Chapter 13

THIEF

"Oh god," Jasper sighs. Of course, he has an idea of who did this. He wouldn't put it past Alister to make JJ do it, and JJ will do anything Alister says like a fucking servant.

Noticing the word written in spray paint Jasper gets an idea. Rushing back inside he comes back with a rag and a bottle. Dropping his bag on the ground in broad daylight not caring that others can see him, Jasper climbs the hood of Daniel's car and begins pouring the substance into the rag and wiping the windshield. It's actually working, he smiles as he continues.

"What the fuck are you doing?! Get off my car!" Daniel barks coming back out after a while to find Jasper on his car. Jumping off Jasper doesn't say anything since he's done anyway. Daniel stops stunned to see his windshield spotless.

"Acetone," Jasper says, "lab had some and it gets spray paint right off glass," he explains then adds, "saw that once in a five-minute hack video, but they were using nail polish remover which has acetone in it."

"Why won't you leave me alone?" Daniel turns to Jasper asking harshly With his jaw dropped Jasper says, "all that work and not even a thank you?" "I didn't ask you to do this, I didn't ask you for any of it."

"You know," Jasper starts as he picks up his things, "this martyr act you got going on is clearly not

working, I know you know that you don't deserve this—" "You don't know anything," Daniel retorts

"I know enough," he says before walking away but turns to add, "and true martyrs die without

complaint. You're not a real martyr if the torment bothers you." He leaves Daniel for real this time.

Maybe he should listen to his friends and just stop, Nothing was working! Daniel still wants nothing to do with him and he's not getting anywhere with Alister. So, he'll just give up. Daniel doesn't want a friend and Jasper doesn't want to be resented for trying to be one, and he's not sure if Daniel is even worth him becoming a public enemy. He was ok with people not liking him anymore for trying to be Daniel's friend, but now he gets the hint, Daniel doesn't want a friend he wants to be left alone.

Alone at home Jasper sits on a stool doing his homework at the kitchen island. Too distracted to focus on his work, Jasper is lost in thought. Lately, all he thinks about is Daniel, it makes no sense why is he's stuck on Daniel Atkinson the boy wants nothing to do with him, and yet Jasper just can't seem to forget about him.

Pulled out of his thoughts by the front door closing, Jasper tries to look like he's been working when his mom walks into the kitchen, dropping her things at the far end of the island. "Hey honey," she smiles greeting her son

"Hi," Jasper turns to look at her, "how was work?" "It was ok, and school?"

"Long," he answers a bit stressed

Walking to him Jasper's mom kisses him on top of his head then pauses, leaning close she sniffs him, "you smell kind of funny"

"It's acetone," he answers and his mom waits for some explanation, "long story." "All right," she walks away not bothering to ask anything else. "Where's Jonas?"

"Out with Lola I think," she nods. The kitchen is quiet again as his mom steps to the other side of the

island washing her hands before

opening the fridge. With her back to him, Jasper asks, "have you heard anything around town about the Atkinson family?"

"That name sounds familiar," she thinks, "the moms in my spin class are always bad-mouthing someone named Nicole Atkinson, any relation?"

Jasper nods, "that's Richard Atkinson's wife," "Who are they?"

"Apparently before we moved here the Atkinsons stole a bunch of money from the people around here, and now Richard Atkinson is in jail for embezzlement and money laundering."

"Woah I didn't know all of that,"

"Their son goes to my school, he was gone for over a year but now he's back." "Really? What's that like?"

"People are mean to him so he doesn't talk to anyone, I tried to be his friend but that was a non- starter"

"At least you tried Jasper that's all you can do, you can't force someone to be your friend." "I know that now," Jasper sighs.

Another day at Everton meant another day being a target for Alister and his friends, maybe he wasn't a martyr because this was starting to get to him, he should stand up for himself. But what would that help? Provoking them would only make them angrier, and that's not why he's here, Daniel isn't even sure why he came back any more.

Spending his day avoiding everyone and their mean words, the boy found perfect spots around school for when he needed to be alone but can't make it to his car. Days like today are Daniel's best days, the uneventful ones, the ones where he's quick enough to dodge Alister and his friends, maybe they won't tag his car again... he hopes. But the day ends and he goes out to find it unscathed.

Getting in his car Daniel is out of the lot in no time, only a few streets away from school he's stopped at a stoplight. While he waits Daniel stares out at the street and his eyes stop when they land on a boy, on the sidewalk bent down looking at his bicycle. It doesn't take him long to notice the boy is Jasper. Noticing the distressed look on Jasper's face as he slowly drives by, Daniel contemplates to keep going and leaving Jasper there, he can't though, in his heart he knows he has to go help.

Stoping a bit ahead he gets out of the car and walks back on the sidewalk until he gets to Jasper. Noticing a shadow blocking his sunlight, Jasper looks up not expecting Daniel of all people to be

standing in front of him. "Are you lost?