Disclaimer: I don't own. We all know this. If I did that scene in Eclipse with Jasper telling Bella of his past on the cliff edge would have been so different. In my version he'd have shoved Alice off and Bella would have offered her a Zippo to light her way down.
Link for Prom outfits at the bottom.
In this one they are both 18. I also don't think I've mentioned it, but in the present he and Bella are 29.
Hey guys if you're getting an alert for this chapter again. I just fixed the date. A reader noticed I'd messed up. I put 96 instead of 98 so I was just fixing it. Everything else is the same.
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May 18, 1998
It was Prom night and I wanted things to be perfect. Not only was it the only school function, other than the talent show and graduation, that Bella was even interested in, but once again things were about to change for us.
In just three short months we would be separated by a whole continent when college started. I had not thought we'd be that far away from each other. I knew Bella's dream was to go to the School of Art and Design or SCAD in Savannah, Georgia. I had applied to Georgia Southern and Florida State University. Both were at least two hours from her, but still close enough to see each other on the weekends.
I had also applied to USC, my first choice. It had a good music and education program, plus LA was a great place to do open mic nights and after the talent shows those were a must.
In March Bella got her acceptance letter along with a scholarship to SCAD. She was so happy and excited. I got my acceptance letters to both Georgia Southern and FSU a week later. I only had to choose one and I'd be good to go.
At the beginning of April though I got my letter and a scholarship from USC. I hid it for a week. I really wanted to go there, but I also really didn't want to be that far from Bella. When I did finally tell her about it we had a long talk.
She told me that while she didn't want to be that far from me either it was the best option.
A scholarship didn't come with Georgia Southern or FSU and with it being out of state that was a lot of money for me and my mom to pay. Plus the programs there weren't as good as USC and she knew my want for open mic nights so really there was no choice. She wouldn't let me overlook what I wanted for her. She loved me too much.
Hearing everything and listing the pro and cons we made the tough decision that our four years of college would be done away from each other.
We'd make the distance work, breaking up wasn't an option in any way, shape, or form.
We'd pulled up the school calendars for each of our schools for the following year and we spent the rest of that night planning out vacations.
Thanksgiving and Christmas would find us back in Forks. Bella's birthday and Valentine's Day would find me in Savannah. My birthday fell at Christmas so that one we didn't have to worry about. Spring Break Bella would come to California.
We also, thanks to Charlie, had new webcams. They were our graduation presents. Those would help since we didn't plan weekends. It would be too expensive to fly just for a day or two and any longer would mess with school, so we would have to make do with a grainy video most of the time.
Tonight we were forgetting about all of that though. Tonight was about us and the end of high school.
Bella had been planning for prom for the last month. She'd driven with my mom to Seattle at the end of last month to get her dress. She'd hunted for the perfect accessories to go with it and went with me to pick out my suit. I'd thought for sure she was going to make me wear a tux, but surprised me with a suit. It was cool. Everything was black except the shirt which was still dark gunmetal gray. I thought I looked pretty good and by the look Bella gave when I came out wearing it she thought the same thing.
She poured over magazines finding the perfect hairstyle or whatever. I was wearing mine like I always did, pulled back in the ponytail.
I'd gotten us a limo to drive us to Port Angeles and reservations at her favorite restaurant, Bella Italia. Personally, I think she liked it just because it had her name in it. I'd also had mom help me with ordering her corsage since she wouldn't let me see her dress. When mom picked out the deep red roses I couldn't wait to see what Bella was wearing.
I'd also gotten us a hotel room. We wouldn't be spending the night because that would not have gone over well with Charlie at all, but we would be able to sneak away for an hour or two and take that next step in our relationship. Yes it was cliché but it was about us and we really didn't care.
We'd only done some minor groping since we'd gotten together, but nothing past second base. While I had wanted to move things along sooner, Bella hadn't been ready. It wasn't a big deal though. I wasn't with her for sex and when she was ready I would be as well. That didn't mean my hand hadn't become my friend over the last couple years though. I was a teenaged boy after all.
My biggest fear about the whole thing was that I would hurt her too much and she wouldn't be able to enjoy it. I would just have to take my time and go slow.
Letting out a deep breath at that thought I rolled over onto my stomach. I was lying here waiting on Bella's call. She'd gone to get her hair, nails, and makeup done and was going to let me know when she was home so I knew what time to go over to her house.
I wasn't planning on falling asleep, but jerked awake when my mom knocked on my door. As she pushed it open I sat up and rubbed my hand over my face.
