*Hi everyone! Thanks so much for your patience. I know this chapter may seem a little scattered but it lays the foundation for an intense turn the book is about to make! Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns - Thank you, K.A.*

JASPER'S POV:

My mind was wrapped around everything that happened last night, I kept replaying it over and over. Trying to think of a defense, or a good willed argument at least to present to Mr. Davis this morning. But, of course, all the variables presented to me led me to make conclusions and argument that were about as sturdy as a playing card. Each bone with very little tenacity.

Be respectful, don't speak unless spoken to. I tried to repeat Mr. Patry's encouraging words in my head, but it was hardly effective. No matter how many times I told myself this, every time I rehearsed myself in Mr. Davis' office resulted in my imaginary self-blurting out excuses that only made everything worse.

And stay away from sharp objects, of course. How could I forget that one?

"Hello?" My brother answered sleepily.

"Hey! Hey buddy, how's it going? Did I wake you?" I was so excited that it was actually he who answered and I wouldn't have to endure battling though my dad and aunt.

"Jasper, it's 6:30 in the morning. What do you think I was doing? Washing the dishes?"

He got his sarcasm from me. I was always proud of that.

"Yeah, I know but I wanted to call and catch you before dad wakes up."

That was partially a lie, it was mostly because I didn't know if this would be the last time I could speak to him before Mr. Davis strangles me.

"It's going alright, I have practice today but that's all I'm doing. What's going on with you?"

"Oh, nothing really. New day, same stuff." My subconscious was still at war with my conscious, should I tell him that I've given up all hope of coming home?

"You ok? You sound funny."

"Just got into some trouble last night, that's all."

"Oh yeah, dad told me you were transferred to a disciplinary school."

My entire body clenched at that. He's been lying to my bother all this time, telling him that my going away was to enhance some "basic skills" that I was lacking. But now, after our last phone call, he decides to tell the truth and that can only mean one thing: I'm screwed. That just marked me right there. He's managed to taint my image in my little brothers mind.

"What did you do?" He asked suddenly.

"I don't want to talk about it buddy."

"Come on, please tell me. No one tells me anything anymore." He sounded fully awake this time, his curiosity coursing loudly through the phone.

"I made out with the headmasters daughter."

"You did not!" He acclaimed, a little admiration subtly hiding in his tone. "You kissed the headmasters daughter?"

"It was a little more than a kiss, but you'll learn the difference when you get older."

"What was it like?"

I smiled, reliving the moment in my head. Thinking of the amount of excitement and adrenaline I had in the duration.

"It was good, it was very, very good."

"You're so cool." He beamed through the phone.

Facing the wall, I suddenly was aware of a tall shadow creeping beside my own. My fear already knew who it belonged to, but I still clung onto that little ray of hope that it wouldn't be verified.

"M-Mr. Davis."

"You're gloating?" He asked coldly.

"No sir, I..." I motioned to the phone for an explanation but was left with none. "Well...I mean, hey, that is actually a compliment to Naomi." I tried to lighten the mood.

He turned his head to the side to relinquish a snide smirk, then he turned back to me and said, "You better figure out what you're going to say to God because you're going to meet him today."

"Hello?" My brother asked.

"Danny I need to go, I just ran into the boss. I'll call you tomorrow morning." I didn't wait for a response, I hung up immediately and followed Mr. Davis' beckoning finger.

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NAOMI'S POV:

We pulled up to the curb, a little quicker than I was used to when sitting in the back seat. Almost as if they couldn't wait to send me off. I was given only a week's notice, so I didn't have a lot of time to process that I would be away from my parents and brother for months with barely any form of communication.

I kept trying to think of reason for coming here, this is a discipline school. I'm not exactly a bad kid; I've never had a problem with authority, I've never gotten into trouble at school, the only trouble I've ever gotten into was at home but that was very rare.

"Alright honey, it's time." My mom said after we observed the building for a moment.

"Dad, aren't you coming inside?" I said after I noticed he didn't move.

"Yeah, yeah I'm coming" He growled, almost as if this were a giant inconvenience to him.

I looked at the front sign, 'Braxton Academy: A Home for Discipline.' Glancing up to see my parents reaction, they were anxiously waiting for the buzzer to let us inside. What the heck was everyone in such a hurry for?

