(Jasper P.O.V)
Tuesday. I woke with a jolt of fear, disoriented in a bed that wasn't mine. My mother’s house. Dragging myself up, I stumbled through getting ready for school, making sure my glasses were on and grabbing breakfast.
“Let me see you boys,” Mom chirped, beaming down at us.
“Mom, we *have* to leave!” Danny protested, trying to slip past her. She stood her ground, then scooped me up, pulling a camera from her robe pocket. A flash. I grabbed two pieces of toast, and Danny and I raced to his silver Volvo. Back home, I didn’t even own a car. At school, Daniel immediately abandoned me for a cluster of jocks. I felt the familiar sting of isolation and started walking toward the homeroom.
****
I’d managed to survive half the day, and now it was lunchtime. I spotted Danny at a central table. I decided to head over to him, and the next thing I knew, I was sprawling on the floor, mashed potatoes and milk smeared across my shirt.
“Watch where you’re going, loser,” a hulking figure towered over me as the cafeteria erupted in laughter. My face burned with humiliation. I got to my feet and glared at him.
“What you meant to say was ‘excuse me’,” I retorted, trying to project a stern composure.
“Oh really?” He paused for effect. “Everyone, check this out! This guy…” He paused again. “Jasper.”
“Jasper,” I repeated, stating my name.
“Okay ‘Jasper’ here thinks Brock Willis says ‘excuse me’. You must be new here.” He bowed with exaggerated politeness. “I apologize for the disrespect.”
“Whatever.” I turned my back, and a hand tapped my shoulder.
“Excuse me!” Brock’s voice boomed. I spun around to see a small boy thrown in front of me as the bully threw a punch.
“This fag…” Brock spat, gesturing toward the dark-haired boy who’d taken the hit for me.
“Brock, get your ass over here!” A voice growled from the crowd. I looked past Brock to see my brother, his gaze averted. They all walked away. I crouched beside the injured boy.
“Are you okay?” I moved his hand to examine the damage. His face was already swelling. He needed ice.
“Does it look like I’m okay, pretty boy?” he snapped, then slipped on some of my spilled lunch. I caught him before he hit the ground.
“I’ll help you to the nurse’s office.” I slung his arm around my shoulder, and he didn’t protest. Whispers rippled through the cafeteria, and a few people whistled. We ignored them and trudged forward.
“Do you even know where the clinic is?” he giggled.
“Nope.”
“You didn’t have to take that punch for me,” I said.
“You don’t know Brock… He would kill you! You’re new here, and… I didn’t want him to hurt you.” He blushed.
“Hurt me? I’ve taken karate plus three self-defense classes over the years. I think I could’ve survived a punch to the face.” I paused. “I didn’t catch your name.”
“It’s Jamie. Jamie Sanders.” Jamie looked up at me, his cheeks flushed a deeper red.
“Jamie, my name is Jasper. Jasper Dangerfield.” I deepened my voice, earning a laugh from Jamie followed by a grimace of pain. I’d forgotten about the swelling. That was the reason we were in this situation.
“I’m sorry I forgot about your ice. We probably should go and find the clinic for real… it looks like it’s swelling.”
“I’ll be fine. Wouldn’t be the first time… I was scheduled for a beating anyway. You could make it better with a kiss…” he grinned mischievously. I brushed his cheek lightly. This kid was funny. I liked him.
“We’ll okay Jamie, I’ll see you around.” I patted his back and walked away. I could feel his eyes following me.
“Bye Jasper!” He called out.
I sat through the last two class periods in a haze of boredom. As soon as the bell rang, I headed for the football field. I was disappointed in my brother. A complete stranger had taken a hit for me, and *he* hadn’t. I could have handled it, but still…
Oooooh Jamie!!! Wonder how this is gonna turn out. Until next time!