So I know it seems like things are moving at a snail's pace,but I promise the meat is coming. I have so much drama planned! Thanks for reading, I hope ya'll are enjoying it so far. Oh and this is an abnormally long chapter. I didn't mean to make it that way, it just happened. Oh, and the next chapter will be mostly Jasper.
Jasper
"Ha ha! Told ya I was gonna beat both of ya'll ! I'm a champ! You can't reach me baby, can't reach me," shouted Emmett. We were playing a basketball video game. I've played the actual game a few times and the video game only when I was too bored to get drunk. The only reason I'm here playing and not at home watching Maury is because they invited me. They've been inviting me to hang out ever since the dance. They say that I'm "alright," and that I can be a member of the pack. I kind of like the idea of hanging out with people because they actually like me and I actually like them, and not because our parents are in the same income bracket.
Edward shook his head and chunked the controller at the bed. I can tell this defeat happens a lot. He glowered at Emmett doing his victory dance on the bed. I laughed at both the face Edward was making, and the way Emmett's neck and eyes were rolling around, like some kind of crazy, pop-eyed rooster. Once his celebration was done he plopped down on Edward's bed so hard that I'm sure he must have popped a few springs.
"So... what's up with you and Alice," asked Edward.
"Whaddya mean?"
"Don't play dumb. You calling her to come chill at one in the morning... that's what I mean."
"A, she called me and B, she was delivering a cake. I only offered to watch a movie to be hospitable and because I like watching movies."
"Uh-huh... that's what's I always say when Rosalie comes over in the middle of the night, said Emmett."
"Come on, I'm serious. Alice is nice and all but nothing is going on."
"So... you mean to tell me Alice is over your house, at one in the morning, and nothing happened. No kissing, no petting, no nothing," asked Edward.
"No, nothing happened."
"Well, you're still a skilled locksmith to crack that code," said Edward.
"I haven't cracked any code, I don't know what ya'll are talking about."
"So, you mean to tell us you just punched the shit out of Mike for no reason, man admit it... you like Alice."
"I never said I didn't like Alice. I like her just fine.I just don't like her like that. I mean flirting with her is fun but I'm not trying to get a new girlfriend just yet."
"Oh...okay... I understand that," said Emmett.
"So... what is the deal with her? Why hasn't she gone out with anybody," I asked.
"She's picky," said Emmett.
"Yeah, guys have been asking her out for years. Mostly Mike, Jane's brother Alec asked her out a few times too, though they were able to be friends after she rejected him, unlike Mike," said Edward. "She's just always been weird."
"Speaking of weird," said Emmett, "I need to borrow some of your condoms Edward... it's not like you need em anyway."
"As a matter of a fact Emmett, Bella has wanted me every night since we did it the other week. She's never satisfied with a piece of me, she wants to whole pie."
"Really," I asked. "She doesn't seem like the type."
"Yup, really..."
"So, how was the first time," asked Emmett. "I never asked you."
"It was breathtaking," said Edward.
"Wait, you were outta breath... she's the one who is supposed to be outta breath. You didn't do it right."
"Can we stop talking about my sex life?"
"I guess... So can I get borrow some rubbers or not? I don't wanna go to the drugstore to get any. Mrs. Weber looks at me weird."
"Top drawer, to the left, under the cupid boxers."
"Thanks bro."
They were definitely entertaining to watch, that's mostly what I found myself doing but I'm sure I'll be talking in no time. Right now I really have nothing to talk about. I'm new... besides meeting Alice and punching Mike, nothing's happened to me. So, I'm quiet.
I happened to notice the tips of a pair of pink, sparkly, light up shoes and little fingers curved around the frame of the door. I knew we were being spied on by his little sister. She seemed like an interesting kid. When I got over there she was trying to get her dog to do a trick but he just rolled over with his arms folded, waiting for his belly to be rubbed.
"We got company," I said.
Edward turned his head towards the door and rolled his eyes.
"Nessie! What have I told you about spying on me!"
The little shoes disappeared, and with them went little footsteps. Edward went running. I can remember spying on Tanya that way, when she was home. Of course, she was good at hiding her secret and covering her tracks, and I was bad at spying so I never got any dirt.
