55.
Fight Your Battles
Jasper's eyes went wide, looking down at Alice in front of him on her knees. "What the hell was Alice doing?" He took a step back from her, but she stopped him with a hand on his leg. When she ran her hand up his thigh, he almost jumped out of his skin.
"I... we... I could try..." Alice began, but stopped, unsure of what to say. Jasper was slowly shaking his head, looking down at her, shock filling his face and mind.
"No! No Ali... just... no." Jasper told her, shaking his head and moving away from her slightly.
Alice sat back on her heels, her lower lip jutted out, her face in a full-on pout. "You let... her." She told him, lowering her eyes to the ground. Then she perked back up and looked up at him, again, her face shining hopefully. "Maybe I could just... you know... touch you?"
Jasper didn't think his eyes could get any wider. His mouth fell open and he stared at her beautiful face smiling up at him. He felt twitching in his pants and hadn't realized just how tight his baseball pants could actually get.
"Oh my God!" he groaned, looking up toward the sky, his hands in his hair again. "Alice, you're trying to kill me, aren't you?"
She giggled and he looked down, incredulously. "You're... laughing? I don't see anything funny about this situation." he told her, stepping back, yet again.
"But, Jas..." she enticed, her eyes big and luminous in her face. "I don't want to stop kissing you. I like it."
"Oh, God... Ali!" he groaned. Her eyes were shining innocently up at him and he suddenly knew he had to leave. "Ali, I have to go." He picked his hat and bag up off the ground, turned and began to walk slowly away from her.
"What?" he heard her say, dumbfounded.
Alice scrambled to her feet, her face showing her bewilderment. She hurried after him and watched as he walked carefully along the path.
"Are you all right?" Alice asked. Jasper looked down at her, still trying to walk normally.
"No, Alice, I'm not all right." he half-growled at her. Her eyes went wide in alarm and she hung back for a second. She took in a deep breath, squared her shoulders and caught up with him again.
"Well, what's wrong with you?" she demanded. "Are you mad at me now?"
He stopped and turned to her. "Alice." he said, matter-of-factly, "I am in pain. Okay?"
Her face was instantly full of concern. "Jasper! What happened? Why didn't you tell me?"
Jasper took a breath and tried to be patient. "Ali, I am always in pain after we... make out."
Understanding colored her face. "Oh..." she interpreted his meaning. Her face cleared and her bright eager expression returned. "See?" she chirped. "I can help you with that. Come back under the tree..." she grabbed his arm and made to lead him back.
Jasper jerked his arm away from her tiny hands and scowled at her. "Damn it, Ali! Stop it!" She took a step back from him. "It's hard enough to resist you without you saying stuff like that."
"But I mean it, Jas." she explained. "I want to... try... you know..."
Jasper swore under his breath and started walking toward the exit again. Alice came up next to him and grabbed his arm to stop him. He turned toward her with a snarl.
"That's enough, Alice!" he gritted out, clenching his fists.
"No, it's not, Jasper!" she hollered at him, hands on her hips, eyes flashing. "I can make my own decisions, I'm not a baby any more. Besides," she continued. "you let her do it."
Jasper bent down, his nose practically touching hers, his face twisted in anger. "Yeah? Well she was pretty persuasive... and experienced. You, are not. If you think I'm going to let you do... that.. here in the park... under a tree... you don't know me very well."
"Is that it?" Alice gritted out with a frown. "Because I'm not experienced? You think I won't be good enough at it?"
His face showed his impatience. "No, that's not what I meant..." he started.
"What did you mean, Jasper Hale? I'm sure Matt would let me practice on him, then I'd be experienced." She gasped, her eyes going wide, as Jasper dropped his bag and grabbed both of her arms in a tight grip.
"Don't say that, Alice." he growled, pulling her up on her tiptoes. "If you ever get close enough to Matt to even breathe on him... I'll... I'll..."
Alice stared up at him with a terrified expression on her face. He took a couple of deep breaths and slowly relaxed his grip on her. His eyes searched her face, remorse filling his.
"Sorry, Ali." he muttered. He took his hands off of her and slumped in defeat. At least his pants felt normal again, he thought, suppressing the inappropriate chuckle rising in his throat. He shook his head and ran his hands over his face and through his hair.
Jasper felt Alice's eyes on him, but he was at a total loss as to what to say. Finally, he looked down at her and was surprised to see her smiling at him.
"What the hell?" he thought, she was full of surprises today.
"Feel better now?" Alice asked him. Jasper nodded his head, wondering what she was up to now.
