A/N: Don't own - just like to tease them.
Sorry it has taken so long to update - I've had this chapter written for almost a week, but FFn wouldn't let me add it. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 8
At school the next day, Edward found it difficult to focus on his classes again. He was still smiling from his "good morning" from Jasper at his locker (a serious lip-lock while the halls were still empty), and he looked forward to biology, when at least they would be in the same room. He took time during his study period to walk to the school office and offer to assist as a student tutor, and was surprised by the eager acceptance. Apparently, there was a shortage of qualified senior tutors, and more students needed tutoring in the senior class than in any other. They asked him to start right away and report back to the office after school for his first student.
The rest of the day passed swiftly. In biology they watched a movie, so Edward and Jasper held hands under their desk in the dark and sent text messages whenever the teacher was looking elsewhere. Edward kept waiting to wake up from this dream – could his life really be this good?
The week sped by, and the boys fell into a routine. They tacitly agreed to keep things calm during the school week for the sake of Jasper's grades; Edward knew that he could fail all his classes and still have enough credits to graduate, but would not want to cause Jasper to do the same. However, they both knew that the weekend was coming and looked forward to spending some serious time together.
After school Friday, Jasper picked Edward up so that they could grab a bite to eat before the game. They snuck a few kisses in between bites of their burgers and fries in the back booth of the restaurant, and held hands under the table. Each day that week they had grown closer and more sure about the direction they were headed, and Edward had agreed to go home with Jasper after the football game that night. Every time he thought about it, he shivered, but mostly from excitement.
The game was exciting – very back and forth between the two rival teams, with a final goal at thirty seconds left for a home team win. The stands exploded in sound; after all, the whole town showed up for the game and a win was always the biggest news story for a typical weekend. As the Cullens and Jasper made their way down the stands to meet up with Emmett and Rosie, many other fans yelled out greetings and made plans to meet at the diner for ice cream sundaes. Edward shook his head in disbelief; how much time had he wasted not realizing how much his family was liked? He had spent so much of his time in self-imposed exile, and now was surrounded by friendliness he never expected. He was feeling overwhelmed, and growing quieter and more withdrawn. When Jasper noticed, he pulled Edward out of the crowd and into a quiet corner.
"Are you feeling okay? You're getting quiet and pale."
"Yes, I'm just not used to so many people, I guess. I haven't been the most likeable person... I'm not sure why everyone is talking to me tonight." Edward's voice shook just a little.
"Calm down, breathe, it's okay," Jasper's voice was soothing. "I think you have more friends than you knew – and no one seems to be freaking out about us, either, which is much better than I expected."
"Can we wait 'til the crowd thins out a little more to get out of here? The pushing and shoving is a bit much."
"No problem. Like I would ever pass up an excuse to hide in a dark corner and make out with you." Jasper followed his comment with a sweet kiss that quickly became more heated. Edward's mouth opened on a moan and Jasper took full advantage, slipping his tongue inside and deepening the kiss. Just as he drew back, panting, to catch his breath again, Edward's phone beeped.
"Ah, my parents want to know if they should wait for us to finish or if we want to meet them at the diner." Edward blushed as he read out the text, realizing his parents and siblings knew they were making out in the stands.
"Tell them we'll be in my car," Jasper grinned. "I love your blush," he added as he brushed his fingertips across Edward's cheekbones before diving in for one more kiss, then pulled away and turned towards the staircase again. "The crowd is mostly gone now; I think we're safe to leave."
They had barely made it down two more steps when a crumbled can bounced off the back of Edward's head. "Hey, faggot!" A voice yelled from above. "Keep your fag selves out of public places – naaaaasty!"
Both boys turned to see their classmate, Mike, grabbing another beer can to chunk at them. Unfortunately, this one wasn't as empty as the last, and although they were able to duck away from it, beer poured over them as it tumbled down from the deck above them.
Shocked, Edward stammered as he spoke. "Wh-what the hell? What's your problem?"
Jasper, on the other hand, transformed. No longer the soft-spoken, drawling southern cowboy, an avenging warrior stepped in front of Edward. "Get the hell away from us," he yelled to Mike. "You've been a pain in the ass since I moved here; just stay away. And leave Edward alone, or else!"
