Chapter 5: Brown

Bella nearly fell down the last three stairs when she saw Jasper calmly sitting at the kitchen table with Charlie the next morning. "Hey Bells," Charlie smiled as she entered the room.

"Hey Dad," she said, "you're in a good mood."

"Something wrong with that?"

"No," she lied, shaking her head. Not wrong, just weird. This was all very, very weird. Then, she noticed the muffins on the table and coffee. "Did you make breakfast?"

"Nope, Jasper brought it by. You didn't tell me he was giving you a ride to school."

"Guess I forgot," she said, narrowing her eyes at the smug vampire sitting at her kitchen table looking like a statue of a Greek god. She grabbed a chocolate muffin and tore a piece off the top.

"Alright, well," Charlie sighed, taking his coffee as he stood to go. "You guys have a good day. See you at dinner, Bells. Good to meet you, Jasper. And thanks."

"Anytime, Chief Swan," Jasper nodded, standing as well to shake Charlie's hand. Bella's gaze darted between the two. This was so weird.

"What the hell was all that?" she scoffed when Charlie left.

"That was called manners," he said, a corner of his mouth quirking up in amusement.

"Not that. My dad. He doesn't usually like people. Especially new people. Especially new people of the male variety."

"What can I say? I'm a charming guy," he winked. "C'mon, grab your coffee. We're gonna be late."

"Next time you could ask if I want a ride to school. You're too pretty to be in my house," she muttered as she followed him to the door, forgetting his vampire hearing.

Jasper smirked and opened it for her with a bow. "Would you like a ride to school, Miss Swan?"

She paused and pretended to think it over. "I guess I'll allow it."

"Much obliged, ma'am."

When they got to the car, he opened the passenger door for her before climbing in himself. "So, why the sudden urge to drive me to school?" she asked.

"Oh no," he grinned. "It's my turn for questions."

She frowned. "I can save you some time. I'm not some secret mythical creature. Just regular old human."

"And that's what makes you so fascinating."

She raised an eyebrow at him.

"Indulge me," he said, though it seemed more like a challenge. So she met it as one.

"Fine. I'm all yours."

"Don't tempt me," he winked. He glanced back at the road, driving at a leisurely pace. For him anyway. "What's your favorite color?"

Bella choked out a laugh. "Seriously? I give you a free day of questions and that's the best you can come up with?"

"Alright now, I answered yours about coffins. You owe me some ridiculous questions."

She sighed heavily. "It depends on the day."

"Well what is it today?"

"Brown."

"Brown? You're kiddin' me. A whole world of colors and you pick brown?"

"You're the one that asked!"

"My apologies, you're right. Fine. Why brown?"

She eyed him warily before deciding to give him her explanation. "Brown is... brown is warm. I miss brown. Everything here that's supposed to be brown is covered in mossy green."

Jasper looked at her for longer than should be considered safe, but she was too transfixed by his dark golden eyes to remember to scold him. He reached out and twisted his finger around her dark brown hair. "You're right. Brown is warm."

She blushed and looked out the window, missing Jasper catch his breath before clearing his throat. "Uh," he fumbled, shaking his head to focus, "what music is in your CD player right now?"

"Um," she frowned, thinking back to her poor truck stranded at home, "Bad Reputation. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts."

"Isabella Swan, I am impressed," he said with a crooked grin. "I was worried I'd have to teach you proper music appreciation."

"Well, I haven't lived through every decade of music like someone. What're you listening to?"

She leaned over and pressed play. Joey Ramone's voice filled the car.

"I miss the 70's. And the 80's. CBGB was the best place to hear good music. And to hear it first."

"Shut up! You went to CBGB?"

He grinned, his bright white teeth flashing. "Who do you think convinced Hilly to give the Ramones a shot?"

Bella's jaw dropped. "Are you sure I can't ask any questions today?"

"Nope. It's my day," he said, and she realized they had pulled up to school. He leaned over the center console, brushing her hair behind her ear. "What're you doin' this weekend?"

"I was going to go to Seattle..."

"Are you stuck on that? Or would you mind spendin' your Saturday with little ol' me?"

Bella bit her lower lip and blushed. "I might be able to be convinced."

"Good," he grinned, moving to open the door.

"But I'm driving."

He groaned, turning back to her. "No, bad. Why exactly?"

"I told Charlie I was going to Seattle alone. My truck in the driveway kinda ruins that plan."

Jasper shrugged. "Tell him you're spending the day with me instead."

"I can't..."

"Why? He likes me." Since they were in the school parking lot, he took a leisurely human's pace around the car to open her door for her. "Besides, if you tell Charlie," he said, leaning in close so his cool, sweet breath washed over her face, "I'll have at least some small incentive to bring you back."

Bella mentally shook herself and shoved her hands against his stone chest. "Knock it off."

He laughed at the feeble attempt and stepped back. While he locked the car and took her backpack for her, silencing her protests before they could begin with just one look, she noticed his siblings eyeing the two of them warily. More specifically, they were eyeing her.

"I don't think your brothers and sisters like me," she whispered, though she knew they could probably hear her.

"Ignore them," he nearly growled, making an angry noise under his breath that sounded almost like a hiss. "I do. They're just worried about this ending badly."

"Badly as in..."

He slung his arm around her neck pulling her in close, whispering only for her to hear, "As in if I pierce your beautiful skin with my teeth and drain you dry."

"You really know how to sweet talk a girl, don't you?"

"A true southern fucking gentlemen at your service, my dear."

Bella saw his sister, Rosalie, who had been giving her the darkest glare, look away. The rest followed except for Alice who caught up with them, her movements so graceful, Bella felt like a puppy who's paws were too big by comparison. "Alice," Jasper said, his arm still around Bella and his voice somewhere between a greeting and a warning.

"Jasper," she said, her voice like wind chimes dancing in the wind. "Hi Bella. I'm so glad to finally meet you!"

Jasper snorted.

"Um, hi," she gave a small wave. "Nice to meet you too."

Alice turned back to Jasper. "Are we still on for this evening?"

"Yes ma'am. I can't leave this lovely lady without a ride though. Soon as I take Bella home, I'll meet you at the house."

"Great," she smiled, then bounced away, taking Edward's arm as they entered the school.

"What are you doing this evening?" Bella asked.

He smirked. "Hunting. It'll be far too tempting to be around you all day tomorrow if I don't."

She reached up and traced the slight shadow beneath his eyes. "That's why your eyes are darker."

His entire body tensed for a minute before he relaxed and kissed the inside of her wrist, placing her hand back by her side. "That's why. I'll see you at lunch, darlin'."