Array
(
[text] =>

Chapter has been edited. Hope you enjoy ;)

Chapter 13

My arms tightened around Gale's waist as I kissed him hard. Our legs tangled together and our hips clashed as I ran my hands under his shirt. Gale held my neck, the ends of my hair tangled in his fingers, His breath hitching when my knee slid in between his legs. His hands wandered down my back and over my shirtless chest, caressing hesitantly. Moaning breathlessly, I tugged his shirt off and pressed us together, chest to chest. Our lips met again.

Just as my hands were making their way lower, my cell phone rang for the fifth time. Groaning, I rolled off of Gale and answered. It could be my mom, and last time I ignored her calls, she flipped. I checked the caller I.D. And saw it was Shannon. Damn her.

"What do you want, Shannon." I grumbled, watching as Gale pulled his shirt back on. He was blushing and biting his lip, trying to fight a cute smile. Shannon laughed at my tone, and I can already see her rolling her eyes.

"I was calling to ask if you wanted to go to the movies, but I'm guessing it's a no."

"You called me five times for that?" I snapped. Gale stood up and tried to make a silent escape, inching away from the couch, but I caught him by the waist and pulled him to my side. He blushed harder and hit my shoulder with his tiny fists, but I just smirked and kissed his cheek.

"If I had known you and Gale were getting hot and heavy, I would've called later." She said and I heard Damian laugh in the background. I felt Gale stiffened next to me and I glanced at him, but his expression was unreadable.

"Whatever, Shannon. Give me a minute." I looked at Gale. "Do you want to go to the movies?" Gale shrugged but nodded. I told her we would meet her at the theatre in twenty minutes and hung up.

Gale and I have been together for two months now, and Thanksgiving was nearing. I was hoping to meet his family during the break, since I haven't seen them at all since we've been dating. Not even a glimpse of their faces through a window when I pick Gale up from his house! It's like they don't exist.

My parents hadn't met Gale either, but he was going to during Thanksgiving break. My mom was in a tizzy trying to make things perfect for his arrival. She cleaned the house twice, made my dad get a haircut, made me clean my room (even though it was already clean), made sure to invite 100% non-homophobic family members, bought a new dress, and learned more ASL than I knew all in one day. You'd think that she was dating Gale instead of me.

"Hey, Gale?"

Yes?

"When am I going to meet your parents? Shouldn't they be worried about who your dating right now?" I asked and Gale shrugged nonchalantly while trying to find his violin case. He has a habit of forgetting his violin everywhere. You won't believe how many times he's left it in my car.

My parents are driving out to New Jersey, where my cousins and aunt are having Thanksgiving. They're spending the month there.

"Well, can I meet them before they leave?"

They're leaving tomorrow at five in the morning. They won't have time.

"Ok. Maybe when they get back." I said and Gale nodded slowly, lost in thought. If I didn't know any better, I'd think he didn't want me to meet his parents. Was he embarrassed of me? I know I can be a bit hyper, but I can be normal for his parents. Sadly, I sighed and glanced at him.

"Gale, are you embarrassed of me? If that's why then I promise to be respectful in front of your parents." Gale shot up from the couch and crossed the room in a few strides. When he reached me, he punched me in the arm as he could, and surprisingly, it kind of hurt.

"Ow!" I exclaimed, rubbing my arm and glaring at him. Gale glared right back at me and started to sign furiously.

Why would you ask such a stupid question? There is nothing about you to be ashamed of, so don't ever think that there is! You are the best person I could've ever wanted and I'm lucky enough to have you.

I stared at him, eyes wide. Gale has never said anything like that to me before. In fact, I don't think anyone has. We were quiet for a moment until what Gale said really sank in and he blushed furiously red. I smiled and kissed his lips, then his nose, and his cheek. I felt three words aching to leave my mouth, but I didn't want to ruin it. Besides, I didn't even know if I meant them. Telling Gale I loved him so soon might wreck our relationship.

