Array
(
[text] =>

Chapter 10

After I drove Gale home, I risked an interrogation by my mother so I could get ready. I had to look perfect for our date tonight. Less than perfect was not acceptable. My half decent hair was a lost cause, but my clothes were done and amazing.

"You look nice today." My mom said to me, her arms folded. She had just finished dinner and was grumpy because I wouldn't be here to taste it. She knew I wasn't going to Shannon's house, but she couldn't prove it so she couldn't punish me for lying.

"Thanks." I replied cautiously.

"A little too nice to be going to Shannon's." She glared at me and I rolled my eyes. My dad, who was sitting in the living room, rolled his eyes also.

"Leave him alone, Stephanie." He called out from the his chair. "Let him have his fun." That's my dad. He rarely gets involved in any arguments between my mom and I, and if does happen to, he'll only therow in one sentence and he won't bother to get up.

"He's lying to me! I know when my baby is lying!" My mom pouted and turned her back on me. I kissed her cheek and hugged her on my way to the door.

"Relax, Mom. I'm not doing anything bad, I promise." I grabbed my keys and cell phone. "Your one of the lucky moms."

"I don't feel lucky." She muttered and my dad just went back to his episode of The Universe. I said goodbye and got into my car. My mom practically stared at me from the kitchen window until I was down the street. Then she went inside. I love my mom to death, but she can be really creepy.

Once I was out of sight, I called Shannon's cell phone. Danny was in charge of the house phone, and hopefully, Shannon's mom wouldn't answer before Danny could.

"Look, I told you I'd meet you at nine! My boyfriend could find out if you keep-

"Shannon?" Pause.

"Oh, he he, hey!" Shannon laughed nervously. "Jasper! That probably sounded really bad, but it's not what it sounded like! You see-

"I really don't even want to know."

"Oh. Ok, well, what's up?"

"If my mom calls, I'm at your house."

"Um, ok. Y-yeah." Shannon stuttered. "Jasper? About what you heard, I-

"I won't tell Damian, if that's what your worried about."

"Thanks, Jas."

"Whatever. But Shannon, just break up with him. Cheating just makes things worse." I hung up and shook my head. Shannon always pulls this crap. She'll date someone, get bored, and find someone more interesting. It wouldn't be as bad if she would just break up with her boyfriend when she finds someone new.

I sighed and followed the directions Gale wrote for me that led to his house. When I got there, Gale was standing in front of his house, clasping his hands together. In his hands was his violin case. He wore a tight blue shirt and new black skinny jeans with black vans. A blue and black speckled scarf was wrapped around his neck. I parked in front of his house and got out.

"Hey." I called out and he waved shyly. I led him to my car, but stopped. "Wait, I should probably meet your parents. You know, for curfew and everything." I started towards his house, but he grabbed my hand.

My parents are at work, Gale signed. I glanced back at his house, where the lights were on and flashes of Tv could be seen. Gale bit his lip and shrugged. We keep some stuff on so it will look like people are home. So no one will rob us.

"Oh. That makes sense." I said and went to my truck. Before he could open the car door, I opened it for him. He smiled and lifted himself into my truck. I got into the drivers seat and drove away from his house. While I drove away, I could've sworn I saw someone peek out of his window. However, I just shrugged it off.

So, where are we going, Gale signed.

"You'll see." I replied, and went back to driving. I was surprised when Gale just sat back and looked out the window. Most dates pestered me about where we were going, but Gale left it alone. He wasn't sad or distant, just quiet and thoughtful. Well, Gale is always quiet, but you get what I mean. He was content.

The city lights shone and flashed around us as I drove through Manhattan. Cars whizzed past us and thousands of people could be heard, hailing taxis or talking on their phones. Here, my truck stands out a lot, but I kind of like it. I wouldn't want one of these fancy cars anyway.

I stopped in the parking lot or a huge skyscraper. It was one of those huge buildings with windows like mirrors. Across the very top, was the label, Whalen & Simone Inc. Gale's eyes were wide when I opened his door and let him out.

