Sorry about the false notice guys, for some reason the formatting was messing up and I had to take down the chapter. Hopefully it worked this time around.
...
Chapter 4
Alice sat at the lunchroom table, swiping through her social media for any sort of excitement. She couldn't complain though, because the last two days were filled with new adventurous things. She had gone back to Jasper's and they'd have sex before she'd leave back home. Then they'd act completely normal when they had to be in front of their parents. It was their dirty little secret and Alice was sure the secrecy made it the more fun and the more pleasurable for them.
Bella noticed how her friend's finger hovered over whatever she was looking at on her phone. She noticed Alice's attitude had shifted slightly. It went from annoyed to a little looser and she didn't let too many things get to her. What's up with her? She thought and then she caught sight of Jasper who was with a guy beside her she recognized as Riley. They shook hands and parted ways, his figure coming towards the table they were sitting at.
"Ladies." He said in the low purred voice he reserved strictly for teasing them. Alice peeked over her shoulder and lifted her brow.
"I thought you were cutting today?" She questioned as he slid into the seat in front of her. He yawned and shook his head.
"I have an apparent quiz so no can do." He shrugged before perking up. "Which by the way, do you want to stop by my place after?" His voice held a hint of suggestion and his lips struggled to not smirk to reveal his true intentions. "My mom wants me to show you something."
"Don't you guys have dinner almost all the time together?" Bella probed into the conversation, almost clueless to what was going on around her. "Why don't you show her then?" Jasper wanted to almost huff at her naïve self.
"Today there's no dinner at our places." That actually wasn't a lie. Alice folded her hands and placed her phone on top of the table.
"We only do it four times a week max. Unless it's like a real special event." She shrugged at her friend before turning back to the impeccable guy in front of her. "Today?" She knew he didn't want to show her no stupid shit, it was a silent invite to go over and have sex. Just the mere thought of it had Alice feeling fuzzy and hot. She instinctively crossed her legs and agreed, while her friend just watched the interaction between the two.
There was something almost tangible in the air between those two. It felt different—like something shifted, but she couldn't put her finger on it. She wasn't sure if it was because she knew what she knew or because it was really something different in the air. She didn't have time to sit and ponder on it, because Maria's sudden presence alerted everyone. Her dark hair was pulled into a ponytail and she wore a simple sweater over a white v-neck t-shirt. She had lunch in her hands and saw that a new person was at the table.
"Hi Jasper." She threw him a sweet smile that nearly knocked him off his chair. Alice licked her lips and looked back down at her phone to avoid laughing at her friend's stupidity. She loved observing how much of an idiot Jasper became in front of the girl he liked.
"Hey." He choked back, shocking even Maria with his dry response. She, however, paid him no mind and started nibbling on her wrap. Jasper knew he fucked up and ground his jaw. It was just plain chatter here and there until the bell rang. They dropped Maria off first and then it was just Alice and Bella walking each other. Bella took the opportunity to ask the question she was itching to ask.
"What's going on between you and Jazz?" She asked casually, as if she was asking how the weather outside was. Alice was surprised at the question and how nonchalantly it came out of her friend. Had they been noticeable?
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know something seems different." Bella explained. "You couldn't even talk to him the day after you guys did what you did and now you're hanging out by yourselves again?"
"You get over things, right?"
"Yeah but not like that." She insisted. She noticed how subtly Alice switched her weight from one foot to the other and realized she was on to something. "Al, did you guys do something?" Her voice was nervous to ask and Alice resorted to biting the inside of her cheek. "Alice!"
"What?" She whined. "I'm not doing anything wrong. Just some fun, I swear."
"But you guys…"
"I know, I know." Alice sighed. "Just please don't say anything. Let alone to Maria, or your boyfriend." Alice warned.
"Don't tell me Maria because of Jasper…" The silence stretched and she knew she hit the bullseye. "I don't know how I feel Jasper going after her if he's with you." Bella made a face of disapproval so Alice jumped in to smooth her friend over.
"It's fine. Once he gets with her we'll stop. It's just for now. Besides he's not with me. I don't like Jasper like that and we've agreed to help each other out in whatever way." Bella felt unsure.
"Things like this don't end good."
"This isn't a movie where things always end bad. Don't worry. Now come on." She gripped her best friend's hand and ran through the halls.
