Jasper POV
Jasper Whitlock had grown up with virtually nothing. His dad had died in the army when he was six, and his widowed mother worked four part-time jobs just to keep him and his sister Rosalie alive. The house they lived in in Houston, Texas was a sorry structure, just held apart at the seams so that the termites living in their basement didn't quite make it collapse (yet). His clothing either came from Wal-Mart (when they were lucky) or from some Nuns down at an abbey that had decided to 'adopt' their family. The clothes the Nuns gave him were always a bit too big, but that was the least of his complaints. The Nuns got their clothing from donations, and the only people in Houston fortunate enough to give away clothing were the snobby rich ones that lived on the other side of town. Jasper would see them sometimes, driving their BMW's down his shoddy street, not giving a damn about the people that lived there, only wanting to get in some 'community service.' They would always quickly run up to the Abbey in their Michael Kors and Armani suits, toting bags full of last year's trends in their hands. And then just as quickly as they ran in, they were back out onto the street, looking this way and that as if they expected a robber or murderer to come popping out at them. Like Jasper would want any of their designer wallets or golden watches. No, in Jasper's neighborhood, there was a mutual feeling of hatred towards the more affluent citizens in Houston.
So when Jasper got offered a scholarship to go to a private boarding school, his immediate thought was fuck no, and that was that.
"Jasper Hale Whitlock!" His mother, Maria, shouted from across the dining table, his letter of acceptance in her trembling hand. "Do you think money grows on trees? Think child! I love you more than anything, and love means wanting someone to become their absolute best. Do you think you can reach your greatest potential by declining a letter to Fork's Academy? You know we can't afford to go there. And what's even better, it's an all boys private school. Which means no more fucking around with all those whores you've been bringing home recently. Think, Sugar! Think of the possibilities!" As soon as she finished her speech, Maria collapsed against the table, all her energy having drained out with her words.
Jasper stood silently across from her, a neutral expression on his face. He knew his mom wanted what was best for him, but this? How could some rich-kid private school be any beneficial to him? He was already working down at the Burger King every day to help his mom pay for the rent. In his life, he knew he wanted to be more than a burger flipper, but hey, you've got to start from somewhere!
Not for the first time, Jasper wished he had someone to consult, someone he could talk to about these things. Like a dad. But as usual, he was alone.
He glanced over at his worn-out mother, her graying black hair sticking to her sweating body (their AC was out and it got hot in Houston), and he felt bad. He didn't like being difficult on purpose. He loved his mother, and he knew she tried her hardest to provide for him and Rose. But this was something he wouldn't be budging on, no matter how hard Maria pleaded.
"I'm sorry mom." He said. "But there is no way I'm going to some fucking snob school just so people can fuck around with me. I know you're trying, but I think I'd be of more help here than there." With these words, Jasper left the kitchen and walked out the front door, needing some fresh air for his troubled mind.
As he walked down the cracked cement that made up the sidewalk in his neighborhood, Jasper's mind reflected on the words his mother had said. "...no more fucking around with all those whores you been bringing home recently." If only she knew the real reason he'd been bringing those girls home. In truth, Jasper was a virgin. At the age of sixteen he'd never fucked a girl, or even ate one out, a true feat indeed. There was a reason for that of course… but that was something he didn't want to think about.
"Yo, Jas!" A voice called out and Jasper looked up from the ground to see his best friend, Peter, running towards him. Peter had been abandoned by his parents when he was twelve, causing him to grow up homeless and alone. That is, until he met Charlotte last year. Charlotte was (and this is a direct quote) 'his mate.' No, not soulmate. Just mate, like they were some kind of fucking animals or shit.
"What do you want Peter?" Jasper asked, not even trying to put up a cheerful front. He was in no mood right now to be talking to anyone.
"Whoa man." Peter said, putting his hands up in mock surrender. "I was just wondering if the rumors were true."
Jasper furrowed his brow in confusion. "Rumors? What the hell are you talkin' bout man?" His southern drawl always got stronger whenever he was frustrated.
"The rumor's that 'chu got into some fancy private school or somethin'. I dunno. I didn't believe until Jane said it. Dude, that bitch is scary as fuck. I wouldn't bet against her for nothin'. 'Cept Charlotte of course."