"Mister and Missus Taylor?" A tall man in a suit stepped forward almost immediately after we entered.

"Mr. Patry?" My father asked, extending his hand.

"Yes sir. Nice to meet both of you." He shook my mother's hand as well.

Standing slightly behind him was another tall, younger man wearing a darker suit compared to his colleague. His eyes went directly to me before he addressed my parents in the same manner as Mr. Patry.

"This is Naomi," My mother scooted me forward from behind her leg. "and here are all the forms." She handed the red envelope to the other man.

"Everything signed?" He asked as he briefly glanced inside. "Including the waiver for corporal punishment?"

"Yes, everything is there." She replied.

Corporal punishment? I looked up at my parents, not being able to think of any moment in the duration of my life nor my brothers where they laid a hand on either of us.

"Corporal punishment?" I asked my mother.

"Yes Naomi, Mr. Davis will explain this during your orientation." Mr. Patry answered.

"And here is the check." My father added, handing the check to the other.

"You're paying in full?" He asked, seeming surprised.

"Yes sir, we are paying in full for three months."

"Very well, why don't you two meet briefly with Mr. Patry to finalize the details and I will process the check and give Naomi her orientation."

"So, this is where you leave me?" I asked, adverting their eyes.

"Yes honey." My mother squatted down to my height and gave me a big hug after rendering a kiss on my cheek.

My father did the same after her.

"Come along Naomi. Mister and Missus Taylor it was a pleasure." He concluded.

Not surprisingly, I was hesitant to leave my mother's side. To remove my hand from her soft palm, to step aside into the hands of another and to pass through the main hall doors leaving them behind. But I had to do what I was told, always follow orders, as described in the orientation packet, because I was terrified to learn what their corporal punishment would be like.

I wish I had known that was the last time I'd see them. Maybe I would have thought of a way to spare a few extra minutes...or maybe I would have cursed them both for dumping me here. Even though there were a few moments of suspicion, they played their part so well, well enough to make me doubt that it was planned.

Every morning when I wake up, I have this faint few moments where I forget where I am and when I finally do, I have an overwhelming urge to scream at the top of my lungs. Some days are better than others but most days are exactly the same.

"Naomi." Mr. Davis said as he burst through the door. "Good you're awake."

Jasper trailed behind him, keeping his eyes fixed on me. I immediately ran my fingers through my hair, I knew there was nothing to do with my flushed face and piercing red eyes.

"Leave us. Go get dressed and freshen up, get along with your chores immediately." He said clearly.

"B-but shouldn't I stay for...?"

"No."

"I really think I should..." I stopped immediately when Mr. Davis shot me his look that made my insides melt.

I got up immediately and treaded slowly to the door, never letting my eyes leave Jasper's worried expression. I sure hope he makes it out, I would like to experience a formal date. But the tension in the room was growing thick, and I knew that this was going to be probably the roughest morning he's ever experienced here.

"Shut the door behind you." Mr. Davis stopped me before I entered the hall. "Have a seat behind." He said to Jasper.

"I'd rather stand."

My head snapped in disbelief toward Jasper. He glanced at my exhilaration and I gave him a pleading look of concern.

"Do not test me boy," Mr. Davis replied firmly. "right now." He waited until Jasper's eyes returned to him.

I waited until I could see Jasper take the seat before closing the door gently. I wanted to stay to hear the first few minutes but I was in a rush and I couldn't tell why. Mr. Davis appeared immediately after I woke; I have no idea what time it is. Whether I'm late for breakfast, whether I missed chore call...I have no idea what's going on with anything. So much had happened last night I do not even know if my uniform is straightened and laid out. _____________________________________________

JASPER'S POV:

Mr. Davis was never as uncompromising as Mr. Patry, who followed the letter of the law absolutely. Many students appreciated this but that made him even more versatile than he. He was so unpredictable, I never knew when exactly to relinquish and when to stand my ground.

The atmosphere in the room was taint and the tone was very stale. Silence had left a chilling numbness as he sat at his desk, and I across from him, while he stared coldly at me. Pondering what to do with me, what to say to me...I have no doubt there is a lot he would like to say but, another component of his unpredictability, Mr. Davis prided himself on professionalism. Never letting his composure stray too far.

But I think today might just be the day he does away with that principle.

