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Chapter 18

 "Gale! Stop beating me!" I growled as Gale swiped my queen. Gale and I were sitting at the dining room table playing chess. He had almost all my pawns, a knight, and both my castle thingies that can only go in straight lines. He just shrugged and devoured another piece of pumpkin pie he and my mom made. I furrowed my eyebrows and thought hard before deciding to move my second knight towards Gale's king. Immediately, my dad tisked and smirked.

"What? What did I do! Was I not supposed to do that?!" I questioned and Gale grinned, capturing my last knight mercilessly. I groaned as my dad chuckled lightly. I threw him a dirty look.

"And you! You're supposed to help me!" I pointed at my dad.

"Now, now, Jasper. That's called cheating." He remarked nonchalantly, licked his finger, and flipped to the next page in his stupid smart people book, crossing his leg over his knee. I swear, my dad is one of the weirdest people I know. I can't say I'd be surprised if he was a spy or something. He's just so...normal. But my mom is so weird.

"Thomas!" My mom yelled from the kitchen." Can you help me? My hand is stuck in the sink again!" See?! Complete opposites. My dad nodded at us before closing his book and getting up to go rescue my mom. Gale smiled and began to put away the chess board and pieces.

I'm guessing you've had enough of chess for now.

"Yes." I muttered and glared hatefully at the box. Stupid game. Always letting Gale win. Gale placed the chess box back on the game shelf and let me lead him to my room. My parents are amazing and I'm glad they accept me, but they won't leave us alone. Or to be honest, Gale alone. My mom even had the nerve to invite over so she and him could go shopping. She spent hours having Gale critique her outfits and Gale had a blast. I endured the torture because Gale was happy but eventually I cracked and told her I'd never bring Gale back to our house if she didn't take us home. We made it back home in record time.

Can I talk to you about something...it isn't bad.

"No, Gale, you can't." I teased as we entered my room and closed the bedroom door. He rolled his eyes and pushed my shoulder. I laughed and plopped down onto my bed, switching on my tv. Gale climbed onto bed and sat next to me.

"Sure. What's up?" I asked and lazily skimmed through Netflix, automatically searching for a Disney movie. It's like my actions are on autopilot, Gale Setting, because every decision I make relates to him in some way. I finally settled with Hercules. Gale smiled and cuddled closer to my side, and gave me a small peck on the lips.

You don't have to put on a Disney movie. We can watch other movies.

"I know, but you look happier when we do."

I'm happy because you chose it for me. I like that you know me so well.

"I like knowing you so well." I replied and hugged him. "And I don't mind watching another Disney movie. Besides, I've never seen this one."

You were deprived as a child.

"Well it's a good thing I have you to show me what I've been missing all this time. So what did you want to talk about?" I asked, mildly distracted by his pinkie that was tracing swirly loops across my stomach, which had been exposed when I leaped into my bed. Gale shrugged and stopped tracing.

I wanted to talk about Thanksgiving, he signed. There's something I need to talk to you about Joss.

I nodded a little hesitantly. I hadn't told Gale, but I knew all about the Missing Child sign. Crystaline called me and told me all about the large note Joss gave him, which I'm sure was the Missing Child Poster and I'll definitely be chewing her out for that. Gale must have kept it from me so I wouldn't worry about the fact that his parents were searching for him, or maybe so I wouldn't get in trouble.

"It's ok, Crystaline told me everything." I said. "Joss was way out of line."

Gale smiled, relieved. I'm glad you know. Did she tell you about the note?

"Yeah, I have it. I'm going to take it to my Aunt."

"Wait, you have the note?

"Yeah." I said, handing him the Missing Child Poster. He frowned and carefully looked it over. Then his face paled.

This isn't the note I got, he signed, and I could see that he was panicking just by the speed he was signing. The note she gave me just told me to kill myself and go to hell. I've never seen this before. Where did you get it?

"She told you to kill yourself?!"

Where did you get the note, Jasper!

"Uh..." I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly. "You see, I didn't actually get it anywhere. I mean, I don't really know where-

You don't know! What do you mean you don't know?!

"How am I supposed to know? I wasn't the one who found it!"

Then who did?!

"Um..."

Jasper!

"Gale..."

Tell me right now!

"...My dad?"

WHAT?! Your dad knows? This is probably all over New York by now, knowing my mother! The police will come get me and you'll get in trouble for taking care of me and I'll have to go back home! I'm not going back! I have to leave. Jasper, I can't stay here, I-

I stopped his hands, clutching them tightly in mine.