We held each other for a little before separating and leaving the greenhouse. I asked my dad for two keys to the greenhouse (one for me and one for Gale) so we could get in whenever we wanted. At least that's what I told him. The real reason was because I didn't want anyone coming up there while we were there. Of course I couldn't tell him that because my mom would get involved and ask for her own key so she could come bug us.

No one besides us went up to the greenhouse. Shannon used to go to the greenhouse, seeing as her mom and my dad both own the company, but she stopped a while ago. Hayley lost interest as well. My dad, being the awesome person he is, let us use a fold out couch he used to own before he met my mom instead of the futon. Now if we had sleepovers, I didn't have to sleep on the floor, and Gale wouldn't argue with me on who should be sleeping on the floor.

When we got to the movies, we met up with Shannon, Hayley, Damian, Danny, and...Ashton. I was seriously thrown off. Well I was, until I saw that Ashton and Danny were arguing and Hayley was watching, clearly amused, even though she's supposed to be the peace maker. Shannon was ignoring them both and talking with Damian.

Groaning inwardly, I opened the passenger door for Gale and helped him out. They hadn't noticed Gale and I yet, and as I walked towards them, I heard what they were arguing about.

"Why the hell do you care anyway?" Ashton snapped, staring up at Danny defiantly. Danny towered over him, clearly pissed off, judging by the way he kept tensing up and clenching his fists. His face was red, but I don't think it was because he was angry. It almost looks like he was flushing. I had to be wrong. Danny doesn't blush.

"I care because your dating a football player! The last thing we need is Kyle getting distracted by his soccer boyfriend during practices! I will not tolerate you distracting him! He has a scholarship to work for, and he doesn't need you getting in his way!"

Woah, Ashton came out as gay? Where the hell was I when that happened? And when did it? Apparently the others didn't know because Danny and Ashton had their full attention now. Ashton glowered at him, but because he pouted it looked more cute than menacing.

"I don't give a shit about what you will tolerate, Fisher. And if I have to remind you again, I'll kick your ass!" Ashton yelled and Danny rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, if you can reach it." Ashton took a step towards Danny but Damian chose that moment to step in and separate them. For someone so small, he has a lot of attitude and confidence. None of us have actually ever seen Ashton fight, but unless the person he was fighting was a midget, he'd be slaughtered. Seriously, the guy is probably only 5" tall and weighs, like, 90 pounds. He can't win a fight against Danny. The laws of physics won't allow it.

Even with Damian between them, they were still arguing. People outside of the theatre had stopped to watch, and if they didn't stop we'd get kicked out. Irritated, I walked up to Shannon and Hayley while Gale headed towards Ashton.

"Hey!" Hayley greeted distractedly.

"Did you know Ashton was gay?" Shannon asked and I nodded.

"Yeah, but Kyle Holton? I didn't think he was into him." They nodded in agreement. Damian had split them apart, and was trying to convince Danny to let it go. Ashton looked to be talking with Gale, but it was most likely a one way conversation. Still, Gale was listening intently and nodding. After this went on for a minute or so, Shannon growled and stormed over to Damian and Danny.

"This is stupid! I came to see a movie. A movie we're about to miss. So we are going to leave you idiots out here to work your problems out, and if you two aren't back in ten minutes as friends, blood will be shed." Shannon grabbed Damian roughly by the arm and dragged him into the theatre. We all followed, leaving the two outside to sort out their differences.

After some debate, we settled on The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Gale was super excited because he read the books and is obsessed with Peeta. Gale asked me which team I was on, but I don't have one.

Why?

"I don't need one. I have my own Gale." Gale's face was a bright pink throughout the beginning of the movie. I liked the movie theatre because it was dark and no one could see that my arm was wrapped around Gale's shoulders. He leaned into me and rest his head on my chest, my favorite place.

Danny and Ashton came back just as the movie started, both oddly civil towards each other. They even sat together! Then, again, I would do the exact same if Shannon was threatening my life. The girl is crazy.

