AN: I wanted to say thanks for the awesome reviews! They've kept me writing!
I was asked a question that I decided to answer on here since some of you may be wondering this as well. There will be romance between Bella and Jasper but that won't be happening for a few more chapters. Right now they don't exactly like each other so I'm trying to ease into the romance part. Besides, Bella has a current boyfriend who she is really faithful too. But don't worry! I have a plan…sort of…maybe. haha
Well anyway, here's chapter three! :)
Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight.
BPOV
"Hold still!" I tried in vain once again to get near my stubborn friend's eyelashes.
"No! I refuse to let you get near me with that evil looking contraption!"
I groaned in exasperation. "It's just an eyelash curler! I swear it only looks scary but it is completely harmless!" I tried to approach her with it again but she dodged my attempts.
"Seriously Leah, you act like you never used one of these before!" I threw my hands up in frustration. Suddenly realization crashed down on me before I gasped at the horror of this situation.
"Wait! You never have used this before, have you?" I asked incredulously. She shook her head at me.
"How can you be my friend and never used an eyelash curler before?" I stared at her, utterly perplexed. "Alright," I began, determined, "there is a first time for everything. Now. Come. Here." I punctuated each word but she stubbornly shook her head and backed away from me.
"Alright, you leave me no other choice." She looked nervous about the sudden evil grin that crossed my face. Suddenly I lunged at her knocking her off her feet. I climbed on top of her until I was straddling her waist. She tried bucking me off but I wouldn't budge. Having a personal trainer comes in handy at times like these.
"Don't move," I exclaimed before leaning down to again attempt using the eyelash curler on her. Our faces were mere inches apart when suddenly my bedroom door burst open. I looked up to see Emmett and Jake standing there with their mouths hanging open. I could have sworn I saw drool leaking out the sides of their mouths and their eyes were glazed over.
I cleared my throat, annoyed at the interruption. That seemed to snap them out of it. At least they had the decency to look sheepish. Emmett was the first to speak. "Sorry. We let ourselves in and then we heard screaming and a loud thump. It sounded like you two were being murdered so we decided to come check it out." Suddenly he grinned. "We didn't anticipate you two would be putting on your own little show. Mind if we stay?"
I huffed. "I wouldn't be in this position if someone," I glared at Leah, "wasn't so terrified of essential beauty products!"
"Well, don't blame me! That thing looks like some sort of medieval torture device!" The boys laughed at our bickering.
"We'll wait downstairs. When do you two think you'll be ready?"
I shrugged. "Give us another ten minutes. You guys can start pre-gaming. You know where the alcohol is."
Jake nodded. "Seth just called and said he was on his way. So he should be here soon." With that Emmett and Jake left me alone to finish with Leah. Leah seemed to notice that too because she visibly gulped.
"Are you adverse to a bribe?" Leah asked with wide eyes.
I rolled my eyes at her. "You make it sound like I am attempting to pluck all of the hairs out of your head and dye your scalp purple. Stop being such a baby!" She groaned but acquiesced in the end (not that she had a choice with me holding her down like this hehe).
"So what do you think?" I asked, once I had finished with her makeup and she had changed into the outfit I had laid out for her. I had already changed and done my makeup.
I was wearing an emerald green top, which complimented my curves, with a plunge line and skinny jeans which hung low on my hips. I finished my ensemble with my black Jimmy Choo pumps. I had curled my hair and pinned it back in a loose bun, with a few curls hanging down in the front. I completed my look with smoky eyes, which made my chocolate brown eyes pop, and some clear, glossy lip gloss. Leah on the other hand was wearing a red halter top with low rise jeans. I had curled her hair slightly and left it down so that the soft curls cascaded down her back. For her makeup, I settled on a more natural, evening look for her eyes (since she hardly ever wears makeup) and sheer red lip gloss.
I waited for Leah's reaction to her appearance.
"Wow," Leah breathed, causing me to laugh. She was sitting at the vanity table in my room staring at her reflection in the vanity mirror, while I was sprawled across my bed, grinning like a Cheshire cat.
"I don't know why I'm so surprised though. You are pretty talented with your beauty supplies. If you weren't such a great actress, I would ask if you had considered a job in makeup artistry." I laughed and rolled over so I was lying on my stomach with my hands propping my head up.
