Disclaimer: I am not in any way, shape, or form SM. She owns Twilight and all the glorious characters that go with it. I'm simply here to have fun with them. Second, I did not create the original story. It was created by Deer-in-headlights Oo. I just took over…
This chapter gets things going. Hopefully I can convey a lot of drama to you through this chapter. It's longer than the previous one, and about as long as the one before that. I also hope that the quick update on this one makes for the lateness of chapter 4.
Hope You Enjoy The Story… If You Don't, Just Don't Review… Keep Reading Though!!
"And who can say why your heart cries, when your love lies? Only time."
-'Only Time' by Eithne Patricia Ní Bhraonáin (Enya, an Irish singer/songwriter)
Chapter 5: Who?
APOV
It's been about a week since I'd moved in with Jasper. It's been about a week since he told me he was falling in love with me. And, it's been about a week since I couldn't say I loved him back. Don't get me wrong, of course I loved him back. I'm just not able to say it. Everything, everyone I say it to seems to leave me. You can call me crazy, but if you took one look at my life, you'd see it's true. I told my parents everyday that I loved them, and they were murdered. I told my grandparents that I loved them, and they died. I told Rose that she was my best friend, the best sister I could ask for, that I loved her, and she leaves me too.
"What are you doing?" I look over and see Jasper standing in the opening between the hallway and the foyer. His arms crossed lazily over his chest, his hair falling just shy of his eyes, and his blue eyes shining with intrigue.
"I'm just watching TV." I say, glancing at the television to see if it's even on, which of course, it isn't.
"Very interesting show." He nods in the direction of the black screen before making his way over to sit down next to me on the couch.
"Uh, yeah. I guess…" I avert my gaze, the familiar blush creeping up on my cheeks.
"Darlin' what's wrong? Are you okay?" Jasper asks, his arm draping over my shoulder, pulling me closer to him.
I take a deep breath, inhaling his wonderful scent. The warm, rugged, musty scent that can only be Jasper, filling my lungs with the best smell on Earth. "Yeah. Everything's good." I say, reaching for the remote on the coffee table and turning on the TV.
"Are you sure? You seemed kind of off when I saw you sitting in here. Do you want to tell me what's going on?" His soothing voice washes over me, as I internally fight with myself. I should tell him why when he tells me loves me, I can only nod and say 'okay'. He deserves to know how much of a mental patient I am. He deserves to know that I'm not ignoring him, that I do love him, but that I'm just afraid. Because even though a week ago I almost got out the whole reason, I doubt it made much sense.
"I'm okay, but there's something I have to tell you." I keep my gaze averted, twisting the Aries ring he gave me around and around my right hand ring finger.
"I'm listening." I can feel his gaze on me as I take a deep breath.
"I'm not at all used to this." I started, hoping to get my thoughts in order. "I've never done anything like this before. I've never had a boyfriend, Jasper." I stop, twisting the ring even harder until Jasper's warm hand wraps over mine.
"It's okay, Alice. I don't care, I still love you." His voice was so sure, so confident.
"See? Like that." I stop the twisting of the ring and put my head in my hands, wishing it could be so much easier.
"Like what? Darlin', please explain this to me? I'll try to help as much as I can, but you aren't making any sense right now." He starts rubbing my back with his other hand, trying to calm me down, trying to help me.
"The way you say you love me so easily. I can't do that. I want to, but I can't. I want to say I love you when you say you love me." He's silent. I can feel him shift next to me, but he remains silent.
"Alice", I can feel his breath on my cheek as he whispers in my ear, "I don't want you to feel obligated to say it, okay? We've only known each other for about a week, and I know everything is going fast. And, we've only been out on a date once. I know I'm falling fast, but I wouldn't blame you if it takes you longer. I'll slow it way down, just don't rush yourself, alright?" I feel his soft lips on my cheek for a fraction of a second before he pulls away.