The movie was great, even though I didn't expect Movie Gale to kiss Katniss ( A/N: its in the preview, so it's not exactly a spoiler). Gale did though, so it must've been in the book. The movie ended and we all went our seperate ways. Danny lingered and so did Ashton, which was really weird. Maybe Ashton dating one of Danny's friends created a type of agreement. Thank God. They argue all the time.

It was getting dark, so I drove Gale back to his house.

"Hey, Gale, I just realized something." I said as I drove. Gale immediately tensed up, for what I have no idea. Gale is a guy of many mysteries, and I've learned its usually best to just wait for him to tell you what he wants you to know. It's the only way to get answers out of him.

What is it?

"I don't know your birthday! It's funny. I know your allergies and favorite fruit, but not your birthday." I laughed and Gale smiled.

My birthday is on July 30th.

"Aww, I already missed it." I sulked a little.

It's okay.

We finally pulled up next to his house, and I cupped his cheek. He brushed his nose against the palm of my hand and kissed it. I leaned forward and brushed our lips before letting him go. He climbed out of the car and waved goodbye. I waved back and drove away.

As I drove down the street, a glint of metal reflected light directly into my eye. I cringe and searched for the source. Gale's violin case! The buckles were metal and kept shining in my eyes. He must've left it. I was only a few houses down, so I figured I'd just take it back to him. Besides, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hoping his parents would answer the door.

I parked in front of his house and checked the time. 7:51. His parents wouldn't have left for their trip yet. I jumped out of the car, violin case in hand, and walked up the stone path that led to the front door. The lights were on inside and there was a car in the driveway so I rang the doorbell once. After a few seconds, a woman in her early forties opened the door.

She had curly black hair and dark skin. Her eyes were a light brown and she was really tall. Almost as tall as me. She wore a floral shirt and faded blue jeans. And looked nothing like Gale. Still, I smiled politely.

"Hello, I'm Jasper, Gale's boyfriend. Gale left it in my car." I said, holding out the violin. Instead, of taking it, she frowned.

"I'm sorry, I don't know a Gale." She said in a slight Spanish accent. I was confused now. Gale was most definitely was not Spanish. And he looked nothing like her. If he was related to her, she would know he lived here. Hmm, maybe she was a guest. Smiling again, I nodded towards the house.

"Is there anyone else here? I'm sure they'll know him." Her eyebrows rose when I said him, but she shrugged. She told me to hold on and retreated into the house, her bare feet slapping against the hard wood floor.

"Tomás! ¿Sabe usted que el hombre?" She hollered and man in his early fifties appeared. He frowned and shook his head. I regret not paying attention in Spanish class, because I had no idea what they were saying.

"Dice que conoces a alguien llamado Gale."

"Yo no conozco a nadie llamado Gale." He said, both looking as confused as I was. The woman turned to me.

"Sorry, we don't know him, and we are the only ones who live here. Maybe you have the wrong house." She offered, but I shook my head. I dropped him off almost everyday right here. How could I have the wrong address? Suddenly, the man snapped his finger, grinning.

"Oh, oh, oh! Little blonde, in the big jacket?" He asked and I nodded enthusiastically.

"Yeah, that's Gale!" I sighed, relieved. For a minute I thought-

"He don't live here. He stops here and goes through there. I see him sometimes on my way to work." He said, pointing at a creepy dark alleyway. It was narrow and looked like an endless maze. They can't be right. Gale told me he lives here. Unless...he didn't.

"Gale lives here." I insisted, almost desperately. " He told me he did. I drop him off here after school."

"Have you ever seen him come in?" The woman asked and my eyes grew wide. I haven't. Never have I once waited for him to go inside his house. I usually drive away before then. The woman smiled at me sympathetically and the man went back into the house. He returned a moment later with a picture frame.

"This is my family when we bought the house, three years ago." He said, pointing to the picture. It showed two younger versions of them and two teens. "This are my two daughters. They moved away with their husbands, and since then, it's just us. Sorry, no Gale."