"Good." she sighed. "Sorry I said that about Matt, that was low, but there is nothing wrong with us... touching each other. That's what you told me. We love each other... and we're going to get married... that's what you said... so what is the difference if we're... together... now, or five years from now?"
Alice looked up at him expectantly, but he was still at a loss for words. She was surprising him more and more every day, and he had no idea how to handle her.
"Um... Ali, we are too young to be together... really." He held up his hand when she started to interrupt. "I know what you're going to say... I know I probably confuse you, because I'm confusing the hell out of myself, but I want this to be perfect." He gestured between them with his hand. "I want you to be happy with me and I don't want to do anything... like that... before you are really ready."
"Well, who are you to judge when I am ready, or not?" she asked him, irritation making her voice rise slightly.
"You just turned thirteen, Ali. Everyone knows that is too young." Jasper explained like she was a child. "I know I'm making you mad, but I'm trying really hard to... do everything right."
She exhaled in resignation, she had thought it would make him happy if she was more open to physical intimacy, but obviously he was only open to it with Savannah. Before he had gotten so good at controlling himself, she had shied away from him, but now she found that she liked the feelings his kisses brought out in her, and she was curious to find out more.
Alice found herself thinking more and more about the morning when their parents had gone to Milwaukee and Jasper had come over to her house. She had thought he had come over to have sex with her and, though he was upset that she had thought that, he'd kissed her and touched her and made her feel wonderful. She knew people had sex because it felt good, but, when she experienced the feelings herself, she hadn't known what to expect and it had scared the hell out of her at first. Afterward, she had finally understood why Jasper was always trying to touch her, but now that she was ready to experiment some, he was all in control and telling her what to do again.
With a sigh, Alice told him with a tentative smile, "All right, Jas." She took his hand in hers. "Ready to go home, then?"
"Sure." he said, squeezing her hand as they started down the path again. "Maybe we can go swimming when we get home." He grinned happily when she agreed and swung their hands between them, making her giggle.
"That was close." Jasper thought with relief. Another minute and he would've had her pinned beneath him on the grass with their clothes thrown all around them. He had gotten totally enraged when she had brought up practicing on Matt, but he had realized that she was angry and just goading him. At least he was able to get control of himself after that.
It was getting harder and harder for him to withstand her allure and he didn't know how much longer he could keep it up. He didn't want to think about what would happen when he couldn't hold himself back anymore. He shuddered at the possibility and Alice glanced up at him.
Jasper gave Alice a confident smile and began chatting about the upcoming Battle of the Bands competition. Soon she was avidly immersed in the conversation and Jasper breathed in silent ease. Anything that kept her mind off what happened at the park, suited him just fine.
"Mommy!" Alice whined, making Esme frown. "It's perfect. You have to let me get it."
"Alice, that's enough." scolded Esme. "I'm not buying you that dress, and that's final. Now, go take it off, it's time to go. Your father will be home for dinner tonight."
Alice stamped her foot and made a huffing noise, but went back into the dressing room to change back into her clothes. She looked at herself in the mirror and sighed. She really wanted the dress and thought her mom was being totally unfair. She'd seen girls wearing dresses way more revealing than the one she was now admiring in the mirror. She looked at the way it skimmed over her body and clung to her belly and breasts. It even made her breasts look bigger, and she wondered if Jasper would like the way she looked in it. She turned sideways and studied how the material cupped her butt, the hem barely hung past her underwear. Even as short as she was, if she bent over just the littlest bit, her panties would be visible to the world.
"Alice! Are you almost done in there?"
Alice wrinkled her nose in frustration. "Just a minute!" she called, her eyes going back to her reflection. "I bet Jasper would let me touch him in this dress." she thought with a smirk. Her mom had said she wouldn't buy it for her, Alice thought, shoving the dress into her purse, but she never said Ali couldn't buy it for herself.
Alice finished dressing and smoothed her hair. She looked at herself in the mirror and didn't like what she saw. She couldn't steal the dress. She'd have to buy it, she couldn't live with the guilt, so she'd have to figure out a way to distract her mom long enough to pay for it herself. She left it in her purse and exited the dressing room. Esme was standing there with an expectant look on her face.
"Where's the dress?" She asked Alice.
"Oh... I... uh, left it in the dressing room. Um... the lady told me to leave it in there." Alice fibbed.
Esme looked at her with a puzzled frown. She didn't remember anyone talking to Alice. Just then, Alice let out a gasp.
"Oh my God! Look, Mommy!" she exclaimed, pointing at a soft, green dress. "Isn't this gorgeous? It would look so pretty on you."