Cursing, Jasper shoved his hands into his pockets and glared at the sidewalk, as if it was the source of all his troubles, not that stupid acceptance letter waiting back home. This had been the reason he had not wanted to go. Sure, he hated snobby private school prisses. But he could get over that. What he couldn't get over was leaving his family, like Peter and Charlotte. He needed them, and they needed him. They were virtually inseparable.
"Soooo are they true?" Peter asked again, breaking Jasper out of his thoughts.
He slowly nodded his head. "I did get accepted. Something about showing outstanding skills in leadership or shit like that. But I'm not going."
"And why the hell not?" Peter asked, shaking his finger at Jasper as if scolding a young child. "You could get some serious mullah if companies hear you went there. Think of Rose, Jas! Think of your mom! I'm not wantin' you to go or nuthin' but I do think you're being kinda selfish. Just think about it. I gotta go with Char to the library. You know how she is about readin' and shit. See you around Jasper." With these words Peter gave a half-hearted wave to his best friend and walked away, leaving Jasper to reevaluate his decision.
Xx
The very next day, Jasper found himself packing up what few belongings he had into a suitcase he had bought at the thrift store (for four dollars). The suitcase in question was an ugly plaid color and smelled suspiciously of mold. But, as Jasper knew well, beggars couldn't be choosers.
Because he didn't own a car, the principle at his high school decided that it would be a 'good idea' if one of the students already attending Fork's Academy gave Jasper a ride. Something about 'promoting good feelings' and shit.
The person giving him a ride was named Emmett Cullen, and just the name alone made Jasper shudder. Who the fuck named their child Emmett? Someone with too much money on their hands, that's who.
Emmett was scheduled to pick him up in front of his house at 10 A.M. Fork's Academy was located in Dallas, a 3 and a half hour drive. Just thinking about all that time alone in a car with a complete stranger made Jasper want to puke. He wasn't naturally a very social person, especially when it came to snobs.
"Jasper!" A trembling voice said. He turned around from where he was standing on the dilapidated front porch to see his mother running out from the house to see him off. Her face was red and streaked with tears. It pained Jasper to see her this way, but after all this was her idea in the first place.
Maria came to a stop, not an inch from his face. She slowly raised up two shaking hands and cupped his chin. "Jasper….I…I just want you to know that I am so proud of you. Proud that you made this decision to go, proud that you were excepted in the first place, proud that you are my son. Please don't ever forget that."
Jasper slowly nodded his head. "I will mother. You take care now." They smiled at each other until the moment was broken by a loud honking noise. Jasper turned around to see an enormous red Jeep Wrangler pulled into his driveway. It must be his ride.
Quickly giving Maria one last peck on the cheek, Jasper grabbed his disgusting suitcase and strolled over to where his fate was waiting. As soon as he got near the jeep, the driver jumped out, nearly giving him a heart attack.
Jasper's eyes widened as he took in the impressive figure before him. Whereas he had expected some dweeb with glasses and suspenders, he was instead met with over 6 feet of muscle, topped off with dimples and curly brown hair.
"Hey there!" The man grinned, an easygoing expression on his face. "I'm Emmet. We best be headin' off cause the headmaster is a nasty fucker when people show up late." He smiled again and Jasper couldn't help but smile back. It was totally involuntary, and not completely unwelcome.
"Sure man." Jasper replied. He gestured towards his flea-infested suitcase. "I'm guessing you don't want this in your jeep." Emmett wrinkled his nose at the thought and Jasper laughed. "My thoughts too. In the trunk?"
"In the trunk." Emmett repeated with a nod.
A loud banging noise had them both looking towards Jasper's front door where a very pissed looking Rosalie was walking towards them. Even at the age of fifteen, she looked more intimidating and mature than anyone else Jasper had had the pleasure of meeting. Her too-small t-shirt and booty shorts flaunted her ample curves and with her golden hair flowing down her back, she looked more like a siren than a sister.