"Oh..." I honestly didn't know what to say anymore. Gale had lied to me about where he lived. I had no idea where he was. Or why he lied. I sadly thanked them and trudged back to the car, violin case in hand.

"Sweetheart?" I turned back to look at the woman, still standing in the doorway."From what my husband has told me, he seems like a nice boy. I'm sure he didn't tell you the truth for a reason." True, but was it for a good reason?

Gale 

It was night and I had already done my nightly routine to get in Wal-Mart. I was hiding in play pin in one of the higher shelves, waiting until it was okay to come out. Except, it wasn't. It hadn't been for half an hour. The security guard wouldn't leave. He kept circling the store, shining his flashlight all throughout the store. He was looking for me. I knew he was.

I'm not sure how he found out I was hiding here. Maybe he saw me the day I hid in the bins. Or noticed how much time I spent here, but he knew. I curled up tighter in the play pin and prayed it didn't make a sound.

I left my violin in Jasper's car. Again. I had to smuggle, snacks, clothes, and myself into the children's section AND haul my body into a play pin two shelves higher without getting caught. I don't even know how I did that.

I heard footsteps click down the aisle and I froze. Through the thin tarp I could see the faint glow of his flashlight and a dark figure. I held my breath and waited. He ran his light across the bottom shelf and middle shelf, but didn't bother with my shelf. Who would?

The security guard circled the entire area before stopping at the front entrance.

"Kid, if your in here, you need to come out now." Oh, right. Like that's gonna happen. "You could get in a lot of trouble for this. If you come out now, I'll just take you home and forget this ever happened." I listened to him blab on about the consequences of my action while I silently laughed at him. I was so clueless.

And I was right. He would've been perfectly clueless and I would've been perfectly hidden. If I hadn't moved. I should've stayed still, but my leg fell asleep and it hurt like hell. So I figured, why not? The play pin has held me this long without creaking, I can move my leg a little. I was wrong. Because as soon as my leg shifted, the entire play pin creaked loudly, echoing in the huge store. And not only did it creak, because that just wasn't good enough. The stupid thing creaked AND toppled over. With me in it.

I fell from three shelves in a pink Dora the Explorer play pin in one of the many dark aisles of Wal-Mart. And that was way louder than the creak. Yeah, the security guard wasted no time once he heard that. Sprawled out on the floor, I just hurried my face in my arms. Running would just make things worse. Besides, I wouldn't be able to get out. He locked himself in with me. Smartass bastard.

"Ok I alright, kid?" The security guard said, whistling lowly when he shined the light where th play pin used to be. "That was big drop. How'd you even get up there?"

I shrugged and stood up slowly, my head downcast. Cautiously, the guard approached me as if I was going to pull a gun on him. I tried to formulate an escape plan, but thought of none. So I did the one thing I've been doing for a while. I played the cute regretful runaway. I looked up at him, my eyes big, and forced a few tears. Worked like a charm.

"Hey, now. Don't cry, kid. Let me guess, you ran away from home?" He guessed. Close, but not quite. I just nodded and swiped at a tear with my "tiny fist" as Jasper always said. Jasper. My heart clenched a bit and unwillingly, more tears fell.

"Alright, alright, let me take you home and we'll forget all about this." Shit. Where the he'll am I supposed to go? The security guard led me out of Wal-Mart and to his car, keeping a close eye on me so I couldn't run. And trust me, I thought about it.

We rode quietly, me in the backseat like I criminal. He was waiting for an address I couldn't give him for two reasons.

1. I don't have an address. At least, not one that was mine. 

2. I'm mute. One of the biggest setbacks in my life.

The good thing was that he wasn't asking for it yet.

"So kid, where am I taking you?" Life sucks. Sighing, I tapped his shoulder through the wire mesh thing and signaled for him to pull over. He was a little hesitant but he did anyway. I took out my small notepad and pen, but I didn't know what to do. What was a supposed to write. And it's not like there was anyone I could trust. Anyone, except... Sighing, I mentally cursed myself and scribbled an address. He took it and pulled back onto the road.

