JASPER'S POV:

I know I'm not the only one who thinks this, but Monday's truly are the worst. Especially since I am always assigned garbage-duty. The Administrators claim that chores are submitted arbitrarily so students learn how to do everything required in a household but somehow I always get this honor. There were almost a hundred-and-seventeen rooms in the Academy and every single one of them had a trashcan that needed to be collected or dumped, plus you have to lug this giant cart around that barely fits through the door frames. There were some obvious ones that I could avoid like the Penalty Box unless I've heard a rumor that another student was spending time in there but it's just not worth the risk of missing a can.

As if that wasn't bad enough, when the garbage is collected you have to haul the cart down to the basement and throw all the trash into the dumpster one-by-one. Plus, with the enormity of the Academy, garbage duty has a way of making every assigned student feel like they're searching for trouble. It increases the odds of one getting into trouble with every room they step in. Especially since I had to collect from the cans inside the Administrators offices'. Accusations from the Administrators of eavesdropping and bartering for obvious reasons are common.

I turned into the girls corridor. To avoid inappropriate conduct between the male and female students, the female students were required to leave their trash outside their door and the bathroom cleaner for that morning is supposed to collect from the restrooms and vice versa for when a female student is assigned garbage duty. I started throwing the bags into the cart as quickly as I could, this is the last hallway before the Administrators offices and then I'm finished. It's almost a quarter-til-eleven and I want at least an hour to myself before lunch.

"Hey Jasper, this is the trash from the bathroom." Sarah threw the bag on the cart.

"Okay, thanks." I picked up the rest of the trash while she stood there idly.

"So...would you want to go to the movie showing with me?" She leaned against the wall, a little closer than I would have preferred.

It's no secret that I don't particularly like Sarah, she's not good company to keep around and she's definitely not my type. Anyhow, I was planning on asking Naomi. I saw her this morning on her way to Mr. Davis' office and, since she wasn't at breakfast, she's no doubt enduring a long and harsh punishment after Sarah kicked her to the curb.

"Um, sorry but I'm planning on going with Naomi." I said as nicely as I could.

"Naomi? What do you want with her? She's too young for you..." She narrowed her eyes.

"I think she's funny and creative and that's hard to come by in here." I removed the gloves and threw them on the end of the cart.

"She's not going to be able to show you a good time." She took a step forward. "But I can do that if you want."

"Sarah, I'm not interested in anything you have to offer. Excuse me." I said more assertively that time.

Pushing the cart to her left, I moved on down the corridor and into the hallway. I figure that if I'm going to be here for another month, I may as well take advantage of the situation. She was someone that I confided in when she first got here so maybe it's time to make things official. I know there are a lot of rumors going on about Naomi, everyone thinks she gets special treatment but I honestly think she has it harder here than anyone else. At some point or another we're all going home...she isn't.

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NAOMI'S POV:

It's been almost two hours since Mr. Davis excused me to my room, thankfully he assigned me to vacuuming the building which is tedious but at least it is done after dinner so I would not be bothered by anyone tonight. I tried to settle myself by pacing in my room to avoid sitting, but not even my book could take my mind off of our conversation this morning nor the one from last night. It seemed like there was nothing I could possibly do under the restrictions placed upon me to get my mind on something else.

But I had to try, I dried my eyes one more time and gathered my shower caddy. Hopefully a nice cold shower will give me some relief. I was excused from breakfast but unfortunately I will not be granted permission to skip lunch, both Administrators will expect to see me in the dining hall in a few hours. So, I'm crossing my fingers that the cold water will wash away all the tiredness from my face. I slipped on my shower shoes and closed the door behind me.

"Hey Naomi, can I talk to you for a second?" A voice suddenly appeared behind me.

I turned around and saw Jasper hauling the garbage cart behind him.

"Oh," I turned my head and took a deep breath, this was always so humiliating. Will he ever see me when on a normal day? "hi Jasper."

"How're you?" He leaned forward on the edge of the cart. "I saw you this morning..."

"I'm fine, thanks. I'm just about to shower before lunch." I lifted my shower caddy up, even though he clearly could see where I was heading. "I wanted to hurry before all the stalls are taken."

"Yeah, it's been pretty busy around here today." He looked over his shoulder.

"It's the end of the month, some people are probably going to be released home soon so they're staying out of trouble." That was usually the case whenever the Academy seemed chaotic.

He flashed his eyebrows and the ends of his mouth curled down and that made me instantly remember the fact that his stay was extended not too long ago. Great, I already put my foot in my mouth.

"Hey, would you want to go to the movie night with me? Like together as a date?" He shoved his hands into his pockets and edged forward.

