Jason didn’t respond. I didn’t blame him; how would you respond if someone said what I did?495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfFxJHBcKu
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“What do you think Alleata’s gonna ask me to wear?” I ask, desperate to change the subject. Jason shrugs, pulling his blanket off of his body.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLwMxCcKJ1
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“She just made a new dress,” Jason answers. “If I had to guess, she’ll probably ask you to wear that. She hasn’t seen anyone wear it yet besides a mannequin.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSB39aI9wx1
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“What’s the dress like?”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG36uQOYCwD
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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.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXiikGixCD
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“That’s fair.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QrkLguD0L
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We fall into an awkward silence, neither of us sure what we should say.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48BXrDYTIL
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1782Koz37
“Astrapophobia,” Jason says suddenly. I nod, looking at the weighted blanket. “It’s the fear of thunder and lightning.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQcOZB8SY0
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CFJGV3l0G
“If you don’t mind me asking, how long?”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡop0SA4M9XL
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Jason shrugs, looking around the room. “About eight years, I guess. I can’t quite remember why I have it, but I have it.” 495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fO94WYoMs
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTPtoQYcFW
“You don’t remember?” I sit up a little straighter. “At all?”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqYow5WTmK
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNhGMWA9Pm
“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.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ytfzZMMQh
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicsLigVAI0
“Have you tried to remember?”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBCIzk1aWQ
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Jason lets out a bitter laugh. “Have I tried? Of fucking course I have. I just- I can’t remember. No one’s been able to help me remember. I had a therapist for a while, and then Dad decided that he didn’t need his son going to a crackpot and pulled me out of therapy.” Jason scoots back and leans against the wall, looking up at the ceiling. “The funny thing is, I was getting better. I could deal with thunderstorms for a longer duration without getting an attack. Now, it’s the first crack or first strike that gives me an attack. I got worse. It wasn’t this bad when I first got it.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJTjyR8xHV
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFpsnfKsIS
“What if you asked your mom to take you to a therapist without telling your dad?”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMChZQsP8eo
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Jason opens his mouth to say something, then closes it and blinks a few times.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCef8hfO74
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFII3q7ws0
“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.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIwKcl1BrL
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSvDFPNnXO
“That- that doesn't sound like a healthy relationship."495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNZ8OSMCWc
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡho5jFLC35G
"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.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpRRhFL3F0
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpObqEMptfZ
“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.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagYrhqsFJE
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdRhHwvR4x
“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.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEukmQiYnP
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQ2PP8JI1J
What’s with the sudden attitude flip?495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmTc3cx3Nm
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“Jason, I’m not trying to control your life, I’m just suggesting-”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUKV8sPdig
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“Fuck off.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbumJaTDxL
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfca9M0akiF
I stand up and brush my hair behind my ear, turning as I do.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRxIpwVizh
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEtYO1FHgi
“See you around, Jason,” I say, walking out of the room. I manage to take three steps before breaking into a sprint.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMswvIu18K9
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKY2SFTL45
This is what happens when you trust people. They only let you down.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8i0rfsrHxt
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nhcd952qE
“Woah, Xael!” Two hands grab my shoulders, preventing me from running into the person. “Where’s the fire, girl?”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gqJ74lQdc
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWU5RRrAuR
“Sorry,” I whisper, looking down at the ground, knowing that Jonny’ll be able to see right through any lie I try to tell.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9QiiF4h6k
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aBZLGX7cS
“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?”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXpvDmPG8W
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZgdJYnMd4
“Actually, where’s Lukas?” My voice cracks when I say Lukas’ name, and I mentally curse myself.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUqD4mjKI2
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJ6UYDM1k8
“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?”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYCFYvEdJD
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTPXkyJ1iG
“Thanks, Jonny, but I want to go speak with Lukas about something.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqf5ofmGZ5
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeou9BO22Nu
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.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNR2pQEBs1
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkqR4tYLuu
“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.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJd6YJgSRlQ
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NoH5KlRxu
“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?”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCRdWOjTP6
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37tFrU0824
Tears threaten to spill from my eyes as Lukas’ arms slide around my shoulders, holding me against his chest.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Z20mSpgn2
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNXyx5KaSL
“I don’t know,” I murmur, my hands in fists at my sides. “I don’t know.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWS3EnjKTxS
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumvtKTQpfs
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. 495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKmUiwJrAv
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvyts2UiDx
“You were with Jason, right?” Lukas asks. I nod, looking down at the floor.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLM7r7xwMT
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjVkpIG8mb
“I’m sorry about this,” I whisper, rubbing my eyes. “If you don’t mind, I’ll be on my way now.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuXb25AiqA
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KPLgzrXCr
“You aren’t leaving this room until you’re not about to cry,” Lukas orders. “Take a seat, hon.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OrmL87NuO
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNkTGEpLsd
“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.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6VhZVnbJ5
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“Xael-”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vFByt8IZK
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“I promise I’ll be fine.” I look up into Lukas’ eyes, blinking away my tears.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssJyUtq3pT
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSN2NGAHuf
“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?”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTBZSvtCBz
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8Nu0GWgG1
I nod, even though I have no intention on going to Sophie.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVluizAlvQa
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZodek1D7Y
“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.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsbDKh8P0t
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I won’t do it. I’m not going to stoop that low.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGp2qFZmPhd
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZ1m2DC1Cy
