“you’re still wearing the bracelet.”
i look down towards my wrist and the woven friendship bracelet is there. i smile. “i am,” i glance down towards your wrist and nothing is there. it’s bare and naked. just blue veins lay on your wrist and i look up at you. “you’re not...”
“val—“
hurt was pooling in my chest and i looked away sharply. “save it.”
“i lost it—“ he mumbles quickly.
“you lost it?” i frown.
“val—“
“you lost our friendship bracelet?” i ask, my frown deepening.
“things happened.”
“like what?” i ask, throwing my arms up.
“things i can’t tell you.”
“it’s always that.”
“always what?”
“can’t,” i say harshly. “can’t say this, can’t explain that. i’m sick of that word, jasper.”
“i know,” you sigh. “i’m sorry.”
“and that,” i jab a finger in your chest. you flinch back. “you’re always sorry.”
“i am.”
“you should be.”
“val…”
i ignore you and look up towards my ceiling.
“val, look at me.”
i start to count the remaining stick-on stars on the ceiling and you must’ve looked up, too.
“why do you have stars on your ceiling?” you ask, confused.
i look at you in surprise. “you told me to get them.”
“oh.”
i stand up and brush my legs off.
“oh,” i repeat.
“val…”
“jasper,” i start. “if you say my name one more time, i will slap you. actually, i should slap you.”
“i probably deserve it.”
“you probably do.”
silence follows through as i start to pace slowly around the room and you’re sitting on my duvet. your new favorite place, it seems.
“can i tell you something?” you ask breathily.
i stop pacing to look at you. “of course.”
“i, uh,” you mumble. “would you ever protect somebody you love?”
“yeah,” i immediately say, surprising myself. “i believe so. why? deep question much?”
you shake it off. “just wondering.”
and i left it at that.