Hey y'all,
Sorry this is so late in the day (its like 10.30pm over here) but as you know, its Valentines Day so I've been busy with my Beau... (and writing a new story... more about that at the end...)
I hope y'all had an excellent day... full of love... hugs and kisses...
Huge kudos to my Beta xMissCullenx cos she's seriously kept me in line this week... this story almost got deleted when I lost my confidence in it... I need to thank Ausra too... the pair of them kicked my ass on twitter... and made me carry on and work through my down phase... you girlies rock my world.
Even bigger kudos to Becky... for all of you that read So Much For My Happy Ending... she drew one of the scenes from it... I'll be posting a link up to it on my profile page if she doesn't mind... It's amazing!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own these characters, you know who does.... I do own the plot though.
Playlist: Home - Daughtry (acoustic) Iris - Goo Goo Dolls The Blowers Daughter - Damien Rice (acoustic - *the song Jas and Emily sing*)
Destiny: a predetermined course of events
~*~ Alice ~*~
We'd walked into the place just as some guy was being introduced onto the stage. Ed headed straight to the bar and we squeezed around the tiniest table in the back corner. Laurent and Jake were making gooey eyes at each other and well quite frankly I missed Seth and they're weren't helping matters.
I recognised the song immediately; I knew it word for word. It was one of my favourites. The melody started and I was up on my feet swaying in time. As soon as the guy opened his mouth and sung the first line I knew I'd never be able to listen to the original without thinking it sounded like an amateur karaoke version of what I was now hearing. He got the first pause and my hands clapped without me even realising and I started making those cringe worthy yells that people do. You know the kind... the ones that make you wanna throttle the person doing it... yeah I'd turned into one of those.
Urgh
But the guy was phenomenal and deserved the encouragement. He finished, bowed his head to the claps and thanked us before starting on the next song. I doubted that the evening could have gotten any better when the next song came out of that exquisite mouth of his. It was like he'd picked up my iPod and was playing songs straight from my favourite playlist.
"Hey aren't these songs you play all the time at home?"
"Umm hmm." I replied taking the jack and coke from Eds' hand, my eyes still trained on the stranger on the stage.
"Do you know him or something?"
"Not yet." I answered pushing away from the table and towards mysterious man.
As I got closer I started to study him. He looked tall, but I couldn't be sure as he was seated. He had a mass of this messy dark hair, some facial hair, like a couple of days stubble at the most, really pale skin but not ill looking and what looked like a light coloured eyes.
Hmmm, he's hot.
Other than the height thing, he was totally nothing like boyfriend. Seth is Native American so has this beautiful russet skin, black cropped hair, a face as smooth as silk and this muscular hot body. I always went for dark hair and dark eyes but there was something about this guy that I couldn't put my finger on, but whatever it was it almost as if it was pulling me towards him.
"One more from me tonight folks, then I'll be outta ya hair." He laughed.
His laugh was all sorts of hot; playful yet manly.
Gah, I kinda want him.
As the opening notes of the most beautiful song in the world played I found myself stood at the bar, bear the edge of the stage, watching his fingers skilfully pick at the strings, the notes of each lyric hit with perfection.
"He's something else isn't he?"
"Huh? Oh yes, yes he is. Sorry." I replied trying not to stare at the stunning lady with the scarred face. "He's really talented."
"He's waiting for his big break; I'm surprised it has happened yet." She continued.
He played the last note, stood and exited the stage walking in our direction. I excused myself back towards the table that the guys were still sat at.
"Ali, I'm outta here, loverboy and his loverboy have done nothing but make out the whole time we've been here. As much as I wanted to spend time with you, this just isn't my kinda place sorry. You coming with me?"
"Nope." I replied looking over his shoulder at the gorgeous stranger. "I'm gonna stay. I'll get the subway home."
"Alice! I'm not sure I'm happy with you getting the subway on your own at night. Call me and I'll send over a driver."
