Hating Jasper Chapter 2~
As I lied in bed, I could hear Jasper talking to Edward outside my bedroom window. I lied there crying, not being able to stop the flow of tears. Bella rubbed my back and tried to comfort me as best she could. "I'm not giving up, Jennifer! Just wait!" I heard Jasper yell so that I could hear. I straightened up as I heard the car doors shut and drive away. I looked at Bella and whispered, " What where you doing with Edward?" Bella looked back at me sheepishly, not really knowing how to answer me and whether or not I was going to support her in her new relationship. "Really, Jenn? This is what you want to talk about right now?" She asked, avoiding my question with another question. "Well I sure as hell don't want to talk about me!" I stood up and looked at myself in the mirror, trying to wipe away any signs that I had been crying. I straightened my shoulders, turned to Bella and said, "I'm going to go help dad at the station." Bella worked part time at the wilderness store and I helped dad file at the police station for some extra money. Dad didn't give me hours so I could come and go as I wanted but he did require I come in at least 4 times a week, this would be number 6 for me this week. I never stayed long as soon as I got bored I left! This is where I went to think.
After the weekend was over, I still hadn't really spoke to Bella about what had happened and didn't really know what was going on with her and Edward. I did notice however her talking on the phone more often in hushed tones and when I would enter the room she would say bye and hang up. I'm guessing it was Edward. Oh joy! Our ride to school was silent for the most part, but as we neared the school Bella turned to me and said, "I'm dating Edward Cullen so if you want to say something mean to me say it now! I know it may seem like a shock but I think I'm in love with him and I don't really care what you have to say!" I slowed the truck down and turned to her "Ok." I turned back and continued to drive. She continued, "Edward says that Jasper is really hung up on you and really wants to be with you. Why don't you at least give him a chance?" I didn't answer her, leaving her question hanging in the air without an answer. How was I supposed to answer her question when I didn't have an answer to give her? I just knew that I wasn't ready to give Jasper a chance, at least not this easily!
I walked the halls in silence like I normally did and when I reached my locker he was waiting for me with his crooked smile. I stared at him, daring him to say something, daring him to make a scene and have people look at me. I wasn't the kind of girl who liked attention in any form. I liked to melt into the unknown and simply be myself. As I continued to my locker and unlocked it, he made way for me quietly. "Darlin'..." I stopped midway and glared. "Jenn, I know you aren't going to make this easy for me but I want you to know I am going to get you to change your mind about me and ... well I love you!" With out any hesitation, he learned forward kissed my forehead and walked away. I didn't have time to react at all and just stood there fuming.
Before lunch period I needed to make a quick stop at my locker and when I got to it, I saw I note attached to the outside.
Would you smile if I gave you chocolates?
Would you melt if I gave you roses?
Would you giggle if I gave you a teddy bear?
Perhaps you would, but that's not what I have for you.
My love is what I have for you and give to you,
So please smile, melt and giggle too.
I crumpled it and threw it away the moment I passed a trash can. Urgh! This is going to be a long week! How much torture was I going to have to endure? I headed to lunch and grabbed a table with my normal group which usually consisted of just Alice and Bella. Today Edward was in the group and I sat silently as they all chatted. Neither Bella, Alice nor Edward tried to coax anything out of me. I was receiving the respect I wanted and it was killing me. Near the end of lunch I stole a moment to scan the lunch room to spot Jasper, to find out where he was in all this chaos. I found him in just a moment without too much of a struggle, staring at me with his crooked smile. I had to stop myself from smiling back. I picked my tray up, in a hurry to throw it away. I knew he was still staring at me the whole time.
I skipped my next class and hung out in the truck listening to music. Yeah I know I was avoiding History with Jasper and this wasn't the mature way to handle it but I couldn't handle it any other way today. As I heard the buzzer ring for the end of class, I headed to gym. Even though this wasn't my favorite class, I knew Jasper wasn't around and I wasn't going to have to deal with the issue at all. Besides that, my arm was still in a splint so I was able to sit out this time around. Ha! No sports to make a fool out of me today. Mike came up to the bleachers where I was sitting with a big goofy smile on his face, "Jenns, think you could save me from a parked car today after school? Ha Ha Ha!" and off he went out the gym and started down the hall. I didn't say a word in response, I was used to this kind of remark from Mike. He was always crushing on Bella and taking out the rejection from her on me; I was used to it really. At least, that is what I tell myself each time he does it. The next moment I heard a loud noise that I couldn't distinguish. Looking at the door, I saw Mike lying on the floor almost unconscious. I then saw Jasper come to stand over him, "Are you alright man? Can I help you up?" Jasper looked over at me and winked. I want to say I knew before that wink but I didn't... Jasper had punched Mike! I put my head back in my book; I wasn't giving him the satisfaction of seeing my reaction. I never had someone come to my rescue like that before, it made me feel... protected and cuddly. Geesh to keep hating Jasper Hale wasn't going to be easy, that is for sure!
