A Boy Named Jasper {Wattpad Featured Novel}

<Jasper> A Boy Who's Making an Effort

Chapter 21

<Jasper Coven>

"Hey," Callie smiles as she slips into the seat in front of me in French Monday morning.

"Hey," I whisper back and lower the notebook I was using to shield my face.

The bell rings just as Callie's friend, Abigail I think her name is, slips into the seat next to her. Abigail gives me a look as if she doesn't know how to react and then she turns back around, whispering something in Callie's ear. I ignore her friend and try to focus on my French teacher instead. He's currently walking up and down the aisles of students, checking homework and handing out stern glances. I bite my lip and try to think of the right French words to convey what I'm going to need to say.

"Jasper, tu as manqué beacoup de classe la semaine dernier. Qu'est-il passé?" Mr. Klein gives me an expectant look, tapping his foot as he waits for my answer.

"Uh," I stutter, my brain searching for the right words. "Ma mère, elle était blesser et elle a été au l'hôpital, alors j'ai resté avec elle."

"Ok, je peut donner les papiers de la semaine dernier a toi après la classe." He nods and makes a note in his gradebook.

"Merci." I mumble as he moves onto to the next row of students.

Callie shifts in her chair and turns so she's facing me. She places her hand gently on my desk and I intertwine our fingers, my thumb rubbing her soft skin.

"Is your mom doing better?" She asks, tilting her head.

"Yeah, she's up and moving around." I reply, a small smile on my face. "She really appreciated your help."

"Anytime, just call and I'll be there." Callie winks and then turns back around, releasing my hand.

Our teacher begins lecturing and I zone out, only thoughts of Callie occupying my mind.

~~~~~~

It's second period and instead of being in my math class, I'm knocking on Ms. Evans door with a sigh. I hear her heels click on the carpet in her office and then the door opens, her bright smile greeting me. I step into her office and take a seat in my usual place, sliding my bag underneath the chair as I prepare for yet another session. She grabs her yellow legal pad and an expensive looking pen before sitting down in the chair across from me. I pick at a loose thread on my sweater and stare at the dusty gray carpeting that seems to be in every office in this school.

"Jasper, will you please look up?" Ms. Evans asks in her calmest voice, the voice that used to make me want to drive my fist through a wall.

How ironic...

I do as I'm told and find her staring back at me through a pair of thickly-rimmed black glasses.

"I heard about what happened to your dad." She says slowly, as if she's making conversation instead of shrinking me.

"Apparently everyone has." I reply, remembering all of Jesse's comments from Saturday.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Ms. Evans tilts her head, an awkward silence ensuing.

"He's gone; what more is there to talk about? It's not like I miss him..." My voice trails off as I try to look anywhere, but Ms. Evans' eyes.

"Jasper, I know what your father did to you all those years; how you had to be the man of the house and protect your mom all while juggling school. You have to have some feelings about the situation." Ms. Evans presses, though I can tell she's holding back some frustration.