"Or else what?" Mike's drunken voice almost hid the venom they could see in his eyes. "You fag-boys can't do anything to me!"
"Really? Would you like to come down here and say that to my face? Nah..." Jasper turned away, then looked back over his shoulder to add, "You aren't worth a fight sober, and I certainly wouldn't sully my hands with you when you are drunk." With that insult, he began to walk down the stairs again, making sure to keep between Edward and the drunken idiot behind them. Mike continued to yell insults and throw cans, but his aim was disturbed by his alcohol levels and the cans never came near.
"I'm sorry that happened," Jasper said softly to Edward.
"Why are you apologizing? You did nothing wrong." Edward turned to face his boyfriend and saw the depths of despair in his eyes. "I think you're over-reacting. Mike has been a jerk since the day he was born. Nothing is going to change that, and his drinking makes it worse. If it wasn't for the fact that both his parents work for the school district, he would have been kicked out years ago. Instead, his drinking, lousy attitude, bad grades, and cheating get swept under the rug, when people even bother to report him."
"I didn't want people to treat you that way because of me..." Jasper's voice trailed off, and he looked so sad that Edward could hardly bear it.
"Mike's just one person. Nearly everyone in town likes you, and no one else has made a disparaging remark about us. I certainly don't think we've skated by without anyone noticing, so obviously most people are fine with us. Those that aren't can go take a flying leap off a high cliff for all I care! Besides, my family is fine, so who else really matters?"
At that, Jasper's smile returned. Edward's family was so supportive as to be almost smothering. "Ugh! Now we both smell like his cheap beer. That's going to take some explaining when we meet up with your family."
Edward laughed. "I'll just have to tell them my hot boyfriend stepped in between me and the dangerous drunk in the football stand." His hand skated up Jasper's arm to grip his bicep. "That protective vibe of yours is very sexy... but I don't think I'll tell them that part!" Having lightened the mood again, Edward grabbed Jasper's hand once more and they walked the rest of the way to the car. He knew the topic wasn't finished, though. Jasper's sadness was more than expected when the person yelling at them was someone neither of them considered a friend anyway. He wondered what was truly behind the look of despair he had seen; was someone special in Jasper's life lost or hurt due to bigotry?
Once they finally reached the diner, all sadness was swept away by the excitement of the group. People were cheering for the football team and everyone was enjoying the adrenaline high and sugar rush. Jasper and Edward slipped into the two seats saved for them at the family's booth, and Jasper got his first look at his new home's tradition. "Wow! Does the whole town show up every time there's a game?"
"Well, the excitement is less if we lose, and the team we played tonight is one of our biggest rivals, so the turnout might be a little high today, but pretty much everyone enjoys the game and ice cream tradition." Edward looked around the room, glad not to see anyone in Mike's family. He was certain that Mike's slurs and insults were learned from his father, and really didn't want a second confrontation today.
Rosie, observant as always, took one sniff and pulled away. "What happened to the two of you? You stink!"
Edward and Jasper exchanged glances and decided to share the minimum of information. "Someone was throwing beer cans in the stands and one was not quite empty when it went flying over our heads." By the look on Rosie's face, they knew they weren't going to get away with the deception, but she allowed the change of topic – for now.
For the next hour, the family chatted about inconsequential items. Carlisle and Esme were the first to leave, reminding the teens of their one o'clock curfew and heading home. Shortly thereafter, friends of Rosie and Emmett pulled them away to where the team and cheerleaders were celebrating the win, leaving Edward and Jasper alone in the booth. "Come home with me for a while?" Jasper asked.
Edward smiled and agreed. "Of course." He leaned in and whispered, "That's all I've wanted all day." His moist breath in Jasper's ear and the implicit promise in his words made Jasper shudder. Together they walked out the door and headed for Jasper's car.
A/N: Yeah, I know – how dare I stop there? But it did seem like a good chapter break :) (ducks and runs for cover) Please don't hate me! Read and review... please!