...
Jasper suddenly laid his head against the pillow and stared up at the ceiling.
"I don't know what I should do to get Maria to notice me." Jasper exclaimed, changing the topic, with a heavy sigh. His upper body was bare and his lower body was covered by some of the sheets. Alice moved the covers to have them wrapped tightly around her as she propped her head up and raised an eyebrow at him. They had had sex probably fifteen minutes previous to this conversation, but she understood that she was the only one he could speak to like this. They had agreed to help each other sexually as well as with the people they desired.
"You're thinking way too hard about it, Jazz." She breathed. "You go to the same school as her, you see her at lunch often and for Pete's sake, you are friends with her and with people directly linked to her." He made a face in response.
"Yeah but I never know what to say." Alice remembered how he nearly choked on his words to get a simple 'hey' out of him. And only he managed to make it sound so weird and awkward.
"That's a change. You never shut up with me." Alice mumbled under her breath.
"That's because I really like Maria." Jasper shot back with no real malice. The words should have held a lot more sting than they actually did but instead they lightly brushed across her. "Besides, I've known you all my life." She quickly sat up, holding the blankets firmly under her arms and pursed her lips.
"Fine. I'll create an opportunity for you to walk her to class tomorrow, but you have to take the damn hint." Jasper sprang up at the idea and beamed from ear to ear.
"I will, thank you!" He leaned over and pressed his lips against her cheek, making her laugh. He looked like a giddy child.
"All you have to do after is make it a habit and have a conversation with her. That's how it'll work." Alice brushed her fingers along her hair. Jasper noticed her perk up and he knew she had something to say. "Now what about Peter? I want help too Jasper and he's your friend!" Jasper folded his hands over his lap.
"He's not my direct friend, Al."
"Maria isn't really mine either—" She mumbled with a huff.
"You didn't let me finish." He gave her a look and she rolled her eyes. "But I'll get you a chance to really talk to him. You know Riley, right?" Alice nodded her head. Of course, she knew who he was. Riley was one of Jasper's closest guy friends since high school started. In fact, they had class freshman year together and it has been like that ever since. Riley was usually always with Jasper and vice versa—especially at school. Riley was a good-looking guy too. He had brown hair that had a reddish hue to it and lively green eyes that stood out strikingly against his pale skin. He was about two inches shorter than Jasper, but still taller than the average guy. He had a broad build, much broader than Jasper's and he had a goofy grin with a miniscule gap between his front two teeth. Alice always saw him as the cute type rather than the hot type. "Well Riley is really good friends with Peter. I'll ask him to hang out and throw in a good word for you."
"A good word?" That sounded unconvincing and like minimal work on Jasper's end.
"Trust me, you won't need much more help." He retorted with a smirk. "Getting guys is so much easier than getting a girl. You guys have it easy and Peter is no different from any other guy out there. A pretty face and the right amount of tricks and you'll have him—" Jasper grabbed one of Alice's hands and turned it over so the palm was face up. "in the palm of your little hand." He traced a line across her palm with a cynical grin and she tried her best to hold back her excitement. His words gave her hope and excitement. After all, they were coming from a guy so they had to be right in some way. "I mean you did most of the work at Edward's party." He suggested and Alice licked her lips.
"Unlike you I don't choke up." The jab pinched Jasper's nerves and he closed her hands, tackling her onto the mattress so that she was pinned beneath him. She stared up at him, slightly startled and then she suddenly felt his fingers wiggle against her side causing her to throw her head back and laugh loudly. Jasper was surprised at her reaction—he had expected her to squirm and maybe laugh, but she was beneath him squirming around. She was laughing so hard her body was vibrating beneath his and tears were starting to roll from the corner of her eyes. "Stop!" She squealed but the joy that was radiating off of her was contagious and Jasper found himself unable to stop tickling her. He didn't even notice how he himself was laughing along with her while she unsuccessfully tried to smack his hands away.
...
Eventually Alice went home and waited for the Whitlock's to come to her place for dinner. Her mom arrived half an hour after she did and stopped by to chat with her daughter about school, before heading off to find the cook, Esme for dinner preparations. Alice showered, removing any trace of Jasper from her until she felt clean and fresh again. She reapplied makeup and shimmied herself into a nice pair of black cropped slacks.