Alice
I've been doing alterations all day. It's business as usual. I've also been working on a dog- parade costume It's for Mrs. Gerandy's adorable weenie dog, Ruffalo. It was tricky taking his measurements, and it's been ever trickier making the costume because he's long and fat. However, I managed to make him something that will make him look like Uncle Sam, complete with a beard and top hat. She's even given me a leash to customize. Needless to say, I've been busy. With that, and altering dresses for the upcoming Miss Independence pageant. Most of the girls who competed in the Miss Silver pageant just bring their dresses to me to have them re-detailed. The dresses were mostly silver or white anyway so putting on some new colors of beads and sequins won't be too hard...but it will be time consuming. I guess you could say I'm swimming in a sea of sequins. Which is just as well because it keeps my mind off of the fact that I made a fool out of myself.
It's been one week since the dance, one week since I kissed Jasper, and one week since I've seen him or heard from him. I scared him off, I know it. I scared him off being all forward and outward with my emotions. I could just... I could just poke myself with one of these needles! I miss the days before I worried about stuff like this. When I could focus, and when I didn't get hot and bothered, and when I wasn't perpetually feeling ashamed of myself for jumping on him like a cat in heat.
I put each altered piece in a bag to be dropped off at each residence. I'd take them when I took Nessie to Dr. Cullen's office. She had tutoring today and my mama has some kind of teacher's meeting about a workshop or something they are going to next month. As if on some kinda clock, I heard Nessie knock at my door as I was reaching for the knob.
"Your mama says for you to take me to my daddy's office now."
"Why can't your brother ever pick you up?"
"He's sposed to be cuttin the grass."
"Oh, well I guess that's a good excuse. Come on."
I grabbed Nessie's hand and held the bags of alterations with the other. Jacob was outside waiting when we made it to the porch. He's the Cullens' Husky and he follows Nessie everywhere, unless he's tied up for bad behavior. Which is most of the time, because he gets into trouble a lot. I knocked on each of the doors, handing off bags,and taking my leave. By the time I was done it was just me, and the most inquisitive and informative seven and a half year old I know.
"Is Jasper gonna be your boyfriend?"
"No... who told you that," I asked.
"Nobody. I just heard my brother and him and Emmett talkin when he was over our house yesterday."
"He was over your house?"
"Yup. Playing Edward's video game. Emmett won."
"Oh. Well...what'd you hear? Since you were eavesdropping."
"I'm not sposed to tell. Edward said he'd pinch my arms."
"Jacob and I wouldn't let that happen to you. Now spill the beans."
"Well... promise not to tell anybody I told you?"
"I promise Nessie."
"My brother asked Jasper what was goin on with ya'll and he said you were nice... but nothing was happening and he liked flirting with you cuz it was fun, but he doesn't like you- like you, and that he only invited you to watch the movie cuz he likes watching movies and it was polite."
"Oh... well... you should be a spy little girl."
"Thank ya... daddy says I got a knack for finding out stuff people don't want me to find out."
When we got to Dr. Cullen's office I greeted the receptionist, Bertha, then I headed back to where he'd be. He was rushing around, grabbing stuff and putting it in his bag.
"Hey Dr. Cullen... I'm dropping off Nessie."
"Oh Alice, good, I need a favor. I wouldn't normally ask bu..."
"You need me to babysit?"
"Yes. Edward's gone AWOL, Esme is on a trip looking for antiques for the store and I have to go to the hospital over in Johnson to deliver a set of twins."
"Well go... I got Nessie. She can even spend the night if she wants to."
"Really," shouted Nessie, he voice filled with absolute glee.
"Yup."
"Bye baby girl," said Dr. Cullen. "Be good for Alice, and Mr. and Mrs. Brandon."
"Okay daddy... bye bye."
He left and I started back out, Nessie beside me skipping. When we were about to open to door to exit, Jasper was crutching in, Tanya was behind him.
"Well Mary Alice! I haven't seen you in a month of sundays. Girl, where you been?"
"Hey Tanya...I just been swamped...pageant time is coming up again."