Isn't that just my luck? The one time, one time Jasper officially asks me on a date I have to refuse and obey the orders of the Administrators. The hopeful shine in his eyes and anticipated smile made my stomach collapse. You have no idea how much I wanted to say yes, it would be a great distraction from the intimidating reality that is Braxton.

"I..." I sighed, closing my eyes in the process as I tried to snap myself back into reality. "I can't...Mr. Davis has restricted me to my room after the night of the bonfire."

"Oh," His shoulder slouched. "okay that's fine. I understand." He nodded his head. "But when you free up, will you please let me know?"

I nodded my head and, for the first time today, I actually formed a genuine smile.

"Well, maybe this weekend we could..." I stopped because the air instantly turned cold.

Our heads turned in union as we both recognized that familiar voice down the hallway, Mr. Patry was heading directly towards us in a huff.

"Jasper if you're finished with this hallway you need to move along, you're supposed to be finished before 10:30 so you don't miss the garbage truck."

"Right." He glanced down at his watch.

"I expect to see you in my office in fifteen minutes."

"Yes sir."

"And Naomi," He turned his attention to me. "I suggest you move along as well, Mr. Davis won't react kindly to you disobeying his orders."

He glared at me for a second more before continuing forward in the direction of Mr. Davis' office. I felt a shiver go down my spine at the thought of him opening his mouth and ratting me out to Mr. Davis. I definitely can't handle another punishment today.

"I got to go, I still have Mr. Davis' office to get and then I have to go see what he wants." He rolled his eyes but smiled at the end.

"Okay, I'll let you know soon." I returned a smile before walking adjacent from where we were talking.

I entered the bathroom and, without even checking to see who could be in here, I saw myself in the mirror across from the door and noticed that I was still smiling. I never really given too much thought to the idea of relationships, especially since my parents weren't great role models for it, but there was something about Jasper that made me feel comfortable.

I hooked my caddy and my towel on the rack before entering the stall. The bright white tile surrounding me intensified my headache, but the lukewarm water was soothing on my skin. I had bought a bottle of coconut oil a while back to rub on my sore sports and it helped subdue the pain after a punishment.

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JASPER'S POV:

I dumped the cart into the large dumpster outside and then ran the entire way back to my room so I could change my clothes, it would have been much easier to go directly to Mr. Patry's office in my sweatpants and this lousy apron but I wouldn't want to suffer through another lecture from him. This rush has left me with no time to even process what he could possible want from me right now. I've already been subjected to another month in this hellhole, what else could be worse than that? The Administrators only call you into their office for two reasons; for a punishment or to give you bad news. There was an occasional reason for early release but that was extremely rare. I did all my chores, I was silent as usual at breakfast, and I've kept a low profile the last few days. Nothing I have done could have warranted a punishment and I've already received the worst bad news you could get here. There must be some kind of mistake.

I finished tucking my shirt into my pants and knocked on his door even though it was open. He was standing to the left of his desk near his bookshelf.

"Come in, close the door." He walked behind his desk after acknowledging me. I did and stepped forward, anxiously awaiting to head the reason as to why he called me here.

"You're late. I explicitly said fifteen minutes." With one hand, he slammed his book shut and then proceeded to slam it down on the nearest end stand.

"My apologies sir. I didn't want to come to your office in the clothes I had on...they were really messy from all the garbage."

He paused to contemplate my consideration, which resulted in him suddenly changing his tune to a less strict demeanor.

"Your father will be here in an hour or so, he will arrive sometime during lunch to sign the papers of consent for you to remain at Braxton for another month and to make arrangements for your anticipated release. He placed his hands on his sides and watched me, no doubt waiting for some type of response. "I just wanted to let you know because..."

"Do I have to see him?" I blatantly asked.

"Don't interrupt me again." He warned. "If he asks for you then I cannot deny him his rights."

"But what if I deny?" I took a deep breath and tried to calm my nerves, but they say stress goes right to the spine and I felt a wave of it fall down on me. Just when you think the worse had already happened.

"It's my duty and obligation to see that his requests are made for your best interest," he highlighted. "so I will do everything in my power to get you two in the same room." He finished simply. "And then you would be punished for disobeying an Administrator."

"Oh yeah, of course." I rolled my eyes.

"Would you like a punishment now for disrespecting an Administrator?" He came directly in front of me.

"No sir."

"I thought not. Control your emotions Jasper, be mature, be respectful...now is a chance to show him all you've learned at the Academy and how you have improved."

"It doesn't matter." I shrugged. "Even if he lets me go home next week...he'll just isolate me back here."

