Note: …..Please don't kill me. HI! So, I have explaining to do. I've been wrapped up in some problems at home and at school, so I haven't been in the mood nor have I had the time to do chapters. BUT I'M HERE NOW. And Hopefully I'll be updating regularly again! Things are still a little bumpy so it might be inconsistant but.. I'm here anyways! Enjoy!

People were looking at her funny.

She hated it when people looked at her funny.

Her golden eyes snapped to the kids with a sharp look and a dangerous expression. Daring them to do something. She crossed her arms and her eyes didn't waver, watching every small twitch in their bodies. And loving how they instantly backed up, alarm and fear going over their faces.

"O-Oh.. shit..!" "Um.." The guy with large holes in his ears looked uneasily to the girl who had a dragon T-shirt. "Let's get out of here..!" Said the only smart one. She recognized him. The tall pale guy who was the first to bolt. "Bye Sour Cream.." She murmured with a smirk over her lips. He laughed rather loudly earning a hush and then waved goodbye. The rest of them followed, knocking off a stack of books as they ran.

"Mm.." A small voice came from above her. Jasper's eyes shifted up and her eyebrows raised. "I can't... reach it."

Steven stood on her shoulders, his arms stretched out and his little legs trembling as he stood on his tippy toes. One hand was against the bookshelf to stay steady while the other was craned over his head. His expression was determined but also desperate. She hummed quietly and then smiled.

"Which one?"

"Three shelves up..." He sounded heart broken, and it hurt her. "Aw."

He blinked as he suddenly felt two big hands on his legs, and then he was lifted up like he was lighter than air. "Woah!" "SHHH!"

Jasper glared at the librarian who didn't waver. Glaring at them intensely through her old lady glasses. But Steven's laughter made her look up again. "Hurray!" His smile was so big across his face it made her mirror it. He turned his body just enough so he could climb up, his knees in her hand and he reached up, being able to touch the base of the book.

He made a grunt of effort, straining his body. He was so close on getting Computer Science for Dummies it was painful. His eyes narrowed and he stuck his tongue out in concentration.

Jasper stood on her toes, giving him a little boost and grunting herself. He was so light, it was crazy. And small in her hands. He was like the kid she never was. His hand came closer to the book and she saw it move from her vantage point. "Oh..! Almost!"

She ducked her head down and gave him the last bit of arm-length she had, which also made him wobble. "Woah, easy!" Her voice came out louder than she wanted it too, and the librarian's shush was getting sharper. "Shut it, lady!" She snapped, baring her teeth at the librarian who suddenly stood taller, like she was slapped. Steven's arms flew out to his sides, making desperate circles as he tried to regain his balance. "Woah-" "I'm good!" Steven stayed still for a few moments, body shaking a little and then he leaned forwards. "Alright.."

She wouldn't admit that her heart was pounding from watching him almost fall out of her hands.

Finally, his little hand grabbed the book and he jerked on it, pulling it out completely and he grabbed it. She smiled widely and he threw it over his head, staring at it like it was the key to saving the world. "Yaay!" "YEAH!" Her voice came out more like a bark than it did a word, and she suddenly dropped him. "AH!"

He clutched the book to his chest and shut his eyes tightly as he fell quickly through the air, but she caught him in his arms, making him bounce a little. "Woah.."

He looked up at her with big eyes and she couldn't help but crack a smile. "You alright, kid?" "..Can we do that again?"

His voice was so eager and he inched closer to her face it made her bark out a laugh. "Mm. Maybe another time, kid. What do you even need the book for?"

He looked down at the book even as she turned towards the tables, setting him down on his feet. "I need this to um.. maybe learn what Connie's learning..?" He said shyly, a little blush going over his face and she snorted.

The shock that filled her also made her laugh. Bubbling up through her throat like it was the funniest things in the world. She threw her head back, letting it leave her loudly, causing a few people to look at her, but she honestly didn't care. "Oh.. my god! You have a crush!" She cooed over him, leaning and he hit her lightly with the book. "Mm! No I don't!" "Yes you do." "Don't!" "Do." "DON'T!" "DO!"

He glared at her with large eyes and she smiled at him with a wicked grin. Her body basically in 90 degrees making them face to face.

"..Maybe a little."

He looked down and blushed again before walking over to the table and she followed.

"It's just... she's so smart! And I'm... not. I'll listen to her go on about everything she's learned and I don't get any of it!"

He threw up his hands in defeat before one of them came smacking down over his eyes.

"So.. I wanted to get the book so maybe I'll actually understand what she's talking about and we can have conversations.."

His voice came out quietly, a little embarrassed and shy, but mostly sad.

Jasper died a little.

"Aw.. Kid.." She clapped him on the back with one of her big hands, making his body jolt forwards. She ignored it. "That's real sweet of ya.. She's lucky to have a guy like you!" He looked up at her with large brown eyes and an unusually straight mouth, like he was holding back what he wanted to say. "But.. I don't know anything!" "But you're willing to learn."

Her answer was easy, and she set her arms on the table and hunched over them. Her hair falling over her face and she had to brush it out of the way. Her eyes darted forward and he watched her.

The way her jaw relaxed and her usually intense and unnerving golden eyes calm and patient. She was so much bigger than him but it didn't really bother him. She was friendly. He could tell that she wasn't used to being nice.

He stared at her and she finally met her gaze.

"Look, most kids.. they cut off relationsh- um.. Friendships if one of them seems smarter than the other. But you? Heck, you're taking it as a challenge!" Her voice came out strong and she slammed her hand into the table, making it tip.

"That's great! You're a real good friend to her, Steven." She gave him a wink and smiled as he blushed.

"..I, haven't thought about it like that.." He admitted, a slow smile going over his face as he stared at the book. "...Yeah..! You're right!" He picked up the book and stood up from the chair with the heavy thing over his head. "I'm going to go home and learn!" He turned around to her, smiling widely and she watched him with happy eyes.

"Bye Jasper!"

"Bye kid.."

He ran towards the library door and she couldn't help but feel a swell of pride and affection. She rested her head on her hand and let out a sigh. The tension in her chest wasn't something new to her. She liked his determination to do the right thing, and she liked how he only wanted to make friends.

She leaned back in her chair, lost in thought.

He's going places... He hasn't let anything stop him from doing what he wants.

Her lips quirked at the realization.

Maybe they weren't so different after all.