"Relax." I said. "It's not that serious. My dad doesn't think any less of you. I'll talk to my dad and see where he got the poster. The flyers can't be all around town, or else someone would've called in by now. Which means it's probably somewhere like a small pharmacy or a grocery store."

A grocery store like Wal-Mart! You know, the one the security guard caught me in?!, He signed, completely oblivious to everything else I said.

"Well, he was more of a rent-a-cop..."

Jasper!

"Gale! They're probably not even going to check here." As soon as the words left my mouth, the doorbell rang. Gale peeked out the window and immediately jumped back, fear quickly building in his eyes.

There is a cop car outside your house, Jasper.

"Shit. Stay here." I said and rushed out of my room. Like slow motion, my mom was making her way to the front door. I freaked out and jumped over the banister rather than taking the stairs just to beat her to the stairs. She jumped and clutched her chest.

"Jasper Whalen, how many times have-

"I got the door!" I yelled, panting slightly as I opened the door to the cop who had brought Gale home at midnight.

"Hello, young man, may I speak to your parents or an adult?" He asked politely. I flashed a smile and shook my head, practically shoving my mom away with the arm behind the door. Go, I spelled out with my hand, grateful that she knew how to sign as well.

"Sorry, sir, just me again. What can I help you with?" I asked.

"I wanted to speak with your cousin, Tommy is it?" He asked, but I could see the quizzical look on his face. This was a test. I could see the poster rolled up in his hand. He obviously already knew who Gale was, and recalled that I had told him that Gale's name was Timothy.

"Timothy, actually. Gale Timothy Woods." I added cleverly. He nodded and unfurled the poster

"Ah, yes. Well I found this on the missing child board at Wal-Mart."

"Oh, yeah, my Aunt Meg freaked out when she couldn't find him and posted that picture." I lied, ignoring my mother, who was standing behind the door, confused. "We have him now and Aunt Meg is gonna come pick him up soon. Right now she's on a trip."

"Oh, so he's here?" He asked.

"Not at the moment, but when he's returned to my aunt, we'll give you a call, okay?" By now, my dad had joined my mom behind he door, just watching. The officer nodded and folded the poster into his back pocket.

"Alright. Remember to give me that call." He retreated to his car and drove away. I didn't close door until he was around the corner. My mom stood there, staring at me like I had lost my mind, while my dad, as always, looked slightly amused. Gale was standing on the stairs, peeking over the banister.

"What on earth, Jasper?!" My mom exclaimed. "Since when are you so good at lying to cops? How long have you been doing that?" Of all the things she was worried about...

"Not long. Look, Mom, I love you and I'm sure you have a lot of questions, but believe me when I say, I can't tell you." My mom glared and opened her mouth to speak, but I cut her off. "Please. I'm trying to protect Gale. It's nothing bad, I promise. Dad knows that."

My mom furrowed her eyebrows and pursed her lips. A few times, she threw a glare at my dad. I was convinced she would yell at me and my dad for keeping this from her, even though my dad had really only known for a week, but then she looked to the stairs, where Gale was still clinging to the banister rail. Her eyes softened and she sighed.

"I don't know what you are up to, Jasper, but I'm not going to interfere. Your old enough to handle whatever mess you've gotten yourself into." I fist pumped and drew her into a big hug. My dad went right back to reading his book and Gale went upstairs.

"Thanks mom." She smiled and kissed my cheek before joining my dad in the living room. I went upstairs and to my room, where Gale was sitting on my bed, waiting. I sat next to him, smiling widely.

"So..." I shouldered him playfully. "Is there anything you'd like to say to me?"

You're a dork, he signed and I stuck my tongue out at him. He shook his head. Fine, thank you. But that doesn't mean we don't have to worry. He's still waiting for the mysterious call from my Aunt Meg that he'll never get.

"Don't worry, I have a plan."

***

"Yes...yes, I see. Well, now that he's back, there's no need for the poster. Mhm...well, if you feel that it is necessary, I'll be happy to meet at Wal-Mart with him. Oh? Okay, thank you, again. Mmm...goodbye." Shannon chattered cheerfully to the cop. Hayley sat off to the side, snickering quietly. Gale just looked nervous.

We were all crowded around Shannon's house phone. For the sake of his situation, we told the others about what was going on. They were fine with it and agreed to help him in any way if he needed it. Gale doesn't realize it, but Shannon and the others aren't just my friends anymore. They're his friends too. Especially Ashton. He and Gale are really close, although half the time, Ashton has no idea what Gale is saying. Damian still hangs out with us from time to time, but it's usually only when Danny is with us.