"Have you ever considered that maybe you need to be here?" He leaned on the back of his chair.

"No, because I know I don't. I'm a good student...and I'm a good person, he just is too blinded to see that."

"Maybe your father is trying to do what is best for you and he believes that sending you here is it."

I smiled at how often Mr. Patry gives parents the benefit of the doubt.

"You know, I would believe you if you actually spent more than an hour with him."

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You shape your own reality, if you approach things negatively then you'll never resolve the situation. Naomi told me that once. I've been to therapy and they always tell me to understand multiple view points in this situation and Mr. Patry's words of conciliation are pecking at my head. I don't want to understand him. I don't want to conciliate him! My relationship with my father was destroyed the day I found those budget reports inside his desk.

"Jasper." He said from behind me, he sounded cheerful but it was all for a show. He is so into appearances.

"Dad." I said quietly as I slowly turned around to find him standing next to Mr. Patry.

He delivered his fake smile, the exact smile every reporter gives in front of an audience. I glanced over at Mr. Patry who instantly noticed my displeasure. My dad came over to me with his arms wide open and hugged me generously though I did not share in his excitement.

"How are you son?" He kept his hands on my shoulders.

He really has the audacity to ask me that?

"Peachy." I said bitterly.

He gave me a sour look and turned to address Mr. Patry, "May I have a moment alone with my son?"

"Oh, yes of course." Mr. Patry shot me a look of advisement before turning and exiting the room, closing the door behind him.

"Now we can have a real talk." He took a step towards Mr. Patry's couch and motioned me to join him. "Do you know why I'm here?"

"To sign my death warrant?" I walked towards the couch but sat farther away from him than he intended.

"Very funny. He folded his hands together and placed them over his bended knee. "You did this to yourself Jasper, if you did not want to stay then you should not have gotten all those demerits."

"I did what I had to do." I justified.

"That's your excuse for everything. Tell me Jasper, if you hadn't caused so much trouble at home who would you blame then? I can't believe I was given such a disappointment of a son."

"I uncovered the trouble you caused."

He looked offended at the thought that he could even remotely be in the wrong, but that was not entirely out of character for him. He was always quick to divert subjects and to render harsh judgement on those who pointed out his insecurities.

"I caused no trouble, everyone was perfectly happy before you stuck your nose somewhere where it did not belong..."

"How's Owen?" I know it's wrong to use my little brother as leverage, but my father definitely deserved it.

"Your brother is fine," He said spitefully. "he just joined the junior varsity team and has been at football camp all summer."

Good for him. I used to play baseball and I tried so hard to get him into it but he rather preferred football above everything else.

"I'm proud of him, he's finally joining extracurricular activities." I smiled.

"Yes well he's falling behind in his academics for which I have threatened to remove him from the team if he does not improve this upcoming semester."

That's the first sensible thing he's said all day.

"Anyhow, I think you should tread carefully from now on...if Aunt Vera receives anymore phone calls from Mr. Patry she might just extend your stay herself."

I balled my fists immediately at the idea of her rendering judgement on anyone. I clenched my jaw and rolled my eyes with all the anger harboring inside of me.

"Why does she get the phone calls? Shouldn't you? It shouldn't be her decision of whether or not I say! It should be yours."

"Yes well, you know how she is." He shrugged his shoulders and even beamed which fueled the fire inside of me even more.

"So you're going to roll over and show your belly because you're too afraid to be a man and take control..."

Without hesitation he threw a backhand at me that caught me right in the corner of my mouth, causing my entire head to shift to the left. He was panting in frustration, his face red and his eyes filled with hate. In this moment, it became very clear to me as to what kind of man my father really was. When I turned back to him, his eyebrows were cocked and he was standing.

"Careful Jasper, I'm not afraid to be your father. Remember who you are talking to."

After realizing that I had nothing more to say to him, he exited through the door leaving me sitting here emotionally abandoned and physically shocked.

"Jasper," Mr. Patry opened the door and peaked his head inside. "wait here."

I nodded my head to get rid of him quickly and, thankfully, he closed the door slightly as they both disappeared down the hallway.

"Shit!" I yelled frantically and banged my hand down on the end stand, causing the glass knickknacks to click together.

My father is probably with Mr. Patry right now recommending another extension on my stay. There wasn't anything he wouldn't do to keep me away from the family so I couldn't expose his smug little affair. I felt all the built up frustration inside of me and for a moment I thought I might explode. But instead I split my knuckles right into the wall just as the door opened and Mr. Davis stepped inside, but there was no undoing what I had done.