"Oh lord, the girls in this town."
"Hey Alice," said Jasper.
"Hey," I said back, trying not to sound too happy to see him. I was, even though I just heard from the most honest source in Forks that he doesn't like me like that.
"Do you know where Dr. Cullen was going," asked Tanya.
"Daddy's delivering twins today," chimed Nessie.
"Well, I guess we'll get Bertha to reschedule."
"Bye Tanya...and um, bye."
"Bye Alice," he said.
We walked out, I could feel Nessie looking up at me.
"What?"
"Why didn't you say anything to him," she asked.
"Like what?"
"I don't know...you should'a said... he was cute."
"You think he's cute," I asked.
"Well yeah... for a teenager."
"I think he knows he's cute though, Nessie."
"You're probably right... maybe you should make him something. Mama always makes daddy cookies and when Bella is hanging with me and Edward she makes us food."
"I baked Jasper a cake... I can't cook."
"You can sew him something."
"It's complicated Nessie."
"But...you like him, don't you?"
"Yeah, but it's not that simple. You'll understand when you're older."
"People always keep sayin that."
"Because it's true."
She seemed a little flustered, but all signs of frustration disappeared the minute we walked into Maters and Cheese. I sat down while she went over the the pacman machine. Jane and Alec happened to walk in and wave to me. They are twins, they might as well be joined at the hip. Alec was technically my first kiss, it wasn't by choice though. When we were thirteen he held me underwater at the lake and kissed me. I felt violated, because I didn't want it, and scared because I thought he was gonna drown me. When we surfaced I hit him in the nose and ran home. Later on he came to apologize and we became friends again.
"Alice, can I borrow a dollar in quarters? Please? I'll pay you back!"
"Sure Nessie, you can have the money."
I gave her all the quarters I had and she ran back over to the machine. Maggie took our orders. Two cokes, a pepperoni pizza and icecream for dessert. Why not hype up a seven year old while I'm stress eating? I started drawing in my book when the bell dinged. I looked up, instinctually since I was facing the door. It was Emmett and Edward..probably wandering around like like puppies since Rosalie decided to pick up extra shifts at the grocery store, and Bella was volunteering at the library.
"Hey Alice," said Edward sneakily... he's such a snake. He can be okay when he wants to be, but I can't say I've ever trusted him. He's good to Bella, so that earns him extra points in my book but it's something about Edward that makes me think he might be crazy. "Seen Jasper lately?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"He's your friend, right?"
"Yeah... he is my friend and that's all."
"Sure about that?"
"Edward, why you starting trouble," asked Emmett "leave Alice alone before she hurts your feelings, like you know she can do without trying too hard."
"Guess you're right," said Edward.
"Alice don't pay any attention to him..."
They went to their usual table at the back of the restaurant. I was glad when they were gone. Edward was grinding on my last nerve. I know he called himself "teasing" me about Jasper, he just didn't know that I already knew how Jasper felt about me. I don't know why, but I think maybe I liked it better before I found out. Then again, I am getting my information from a seven year old. She's a clean source, but is it a reliable source? You know what...that doesn't matter. If Jasper liked me, he would have called. It's been a week.
I happened to look back to check on Nessie. She was at Edward and Emmett's table eating up the cheesy fries they'd ordered as an appetizer, however, when she saw that Maggie was bringing our pizza over, she jetted to the table. It was just what I needed. The pie was hot, the coke was cold and I'm sure the ice cream will be wonderful.
"Alice what's the matter? You seem a little down."
"Oh nothing Nessie."
"Is it cuz of what I told you bout Jasper?"
"No... I think I was just hungry. That's all Nes... I need some ice cream."
"Oh... yeah that's probably it. I need icecream too."
"Your daddy is gonna kill me...feeding you all this junk."
"Well he didn't say you couldn't feed me the junk, so you can."
"That's a good logic."
We ate, had dessert, I paid, and then we were about to leave. I need to get out of town. I need to rest and hide in my place of refuge, my room. Nessie will be as good as dead on her feet when we get back to my house, so I'll pop in a movie, let her doze and I'll go decompress.
