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Please read ending authors note :)

Chapter 16

"What the hell do you mean, it just happened?!" Jasper snapped and I bit back a grin. He and Danny had been bickering for almost an hour. Jasper was beyond pissed that Danny didn't tell him about Ashton, and Danny just sounded bored.

"So?" Jasper was moving all around the room, throwing his hands up in the air every now and then. Just watching him was making me happier. Being around Jasper just does that to me. I was sitting on the floor of his bedroom, lazily fiddling with my violin's strings.

"For God's sake, Danny, I'm gay! Out of everyone, I'd understand the most!" Long pause. "Fine...ok...prick. Whatever, I have me some Gale loving to do. Bye." I blushed when he hung up and met my eyes. His darkened and he strode across the room, grabbed me by my sides, and kissed senseless. When we parted, he nipped and kissed my neck sensually.

"I want to come out to the school." Mmm, ok, whatever, just keep kissing my neck and-

... 

... 

...

Wait....What?

I pulled back and gawked at Jasper. Was he serious? We couldn't come out! That school was cruel, and they would make our lives a living hell. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, shrugging a little.

"I want people to know how much I love you. I don't want to hide or be ashamed of who I'm with because I'm not. I'll protect you from all the homophobes and if anyone has anything to say, they'll have to deal with me, Danny, Ashton's feisty attitude, because let's be honest, who is Ashton actually going to be a threat to, Hayley, and Shannon." He held both of my hands and swung them side to side a little, playing with my fingers.

We can't love each other in private?

"If your not ready then I respect that. I won't make you come out. I know you've already done it once, and it didn't work out. But I want you to know I'll protect you." He said and hugged me. I buried my face in his shirt, breathing in the scent I had grown used to.

"I love you, Gale. More than anything. More than anyone." He whispered into my ear and my heart leaped. I'd never felt like this before. The love I once felt for Damian was nothing compared to the love I had with Jasper. For one, it was mutual, and whenever Jasper whispered those three words I felt like all the hate I faced for my sexuality was more than worth it.

"Jasper! Come downstairs, your grandma is here!" His mom called and we went downstairs, holding hands. Jasper was on cloud nine, swinging my hand back and forth, and I was too. When we got downstairs, his family was waiting. A set of grandparent, three sets of uncle's and aunts, and at least seven cousins.

"And you must be Gale!" His grandpa boomed heartily, and I jumped but nodded. His voice was so loud it almost made the windows shake. He shook my hand roughly, then adjusted his rainbow suspenders. "Call me Grandpa Curtis!"

"Jesus, Curtis, lower your damn voice!" Shrieked Jasper's grandmother. "The neighbors prob'ly know your name too!" Jasper groaned and face-palmed.

Most of the cousins were children, so they were easily distracted by the childproof playroom set up in the den. Two of Jasper's cousins were around twelve, so they just settled in front if the tv and turned on the Wii. Only three cousins around Jasper's age remained. One was a short redhead with a boyish haircut, a tall girl who seemed to have a permanent scowl, and a guy with hair wilder than Jasper's. Must be genetic.

"While they're occupied, I'm Lucille." Jasper's aunt said, smiling and nodding at Jasper's grandparents. "This is my husband, Kent." Kent was standing near the front door, barking into a phone sharply. Then the redhead squealed and approached me, bouncing on her toes.

"Hi, I'm Crystaline!" She giggled. "That's my sister, Joss, and my brother, Alex. Your Jasper's boyfriend, right? God, your so CUTE! I just want you to know that we support you all the way I'm all about gay pride and I do rallies and marches and OH, I have a flyer right here if you want to march with my LGBT/ Straight alliance group this Sunday, because we've finally finished the rainbow banners and I even got the family to support gay pride with the rainbow colors SEE!"

Grandpa Curtis popped his rainbow suspenders, Crystaline flicked ahead rainbow hair bow, and her brother, Alex, waved a little rainbow flag half-heartedly. He looked eighteen and extremely bored. The other girl, Joss, had disappeared. Jasper laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. I was still trying to process everything she said as Jasper steered me away from Crystaline, who was bubbling with excitement.