"What. The. Hell." She growled, stomping ever more closer to where Jasper had his back pressed against Emmett's jeep. "How dare you try to leave without saying goodbye! If I didn't know any better I would think you've been avoiding me. Me! Your sister!" By now Rose was waving her hands all over the place, trying to get her point across.
Jasper glanced over at Emmett and saw as he stared at Rose, guiltlessly checking her out in front of her older brother and mom. Emmett noticed Jasper looking and his cheeks heated up. At least he had the balls to look ashamed, otherwise Jasper would've been pissed.
"Look Rose…" Jasper started, focusing his attention back on his raging, hormonal, teenage sister. "I was gonna say goodbye but I knew you would get like this so I thought fuck it, okay? I'll be back to visit for Christmas in a few months. It won't be so bad, you'll see." Somewhat pacified, Rosalie jerkily nodded her head.
"Fine. But you better call every day. And I mean every day." She poked her finger at him to get the severity of her words across. Jasper just rolled his eyes.
"Whatever sis. Love you."
"Love you Jas." Rose gave him a brief smile before walking back inside. She didn't like people seeing her when she got emotional.
"Goodbye mom! I'll see you for Christmas!" Jasper called out, waving to Maria before dumping his suitcase in the trunk of Emmett's jeep.
He opened the passenger door and slowly slid inside, feeling the finality of the situation. Until Emmett said, "Dude, your sister is smokin' hot. Do you think I could have her number?"
Xx
They arrived at Fork's Academy four hours later (they stopped to get some lunch at Burger King, much to Jasper's chagrin), and oh, was it quite the sight to behold.
It was located on a large property of well kept land, complete with statues and stone walkways. The road winded through trees and shrubs until suddenly, the looming outline of a building fronted your vision. The building itself looked like something out of a fairytale. It was made completely out of stone, save the many glass windows and the large wooden front door. It even had three fucking turrets. Jasper wouldn't have been surprised if a moat and some knights suddenly popped out of nowhere.
"It's pretty impressive, huh?" Emmett asked from the driver's seat. Jasper and he had spent most of the ride in easy conversation, and much to his surprise they actually had quite a bit in common. Both of them loved football and baseball and hated basketball (it was for pansies), they both loved World War Z (though Jasper didn't mention how he thought Brad Pitt was hot), and they both loved cars. When Jasper mentioned that Rose worked at an auto shop, Emmett nearly flipped shit.
"Seriously?" He had cried out. "Can your sister get even more fucking perfect? Damn, I really need her number." Jasper then went on to explain that they could only afford a home phone, so that probably wasn't the best idea for private conversation.
After driving through a large wrought iron gate (complete with gargoyle statues) they finally made it to the parking lot, where more hundred thousand-dollar cars were waiting for them. They drove past one car in particular that made Jasper give a low whistle. It was a silver Volvo, polished to perfection.
"That's the Headmaster's son's car." Emmett explained. "His name's Edward Mason. Quite the looker, but he spends his time buried in books, not pussies." Emmett gave Jasper a shit eating grin before pulling into an empty parking spot.
As they walked toward the front lobby, Jasper commented on how few people there were.
"It's cause most people here checked in yesterday." Emmett said. "It's alright though, classes don't start until Monday anyways." It was currently Saturday, so only two short days until the torture began.
After getting his room key, it was time for him and Emmett to part ways. "See you around, man." Emmett said. "Don't get lost!" With a carefree laugh, Emmett walked to where the third year's dorms were, while Jasper tried to find the second years. He spent nearly ten minutes wandering hallway after hallway, until finally E12 was in front of him.
He struggled a few seconds with the damn lock before eventually stumbling into the room. It was large (obviously, what did he expect?) with crème colored carpet and two big queen sized comforters sitting on opposite sides of the room. Jasper was so taken aback by the niceness of the room he didn't notice that he wasn't alone.
"Hello there." A musical voice called out. Jasper slowly turned to see a boy about his age perched on top of one of the beds. The boy had unruly bronze hair, large green eyes, and giant nerd glasses perched atop his nose. He had a slender frame (from what Jasper could tell) and the freckles splattered across his face weren't helping any to establish his manliness.
The boy continued to speak, ignoring Jasper's blatant staring. "My name's Edward Mason, and you must be my new roommate."