Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight
Alice P.O.V.
I was disappointed that Jasper wouldn't be over until later, but it was also a good thing in a way. I had been seriously neglecting my apartment, work, and cats. So, I spent the day scrubbing, typing, and petting. Then when I was finished, I spent a few minutes remembering last night. I had laughed more last night than in the last four years put together.
Jasper really would do anything for me. I didn't deserve such a considerate and sweet friend. But, I told him I wouldn't push him away anymore, so I didn't dwell on it.
At 5:30 I heard a knock and answered the door.
"Hi Jasper."
"Hi angel." As soon as the words left his mouth I was wrapped safely in his calm presence. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
"I have a surprise for you this time", I said.
"Oh do you?"
"Yup. Follow me." I lead him into the kitchen where I had set the table.
"I made you dinner!" I saw his face light up at the mention of food.
"Oh Alice, you didn't have to do that."
"I didn't have to, but I did anyway, so don't be shy about eating it." I scooped a small amount of everything onto my plate, and a huge heap of everything onto Jasper's. I had a feeling he had a big appetite. We sat down, Jasper pulling out my chair for me like a gentleman, and started eating.
"Alice, how did you make this? This is the best thing I've ever tasted in my life!"
I raised my eyebrows. It was only meatloaf. I whipped it together in five minutes then stuck it in the oven.
"When's the last time you ate a homemade meal Jasper?"
"Errr…never", he admitted sheepishly.
"Never! What do you mean?"
"Well…I lived with my dad until I was 18 and neither of us could cook to save our lives. We always ordered takeout or went to a restaurant. Same with Emmett and Rose when I went over there."
I stared at him with my eyes wide. I couldn't imagine never tasting homemade food. Then again, that may be because my grandma started teaching me to cook when I was four years old.
"You all right over there, angel?"
I realized I'd been gaping at him.
"Yes I'm fine, but can you promise me something? Let me cook for you at least a few times a week."
"Let you? I'm pretty sure I would've begged you to if you didn't offer." We smiled at each other.
"I did attempt to cook once though. It didn't end well." he shuddered.
"Errr…what happened?" I asked a little apprehensively.
"I caught my pants on fire." he stated with a very solemn expression.
I couldn't help myself, I started cracking up.
"It's not funny! I had to stand out in the street in my underwear while the firemen checked to make sure the house was safe. And this was back in Texas, so I knew all of the neighbors really well. They teased me for months. I was never the same again." he shook his head. I was trying to hold back my giggles, but then we ended up bursting out laughing at the same time. Then we finished eating in comfortable silence. I set the dishes in the sink and turned around. Jasper was staring at his boots with his eyebrows furrowed.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Alice, I have a …proposition for you. But I don't want you to get upset or take it the wrong way." I rolled my eyes, highly doubting it was even possible for me to be upset with him.
"Just spit it out Jasper."
"I was thinking it might be good for you to get out into the fresh air for a few minutes. Maybe we can just walk to the end of the block and back. There probably won't be very many people out at dusk," he said in a rush.
I had seen this coming. Not in my "Weird Prediction" kind of way, but in a "It's got to happen sometime" kind of way. And surprisingly, I wasn't terrified. I mean, I was still nervous and a little scared, but I knew I'd be okay with Jasper by my side. I nodded.
"That's reasonable."
"Really? I thought it would be harder to convince you.""I know I'll be safe with you Jasper", I murmured, ducking my head.
I heard his chair squeak and then I felt a cool finger under my chin as he lifted my gaze to his.
"You don't need to be embarrassed to tell me anything, angel." I just nodded.
"Ready?" he asked uncertainly.
"Yes." We marched purposefully down the stairs and to the peeling front door. I hesitated right in front of it, my fear becoming a little more pronounced. Then I felt Jasper's arm wrap tenderly around my shoulders and he pulled me tightly against his side. His touch shouted protectiveness.
"Please don't let go", I breathed.
"I won't angel, I promise." I reached out, my whole arm trembling slightly, and pulled open the heavy door. The warm night air blew over me gently and I took a deep breath. I grinned. I'd forgotten how wonderful a warm breeze felt. I relaxed into Jasper's side, but sent him a pointed glance telling him not to let go. We started strolling down the sidewalk, Jasper always keeping me a safe distance from everyone else.
"You're so brave, angel", I heard Jasper murmur. I realized it wasn't really that tough.
"I think I just stayed in that apartment so long, trying to barricade myself from other people, that I became panicky at the mere prospect of being outside", I muttered. I ignored my surroundings, not wanting to have something bring up my past and throw me into a breakdown here on the street. Instead, I just concentrated on Jasper's even breathing. I inhaled his scent that was a mixture of Old Spice and something uniquely him.
But something was missing. I thought it over for a minute and determined what it was. That thick woodsy smell that came with spending the day in the forest. Everything about Jasper reminded me of it, but the actual scent was missing. I frowned. Jasper didn't belong in a city. Neither did I, but there wasn't much I was willing to do about it. I sighed and snapped out of my thoughts, surprised to find we were already back in front of the apartment building.
"I did it!" I exclaimed excitedly to Jasper.
"I'm so proud of you , angel", he said with a soft kiss to the top of my head.
My heart jolted with pleasure. Then I briefly wondered if normal friends of the opposite sex usually did things like that. I shrugged, concluding that Jasper and I definitely weren't what one would consider normal friends.
We walked back up to my apartment. I noticed Jasper yawning hugely every few minutes.
"Long day at work?"
"Yeah, I'm beat."
"You should go get some sleep, I'll see you tomorrow night."
"Now wait one second Cat lady. You forgot to tell me about one of your cats."
"Oh yeah. I'll tell you about Bean. He's just plain old lazy. Kind of like Garfield, but with silver fur. I think he even tried to eat lasagna once. But… he can always be counted on as a great napping partner.
"Sounds like a smart cat." He gave me one of his goofy grins.
"I'll see you tomorrow, angel." And with one last giant yawn he shuffled down the hall. I smiled at his retreating figure, still feeling triumphant over my tiny expedition outside. I went into my apartment and took a nice long bath, but it didn't have anywhere near the same calming effect on me as being around Jasper did.
I was becoming more and more attached to him every day, and I couldn't seem to stop it.
We couldn't keep our fragile relationship balancing on the edge of a cliff for much longer. Eventually, someone's going to fall.
A/N: Please review! ;)