"Sorry, I forgot to warn you about my family." He whispered. "Especially Crystaline."

It's okay, I like them, I signed. They remind me of you.

"What? No! I'm nowhere close to as weird as they all are." Jasper said. Then, The Pussycat Dolls started playing in the kitchen, followed by two identical cheers. Then Jasper's mom and Aunt Lucille danced at out of the kitchen. Both were dipping and shaking their hips. Crystaline laughed and joined them, popping her butt, hands on her knees. Another woman I didn't see from earlier popped her head of the den, grinning.

"Go Stephanie! Go Stephanie!" She sang and Jasper's mom started crumping. Crystaline twirled over to me and grabbed my hand, dragging me onto the makeshift dance floor. Jasper joined us and we all danced together. Grandpa Curtis nodded his head to the song while Jasper's grandmother just shook her head, smiling. Joss scowled at everyone before going into the kitchen.

"The food's burning." Her monotone voice sounded from the kitchen. All three women gasped and ran into the kitchen, Jasper's grandmother following behind, criticizing them for their carelessness. Grandpa Curtis joined Jasper's dad on the sofa, a beer in hand, and talked politics. Crystaline shrugged and went into the den, her hand still wrapped around my wrist. Jasper began to follow, but she shoved him out of the den.

"Nope! Gale and I need to talk. Boyfriend talk." She said seriously and Jasper poured before joining his dad and Grandpa Curtis. When they were gone, Crystaline sat criss cross on the floor, clutching her ankles. I say beside her.

"So, Gale. How did you and Jasper meet?" She asked and I hesitated before signing. I wasn't sure if she could sign. But apparently she could, because she nodded as I explained how Jasper and I met, and frowned when I told her about the cafeteria.

"And that is why I'm a lesbian." She said, shocking me. "Boys are immature, and the few that aren't are gay."

Your a lesbian?

"Loud and proud!" Then she lowered her voice. "But my sister, Joss, is a bitch about it. A serious homophobe. I'm the only homosexual she doesn't hate. So...just stay clear of her." She warned and I nodded obediently. Then she glanced around again, making sure no one was eavesdropping. When she was sure no one was around, she spoke.

"Do you love him?" She whispered and I blushed.

Yes, I do.

"Good. Because when I was on the phone with him, he told me he loved you and wanted to be with you forever and that when he was done with college he would save money to take you to Italy where he would take you on a gondola ride and propo-

"OK! Crystaline, I think that's enough!" Jasper swooped in and covered her mouth, his face red with embarrassment, and I'm not sure which one of us was blushing harder. He dragged Crystaline away, hoisted her over his shoulder, and carried her upstairs. I waited patiently until he came back, avoiding my eyes, still blushing.

"Your not allowed to talk to her anymore." He laughed nervously. "She has no filter."

Crystaline was fangirling all night. She gave me flags and took pictures and begged us to kiss for the camera, which Jasper would not do. His uncle constantly made jokes about him bottoming, which made his ears go red, and his Grandma Bex played chess with me. Then she demanded a rematch when I won. She was definitely on Jasper's dad's side. His Aunt Nia, the woman who cheered for Jasper's mom while she danced, was funny and teased Jasper's dad relentlessly about his calm personality compared to Jasper's mom.

So far, I had the family figured out. On Jasper's mom's side, it was Aunt Lucille, Uncle Kent, Grandmother, Grandpa Curtis, Crystaline, Joss, Alex. On Jasper's dad's side, it was Grandma Bex, Aunt Nia, Uncle David, and the remainder of small children. I noticed that Jasper's grandmother on his mother's side was strict, unlike her children, while Grandma Bex was loud and cheerful, unlike Jasper's dad, who was very serious. Both families combined was a perfect fit for personalities.

We were sitting at the long kitchen table saved only for family get togethers, when Crystaline suddenly slammed her hand down on the table, bouncing up and down enthusiastically.