As we were about to leave Edward flagged us down.
"Nes, dad told me to bring you home...he's delivered the twins and he'll be home in a few hours."
"Aw... I wanted to go with Alice."
"Hey, how about when you come for tutoring next week we hang out and do girly stuff," I said.
"Okay? Can we work on my jacket?"
"Of course."
"Okay."
I hugged her goodbye, I waved to Emmett, and I gave Edward the evil eye. On the way I patted Jacob on the head. He was in a lazy mood today, which is good because if he wasn't he'd be doing something mischievous. While I was on my trek I heard the familiar old horn of Bella's truck.
"Alice, get in," she said.
I did and she told me about her day volunteering at the library. Apparently Forks has acquired some very saucy selections and she was sneaking and reading them.
"So... what's the matter with you?"
"Nothing,"
"I want barbecue... go to the Hut with me?"
"Sure," I sighed.
"Wait a minute, what was that?"
"Nothing."
"Alice don't you lie to me...what happened? Did you finally hear from him?"
"No...but I know how he feels about me. Nessie filled me in."
"Well...what'd she say?"
"He doesn't like me that way. Flirted with me for fun. Only invited me in to be polite..."
"Well she is only seven."
"I know that...but she's still probably right. I just wish I hadn't gotten all emotional, ya know? Your snake of a boyfriend didn't make things better."
"Edward? What'd he do?"
"He was teasing me. He probably didn't know that Nessie told me that Jasper thought I was a desperate tramp...but still... I'm emotional right now."
"I'll talk to him."
"Well, you can't. Edward threatened to pinch Nessie's arms if she told, and I promised I wouldn't let anybody know she told me."
"Well what are you gonna do?"
"Nothing... Hide in my room the rest of the summer and sew my heart out. Get some money for my college fund."
"How much you got now?"
"I don't know."
"You've been putting money in since we were ten, selling lemonade and cookies...how can you not know?"
"I don't know..."
"Alice you are a mystery. You're sure you're okay going to the Hut?"
"He might not even be there Bella, besides I saw him already today at Dr. Cullen's office."
"Oh."
I wasn't hungry because I'd just eaten half a pizza, but I'm always thirsty, so when Bella ordered her sandwich I added on a coke. Tanya waved to me from the bar, which was crowded with people coming in for post lunchtime drinks and desserts. I give it another hour before it gets quiet, and then another before it's so packed with dinner time patrons and happy hour drinkers that the doors won't shut.
Bella and I were talking about anything but Jasper, which mostly equated to a conversation about her, and Edward, and their sex life. It sounded painful, yet I was still curious about it. I've wondered ever since Martha lost her virginity at fifteen and came home crying. She sobbed the entire night in my lap until she went to sleep and when she woke up the next morning she was different. I couldn't put my finger on it, but she was.
For the most part Bella was the same, except for the fact that she looked off into thin air every now and again with a dreamy look in her eyes and a tiny smile on her face.
The door opened and in came the only person I'm trying to avoid right now. I whipped out my cellphone because I felt him looking at me. I prayed for him not to come over to our table but I knew I was fucked when Bella giggled and whispered "Here he comes Alice." I had no choice but to look up and meet the gaze of his brown eyes.
"Hey Bella," he said.
"Hey Jasper.
"Alice..."
"Hey."
"Jasper you can sit in my seat for now. I have to use the little girls' room," said Bella.
"Okay."
He plopped down and I couldn't breath. I didn't know where to look. My face was burning and feeling like it was being inflated.
"Did I do something wrong," he asked.
"No... nothing at all."
"Is this about the other night?"
"No...yes... it's nothing you did. It was me, all me."
"Then why aren't you talking to me?"
"I am talking to you."
"Alice..."
"Okay... why'd you ask me that question if you knew you didn't feel the same?"
"I dunno... I guess I wanted to feel wanted. I'm sorry Alice."
"Yeah me too..."
"For what?"
"Lying to you. I don't like you," I said... I'm a bad liar, mama says so. That's why I used to get Martha to do all my lying for me, and after she left I just resorted to telling the truth.
"Why Mary Alice, you're telling me a tale."
