All Chapters of Paper Hearts: Clashing of Clans : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Clashing of ClansHe’d never been on a plane before. He stood silently, his hair falling into his eyes and watched the different planes taxi down the runway. He was aware of the woman standing behind and to his left watching him. He ignored her. He waited. He abided his time by losing himself in the progression of the dance each plane seemed to be engaged in. He succinctly conjectured whether or not JFK was always this busy or if sometimes it slowed down. He watched the reflections of strangers as they passed by, the planes momentarily omitted from his deliberations. He still looked for them. In every adult he saw, he still looked. He shook his head, unkempt bangs falling over his closed eyes. He was being stupid again. Dead. He knew what that meant. Still…he looked. He took a deep breath and promised himself he wouldn’t cry as he boarded the plane and said goodbye to the only

Sebastian watched Jaxsen leave the room while wanting nothing more than to follow him and hide under the boy’s bed. He could see the tension and anxieties in Jaxsen’s body and wanted nothing more than to hold him. Taking a deep breath Sebastian turned to his former wife. She was still just as beautiful as she’d been the day they’d met. Her hair was shorter now, cropped, but knew she was letting it grow long again. Her brown eyes were closed off to him and the only thing he saw in those chocolate depths was pain. Anger. So much more he couldn’t put into words; he didn’t dare to. “When did you talk to Mom?” he asked as she fixated on the chair Jaxsen had just vacated. Sebastian felt his body tense and there was a fleeting thought of how a similar feeling always propelled him into battle. He suddenly became very aware of his racing pulse; he could feel his

“Jaxen, sh, sh, sweet boy. You’re not going anywhere. I promise, Jack, you’re staying right here. You’re not going anywhere. I promise, baby, sh, sh, it’s okay.” He wrapped his arms more securely around his small body, gently rocking. “Sh, baby, you’re okay. You’re not going anywhere, Jack. I promise, sweet boy.” Sebastian gently kissed the boy’s head, rocking, calming. Jaxsen lifted his head, eyes clearly shouting assumed betrayal and devastated heartbreak.“Then why do you still have that lady’s card? Why do you have that out if you’re gonna keep me still?” His voice was small, fragile, and completely unsure. Sebastian sighed and decided honesty was best. The kid had been lied to enough.“Because, Jack, when I was putting you to bed last night, I saw all the scarri

When Sebastian woke the next morning he found himself trapped underneath a solidly sleeping child. Jaxsen’s head was turned away and resting solely on his chest. His arm rested along Sebastian’s abdomen, clutching a petite handful of Sebastian’s shirt. Sebastian drew lazy patterns slowly along Jaxsen’s back before laying his hand flat. He felt the boy’s breathing and frowned. It was short and hitching. “Jaxsen?” The only response he received from the diminutive figure was him curling tighter around him and a stronger grip of shirt in his little hand. “Jack, sweet boy, what’s the matter? Come here.”Sebastian pulled him up to where Jaxsen’s head was tucked underneath his chin easily and without protest. Jaxsen clung tightly to Sebastian and tried to control his emotions. It seemed, however,

 The first half of his day in his new school had gone fine. He was introduced to each class he came to, shyly smiling at each introduction. Lunch came and he found himself to his own devices. He took his seat outside under the shade of a grand oak tree. He ate and wrote his thoughts in the camel leather bound journal his mother had brought back from India for his birthday. He remained quiet throughout the day, observing and learning his new surroundings. The rest of the day after lunch went smoothly enough, no one really bothering him or paying him any extra attention; for which he was grateful. He wanted to orient himself before anyone noticed his existence. He was thankful no one but the teachers called on him, and even they largely left him alone. Everyone seemed to collectively understand he needed his space to gain his bearings, respecting this need for an equilibrium balance. He watched th