Love Found

Chapter Four

Jasper

     I get up on my crutches and walk to where Hunter's mom waits.
     "Ready?"
     I nod and she helps me into the car.
     Let's recap:
     It's been two months since the accident. My ribs are okay and so is my concussion, hips, and knuckles. My shoulder is still sore, but better. I have seen Hunter seven times since I got stitches, but for the last couple of weeks, nothing. Hunter's mom is letting me stay with her.
     I look out the window, feeling a little more disappointed than I should be.
     "Jasper?" She asks.
     "Hm?" I look at her.
     "Who's looking after you?"
     "M-My father..."
     "I don't want to ask, I really don't...but why don't you want to go home?"
     I go silent.
     "Jasper...does Mr. Collins abuse you?"
     I nod as tears roll down my cheeks.
     "I just needed to know for your safety, alright? I won't tell Hunter if you don't want me to."
     "Please...please don't tell him..." I whisper.
     "Okay." She pulls up to the to the house and helps me inside. "Hunter is at group and he's sorry for not being able to make it."
     "Group...like counseling?" I ask, happy to change subjects.
     "Kind of." She gets me settled on the couch and sighs. "He'll be home around nine, okay?"
     "Okay...thank you." I groan as she fixes the position of my foot. "Can I take a nap?"
     "Of course...you live here for now." She disappears through a doorway.
     I close my eyes, the pain draining the rest of my energy.

     I run into another dead end, scared to death. "SOMEBODY HELP ME!" I scream at the top of my lungs. I keep running, not keeping track of which walls I've seen before and which are new and undiscovered. I hear the heavy footsteps and heavy breathing of his body and pray I'm not caught this time. "PLEASE SAVE ME!" I trip, feeling the rocky path shred my skin. I get up and try to keep running, stumbling along the way every so often. "HUNTER! PLEASE HELP ME!" I fall to the ground as I scream and cry.
     He comes up behind me, dragging me away from Hunter who just appeared in front of me.
     "Please...don't leave me like this..."

     "Jasper, wake up!"
     I open my eyes, startled. "Hunter?" I say shakily.
     "You're okay..." He holds me. "What's wrong? You're shaking so bad and sweating...Jasper...what's going on?"
     "Just a bad dream...nothing to worry about..." I sit up and catch my breath. "I promise I'm okay..." I lie once more.
     "Okay..." He holds my hand. "I'm here for you, okay? Why don't you-" He stops talking.
     "What is it?"
     "I'd ask you to go to group with me...but it's for LGBT+ people mainly...or curious people...you might not be into that..."
     "Why wouldn't I be? Don't think I could have a crush on someone other than a girl?" I smile and squeeze his hand. "I'd love to."
     "Good." He lets go of my hand. "Do you want something to eat?"
     "Uh..." Food...I've been offered food... I smile. "I dunno...I guess..."
     "How does Chinese sound?"
     "I've never had it..."
     "You've never had Chinese!?"
     I shake my head. "No."
     "Here..." He finds a menu and hands it to me. "Picky two things."
     "Veggie pot stickers...and hot and sour soup."
     "Like spicy?"
     "Love spicy." I correct.

     I taste the soup and nod. "That's good..."
     "I'm so sorry you haven't been introduced to this yet..."
     I laugh and lay my head on his shoulder. "I should get home in a couple days..." I gulp. "My dad will be worried." I lie. "I don't want to worry him." Lie again.
     "You could call him?"
     "I think he'd rather me be there..." Not a lie.
     "Alright..."
     "But I'll see you at school, okay?"
     "You sure?"
     "I'm fine." I playfully shove him. "Didn't hurt before I had to move..."
     "C'mon...rest for another week-"
     "One day after the weekend. Monday is in four days...so, I'll be okay by then."
     "Because stuff like this happens?" He frowns.
     "I can't help it..." I put my food down after eating some of it and lay down with Hunter's help. "I'll be okay..." I try to reassure him.
     "Monday."
     "I promise." I grin. "Now let me sleep. I have to heal."
     He chuckles, shaking his head as he cleans up then goes upstairs.
     Today is Thursday...I can't wait til Monday...