Chapter Three
When I got to school the next day, I was excited for whatever it may bring. I had classes with Jasper, Bella, and Edward. The best thing of all, however, was that Forks High didn't do assigned seats. You got to choose where you wanted to sit. I skipped down the halls in excitement at the prospect of sitting next to all three of my friends, seeing as they were in different classes with me.
It was a bummer that I couldn't be in classes with Emmett, or maybe even Rosalie. They were in the same year, but I guess I could not have all of the luck in the world. But things were going very well so far, extremely well. I had accomplished my set of goals for Forks. But I still had some other things to do, mainly solve a mystery.
Jasper was his own little enigma, one of those Rubik's Cubes you just can't solve, but you still can't put it down.
It was not like I had really talked to the guy. We have only exchanged a few sentences, but I felt like I had known him forever. I certainly have thought about him enough to last me quite a bit. I was determined to get to the bottom of whatever it may be.
As I walked through the crowded hallways of Forks High, I weaved in and out of the student body. Beings short had its advantages but this certainly was not one of them. The people who did notice me, waved hi and a few even tried to engage in conversation. Needless to say I gave them the cold shoulder, however rude that may be. I could barely hold myself back from running through the mass of people.
By the time I had made it to American History, I had a large goofy grin on my face. It couldn't be avoided; everything was just going way too well. I scanned the room, but Jasper was not there. That fact must have been influenced by the time. Class did not start for a least a couple minutes. I had time to wait.
I could not stop thinking about Jasper as I sat there. I hoped he would sit next to me and that he felt comfortable enough to do so. Even with our few words, I hoped he would be confident and come here without my insistence. But I guess I would just have to find out.
I was bouncing in my seat, a mix of anxiety and happiness flowing through my veins. He would be here soon, and I would have more time to get to know my newest companion.
I fingered with my pencil and brought out a paper and a folder for my class. It was the middle of the year and students were expected to have all the necessary supplies without prompting by the teachers.
All of my supplies were previously used from my old school. I wasn't about to buy a whole new set of school necessaries just because I had switched. I found the idea ridiculous when my mother suggested it.
Now however, I understood where she was coming from. My folders had been slightly ripped and I had doodles on my binder. It did match the other students though, so I had little to worry about.
I found myself glancing at the door every few seconds or so. He had not arrived and the bell was about to ring. I prayed that he would come soon knowing that if he didn't, I would have to wait an entire day until I next spoke with him.
The door opened and sandy blonde boy walked in. He started to head for the back until I nearly waved him in my direction. I smiled when he redirected his course towards me. "Hi Jasper," I whispered when he was within hearing distance. He gave a small smile and dropped his books on the table. He had been holding them with one hand and looked slightly uncomfortable. His other hand was held tight against his body, and I can only assume it was because of his discomfort. I made a mental note to ask him what was wrong with it, as well as inquire upon the reasoning behind it.
"Hi Alice," he whispered back when he was seated. Standing, he was much taller than me. But sitting, the difference did not seem so vast.
The bell had rung immediately after he had spoken. I smiled and silently begged the teacher to give us a partner activity. Almost as if she had heard my prayer, the teacher walked up to the front of the class and began to give instructions.
"Today we are to fill in this map of Europe. It should be Europe in the 1940s. Page three hundred thirty six will help you in the text. You have the entire period, and you and your partner will only turn in one. It needs to be colored and labeled." She said continuing to bore us with the details of our assignment. Honestly, I couldn't wait for her to finish. Clearly we did not need the entire time to do what looked like a mindless job, as if a four-year-old could not copy and color this map.
I turned to Jasper the moment she stopped talking. He was pulling out his textbook and flipping through the pages. Only when he made it to the correct page did he look up. I sat there patiently until he did so. "Ready to work, partner?" I asked in a gleeful tone.
Jasper shook his head before answering. "Absolutely not," He laughed. I decided I liked his laugh. It was quiet and only barely audible because of its deep tone.
