X87tmGeN
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwOdSygvk1
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4k12KRNfX
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcru2vWuLdc
Maybe I am funny after all.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGORZgyl3GN
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKntIvD5h9h
“Why did you come upstairs?” Jason asks, startling me.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBUBrNakZb
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUplPBxPsv1
“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. 489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgCRXtJpNV
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDmHkL3ieA
“Draw?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBvQsLTENQ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuOZQG7jo1
“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-”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hCirqArWi
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNU0CilNIjF
“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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCn2n6mT2I
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWmgIpCwC4
“Exactly!” I snap my fingers and point a finger gun at Jason, happy he understands my thought process. 489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3IIT8e4ns
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80fJnzGOSt
“Do you have a spare pen?” Jason looks away from me and rubs the back of his neck, and I smile softly.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSsc07Lna3
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfOsT9RC0W
“Take this one.” I offer my pen towards Jason, who looks at me instead of grabbing it.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlazjoPoWZr
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LuD0WfKRl
“Are you sure?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRThx50Azlv
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwO4tRQ92ye
I nod, then slip the pen into his pocket. He immediately takes it back out and slips it into the other pocket.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuXflQ3JRX
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdN5ll4NXyr
“There’s a hole in this one,” he explains, turning the pocket inside out and showing me. “Didn’t want it to fall out.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42k7BLJokX
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nErpiFu7k
“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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FQNgH2e5I
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“If you can find it,” Jason states, watching me open a cabinet and immediately close it.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJZ4Y7WPIR
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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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27pw6VbiqC
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“I think she has a system?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTPWpxodRv
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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!”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTV24o1K9f
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU68dYAHIu
“Xael.” Jason puts a hand on my shoulder, and I sigh. “Chill. It isn’t nearly as bad as it seems.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUX4iB2Rt9
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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!”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WjOLG8Fmb
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“Well, at least her countertop is organized,” Jason remarks. I nod in agreement, looking at the perfectly organized counter.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlzElwR7jO
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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-”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBN4sHU3nVf
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgq2h3jvWJ
“Steri-strips?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRxPlrODFu
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“Yeah them.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iI8nF8ZgG
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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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw1dlSqedF
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Jason and I look at how messy the cabinet is and sigh in unison, then giggle. 489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkzCiWwV21
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Wwv3QzIeK
“Are they in this one- they are!” Jason exclaims, handing me some sterile bandages. 489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYfZ9LhT0g
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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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTalbaemKd5
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cghElHMh6
“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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK10O355HL1
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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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRLOdpL9n7
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvwIPdCYpF
“What story has a scene with self-harm wounds?” Jason helps me with the Steri-strips. “I’ve read all of your works.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKewTobGnn
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3L84LK7xu
“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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0ojYS14zg
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrq2Q4Cq9NI
“You’re good,” Jason assures me. I stick the last Steri-strip onto his shoulder, then roll his sleeve back down. “Organizing time?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuPXO2r15k
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHl8656qtCf
“Absolutely yes please.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroNbGBnIIw
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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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCzOT6U4OP
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“This cabinet is just empty!” Jason shouts, gesturing wildly. I peek over and laugh quietly at the very empty cupboard.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RRKx7dvhy
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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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4xadUbYqS
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Jason and I fall into a comfortable silence as we empty out Sarah’s cupboards and drawers.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyeaFDkDFm
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“What goes where-”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrVYWb2sqf
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“Bandages go here.” I tap the cabinet most easily accessible to everyone. “Disinfectants too.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0V6bVaAsRC
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“Rolled up bandages, or band-aids?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqWLJ0MTfw
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“Yes.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlYJFttufD
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“That wasn’t a yes or no question!” Jason swats my shoulder, and I chuckle. 489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UNN7N6Rvq
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“Sorry,” I say, definitely not sorry. 489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfEAwmYuBe
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“No you aren’t!”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cRxmj1rhy
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“I’m not you’re right.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjSZVdhsZy
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“I could just let you do this on your own-”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuE3UxRi4e
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“Please don’t?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEOGD6mAYy
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Jason rolls his eyes and raises his arms above his head, one of his elbows cracking in the process.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQVrCMP2XD
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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. 489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk394k3n3Il
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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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvRPAsfFwj
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“I can do a magic trick,” I whisper. “Look into my eyes.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3LmleM1Qd
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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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPoVwxq6rR
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“I can do a magic trick too,” he murmurs. His eyes shake violently and I laugh.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aynOjPI9A
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“I have never seen someone else do that. It looks so cool!”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlrXyALuLI
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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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fRqCwYlfh
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“I guess we should get back to organizing.” I point towards the cabinets.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLOveN28m0
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“Did my breath smell?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42DqQxeLRB
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I groan and face-palm. Guess that subtle step wasn’t as subtle as I wanted it to be.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4JqJxcLFX
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“No, I’m sorry,” I begin. “I’m just not that comfortable being that close to someone for that long.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn66vZfuxGq
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Jason nods in understandable.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBLWqJMnr5
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“I get that. So, you’re not a physical touch person.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelz2Q7t95I
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“What do you mean?” I ask, confused.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzlT17nWyP
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“The five love languages,” Jason explains. “It’s physical touch, quality time, and some others.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHKK7OyD9H
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“How do you know what those are and why?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXSOXsEhw8
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The smile on Jason’s face fades. 489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbC0GmeMyxv
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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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3fTdtKJei
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“Did you ever figure out what it was?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TbmhskDLB
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Jason chuckles and looks up at the ceiling.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmcXrOIp5d
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“I did,” Jason states. “His language is one of the last ones I would’ve thought it was.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLzKgUk6g8
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLsFCGUST7
“What is it?” I make a mental note to look up the love languages later. 489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhzoiKhOt2
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrluhrGqej
“His love language is words of affirmation. He likes being told when people love him or appreciate him.”
___________________________________________________________________489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHw5LFcDJP
Question of the chapter: what's Xael's love language? Why is Conner's language words of affirmation?