"Well, a hell of a punch there Jasper." He folded his arms across his chest. "Now let's see how tough you really are."

Oh God. I threw my head to the side to release some more frustration but all that did was anger him further. He put his left hand on his side and with his right, he motioned me forward with a beckoning finger. I walked closer, but kept a reasonable distance.

"Closer." He reaches for me this time.

I walked closer, but not as close as he wanted so he grabbed me by the front of my shirt and pulled me to his face.

"You're going to fix that wall tonight! And then tomorrow you're going to start a conditional punishment."

I've heard nothing but bad things about it.

"We'll get that built-up frustration out of you. But for now, let's take a trip to my office."

He reached down and grasped his belt. I looked down at my hand before stuffing it into my pocket and avoiding his glare.

"Move!" He hollered.

"Yes sir." I walked out of Mr. Patry's office and into the hallway where a crowd of guys gathered around.

"Everyone to your rooms now! There's nothing to see here." He announced before grabbing me by the back of my shirt and hauling me forward.

He forcibly drug me all the way to his office, as if I wasn't cooperating. I know better. Once there he shoved me inside and slammed his door shut. I put my hands behind my back and faced forward.

"What would possess you to put your hand through a wall?" He removed his blazer and hung it on the back of his chair.

"I was angry."

"That is not an acceptable answer Jasper. Destruction of property? Aside from being illegal, here it is worthy of 3 strikes."

"If Mr. Patry wouldn't have made me meet with my father..."

"I did not ask you that." He barked at me.

I closed my mouth and sighed at my defeat. There was no convincing him otherwise, Mr. Davis is usually the understanding one. He was tough but fair in some regards, but right now he seems extremely angry.

"Three strikes and the month has not even concluded, you should be staying here for another month on top of the one that's already been added."

My heart sank.

"But I will leave that to Mr. Patry to decide." His voice settled to a low, stern level.

He stared at me, contemplating on what to do with me. I was still breathing rapidly because I still felt as though I was holding so much untethered anger.

"Where is Jasper?" We heard Mr. Patry ask out in the hallway. "Harold have you seen...?" He stop instantly after barging inside and seeing me in front of Mr. Davis' desk.

"Sorry about that, I brought him here after he..."

"After he punched a hole in my office wall." Mr. Patry stated clearly after turning to me.

Great, this is just what I need. Being pinned two against one.

"Care to explain?" Mr. Davis asked.

"I umm..." I looked down at the ground, finally settling down and reflecting on the impulse decision.

"Jasper." Mr. Patry walked to my face and grabbed the underneath of my chin. "Man up. Look me in the eyes and tell me what happened." He spit.

"I punched a hole in your wall after you left sir. I'm sorry."

His grip on my chin tightened, "You're lucky I have to leave but I'm sure Mr. Davis will fetch you down real good for this."

"I will," He stepped closer. "I'll administer a punishment over the course of the next few days."

Mr. Patry nodded his head after Mr. Davis gave him a look of reassurance. He shook his head in disappointment towards me one final time before exiting the room. Mr. Davis unbuttoned the bottom of his sleeves and loosened his tie, giving me a complete look of dismay the entire time. He then unbuckled his belt and rapidly pulled it through the loops of his pants.

"Pants down, feet on the line and hands flat on the wall."

I shook off my nerves before turning to the right and walking towards the blank wall. I unbuckled my pants and brought them down to my knees, leaning forward I placed my hands on opposite sides of my head and bent my knees slightly.

"It does not matter how angry or frustrated you are, you do not under any circumstances destroy or damage another individual's property. You find another outlet for your compulsions, something more productive otherwise you'll find yourself in this position a lot more at Braxton."

"Yes sir." I nodded and buckled my knees, agonizingly waiting for the first blow.

I could hear the prong hitting against the frame of the belt buckle as he walked around with it wrapped around his fist. SMACK! He laid it down fast, hitting the exact same spot with every lick. There were some instances where his strike was almost pure noise with little pain, but all the accumulated strikes started to make my skin flay. He started hitting frantically, leaving no place untouched and it started becoming excruciatingly painful but I tried to keep still, hoping that the punishment would be executed quickly so I could retreat back to my room and process everything that happened today.

*Knock Knock* He turned from me and walked to the door, at this point my arms were aching to be let down but I was too afraid to move them. I glanced to my side as he walked directly in front of the door, belt in hand, and opened it.

"Mr. Davis can I..." It was Naomi.

Perfect, now the punishment had become extremely embarrassing because she now gets a front row seat in witnessing it.

