"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