"Do what you want to color or should I?" I asked ignoring his previous answer. He sat there quietly studying the page. I briefly wondered whether he had heard me or not until he looked up and answered.
"You should." He replied gesturing with his bandaged arm. "I'm right handed." His right hand was the one that was immobilized. I agreed with him on that front knowing that if he did our project, it would have turned out practically illegible.
"Good point," I laughed. I slid the blank map closer to me and looked over onto Jasper's book. I marked the obvious countries with their correct names in a dark marker. The classroom was not quiet and I decided that it was safe to continue on with our conversation. "So how did you hurt yourself?" I asked, not looking up from a paper.
Jasper paused before replying, fingering with the fraying part of the bandage. "I fell." He said as simply as possible.
"How?" I continued to ask, not letting him get by that easily. Jasper must have realized this because a grim smile appeared on his face.
"Down the stairs," He elaborated. I left it at that and merely shook my head.
"Are you as clumsy as Bella?" I smiled.
"Nobody is as clumsy as her. She's a walking accident." He couldn't have been more dead-on with that. It was to be assumed though; he had known her much longer. I began to wonder how much longer and quickly voiced my question.
"I moved here two years ago." He stated, still fiddling with his bandage.
"Why did you move? From where?" I continued on my inquisition. He smiled, laughing at my many questions. They were slightly abundant, but I was also meeting everybody for the first time. I had a right to ask many, many questions.
"I used to live in Texas. My dad changed jobs and we moved here. How about you? Where did you move from?" He asks turning the questions onto me.
"Another small town not so far from here. My dad also moved here because of his job. He wanted to move closer to the hospital. He's a doctor." I explained, repeating the same story from last night. Jasper nodded his head in understanding.
"Did you know Edward's dad is a doctor?"
"Yeah, he was telling me earlier." I replied avoiding where he had told me. I didn't know if Bella had invited Jasper at all. I can only assume she did. But if she didn't, it would be slightly rude of me to mention dinner last night.
It was silent for a few moments as I worked on the project. It was tedious and I had no idea why the teacher had not only given it to us, but let us work in partners as well. Whatever the reasoning, it was the ideal project to work on.
"Use spelled Poland wrong." He said quietly over my shoulder. I practically hit myself on the silly error. Spelling Poland Poleland was more than just slightly idiotic.
"Thanks," I laughed, scratching out the name and rewriting it above. By the time I had finished, it was surprisingly the end of the period. Perhaps I spent a little too much time talking and not enough working.
Muttering to myself I went up and turned the paper in on the table in front. By the time I turned around and made it back to my seat, Jasper was already gone. Next time he wouldn't be able to slip through my fingers so easily. I would make sure of that.
The rest of the day passed by in a blur, a Jasper-colored blur. I could not help but focus my thoughts on him for every moment of class. Even when I was talking to Edward, or Bella, I had my mind elsewhere.
There was nothing special about him, nothing at all. And yet, when I was walking to lunch, I was only excited to talk with Jasper once more. My obsession was beginning to get carried away, but nothing could stop the roller coaster of my emotions, not even me.
When I saw their table in the back, I once again ran towards them without buying my lunch. "How do you get here so fast?" I laughed as I sat down at the circular table. I was not sure whether or not they could hear me, the lunch room was noisy. But by their smiles and nods, I guessed they could.
"Magic," Emmett replied casually. Okay, they could for sure hear me, or at least Emmett could.
I found myself nodding along to Emmett as he elaborated on the specifics of his magic, but my eyes immediately found the other person who conveniently did not have a lunch. "Jasper, want to wait in line with me? You haven't bought yet either." I invited the boy. He looked up in surprise, but before he could respond, Emmett did so for him.
"Jasper's anorexic." He said in mock sorrow. I glared at him, but Rosalie decided to do the honors for me.
"Shut up, Emmett." She growled, hitting him upside the head. I couldn't help the giggle that slipped through my lips. Emmett began to get teary-eyed, but once again he was joking. I rolled my eyes at the theatrics.