Caius came home after work, noticing that his leading girls were ready for dinner. Alice was sitting on the sofa with Luke at her side, calmly taking a nap. It still left him in awe how such a huge animal acted like such a teddy bear with his daughter. He thought she would be dominated by the German Shepard, but instead he felt as though they were almost on an even playing field. He knew that Luke was therapeutic for her and that she adored him the same way he knew that Luke loved her. It was a beautiful sort of friendship. Luke sensed Caius' presence and peeked one eye open to see him before releasing a breath and continuing his nap.
"He's always happy to see me." Caius joked with a small laugh and Alice shrugged.
"He's a diva sometimes."
Time rolled around for dinner and the usual awaited guests rolled in. Jasper and Charlotte stayed beside Alice to small chat before they were called to the table. Charlotte sat across from the two older teens but they didn't let her feel left out.
"How have you been, Alice?" Aro asked his usual questions. He couldn't lie that he had an affinity for the girl. He had watched her grow up into the intelligent and beautiful young woman she was today so he felt a sense of pride in that. It was as if she was his daughter as well.
"I've been good, uncle." She replied politely. "Recently tests have laid off a bit so I can finally have some time for myself." She picked up the napkin and dabbed it on her lips, before properly placing it back on her lap. Aro reached for his white Pinot Grigio that paired with the excellent chicken Esme prepared that night. He took a sip and nodded in appreciation.
"That's excellent. It's always important to study as hard as you do but also have time to pamper yourself." Harper laughed.
"Oh, don't worry, this child pampers herself alright." Alice gave her mom the side eye and Jasper hid his smile behind his water glass. He knew how much Alice hated being talked about like a brat and the look she was giving her mom right now was priceless.
"But it's well deserved." Caius interrupted.
"Exactly, everything in life is rewarded if done correctly." Aro continued.
"How about you, Jasper?" Harper threw back the same question. "How have you been doing in school?" Jasper chewed his chicken quickly so he could swallow it.
"I've been good, aunt Harper. I'm in the middle of tests now actually, I end after next week."
"Study hard but not too hard." She laughed lightly. "Overcramming never works out in the end."
"He needs to study as much as he can." Aro interjected in a serious tone, making Jasper give him a cold stare this time.
Who needs enemies when you have allies like that, he thought.
"Alice is actually helping Jazz out with his work, daddy." Charlotte innocently said in hopes of helping her brother. However, her attempt had the opposite effect—both Jasper and Alice's eyes widened and their breathing stopped.
You've got to be fucking me… Jasper thought while gathering his thoughts. Aro's eyebrows raised in surprise at what his younger child told him. He looked over and saw the nervous smile Alice gave him.
"Is that so?" He said and she nodded. She noticed this time Jasper seemed frozen, so underneath the table she patted his hand to shake him out of it.
"Yes, he asked me for some tutoring. I usually help him out on homework more than studying though." Her lie was smooth and even impressed her. Everyone seemed to have bought it though, because they all nodded in response.
"Please come by more often and help him with studying too." Aro insisted and Alice laughed nervously.
"Will do." The air lightened up after Jasper's mom, Amber, steered the conversation into the topic of someone she bumped in to. Charlotte had excused herself to the bathroom, so the two nervous kids were left silent for a moment while the adults laughed.
"I thought it was over." Alice mumbled to herself. "I need something to make me relax." She sighed and pulled her hair behind her right ear, exposing her side profile to Jasper. He suddenly reached his hand out and placed it casually on her thigh. She immediately stiffened, taking a glimpse at how casually his hand laid there. She didn't say a single word; she was scared someone would hear.
Why is he doing this here? She prayed no one saw anything. Just keep laughing and talking. His hand started moving up and down her leg and she nearly jumped. She peeked to make sure the adults were still busy so she hid behind the curtain of her hair.
