JASPER'S POV:

The thought of staying here for the rest of my youth was beginning to haunt me even more than it did before. When I spoke to my brother the other day he asked if I had made any friends in the long while I've been here, subtly suggesting that it wasn't all that bad, and I would be home in no time. He thinks this is summer camp – but I can't entirely fault him for his naiveness. Our father-figure more than likely told him what a great place I was sent to for my benefit.

Despite how hopeless I thought the idea was, the very concept of making friends was beginning to resonate with me due to my ebbing hope of returning home. Throughout the duration of most of my stays, I've always kept to myself and never got too close to any individual. The very first time I was sent here, for instance, I managed to make a pretty good close group of friends. Our personalities meshed well together, and we helped each other get through the tedious and tormenting days here at Braxton...but after each one began to leave the Academy, our friendship was left with the remainder of us. Before I knew it, I was the last one. Constantly in and out.

Of course, we'll call you, we're buddies. Of course. This is what happens when they get home; they will call you the first time, you'll talk awkwardly, make more plans to call but then cancel them or just never return the call because it only took that one phone call for you both to realize you don't have anything in common anymore. None of us here are friends, we're merely band aids and once we're removed all we are to each other are scars. Nothing but reminders of this place and no one wants that.

It's the most absolute social construct you learn here at the Academy. Assuming you've been here for a few months. Anyhow, in my experience it will keep you from finding trouble. I can do enough of that on my own, I don't really need anyone's help in doing so...but I'd be lying to myself if I said it wasn't lonely. The most aggravating aspect of it was that when they would leave, they'd be leaving me behind. And if I were to leave, well I'd know it would only be a short amount of time before I'd have to come back.

Naomi was the only person I returned phone calls to whenever I was at home.

NAOMI'S POV:

Tonight, everyone would be down in the lounge near the main lobby for movie night. The movie sounded interesting, but in all honesty, I could use a break from large crowds right now. Somehow the word about my book club with Mr. Davis has gotten out and now everyone is treating me differently because they think I'm getting special treatment. They're all angry with my situation, thinking it entirely unfair. Consequently, I've been getting different looks, different responses, and attitudes from the other students. Their concerns would be legit if they were thorough. It's amazing how they can hold such resentment towards me since I'm receiving some form of compensation, which I do have with my personal relationship with Mr. Davis, for my loss when they are not granted the same, despite their different circumstances. My family deserted me for Christ's sake.

Upon climbing the stairs to the boys' corridor, I could vaguely see Jasper sitting on the windowsill. He was staring intensely out at the vocal night as the breeze had everything in its path rapidly blowing. I had never seen him look so stiff and uncomfortable like he did tonight. Much like myself, he was in his pajamas which was just a simple white t-shirt with a pair of plaid bottoms that stretched below his ankles. There was hardly any indication that he knew I was there, or that he even wanted to be bothered right now but I had to at least try. He always made me feel better and I wanted to return that. Somehow.

"Hey." He said plainly after I assumed the wooden chair sitting across from the window.

"Hi, what're you doing out here by yourself?" I knew it was a pointless question, but I wasn't sure of anything else to say to jump start our conversation.

Shrugging, he kept his eyes fixated out the window. "Just trying to convince myself that it's not so bad to stay here until I turned eighteen."

"Wait, what? Is that what your dad told you?"

"No, no but it's what's going to happen. It was basically implied during the phone call."

"How do you know that? What did he say?"

Leaning back, he merely shook his head in dismay. "Nothing surprising and nothing I'm not used to already."

"Jasper that doesn't really tell me anything. I can't help you if you don't tell me what was said over the phone." I said as sincerely as I could.

"Fine, you want to know what happened? Earlier today my dad told me I should just basically disappear from the family." He quickly turned his head to see my reaction before clenching his jaw tightly. "That he hates so many things I choose to be...so I'm going to just continue getting in trouble to renew my time here."

"I'm so sorry Jasper, I have no idea what that's like, and I can only imagine how hard it is..."

"Oh, you have no idea." He interrupted with a subtle raise in his voice.

I didn't mean to sound like I was making this about me, I was just trying to get an inside into what he's going through.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you. I know you don't know what this feels like," He took a deep breath as his voice began to crack. "but it's really rough."

Nodding my head, I sat there silent because I had no idea of what to say next. I wish I could just take away his pain because he's always been there to do the same for me. Well, he's at least tried.

"You know what I miss the most?" He inhaled deeply before changing subjects. "I miss walking my little brother to school. It was the only time we could bond without my dad or my aunt supervising."

"Will he not be attending the same school as us soon?" I asked timidly, not sure whether Jasper had mentioned the age of his brother to me before.

"No, no he's too young, He won't be a part of junior high until next year, but my dad is sending him to another private school."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that."

He nodded, turning his attention to the dark corner that was to the left of my seat. "My poor brother man. My dad said he accepted my aunt but that's because he doesn't know the whole situation."

"You never told him?"

"No, no, no I couldn't do that. Even though my dad's relationship with us is slim to none, he's my brother's hero. I didn't want to poison that for him."

"Wow, that's really generous of you." I relinquished a small smile at him, but I was met with more silence. "So why would you intentionally renew your time here?"

Returning a snide smirk, he turned fully to me this time and said, "So I can't get sent home for less than two weeks and be forced to return. It's better to just not have that little taste of freedom, the feeling of what it's like to be out again. I just wish I could be there for my brother; I don't want any of my dad's bad habits to rub off on him."

