Chapter One

"Jasper!" Mom called from downstairs. She and my father had returned home from Brazil about a day and a half ago and were already about to leave again. I stepped down the stairs carefully to see my parents standing next to a man. The man was tall with beautiful hazel eyes. He wore the usual security guard uniform with a bulletproof vest, black sleeved shirt, black cargo pants, and a utility belt with a gun or taser. I wasn't sure which he carried. The sides of his head were a faded shaved style, leaving the black hair on top in a neatly combed style. He seemed young and was definitely an upgrade from my last bodyguard, who had a potbelly and a receding hairline. The new guy stood in a stiff stance with his legs shoulder length apart and his hands behind his back. It made his chest puff out. I looked to my parents as I went to them, seeing they had their suitcases ready. "Honey, this is your new bodyguard. Get to know each other. Anyway, see you in a few weeks." We exchanged waves before they left. We weren't really a family to hug even when we won't see each other for several weeks. The door closed, leaving me with this new guy who looked like he had spent too much time in the military. He was cute, though.

"Relax. Or... at ease. There's no need to be so... stiff. I don't bite." I smirked. He shifted slightly, but stayed in his stance. "Okay. Well, I'm Jasper. What's your name?"

"Mykel Evans, Ma'am." He replied.

"Nice to meet you, Mykel." I smiled. "I'm serious, though. Relax. You're going to get tired of standing like that." I walked towards the kitchen and he followed.

"Are you hungry?" I questioned as I pulled the bread out.

"No, Ma'am." I glanced at him.

"Jasper." I corrected him as I went to the fridge. A numbness crept up my arm. "Oh, no.... Excuse me." I moved past him and went to the nearest bathroom. I couldn't blame myself for not trusting him yet. I only met him five minutes ago. As soon as I locked the door, my body became weak and my vision went black.

*~~*~~*~~*

"Ma'am? Are you alright?" I heard through the door. I pushed myself up slowly, groggy and still weak. "Ma'am, if you don't reply, I'll have to break the door down." He spoke calmly, but I could hear how serious he was.

"It's Jasper!" I rubbed my face. "And I'm fine...." Steadying myself by grabbing onto the sink, I stood from the floor. My fingers fumbled as I unlocked the door. My auburn hair was a mess as I moved past him and laid on the couch.

"Do you need medical assistance?" He asked, standing in front of me. His question caused me to gaze up at him.

"I guess my parents didn't tell you." I exhaled deeply. "I have narcolepsy and cataplexy. I faint a lot." He just watched me carefully so I weakly reached for a blanket. He took it up in his hands, unfolded it, and covered me with it.

"Thank you." I closed my eyes for a moment. Feeling him still standing there, I opened my eyes. I gazed upon him, taking in his features. He seemed muscular, but all the gear that he wore hindered anyone from really knowing. I wondered how he looked with messy hair. His eyes were full of light and beautiful. They seemed to draw me in as if we were magnets. I realized that I was staring right at him and blushed when I saw that he stared back. I blinked and looked away briefly, acting as if I hadn't been staring.

"Are you uncomfortable?" He questioned, watching me shift.

"You are just standing there with your eyes glued on me." I replied plainly.

"I am trying to make sure that you are alright."

"You can do that just by looking at me?" My eyes met his again.

"I can track your breathing and make sure you are either conscious or asleep." He explained, moving his hands behind him. I sat up slowly and pushed my hair from my face.

"I can show you an easier way." I lifted my wrist to show my watch. "This tracks my breathing and pulse. If something changes, it will notify me." He leaned closer, getting a look before resuming his stiff stance.

"All you have to do is press the button. Or you can swipe on the screen to find what you are looking for." I placed my hand on top of the blanket and peered up at him again.

"Thank you for informing me." He nodded. He stayed in his stiff stance, glancing at me every few moments. I exhaled deeply then laid back down.

"If you are going to watch me, can you at least do it from a distance? I can't relax if I am being stared down." I closed my eyes. I could hear him moving even though he was quiet. "How do you feel about being back in school?"

"It's nerve racking." He responded. I could hear the nervousness in his voice. It was faint, but it was there.

"May I ask why?"

"To be around younger people again with endless scenarios of what could happen…. It's a lot to handle." He answered. When I opened my eyes, I saw him standing against a far wall in his stiff stance and his eyes forward. He looked towards the kitchen, but I could see that he was clenching his jaw. I realized that he was, in fact, nervous about returning to school. He wouldn't have to do the school work, but he would have to deal with everything else that I dealt with. It made me feel bad. I didn't want to drag him through everything that I went through.

"It's honestly not that bad. It's boring and there are a few people that don't necessarily like me, but it's not too bad." I gave a soft smile in hopes that it would make him feel better. He just gave a sharp nod before becoming silent. I pulled the blanket over my shoulders and allowed myself to doze off. I was tired and weak so a nap was the best solution.