Talking his fingers on the calendar in front of him, I could see darkness in his eyes that made my attention twitch.

"S-sir, can I say something?"

I know Mr. Patry told me not to speak unless spoken to, but the pressure mounting in the room was killing me. I need to get something out otherwise I may never be allowed to be in the same room with Naomi again.

He rose from his seat and laid his knuckles firmly on his desk as he leaned forward. I stood as well, wanting to show him the respect he deserved. And the respect that he wanted.

"I am sorry for what happened, but I hope that if you could see that I am genuinely interested in Naomi then you may approve of us." I said quickly to prevent myself from messing it up, and regulating his ability to interrupt.

I put my hands behind my back and tried to keep my eyes on him, but not being sure of what is to come made it almost impossible.

"Genuinely interested? I'm supposed to believe this based on what? The mere fact that I caught you gloating over the phone about it?"

"I-I wasn't really gloating, I was just thinking about how good the moment felt..."

His eyebrows were very expressive in showing his disturbance of the gall I had.

"No, no, no what I mean is..." I stopped when he came slowly to the other side of his desk nearly in my face, he maintained his vexation through a similar expression of disappointment and rage.

"What do you mean Jasper?" He mocked. "Enlighten me."

For the first time this morning I actually did something intelligent; I kept my mouth shut at that.

"I asked you a question!" He barked.

Okay, maybe not so intelligent.

"I just mean that I was happy for the first time in a while." I managed to get out. "And I think she was happy to, we've spent time together and we're close friends."

He leaned back, giving me some breathing room for which I was grateful for, and shifted his weight to his backside against his desk.

"How long has it been happening?"

"Sir?"

"How long have you been physical? How long have you been in relation?"

"That was the only time and we are not officially together." I hesitantly answered, not sure if that would anger him further.

"So this was the first time you violated her personal space?"

My eyebrows furrowed at the unfairness of his question. "You've posed that question in the form of a lie."

"Excuse me? What did you just say?"

He returned to being only a few inches from me.

"I didn't violate her personal space, it was just a kiss..."

"Oh it was 'more than a kiss'."

I clenched my jaw and delicately rolled my eyes, "Okay, yes it was more than a kiss...we made out but that's all."

"With your shirt off? In her room? Alone?" He fired back. "It was not just a kiss and it is more substantive than merely just 'that's all'! It was an isolated event in which you hadn't fully committed to a relationship with her. Do you have any idea of the rumors that could and may spread if you had been seen? Rumors that would not negatively impact you."

"No sir," I sighed. "I hadn't thought about that. I acted from the connection of the moment, it was a moment of passion."

"So would me knocking your head off your shoulders for being so naive."

I gulped, that was the most direct threat I've ever received from one of the Administrators.

"You disrespected her by not considering the implications of your actions."

I nodded my head; he had a very good point. I know how quickly rumors spread here, everyone craves the gossip. It's the easiest form of entertainment in a place like this.

"I know sir, I'm sorry but I'll do everything I can to prevent and stop any rumors that form from this."

"I'm giving you a hard time because I care a great deal about Naomi, her reputation, happiness and long term success are important to me. What you did was not well thought out."

"I know, but I think I can fix that. And, for what it's worth, I would like to commit...with your approval, sir."

"Sit down Jasper." He whispered, still with irritation in his voice. "Look me in the eyes and tell me why I should give you my approval." He remained where he was, keeping his eyes down on me.

"Because...because even though I have no idea what she is going through, we have a strong enough of a connection where we can talk each other through our problems. I've always been there to listen to her and she's always done the same for me. We confide in each other and I like to think that I help. That I can make her smile and improve her day even in the slightest...and that's all I want."

His expression seemed to have slightly softened, only by a very little margin but I'll take whatever I can get right now.

"Naomi is going through a lot right now, things that neither you nor I can imagine. This is a difficult time in her life, emotionally and socially so the last thing she needs is a distraction and a negative influence."

"I understand sir."

"If I find out, if I notice that she is deterring from her goals, her academics and so forth - in any way - and that you are the underlying cause of it...I will make you regret it. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir." I said quickly, a little bit of excitement forming.

"Anything, anything at all that would cause any form of harm to my..." He stopped to correct himself. "to Naomi will be the end of you."