Wow, Gale signed and I took his hand in mine, caring his violin case in my other hand. Flipping through my keys, I finally produced the right one and unlocked the double doors of the building. No one was here, so I could hold his hand freely.

We walked to the elevator and I pressed the button. The doors opened and we stepped in. I pressed the highest number, 25.

Where are we going? Gale signed. I swung his hand back and forth while we waited for the elevator to reach the top.

"To the roof." I answered and Gale nodded slightly. I laughed and Gale looked at me.

What? He signed.

"You're completely ok with this. No questions asked. I could be taking you up to the roof to murder you!" I laughed. Gale shrugged and blushed, looking up at me.

I trust you, he signed. That made me feel really good. I really don't know much about Gale and Gale barely knows anything about me, yet we trust each other. I was hoping to change our lack of knowledge about one other.

Finally, the elevator reached the roof and the doors opened.

On the rooftop was a large glass greenhouse. Like the building, the exterior was made of mirror-like panels. The city lights below reflected and glowed, and the moons reflection shimmered against the panels.

This is beautiful, Gale signed.

"Wait 'till you see the best part." I said and produced another key, unlocking a panel door.

At first, the only source of light was the moon and the city lights, but I changed that with the simple flip of a switch. Instantly, Gale gasped and clutched my hand tighter.

The greenhouse was dimly lit with at least a dozen colorful paper lanterns. A table for two was set up in the center of the greenhouse, and strung above the table was a chandalier made out of white christmas lights and buttons. The buttons were all colors and opaque, like colored light bulbs, so any light that hit the buttons created circular lights on the walls. The effect was similar to one of a disco ball. It took me forever to make it since the buttons were really hard to get on. So far, my mom hasn't noticed that a lot of her scrapbooking buttons are missing.

The plants and greenery were removed years ago, so the greenhouse became a sort of lounge for my dad (usually when my mom was pissed at him). His green leather sofa was still there but I had moved the TV.

A few days before, I got the janitor to let me set up the perfect date. He thought I was setting up for a girl, so he was more than eager. You see, my dad owns this company along with Shannon's mom, so Shannon and I both have keys to the building.

I glanced at Gale, but he was staring at the greenhouse, his eyes wide and his jaw dropped. I squeezed his hand lightly and he look at me, his expression still the same. He closed his mouth, then opened it, then closed it again.

"So...do you like it?" I asked hesitantly. He looked shocked, I knew that, but what if he didn't like it? What if he thought it was too much?! Especially on a first date! God, I'm so stupid, why didn't I just take him to the mov-

My thoughts were interrupted when Gale pulled my neck down and pressed his mouth to mine. His soft lips drove away any doubts in my mind. He gripped both of my hands and kissed me again.

It's perfect, he signed and we sat down at the table. He smiled and blushed when I pulled out his chair before sitting in mine. Right on cue, Ashton entered wearing a suit, two covered dishes balanced In his hands. Gale waved at him while he placed our food on the table.

"Enjoy." He mumbled and left. I had to bribe him with seventy dollars to skip out on a party and be our waiter instead. Ashton agreed, but he was grumpy about it. He kept saying the party was important, but he wouldn't tell me why.

Gale reached for the cover on his dish and pulled it away. As soon as he did, he grinned and shook his head.

Waffles?, Gale signed and I shrugged sheepishly.

"It's the only thing I knew how to make you without burning." I have the cooking skills of my mother. She and I could burn down the kitchen trying to pour cereal. My dad was usually the one who cooked, but my mom always tries. Every once in a while, she cooks something edible.

Ashton returned with syrup, two Arnold Palmers and a pitcher of water. I figured Gale must like Arnold Palmers a lot since he always brings one to lunch. Even when I go and listen to him play his violin on the street corner, he always has one with him. Ashton retreated and soon returned with a bowl of chocolate chips, a jar of caramel, powdered sugar, and a bowl of different fruits.

