You Planning to Pay For Those?

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After Jono has a loffly conversation with Betsy. So loffly, he must blow up trees and "Harry Potter" books that Paige is reading.


Jono had run away from Betsy when the feeling in his chest had started to coalesce and collect into a pressure he didn't know how to control yet. He hadn't wanted to hurt her, but she had gone too far and he'd had no choice but to push her away.

The first tree Jono hardly even noticed when it blew into pieces in front of him, but the splinters raining around him afterwards woke him up a bit. He wanted to scream.

Paige jumps when the eruptions start, the book "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" long forgotten. She leaps to her feet, away from the tree she is sitting under and puts up her hands. "Stop! STOP!"

She can feel the psionic wave almost lifting her off her feet, heat curling around her briefly, before it is gone and Jono is sitting curled up in the middle of the destruction he's caused.

Paige's eyes widen, running over to her school mate. She doesn’t pause to think of what he can do to her, but skids to a stop with her knees as she kneels beside him, reaching out a hand to his shoulder. "Jono? Jono! Hey, are you okay? Jonothan?"

He tries to push her away with one hand, the other wrapped around his chest where the energy is still coiling furiously. "Go," his voice slams into her head with more force than earlier.

Paige winces, swallowing hard against the pounding in her head, her comforting touch moving from his shoulder to grasp his hand. "Not until I know what's going on."

"No, go," Jono presses his forehead against his knees. "Please, I'll just hurt you."

"No, you won't," she says firmly, grip tightening. "I know you have more control that you give yourself credit for. Come on Jono. Bunnies or something."

He shudders, trying to fold into himself. "Bunnies," he manages finally. "Why bunnies."

"They're fluffy. I was hoping it would make you laugh or something." She moves her other hand to his forehead, cool hand against his warm skin. "Happy, fluffy bunnies, Jono."

"I probably just killed a few of those." His voice is still loud, but mostly just anguished now.

"Naw, just a pigeon maybe, if that. Rats anyway. Come on now, Jono..." She pushes back a strand of hair that falls rebelliously across his forehead with her thumb.

Jono jerks away automatically, apprehensive of the touch. "I could've hurt you."

"Maybe." She pauses, and quickly tucks a piece of hair behind his ear, almost testing him. "But I don't think you would have."

"How can you know," he asks flatly, shaking his head so that his hair falls back onto his forehead.

Paige smiles with a little shrug. "I'd just be being sappy if I told you and you probably don't care." She eyes the piece of unruly hair back in his eyes with meaning.

"Yeah," he agrees, the protective layer of anger starting to agree. He shakes his head again and starts to get up, one arm still across the hole in his chest like a barrier.

Paige looks up at him, hurt. She doesn't say anything for a moment, biting her lip before spitting out. "I'd believe in you if you'd let me. Everyone would."

"I'm sure they would," Jono replies with biting sarcasm. "Trust the one who can blow them up because he doesn't have any control."

Paige smiles at him, almost sad that he doesn't realize. "You will."

He stands still for a while, then, very slowly, extends one hand to Paige, offering to help her up.

She tries to not scare him away, keeping eye contact as she places her hand in his and pulls herself up. "Thank you."

Jono nods, drawing his hand away as soon as she was on her feet. "Thank you," he echoes, faintly.

"Anytime, Jono. Anytime." She moves picks up her book, moving towards the mansion before turning back. "I'm going to go read in front of the TV for a bit. You're welcome to join me if you'd like. Rot your brain or something."

He follows her, a few paces behind. "I think… I think I'll go lie down."

"Makes sense, you've had a rough day." She tucks the book under her arm. "Would it be too forward and unladylike of me to ask if I may check up and say goodnight to you before I go to bed?"

Jono shrugs. "You can do whatever you want."

"Good then. Thanks Jono." She turns to him at the fork in the hallway. "Talk to you later. I expect you to have napped." She grins at this, a teasing little grin.

"I don't really sleep that much," he replies. "I just lie in my bed mostly."

"Details details Mr. Starsmore. Rest then. Shoo!" She winks, and heads inside the television room.