"Alright." I sigh in mutual agreement. Maybe if we slow it down, I'll be able to tell him I love him. Maybe if we slow it down, everything will work out better than I could've ever imagined. Maybe is a very uncertain word.
"Alright. So, what are you up to for today?" He rubs his hands together glancing at me while he does so.
"Can we just stay here and relax?" I ask, hoping he doesn't want to go anywhere. I'd rather just lay here on the couch all day then go out. At least this way we're closer physically.
"Of course. Anything you want to do, I'm up for." He smiles and I turn, looking back at the TV. "Very interesting selection."
I blush, realizing that the TV is currently stationed on Animal Planet and The Most Extreme is on, except this time (because life is a cruel bitch) it's on the most extreme mating rituals. I switch the remote to the previous station, which just happened to be the country music countdown. Billy Currington's That's How Country Boys Roll was just ending.
Girl I've been waitin' on this long hard day to get over
So I can rest my head right here on your shoulder
I just wanna lay here and feel ya breathe
Listen to the rhythm of your heartbeat
And see where it leads...
Dierks Bentley's I Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes plays through the TV speakers. The lead singer's smooth, country accent reminds me so much of Jasper's.
"We're wide awake, but girl I wanna make you close your eyes. And say my name like only you can say it and hold me tight. All I need is only you and me alone tonight", Jasper sings along, his voice blending in and seemingly overpowering Dierks Bentley.
The arm Jasper has draped over my shoulder has dropped slightly, his palm resting on my arm, rubbing lightly, creating warm, and sparking friction. Just because I can't admit my love for him doesn't mean we have to stop or slow down too much, does it?
"Jasper?" I turn my head back to face him, noticing that his eyes are closed as he sings along to the rest of the song.
"Hmm?" He sighs, opening his eyes and looking at me. They've taken on a slightly darker shade of Aqua, and have a far off look in them, but I can tell he's listening to me, I can tell he's paying attention.
"I-" Love this time together. I love listening to you sing. I LOVE YOU!
"Alice?" His eyes hold my gaze still as his glorious lips and mouth form my name. "Close your eyes."
"W-what?" I can feel my eyebrows furrow at his request. The next lines of the song play and I vaguely catch them, you can make me work for it girl if you want to.
"Close your eyes." He repeats, nodding slightly. "Close them."
"Why?" I ask, being stubborn as always.
"Please? Trust me?" His eyes are pleading, begging me to do as he asks, so I do. I close my eyes, feeling vulnerable even though I'm with Jasper.
I wanna make you close your eyes... Oh... Girl... I wanna make you close your eyes.
"Jasper, what's going on?" As I had agreed to, I kept my eyes closed, focusing on trying to see through my eyelids, which of course, is impossible. I can feel him shift next to me on the couch until our hips are touching and our thighs are closer than ever. I can feel his warm, sweet breath hit my cheeks with every exhale he has.
"Are they closed Alice?"
"Yes…" I drag out, still not sure why I'm sitting here with my eyes closed.
"Can I kiss you?" He asks. My breathing hitches. He didn't ask the last time we kissed, he just went for it. Is this part of taking it slow? His voice is so close that I'm sure if I just leaned forward a little bit our lips would be joined.
"Yes?" I don't know why it came out as I question. I didn't mean for it to come out as a question. I want him to kiss me. Of course I do.
"You have to be sure, Alice. Can I kiss you?" He asks again. I wish I could see his handsome face right now. I wish I could look into his eyes, I wish I could watch those amazing lips part with each word. I wish I didn't close my eyes!
I nod, not knowing if I should talk. I'm afraid my words will come out phrased like a question.
I feel him inhale next to me before his lips meet mine. Just like the one before, it was soft and sweet. His lips molded with mine perfectly and I couldn't find any word to describe it. It was bliss, it was Heaven, and yet it was so much more than that.
Jasper pulled away slowly, but I stopped him. I locked my arms behind his head and kept us only a few centimeters apart.
"Jasper", I start but he doesn't let me finish.