Esme reached out and touched the dress. "It is beautiful... so soft." Esme sighed. She looked at the price tag and bit her lip. "And on sale, too." She sighed.
"Try it on, Mom." Alice urged her with a big gin. "You could wear it for Daddy." Alice's grin turned wicked.
"Alice!" Her mom scolded with a laugh. Then she looked at the dress again. "Your dad would like it."
"He'd think it brought out the green in your eyes." Alice offered. "Just try it on, Mom. What can it hurt?"
Esme groaned. "Oh, all right. Bend my arm, why don't you?" She found her size and took it back to the dressing room.
"I'm gonna' look around out here, Mommy." Alice called as Esme walked away. She turned to look back at Alice.
"All right, Ali, but don't leave the store." Esme commanded before disappearing into the little room.
Alice rushed over to the counter, pulling the dress out of her purse. "It's a good thing I brought my big purse today." she thought as she approached the sales lady.
"Oh! This will look so beautiful on you." The sales lady said as she rang up Alice's purchase. Alice paid for the dress and stuffed it back into her purse, along with the receipt.
"Don't you want a bag?" the lady asked her.
"Uh, no, thank you. I'm so small that I get tired easily and... carrying a lot of bags is too much for me." She lied. She was getting good at this, she thought with a grin. She went over to the dressing rooms just as Esme was coming out.
"How'd it look, Mom?" Alice asked her.
Esme's face lit up. "I love it, Ali. You have good taste, Angel. Thank you. I think I'm going to wear it when your dad takes me to the charity event at the hospital next week."
"Perfect, Mom!" Alice enthused. Not only did she have time to buy her dress, she also found her mom the perfect dress and earned some Brownie points, too. She hugged herself with a grin, as her mom went to pay for her dress.
Alice and Esme collapsed into the car after they left the mall. It had been a long day, but they had gotten everything they needed and Ali was set for the beginning of school, and the possible seduction of one Jasper Hale.
The following Saturday was the Battle of the Bands competition. Everyone was going to the State Fair for the night, including Brent and Bella's parents. Ali had set up a block of hotel rooms for their group and they all set out together on Saturday morning. Jackson and Lynnette drove the equipment van and Jasper and Ali rode with them. Brent's parents drove, taking Bella's parents, and Brent's younger brother, Brad, with them. Carlisle and Esme had Edward and Bella, and most of the luggage with them, and Emmett and Rose had Brent and Jessica with them.
Spirits and energy were high as they set out and Edward spent half of the trip going over his lists to make sure they hadn't forgotten anything. He finally relaxed and looked over at Bella. She was looking at him with sparkling eyes.
Edward raised a questioning brow at her. "What?" he finally asked her, a puzzled look still on his face.
"You're so funny. I love how you get that little frown between your eyebrows when you're concentrating really hard." she chuckled as a faint blush colored his cheeks.
"Thanks?" he said, jokingly and grinned. "What else do you love about me?" he wiggled his eyebrows at her and she laughed.
"That's it." she quipped and laughed again at his look. They continued back and forth for a while, only stopping when Bella noticed Carlisle glance at them in the rearview mirror. Carlisle grinned at her and she blushed, then it was Edward's turn to laugh.
Emmett and Rose were arguing, as usual. He wanted to stay for the entire concert, seeing all of the competing bands. Rose only wanted to stay to see NoiZe and spend the rest of the day touring the fair. Jessica and Brent exchanged a look and Jessica started to giggle. Brent sent her a warning look, but it only made her giggle harder. Soon he was laughing at her giggling and Emmett was watching them in the rearview mirror. Rosalie turned around and was openly glaring at them.
Finally, Jessica gained control of herself and let out a few gasps as she tried to catch her breath.
"I'm sorry, Rose!" Jessica managed to get out. "You two are just so... cute."
At that, Emmett grinned like an idiot. He looked over at Rose, who's expression had relaxed some, but was still not too friendly. Brent watched her with worry, he had seen her go off on Jasper a couple of times in the family's garage when someone had gotten too close to her car.
"Rose," Emmett said in a sing-song voice. "Jess thinks we're cute."
Rose turned her scowl toward him and he cracked up. Brent and Jessica both looked at them like they had lost their minds as Rosalie broke into giggles and the two of them continued to laugh until they were both out of breath.
When she could finally speak, Rose turned back to the two confused people in the back seat and told them, "I hate cute." To which Emmett cracked up again. Rosalie smiled at Jessica and Brent and they looked at each other like they weren't too sure if they should be scared, or not.
