another

seven

I tucked my legs tightly against my chest, dropping my chin to rest against my kneecaps. I was alone in my temporary room, sorting out conflicts mentally while trying to stay afloat in the waves of a very stormy, restless ocean. I felt myself sinking further and further under the turbulence of the surface, a weight labeled Jasper bound around my ankle.

I was almost completely certain that I couldnʼt stay here any longer. A mere day had past and I already erupted into tears. I was drowning in the strange ways of the boy who wore black, attached, intrigued, and terrified all at once. I wanted to believe somewhere deep within myself that he was harmless and intended no pain. Yet, I felt somewhere rather shallow inside me that he had the opposite plot against me in mind.

What if...

No. Claire. Conclusions again. That would be insane. Absolutely insane.

There was no way that Jasper had been sending me the letters, had Mandy in lockdown and was torturing me from right beneath my nose.

There was no way...

Luke emerged from the hallway into my vision, sawing my thoughts in two. He smiled warmly as he set his soft, pale eyes on me. I returned the grin, but with much less kindness.

In his hands he grasped two egg-white mugs with steam swimming from the substance inside in carefree wisps. He joined me on the bed and passed over a cup.

ʻʻItʼs hot chocolate. Jasper said you didnʼt like coffee.ʼʼ He explained in a murmur, glancing down.

ʻʻOf course he did.ʼʼ I sighed and blew over the sweltering liquid.

He rubbed his hands together in his lap, looking downwards. ʻʻYou shouldn't think bad of my brother, he can be hard to understand, but—-ʼʼ

ʻʻIʼm trying, Iʼm really, really trying, but...itʼs definitely not what I need right now.ʼʼ I confessed, drawing in as much hot cocoa into my mouth as I could. ʻʻI just...itʼs too crazy.ʼʼ

ʻʻIʼll talk to him. I swear, heʼll never say anything like that too you again.ʼʼ He assured me confidently, his large fingers enlacing with mine. His touch soothed me as I shook my head slowly.

ʻʻI don't know if I can stay here...ʼʼ

ʻʻClaire, please, just one more day. Iʼll straighten Jasper outーʼʼ

ʻʻNo need to.ʼʼ Jasperʼs voice echoed from the doorway and I internally groaned.

ʻʻJasper, I said to stay downstairs.ʼʼ Luke scolded, moving to stand.

ʻʻClaire...Ms. Saleen...ʼʼ His eyes met the floor in a dismal downcast and for some unfathomable reason I felt my heart twist. Sympathy washed over me when his watery eyes graced over mine. ʻʻI think you can already tell thereʼs something wrong with me.ʼʼ He began, his voice hitching. ʻʻI want to get better, but...ʼʼ He then looked at Luke expectantly from the corner of his right eye. Luke gazed at me for approval which I silently approved, though hesitantly.

When Luke stepped from the room he shot his brother a rather peculiar glance, a warning perhaps, then he disappeared. As soon as his footsteps couldnʼt be discerned trekking down the length of the hallway, Jasper pressed a finger against the door to shut it. I squirmed a little unconsciously, but I doubted he noticed. Or maybe he did and just didn't care.

ʻʻJasper,ʼʼ I started, when he abruptly silenced me.

ʻʻDo me a solid and shut up for a sec.ʼʼ He requested and stretched out his neck, instantly quieting me.His words took me by such intense surprise that I couldnʼt perform a response. I was expecting a teary, wailing apology, not a harsh command to be silent.

He sighed dramatically and maneuvered towards me, kneeling on the bed. I felt the mattress dip as he locked hands on my shoulders, staring deeply into my eyes. ʻʻDonʼt get alone with him.ʼʼ He gruffly ordered, lips a mere centimeter away from mine.

ʻʻW-what...?ʼʼ

ʻʻLuke. Stay away from him.ʼʼ He gritted out with narrowed eyes. His nails dug into my shoulder blade with sparks of pain shooting up my nerves.

ʻʻJasper, get off of me.ʼʼ I ordered while attempting to push him away.

ʻʻClaire, I mean it. Iʼm not fucking around. Donʼt fall for it.ʼʼ his eyes were dark and intense, I felt like throwing up. I didn't know what to say or do, so I just quickly nodded my head.

He sighed, his hands still on me. He glanced at the ground, his black hair falling into his eyes. ʻʻWhatʼs wrong with you?ʼʼ I whispered, prettified. I observed his slightly confused expression, and clarified, ʻʻYou said...thereʼs something wrong with you...what is it?ʼʼ I was terrified to know the answer, but I couldn't resist.

We heard the creaking of wooden floorboards outside the door, Jasper darting his eyes behind him.

He turned back to me, expression dark. ʻʻIf you stick around long enough, youʼll find out.ʼʼ
______

it's literally been 9,000 years. This is a short chapter that I decided to finish since it was in my drafts. I'm not sure if I'll continue the story, but a lot of people seem to want me to, so *shrug* maybe.
Please vote and comment!