I glanced at the lunch line, which was beginning to close for the period. I knew I would have to go soon, or forfeit my right to food for the next few hours. Sending Jasper a questioning look, I stood up.
"I had a big breakfast." He explained, shaking his head as he talked. My eyes watched a strand of his curly hair flicker across one of his eyes, but I hoped he didn't notice.
"Okay then," I said before turning around and heading up to the food. I observed today's offerings before deciding immediately to opt for a bag of chips and a water bottle. Paying quickly, I was set back to the table before I missed out on the bantering.
When I returned, I listened intently to discover what I had missed out on. From what I could tell, Emmett and Edward were battling fiercely about worshiping the devil. Uh-huh, I get that.
"I tell you, it is legal right? I mean, America is all about freedom of religion and stuff." Emmett protested. He waved his hand adamantly as he spoke. Edward was shaking his head slowly.
"Do you know anything about that religion?" He asked. Emmett looked slightly bashful for a second before responding.
"Yeah,"
"You know nothing about that religion. Therefore, you have no idea what you are talking about. Neither do I for that matter. For all we know, we are talking about cannibalism here." Edward said, sounding very matter-of-fact. I laughed at their conversation. Both of them turned their heads in my direction, as if they just realized that I was there.
"If you both know nothing, why are you arguing about it? For all you know, you have just insulted an entire community of people. You should apologize." I scolded them, shaking my head in disappointment. "You never know who could be listening in."
"Like what, there's an entire community of people listening, or reading in on our conversation?" Emmett asked, incredulous.
"You never know," I warned him, continuing in the motherly tone I was using. Edward laughed, as well as Bella and Rosalie. I couldn't help but notice Jasper was zoned out, staring blankly at the wall. He had a pained expression on his face and was slightly trembling. About to voice my concern, Bella unknowingly interrupted.
"I think you are the only one who can keep up with them, Alice. We all know Rose and I can't." She said, pulling her hair behind her ear, it must be a habit. "At least we have someone to rein them in."
"And boy do they need it." Rosalie muttered under her breath, intentionally making it loud enough for all of us to hear. I laughed along with the others, but most of my attention remained on Jasper, who was still spaced out.
Pulling my focus back to the others, I looked to both Bella and Rosalie, having deemed them both worthy of my friendship. "Are you guys busy this weekend?" I asked them, hoping the answer was a no.
Looking simultaneously at each other before answering, they both shook their heads no. "Why?" Rosalie inquired.
I sighed in relief. "Well, I am kind of out of clothes, but my mom came up with this scheme that I needed to invite some friends over to go shopping with if I wanted to go," I started, fumbling around the point for a moment. "I was wondering if you wanted to come and maybe spend the night." I continued in a faster, more determined voice. But before they answered, I looked to the boys. "Sorry, you're not invited. No offense." I laughed.
"Offense taken all the same." Emmett growled, seemingly angry. I rolled my eyes at him for the second time today before turning to Bella and Rose.
"I can come, it sounds like fun." Rosalie said, with Bella nodding in agreement. I smiled, thrilled with the idea of them both coming with me. I was going to have so much fun.
Out of nowhere, the bell rung and I practically jumped out of my skin in fright, as did Jasper. Emmett laughed at me with a boisterous, carefree laugh. I ignored him, my eyes once again trained onto Jasper's. I had an excuse to be unaccustomed to the noisy bell. What was his?
Edward seemed to realize my intent gaze was focused onto Jasper because he quickly stood up, the motion causing me to be distracted.
I followed the crowd of students from the lunchroom. I had no choice but to join, practically being dragged away. I found myself walking next to Rosalie, who smiled. She seemed nice enough, but I found myself once again realizing I knew nothing about her as well. I would change that.
I saw Jasper skirting around the edges of the people, uncomfortable with the proximity. He, of course, was still my number one priority.
Objective number one: Get to know just exactly who Jasper is.