Jasper wasn't sure what he was doing, it was a mixture of his annoyance, his want and her wants. The soft material of her pants blocked him from touching her skin but he still knew it had some effect by the way her body would freeze if he kept moving. He followed the rhythmic pattern moving his hands up and down, until he decided to dip closer to her inner thighs. Her breathing hitched and she closed her legs up, trapping his hand. His head snapped up and that's when he saw her face. Her eyes were hazed with desire while her lips were parted slightly and her breaths were short and soft. Her face was completely smooth and covered with a slight flush. Her whole face screamed arousal and it made him feel it down where he needed to. He noticed her hair blocked the parents from seeing her, so it looked like they were just having a casual conversation with her head turned towards him. He was grateful that no one could see her face but he was also fucked because the face screamed 'fuck me' but he couldn't do just that any time soon.
"Sorry," Charlotte's voice reminded them of reality. Jasper quickly pulled his hand back, placing it on his own lap, however, avoiding it with coming into contact with his own issue downstairs. Alice almost instantly missed the warmth and grip he had on her. "My friend called." She took a seat in front of them again. "Hey, Al, can I play with your polaroid after dinner?" Alice took several deep breaths before correcting her demeanor. She looked up and smiled.
"Yeah. It's in my room, so we'll go there after." The dinner carried on until the plates were picked up. Charlotte skipped to Alice's room to find the polaroid she wanted. Alice had an old-fashioned polaroid and a more modern version that made it easy for travel. Jasper had gotten her the more modern version about two years ago after she continuously complained she couldn't take the older version anywhere because of how big it was. It was a Christmas gift and she loved it. They both loved photos—Alice more liked to be the person taken pictures of while Jasper loved taking the pictures. He was an amazing photographer—he had a great eye for pictures and art, but his parents—especially his father didn't see that as a career.
Alice walked towards her room, with Jasper behind her when she was pulled towards the bathroom, the door shut after. Her eyes opened but there was no time to assess anything because Jasper was kissing her wildly against the door. Alice didn't even argue, she tilted her head back and opened her mouth so their tongues could melt against one another. Their desire was leaking through every pore. Jasper's hands traveled behind Alice's thighs and in a swift movement he wrapped her legs around his torso. Jasper wasn't the strongest man out there but Alice was relatively light and right now he felt like Superman himself. He walked towards the sink and set her down against the countertop. No words were said, only the exchange of lips and the grinding of her core against his for the sense of relief.
They knew they couldn't do more or finish so regretfully Alice pulled back and snuck out of the bathroom to go find Charlotte. Even walking right now was difficult with how turned on she was. She fell to her knees on the floor beside Charlotte and winced slightly.
"Are you okay?" She asked and Alice nodded.
"Yeah, I just hit my knees." She rubbed her faked-injured knees and accommodated herself. Charlotte craned her neck, not seeing Jasper walk in at all.
"Where's my brother?" She wondered with a furrowed brow.
"He said he had to go to the bathroom." Lying was getting better for Alice. It was becoming more second-nature, which she wasn't sure if it was a good or bad thing. "Apparently the chicken didn't sit well with him." Lie. He loved it, as a matter of fact.
Charlotte scrunched her nose up. "I hope he doesn't think of doing that in your bathroom. What a gross, ass." The girls laughed, one more forcefully than the other. Alice was able to engage herself into conversation and laughter with Charlotte, passing through the stage of painful arousal. Jasper eventually joined them, throwing himself against Alice's bed. Charlotte shot some joking jabs at it but he just brushed them off.
After a while, Aro and Amber called their kids to get going. They stayed ample enough time to have dinner and then enjoy some small talk afterwards. 'It was good for the digestion,' Amber always said like a life slogan. Charlotte's phone rang so she excused herself out of the room to take the call. Jasper took the moment to talk to Alice.
"By the way, I'm going to get some of my tattoo filled in tomorrow, do you want to come with?" It made only sense. He didn't want to admit it but he didn't like going alone to do things like this and Alice did go with him the first time to get it right. Inviting her again seemed only right—besides Riley and Rose couldn't make it anyways.
"You're adding more to it?" She questioned and he nodded.
"Just some shading." He explained. "Do you want to come or no?" Alice had nothing better to do and she just saw it as another opportunity to make fun of him while he grimaced and made weird faces.
"Yeah." She answered. "After school?"
"Yeah."
"Jasper!" Aro's sharp voice reached Alice's bedroom and both parties turned their heads towards the door.
"Well the commander has summoned me." He grumbled and Alice laughed.
"Let's go before, uncle comes searching for you here." Luke peeked his huge head around the door and walked over to Jasper.
