Chapter 7

"I'm good, you?"

"I'm..." she trails off then replies, "as good as I can be I guess. Daniel's watching tv you can go join him,"

Jasper nods, "thanks." Being familiar with the big house Jasper heads towards the Atkinson's den to find Daniel slouched on the couch, staring at the giant tv screen in front of him. Standing at the entrance Jasper clears his throat getting Daniel's attention

Turning he sees Jasper and his mood immediately shifts, "Hey, what are you doing here?" "Came to save you," Jasper answers

"Oh, I need saving?" Jasper nods and Daniel turns back to the tv, but something hits him and he looks back at Jasper, standing up Daniel scans the boy from head to toe then asks, "you took off your brace?" Jasper nods, "how does it feel?"

Staring down at his leg he answers, "like I'm missing a limb, I kind of got used to it"

They stare at each other for a second and Daniel smiles, "come here," he calls the boy over

Entering the room Jasper walks toward Daniel stopping when he's close enough, "what?" He asks waiting

"Nothing I just wanted to see if you'd waddle," Daniel grins sitting back down

"Fuck you," Jasper replies chuckling. He joins him on the couch and after a second he asks, "do you want to go somewhere?"

"Where?"

"I'm not telling you until you agree to come,"

"How can I agree to something I don't know about?"

"Trust, do you trust me?" A simple question and Daniel didn't even need to think before answering, he nods and Jasper continues, "then agree to come out with me."

Thinking for a second Daniel gives in, "okay. Where are we going?" "Party at Cherish Peterson's house,"

Daniel groans, "no Jasper I'm not going to a party, especially at that girl's house. Cherish hates me" "No, she doesn't,"

"I've known her longer than you ok, Cherish has never liked me."

"Why not?"

Should he be honest? There's no reason to lie especially to Jasper, "I dated her friend that goes to a different school, shit ended badly between us, and Cherish has hated me ever since." Daniel hates talking about his past it never paints him in a good light, "and plus everyone at Everton already hates me, so what's the point of going to a party I'm not wanted?"

"Because I'll be there," Jasper answers, "and I want you there. I won't let anything happen to you Daniel, you should know that by now."

Jasper has proven time and time again he'll protect Daniel, and as someone who's never really had that Daniel isn't sure what it means.

"Plus you already agreed you'd go so you can't change your mind now," "I don't know, Jasper."

"Okay," Jasper nods, "I won't force you, Sav and Pete are already there waiting for me so I'm gonna

go." Daniel watches the disappointed look on Jasper's face as he stands off the couch, "I'll talk to you later," he says before heading for the door.

Sighing Daniel stands, "wait," he stops Jasper who turns back, "give me 20 I'll be ready." "Are you sure?"

Daniel nods, "I can already see you walking around that party with that frown because of me, I can't have that on my conscience."

Jasper grins, "how considerate... now hurry because you're driving," the boys leave the den and Daniel goes to get ready.

They drive to Cherish's in his g-wagon and when they get there Jasper is the first to exit the car, a reluctant Daniel stands still as Jasper heads toward the house. Turning back he sees Daniel stuck and walks back to him, "never knew you to be afraid,"

"I'm not afraid, just don't want to deal with anyone" "How about me? Do you want to deal with me?"

"You're different Jasper, you know that," Jasper smiles as they look at each other

Walking closer Jasper reaches over grabbing his hand, "the only person you'll have to deal with in there is me," Daniel's worry slowly slips as Jasper holds his hand. He was softening and it's all because of Jasper. "Anyone who has anything to say to you will have to speak to me first, ok?" Daniel looks down at his hand wrapped around Jasper's, looking back up at the boy he nods making Jasper smile, "ok so come on." He let's go of Daniel's hand walking away and Daniel wish he hadn't.

Once they're inside together looking around at the house filled with people, some of them already staring at Daniel. Not minding them Jasper says, "let's go find my friends"

"You go I'll get us drinks,"

"Are you sure?" Jasper doesn't want to leave him alone

"I won't die five minutes alone without you... I mean I might," Jasper chuckles watching him walk away. He knows Daniel can handle himself.

Finding his friends dancing Jasper joins them and Savannah sees him first, "JASPER FINALLY!! COME HERE!" She yanks him and starts jumping to the music again

"WHY ARE YOU SCREAMING?!" He asks screaming back

"She's drunk," Pete answers, "and I can't dance anymore so you stay with her... I need to sit," he leaves them on the dance floor.

"How are you drunk already?"

"Only way I can deal with Cherish, where's your boyfriend?" "Don't call him that," Jasper sighs, "and he's here"

"Good for you for getting him out of his house after a week,"

Coming back to his friends Pete says, "JJ's got Daniel cornered in the kitchen"

"Oh fuck," Jasper rushes away. A few people crowd up the kitchen entrance watching as JJ holds Daniel against the fridge antagonizing him Pushing past them he enters and hears JJ ask "Tell me why I shouldn't fucking obliterate you right now?" Daniel doesn't say anything seeming very unfazed

"Spell it," JJ hears behind him and turns to find Jasper, "since you're a fucking scholar who can use big words, spell obliterate—"

"Fuck off, Jasper!" He barks at the boy

"You can't can you Jaylen Jones?" Jasper asks with a smirk