"I'm sorry. It was too much wasn't it?" I stare into his eyes, trying to figure out why in the world he would ever take back kissing me.
I don't answer. I don't say anything. I just lean in and capture his lips with mine. I was not going to stop kissing him. He was like air to me. I needed him to survive now.
Jasper ran his tongue across my bottom lip, swiping it across two more times before I parted. I wanted to taste him. I don't care if this was technically moving too fast.
His tongue ran over mine, massaging it in the most seductive way and I don't even think he had half a clue as to what he was doing to me. I let my tongue tango with his in a dance known only to us.
I feel my back hit the soft, worn leather of the couch. Jasper continued to kiss me as I try to pull him closer. I can feel his toned chest on top of mine through the layered fabric of our clothing.
Jasper pulls back again, giving us both the oxygen we need so desperately. Only, he doesn't stop kissing me, he trails slowly, sweet, soft kisses down my neck and across my collar bone.
I can feel his hands on my hips, his fingers looped through my belt loops; the pressure from his hands to my hips gives the most delicious friction I could ever imagine. He trails his kisses slowly, deliberately, back up to my face. He places a sweet kiss on my cheek as I gasp out his name.
"Jasper", it's overwhelming. My hormones are on overdrive and he's the reason. He places a slow kiss on my lips, holding it for only a few seconds before he pulls away.
"Alice, we have to stop." He says, eyes focused on mine. Oh God. I'm so not a good kisser. He wants to stop making out. Were we even making out?
"What? Why?" I can't help the shrill panicked tone that rises in my voice.
"This is not taking it slow on any level." He sits back up and I immediately miss the feel of his warm, toned, and somewhat protective chest over top of mine.
"But I liked it." I mumble so quietly, so softly, I'm not even sure he heard it until he responds.
"As did I, but that's not exactly what we agreed to do a few minutes ago." He keeps his smooth, ice-blue eyes on my face, they're filled with the most love I've seen in a long time, and my heart swells.
"But I liked it." I repeat again. "It was okay. It wasn't too fast." I sit up, fixing my shirt where it had slightly ridden up. He couldn't take that back. I wasn't going to let him. I don't regret a single moment of it, and I'm not going to let him regret it either.
"You have no idea how relieved I am to hear you say that. I'd probably kill myself if I ever hurt you. And I'm pretty sure Edward would be right there behind me." He says the last part jokingly, but then freezes. "I didn't mean to bring them up, Alice. I'm sorry."
"No, it's okay. I don't care anymore." I shake my head at both Jasper (to show him I don't care) and the absurdity of my own words. I do care. Rosalie and Edward and I grew up together. They're basically the only family I have left.
"Of course you don't," Jasper says, his facial expression showing nothing but disbelief. "What time do you have to be at work?" His tone changes and I glance at the clock. Right. It's Monday.
"I'm working the late shift tonight. I don't have to go in until six." The digital clock on the cable box showed that it was only three.
"What time do you get off?" He reaches up and brushes the tendrils of honey blonde hair off his forehead, brushing them across and back. I was overcome with the need to do it for him, but I knew I probably shouldn't.
"I'm working a twelve hour shift this time, but I probably won't get to leave until six thirty." I say, counting the hours in my head and adding the extra thirty minutes for the constant lateness of the secretary after me.
"That's a long shift," Jasper looks at me and I shrug.
"You're one to talk. You don't go to work." I shoot back. It's true. This whole time I've never seen Jasper go to anyplace other than the few we've been to together. His interpretation of work is locking himself up in that office doing God knows what for a few hours.
"I do work, Alice. I do make a living, a very profitable one I might add." He says, blue eyes boring into mine, making me feel stupid for even bring up work. No, wait. He brought up work, not me.
"I'm sorry." I mumble, dropping my gaze and focusing my eyes on the chipped nail of my big toe. I really need to paint them. Maybe Rose and I could- I shake my head, dropping all thoughts of Rose and pedicures.