"What's up, troublemaker." He teased, ruffling the dog's head. His tail immediately sprang up and wagged wildly from side to side. Alice and Jasper then sidestepped the dog and walked out.
"Come on, Luke. Come say bye." Alice called, patting her thigh for him to follow her. Without second thought, Luke followed.
"He's a good listener." Jasper murmured and Alice answered his comment with a blinding smile. She took pride in a compliment like that.
She said goodbye to the Whitlock's until her mom shut the door behind them. She yawned and rubbed a hand against her neck.
"Now I'm exhausted." She stretched comfortably while her husband reached out and encircled his arm around her waist. "Charlotte and Jasper are good kids." She remarked underhandedly and Caius nodded, agreeing with her.
"Although, it does seem like Jasper and Aro's relationship isn't getting any better."
"Well Aro does probe him a lot." Harper noted. "Amber says it can sometimes annoy her because it sours the mood." She suddenly turned towards her daughter who just listened on mindlessly. "I didn't know you were helping Jasper out." Alice's muscles stiffened but she kept a straight face.
"Sorry, I didn't think much of it. He asked for some help so I've been trying to help him here and there." Harper was proud of her daughter. She liked that she lent her intelligence when asked for help.
"Good." She nodded. "I didn't expect much else from you. Jasper is like a brother to you so it's only natural you help him if he asks." The word brother and Jasper didn't belong in the same sentence. You don't think about having sex with your brother—it was wrong. Alice said nothing, she simply smiled in response and excused herself.
...
The next day, class went by fast and now everyone was in the middle of lunch. Bella, Alice, Maria, Jasper and even Riley were at the table. He would show up once in a while when he didn't have homework to make up or practice for basketball. Small chatter filled the table until Bella frowned, while looking down at her phone.
"What's wrong?" Alice asked after bumping shoulders with her. Bella looked up, semi-startled and shrugged.
"I'm fighting with Edward." Her voice was low enough to almost not be heard. Everyone's attention was suddenly piqued—even the guys. They were a nosey bunch.
"About what?" She pressed on.
"I told him I couldn't hang out with him this week because my mom's been complaining that I don't spend time with the family." Bella was over at Edward's place almost daily and if she wasn't there then she was locked in her room, singing along to whatever song came on the radio. It was the typical teenager stage, but it didn't mean it didn't irritate her parents.
Alice raised an eyebrow, unlike Maria who didn't really show any outward emotion. She wasn't sure it was her place to show how stupid that was. The last thing she wanted was to make Bella upset with a face or comment.
"Is he serious?" Alice said in disbelief. "He does realize the world doesn't revolve around him, right?" Bella made no comment or movement. "Ugh, just dump him already." Her face showed her full disgust now with the way her nose scrunched up distastefully.
"Alice." Jasper warned while trying to hide his laughter. He couldn't lie that his friend's reactions were funny but laughing, when Bella looked so upset, seemed inappropriate. Alice shrugged and sighed.
"It's nothing to you personally but I feel like he's always picking on the stupidest shit to argue over." Maria observed the way Alice freely expressed her displeasure to Bella, without any restraints. She was actually in awe that things didn't go sour between them and she silently wished for the ability to do the same. However, she wasn't sure if Bella would stay calm and collected like how she did with Alice. For one, the two girls were friends for more years than her and Bella were. Secondly, from the two, Maria noticed that Alice had a stronger and almost more dominating presence than Bella did.
"Is that the only reason why?" Maria finally voiced up, reminding Jasper that she was here. He glanced at her pretty face and felt that anxious feeling in his stomach.
"Well…He's been getting upset because he's been wanting to try something new for sex." She squirmed awkwardly as she said it. Bella noticed the two boys in front of her and just wanted to bury her head somewhere. Why would I say that?
"Exhibit A." Alice replied sarcastically. "What does he want?"
"Don't make me say it." She moaned in complaint and now even Jasper was curious. What did Edward want this girl to do? "He mentioned a butt plug." Riley spit out his water and Jasper nearly choked on his saliva.
"What?" They all said in unison, causing fire to crawl up her face until she looked like a tomato.
"Yeah." She continued, unsure.
"What the hell is wrong with him?" Alice shook her head. "Let me guess—you don't want to." The girl shook her head viciously.