Gale sat and started to cut his waffle into pieces while I soaked mine in syrup and every topping avaliable. I made sure to save Gale some, but he just drizzled his in caramel and sprinkled a small amount of powdered sugar. I noticed, however, that he kept staring at the other toppings longingly. Confused, I spoke up.

"Gale, if you want more, take some. There is never a limit to how many sweets you can have with your waffles." I said matter-of-factly.

There is when you have...,Gale signed, but the last word I didn't know. I frowned and asked him to repeat it again, but I still had no idea what it meant. Since Hayley was mad at me, I had to learn sign language on my own, which isn't as fun when you don't have someone to learn with.

I sighed sadly, but Gale just shrugged and poured a small puddle of syrup on the side of is plate. He dipped his finger in it and began to trace letters into. I smiled at his good thinking at waited until the word was completed.

"Oh!" I exclaimed, laughing. "There is when you have diabetes. That's true. Wait, do you have diabetes?!" Gale looked like he was laughing as his body shook and he smiled widely.

No, Jasper, I don't have diabetes. But you will if you keep eating like that, He signed. I huffed and dug into my waffles. Gale settled down and added more powderer sugar to his waffles before taking small bites. From the weeks I've known Gale, I learner two things about his eating habits. One, he won't ask for food if it isn't offered, no matter how hungry he is, and two, he eats like a bird. His portions are extremely small, almost too small.

I know alot about him, but I don't feel like I know him. I know his parents are struggling, his name is Gale Woods, he's fifteen, and his favorite color is blue. I know he likes Arnold Palmers and mangos, he's allergic to coconuts, he plays his violin (extremely well I might add), he's a really good kisser, and he has a thing for buttons. He's mute and hesitant to tell much of anything, so most things I know I learned from observing him and prying.

I know all these things about him but I'm missing the main and most important part. Why. Why was he struggling with money? Why were buttons so special to him? Why was he mute? Was he born that way? How is he so smart? Why is he so unwilling to explain these things to me? Everytime I ask, he finds a way to distract me or avoid a definite answer. I needed to know more about him. Because... I can't let myself fall in love with someone I don't know.

We finished our waffles and talked. He steered clear of anything personal and I didn't ask. I didn't want to make him uncomfortable on our date. Personal questions could wait.

I love the chandelier, he signed, but quickly changed "chandelier" to "lights", seeing that I didn't know too many big words in ASL.

"Cool, I was hoping you would." I smiled.

How did you do that with the buttons? It's so creative.

"Basically, just strategically twisting a bunch of wire hangers and using lots of gorilla glue. The lights were the easy part." I sat and explained how to make the chandelier, and he nodded enthusuastically. I offered him the one I had now but he shook his head.

I think it looks beautiful here. This whole place is beautiful.

"My dad doesn't use this place anymore, so if you want, we can come here more often."

I'd like that. We gazed at each other, my hand propped under my chin and my elbow on the table. At that moment, the chandelier switched off and music came on. Wait, by M83. We looked up and saw Ashton turning up the volume on my ipod player. I gave him a grateful look and stood up, coming around the tabe to Gale's side.

"May I have this dance?" I asked, bowing low and sweeping my arm out. Gale blushed but took my hand and let me lead him to a clear space. I wrapped my arms around his waist and slowly swayed with him in my arms. His arms went around my neck and he rested his head against my chest, right above my heart.. I've noticed he likes to do that alot.

The music was calming and sweet, just like Gale. I leaned down and kiss his forehead, wishing we could stay here forever. I wished that I could stay there with Gale and just hold him, enjoying the perfectly warm feeling of holding his slim body in my arms. I wished this would last, because I knew that Gale was the one for me. I didn't need to know all about him to know that I was falling for him. Hard.

We swayed together even after it ended. Gale didn't draw back and I didn't let him go. Well, until Ashton coughed, bringing us out of our bubble.

"Hey, sorry to interrupt, but my mom says I have to go home." Gale blushed, but for once, stayed where he was. I smiled down at him but nodded at Ashton. He smiled and went to leave.