Ali was too excited to sleep. She knew the boys probably didn't have a great chance of actually winning the Battle today, but she it was going to be super cool to see how close they came. She glanced over at Jasper, who was asleep on the seat next to her, and admired how his hair curled around his face. He looked how she would imagine a boy angel to look. She almost giggled, but didn't want to wake him up. She felt her phone vibrate in her pocket and pulled it out to see a text from Jess.
Ali- Em & Rose r acting weird. What's so funny about them being cute? -Jess
Ali let out a giggle and clamped her lips shut as Jasper stirred slightly. She text Jessica back.
LOL! When Rosalie was little, she was so pretty that old ladies
would come up to her in stores and stuff and pinch her cheeks.
Now, if someone says she's cute, she gets mad. She HATES being called 'cute'.
Don't worry tho, she's harmless. ~ Ali x
Ali pushed send and tried to suppress her laughter. Rose could be so persnickety, she hoped she would be nice to Jess. After a few minutes, Jess text her back.
Thanx, Ali. Brent & I were worried there for
a minute. LOL! They are fine now. They're both laughing.
C u soon! -Jess x
Ali rolled her eyes, her brother and Rose could be very intimidating. She heard Jasper stir and looked over to see sleepy green eyes focusing on her. He grinned at her and she smiled.
"How'd you sleep, Jas?" Ali asked, still smiling gently.
"Good." He replied and leaned toward her. "I had a great dream." He whispered. "You were in it." He put his lips against her ear and breathed. "And you were so sexy."
Ali felt shivers run along her skin and heat went straight down to the pit of her stomach. His breath was hot against her neck and ear, and she felt her nipples pucker. Jasper sat back a little and she turned to look at him. His eyes were black with intensity and he licked his lips. Ali felt as though she was in some kind of trance and started to lean toward him, staring at his mouth. She heard her mom murmur something to her dad and both of them snapped out of their trance and blinked at each other.
Alice put her head down, a hot blush staining her cheeks, and Jasper chuckled. She had been getting pretty feisty with him lately, but she still got embarrassed easily. She gave him a shy look out of the corner of her eye and he wiggled his brows at her. He sobered quickly when Ali licked her lips seductively, but the spell was broken when she giggled. She loved the feeling of power she had over him, it was almost like an addiction now. She couldn't wait to try her new dress out on him.
A few minutes later, they pulled into the hotel parking lot. It was 10:00 AM and they had special permission to check in as soon as they arrived, so Alice gave her mom the reservation confirmation receipts, and her and Carlisle went to check them in. As soon as they were clear of the car, Jasper leaned over and covered Ali's lips with his own. His hands roamed over her back and down her sides and she moaned into his mouth. He pulled away and lay his cheek against her hair.
"Ali, you turn me on so bad." he breathed in her ear. "What am I going to do with you?"
Ali grinned into his hair and whispered back. "Let me... touch you."
Jasper jumped back and looked at her with a scowl. "Alice, stop saying that." Jasper pleaded. "I can't take it when you say stuff like that. I can't think of anything else."
Alice grinned wickedly at him. "I know." She chirped. "That's why I say it."
"Ali, please." He begged, covering his face with his hand. "I'll never be able to concentrate this afternoon."
"Jas, I'm serious. I want to touch you." She touched the hand over his face. He lowered it and groaned at her look. "You have to let me. I let you, it's only fair."
Jasper rolled his eyes and groaned again. "Alice, you are going to kill me, or get me killed, aren't you?"
Alice shrugged. "I hope not." she shot back. "I won't get to touch you if you're dead." She grinned innocently at him and he lay back against the seat and closed his eyes. Ali giggled and spotted her parents coming back. "Parent alert." she giggled. Jasper opened his eyes, saw her parents and looked at her.
"Thanks a lot, Ali." He growled, shifting and looking down at his lap. He looked back up at her, his face strained, and Ali giggled again.
"Any time, Jas." She told him with a cheeky grin, and Jasper moaned and shook his head.
"Like I said before, I've created a monster." He said, which, of course, got her giggling even more.
The NoiZe caravan pulled up to the employee entrance at the State Fair. The man on duty told them that only the equipment van could drive through and told them where to go. The others pulled into parking spaces and Emmett, Brent and Edward got into the van with Jasper and Carlisle. Esme and Alice joined the others as they walked up to the entrance and were told to go on through after being given VIP passes to wear around their necks.