Last period had finally ended and I headed to my locker for the last time before leaving. I had a study hall second period so I could do most of my homework then and really didn't need to take any home to work on unless it was a report. I took home my history work because I have test next week I want to study for, not that I really need to. I knew my history. I glanced at my locker and saw right away that I had another note waiting for me to retrieve it. I glanced around this time to see if Jasper was nearby watching and I couldn't see him, but that really didn't mean he wasn't around. I pulled the tape off the paper and opened the note.
Can I say I love you today? If not, can I ask you again tomorrow? And the day after tomorrow? And the day after that? Because I'll be loving you every single day of my life. Please consider me?
This one made me chuckle and this time when I crumpled the note and left it in my locker. When I got to our truck, Bella was not inside waiting for me as she usually is after school. Today she was waiting outside leaning on the wall with Edward. "I'm going to go to the Cullen's today after school. I just wanted to let you know that you didn't need to wait for me. Unless you want to come along and hang with everyone?" I pondered this for only a moment knowing full well what her and everyone else's intentions were. "Nah, I actually have some school stuff I need to study, so I'm good!" I knew this was going to get to her because we usually studied together. While I was good at history, Bella was good at science and together we were both good at English. "Ok good! Have fun!" Bella turned to leave with Edward, holding hands on their way to the car. She left without any hesitation. I guess this is what happens when you are in love? I opened the truck door to get in and on the seat awaiting me was baby's breath and a single red carnation. I pushed the flowers to the side. I knew what he was trying to get out to me, I did honestly... I just wasn't ready to give in quite yet.
I drove home slowly, thinking about everything that had happened today. I know Jasper thinks he loves me and wants me to show him some attention, but... well the truth is I don't know if I believe him. He is on the football team and most of those guys are total jerks. How do I know that if I started dating him, he would want to be seen out in public with me? How would I know that he really wanted to date me because I was me and not just some unknown thing to everyone? I pulled into our small driveway with all these questions pilling up and milling around in my head. I was so occupied that I almost stepped over some stuff that was left in front of our door. I picked them up and brought them in to the table.
I saw 2 bottles of water, a healthy snack of baby carrots, a granola bar with chocolate chips and a note.
For your studies. Just think how much fun we could have if we studied together?
I ran to the door and looked down the road both ways. How the heck did he get here so fast and leave? My walls were slowly crumbling. I grabbed my prizes and headed to my room. I went to my night stand, grabbed the cord and plugged my phone into charge. I laid my things across my bed and started to read my book. After about half an hour, my stomach growled and I reached to grab the carrots. Well I guess this wasn't too bad of an idea. My phone went off and I checked my messages. Dnt b mad... i gave him ur # I sighed, I knew that this meant Bella had given Jasper my number and he was either going to call or text me very shortly. Ding! R U mad? It was Bella again. I text her back: No not mad jst wish u would have asked b4 you did it that is all Ding! Geesh what does she want now? I had dropped the phone after last message and was just going to ignore it but I can't do that to Bella and she knows it. So how is the book going? It was Jasper! Now the question is, am I going to respond and if I do, what does that mean? Oh I'm over thinking this way too much I just know it! So I text back: It would b easier if I wasn't doing this alone and my sister was home Ding! I clicked on the text before it could complete. I could always help you tomorrow in 2nd period study hall? Huh, so he knows what period I have study hall now? So stalk much? how do u kno I have study hall 2nd prd? Ding! I'm in that study hall with you. I respond: K fine I need the help. This ch is harder than I thought! Ding! glad to b of service I knew this had a good chance of not going well and I might regret it. But I had a granola bar with chocolate chips in my hand and they were a weakness of mine. I would at least give this thing a try.
Edward picked up Bella this morning after dad left for work. Alice came knocking on my door as I heard his car pull away. I opened the door as I was leaving. "I need a ride Jenn those two for some reason want to ride alone." She is such a bad liar. Sometimes I can't understand how dad believes her and we get to do some of the things we do. He doesn't question anything when it comes from Alice. "I'll give you a ride, on the condition you don't ask me any questions that aren't school related!" She agreed and skipped to the passenger side door. "So, no questions. That is the only rule right?" I started the truck and hesitantly agreed that it was the only rule. "Well Jasper is really keen on you and is very excited about this joint study period. I hope you don't bail on him?" I slowed down the car down just to glare at her. "Alice that last part ended in a question! No, I'm not going to bail. I have no reason to, I'm not afraid of him. I just feel that if this is simply a conquest he is trying to achieve, then I have to make him work even harder for it! Make sense, Alice?" She nodded her head and then reached over to turn the station. Alice was more of a pop top-120 music girl. I liked alternative rock and classic rock. As she turned the station she muttered, "If you like this you would love to hear Jasper's group." I didn't know Jasper even sang, let alone a band. Curiosity was getting the best of me now and I figure this is why Alice was riding with me today. She always found a way to turn things on me and get me to do something I didn't think I wanted to do. Though I will say that I never regretted anything she has ever gotten me to do afterwards.
