Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.
A/N: Hello! I'm sorry it's been awhile since I last updated, life got a pretty hectic. I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Jasper P.O.V
Tuesday-Lunchroom
I walked into Forks high school cafeteria just like I have every other day for the last four years. But today was different. After picking up a tray of food in the crowded lunch line I began to make my way over to an empty table in the back where no one would bother me.
A flash of black in the corner of my eye halted my steps. I felt a feather light tap on my shoulder blade. Alice had bounced to my side, her smile jovial. The dark bags under her eyes had faded to a slight tinge. Her hair was in a messy array of dark spikes but the new hairstyle didn't make much of a difference in the huge gap between our heights.
"Sit with us Jasper?" she asked sweetly, tilting her head to the side in that endearing way of hers. I nodded numbly. She turned on her heel, bouncing back to Bella and Edward. I followed. She sat gracefully next to Bella, patting the seat beside her. I sat down, my eyes scanning the area from habit. Nerves made my hands tremble slightly. I felt pathetic but stiff as I sat ramrod straight.
Everyone was smiling.
"Hello Jasper." Edward stated quietly.
"Hey."
"Hi Jasper." Bella murmured.
"Hello."
Alice giggled, twining her thin fingers between mine under the table. The reassurance was still there, pulsing strongly. My shoulders loosened and I let out a ragged breath. I sighed in relief, grinning at Alice's friends.
"So Jasper, I noticed you've been spending quite a lot of time with Alice." Bella stated casually. I nodded.
"So….are you guys….?" she raised her eyebrows.
"We're just photography partners." I muttered sourly, my heart withering a little.
Alice mumbled something under her breath, tearing her hand from mine. I shot her a confused glance, feeling suddenly incomplete without her touch. She just looked straight ahead, her azure eyes blank and emotionless for the first time I could ever remember.
"Alice, what did I do?" my voice was wobbly. She glared at me for a moment before her eyes softened. She sighed.
"Nothing Jasper. I'm sorry." she murmured, timidly slipping her hand back into mine. She smiled slightly, but it looked forced. My face was still scrunched up in puzzlement. Bella and Edward were chatting with each other, pretending they didn't see our tense exchange. That was nice of them. But I couldn't help but notice the relief in Bella's eyes.
The two girls talked about college and classes and Charlie, but I noticed Alice cleverly kept the conversation focused on Bella, not giving away even a tiny sliver of information about her plans for after high school. It was exasperating. I wanted to know everything about her but I certainly didn't want to have to ask her myself. I didn't know how.
The bell dinged loudly, signaling the end of the period. I headed off to chemistry as Alice went to English.
The chemistry classroom smelled like burnt hair.
Again.
Mr. Frank was scrambling around like a chicken with his head chopped off trying to douse the small flame that had set Tyler Crowley's head ablaze. With one final cup of water, the fire was out. Mr. Frank panted heavily as he tried to catch his breath. His face was covered in a sweaty sheen and his glasses were hanging precariously on the tip of his nose. He dropped down onto his desk chair with his face in his hands.
"The fire is out children. Everything is fine." he wheezed."Tyler, go to the nurse. Everyone else, just do some bookwork. Silently." he finished in a frail voice.
I held back my laughter as Tyler picked locks of hair from the floor with a distraught look on his face. Fork's high school chemistry classroom was a dangerous place.
I turned to the right to find my lab partner Angela with her hand over her mouth, holding back her own giggles. I grinned at her. Angela and I had a sort of agreement. We didn't talk unless it was absolutely necessary, but we did share a peculiar bond. She covered for me when I spaced out in class and I shared my notes with her when she forgot her glasses, which was often. She was a sweet, shy girl and I was wayward, quiet boy. And somehow, we worked well together. I did textbook sheets until the bell rang.
"Do you want to just go home today Jasper?" Alice asked flatly as we strode out of the school building after last period. My chest constricted tightly. She was still upset over something.
"Uhh…I guess…I mean, if you want to." I stuttered uselessly. "But I like spending time with you." I confided, my voice gruff.
Suddenly a optimistic smile spread across her face. I let out a deep breath.
"Okey dokey then Jazz. I like spending time with you too." she grinned.
"Jazz?"
"Do you mind if I call you that? Jasper seems so…formal." she asked shyly.
"Of course I don't mind." I chuckled.
"Good!" she bounced toward my truck.
"Oh, I need your help with something." she informed me as I climbed into the driver's seat beside her.
"And what would that be?" I murmured.
"Well you see…I don't really have a favorite place in Forks to take a picture of. I haven't exactly gotten out much the past few years. My grandmother takes up most of my time outside of school. Not that I mind taking care of her!" she added hastily, her eyes wide.
"I know Alice. I can tell you love her." I assured her. She relaxed.
"Well, can you help me find a favorite place? Maybe show me some of yours?" she asked, looking like an eager puppy, her azure eyes energized. I nodded.
"Thank you. Charlie offered to stay with my grandma for the rest of the day, so we don't have to rush back." she informed me.
"Good." I smiled, really meaning it. My mind worked as I rummaged through my mental filing cabinet of favorite places. I had just about scoured through the whole town already in an attempt to avoid my house and the fights that were contained within it. Some of my best memories from the last few years were of coming across a beautiful or interesting place deep in the rainy forests of Forks.