"Sure sure." I answered kissing his cheek and shooing him outta the door.
I needed to find out more about this guy and there was no chance my brother was getting my way.
*****
*~*Jasper*~*
"So we're in for a treat tonight guys. My stunning wife here is gonna perform with my main man Jay. Up you come buddy." Sam said totally confusing the shit outta me because this hadn't been planned.
"I know you've been dying to sing this song by didn't have the backing vocal to do it this week. Maria isn't here so Emily said she'd step up. Watcha say guys? He needs to get his as in gear huh?"
The crowd started clapping so I made my way up to the stage again. It was true I'd been waiting to sing this song for a while. I'd heard it on some sappy movie Maria had been watching and instantly wanted to play it.
I'd learnt it in record time and laid it down onto a CD at the first chance I'd got at the studio. Maria had sung the backing to it and I'd given Emily a coy when she said she was in love with the song. For her to be offering to sing with me completely blew me away. She' got this wonderful soulful voice and I was surprised she didn't do a slot herself. Apparently she'd lost a lot of her self confidence after the accident here and she preferred to just take a back seat. I could understand the reasoning, it was just sad that she couldn't do what she loved anymore.
I didn't fail to notice that the beautiful girl from earlier had been speaking to Emily and I had to admit that I was a little intrigued as to what had been sad. Why I was interested I don't know, but I'd never had a more certain guy feeling of wanting to get to know the unexpected visitor than I did right now.
I effortlessly sang my way through the song and listened in amazement as Emily sang the female harmony. She sang it better than Maria had and I wore if I ever made it big I'd get her in the studio with me. That voice needed to be heard.
I smiled as I walked off the stage and headed towards the bar, the petite girl was at on a stool, talking to her friends, though it didn't go unnoticed that the guy with the wild hair had already left. Her friends left just as I reached her.
"Shame to see a pretty missy sat on her own, may I join you?" I asked, still on that all important and familiar buzz of just performing.
"Sure." She replied, smiling at me. "You sing amazingly by the way. Oh and I'm sorry for the crazy ass whopping. I dunno what came over me."
I laughed at the way she rolled her eyes at herself as she spoke. Her eye were a bright as Rosalies', but the contrast of her black hair and the paleness of her kin made them sand out even more.
Beautiful.
"Drink?" I asked nodding towards Emily.
"No... Let me." She said, though my hand with her own.
"Call it a thank you for your performance, and an apology all in one. I'll have a Jack and coke please, and whatever this one is drinking." She told Emily, poking her thumb in my direction as she spoke.
I had to laugh cos she was a feisty little thing, plus the girl clearly had taste. He was drinking Jack and not many girls do.
That shit is hot.
"Get yourself one too by the way." He said as an afterthought to Emily.
We sat drinking, watching the other performances and Sam take to the drums. He said he'd teach me if I ever wanted to learn, which of course I did, but time really didn't give me the chance.
"Dude with the wild hair your boyfriend." I called over the loud music hoping she'd hear me.
She spat her drink out across the bar at my question.
That would be a no maybe?
"Hells no. That's my bother." He aid wiping her mouth on a napkin. "My boyfriend I working late this week."
"Shame he's working huh? Though I'm certainly glad you came, first time I'd got a clap and cheer mid song."
"Well oh my, did I pop your cheer cherry?" She laughed, her eyes dancing mischievously.
"Well I'd have to say yes you did there missy."
"I hope it was a good for you as it was for me Cowboy."
Is she flirting with me?
Don't be dumb she's just had too much to drink, and she's got a boyfriend.
"I'd say it was probably better."
Don't ask me where my confidence or sudden urge to play along came from but I liked it.
She laughed loudly at my comment and slapped her thigh causing her to almost topple back off the chair.
"Whoa there Missy, I think you've had enough." I said taking the glass from her hand and resting my foot on the base of the stool to stop it rocking backwards.
"Maybe you're right. I should probably be making a move, though if I go home like this he's gonna kill me."