"You look hot Leah! Jake is going to flip a fucking lid when he sees you!" I exclaimed, happy with my work. That caused her to smile. She didn't even try to deny it to me anymore.
"What about you? Any guys you're trying to impress tonight?" I shook my head.
"I have a boyfriend Lee-lee," she wrinkled her nose at that in distaste. I chose to ignore that, for now. "Besides, for me, this night is more about getting out and trying to forget about the shit-load of stuff I have to do come Monday." She nodded and started fingering the red halter top I had supplied for her.
"By the way, I love this top! Where did you get it?"
"Oh that was a gift," I said distractedly. "Posing for cover shoots does have its advantages."
Leah gasped. "You mean you got this for free?"
"Uh-huh. You can keep it though. I was meaning to clear out my wardrobe soon anyways. It seems to be overflowing with clothes at the moment."
Leah stared at me dubiously. "But your wardrobe is bigger than my entire room at home!" She pointed out.
I shrugged. "Like I said, posing for cover shoots has its advantages."
Leah laughed. "I'll say. Well thanks for the top!" She said excitedly causing me to laugh.
"No problem. Are you ready to go?" She nodded and we headed down the stairs and joined the guys waiting for Seth.
After pre-gaming, which consisted of three shots of patron each, we were all on our way to Eclipse.
"This is a great way to be discreet Bells," Jake said sarcastically, referring to the stretch limo we were currently occupying. "I thought you wanted to stay unnoticed tonight."
"Yeah but first of all, I am always noticed when I go out in public. No matter what kind of transportation I take, it won't change that. And second, this way we can all drink without worrying about finding a DD," I said with a shrug.
Seth beamed. "Personally, I like it. It's like we're arriving with style. I feel like I'm a celebrity too!" Emmett nodded vigorously at this. I laughed at their show of appreciation.
The limo pulled up to the front of Eclipse and we all climbed out. We walked past the line of people waiting to get in and up to the bouncer, Mark, who offered me a big smile.
"Hey Bella, how's it going?"
"Good. My friends and I decided to have a little fun tonight so we decided to come here of course," I replied with a smile of my own.
"Well you guys have a good time," he said while he stepped away from the door and let us pass, whispers of "is that Bella Swan?" following us in.
"So do you guys want to dance?" Jake asked us once we were inside the club. The music was blaring and the lights were flashing which added to the special effects. We all agreed and made our way to the dance floor. Jake had his arms around Leah and me and was leading the way. Emmett and Seth were following closely behind us.
As soon as we began to dance, I noticed a leggy blonde who was eyeing Emmett with interest. He seemed to notice this too, because with one wink in our direction, he had marched over to where she was standing and succeeded in getting a dance. Seth followed his lead soon after with a pretty, little red head. This left Jake, Leah and me to our own devices. This was my chance. I could "conveniently" leave the two of them alone. Then they would have no other choice than to communicate with each other. Ha! I am brilliant, if I do say so myself.
"I'm going to get a drink at the bar," I informed Leah. She stared at me with pleading eyes. Nope, sorry you're on your own this time, I thought, smirking internally.
"Do you want me to come with you," there was an undercurrent of hope in her voice. It was so cute how shy she was around Jake. It was like she was a completely different person. I shook my head at her and smiled mischievously. She narrowed her eyes at me. Well, it looks like she caught on to my plan. Oh well.
"Just talk to him, Leah. This isn't elementary school. Trust me," I whispered, too low for Jake to hear. She swallowed, but reluctantly nodded. Jake on the other hand looked pleased with this turn of events. I smiled at Leah and gave her a gentle nudge before heading for the bar.
The bartender greeted me with a smile as I approached. I had just ordered a few tequila shots when my attention was suddenly caught by something else across the room. The guy who had just walked through the door of the club, with the painstakingly familiar blonde hair and annoyingly cocky expression was none other than my arch nemesis, Jasper fucking Whitlock.
"Holy mother of fucking ravioli! You have got to be shitting me!" I exclaimed, managing to get several odd looks from the people standing around me. I probably looked crazy, screaming obscenities out randomly, but I couldn't seem to care about that since I have a bigger problem right now in the form of an arrogant SOB.
