?
What was that? I paused, listening to everything around me, feeling the air on my skin. Tilting my head back I inhaled deeply. I nearly groaned when the most exquisite fragrance engulfed my senses, I could almost taste it. Better than any delicacy this world could ever produce, finer than all vintage wine, I must- no, 'needed' to find what was emitting such an otherworldly scent.
Putting everything on hold, breathing in for the third time, that glorious scent that has already been branded to my memory, I took off as fast as my body would allow, following that potent yet palpable trail.
I looked out the window, a sound pulling me from my thoughts, I saw the culprit, a crow, flew from the nearly dead tree into the cloudy sky. I was in my room laying in bed with a book in hand that Carlisle let me borrow from his office. It wasn't particularly interesting, nor was it entirely boring, just something to pass the time really.
Carlisle and Esme were out getting the papers and such for my adoption sorted. I asked how they would explain my sudden appearance and such, as well as what they wanted to name me, but all they said was not to worry, that they'll take care of everything. So, I'm assuming I already have a name, and just don't know what it is yet, not that I care, either way, I'm just curious.
Placing a bookmark between the pages I let the book fall shut before resting it upon my chest. I returned my gaze out the window, content with watching the branches sway in the breeze as grey clouds slowly crawled across the sky. Sighing I sunk deeper into my pillows, shutting my eyes as I hummed quietly to myself before opening them once more.
An idea came to mind, one that I didn't feel the need to entertain until I was more settled into my new 'home', getting up with a stretch I walked out of my room heading towards the living room.
I was somewhat perplexed to see the only person sitting on the couch was Jasper. He was watching sports, on what seemed to be the tv's lowest settings, or just on mute, for I didn't hear anything. Maybe he found the noises annoying? I didn't know.
Walking up alongside the couch, Jasper turned his head towards me, giving a small smile.
" Hey, did you need something?" He asked softly.
With one arm draped across the couch's edge, and the other resting on his torso with his leg crossed partially over the other, combined with his head tilting in query making curly strands of gold frame his perfectly sculpted face; I had a sudden urge to draw him.
Pushing the ridiculous thought to the back of my mind, I focused on the task at hand.
" Yes, actually. Is it okay if I explore outside?"
He seemed to pause in thought, staring at me silently, which felt more like he was staring through me. Only a moment later I got my answer.
" Sure, you don't mind me tagging along?" He said, adjusting his form so he was now leaning forwards.
Interested by his offer, not that I had a say in the matter, I was glad nonetheless for the company. Nodding my head he switched the tv off before climbing to his feet. Taking that as the queue to head for the door, his voice stopped me.
" Forgetting something?"
Turning back I looked at him, his eyebrows raised in question. Tilting my head down to stare at myself I saw nothing wrong. Looking back at him my brows furrowed in confusion, he smiled.
" Shoes," He said.
Did Alice get me shoes? I know she got me more than enough socks with shirts and pants to match, though I guess she could have grabbed me a pair when I was zoning in and out of her conversations. The only place I could think they would be at is in my closet. So after muttering " One moment," I made the trek back upstairs, looking in my closet to find clothes only.
Shuffling back downstairs I shook my head, shrugging my shoulders slightly. I saw him grinning, which stretched into a smile as he pulled a pair of shoes from behind his back.
" We like to keep our shoes by the back door if we aren't wearing them," Jasper said, answering the unspoken question held in my expression.
Nodding I ran upstairs, grabbed a pair of socks before grabbing the shoes, thanking Jasper as I made my way towards the couch. After putting the shoes on, which fit snug against my feet, I furrowed my brows at the strings. I've never needed to wear shoes before, so it was never a priority to learn how to tie them.
I was going to tell Jasper this when a foul taste entered my mouth, followed by the tightening of my throat and stomach, frowning I slightly shook my head at both the sudden weird feeling and the idea of telling Jasper that I couldn't do something as simple as tying my own shoes.
No, I will figure it out on my own, at that thought, the tightening in my stomach and throat lessened somewhat, the foul taste remained. What was it anyway? No matter now, I had other things to focus on.
" Everything alright?" Glancing over at Jasper, I saw him leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets.
" Yes," Well, it's now or never, but what if I do it wrong?
Why do I even care? I've gone my whole life without shoes, why do I need to start wearing them now?
" Why do I need to wear shoes?" I asked Jasper.
" It's chilly and wet outside, we don't want you getting sick,"
" You found me in a dirty rain-soaked alleyway on a cold night in well enough condition, but walking on soft wet grass is gonna make me sick?" I questioned raising my brow.
" Be that as it may, it's better to be safe than sorry, right?" He countered raising his brow challengingly.
Looking back down, I decided to just go for it seeing as I wouldn't be let out unless I wore these blasted things. Sighing I grabbed the strings and tied a random sloppy knot, I was about to tie the other when hands entered my field of vision, gently pushing mine away.
Undoing the mess I created, Jasper tied perfect even loops with ease and repeating a mirror image on the other one.
" If you needed help, all you had to do was ask," Jasper said softly, looking up at me.
Not knowing how to respond I settled with a nod, why didn't I just ask? It would have saved me time and effort, but something stopped me. I felt my face became more heated than before, but I tried to ignore it.
That foul taste was thick in my throat as I tried to swallow it away, which only lessened it though not by much.
" Sorry," I muttered.
Jasper only smiled softly before shaking his head.
" Don't be, it's not your fault. Want me to show you how I did it?" Jasper volunteered, already untying both shoes.
It took a few tries, but after thirty or so minutes I was finally able to get those two loops, or as Jasper called them 'bunny ears' to look the way he did them, though they were far from being as even and perfect as he made them. I also learned that the strings were actually called laces.
Glancing over at Jasper who looked thoroughly amused, I stretched out one of my legs, waving my hand in its direction. Smiling he answered.
" That's good, still needs some practice but it should be good enough not to unravel outside."
Sighing, I stood with relief, glad this embarrassing moment was over. Walking toward the front door, the shoes felt odd and confining against my feet, but I tried to ignore them and adjust the best I could. Opening the door I inhaled the fresh air, that foul taste still lingering in the back of my throat.