"Thanks, Ashton." I called out and he waved his hand at me absent-mindely. Gale checked his watch and sighed.

I'm really sorry, I have to go, too.

"No problem. It's late anyway." I threw an arm over his shoulder and led him out of the greenhouse. I turned off all the lights and we made our way back to my truck. Once we were in my truck, I drove him back to my house. I held his hand the whole way, and he let me. We reached his house and I stopped the car. Gale looked at me, and even in the dark, I could see a faint blush.

So I'll see you later.

"Do you want to hang out tomorrow? We could go back to the greenhouse." I offered hopefully. Gale thought about it before nodding. I smiled and reached over, pulling him into a hug. We hugged for a minute, then slowly drew back. Before I could even make a move, Gale surprisingly made it first. He leaned forward and captured my lips. We kissed for a little until he withdrew.

Goodnight, He signed.

"Goodnight." I whispered, then signed it a little clumsily. He grinned and kissed my cheek before climbing out of the car. I started my truck but noticed his violin case sitting on the passenger seat. I grabbed it and rolled down the window.

"Gale!" I shouted and he looked back. I held it out of the window and he ran back to get it.

Thank you, He signed and took it from me. I nodded and kiss him goodbye. I waited until he was unlocking his house door to drive away. My thoughts swam with Gale as I drove back home. I missed him already, and I wasn't even down the street yet. I had it bad for Gale. He was all I thought about lately. All I wanted to think about.

Gale

I stood at the front door and took out of set of keys, jingling and fumbling with them. I glanced from the side of my eye and continued to fumble with the keys, watching Jasper drive away. I waited and waited until, finally, he was down the street and around the corner. I paused to see if he was gone, and when I was sure he was, I stepped away from the door and went around the house.

Behind the house were dark alleyways that I knew by heart. No one knew this neighborhood better than I did, which was sad, considering the neighborhood wasn't even mine. The alleyways led me out of the neighborhood and into the street. Cars zoomed past me and people walked past me, not sparring me a single glance. It made me feel even more alone than I already was.

I held my violin case to my chest and made my way down the street. Luckily, in Manhattan, no one wondered why a boy my age was walking the streets alone at eleven fifteen at night. Everyone was too busy worrying about their own lives, too busy to pay attention to someone like me. Or maybe they just didn't care.

Finally, I reached the glowing neon blue sign I was so familiar with. Late shoppers were pushing their carts to their cars, probably hurrying back to a cozy home, or even better, a family. I envied them. Clutching my violin tighter, I took a deep breath and walked into the large building.

"Hello, and welcome to Wal-Mart." A receipt checker greeted me and I nodded in response. I walked to the clothing section and pretended to look through the many shirts. All the while, I kept an eye on the security guard. He paced back and forth, waiting for any trouble. He planted himself in front of the greenery area, which was already shutting down. Anyone who was still interested in anything in that area, he told them to come back tomorrow.

Most Wal-Marts were open 24 hours, but this one closed at twelve. I checked my watch. 11:30. It was about time to prepare for closing time. Any cashiers left were beginning to wind down, pack up, and close up. Most customers were already gone, except for the occasional truckers who were picking up a late night snack on their way through. And just my luck, one of them approached the security guard, asking about the greenery section. He needed a spare tire, and the security guard allowed him to retrieve it, but went along with him. Now with the security guard gone, I didn't have to be as cautious.

I went to the boys section and retrieved a pair of pajama pants. Still watching the spot where the security guard ahd retreated, I snatched a pair of jeans, a plain blue shirt, and I pair of boxers. I stuffed the boxers in my violin case (Which was extremely hard) and ducked past the closed sign and into the mens dressing rooms.

Once I was there, I changed out of my clothes, tossed them onto the bench, and I tugged on the pajama pants. I rolled them up at the waist a little so they hung right below my ankles. This way they wouldn't drag on the floor. I chose to keep my blue shirt and black vans on.

"Wal-Mart will be closing in fifteen minutes, so please make your last minute decisions and take your purchases to cash register three." A women repeated two times on the speaker. "Thank you."