She pouted and I had to admit I wanted to suck that lip in between my own.
Erm Maria....
Maria?
Yeah, live in girlfriend...
Oh... yeah
"Well how about we go get you a cup of coffee? Don't worry I'm not hitting on you." I said holding my hands up in surrender, I didn't want her to think I was being a creep.
Then I realised that it may have come across that I didn't think she was attractive, which clearly wouldn't be true, I had to dig my way outta this hole I'd just made. "Not that I'm saying you're not pretty or anything... fuck... erm I've got a girlfriend, I just feel responsible for you being a little drunk." I garbled out feeling like a complete douche.
"Calm it down Cowboy. It' cool, but surely you need to be heading home to your girlfriend?" She said frowning.
"She's out with her friends, plus it's only a cup of coffee. Ready?"
"Let me just use the restrooms. I'll be right back." She said swaying off the chair and towards the bathroom.
"She's cute." Emily said as she dried some glasses behind the bar.
"Not gonna deny that Emily."
"It's nice to see you being yourself again Jay."
"What's that to mean?" I asked a little defensively.
"It means you've been a little outta sort recently. Stuff playing on your mind buddy?" Sam asked.
"Nah, I'm all good." I replied, not wanting to think too much into whether I had been funny recently.
"We like Maria, we really do but she doesn't come support you anymore Jay. I just want what's best for you honey. I want you to have what you deserve." Emily said wrapping her arm around my waist. "Just remember that."
"Come on then Cowboy. This little missy needs coffee." She laughed, linking her arm in mine. "It was nice to meet you tonight. Thanks for the chat."
"You too sweetie. Come back one day huh?" Sam said to her a he helped her into her jacket.
"You can bet your bottom dollar on it." She replied with the most dazzling smile in the world.
*****
"Coffee house preference?"
She looked at me, all inquisitive and shit then sighed. It confused the hell outta me.
"Do you have a preference... because... well... it's kinda a deal breaker for me...." She said all shy and adorable. "The future of our coffee lies in your decision."
Seemed this little lady had two stages of drunkenness, flirty and confidence, then shy and cute. Either way I wanted to get to know her more, she just seemed like a fun person to be around.
"I do have a preference, though I've never met someone who denied me coffee on choice." I teased, "Starbucks?"
I waited on baited breath to see if she was happy with my choice. To be fair I'd of drank coffee wherever she wanted to get it, but by choice I always chose Starbucks. You paid a premium for it, but the extra couple of cents were worth it.
"Lead the way..."
Starbucks, how I love thee and your over priced refreshments right now.
We made our way into the warm, overly bright room and headed straight for the counter.
"Could I get a grande sugar free vanilla soya latte please and a..." She said looking in my direction. I couldn't help but laugh at how even in her merry state she still managed to roll off an order as long as my arm like it was as easy as saying one, two three.
"A large filter coffee please." I replied with a smile.
"I'll have to do these to go because we're about to close for the night, sorry guys."
"No problems." She smiled, "The fresh air can only help right?"
Fresh air... how fitting.
In the few hours we'd been talking she was like a breath of fresh air. It hadn't been forced, it hadn't been awkward, we just kinda clicked and it was nice. I hadn't made many friends since I'd got here and by far she was the easiest person I'd spoke with.
She stood swaying to the nonexistent music, as we waited for our coffee, her eyes were closed and she just looked really serene. I took the moment to really look at her. Her black hair looked really shiny and soft, it was tucked behind her ears, she had this little button nose that turned up slightly at the end in a cute way, really high cheek bones that would make even Rosalie jealous and the plumpest of rose pink lips. She came up to my chin which surprised me considering how tiny the rest of her was. I chuckle to myself when I looked down at her feet and saw that she had really high heels on, at least a good five inches.
That would explain it.
"Are you laughing at me?" She asked, looking up at me with those bright blue eyes of hers.
