Chapter 10

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns all of Twilight. Chapter title is from Linger by Cranberries.

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The next week passed without any interaction between Alice nor Jasper. While he stayed holed up in the library, reading endless amount of books, she remained in her room, focusing on her future and interior designing for the home.

What was she thinking? Ready to kiss a man she's only known for a short amount of time? Well, technically, you've known him all your life, a voice in her head reminded her. However, Alice shoved that thought away. He only knew her for that long, oblivious to the fact that she even existed. That people like her even existed.

The cool scent of his breath would always remain in her memory; she involuntarily shivered when remembering the dangerously close contact they almost share. Jasper was rather attractive and his hair just screamed for her hands to muss up. His lips were the right shade of pale pink... She would kiss those any day.

Alice mentally slapped herself for thinking these thoughts. They were disgusting, revolting, and something a lady like her should never think about. Or was she allowed to? She remembered nothing of her human life; did she ever get to giddy over a boy? So many questions swam through her head, endless debates about what she should do next.

Never in her life had she lived with anyone, always alone and solitary. She picked up the pieces of where her shattered life had left off, she fixed her broken soul and made it into something worth while. There was no one to console her during her times and desperation and need, no one to save her from the troubles she faced.

Neither did Jasper, she reminded herself. Neither of them had anyone. Well, he had Maria.

Her fist subconsciously crushed the pencil in her left hand. It now lay a small pile of saw dust on her desk, but Alice paid no attention to that. He had Maria, Maria had him. A growl released from within her body; she didn't need a mental picture in her head of all the passionate times they spent together.

But that was the past, right? Jasper left because he didn't want to live that life anymore. If he loved Maria, he would have been too weak to leave.

Countless amount of times did Alice search her future, along with his as well. Once again, images of her and him joining Carlisle's appeared in front of her eyes. New things sufficed, as well: Her arm the blonde girl, Rosalie, both holding a countless number of shopping bags. Jasper and the Emmett, the bear-like man, arm wrestling.

One image popped up over and over again, the most often out of any: Alice's arms around Jasper's neck, their lips locked in a fiery passion as he lifted her above the ground. She was dressed in one of the most beautiful wedding gowns she had seen in her entire life while he wore a distinguishing suit that enhanced his blonde hair and pale features.

How could this be so clear, when she herself was lost amongst so much confusion and disarray?

Maybe a little part of Alice did like Jasper more than a friend. Only a tiny, peewee bit. It wouldn't grow into something more, right?

She didn't mind living in denial.

"Damn it!" She groaned, putting her head in her hands. "I need to go shopping."

Alice grabbed her car keys, purse, tan gloves, and hat. She left a quick note for Jasper, telling him where she was heading before taping it on his door. Eager to get her mind off all this fuss she created for herself, she rushed quickly out of the house and drove off into the forest.

--

Jasper's eyes followed the back of Alice's car as he saw her leave. There was nothing but awkward tension in the house for the past week. Although at times he would attempt to calm himself down, the flood of emotions would somehow bother him once more.

Was he really going to kiss her?

Everything about that was wrong. It would be an irrational decision for he had only known the petite woman for just a week or two. Kissing her would have been taking advantage of her vulnerability.

Besides, if she saw that coming, wouldn't she tell him? Alice seemed like an honest person to him.

She may have edited some of the information out when she told him about finding the vegetarian clan together.

As easy as it could be for him to leave, Jasper didn't really want to. Not only was he interested in the tranquil lifestyle she led, he also felt somewhat of an attachment to Alice.

Because of that, he felt weak. Somehow, he cared for her. In the span of about ten days, she already had him worried about anything he did to hurt her. With Maria, it never had been like this. He had worshiped the ground she walked on, fulfilling her physical desires and needs. With Alice, he wanted to please and care for her, to create a strong bond that no one else could break.

This fondness Jasper held for her scared him.

Never in his life did he feel this. In one hundred years, never did he think that she was what he needed, what he was searching for.

The weight around his shoulders lifted whenever Jasper was around Alice's free spirit. Her joy and encouragement made him feel safe, loved.

Was she his savior?

--

Alice sighed, raising her fist to knock on Jasper's door. One of her hands clutched five shpoping bags; she decided that going shopping for only herself would be rude. Besides, he only had one outfit, the one that he wore, so he was in desperate need of new clothes.

She knocked and within a second, the door opened.

They looked at each awkwardly, neither knowing what to say.

Finally, Alice decided to speak up, raising the arm with the shopping bags. "I bought you some stuff, seeing that you haven't had anything to change into." She looked down, embarrassed. "I also bought you some personal hygeine stuff. You don't have to use it, of course, but I thought that if you ever got dirty after hunting, you could use it to clean up."

"Thanks," Jasper said quietly, taking all the bags. She looked up at him and smiled. "Not just for this, but for everything."

Alice laughed quietly. "Your welcome. I didn't know what sizes you were, but I think most of your clothes should fit." She scanned his room quickly, elated at the fact that several books were piled on top of his desk. " I'm glad that you've taken a liking to the literature. I stocked it with mostly with the titles I think you'd most enjoy."

He nodded, smiling as he replaced the awkwardness with a sense of calm. For some reason, Jasper felt somewhat guilty manipulating Alice's emotions; it felt like he was crossing a boundary. However, he was tired of all the discomfort they've dealt with for the past week. They both needed to be relieved of all this tension.

Setting the bags down near his closet, he motioned for her to come in.

She sat down on the chair, looking at him expectantly. "Aren't you going to see what I got you?"

Was he supposed to? Apparently.

"Oh, of course," Jasper replied, pulling out the shirts he found in the first bag. They seemed as if they would fit them, and he quickly set them in the closet. Next came the pants, then the jackets, and lastly the soap and shampoo. He set this all inside before turning and facing Alice. "Once more, I really do appreciate everything that you've done. I hpoe it hasn't been a bother."

Her face brightened even more. "I love any opportunity to shop," she started, "So it was rather enjoyable to buy your clothes." Those tiny lips looked so soft, so lush...

Jasper pushed these thoughts out of his head. "I feel rather bad that you've given me so much, and I in return have not given you anything," he said.

Alice shook her read. "No, really, it's fine," she stated.

"No," he disagreed. "I owe you a favor."

She thought for a minute, thinking of something that wouldn't seem too rash or stupid. The butterly feeling in her stomach was increasing every extra moment she was spending with him. She looked at Jasper and got lost in his eyes. The fear and fascination of those amber irises; she didn't recall hers ever looking so deep and interesting.

She shook out of it before it would scare him, and immediately the butterflies exploded. Why was she getting so nervous? Hopefully she hid it well that he wouldn't notice. There was one thing Alice really wanted him to teach her, but she didn't think it would be right to ask him that.

"Alice, I will give you anything, I promise," he assured her, mistaking that the shyness she asked was out of courtesy.

She nodded, mustering up the courage to ask him a favor based on his terrible past. "I want," she began, trying to word it carefully so it wouldn't seem foolish and because she knew it was a touchy subject for Jasper. "I want you to teach me how to fight."

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AN: Well, that is the next chapter for you! I think it was finally time (haha, after just one week and a half) for Alice and Jasper to face the fact that they feel something for one another. But do not worry, they are still in denial mode! I am not going to rush their relationship, I promise.

Besides, Alice and Jasper are not really the touchy-feely couple, right? But I will be sure to include some kisses here and there in the future wink wink.

Reviews are always amazing. Thanks so much for those who faithfully read my story!! I love you all so much.