"Jasper honey. Bella just called. She said to give her about thirty minutes to get dressed."
"Okay. Thanks mom."
She gave me a smile as I pushed myself off the bed and grabbed my things to go get a shower.
Once I was done I went back to my room and put on my suit. The tie kept giving me issue so after grabbing my wallet and keys I headed downstairs, finding my mom in the kitchen.
"Can you help me?" I asked walking into the room.
She turned and put her hand over her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes.
"Mom." I said shaking my head at her display of emotion.
"I'm sorry honey. You just look so handsome. My little boy is all grown up."
I grinned and held my tie up to get her back on track.
She helped me get it on and straight and then after grabbing Bella's corsage we went out to the car. My mom would drive back here once the limo picked us up.
We pulled into Bella's driveway a few minutes later and Charlie met us at the door.
"She's almost ready." He said as he let us in and I nodded.
It was only a few seconds later when Bella appeared at the top of the stairs and my mouth fell open. Fuck she was stunning.
As she slowly made her way down I let my eyes sweep from head to toe. Her hair was pulled up off her shoulders with just a few curls hanging down. Her makeup was darker than I'd ever seen her wear with dark eyes that made the green stand out even at a distance and her lips were red. Her earrings were black and around her neck was a black snug-fitting necklace with a small thing hanging from it.
Her dress was the best part though. It was strapless and matched the color of my shirt. It had a trail of bling down the front and was tight fitting until her hips where it flared out to the floor.
When she stopped in front of me I brought my eyes up to hers.
"You look beautiful."
"Thank you. You look amazing too." She said back.
I smiled and leaned forward to brush my lips across hers briefly.
Pulling back I reached for her corsage and Bella held her hand up so I could slip it onto her wrist. When I was finished she took my boutonnière Charlie had grabbed from the kitchen and put it on my suit.
Once that was out of the way Bella grabbed a small black bag and we went outside where Charlie and mom seemed to take fifty million rolls of film. We stood still and smiled through every one of them though.
The limo arrived not to long after and we were on our way.
Bella and I cuddled up in the back of the limo and just talked about nothing for the hour drive to Port Angeles.
Once we got to the restaurant I helped her from the car and we went inside, earning smiles from the people there.
Dinner was awesome and when we were finished we went back to the limo for the short drive to the hotel.
The ballroom was nice. Our prom theme was A Night in the Orient, so there were Chinese lanterns and lights hanging from the ceiling. Umbrellas and dragons decorated the tables. There was a red hue to the room.
Bella and I found a table in the corner and then went off to get our picture done. She sat on a small chair/sofa kind of thing while I stood behind her with my hand on her shoulder.
When that was out of the way we went out on the dance floor.
We got jiggy with Will Smith, didn't miss a thing with Aerosmith, and let our heart's go on with Celine Dion. After dancing to some horrible Backstreet Boys song Bella and I made our escape, stopping off at the front desk to grab the key to our room.
On the elevator ride up I could tell she was nervous. Dropping her hand I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her tight into my side.
"We don't have to do this if you aren't ready, Bella."
"I ready, just a little worried that it won't be good for you."
"It will be good. I'm worried I'll hurt you to much."
"Then we'll just take it slow."
I nodded, but didn't speak as the doors opened on our floor. We found the room and after unlocking it went inside.
Bella moved over to the window and stood with her back to me. I almost told her we'd just go back downstairs, but then she turned to look over her shoulder.
The look on her face made me keep my mouth shut and I walked over.
Reaching my hands up I placed them on her shoulders and then lightly kissed the back of her neck. Her shiver caused me to smile.
"I love you,' I whispered.
"I love you too." She said back just as quietly.
Her hands came up and she started taking the pins out of her hair. Once it was flowing down her back I turned her in my arms and cupped her cheek in my hand, bringing her lips to mine.
As we kissed I felt my tie give. Our mouths stayed connected as her hands slid up my chest and under my suit jacket. I let my arms fall so she could push it off me and to the floor. Her fingers undid each button on my shirt and it soon followed my jacket.
When it hit the floor I broke the kiss and took her hand leading her just the few steps to the bed. Turning her to face away from me I let my fingers skim up her arms, around the back of her shoulders, moving her hair out of the way, and then down to the zipper of her dress.
I sucked in a breath as I lowered it when I saw she had no bra on and let it out quickly when I saw the small scrap of black lace where her underwear should be.