"I am not... I only said it because you punched Mike."
"If that's what you wanna trick yourself into believing. Can I have my jacket back?"
"What jacket?"
"The one I let you borrow, the one you stole."
"I didn't steal your jacket. I put it back into your coat closet."
"Liar."
"Jasper, I didn't take your jacket!"
"Swear on the bible."
"It's a sin to swear! I'm not gonna swear on the bible!"
"Do it or else I'll know you're lying."
"Well... I don't have to prove myself to you. I know doggone well I didn't take your stupid, stinky jacket, and I didn't. Why are you even here? You new posse was at Maters and Cheese, the last time I saw them."
"My leg is a little swollen today, don't feel much like crutching around so I'm staying at home."
"Oh."
Things were awkward and quiet. I had to stop myself from nervously laughing a few times because I knew that I had that damn jacket. It's by my pillow, and I sleep with my head on it every night. I don't know why I'm doing stupid shit like this but I am...I feel so out of whack. It's almost like something has taken over my body, and I'm just in the background observing everything that happens, yet I have no say in anything!
Bella came back from the bathroom after what seemed like a small lifetime. She had a huge smile on her face, and she was tucking her phone into her pocket. I couldn't tell if she was smiling because of Jasper and I sitting at the table, or because she talked to Edward. Either way, she was happy.
Instead of making Jasper move, she pulled up a chair. Her barbecue sandwich was on the way out, which was perfect timing. She started chowing down while Jasper and I just sat there. I played with the salt and pepper shakers because he was looking at me. Everyone once in awhile he'd kick me under the table and stare at me with a sneaky smile. Of course, every time he kicked me, I kicked him back. It was perhaps the most silent war ever fought.
When Bella had satisfied her craving she paid, and we started to leave. Before I could take two steps away from the table Jasper grabbed my wrist.
"What?"
"Don't be a stranger Mary Alice."
"Don't be a jerk Jasper."
He smiled my smile and then he released me. I hate him for it... I hate him for knowing that he has me all emotional. He probably just wants to hurt me, to prove that he can. Or like he said, he just strung me out this far to see if I liked him because he has some kind of weird self esteem issue and he wants to feels way I feel stupid. I'm turning soppy and sappy like I said I never would and I hate myself for it.
The ride to my house was quiet but every now and again Bella looked over at me and smiled.
"What?"
"It's just weird seeing you like this, is all..."
"Like what?"
"Crazy over a boy."
"I'm not. You shut your mouth right now if that's the kind of garbage you're gonna talk about."
"You've admitted you like him."
"Well... I change my mind."
"It doesn't work that way."
"How come?"
"It just doesn't, and you know it."
"Even if I did still like him, which I don't, he doesn't like me. It's pointless."
"Look...he might not like you now. But remember this...just because he don't, doesn't mean that he won't."
"Well it doesn't matter. I'm done with love, giving up."
"How can you give up on something you've never experienced?"
"I guess I never will... love is too reckless anyway. You're all emotional, not thinking straight...then the next thing you know you end up stuck like the people in this town or pregnant like Lauren."
"Alice the turtle, in her shell."
"That's mean...how dare you bring up that riddle in a time when I'm so emotionally fragile."
"So you admit you still feel something."
"Nope... I take it back."
"Alice the turtle, in her shell, needs a handsome boy turtle, to ring her bell!"
"Shut up! You know I hate that stupid rhyme. Who made that up anyway?"
"I actually think it was Edward...when we were in seventh grade and you and fat Helen were the only ones without dates to the dance."
"Oh, right... Bella I think I hate your boyfriend."
"Well that's alright, because I love him. Gosh, I can't wait for tonight."
"What's happening tonight?"
"We're doing it again."
"Haven't you been doing it every night?"
"It's different tonight. Mrs. Cullen is gone and Mr. Cullen never checks on Edward so I won't have to hide."
"Well... good for you, I guess."
She stopped singing the little song but she did hum it and look over at me evilly. Bella is usually the nice once, Rosalie is usually the one who is mean and into taunting, but every now and then the devil will jump into Bella and she'll be mean too.