"Don't apologize." Jasper hooks his finger under my chin and brings my gaze back. "Okay?" He paints a kiss on my cheek. I nod and turn my attention back to the TV.
"So what do you want to do until quarter till six?" I ask, already knowing that I want to pick up where we were before, but knowing that he probably won't go for it.
"Unless you have any better ideas, I'm very comfy just sitting here next to you." He whispers in my ear, his lips grazing the shell lightly, before kissing my earlobe.
"Uhuh," I breathe, not trusting my voice. He must know what he's doing to me. He can't not know.
I hear him chuckle softly behind me, "Will you sit with me?"
I notice that I'm at the farthest edge of the couch while he's completely stretched back, arms spread out on both sides of him on top of the cushions, making nearly impossible to sit anywhere away from him. Not that I'm complaining.
"Sure." I scoot back into the couch, feeling the soft leather surround me like a pillow. I feel Jasper's arm wrap around my shoulder, the sparks and warmth radiating from it comforts me in a way I haven't been comforted since my parents died.
"No, closer." I hear Jasper say before I'm pulled along the couch and crushed (not painfully) against his side.
I can smell his Old Spice deodorant mixed with the Stetson Cologne and his musky, warm scent that is uniquely him. I grow slightly bolder and lay my head on his shoulder, the soft, muscular feeling of it is a way better pillow than the couch cushions could ever be.
"Mmm," I sigh contentedly, and then feel my cheeks heat to an unbelievable temperature. I just sighed out loud when I put my head on his chest.
"Comfy?" I feel his shoulder shake slightly with his low chuckle.
Very. "Mhmm", I sigh again. Speak Alice! "I mean, yes, I'm comfortable. A-are you?" I hold my breath, afraid he's not okay with this. After all, it was just a burst of self-confidence; it can't be justified, right?
"Mhmm. Very." He quotes me, and my blush intensifies. "Alice, don't be embarrassed," He reaches his arm around and bushes his hand over my cheek, "Although, I do love this color on you."
"I'm just so far out of my element here, Jasper," I admit. At this rate, I'm never going to have to use blush again.
"We can go as slow as you'd like, Alice. I thought that we'd coverd it already?" His brow is furrowed and his blue eyes are laced with confusion.
"I'm not talking about that," I pause, debating how to phrase my next sentence. He might brand me as a freak if I don't say it right. "I've never even had a boyfriend before, Jasper. Everything is just so new, you know? Would you believe me if I told you that my first kiss was when you kissed me the first night I moved in here, the night I told you everything?"
"Oh, Alice, if I had known that, I wouldn't have just kissed you like that. Your first kiss should be a lot more romantic than that. I'd just assumed that you'd already been kissed before and- well, that's not an excuse. Oh God, I'm sorry if I screwed it up for you." He shakes his head and looks at me, his eyes showing his worry and anger at himself.
"Don't beat yourself up, please? Sure, I never pictured my first kiss to be right after I've told someone my whole life story and am probably the text book definition of a snotty, crying mess, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. The fact that you comforted me right there and didn't stumble for words to try and say how sorry you were just made it so much better. You make me feel a way I've never felt before, and I love it."
"I'll make sure everything's perfect for everything else we do. I swear by it." He holds his hand up in the traditional sign for the boy scouts honor.
"You were a boy scout?" I laugh, though I don't know why. Seeing Jasper in one of those outfits would probably be really sexy.
"Yeah, but hey, a lot of country boys were. At least, everyone from our neighborhood was." He smiles, recalling memories of his childhood.
I lean my head into the crook of his neck, his chin resting on top of my head, surrounding me with his arms in a protective embrace. We sit like that for a while until I have to ask a question. It's been bugging me since we started this whole conversation.
"Jasper?" I whisper, not wanting to break the comfortable silence we are currently inhabiting.
"Yes?" He responds, and I can feel his throat muscles working against my head as he speaks.