He was adorning a cowboy hat with a pair of cowboy boots and a button down flannel shirt with faded jeans. If I was being honest with myself, I would have to admit that he looked pretty delicious in his cowboy getup. But, of course I can't think like that. I mean, I have a boyfriend and this is JASPER! My annoying ass rival and bane of my existence! What were the odds of him going to the same club as me on the same night that I had finally gotten a chance to go out on anyway? This is just my fucking luck! ARGH!
The pixie bitch, blonde bimbo (Rosalie), and Emoward (Edward) were with him also. I really didn't need this shit right now.
Okay, options. Options are always good. Let's see. I can either:
1) Grab Leah, Emmett and Seth and high-tale it out of here (although I'm pretty sure Emmett would kill me for that later, considering the way his dance partner has her legs wrapped around him and grinding against him like this is some kind of porn video. Plus I don't want to interrupt Jake and Leah. They both had started to dance to a semi upbeat song, but hey, it was a start).
2) I can try to find a way to set the smoke detectors off in here so that the whole club has to evacuate. Hmm there might be something to that one. I could possibly escape unnoticed if I create a big enough diversion. We'll come back to that one later.
Or 3) I can brave it out and stick around. That one isn't too appealing at the moment considering he is getting closer to where I am currently standing. He hasn't noticed me yet, but it's just a matter of time…
Well #2 is the most appealing, but I could just imagine the trouble that would be caused if anyone figured out it was me. The tabloids would have a field day with that one. Ah fuck it. I'm not going to let that douche run me out. This is supposed to be MY night. Okay, so #3 it is. I wonder if I can somehow avoid him though…
"Well, well Swan. Fancy seeing you here. I would have pictured running into you in more of a…hmm…recluse setting. I must say I'm surprised." Well it looks like that idea was a bust. He seemed to have left his posse behind near the dance floor. Well that's one less dreaded confrontation I had to deal with I guess.
I turned around and grimaced at him. "Stalking me now, Whitlock?" He smirked at me.
"If I had wanted to find you, I wouldn't have to stalk you. All I'd have to do would be follow the thick aura of vainness that seems to follow you around wherever you go."
"Pfft, you're actually calling me vain?" I looked up at him through my eyelashes, innocently.
"Hmm...It must be hard," I began, putting my finger to my chin as if in deep thought.
"What is?" he said, sounding confused.
"Being able to support that overly inflated head of yours all the time."
I turned back around and downed one of the shots that the bartender had just set down in front of me. If Jasper was here, I would definitely need more alcohol in me. Being only slightly buzzed was not acceptable tonight. I picked up another shot and downed it in the same fashion as the one previous.
Jasper sat at the bar next to me and ordered a Bourbon on the rocks. I turned and stared at him with my eyebrows raised.
"What, you don't have anything better to do on a Friday night than annoy the shit out of me?"
He smirked. "Believe it or not, but not everything is always about you. And you say I'm the one with an overly inflated head." He shook his head and tsked at me. "If you must know," he continued while taking a swig of his drink that he had just been handed, "I wanted to get a drink and since this is the bar area, and you happen to be here, it only makes sense that I would run into you. Annoying you is just an added bonus." He raised his drink as if in silent toast before taking another swig.
I just sat there, not willing to let him ruin my good mood. He seemed to notice my silence because he turned to look at me with his eyebrows raised.
"Speechless Swan? That has to be a first." I scoffed.
"I don't know what to say to you. I would call you an idiot, but that would just be an insult to all stupid people." I huffed as I downed another shot.
He shook his head and laughed. "Are you always this sarcastic when you drink?" He looked amused.
"Only to you it seems," I mused. If it were possible, he looked even more amused. After he had finished his drink, he ordered us a couple shots of Jack Daniels. I started to protest but he cut me off.
"You're not wimping out on me now, are you Swan?" I glared at him and knocked the shot back without answering him, wincing slightly at the strong taste. He smirked at me which only served to further annoy me.
"Are you just going to sit there and stare at me, or are you going to quit being such a pussy and take the damn shot!" I was finding it increasingly difficult to maintain a neutral tone with him, especially when he was staring at me like that. It was a little disconcerting.
He just laughed but he picked up the shot of Jack, maintaining eye contact with me, and slammed it back without so much as a grimace. Okay, I'll admit that was pretty impressive. I knocked back another shot as well. A few more shots of Jack later and I was incredibly light headed and slightly giddy.
"You look happier," Jasper noted, observing my lazy grin that I was now wearing.