"Oh my gosh, I remember you!" Crystaline exclaimed and I looked up from my food. Jasper's dad did most of the cooking. He cooked turkey, cranberry sauce, yams, mashed potatoes, and macaroni. Jasper's mom perfected an amazing apple that was devoured before anyone even touched the main meal.

Everyone looked at Crystaline who continued without hesitating.

"You played your violin on the street near Jasper's school! You're so good! Are you going to be a professional violin player?" She asked and I shook my head and signed to Jasper. They were all really patient when I spoke, since it was usually silent before Jasper translated.

I play other instruments, I just love the violin the most. I want to compose my own music and conduct an orchestra, I signed and Jasper translated proudly.

"What other instruments do you play?" She asked and everyone nodded in agreement.

Violin, cello, viola, flute, saxophone; tenor and alto (I had to act that one out for Jasper), clarinet, and base clarinet.

After Jasper translated, they all just gaped at me, including Jasper, and I blushed.

"Can you teach me?!" Crystaline practically screamed and leaped up from the table, her arms spread out wide. Her soda almost spilled and everyone at the table jumped at her outburst. Everyone but Jarper's mom, who chattered excitedly with Crystaline about it. Well, we know what side of the family she came from.

"Who taught you to play all those instruments?" Jasper's mom asked and I shrugged.

My mother. She has her own orchestra at a university.

"That sounds nice!" Jasper's mom clapped her hands excitedly, before Jasper could translate. I always forget she can sign and understand me. "I would love to meet her!" Jasper and I stilled simultaneously, but luckily, no one noticed. Jasper glanced at me and I signed to him discreetly, hoping his mother didn't notice.

"Crap. We can't tell them the truth." Jasper whispered in my ear.

Well, then what do I say?

Before Jasper could answer, his mother turned to us, waiting for a response. I bit my lip, not sure what to say, until I realized something. I didn't have to lie. I just couldn't be specific.

My mother is very busy with work, and...during this time, my family usually goes to visit family in New Jersey. I'm staying in town because I want to be with Jasper.

Jasper's mom and Crystaline awwed once Jasper translated for the rest of the family. His uncle and aunt teased and his grandma nudged him and winked. But what caught my eye was the glares I was getting from Jasper's cousin and Crystaline's year older sister, Joss. Even though Crystaline had aalready warned me, I couldn't help but pale under her gaze. She looked like she was trying to burn holes through my skin. I tried to avoid her eyes, uncomfortable, but I couldn't look away. I knew that look. It was the look, the searing glare of disgust and hatred, that my brother saved just for me.

Everyone was laughing and smiling, all having a good time, but Joss didn't waver. Her eyes narrowed into slits, so all I saw were two glittering, black cat eyes. Just like Zach's. Just like Beth's. Then she stood to go into the kitchen, her eyes still on me, and when she passed by, she slowed and dropped a note into my lap. I waited until Jasper was distracted before opening it curiously.

I startled the entire family when I abruptly stood from the table.

"Gale?" Jasper asked, reaching for my hand, but I took a step back, my eyes lowered. I had to leave. My eyes teared up and I spun on my heels, running out of the door and into the dark, cold night of New York.

-

Dedicated to UrCuterOnYourKnees for being my 100th vote!! Thank you :)

I'm such a bitch, leaving it a mystery like that >:) But I'm just that evil! Mwhahaha!! I'm uber hyped about where this is going, so I might have the next chapter finished today as well. Sooo...Danny and Ashton! I was all excited when it happened like I wasn't the one writing it. There is a mini story called Caught In the Storm explaining how that came to be, so check it out :)

I won't be updating my One shot Storybook until I've got a schedule going for time. School started and I'm having a hard time finding Wattpad time. At this very moment, I'm typing this during Chemistry class, which I really shouldn't be doing, but I love you all! SO MUCH!! Ok...sorry...

Anyway, this is a picture of Crystaline because I like her and she's actually kind of important later on.

And the for all you super fans, this name came up earlier, and if anyone can remember her, I'll dedicate a chapter to you write you a one shot of your choice and give you an awesome bossom shout out!

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