"You said you'd make sure everything's perfect for everything else we do, right?" I ask, keeping my tone even and calm.
"Right. Anything to make you happy, Alice." I can feel the smile in his voice and I'm sure if I looked at his eyes, I would see them reflecting the smile in their liquid Aqua pools.
"Can I ask you a question?" I tense slightly, not really sure how I'm going to do this.
"Anything. I'm an open book, well, to you anyway." I feel his vocal chords vibrate with a small chuckle.
"It's just that, well, you can probably gather-" I pause, shaking my head slightly. This is not going how I planned it. "I'm a virgin, Jasper."
"Well, I would be surprised if you weren't." Wait, what?! "I mean, no, that's not what I meant. I mean since you've already said you haven't had a boyfriend, I just assumed-"
"Are you a virgin, Jasper?" I interrupt him, feeling overly childish for doing so, and wishing I could just suck myself into a turtle shell and disappear. Jasper is quiet and still beside me, his breathing stopped momentarily. I knew I asked the wrong question at the wrong time. I feel his Adam's Apple bob slowly up, then down, before he answers.
"No, I'm not." His tone is somber and very quiet. I can't see his eyes but I'm almost certain I'd feel even worse if I did look at them.
"When?" I ask, knowing I probably shouldn't push it, but having some sort of unexplainable urge to ask.
"Senior Prom. I know, so cliché." His voice is still quiet.
"Was it- Did it-" I can't phrase the next sentence. I can't figure out how to word my thoughts.
"I'd take it back if I could, Alice. Really, I would." The sincerity in his voice lets me know he means it whole heartedly. I lean my head back and place a soft kiss to the pulse point on his neck.
"I guess it's a little unnatural for me to still be a virgin." I keep my voice quiet, mumbling mostly to myself.
"It's okay, Alice, really." He moves his head and looks me in the eyes.
"I just never had the time for a relationship. I had to make funeral arrangements for both of my parents at the same time. And then I moved here and didn't know anybody but Rose and Edward who moved with me. I'm just not used to all of this. Any of it really."
"How long have they been gone for? If you don't mind me asking," Jasper asks, his arms still wrapped tightly around me.
"It'll actually be five years next month." I count the time in my head, nodding slightly when I've marked the correct date in my mind.
"You're so strong, and it only makes you more beautiful. And yet, you have no idea, do you?" He whispers, planting a soft kiss on my forehead, his nose skimming along my temple.
"No, I know, I just can't see it." I say, keeping half my mind on my breathing. My breaths are getting stuck halfway in my throat. I know I'm not ugly, but I'm not the prettiest person either. My short hair is unattainable more than half the time and my skin is way too pale. I don't have supermodel looks like Rosalie. She's Barbie and I'm Barbie's younger sister Stacie.
"Then you'll have to let me show you." My breath catches quickly in my throat and I hear his soft chuckle against my ear. "I will show you. Now, let's get you to work." I glance at the clock, noticing that it is quarter after five already. We'd been talking for over two hours.
Jasper stands up and holds his hand out for me. I take it and let him pull me up, watching as his bicep curls just slightly into a sexy lump.
"A-alright. Let me just grab my uniform real quick and I'll be out in a sec." I take my hand out of his and head down the hall to my room. I grab my uniform that's hanging on the back of my closet door. I grab my purse and head back out.
Jasper is leaning against the door frame, twirling his keys around his index finger. He looks so freaking sexy in his tattered, faded jeans that hang low on his hips and his Polo shirt that when he leans back just the right way comes up just enough to expose the tip of that glorious V that haunts my dreams and keeps me awake at night.
"Ready?" He smiles, outstretching his hand again. I nod, linking my fingers with his. This was nothing new. Jasper drove me to work and picked me up almost every day. He never complained, in fact I think he rather enjoyed the fifteen minute ride to my job.
"For work? No. For our car ride? Yes." I don't know why I was still so bold. Is this what he does to me? I think I like it. At my words, Jasper's smile widens, showing two rows of perfect teeth.