"So?" Ashton asked. Shannon hung up her phone and smiled, both thumbs up.

"It worked." We all cheered and Gale let out a sigh of relief. My plan was successful. Shannon called the cop as Aunt Meg, confirming that Gale had indeed returned home. A lot of bluffing was done, and honestly, if the cop was actually doing his job, or actually a real cop (I'm convinced he isn't truly qualified for the badge) we would've been in a lot of trouble. But he believed it, and was going to remove the poster. Now, there is no reason for him to be so suspicious, and he was the only person who knew about Gale. As far as school was concerned, Gale was returning home everyday, and Shannon called the school to make sure of that.

We spent the day at Shannon's, celebrating until it was time to go home. It was kind of cute that Danny was driving Ashton home, even if it was a little hard to get used to. I drove Gale back to my house. My parents were fine with him spending the night since it was a Friday.

As soon as we got home and my bedroom door closed, Gale's lips collided with mine and we stumbled backwards onto my bed pillows. Gale brought his hands up to my chest and he gripped my shirt tightly. I was so lost in him, I couldn't even recall when my shirt came off. Or when his did. We kissed more before I pulled back for air.

"Woah..." I breathed, shuddering when his breath tickled my ear. "What was that for?"

Gale shrugged, intensity and lust behind his midnight blue eyes.

For always being here for me.

I grabbed his hips and rolled over so I was straddling him. Immediately, he blushed. I chuckled and kissed him deeply. His eyes closed and his fingers clung to the nap of neck. My lips swollen and my mind lustful and hazy. I kissed his neck passionately, no doubt leaving an impressive hickey, before I trailed lower. My mouth went around his nipple and kissed softly. I bit the other gently and Gale hips jolted towards mine. I moaned and my hips rolled against his. My mouth returned to his as our hips grinded together. My fingers and were fumbling with his jeans zipper when he stopped me.

Wait. I...I'm not ready.

I brought my hands back to his shoulders and sat up, putting a little space between us.

"Yeah, yeah, that's cool." I replied, a little out of breath. Gale's face was beautifully flushed and he looked away from my heated gaze.

I'm sorry.

"No, no, it's fine." I reassured. "Really. Don't apologize for not being ready for something like that." We were quiet for a minute, focused on catching our breath and basking in the remaining glow of lust. I broke the silence with a chuckle.

"That was hot." Gale glared at me, embarrassed.

Shut up, Jasper.

***

I groaned out loud and cuddled closer to Gale, arms wrapped around his chest, as the doorbell rang. It was eight in the morning, way to early for me to leave my bed on a Saturday, and extremely early for me to leave Gale in my bed on a Saturday. Unfortunately, my stunt with the cop didn't go unpunished. I had to answer the door anytime someone came. Apparently I had really freaked my mom out when I had jumped over the banister. The doorbell rang again, reminding me of our deal.

"Alright, alright." I grumbled under my breath and dragged myself out of the warm embrace that was Gale. His nose twitched and he curled more tightly into the covers. He's so cute in the morning. When he's sleeping. When he's awake, it's a different story. Gale is definitely not a morning person like me or my mom.

My parents were late sleepers, so I was the only person up as I shuffled to the door, shirtless in only a pair of sweats. The doorbell rang again and I sighed, opening the creaky door quietly so my parents wouldn't wake up, if the doorbell hadn't woken them already.

"Yes?" On the other side of the door, was a guy who looked about my age and height. His eyes were a light shade of blue and his hair was a platinum blonde. He wore a black jeans, combat boots that resembled Gale's, and a black and white Letterman jacket with the letters E and H. Esterson Hill High School, our rivals. He looked strangely familiar.

"Are you Jasper Whalen?" He asked and I nodded. "Good. I'm Tobias Woods, and I swear to God, if you don't have my brother at this door in five minutes, I'll have the cops here in less than two."

-

*blush* That make out scene...OK MOVING ON. I'm really happy, because I didn't think that I'd finish the chapter today but I did! If anyone is wondering, I changed Gale's brother's name from Zach to Tobias. Sooo, Tobias is here! I actually like him a lot, even if he's a homophobe. I don't know, I just like the attitude he has.

 SO, what is goingto happen with Tobias?? Will he call the cops and take Gale?? What will they do?? I honestly have no idea. I'm as much of a reader as you guys. When I write, words jut come out like I'm being controlled. This entire story is nothing like I had originally planned,but I love it!

Anyway, FAN/COMMENT/FOLLOW

You do your thing and I'll do mine ;)

Pic of Gale's big brother, Tobias Woods---------------->

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