eleven

Both of the friends stay in the astronomy tower until Polaris calms down. Jasper is a very patient person when he needs to be.

“We’ve probably missed transfiguration by now. Should we go to see Poppy and come up with an excuse that you haven’t been feeling good or do you want to go to Mary and get detention?”, Jasper asks once he knows for sure, that Polaris will manage to go.

“I’ve got too much detention already mate, let’s see Poppy.”, Polaris answers his friend laughing quietly.

Both of the boys leave the tower and make their way through the castle to the hospital wing, so they could speak to Madame Powell. Polaris knows that he is one of her favourites, besides Ryan, so she’ll excuse him for this one lesson. Especially since she knows how hard things can get for some of the kids at this school.

***

Hours later the boys find themselves sitting on their beds planning their next prank. Polaris and Ryan discussing their ideas, each giving their opinion on the other’s idea, while Pacey nods every now and then, to show his approval. While the three of them are chatting, Jasper is distracted by his map, which tracks all the people at the school, if he wants it to. He keeps his eye on one specific name, not daring to look away in case it disappears. Castor Blackwell. He’s in the dungeons, which calms him, but still he won’t look away. Jasper knows how worried Polaris is, so he wants to help his friend as good as he can. He, of course, doesn’t know that Jasper is watching out for his little brother to know where he’s at, to know he’s safe.

Slowly the boys start falling asleep, one after another. Soon Jasper is the only one awake. He’s still keeping an eye on the map, the young boy is scared something might change. It’s long past curfew, which should calm him, but everyone gets their way around it, if they want to. So if Castor wants to leave, he will, he’s smart enough to figure out a way. Jasper lays down on his bed, feeling his tiredness. The map still in hand, checking it. He tries to push away the thoughts of Castor standing at the edge. It horrifies him. Jasper didn’t know much about Castor, except for what Polaris had told him. Therefore, he’s almost stranger, but Jasper feels oddly drawn close by him. Something about that boy made him look so sad yet stand so tall. He’s like well written poetry, emotions covered by beauty. Those thoughts circle though Jasper’s head over and over again, until his eyelids grow heavier, and he finally gives in to close them, after checking the map one last time.