Mr Mysterious [boyxboy]

20.

As he is rounding the corner, Ty can hear Jasper’s voice. “...it will be the end of you.”

Ben obviously see’s Ty before Jasper does because he steps back and even hangs his head a little.

“What the hell is going on?” Ty actually stomps his foot like a frustrated mother would when she catches her children fighting over a toy.

“Nothing.” Jasper lies. Ben glances at him and his features are full of detest, still, Jasper continues, “Ben was just leaving.”

Ty raises his eyebrows when Ben actually nods. He begins to walk away from Jasper. When he passes Ty; he stops for a moment and touches his shoulder.

“I do miss you, and I do love you. It made me proud to see you up there today.”

Ty doesn’t look at him, and Ben leaves. He isn’t sure how seriously to take Jasper’s threat, but he is sure that he will not win Ty back by fighting with him. So for now, he let’s it go, maybe in time, Ty will be able to forgive and then they can try again. When he is gone, Ty crosses his arms and stares at Jasper, waiting for him to explain.

Jasper shifts his weight, “We’re supposed to be inside.”

Ty doesn’t move, and Jasper is nervous. He doesn’t know how much of what he said to Ben was overheard and he doesn’t know if Ty is mad at him. What he did and what he said was to protect Ty, and even if he has upset Ty he wouldn't take it back. Not if it means that Ben will leave him alone.

Jasper takes the steps he needs to to close the distance between them. He places a hand on Ty's chest and gives him a little push.

"You shouldn't get involved with him." Ty warns.

Jasper almost laughs, "and you need to stay uninvolved."

He takes Ty's hand and feels a wave of relief when he doesn't object or try to pull away. They head back to the gym and when they are inside, all the students have done their part and again their principal is speaking.

A minute later the graduating class is walking outside for their last photos together. In the last picture, graduation caps are thrown into the air and the group of seniors are jumping for joy. Families begin to separate,  taking their own photos. Teachers are making their way through the crowd and shaking parents hands and wishing their students good luck. Ty and Jasper separate to their respective families and join in the commotion again, briefly forgetting their squabble with Ben.

"So," Bell throws an arm around her younger brother and leans closer to his ear. "Do mum and dad know?"

Jasper gives his sister a questioning look. He glances over at their parents who are busy speaking to his English teacher then back at Bell. "Do you know?"

She ruffles his hair, "I've known since you were five and you made my Ken dolls break up with Barbie to be together."

"I did not!"

"You did to." Bell nods her head firmly. She will never forget the occurrence. "Anyway, you've done well for yourself."

Jaspers eyes find Ty in the crowd. Martha is taking photos of him with Brad and Stan and the smiles on all their faces are priceless, but nothing will ever compare to the one that Ty himself is wearing. He shots his sister a smile, because she is right. He’s lucky and he’s going to hold onto what he has found. even if his parents aren’t too happy about it.

When Martha is caught up talking to Stan’s father, and Brad is preoccupied with his father, and Stan is playing with Tim and Brooke’s little brother; Ty slips away from his family and over to Jasper, who is talking to his sister with an enormous smile on his face. Bell see’s Ty coming and gives her little brother a wink before floating off to keep their parents busy.