Tess

Six

I lay on Jasper's bed with Charlie curled up in my arms. I stroke my hand softly along his head in a soothing manner. His light breathing hitches ever so often when he snores in his sleep.

"You should really be asleep." Jasper's voice croaks.

I turn on my side to face his direction, trying carefully not to awaken Charlie.

"I can't." I whisper.

Jasper sits with his knees against his chest and his arms loosely on top, resting with his head back. He sits against the farthest wall away from the bed which he graciously let us sleep in.

He gives me a bitter laugh in response.

"Thank you." I said for the 5th time tonight.

"I said, don't thank me." He spits out.

"You don't have to be so mean about it." I say with a furrowed brow.

He roles his eyes in response.

"Did you get my message." He says after a view seconds of silence.

"That was you! How did you get my number?" I ask very confused.

He doesn't respond.

"You didn't like crawl into my room or anything and get it from my phone." I say sarcastically.

He shrugs with a small smirk that creeps onto his face.

"You didn't..."I say knowing fully well that he did.

I shiver with the thought of him going into my room in the middle of the night. Why did he want my number?

"Why did you text me to see if I was ok? How did you know about the car?" How did he know about that?

"I just wanted to see if you were ok. That person in the car wanted to hurt you." He says looking away from me.

"Why did they want to hurt me, who even was it?" I questioned.

"They want to hurt me." He whispers.

"What does that have anything to do with me?"how did I even get involved?

"They want to hurt me through you." He says now looking at me.

"They don't think you like me?"I laugh dryly now sitting up to get a better look at him.

"Just be careful when your alone ok." He says dismissing my question.

"Who was in the car?" I need to get him to tell me something!

"You won't like it...my old gang members." He says waiting for my reaction.

I can't help it. I burst into a fit of laughter.

"Your-old..gang members!" I cover my mouth trying to keep quiet.

"What's so funny?" He questions.

"Come on you don't think I'm that stupid,do you?" I say while my laughter slows down.

"Fine don't believe me. Sorry for trying to keep you safe." He says as he lies down onto the the ground and turns around to face away from me.

"Aww come on you don't expect me to believe that?"

He doesn't say anything.

"Fine then." I say lying down and trying to fall asleep.

"Your fathers probably asleep. You guys can go back when you wake up." Wow he's alive.

"Thank you." I say one last time.
"Don't thank me." He replies.
_______________

As soon as the sun started coming up I woke Charlie up and we went into my room. My fathers truck was gone so we knew it would be ok.

"My mom said Charlie can stay with us for as long as you need!" Kim says.

"Thanks. I just don't want social services to get involved... its not safe for him here." I say through the phone.

"Tess it's not safe for you either!" She yells.

"Ya but I can handle it." I say.

Since my mother left us to fend for ourselves with Dane, I feel like I'm in charge of Charlie. And him being here isn't safe and now I can do something about it.

"Can I bring him over today?" I sniffle through the phone. The tears can't be stopped as I think of sending him away.

"Ya." Is her reply.

Kim and her mother are living by themselves. They live in the same neighbourhood as us, so her mom try's to help as many of us out as she can even though she doesn't have much to give.

Charlie didn't really understand what was going on when I told him to pack his bag. The drive was bitter sweet. Is not like I can never see him, it's just that I'll be home alone... with Dane.

Charlie didn't cry either. Kim's mom Amber was on the front steps of there house and gave Charlie a big hug. He likes Amber.

I drove back home, by myself. Alone.
__________

The moon shines through my window. I can't sleep. Today's been to much. I get up and grab a smoke from the untouched package in my drawer, take a old lighter and climb out of my window. Crickets and a hum of frogs can be heard. I climb onto the roof in my pyjamas, blue shorts and a black tank top. My hairs flopped into a messy bun on the top of my head.

I sit waiting there on the roof waiting for something. What am I waiting for?

"Care if I join?" A low voice speaks out in the night.

A small smile creeps onto my face as I look down at Jasper's bedroom window to find him leaning out of it staring at me.

"Okay." I say.

He climbs stealthy out of the widow, onto the tree, and on my roof. He plops himself down right beside me. Our arms lightly brush against each other.

My breath hitches in my throat and I look out towards the moon with hazy eyes. I put the smoke between my fingers, rolling it around. Jasper snatches it out of my hand and lights it. He puts it between his lips and blows out a puff of smoke.

He passes me the smoke and I take a hit.

"Gotten better I see?"he questions.

"No, I haven't done it since last time." He laughs dryly.

"How has your day been?" He questions, taking the smoke back.

Tears well in my eyes and I respond with a quivering voice.

"Don't ask." I say. I rest my head on his shoulders and he goes stiff.

It takes him a while to register but he eventually wraps his arm loosely around my waist hugging me to his side. I feel the veins in his arm pressing in my back lightly.

So we sit there for I don't know how long. Me, with silent tears, and him with a comforting frame.

I think this is the best part of today.

_________

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