I waved goodbye to her and I reminded her to be safe so she doesn't end up in trouble. She waved back and drove away, her truck backfiring as she did. Old red is reliable, but he sure is scary. It sounds like somebody is firing a rifle sometimes when she presses the gas, and the outside is so rusty that I'm scared if I scratch my finger on it, I'll get tetanus.
When I got into the house my mama and daddy were in the kitchen. My mama was preparing to put a roast into the oven. My daddy was looking through a magazine. I came in and kissed them both on the cheek, greeting them. I told my mama to call me when dinner was ready and I went to my room. As soon as I shut the door I kicked off my shoes, threw myself on the bed and landed with my face in Jasper's jacket. That was purely coincidental.
I rolled over on my back and I looked up at the stickers on my ceiling. They were an assortment of glow in the dark stars, Power Rangers, Barney, Rugrats, and other kids shows. All of them came from Dr. Cullen's office. When we used to go, Martha would always pocket a handful of stickers and I'd sneak and take a pocketful of suckers. We'd trade when we got home. It's a wonder nobody ever caught us, or maybe they did and didn't say anything.
Sometimes I hate reminiscing about my childhood. It's not that it was unhappy, as far as childhood's go, I'd say I had a damn good one. It just makes me think about my sister. It's been a year since she's been gone. She left right before she was about to turn eighteen. She was always bookish so she got to graduate early, we always thought it was to go to college with Maurice, we didn't know it was so they could run away together, to start a new life, a new life without me! I guess I can't blame her for wanting to get out, but still...the fact that she left was traumatizing for me. Yeah, she told me goodbye but I wasn't expecting it, and even though we fought over stupid stuff like the TV, makeup, and food... I miss her.
The phone started to ring and I hesitated picking it up, I looked on the screen and saw that the number was unknown. I decided to answer it, who knows, I might have won an all inclusive trip to Mexico or something, not that I entered in any contests.
"Hello?"
"Well hey shorty," said Martha.
"Martha! You're calling me?"
"Yeah... I have a regular phone now. I wanted to hear your voice, see if it's still the same."
"Well...it's pretty much the same. Where are you? Are you coming home soon?"
"Probably not, didn't mama tell everyone I was dead?"
"No...you're only dead to her. You know how dramatic she is though. As soon as she laid eyes on you she'd love on you."
"I don't think so. Plus, me and Maurice have settled down."
"Where?"
"Alaska...that's where I'm calling from! Maurice got a job on an oil rig and I wait at this diner. We rent an apartment right now but we're gonna get a house. It's so pretty here..."
"I bet."
"What's the matter? You sound down."
"Nothing."
"You still can't lie for shit, not even through the phone. School's not in yet...so...what happened?"
"There's this guy."
"Oooooohhh a guy! Finally gave in to Alec, huh?"
"No."
"Mike?"
"Ew triple no...this guy is new in town. Tanya's little brother."
"Well if he's got her genes he's gorgeous. Spill it."
"We talked and flirted and he forced me to admit my emotions for him and I kissed him then I heard from Nessie..."
"Aw, how is she? How is everybody?"
"They're all good. Anyway, Nessie told me that when Jasper was talking to Emmett and Edward, while she was eavesdropping, she heard him say he only flirted for fun and he didn't like me even though...even though...he made me admit it. It's like...what the fuck? I just hate this Martha... I like a psychopath."
She laughed through the receiver.
"What's so funny?"
"You...you're funny. Now seeing you, rational...tough as nails Alice, emotionally entangled would be something to come home for. Let me give you some advice. If he did all that he likes you, he just doesn't want to admit it. I say just let him sweat it out. Be nice, be friendly, and be distant. Play hard to get, and be cool, calm, and collected."
"Cool, calm, and collected?"
"Yes. It'll be a challenge for you though because you're a little spaz. Just try not to care so much."
"I am trying not to care so much."
"well... it'll pay off. I was just calling during my break at the restaurant, I need to go now if I wanna have time for pie and coffee too. Let everybody know I love em, will ya alley cat?"
"Sure sure."
"And don't let this get you down."
"Sure... "
"Love you, bye."
"Bye."