Great, I was taking to long. I quickly shuffled out of the dressing rooms, my violin case in hand. I looked around before heading towards the greenery area, but I was too late. The security guard was back in spot. Um, okay, okay. Suddenly, an idea came to mind and I sighed. This wasn't going to be easy, and it could possibly get me into some serious trouble, but it was the only option.

I went to the hardware section and after wasting several minutes struggling to pry a slingshot plastic package open, I gave up and ripped open a pack of hefty rubber bands. In the cooking aisle, I retrieved a noodle sever (a spoon with fork like edges in case no one's used a noodle server) and hurried to the baby food section.

Please let this work. Please, please, please, I chanted in my head. If I was caught, I'd be so screwed.

I hooked my thick red rubberband around the spoon, loaded it with a glass baby food container, pulled back, aimed, and fired. The baby food jar sailed across the store and shattered in the freezer aisle. I watched from behind the shelves as the security guard ran towards the mess. Perfect.

As other store workers headed towards the freezer aisle, I snuck into the greenery area and sprinted to the back, past all the heavy hardware and plants. Stacked up in the corner were meduim sized grey bins. I stored my violin case in the a bin and shoved it behind the larger bins. Then I climbed in with my violin case and sealed the top. Just as the top clicked into place, I heard a voice.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" Shit. The security guard. I tried to stiffle my heavy breathing and relax. You see, the security guard recognizes my face. He knows I come alot, so he's already suspicous of me. He found me here late at night, he'd ask questions and possibly attempt to escort me home. And that would fail, becuase I wouldn't have a home to be escorted to. Then things would get complicating.

"Walmart is now closing. Please take any last minute purchases to cash register three." Oh thank God. The security guards footsteps faded as he left the greenery. I had to wait at least ten minutes in that plastic bin before it was safe to come out. It was dark and the entire store was locked up, but I was used to that. I retrieved my violin case and carried it with me as I wandered the store.

Finally, I found what I was looking for. An alarm clock. It was a pink Dora alarm clock, but it didn't bug me. I grabbed and headed towards the camping gear. Set up in the middle was an orange tent, complete with a sleeping bag and pillows. I hid my violin case under the pillow and climbed into the sleeping bag. I set the alarm clock to go off at six and placed it near my head.

Hot tears stained my cheeks, but not for the reason most would think. I wasn't crying because I didn't have a home. I wasn't crying because I practically lived in Wal-Mart. I wasn't crying because my parents fucking hated me. I wasn't even crying because most of the clothes I wore weren't mine. I was crying because of Jasper.

I hated lying to him, knowing he likes me so much. And I liked him just as much as he liked me. He was everything I could only dream of. And for the longest time, a guy like him only came in my dreams. So when he came along, I didn't believe someone as sweet and caring as he was really existed. But there he was.

Everytime I was with him, I felt like anger and happiness at the same time. Happiness because anytime I was with him, I was content, and anger, because I hated myself for lying to him. Anything I've ever told him about my life is a lie. And for that, I knew I didn't deserve him. At first, I never meant to feel the way I did about Jasper. I just thought he was hot and would be good to look at. But then he turned out to be so, so damn perfect. And it killed me, because I knew this would never last.

- 

Dedicated to TheWitchAndTheCat because I'm addicted to Travis, just like Alexi :D 

Jesus, I worked my butt of to finish this. My Wattpad has been acting up and wouldn't let me post anything. HOWEVER, I didn't have it done the day it was SUPPOSED to be uploaded. I was up late at, like, two typing it and I got tired so I decided to do it the next day. The next day, I woke up with a bad case ofwriters block. So anyway, I apologize for the delay, but it's here now.

So yeah, go ahead and do your thing, and I'll do mine.

Comment/Vote/Fan, yada yada, and I will continue to upload.

Did anyone expect Gale's ending?? I hope it wasn't obvious or expected, or cliche. Would love some feedback.

[text_hash] => bc2d768b
)