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.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrnl3QAANi
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKfM53HsW0
“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?”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE92R2RuzJ5
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXtTHGysSU
Jason shrugs, pressing his lips together into a thin white line.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgJQaGa3ob
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOX1SALzbP
“Not in the mood for talking. Got it. Hold this against your shoulder.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQqUj9kaQE
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zWns3VhtU
Jason reaches a hand up and presses it against the cloth as I retract my hand, already scanning the room for hiding places.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgsJJ28cI9
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZ9gIhDwDT
“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.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbeHpyg2nB
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5K0FXk6cZ
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.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRtMM0RSZO
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkL4iphysf
“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.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyLyF8G4yX
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVzmd4qoHx
“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. 495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yoQHfMC5K
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbo263HuTX
“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.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkDuqp2U1U
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6w1puSnOnS
“They’re not in the cloth or the boxes.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5msnpxVzZ
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6S8RAHrQUB
I grab the cloth and unwrap it, satisfied when four razor blades drop onto the shelf.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7eQnWD72l
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7EMwWBfBv
“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.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQB7FJWXzsn
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMawj00dXo
“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.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodG3TSYUGH
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqCcPwX6ac
“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.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnFVhp30be
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIXjgL87sQ
“You wouldn’t dare-”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02cg63wjdO
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gWn2gmHfU
“Try me!”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpAGsELrsG
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsoj46ubCR
We glare into each other’s eyes in silence. Jason seems to ponder my words before stepping back and nodding.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh89KIue44z
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU742QYOvAp
“We’re going to Sarah’s office though,” I state, marching past Jason and opening the door.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiFLmKbBTM
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbfsFnNkLj
“You said that you wouldn’t tell-”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP37Xjjpu4a
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrc8fvF3Bub
“I’m not going to tell her, we’re going to dress your wounds.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcg6hfp4B22
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvM2obnT6O9
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.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVJQP9QdSZ
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxj1Adh3Pe
“How long?” I ask, walking faster than I’m used to in order to keep up with Jason. 495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uisCWETfN
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“A while,” Jason answers. I roll my eyes and cross my arms.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNUpdjgTlK
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvL4ZaQUXU
“Very specific,” I grumble. “Where else?”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWPmiQFUnJ
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuNjpRYwe1
“Nowhere. Just my shoulder.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrievghi9H
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfK82dPd2d
“Now that’s a lie and we both know it.” Jason picks up his pace, forcing me to do the same. “Thighs? Ankles? Stomach?”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSFUpHH69x
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxPNwjjQQ6
“Just drop it, Xael,” Jason snaps, turning to me and grabbing my shoulder. “Stop. Talking.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNn0zrby7U
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFizo22gjKz
I close my mouth and glare at him. He turns and walks away, satisfied.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9jhgjApaY
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH76U7FOlxL
“So there are cuts on your stomach.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPSHnGkcOP
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxeGYMZmIj
“No, there aren’t,” Jason growls. “Didn’t I tell you to shut up?”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjGEOaqPNP
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWzVcS56mB
“You did.” I catch up to him quickly, lacing my hands together behind my head. “Doesn’t mean I’m gonna listen.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zkdu5s526
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg550Ly4jf7
“I don’t like you.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8CUYRQzIn
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2vyIUTiiG
“People usually don’t.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03c6UJ3525
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qokSoAGoL
“You’re such a lovely person to be around, you know that?”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSs4TUZ7xS
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDaH8nkOIa
“Thank you for the compliment!”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4U70SMdhB
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdz8Zm6ogGs
“Wasn’t a compliment.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktSalTkk16
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“And I still took it as one so suck it.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeuo9ls4Ua
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Jason looks away from me and I worry that I made him super angry, and then I see his shoulders shaking slightly. He’s laughing. Despite what just happened, I made him laugh.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzbRnbQXI2
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Maybe I am funny after all.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkxPGGmV84
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“Why did you come upstairs?” Jason asks, startling me.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0avyg1pUU
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“I needed to step away for a moment so I could draw,” I admit. Jason looks at me, which seems dangerous as we’re currently going down stairs. 495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUeGdSqUn9
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“Draw?”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOAUv7pfln
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“Instead of harming myself, I draw something on me,” I explain, pulling my pen out. “I’ll draw something that would be a cool tattoo, or I’ll write a quote and make it all pretty-like. The red pen makes it seem like-”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4NSajITuV
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLH0dlXyan
“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.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotS9kcEPCT
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyxQ9eu8HN
“Exactly!” I snap my fingers and point a finger gun at Jason, happy he understands my thought process. 495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYE71sAf6zR
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69X2Ofywhi
“Do you have a spare pen?” Jason looks away from me and rubs the back of his neck, and I smile softly.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvg5b6qYLc
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGcJU6SAOE
“Take this one.” I offer my pen towards Jason, who looks at me instead of grabbing it.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlaxeqwb40
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqDvFm0UNf
“Are you sure?”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqTvxr8tRD
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipVMWz50ug
I nod, then slip the pen into his pocket. He immediately takes it back out and slips it into the other pocket.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgonGx8Gar
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBkwfbTPjc
“There’s a hole in this one,” he explains, turning the pocket inside out and showing me. “Didn’t want it to fall out.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONTzrjbxDK
495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYGBo1JBkF
“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.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3Yiu9UC2G