"Sorry, it's not that weird." Riley plugged in, wiping his lips. "It just caught me by surprise is all. He doesn't understand you don't want to do that?"
"I mean he does." Bella replied. "It's just he doesn't like it. I think he wishes I was more sexually open to different things." She traced her finger along the top of her iced tea can, feeling the cool metal beneath her finger.
"Well damn." Jasper whistled. "I didn't think I'd hear that one."
"I'm all for exploring sexual outlets and all that but within limit. He can't expect you to be okay with everything." Alice shrugged.
"So, you're okay with a butt plug?" Riley joked and Alice smirked.
"I'm just okay with trying different things sexually. I never said yes or no." She wagged her finger and somehow Jasper felt a rush of excitement. Something about her openness of things and willingness to try left him imagining different options. Options that would make him and her feel so much better. He even forgot Maria who was sitting on the other side of Bella was there. Maria looked on as how open they all were with their sexuality, something she couldn't even bring herself to do. Maria was more conservative on that aspect. She had had sex before but she didn't really talk about it.
"Duly noted." Both guys replied to Alice and they all went into a fit of laughter.
"Listen, tell him to put it up his butt first and then you'll do it. Watch him turn away from that idea reaaal quick." She giggled and Bella laughed too. She felt that sometimes dating a college kid was hard for her, especially for things like this.
The bell rang, alerting all of them that lunch was over and class was going to begin. Alice noticed that Jasper never did much with Maria today so she rolled her eyes.
"Hey Maria, you don't mind if I borrow Bella for today, right?" Alice asked, surprising the girl. She shook her head and Alice smiled. "Thanks, I have to talk to her about something, but—" She looked at her friend. "Jasper, can you take Maria to class? Riley too! I just don't want her to walk by herself because that's fucked up."
That's your chance, stupid. Alice's eyes screamed and Jasper took the hint, nearly stumbling onto his feet.
"Sure thing."
"Oh no, you really don't have to." Maria shook her head viciously and sat back further into her seat. "It's no big deal."
"Nonsense." Riley stepped up, earning a small cheer from Alice who looked at her dumbfounded friend, stupidly. "We have nothing better to do." Her referred to himself and Jasper who quickly agreed.
"He's right. Come on, let's take you to class." Maria nibbled on the bottom of her lip, making Jasper think how adorable she looked.
"Okay." She picked up her book and stood up, having the guys follow her steps.
"Alright, then we'll see you guys later." Alice waved before looking at Jasper. "I'll see you afterwards." The subtly to the message was there, although, this time it wasn't for sex. It was just to meet up to head towards the tattoo parlor.
"Sounds good." Riley didn't miss the small electricity that flew between the two of them, but he reserved his comments until he and Jasper were alone.
The girls walked away and all that was left was Maria with the two guys. She took the lead and led them up a floor towards her class, all while there was small talk here and there—mainly from Riley's end because Jasper was nervous and shell-shocked.
"I felt bad for Bella." Riley commented lowly, while greeting a passing basketball team member with a small nod. Maria sighed, agreeing with him wholeheartedly.
"She's been saying that their arguments have been getting worst since she turned down the idea of that thing." Creases appeared in the middle of her forehead and she grimaced. Just the idea of that made her feel uneasy.
"Guess you're not a fan of the butt plug." Riley laughed along with Jasper while Maria stayed silent.
"No." She answered firmly. "It sounds just…unpleasant." Guess she's not so liberal, Riley thought. When he looked over his friend seemed to have not cared about what she said. He knew that Jasper liked Maria like a puppy, but the boy's eyes followed her every step.
"I can't blame her." Jasper quickly chipped in. "It's not what you hear every day. It's weird." He wanted to bang his own head against a wall. He was so quick to side with her when moments earlier he was thinking of asking Alice to try something similar. Riley immediately thought the same thing, giving him a small scoff. However, Maria's eyes twinkled like stars at the thought of him siding with her. Usually guys were the other way or made fun of her way of thinking, but here was a good-looking boy actually agreeing with her point of view.
"That's what I mean!" She chirped happily, falling into step beside him so they walked side-by-side. Jasper felt like a whole new person at the opportunity and the reality of Maria talking to him in full sentences. "I mean I don't know where guys get the idea that that might feel pleasant."