"I am," I waved a hand vaguely and let it fall, limply back to my side.
"May I ask what has you so happy?"
I shrugged. "I guess I just needed a night out."
"I hear ya'," he nodded in agreement. We sat there in relative silence for a while.
"You know, I always felt bad abou' the way I treated ya the first time we met," I slurred out suddenly. My verbal filter tends to be severed when I'm drunk. Jasper seemed shocked by my revelation at first but then the indifferent mask was back on his face.
He shrugged. "I kind of enjoyed our banter throughout the years. It made life interesting." I laughed and nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, 'cept I coulda done without the fishy breath during our make out scene earlier," I slurred. He laughed. I nudged his arm playfully and smiled.
"Well, as much fun as talkin' to you is, I am gonna go back out there," I pointed my thumb over my shoulder, indicating the dance floor. I stood up and swayed, feeling increasingly light headed.
"Woah there," Jasper grabbed my upper arm firmly to steady me. I was shocked at the tingle that ran through my arm at his touch. That was odd. By the look on his face, he had felt it too. "Uh thanks," I said, looking up at him. I was shocked by the civil tone of my voice directed at him. It must be the alcohol talking. He nodded in response. He smiled at me which I returned, much to my surprise, before I sashayed back to the dance floor.
Once I was on the dance floor, I started moving my hips to the music with my hands in my hair. I was enjoying dancing by myself when suddenly I felt a random guy grab my hips and start grinding himself into my ass. I tried pushing him away, but he tightened his hold on my hips and leaned down to whisper in my ear.
"Come on babe, one dance." I shuddered. For some reason I was getting a weird vibe.
I tried to turn around to get a good look at his face, but he kept a firm grip on my hips. I shook my head. "I'm sorry, but I have a boyfriend." He laughed.
"Well, what your boyfriend doesn't know won't hurt him." That made me see red.
"Look, I don't want to dance with you!" I all but screeched.
Suddenly, I became aware of another presence. "Hey man, she promised me a dance so if you could please extract your filthy hands from the girl I won't have to punch your face in. Deal?" A deadly calm, southern voice said from behind us. I never thought I would be so relieved to hear his voice. I thought the creeper holding me would protest, but was surprised when he backed away with his hands raised instead.
"Sorry man, I didn't mean anything by it." He then turned tail and left through the crowd. I looked up at Jasper and smiled in thanks.
"You okay?" Jasper inquired.
"Uh yeah. Thanks for that." I gestured wildly in the direction of where the guy had just left.
"No problem. But what about that dance?"
I quirked an eyebrow at him. "You wanna dance with me?" I checked, slurring my words slightly.
He laughed. "I know. Surprising huh? Wow, what was in that bourbon?" He questioned seriously. I rolled my eyes at him.
"Oh! I love this song!" I exclaimed happily as Airplanes by B.O.B came on. I started rolling my hips and moving to the beat of the music. Jasper stepped up and the next thing I knew, we were dancing together. It was like I had entered the twilight zone or something. I never would have guessed in a million years I would actually willingly dance with this man. I reached up and swiped his cowboy hat off his head and placed it on my own. He shook his head at me, amused.
"It looks good on you," he smiled.
"Why Jazzy," I imitated Alice's high pitch voice, "are you actually giving me a compliment?" I batted my eyelashes and smirked.
"Hmm…I guess I was." He sounded a bit shocked at this.
We danced in comfortable silence for a while, until my feet started aching.
"I better get back to my friends so they don't think I got stolen or something." We pulled apart.
Jasper laughed and nodded. "Yeah, I probably should too. See you on Monday." I nodded at him in response and turned to leave.
"Just so ya know," I turned back around to face him. "This doesn't change anything."
He smirked. "I wouldn't dream of it."
We both smiled at each other before I headed in the direction of where my friends were. As we got into the limo later, I thought about all that transpired tonight. I guess Jasper and I had finally come to some sort of demented unspoken truce. I briefly wondered if things would go back to the way they always were before this night happened. I smiled as my friends and I drove away. What a night.
AN: So, their relationship is still a little rocky, but it's a start, right?
I've started on the next chapter, so hopefully it will be out sometime this week. Please leave a review! Let me know what you thought about the interaction between Bella and Jasper.
Thanks for reading!
Love,
Katie