"Me to," Jasper opens the door and leads me out of the apartment, into the elevator, and down to the lobby. We pass a beaming Jessica on our way out. Jasper leads me passed my now rarely used Volkswagen Passat to his sleek black Dodge Charger.
He opens the passenger door for me like he does every time and waits until I'm buckled, like he does every time, before closing the door and walking swiftly to his side. He smiles at me after he's climbed into the car and buckled up.
"I really need to get a new job," I complain as Jasper starts up the car. He puts one hand on the steering wheel and reaches the other over to hold mine on the center console.
"What's wrong with this one?" He questions, pulling out of the parking garage.
"Nothing, really. I'm just not where I imagined I would be now. That's all." I sigh, looking out the window.
"Well, nothing in life ever goes according to plan, does it?" He asks softly, his thumb rubbing circles on my wrist.
"No, it doesn't." I agree mutually, keeping my gaze locked outside as I watch the building go by.
Jasper pulls up to the main entrance of the hotel. He eases the car into a stop and unlocks the doors. I groan, knowing that I'm here for the graveyard shift.
"Can I make a suggestion about this new job?" Jasper asks, leaning across the console.
"Uh huh?"
"Pick something farther away. Fifteen minutes isn't long enough." He leans in and plants a soft kiss on my cheek. "Have fun."
I scoff and get out of the car. "Not going to happen, but okay. Thank you," I close the door to the car and just like every other time, he waits until I'm inside the building for him to drive away.
I go in the back room and change into my uniform, the red and white one worn by all Hotel staff. I put my belongings in my locker and head out to the front desk, hoping that something, anything happens to night during my shift. Otherwise, it's going to be completely boring.
And of course, my shift was boring. Besides the occasional extra pillow request, food service request, and wake up calls, I was done. I prop my feet up on a small box under the desk and try to rest my eyes for a few moments.
Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. ! I am going to murder that bell ringer!
I open my eyes and look at the clock on the desk. Six A.M. I then turn my attention to the idiot ringing the service bell. Only it's not an idiot.
"S'cuse me ma'am," Jasper says, using his full country accent. He's leaning halfway over the desk, blonde hair falling in his eyes, lips parted in a sly smile.
"I-I'm sorry!" Oh, God. He caught me sleeping at work. This is some of the worst embarrassment ever.
"You look beat, Darlin'. Can I do anything?" He asks, blue eyes shining with the utmost concern.
"Take me home? I just want to go to sleep." I stand up and turn around, picking up my blazer that I must've shrugged out of last night. I hear Jasper suck in a sharp breath.
I freeze and reach behind me. Only to find that my shirt had ridden up and so had my skirt, exposing more of my back and legs to him than he'd ever seen before. I yank both of them down, blushing like mad. Although, I'm not really embarrassed about him looking. In fact, the fact that he had an audible reaction makes me giddy. I did that to him. I made him do that!
"L-let's go home." Jasper rubs the back of his neck with one hand and runs his other hand through his messy blonde hair.
"But I have to get my things, just wait a second." I hurry into the locker room and find my replacement already there. Thank God she's on time!
"Hey Alice! How's everything going? The Gerungs didn't cause too much of a problem last night, did they?" Angela asks, slipping her red blazer over her shoulders. As I throw my stuff into my bag, I proceed to tell her all about our most finicky customers.
"Well, that's about it. I'll see you tomorrow." She smiles and I give a slight wave as I hurry out and back to Jasper.
"Ready?" His hand is already outstretched, waiting for me. I nod, lacing my fingers with his as he leads me out to his waiting car.
"I thought I told you six thirty?" I ask, rehashing our conversation from last night.
"You did. Was it wrong I came early? I saw Angela here." He mentions as he opens my car door.
"No, I just feel horrible you caught me sleeping at work. I don't normally do that." I say, slipping into the seat. Jasper closes my door and walks to his side.