She sounds like a vanilla, Riley thought, meaning that she was a plain old-fashioned girl when it came to sex. He had a hunch it was straight missionary with the occasional cow-girl when she was feeling real adventurous, but something told him the line ended there.
"But I do hope, Bella fixes things with her boyfriend." Maria sighed and Jasper noticed the creases at the corner of her eyes. She really cared for Bella and was worried about her. "She loves him. I don't want to see her heart broken."
"Nah, I don't think anything will happen to them. Besides, Bella's a good girl I'm sure Edward will get out of his funk and they'll be fine."
"I wonder what Alice had to talk to Bella about." She wondered.
"What do those two not talk about." Jasper laughed casually but something in Maria turned. She supposed that Alice and Jasper were good friends, because if not then how could he talk about her so casually? Or talk to her so casually? He usually said three words to her, but with Alice he never seemed to shut up. Maria wasn't sure what to make of that.
They eventually reached her room and she felt slightly bummed but also relieved. She turned to them and gave them her best smile and gratitude.
"Thanks, guys."
"No problem." Riley replied.
"Don't mention it." Jasper said, stuffing one hand in his jean pocket. "See you at lunch." His smile was awfully charming and handsome, Maria was sure it made girls swoon. She tucked a hair behind her ear and waved back. "Shit that was amazing." He breathed into the empty halls when they walked away. Riley patted his friend on the shoulder with a grin.
"You got through the first step, brother." He laughed.
"It's all thanks to that little devil, Alice." He was beaming from ear to ear. He would have to buy that girl a treat—like sushi or pistachio ice cream.
"Which speaking of which—" Riley started, finally getting the opportunity to ask what was itching him. "What's going on between you and Alice?" Jasper's smile dropped and he frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"What do you mean, what do I mean?" He snorted. "I could practically see the dirty images you had when she talked about her sexual explorations." Jasper felt caught red-handed. He groaned and smacked his open palm against his forehead. "Bingo. Did you have sex with her?"
"Yes." He muffled under his breath before snapping his head in his friend's direction. "But you're not allowed to say anything, do you get me?" His eyes were semi-threatening but his tone was serious so he put up his hands.
"I won't. But when the hell did this happen?" He felt like a gossip girl wanting to know the juicy details.
"The night you bailed from going to Edward's party." Riley's eyes almost fell out of his skull.
"That night?" He nearly yelled. "I miss one damn party and the whole plot changes."
"Shut up you melodramatic, douche." Jasper laughed as they headed up another flight of stairs to their classroom.
"You lucky, bitch." Riley had a little crush on Alice when they first met. It was freshman year and he had seen her stand out amongst the people. She was well-dressed and beautiful, compared to the others around her. She had a very pretty smile, which was the second thing he noticed about her. Then he saw how she was with his friend, Jasper, and he nearly died. He thought they were a couple at first but then Jasper explained the situation and he felt better, but Alice never paid him any attention in that way. She was nice and spoke to him whenever they all hung out but never beyond that. Then she started going out with her Korean boyfriend Jin and she was completely off the market, physically and emotionally. She was head over heels in love with him and they lasted a while so his crush dissolved. "I just have to ask, is it good?" He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and Jasper laughed.
"I'm not going to tell you."
"Come on, man, you tell me any other time." He retorted jokingly.
"Yeah, but Alice would punch me in the face no remorse." Jasper answered. He followed the motto 'don't kiss and tell' but there were certain exceptions to that. However, Alice was not the exception to that rule, he didn't care that Riley knew because he trusted him but he wouldn't reveal anything else.
...
After the last period, Alice met up with Jasper and they took a cab to the tattoo shop. It was about a fifteen to twenty-minute walk, which wasn't long, but in the dead of winter it was torturous. They got to the appointment five minutes early, which was excellent because the tattoo artist was able to talk to them and coordinate a better image for Jasper's tattoo.
"So, we're going to add more shading to make it look more realistic, that cool?" Eric was a relatively young tattoo artist. He was half Italian and half Chinese, causing quite the stir at the shop when he first arrived. He was a good-looking guy with crazy talent for realism and lettering, attracting customers to him. He did the first half of Jasper's tattoo and it was a great piece, so it felt only natural that he would return to finish it with the same person.