Bella turned back around when her zipper was all the way down, her arms holding her dress in place. I knelt where I stood and lifted each of her feet to remove the strappy black shoes she was wearing. As I stood back up I toed off my own shoes and took my socks off quickly.
Back to standing I took one of Bella's hands and kissed the palm before using it to draw her to me.
"Are you sure?" I asked
She nodded and let her other arm fall, allowing her dress to pool at her feet.
"Fuck," I whispered as I drank in her beautiful body. She was perfect.
My eyes soon found hers again and I was almost blown away by the sheer amount of love staring back at me. I smiled and went in for another kiss, deepening it quickly.
My hands moved down her arms until I had one of her breast cupped in my hands, my thumb making the nipple pebble as I brushed over it. Her sigh of pleasure spurred me on and I cupped the other as I moved my lips down to her neck.
Bella's hands were splayed out across my chest and started slowly moving down to the waistband of my pants. As I kissed along her neck and shoulders I felt the button give and the zipper lower.
Before they could drop to the floor I stepped away from Bella and sat her on the bed. As I pulled the condom from my wallet she laid back on the pillows her hair fanning out under her. I kept my eyes locked with hers as I pushed my pants off and then when I crawled up to hover over her.
Our mouths found each other again. After deepening the kiss briefly I worked my way lower, down her neck and to the middle of her chest.
I kissed over to her right breast and slowly drew her nipple into my mouth, letting my tongue flick across the tip. Her throaty groan sent a shot of pleasure through me and I did it again, earning the same response. After lavishing it with attention I moved over to the other and gave it the same.
As her hands came up to run along my back I kissed back up to her lips. We kissed for awhile before I broke away and sat back on my heels, placing my hands on her waist.
With a look for permission and getting a nod in return I hooked my fingers in the side of her panties and slid them down her legs.
I dropped them off the side of the bed and using one hand I propped myself over her. With my other hand I trailed my fingers from her knee up to her inner thigh, spreading her legs a little more. I took my eyes off her beautiful face as my fingers kept moving and came in contact with her heat.
I groaned feeling how wet she already was and slipped between her lips, finding her button of nerves.
She bucked her hips against me as I touched her and I smiled. Her returned grin turned into a moan as I made a circle around her clit.
I continued to make circle around her, loving each little sound she made. Her hand came up after a moment, wrapping around the back of my neck and pulling my lips back to hers.
While we kissed I slid my hand lower and circled her entrance twice before slowly sliding a finger inside her. The heat and wetness was amazing. I slowly pumped my hand and used my thumb to work her bundle of nerves.
After only minutes I could tell she was getting close. Her walls started to contract around my finger so I sped up just a little, wanting her to find her pleasure.
Pulling my head back just a tad I said, "Let go Bella."
A few seconds later her body went rigid and her mouth formed a perfect little 'o'. Her hands gripped my shoulders as she rode out her orgasm.
When she came down from her high I slipped my hand from her core and moved back to hover over her. Bella's eyes opened and she gazed up at me with a serene smile on her face. Her hands came up and ran a trail down the side of my face. I leaned into her touch and she continued lower until she met the elastic of my boxers. She pushed the as far as she could and then I took over, kicking them off to the side when they were at my ankles.
Her eyes widened as I sat back and reached over for the condom. I inwardly smirked because once again I was a teenaged boy.
Once I had the condom rolled on I position myself at Bella's entrance. With one more look of permission and another nod I pushed forward.
Oh holy mother of hell. Her warmth and wetness was even more pronounced and it took all I had not to bury myself completely in her. One look at her though was enough to keep me from doing that. Her eyes were scrunched closed and her breaths were coming in quick pants. Her fingers were claws around my upper arms and her lip was firmly implanted in between her teeth.
"Do you want me to stop?" I asked.
"No, just distract me." She rasped.
I captured her lips again and moved one hand to cup her breast, brushing my thumb over the taunt peak of her nipple, as I pressed in inch by inch. Reaching her barrier I stopped again and pulled back.
"Breathe Bella okay."
She nodded quickly and I shifted my hips, catching her cry of pain as I broke through and sank fully until my hips were flush against her.
I stilled, letting her adjust as best she could.
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah, don't move yet though."
"When you're ready." I said gritting my teeth.
By the time Bella gave me the go ahead my body was shaking with the need to move, but I couldn't go fast. I didn't want to hurt her anymore than I already had.
Sliding out slowly I pushed back in and earned another wince from Bella, causing me to once again still all movement.