Again at my locker there was a note.
An angel asked me for a reason why I care for you so much. I told her I care for you so much because there's no reason not to.
I was getting weak and I knew it. This time the note just went in my notebook. I walked alone to Trig class and got in ahead of Mike. As I sat, I saw him grab his seat and I got a good look at his face. My eyes went all big and he looked up, glaring at me at first and then he looked down to his work. "Sorry about yesterday Jenn. I know you had nothing to do with the wreck. I'm glad you are Bella's sister and can help take care of her." I didn't know what to say, I just stared like a big idiot and he continued on with what he was doing. Mike's face under his eyes was all black and blue and his nose was even a little crooked now. What the hell made Mike apologize to me? He has said more mean things to me then I can count and has never apologized. I wonder if Jasper had anything to do with this transformation. After class I went straight to the study hall, avoiding my locker, too. I didn't want anything else to help break down my walls against Jasper.
I looked around and didn't see any Jasper Hale, so I found my normal seat. Could I be lucky enough for him to actually be the one to bail on me? Though, as I thought about it, I realized I'd be very upset if this were the case. I looked up at the next person entering and had to smile as he walked in straight to me. I straightened up more and I felt as though my heart was going to burst through my chest. He slid into the desk next to me and leaned closer to say, "I booked us a private study room so we could talk louder if we needed." Before I spoke to him I exhaled slightly, I'm sure he didn't notice, and said meekly, "Sure that sounds great!" Jasper sat back and smiled his crooked smile directly at me. I leaned back too and turned away. Maybe if I didn't look at him my heart would beat a little slower. As the bell rang and the teacher dismissed those to the library I got up but Jasper was faster and offered to carry my books. I accepted his gesture and we walked side by side to our private room. We made small talk almost the whole way there nothing too major but whenever I spoke he would turn to face me the entire time without tripping. I tried it once before we got to the steps and just about did a face plant. My hero Jasper caught me once again, saving my face. "Darlin', we sure need to be careful with you don't you think? Whenever you walk, things seem to find a way to get in your way." I didn't comment, my cheeks were has red as the carnation he gave me yesterday and I knew they probably looked horrible.
I sat down at the small table, waiting to see where exactly Jasper was going to sit. He slid in across from me and smiled, as he laid down several books in front of me. "The best way to look at this is like a story. I mean, it is a story but this story is history, it's laid out like an epic tale of battle." I glanced at the pictures laid before me and listened quietly as he continued, "As you know, the Civil War lasted 4 years and saw the deaths of about 620,000 men - not all due to battle either; about two-thirds were due to illness and disease. Approximately 2.1 million soldiers fought for the Union Army compared to only 1.064 million who fought for the Confederate Army. The death toll was also higher on the Union Side compared to the Confederates; 360,000 to 260,000, respectively. More than 10,000 Union soldiers were under the age of 18. So, yeah, the Union had more men to fight, but it also lost more men in the long run. And Gettysburg was the bloodiest battle of them all. The Union had 88,000 soldiers there, while the Confederate force only numbered 75,000. In just three days, a total of 51,000 men - out of 163,000 - had lost their lives." He stopped for a minute to make sure I was following along. I didn't notice at first; I was too preoccupied with staring at his face as he was telling the story. It felt to me like he'd been right there while it was happening, he told the story with that much zest. "Jenn - are you alright?" I shook my head to regain my composure and he lifted his hand to gently wipe a tear away. I hadn't realized I was crying; I was so engrossed in his story-telling. "I...oh those poor boys who died!" I turned away and wiped my eyes so he wouldn't think I was the biggest sap in the world. "It's alright, darlin'. They were fighting for something that in the end changed the United States' history and set the slaves free! If the Confederates had won, do you realize that it would have set the slaves' rights back even further? This was an epic historical event!" His excitement was coming through to me but all I could do was nod my head in agreement. I'd never been this affected by any historical event in my life as I was with this. I wasn't sure exactly what to make of that just now, though.
The rest of the studying was intense with little or no joking around. I relaxed as I finally realized that Jasper truly was just helping me, and that he really didn't have a hidden agenda. As we neared the end of the period, I leaned back and with a big huge sigh, I casually commented, "When this test is over I can kick back, relax, and do nothing all weekend! What a relief!" Jasper smiled his crooked grin and simply, "Let me take you out." He leaned back and waited for me response. I felt confident in replying, "When I pass the test, I'll be yours for an evening!" I turned grabbed my books and left him without another comment or rebuttal.
A/N- I need to thank Donna for helping me with this history paragraph it wouldn't be possible without her. Thanks to Dawn for encouraging me to writing more to this story! I love you both!