They made their way to the concert area and the boys were unloading the equipment. Brent's dad, Brian, and Bella's dad, Charlie, joined Jackson and Carlisle in helping them with their stuff. Soon they had everything unpacked and ready to carry onstage. They were third in the line-up and the concert started at 11:00, so they had about an hour before they were on. Each group was given 20 to 30 minutes to play the three songs they had chosen, and there were 12 bands competing, so the concert wouldn't actually be over until at least 6:00 PM. It was going to be a long day, so Carlisle suggested that they all grab something to eat before the boys were up.
The group walked down to the nearest food court and took up several tables having an early lunch. Everyone was chattering excitedly as they sat down with their food. Jasper carried his and Alice's food, and she carried their drinks. Just as they were a few feet from their table, a girl walked up to them and put her hand on Jasper's arm.
"Hi, Jasper! Do you remember me? I met you at the Wilmot County Fair." Jasper looked puzzled, but then he got a big smile on his face.
"Oh, yeah! Tanya, right?" Jasper asked, still smiling. Tanya nodded and Jasper asked, "Where's your friend, Kate, right?" She nodded and laughed.
"I can't believe you remembered!" she exclaimed, hanging on to his arm. Then she lowered her voice. "Kate's here, too. We could've had so much fun that day. Too bad you're here with her." She nodded at Alice, who had taken a few steps back. "We could've hung out after the concert."
Jasper looked over at Alice, who stood there with no expression on her face. "Thanks for the offer." He said, looking back at Tanya. "I'd much rather hang out with Alice, though. No offense, but she is my girlfriend."
Tanya looked Alice up and down. "I don't get it, but, whatever." She looked back at Jasper and put her hand on his arm again. Lowering her voice and giving him an inviting grin, she said, "If you decide to ditch her, we'll be at the concert. Just let us know where to meet you."
"Okay, I will." He looked startled for a second. "I mean, I won't, decide to ditch her, that is."
Tanya pouted, looking at him seductively. "Too bad. Oh well, see you there anyway." She flounced away, looking at him over her shoulder and he looked down to apologize to Alice. Alice wasn't there. Jasper looked toward the tables to see her just sitting down between Rosalie and Bella. He hurried over to the table and set their food down across from her. Alice kept her head down, but watched him from under her lashes as he walked around the table. He came up behind her and Alice sat there, stiffly, as everyone else watched.
Jasper nonchalantly reached down and lifted Alice up off the bench. Her mouth fell open, as did everyone's around her, and Jasper carried her back around the table and set her on the bench where their food sat. He reached across the table and slid their drinks toward them and then sat down next to her.
Alice sat frozen, but Jasper started to set up their food and even put the straw in her soda, like nothing had happened. Alice kept her head down as Jasper started eating. Finally, he looked over at her and leaned down and whispered in her ear.
"Ali, don't be mad. I'm sorry. I didn't mean for what I said to come out that way." He bent his head around in front of her to look into her face. "Ali, come on. You know I was just being polite. I don't want to hang out with those girls. I love you."
Alice looked up at him and he sucked in his breath. Her eyes were swimming with tears and she had a defeated look on her face. "It's all right, Jas." she said in a tired voice. "I just want to eat, okay?"
Jasper nodded and just watched her. She took a drink of her soda and just picked at her food. Emmett and Rose, and Edward and Bella, were sitting at the table eating and trying not to notice their disagreement.
Finally, Emmett asked her, "You okay there, Ali Oop?"
"Yeah, thanks, Em." Alice told him, blinking back her tears. "I'm fine."
"Well, don't let those girls bother you, Ali. Jasper couldn't live without you." Rose told her. "He's always going on and on, Ali this, and Ali that, he loves you."
"Thank you, Rose." Alice said softly.
She looked up at Jasper, who was still watching her, and he gave her an apologetic look.
"I would never give you up for those girls, Darlin'. I promise you that." He told her, looking hopeful.
"Okay, thanks Jas." She whispered, but she still didn't look entirely certain.
Jasper lifted her chin to look at him. "Alice, it would never happen." He smiled sweetly at her and she smiled back.
"Okay, Jas. I know it wouldn't." She said, trying to look happy, but failing miserably.
By the time they were done eating, it was almost time for the boys to start setting up for their turn on stage. They hurried back, Jasper still trying to be extra attentive to Alice to show her that he meant what he said about being with her, and he gave her a kiss before leaving her with their families.
"I'll see you right after we're done, Ali, all right?" He still didn't like the look in her eyes, but he couldn't do anything about it right now. "Please just stay by our parents, okay?"
She smiled at him, and nodded. "I will. I'll see you afterward, Jas. Have fun." He kissed her again and the boys and Emmett went backstage to get their stuff ready for when the stage was clear.
