The Bodyguard

4.

A surge in alt-right protests have been seen all around the state. Many are protesting the upcoming senator election in support of Bryce Levingston, opponent of Karla White who has served as New York State Senator for the last six years. Bryce Levingston has denied all ties to these groups, but many signs show support for the previous mayor, who has publicly denounced abortion, gun control, and prison reform. These upcoming elections will be heated-

The voice of the CNN news reporter from the flat screen filled the spacious room before it was muted by Karla, who dropped the remote on the couch of her office.

The space was set up to fit her personality, white sectional couches, sage green curtains, and gold decor were present throughout the room. Karla had her computers set up on a clear glass desk across from the television in front of the couch. To the right were floor to ceiling glass windows that overlooked the city. At night it was even more stunning.

"You're late," Karla looked up through the top of her glasses, momentarily pushing her papers aside. 

They contained a detailed list of previous bills passed in neighboring counties to hers and the demographics on who voted on what. She was hoping to gain a better understanding of which group she wanted to focus on earning support from.

"Traffic," Jasper shrugged nonchalantly, briefly glancing to the screen where Anderson Cooper's face was shown. Jasper pulled out a chair on the opposite side of the desk from where his mother was.

He was rather enjoying his Saturday morning when he received a text from her that he needed to be at her office immediately. After the gala last night, he intended to crash after a long night of mingling and talking politics. His siblings were more equipped for social setting like those, but he was, as always, unimpressed.

It wasn't until the people began to leave, seemingly wore out after a long night of throwing away money and pretending to care about the less fortunate, that Jasper recalled his conversation with Blaise.

He'd been occupied the whole night which is why he'd forgotten that him and his mother would start the campaign trail soon and wanted to go over some last minute details. He was supposed to be there at 9am. It was 10:47 now and based on Jasper's unruly appearance, his mother knew just what was keeping him.

"Traffic Jasper, really?" Karla asked incredulously.

Jasper shrugged and popped one of the chocolate candies into his mouth from the bowl. His mother was staring at him with annoyance but he didn't look regretful.

"Do you not remember our conversation?" Karla asked again. "You promised you'd take this seriously."

"I am-"

"Yet you can't be here when I need you?"

"I was hardly-"

"Quiet," Karla cut him off and sighed. "It doesn't matter. I didn't ask you here to argue, and I really don't want to know what, or rather who, has you looking like you just rolled out of bed. You're here now and I don't need the extra attitude."

Jasper scoffed. He would usually deny his attitude problem, but he quite frankly, didn't feel like arguing with his mother today either. He'd yet to have coffee, and his long night with Blaise left him feeling more tired than usual.

"Okay," Jasper clenched his jaw. "I'll listen."

"I told you from the beginning that the next eight months would be hell," Karla sighed, pushing herself to her feet. "Bryce and his supporters aren't making it any fucking easier."

Karla's eyes flickered to the screen, and Jasper's followed. CNN was still on, and was showing a montage of violent protests from right-wing protestors. Fires, broken, glass, and angry white men shouting racial epithets were shown, and even though it was muted, Jasper still grimaced.