"Sounds excellent. You know this best." Eric cracked a grin and motioned both young kids to follow him to the back. All that was heard was the humming that came from the tattoo machines and the occasional groans from people that were being tattooed.
Alice sat down beside Jasper while he sat with his back towards Eric. Even though he had done this once, he still felt that fluttering sensation of anxiety and anticipation in his gut. The outlining wasn't too bad in the pain meter, but he heard that shading was a bit more painful.
"He hasn't even put on his gloves yet and you're already shaking." Alice observed with a raised brow and her arms across her chest. He gave her a small glare but she shrugged unfazed. Eric laughed at them, watching as they exchanged little jabs here and there with each other. To him, they looked like either really good friends with amazing chemistry or lovers. Although, the last time he stated that Jasper bent over laughing stating that they were friends that grew up together like basically family.
It was pretty obvious to people that their naturalness around each other oozed another type of relationship. Being at a tattoo shop was almost comical. The rigid, well-dressed, elegant girl sitting in the middle of the shop, next to a well-groomed, rebellious boy.
"Are you going to stop here?" Eric wondered, making conversation to ease the process more for the kid.
"Actually, I want a full sleeve." Jasper responded, peeking back at his artist. Eric smirked and wiped the area before he put the needles against his skin.
"Aye, welcome to the club." He laughed. "I have both my arms and legs so totally understandable."
"What are you going to get?" Alice asked, genuinely interested.
"I'm not sure yet, I have a whole bunch of ideas."
"Don't worry, they start coming out of nowhere once you start." Eric piped in, concentrated on his work. "And we'll get whatever you want to flow naturally."
"That'll be cool once its done." Alice noted and Jasper grimaced at the slight stinging in his arm.
"Why don't you get one too, Al." He gritted out through his teeth and she tilted her head, pursing her lips.
"You look like you're in pain, I don't know…" She trailed off. Eric poked up from his work to look at the cute little girl in front of him. She did seem a little discouraged from the idea but from what he saw—she wasn't totally turned away. There was a curiosity and interest that glinted in her eye and he didn't miss the way she occasionally peeked over to see the progress.
"It's not that bad." Eric said, dipping his needle in the ink. "Depending on the area, the pain level varies, but you look like a tough cookie that could handle it." Her chest puffed out slightly at the subtle compliment.
"Maybe one day, once I know what to get."
'I Feel it Coming' by The Weeknd played through the speakers in the shop, surprising both Eric and Jasper. It wasn't a song that was usually heard in that place because of its pop beat, but Alice didn't seem to mind. She was actually singing along and dancing in her seat, while Jasper laughed at her.
After everything was done and paid for, the two of them walked out and started heading home. His arm felt a little sore but otherwise he felt a nice high from his finished product. It looked phenomenal—even better than what he wanted.
"Thanks for coming, Al." Jasper said and she nodded.
"Don't even mention it." She waved her hand nonchalantly.
"Which by the way, do you want to eat sushi or pistachio ice cream?" He suddenly questioned and she was completely taken aback.
"Um, why?"
"Because you helped me finally talk to Maria." Just the thought of her, got him feeling all that happiness he had earlier.
"Oh right, how did that go?"
"It went good." He had to remember to downplay it just slightly so that he didn't look like a sixteen-year-old love-struck girl. "I got out more than just a 'hey.'"
"Well that's a start." Alice giggled. "What'd you guys talk about?" He didn't want to mention how he agreed with Maria's idea of the butt plug conversation, so he figured he'd tailor it.
"About Bella and what happened." Alice immediately rolled her eyes at the mention of it. "She cares about her friend." He added with a shrug.
"I would hope so." She muttered. "You just have to keep it up."
"So, do you want sushi or ice cream?"
"Both." She popped her lips with a pearly white smile. "But let's do it next week. My parents are going away so we can have some at my place." Jasper's mind twisted faster than possibly imaginable but Alice halted his steps. "And no. I mean literally eating and hanging out."
"I have no issue with eating." Jasper's smarmy remark made Alice's face flush in a bright red tone.
"Stupid, shut up!" He laughed at her reaction, stuffing his hands in his jacket pockets to hide them from the cold.