"I know what you mean," I moved over to the windowsill to sit parallel to him. "but I think that since he believes your aunt and dad are together naturally he won't pick up on any of those habits because he doesn't even know they exist."

He nodded his head, his expression shifting slightly to adhere to what I was saying.

"Thanks for listening to me go through this..." He looked me in the eye and leaned forward. "It's really nice to have someone around for that."

"You're welcome." I gave him a bright smile. "I know you're going through a lot so I'm happy to help you through them."

Inching a little closer to me, he folded his arms across his chest before staring directly at me.

"So why are you alone tonight? You don't seem as bright as you usually are."

"I'm just dealing with everyone talking about how I get special treatment from the Administrators, specifically from Mr. Davis." I rolled my eyes, trying not to go too in depth so I wouldn't seem like I was shifting the attention to me. Because he deserves it more than I do. "I mean, I know I do receive special attention from Mr. Davis and our relationship, but that's because he's now my guardian."

"Oh yeah, the book club. I heard about that."

"Do you think I'm getting special treatment?"

"I don't know if it's special treatment if you're getting what everyone else gets, plus what they receive when they're at home. Mr. Davis is trying to fill-in-the-gap since you are missing that 'home experience' in your life."

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees, and sighed deeply. It felt so good to get that out to someone.

"At least when they go home, they will no longer have to deal with this, but you always will. This is home for you." He grabbed my ankle, resulting in me focusing on him. "So please don't beat yourself up over this. Screw everyone else."

"Yeah, exactly. Forget everyone else..."

Instantly, I had an unquenchable desire that was searing into my mind. I wanted to share a core part of myself with him as he had done and trusted me so often with him, and I think I know exactly how to do that.

"Come to my room, I have something that usually cheers me up when I'm feeling down." I said with enthusiasm as I tapped his shoulder.

We began briskly walking to my room, I a little more eager than him although he was curious as to why I would drag him halfway across the Academy without explanation.

"Are you comfortable with this?" I asked immediately before we entered the girl's corridor. "Male students aren't allowed in the girls dormitories.

"It's fine, everyone is at movie night. Even the Administrators, they have to be there to make sure everything stays peaceful." He gave me a little nudge inside.

Reaching my room, we both moved quickly inside so no one could see and he shut the door carefully to avoid causing any suspicious noise. I went to my desk and began scooting my chair over to the closet. Watching me the whole time, he laughed at my effort to bring the chair across the room and climb on it only to still just barely reach the top shelf.

"Shut up." I said confidently. "Here it is." Stretching my arm as far as it would go, I grabbed a copy of Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah.

"A book?" He asked curiously.

"Yes, my mom and I read this together almost two years ago. She told me a quote and I wrote it in the back of this book."

Opening the back cover, inside I found the quote and read it aloud. If you're feeling all alone just look in the mirror at yourself and you'll remember all the reasons why you're sharing your life with no one else.

"Is that supposed to humble me?" He asked snidely, almost as if he were offended.

"No, it's supposed to remind you that being alone can be the best thing for you. It gives you the chance to have a break, to just figure everything out without any disturbance." I looked down at the quote and smiled, remembering my mom's intense explanation when I asked almost the same question as him. "You can spend a lot of time on bettering yourself in every way that you want because..."

I was interrupted by his sudden movement closer to me and his lips against mine.

I perched my lips, letting him take the lead since I had no idea what I was doing. My hands felt misplaced, and my entire body felt unsure of what to do next. He began to swirl his mouth around and I tried to keep pace with him, but I feel like it's a failed attempt.

"I'm sorry." I said instantly as I pulled away. "I don't know what to do...no one told me." I whispered.

I never got to have that moment with my mom. That awkward but comforting scene where she would explain how frightening the first time would be, but then reassure me that it's normal to feel pressure. To feel awkward and doubt. But to be strong because it'll get better and better. Feeling a wave of embarrassment, I wanted to shut myself out from him.

"No, it's okay, I'm sorry. You were doing great." He brushed the underneath of my chin.

"C-can we try again?"

Instead of answering, he continued to kiss me. This time continuing slower with less movement. I put my hand on his shoulder as his moved to the back of my neck. We began moving concisely now and I could feel the intensity in the room grow with each passing second.

"Oh! Oh no." I exclaimed after I realized my opened bottom of lotion leaked out over his shirt after I moved my hand to my dresser.

"It's fine," he laughed. "no really it's fine." Grabbing the back of his collar, he lifted it easily off his shoulders. Exposing his skin.

Still worried, I looked into his eyes, and he stared right back into mine. In a flash, he came back to me, and we continued our kiss. It was the most extraordinary moment we've ever shared together, and for just one moment I didn't feel alone.

"Naomi? Jasper?" Mr. Patry called out from my doorway.

"Oh no." We said simultaneously.

Backing away from each other, Jasper put his shirt back on immediately and I wiped my lips slightly. I guess we were too caught up in the moment that neither of us realized the door had been opened.

"I'm so sorry..." Jasper whispered to me.

"Be quiet." Mr. Patry barked as he pulled out his cell phone and began dialing. "Harold? I need you to come to Naomi's room immediately."

My eyes closed in fear, my heart began pounding like a hummingbird and I could already feel a wave of agony slimmer throughout my entire body. I began shifting my weight from one foot to another as we waited in anticipation for Mr. Davis to arrive. Looking to my left, Jasper looked just as nervous as I was only, he was alternating consistently between rubbing his shoulder and then his neck. We both were about to suffer a long, gruesome night at the hands of the Administrators.