"I think I know just the place. But it's a pretty long hike, are you up for it?" I asked, a smirk playing across my face. I had a feeling I knew what her answer would be and I was eager to find out if I was right.
"Of course I'm up for it. What do you think I am, some kind of delicate flower?" she huffed, the spark of a challenge flashing in her eyes.
"Not at all Alice. I'm sure you're rough and tough country gal." I chuckled, imitating my Uncle's southern drawl. I saw a reluctant smile spread across her face. She pressed her lips tightly together but a tiny giggle slipped through. She smacked my arm lightly.
"Can't resist the ole charm, eh?" I teased.
"Nope. You're irresistible, cowboy." she smiled playfully.
I started to grin back, but it faltered. I couldn't stop the desire that rose up in my chest. I wished I really was appealing to Alice in any way. I quickly stifled the thought. There wasn't even three months left before I'd be out of here. Alice bit her lip and let her eyes drop.
"So….where are we going?" she asked quietly.
"You'll see."
She nodded, not putting up a fight. She leaned her head against the window and looked out into the forest as I started up the truck and pulled out of the lot. I turned off the main highway of Forks and onto a gravel back road. The road got narrower as it tunneled farther into the green woods.
I found the small turnoff I was searching for and parked the truck, throwing open the door and hastily disentangling my long gangly legs from under the steering wheel. I hopped from the cab and dashed around the vehicle to open Alice's door for her before she could do it herself. She rolled her blue eyes, hopping off the seat gracefully.
"Well Jazz, that was…interesting." she smirked.
"You're so fast I wouldn't have made it otherwise." I panted, a little out of breath.
"Thank you." she smiled.
"Your welcome." I answered, surprised. I sort of expected her to accuse me of not thinking she's strong again. And that wasn't it at all, I had no doubt in the world Alice was strong. It was just the values Judy had installed in me over the years about manners and being a gentleman creeping out of the dusty corners of my mind.
"Shall we?" Alice asked, starting to walk towards the encroaching forest. I nodded, following her airy steps.
As we entered the tree's shady embrace I felt myself relax slightly. This land was like a home to me. I knew it better than I knew myself. I lead the way with my sure footed steps. It had taken me years to be able to walk through the woods without crashing around like an elephant, but Alice seemed to be a natural at it. I could barely hear her light steps on the squishy moss and shriveled leaves. Her strides still looked like dancing.
After a half an hour of soft silence I found the entrance. I stepped through the opening and pulled aside a branch for Alice.
We were standing in front of the tower.
It was made of uneven stones piled high into the sky, like a giant rock arm reaching toward the clouds. Alice stood with her eyes wide and her mouth slightly opened. Her awed expression slipped into an excited smile.
"Can we go to the top?" she whispered.
"Of course."
She grabbed my calloused hand and towed me into the circular stone tower. Alice scampered up the first few flights of stairs but as we neared the top she slowed down, tracing the worn stones with her fingers. She smiled at me before racing up the last few steps and into the open air.
I followed slowly behind, wanting to give her a moment to appreciate the view fully before I stepped outside next to her. She was leaning against the enclosing wall, facing away from me. I leaned against the cobbles and looked. The view was just as shocking as the first time I saw it. The tree tops were full and green and beautiful. I could just make out a group of houses on the far horizon. It felt like we were part of the air.
I snapped out of my trance to find Alice grinning like mad. She threw open her arms and spun in a fast circle, her laugh ringing like a melody.
"Thank you Jasper. I've never seen anything like this before." she murmured, turning back to the view. I smiled.
"I'll have to show it to you in the fall. The colors are amazing." I said without thinking. I wanted to bite my tongue off.
"Crap." I muttered to myself.
How could I keep forgetting I'd already be gone by autumn? What difference had the last few weeks made? The answer was easy. Alice.
I looked at her, her spiky black hair blowing lightly in the April breeze, her tender smile as she soaked in the world's beauty. She was beautiful. Beautiful and smart and caring and….very strange. I liked her. She was my friend. But I was going to leave her. My throat became thick as I realized what I needed to do. Distance myself from her before this got any further. She deserved someone better. I could only speak with her when it involved the project. Nothing more.
"Alice, it's going to get dark soon. Do you want to head home?" I asked, my voice coarse. She turned to me, her azure eyes suspicious.
"Okay Jasper."
We walked back down and through the forest to my old truck. I dropped Alice off at home.
The expression on her face as she stepped out of the truck was etched in my mind. It was almost like she knew what was going to happen, but had accepted it and was waiting for something else to start. I shook my head as I pulled into the driveway.
I was being stupid. I kind of liked it better when I barely thought at all instead of now where my thoughts seemed to be mugging me and trying to take my wallet. Even that analogy is stupid. I sighed, slipping my key in my pocket and heading toward my room.
The house was empty. Strange. I brushed it off and fell into my bed, drifting off to sleep with thoughts of Alice and photography fluttering through my head against my will.
A/N: So, there it is. Chapter 7. There's a stone tower like that near where I live, it's soooooo beautiful, and it's a place that seems magical, which I think suits Alice and Jasper's relationship well. :)