"Well, usually you get at least an hour of sleep before you go in. And I guess I kind of stopped you from taking one." He smiles and starts the car.
"If you were the reason I was tired at work, then feel free to do that any time." I lean over and place a quick kiss on his cheek. The feel of his unshaved stubble makes my lips tickle in the most wonderful way.
Jasper's grip on the steering wheel tightens so much that his knuckles become white. "Are you sure you've never done anything like this before?"
I give a slight laugh, "Nope", and I pop the 'p' as he drives back towards our home.
"I have to do some things today, so I'll be gone for a couple hours at least. But I want you to get some rest, okay? I wouldn't want you getting sick." He trails off, his voice losing volume with the last sentence.
"Okay. I'm kind of beat anyway." I yawn for emphasis just as Jasper pulls up to the front of our building.
"Bye. I'll see you in a few. Be good." He laughs as I open the door and get out of the car.
"Right, because there's so much damage I could do sleeping." I close the door and head into the lobby of the building.
"Good morning, Alice!" Jessica beams, peeking past me at the car Jasper's driving away from the curb. Something inside of me grows angry. Could it be jealousy? It must be.
"Good Morning," I hurry past her and into the elevator with another person. It's a guy, James, one of the movers. He smiles all-too-sweetly at me and presses his floor button.
"You're Alice, right?" I nod, keeping my voice silent. "I helped move your stuff. I remember. You're living with Jasper. He's a good guy, isn't he? Quiet, direct, but an okay guy. What floor?" He gestures to the floor panel.
"Twelve." I reply quickly, I was not liking this situation at all. I do not like being in this enclosed space with this guy. Not no way, not no how.
"Right, the penthouse. Do you know why he has such luxury, Alice? Has he ever told you anything about his family?" James smiles a wicked smile, two rows of coffee stained teeth peeking through his lips.
"We talk enough," my tone is clipped and I'm silently praying for the elevator to hurry up and reach his floor.
"Has he mentioned his family? Has he mentioned the name Whitlock? Or, better yet, David Whitlock?" I shake my head, never having heard Jasper mention that name. I know who they are. The Whitlocks are probably the biggest name in architecture and real estate. They're practically trillionaires.
"Why do you care so much?" I ask suddenly, wondering why this guy cares so much about Jasper and I.
"Has he ever told you his last name?" James asks, and I freeze. No. He's never told me. When I introduced myself as Alice Brandon he introduced himself as Jasper. Just Jasper. James smiles brighter at my realization. "Just ask him next chance you get. Ask him what his last name is. Ask him how he affords such luxury. Ask him, Alice. And then see." The elevator doors open and James leaves, not another word passed between us.
The elevator continues up to our floor and I get off. I hurry and unlock the door, allowing myself in and throwing my stuff down on the floor. I fall down on the couch in the living room and take out my cell phone. I dial Jasper's number and listen to the robotic ringing of the phone.
"Hey Darlin'," he answers flawlessly.
"You never told me your last name." My statement is simple, direct, something I know he'll comprehend quickly.
"Alice, I-"
"No. Don't try to apologize, or change the tone of this conversation by trying to explain it now. How could you not tell me? Is it really that bad that your family is rich? Is it really that big of a deal that you're pushed to the point of trying to hide it? Why didn't you tell me? I told you everything, Jasper. And you can't even tell me your last name." I don't wait for him to answer. I don't wait for even a second after my last sentence. I hang up.
I sit there, my eyes welling with tears as I contemplate how I'm going to get by this. I don't want to lose Jasper, I think I love him way to much for that. And I really don't think I'd be able to handle another loss.
I dial the only other person I can think to call at this moment. I listen to the ringing of the phone before it's picked up.
"Rose? You were right."
OH!! DRAMA! Finally, here we go. So? I'd appreciate reviews this time. I only got two last time. TWO! C'mon, please! I work hard, just like you, but all I'm asking is a little encouragement!
Love ya all still,
Aly