"Not at you no. I was just appreciating your shoes." I teased, cos to be fair I couldn't give a shit about the shoes on her feet.
"Blahniks. Cute huh?" She said twisting her ankles to the sides, admiring them.
"How do you even walk in those?"
"Christ you sound like my boyfriend. You try being 5ft and having to look up at everything in the world worth looking at," She said with an impish grin, "You'd learn to walk in these too."
We laughed as I paid for the coffee and held the door open for her.
"So your boyfriend? What's he do?"
"He's an UPS driver. He's happy there so I can't complain, just the hours are kinda sucky at times, we don't really get to see each other too much."
"That's gotta be hard. Do you live together?" I asked as we walked through the streets, sipping the hot liquid.
"Nope. I live with my brother. You? I mean, you live with your girlfriend?"
"I sure do. About 6 months now."
"Honeymoon period huh? That's sweet."
Throwing her paper cup in the trash can she looked at me and smiled.
"I feel so much better for that coffee and the fresh air thank you."
"No worries there, you've been great company." I smiled in reply, because, she had been great company. I could remember the last time I'd felt so at ease with things, considering she was essentially a stranger, there had been no awkwardness in our conversation, no awkward pauses, it was just, well, comfortable.
*****
~*~Alice~*~
"Straight back at you. Tonight has been the most fun I've had in a hell of a long time."
He laughed out loud and it made me pull a little face, because I hadn't meant it as a joke, I really had had a great time, and it had been the most fun I'd had. Whenever Seth was off work he didn't want to go out and well Ed was always working, it was nice to be able to let my hair down and have fun. That probably explained why I got a little drunk at the bar. Talk about indulgence whilst you can.
"You wouldn't believe me even If I told you, but I'd have to agree with you, it has been the most fun I've had in a while too."
I smiled back at him; knowing that he'd enjoyed it as much as I did was awesome. We got to the corner of the street and I took a quick look at my watch, it was after one am and I needed to get up for work at 6.30. I felt a little disheartened that the night was about to end, but what did I really expect? Even though I'd only just met him, I was a little sad to be saying goodbye but the evening had come to a pleasant end and I wanted to leave on a high without any awkwardness. The corner we'd happened to be standing at was where a subway station that stopped at the corner of my block was.
Fate's telling you the evening is over Alice.
"I should really be going." I smiled, pulling the collar of my coat up and wrapping my scarf tightly around my neck, as I turned at the top of the stairs leading down to the subway, before holding tight onto the handrail so I didn't slip.
"Wait you never gave me your name?"
Twisting 180 degrees and walking back towards him, I reached up onto my tiptoes and planted a small kiss on his cheek.
"Merry Christmas, Jay Whitlock."
"That's it…. That's it?" He blanched, "You're not even going to tell me your name?"
"Serendipity…"
"That's your name?"
"No, there's no need to know my name. If you don't know the meaning of the word serendipity you should look it up. It'll explain everything I believe in." I called as I turned to head down the stairs.
I skipped down the steps to the turnstile without looking behind me, swiping my metrocard as I headed for the platform, a smile fixed securely on my face.
See I was a firm believer in fate, and if that was indeed fates intentions he wouldn't need to know my name, we'd meet again much like we had this evening.
Happy Valentines Day y'all.... I'll reply to all of last weeks reviews tomorrow... you guys totally rock my world and I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the kind words you guys give me... they're so encouraging when a writer is at their lowest...
I have a recommendation this week.... Go check out Little Orange Frog... she's wrote an awesome Esme story...
If you get a chance... let me know what you think.... I'll be sending cyber chocolate covered kisses out in return....
No post next week... I'm off to meet a bunch of the Twi-Cast with my bestie Becky.... watch out Charlie Bewley... we're coming to getcha...
Oh and watch this space... there's a little story in the works... Y'all get to meet 'Private Whitlock and Private McCarty....' It's gonna be emotional... a little Colaboration in the making... Eppp I'm excited!
Much love
Pixie-Tinks xxx