When we finally parked outside of Jasper's house, I had to force myself not to make a run for it. The cop would probably ring the doorbell himself, and make this harder than it needed to be. Grade than it already would be. We trudged up to the door and I pressed the button. My lip was starting to tremble as we waited. His parents are going to hate me after this. Then I heard the click of the lock and my stomach lurched. The screen door swung open and in the doorway was a sleepy, barefoot, shirtless, messy-haired insanely hot Jasper rubbing his eyes and yawning.

"Why the hell are you waking me up at..." He trailed off when his eyes opened and landed on me. Then they shifted to the cop and grew wide. Then they went back to me, disappointed. And with that look, I felt worse than I had in a while.

Jasper

I fell out of bed at one o'clock in the morning to the sound of my doorbell. Groaning, I picked myself off the floor. What dumbass was at our house at this ungodly hour? My parents were still asleep! Hurrying so they didn't wake up (and trust me, no one wants my mom to wake up) I stumbled down the stairs, injuring myself at least ten times, and swung open the front door.

"Why the hell are you waking me up at..." My voice just died out when I saw Gale standing outside myself. With a cop at his side. I looked into his guilty eyes for one moment and had to look away. I was already forgiving him when I had no idea what he did. The cop adjusted his belt and cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Hi, there, uh, is there an adult I can speak to?" He asked.

"At one in the morning? No, this is as close as you can get. I'm almost eighteen, though." I said, trying not to look at Gale.

"Oh, well I found this boy hidden in the racks of Wal-Mart so I brought him back. Says he lives here." I looked at Gale and saw the silent pleas. Hiding in Wal-Mart. That wasn't bad. But he lied to me, which hurts a lot. Sighing, I took Gale's hand and smiled at the cop.

"Thank you so much, we've been looking for him everywhere!" Gale stared at me like I had two heads but I kept my focus on the cop, who was eying me suspiciously. Probably wondering why we didn't look alike.

"Jesus, Timothy, Aunt Meg had a cow when she found out you ran away! You know, your loving mother, Aunt Meg?!" I tugged Gale to my side and pushed him into my house. "Thank you so much, officer, for bringing him home. His family was so worried. You see, my Aunt Meg is a single mother with five kids, so it's hard to give them all the attention they deserve. Little Timothy was feeling lonely and left, but you brought him back! We are so grateful." The cop visibly relaxed and adjusted his belt again.

"Yes, well, make sure your cousin stays out of trouble." He said gruffly. Wow, I have no idea why I didn't take drama. I could be an actor with my skills. Or maybe a salesman. Oh, like that Allstate Insurance guy! My mom got Allstate Insurance just because she likes the commercials. Ok, focus, Jasper, focus.

"Oh, I will. Thank you!" I said and slammed the door on his face. He stood, stunned, for a second before shrugging and turning back to his car. I didn't move from the door until he was down the street and around the corner. Breathing deeply, I leaned my back against the door and glanced at Gale. I was staring at the floor. He risked a small glance at me and I raises an eyebrow.

"You, my friend," I started, "have A LOT of explaining to do."

-

Dedicated to Madison_R_Harper because I have an unhealthy obsession with Paper Hearts, most specifically Nathan. And also because your a really good writer ;)

YES! I DID IT! For once, I actually made the deadline I set for myself! I'm so proud of myself! THIS CALLS FOR A CELEBRATION! You know what time it is!! *Jasper's mom turns on the dubstep* DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE!

Sorry, I'm really hyper and pumped up right now. The middle of the chapter felt kinda rushed, but no matter how many times I changed it, nothing felt better, so I gave it my best (the best I can do on a Sunday. Bleh) and went for it :) God, my chapters are just not meeting their standards today. BUT...THEY MET THEIR DEADLINES! Woohoo!

I feel like I do smiley faces a lot...Hmm :P

I put this picture in a few days ago so I don't really remember what picture it is. Guess we'll find out! ----------------->

[text_hash] => 3c63d31e
)