She was quicker to nod her head this time and when I pulled out and pressed forward she moaned out making me breath a sigh of relief.
I thrust twice more and knew it would not take much more for me to find my release. I sped up a little and felt the coil tighten even tighter right before it snapped, drawing out a deep groan and making my body go stiff.
I kept myself propped up, gazing down at Bella as I let my breathing slow down. Once it had I leaned down and gave her a long, deep kiss before slipping out of her. I slid away and out of the bed, going to the bathroom to dispose of the condom.
As I crawled back in the bed Bella turned on her side to face me.
Running my hand through her hair I said, "I'm sorry I hurt you."
"I'm okay now and I know it won't be that way next time. No more worries."
I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face and leaned forward to press my lips to hers.
Pulling back I said, "I love you."
"I love you too."
We lay there for a little bit longer before deciding to go back down to the ballroom. By the time we were dressed and Bella had put her hair back up and retouched her makeup the prom was almost over with only the crowning of prom king and queen and the senior dance to go.
I leaned against the back wall holding Bella against the front of me. We watched with many eye rolls as Jessica Stanley and Mike Newton were crowned in all their idiot glory. After they had their dance the seniors only were called out onto the floor.
I took Bella's hand and we wound our way through the tables and stopped on the edge of the dance floor. As I'll Be by Edwin McCain started I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close.
When the song finished playing and the lights came up Bella pulled me down for a kiss. I smiled as we broke apart and then kissed her again quickly because I could.
Pulling away the second time we followed behind the others out to the parking lot. I found the limo quickly and we settled into the back.
Bella and I sat close together, my arm wrapped around her shoulder and her head resting on my chest. The car was silent as we started for home and I was okay with that. I was until I heard her quiet sniffle that is.
Reaching my hand up I lifted her chin and immediately felt horrible, thinking that the tears rolling down her cheeks were because of earlier.
"Oh baby, I'm sorry. We should have waited."
"No," She said quickly shaking her head and pushing herself up to face me. "It's not that."
"Then what are these about?" I asked brushing a tear away with my thumb.
"I just hit me how little time we have left before we aren't together. School will be over in two weeks and then we only have just a little more than two months after that. It's going to be gone so fast and I'm going to miss you so much."
"I'll miss you too Bella, but I promise I'll only be a phone call, or an email, or a plane ride away. We have our webcams too. I'm gong to be there it just may not be like we're used to and before we know it college will be over."
"What if something happens before then? The distance gets to be too much or you meet someone who is closer."
"I love you and I promise nothing and no one will ever get in the way of us being together. Okay?"
She nodded and whispered, "I love you too."
I pulled her to me and for the rest of the drive back to Forks I held on.
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Present Day
I'd let myself break those promises and I will regret that for the rest of my life. It wouldn't be for another few years, but it didn't matter. I'd ended up putting Bella last in a lot of things. I'd taken her for granted, always expected her to be there, and when she needed me most I was somewhere else.
To this day I wish constantly that I had gone to FSU or Georgia Southern. If I had Bella would have staying in Savannah all four years, she would have gotten her degree from SCAD, I would have become a teacher, we'd have gotten married, maybe had a couple of kids by now, and we would have still been happy.
If I had been the man I should have been, that my mother expected, wanted, and thought me to be then I would have went to Bella instead of her coming to me after only two years of school.
But I didn't.
Reaching into the box beside me I pulled out the key that should have never been made, the one whose exact replica should have been turned in as soon as I hung up the phone the night Bella called me at the end of our sophomore year.
But it wasn't.
So many things overshadowed clear thinking the night Bella called. The fear when she uttered the first five words, the happiness after when she explained what she meant, the reasons behind her decision, and the many plans that needed to be made.
I gripped that little apartment key until it hurt as I thought about that call and how excited we had been, neither one of us knowing that it would be the beginning of our end.
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How was it?
Okay guys I know some were expecting a break up or something else major, but to Jasper breaking both of his promises is a major deal. Especially when it is one of the main reasons why he is alone. There is another that you won't find out about until a later chapter, but we're getting close to it. One more chapter before things start to go downhill.
Also the prom theme was mine. I graduated in 98 as well so I decided to use it. Our senior dance wasn't I'll Be though. We instead had two that had tied in the vote. Getting Jiggy With It by Will Smith and Truly, Madly, Deeply by Savage Garden.
Bella and Jasper's prom outfits here (remember to take out the spaces)
http:/ www. polyvore. com/prom_night-the_box/ set?id=23751116