"Oh...um never mind. Sorry I'll just..." She fumbled on her words after seeing sight of me. "I'll come back later."

"What is it?" Mr. Davis asked as he stepped out into the hallway and closed his door.

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NAOMI'S POV:

"I'm listening." He glanced back at the door.

I stood there mute, trying to stall as much as I could so Jasper would have time to catch his breath. I heard from some of the guys that his father was coming today and that he was drug through the hallway afterwards. I can't imagine the pain he's going through right now, mental and physical.

"Naomi?" Mr. Davis said impatiently.

"Sorry you're just..." I turned my eyes away from the belt wrapped around his fist, feeling an uncomfortable burn. "You're just making me a little nervous." That wasn't a complete lie, him standing over me with a belt around his fist really made me shrivel in fear.

He glanced down at the belt around his knuckles but then opened the door and sat it down on the end stand immediately to the left of the door After, he turned his attention back to me and raised his eyebrows.

"Is that better?"

"Yes sir." I emphasized my appreciation.

"I'm very busy right now Naomi but if something is wrong you should tell me."

Okay, my stalling time was up. He's expecting an immediate answer. "I just needed more soap powder for the laundry but I can get some off of Mr. Patry." I pointed behind me, apprehensively hoping he'd buy it.

"Mr. Patry left for the night, wait here and I will get you some."

He turned around and walked back into his office. —————————————————————- JASPER'S POV:

I saw his shadow creep closer to the door and I assumed my position once more. He came inside and reached into the drawer behind his desk before walking back into the hallway. Then, he closed the door, grabbing the belt from the end stand he flung it on he stretched his arm and walked behind me.

"Thank you." I said quietly.

"Excuse me?" He asked offended, curious to hear if I made a snide remark as most students do behind the backs of the Administrators

"I said thank you."

"What for?"

I hesitated, wanting to chose my words carefully so he wouldn't take it the wrong way.

"For not letting her in here to see me."

He went silent for a minute, but then he sighed heavily. "Public humiliation is not my forté but don't think we're finished."

"I know sir."

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NAOMI'S POV:

Well I didn't get to stall for as long as I would have liked, but I really hope that gave Jasper some time to calm down and it may have even shortened his punishment. Mr. Davis hates being interrupted and has a tendency to be thrown off course when it happens. But now I have extra soap powder and I have to get rid of it so neither of the Administrator's get suspicious.

Nevertheless, I tossed the soap powder into my room and hurried downstairs to eat lunch. It was going to be awkward with no Administrator present for mealtime, but clearly they both have their hands full.

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JASPER'S POV:

"Take a seat." He sat the belt down in the middle of his desk, showing that there was a strong indication that it would be used again. "Tomorrow, you will come to my office at 6 a.m. for a conditional punishment. I will have ready a series of tasks for you and your punishment will continue until you have completed them."

I eased my way into his chair, trying to hide the fact that the contact on my burning bottom was bothering me.

"Yes sir." I said while fidgeting.

He eye-balled me, more than likely just realizing the redness on my face that was beaming from my father's backhand not too long ago.

"Jasper as an Administrator I have no right to inquire into your feelings, they concern only your conscience but it is my duty to inform you that Braxton does have counseling sessions. If you feel as though..."

"Would you talk to me like a person?" I interrupted. "Not like a number on a spreadsheet."

His jaw clenched at that remark, but he instantly dismissed it. He assumed a seat in his chair and folded his hands on his desk.

"Would you like to talk about what happened?" He leaned forward. "What is behind today? What's the entire story?"

"Nothing, I'll give the counseling some thought." Although that is not true at all, I was desperate to leave. "May I be excused sir?"

He sighed at my unwillingness to cooperate but, as he said himself, it was none of his concern nor his right.

"Go ahead."

I jumped instantly at the opportunity of leaving and closed the door behind me. Everyone seemed to be at lunch, I'm not really sure what time it is. I felt like I was in there for hours. But eating was the last thing on my mind. All I wanted to do right now was shut myself out in my room, I probably won't be seen by anyone until dinner time.

I made it to my room without interruptions and punched my pillow. When you find out your father, someone you modeled your life after for so long, is having an affair it's so hard to go about life as if it was normal. I've been trying to cope with it but that's very hard to do with the limited opportunities presented here at the Academy. My father is so afraid that I'll expose him to the rest of mother's side of the family that he always keeps me away from the house as much as possible. For a moment, just one moment I had thought that my father was actually going to have an honest conversation with me, but he hasn't changed. He'll never change, what the hell was I thinking?

"I'm never getting out of here!" I yelled and put my hands flat on the wall, leaning my forehead against it.