Chapter 4… "Natalie"
Jasper POV
It was Saturday at ten a.m and I was having breakfast, when my phone rang.
-Hi?
-Hi, Jasper? It's Natalie, the girl you met on the plane… you remember me?
-Yeah, of course… I though you wouldn't call, how are you?
-Really good, and you? Have I woken up you?
-Fine too… no, I was having breakfast.
-oh, great… hey, would you like to do something today?
-Sure, what about cinema?
-I really like the idea… at five p.m?
-Perfect. I don't have the cinema's address- she dictated it and I was glad of having my car again- well, see you there.
-Sure, see you there Jazz- she said goodbye and I hanged up the phone.
I was really glad that Natalie had phoned, so that I could be disrupted for a while and stop thinking about Alice and her coldness. It was also good time to have a date, although we were just friends. We had made it clear when we were on the plane. She was in love with someone else and I… well, I was going crazy for a girl that was ruining my life, known as Alice Brandon.
I finished my breakfast and did the wash up. At that moment, Alice showed up wearing a blue-and-white striped pajama and a sleepy face.
-Hi- I said while I continued doing my activity, but there was no answer.
"Why are you insisting so hard? She's not interesting?" I thought. Alice came close to me and made herself a coffee.
-Your parents are gone. They left a note- told her to break the uncomfortable silence. She nodded.
Why didn't she tell me just 'ok'? It was just a word… she was so difficult!
-Alice, I understand you don't like me, but if you say 'yes', 'no', or 'okay', you don't hurt anyone- I said gazing at her. We looked at each other for a while, as I observed every detail of their greenish and beautiful eyes. I lost myself in them, until Alice broke the eye contact turning her back.
-Okay- she murmured while was passing through the door. I smiled, it was a start.
Morning and part of the afternoon passed without changes. At four p.m. I took a shower and got dress for my date with Natalie. I went to the kitchen and there it was Mr. and Ms. Brandon and their daughter.
-Are you leaving, Jasper?- asked the woman nosy.
-Yep, I'm going to meet with…- I doubted. What was Natalie?- a friend.
-Good luck – said George, leaving the newspaper by his side and winking.
-oh, no… we're not…- I started saying really nervous.
-Don't worry Jazz… go- Mary told me with a smile on her face.
-Yes… I mean… I better go, see you later- I said goodbye hastily. I didn't want them to think that something else was happening. Actually, I didn't want Alice to think in the wrong way.
I took my Audi's keys and left. I got inside my car and turned the radio on. I drove up to the cinema's entry, where I would meet with Natalie. I looked for a parking lot, dressed myself with a jacket and got out of the car.
A cold wind lashed against my face and disheveled me more than usual. I crossed the street and put myself at one side of the long queue waiting for entering the cinema.
I did not wait for so long, as Natalie showed up after five minutes.
-Hi!- she said, hugging me.
-Hi, how are you?
-Great, and you?
-Fine… it's really cold outside- I said smiling- well, what movie would you like to watch?- I asked when we were on the queue.
-What about Paranormal Activity 3?- she suggested looking at the billboard.
-Perfect- I answered. I paid both tickets and bought popcorns and soda.
We entered the room and sat on our seats. After a few minutes, the film started. We put our 3D glasses and the movie was extremely amazing that way. Mi date closed her eyes or held my hand when there was a scary moment. I must admit the film was pretty scaring.
After one and a half hour, the lights turned on and the movie finished. Natalie was hiding her head on my shoulder.
-It's over- I whispered her and laughed when she startled. She looked at me frowning and the smiled.
-Wow, you are pretty handsome with those glasses- she said while we were standing up.
-You're wrong, you look beautiful- I flattered. "They would look beautiful on Alice too" I thought imagining her. I shook those thoughts off. I wanted to stop thinking about her for at least one day, but it was impossible.
-Jazz, are you okay? - Natalie asked when she noticed my "mental war".
-Yeah, yeah… Would you like an ice-cream?- I suggested.
-Sure!- she said excited.
We got out of the cinema and went to an ice-cream shop, one block far away. We chose the ice-creams and sat on a table to have a quiet conversation.
-What happened with the guy you talked to me about?- I asked while I tried my nut chocolate.
-Oh…- she was taken by surprise- nothing. He has a girlfriend.
-I'm sorry… I shouldn't have mentioned it- I reprehended myself.
-It's okay; it's not your fault- she smiled- and what about you? Is there any American girl?
-Actually, there's one…- I answered thinking about Alice- but she doesn't like me- I added sadly.
-That girl must be crazy to not like you! - She exclaimed surprised.
- I don't know… every time she talks to me, she offends me or something like that… I don't know what I'm doing wrong!- I commented scratching my head.
-Hey, she will be notice the nice person you are- she said holding my hands- do you know what you must do? - I shook my head- ignore her. Then, she will be yours… I know, women are so complicated- she thought-read and we both laughed.
We finished our ice-creams and left. Natalie told me her address and I took her to her house. We said goodbye and said we would met another day.
It was eight thirty when I was at home. I entered the kitchen and Mrs. Brandon was cooking. Sitting on the table, there was Alice.
-Oh Jasper, I hadn't heard you… how are you?- Mrs. Brandon asked nicely.
-Great- I said sitting on a seat in front of Alice. She didn't look up and continued drawing on her notebook.
I could see that she was drawing some mannequins… she seemed to be interested on fashion. Therefore, she was so talented, as her draws were amazing!
-Did you already dinner?- Alice's mother interrupted my thoughts.
-I actually not, but I'm not hungry thank you- I answered nicely. She looked at her daughter.
- I'm not hungry too- Alice said closing her notebook and leaving the kitchen.
-She will disappear if she continues like that- Mary commented putting the chicken on the oven. She sat on the seat Alice had left and smiled at me.
-Jazz… you're such a great guy… I'm sorry things are bad with Allie…
-W-what? I mean… w-what do you mean?- I asked astonished.
-I know you want to get along well with Alice, but she doesn't… I don't know why, she isn't the same…
- my friends told me the same… your daughter thinks I'm a jerk- I remember what she had said to me one week ago.
- She needs time Jazz; I know you're not like that- she said holding my hand softly. Mrs. Brandon was like an 'aunt' to me. She was really kind and sensitive with me.
She stood up and opened the over and I went to my bedroom. When I was about to entering it, I noticed Alice's bedroom door was almost opened. I got close to it in complete silence and heard through the door. I heard something falling to the floor and, then, some sobs. Alice was crying.
"Do you know what you must do? Ignore her" I remember Natalie's advice. But I couldn't ignore her…
I sighted and opened the door.
-Alice, are you…? - I stopped. What I found there, I wouldn't have imagined it even in my worst nightmares.