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“If you can find it,” Jason states, watching me open a cabinet and immediately close it.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmswwfsMmT
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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.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjjmG2VUU1
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“I think she has a system?”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyctfR8SxXE
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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!”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurEhNtCC3P
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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.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUylF8bzTLM
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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!”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8SgeIgLsa
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“Well, at least her countertop is organized,” Jason remarks. I nod in agreement, looking at the perfectly organized counter.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5WaDpN89x
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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-”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWUJnI2kID
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“Steri-strips?”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1n4oB1zHN
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“Yeah them.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzwxqLejuc
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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.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKswWy519aO
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Jason and I look at how messy the cabinet is and sigh in unison, then giggle. 495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8xO4KQpsK
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“Are they in this one- they are!” Jason exclaims, handing me some sterile bandages. 495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6DtKmcFA1
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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.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKnCq8bY2T
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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.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJarEee6EeT
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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.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3z3kPL7lO5
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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.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4P6AzruV1o
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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.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3DaxxhLzx
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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?”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABpVgdyTLK
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“Absolutely yes please.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19g7xk9zaS
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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.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rhPMVvKZv
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“This cabinet is just empty!” Jason shouts, gesturing wildly. I peek over and laugh quietly at the very empty cupboard.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdCJ0fIWGK
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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.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7d904XWUQ4
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Jason and I fall into a comfortable silence as we empty out Sarah’s cupboards and drawers.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLGm9Jzc4U
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“What goes where-”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqkix6ZYxD
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“Bandages go here.” I tap the cabinet most easily accessible to everyone. “Disinfectants too.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIS6uSlMypv
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“Rolled up bandages, or band-aids?”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTFNXweAPW
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“Yes.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcC5WEM4lhc
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“That wasn’t a yes or no question!” Jason swats my shoulder, and I chuckle. 495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNBdjmG5pr
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“Sorry,” I say, definitely not sorry. 495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJVgFDsXvq
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“No you aren’t!”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz35DJYxa1c
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“I’m not you’re right.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91RDOMhEqN
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“I could just let you do this on your own-”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1IecRYdTH
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“Please don’t?”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGQAQFx0xC
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Jason rolls his eyes and raises his arms above his head, one of his elbows cracking in the process.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1rIeqJLB4
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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. 495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkfJHwYP1D
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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.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40hSTyJ0PO
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“I can do a magic trick,” I whisper. “Look into my eyes.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwIJwuBxO3
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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.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvO1iQhHvj
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“I can do a magic trick too,” he murmurs. His eyes shake violently and I laugh.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROcuSSnizJ
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“I have never seen someone else do that. It looks so cool!”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxaIwVjD9G
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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.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6y5s0c5kG
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“I guess we should get back to organizing.” I point towards the cabinets.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8F2nOtB9G2
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“Did my breath smell?”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VeSYBhLvo
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I groan and face-palm. Guess that subtle step wasn’t as subtle as I wanted it to be.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQulGiJNXM4
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“No, I’m sorry,” I begin. “I’m just not that comfortable being that close to someone for that long.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmi1uirPeQy
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Jason nods in understandable.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30jKufpvVO
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“I get that. So, you’re not a physical touch person.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUW0XV0QAz
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“What do you mean?” I ask, confused.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVoeRNSRXV
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“The five love languages,” Jason explains. “It’s physical touch, quality time, and some others.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxQntXts9X
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“How do you know what those are and why?”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcEV9DvplA
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The smile on Jason’s face fades. 495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGo82zHMql9
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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.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG62Zql2qFE
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“Did you ever figure out what it was?”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RG4EDYPp0
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Jason chuckles and looks up at the ceiling.495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH97JufmrRX
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“I did,” Jason states. “His language is one of the last ones I would’ve thought it was.”495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9ux3FieUI
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“What is it?” I make a mental note to look up the love languages later. 495Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FZqasL16L
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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?