"Yes sir, you said that." I was beginning to feel uneasy again.

"I meant it." He clarified. "And just to be clear, my decision is not absolute. It is revocable. Is this clear?"

"Crystal sir."

He nodded and assumed his seat. "On Monday, you and Naomi will come to my office first thing in the morning to discuss the many rules I have."

Monday? That's so far away. I'm going to be spending a lot of time with her from now until then, I think he would be better off telling us now...but I guess I'll have to deal with that.

"Yes sir." I said with a smile.

"Get out." He said back, his tone slightly more positive than before.

_____________________________________________

NAOMI'S POV:

*Knock, knock, knock*

"Come in." I tried to answer objectively, although I was really hoping it would be Mr. Davis bringing me positive news about Jasper.

"Naomi." Mr. Davis came in.

Check one.

"I want to talk to you about a few things." He closed the door behind him, looking as if he were in a hurry.

"Okay." I interlocked my fingers together, trying to maintain the apprehension coursing through my body.

"I spoke with Jasper this morning after you left."

"Is he still alive?" I released cometary to silence my nerves.

"Yes Naomi he is still alive." He smiled.

"Can I ask what was said?" I boldly posed.

"No, you don't need to know the details but you should know that I've decided to maintain my decision of allowing you to pursue this."

"Yes, thank you!" I came over to him immediately and hugged his waist, catching him completely off guard that it took him a moment to return the gesture.

"You're welcome but I wouldn't hug me until you've heard my terms."

"Okay, let's hear them." I answered eagerly.

"They will be discussed on Monday with both you and Jasper present."

"Why on Monday? That's so far away?"

I know I was questioning a lot today, but I wanted to hear his terms so I can pick things up with Jasper as quick as possible. I was too excited to wait for anything.

"That is the other thing I wanted to talk to you about," He motioned for me to have a seat on my bed and he took the chair at my desk. "I need you to pack a bag for the weekend."

"W-what? Why?"

"Well I need to go home for a few days...and I think now would be a good time for you to accompany me."

"Why now?"

Okay, I know what you're thinking: what the heck does it matter? A chance to get out of the Academy for the weekend. A chance to escape from the harsh clutches of Mr. Patry? Sure, it all sounded good...but there was something inside my head telling me it's going to be a disaster. I can't help but shake the feeling that if I step into his home and I get situated...I'll never step foot in mine again.

"Because you're about to begin school and with important holidays approaching, I think breaking the ice now will be better than later."

"Um,"

"Naomi, we're going to have to do this one way or another. I'm sure you do not want to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas at the Academy, nor do you want to have to go through this milestone in the middle of school. You'll have enough going on then."

I had a dozen thoughts running through my head, all the emotions coming down on me at once and the one being the most obvious was apprehension.

"Okay, when are we leaving?"

"I would like to leave tomorrow morning before breakfast, if you can be ready by then."

"Harold, you're leaving for the weekend then?" Mr. Patry appeared behind him.

"Yes, I'll be back by Sunday night. Thank you for shifting weekends with me."

"Of course, I hope you have a good weekend."

I tucked my phone into my back pocket and picked up my chair to bring it over to my closet. It wasn't too heavy despite it being solid wood, but it definitely was awkward carrying such a large object through the small space between my bed and closet.

"You could ask me Naomi, I don't mind." Mr. Davis intruded after he finished his conversation.

Motioning me to get down, he picked up my chair with ease, lifting it high above his head before returning it to my desk.

"What do you need?"

"The green duffle bag...it's the only one I have. So we'll be back Sunday night?"

"Yes, do you need help packing?"

"No sir, I can do it." I could tell my mood was making him uneasy, but I don't exactly know how to hide it.

"We'll have a lot of fun this weekend Naomi. It'll be great."

I nodded my head, resulting in him giving me one final nod to instill some positive anticipation to change my demeanor before exiting. But it did not do much. This wasn't the feeling I thought I would have come the day I would pack this bag again. It was supposed to be a moment of utter enjoyment mixed with a little bit, very tiny amount of remorse for those who would be left behind. Especially Jasper.

I wasn't sure how I would feel the day Mr. Davis would bring me home, but now that it's actually happening...I feel a slight bit of motivation to use it as leverage to get some answers out of Mr. Davis.