A/N: Maybe we could get a couple more reviews before I post again? Lets say 5 more, so 17 in total. I would really appreciate it!
Chapter 4: Just Brush
Jasper fell into our routine with amazing grace. He could somehow seamlessly be what everyone wanted him to be. Jasper was someone Emmett could be not-so-serious with, yet he was serious enough to be able to talk with Edward. He made Bella laugh and he always complimented Rosalie. He seemed so utterly perfect that I couldn't put into words how he changed me. It was like every little step I took was to get closer to him, to get him to realize that I was screaming for him silently. Not one of us had noticed our group of friends was lacking anything until he filled the non-existent void we had. At least it had seemed that way to me. Maybe because no one paid more attention to him than me. The last week had gone scrumptiously smooth like cashmere.
Everyday we all met at lunch, talking and joking around. We all talked a lot about where he came from and details of his old life that he missed. He always just said that there were things that Forks had that South Carolina didn't have. I learned a lot about him over the week and I was very great full that I had, because if I didn't I'm sure I would have gone mad. I learned that his mother was an interior designer, who owned her own company called Innovative Creations, and that his father was a carpenter whom she had divorced when Jasper was still a young boy. He had no siblings, but he did have a Rottweiler named Spike whose birthday happened to be on Monday. His favourite color was blue, and his favourite meal was steak and potatoes. Very Southern. He mentioned that he attended military school for the first 2 years of high school, and me imagining him in those uniforms did nothing for my ability to keep the conversation going. Bella saved me once with a swift kick under the table when he asked me what I wanted to do.
"The uniform is kinda warm, but that wouldn't be a problem here." He is answering a question Rosalie had asked about the uniform of his old military academy. I wasn't in the cafeteria though. I was in my head drooling about him in a soldier's uniform. Just imagining those broad shoulders and toned arms fill out a perfectly tailored jacket! That honey blonde shag slightly peeking out of his hat framing his soft features like a sexy fucking siren call just waiting for me to take it off and-
"Alice?" OUCH! Simultaneously Jasper was ducking his head to look at my face while Bella kicked my leg under the table. Hard.
"Sorry! I was day dreaming again! Silly me…" I trailed off, embarrassed.
"Oh, it's alright," he began with a smile, and my heart started to race. "I was asking what you wanted to be." The inflection in his voice was so adorable! He sounded almost nervous though that couldn't be so. Shit, I had to answer.
"I'm thinking mostly fashion design," I replied sheepishly. Even I new it was a long shot that I would ever be successful.
"That's so cool!" He answered enthusiastically, capturing me with his eyes. They looked earnest, like they actually cared what I was saying. Not just staring at my breasts, or just generally not paying attention. I wouldn't mind if he maybe did stare at my breasts, though. Just a little.
There had been many other occurrences like that throughout the week, thankfully I was usually kicked, pinched or severely glared at until my brain jump started itself into coherency again. Something about him just made me so absolutely crazy. It was very unfair that I didn't have the same effect on him, even though Bella says she can 'practically see the adoration pouring out of him!' If that was true, he hid it much better than me.
My favourite part of the day had now changed from the end of the day, to just after lunch and it wasn't because I was full of yum-tastic food. Jasper had taken to walking me to class, and I looked extremely foreword to this little snippet of time that we had together, uninterrupted. Each day was a little different, monumental in its own small way. Something he did or said always making my heart explode out of my chest. Monday he left me against the lockers in a daze, wanting more.
Tuesday after making our way to my class room door, I paused for a short moment. Would he do it again? Kiss my hand? I sure as hell wanted him to! I whispered a short goodbye and when I looked up at his tall frame he brought his hand up and brushed my hair behind my ear softly. As if I was a piece of China, extremely fragile. I had unknowingly leaned into his touch as his hand lingered on my neck.
"Have a wonderful day Miss Cullen." He said quietly, and walked away while I inhaled a shaky breath and he whistled a cheery tune down the hallway.
Wednesday he leaned in to whisper goodbye in my ear, and having his body so close had me grasping my purse so hard that my knuckles hurt. Just keep your hands to yourself. I repeated in my head like a mantra, even though all I wanted to do was weave my hands through his hair kiss his perfectly symmetrical and very inviting lips.
Thursday had been by far the most confusing as he had been staring at me with a determined look on his face as if he wanted to say something, but before he could say it his eyes became soft and boyish.
"I'll see you later." It wasn't meant to be a question but I had made it sound like one.
"Tomorrow, I presume." He said huskily, but his voice was laced with something else. That same determination I could see in his eyes. His voice was deep, and rough like gravel and southern.
"'Kay." My fingers flicked out to touch him, luckily he didn't see. He smiled a heart stopping grin and then retreated down he corridor, once again leaving me breathless.
Today had been slightly different. There was no casual small talk, we had just stayed silent. Not that it was awkward; we just both didn't feel the need to talk. I stopped hesitantly - what kind of lust would he leave me with today? I had to wonder as we had reached our destination. I decided to try and take control of the situation; he should have a taste of his own medicine.
"You know, it's really sweet of you to walk me to class everyday, I appreciate it." I said while throwing my best flirtatious cute-but-I-want-you smile.
"No need to thank me, my mama raised me proper." He said casually, shrugging it off with a shake of his messy blonde hair and staring at me with those beautiful eyes.
"That she did," I replied while putting my plan into action. "But thanks anyways." I cooed seductively into his ear with both of my hands on his shoulders for balance. He was at least a foot taller than me. While extracting myself from his personal bubble I let my lips drag across his slightly rough cheek, playing it off as an accident. That should teach him, I thought, while I turned around and walked into my classroom leaving him speechless in the hall with the most adorably confused look on his face.
As I sat in my seat I couldn't help but feel smug. I had certainly done to him what he does to me with every look and smile he ever does. Plus it had been more enjoyable for me then I ever could have imagined. My heart was still fluttering, and my palms were clammy. Just that one simple action had my thoughts going haywire.
"Miss. Cullen?" The teacher had called on me. Shit, not again. I just smiled sheepishly to convey that I didn't know the answer. "That's what I thought. Please try to pay attention." He said in a very monotone voice. I nodded and tried my best to focus on what was going on in class. The way things were going, my grades were going to drop considerably.
***
The drive home was…wet. As it was everyday, but today I had Bella in the car, so it was nice to have her to talk to while the windshield wipers flicked back and forth noiselessly. She was coming over for the evening, and would most likely end up sleeping over, that happened a lot.
"I'm so happy its Friday." She said while playing absently with the sleeves of her plain black sweater.
"Me too." I replied half-heartedly. Don't get me wrong, I was happy it was the weekend but that also meant I wouldn't be able to see Jasper until Monday.
"I know you want to see him Alice," she started in an all-knowing voice, "why don't you just make the first move! It's the 21st century; you don't have to wait around for him." She finished jokingly.
"Belllaaaaaaa," I whined, "I want him to make the first move! I want this to be…proper." I concluded, sounding uncertain.
"I know, I know." I could tell she was getting annoyed with me. She had been receiving play-by-plays of every interaction I had with him over the last week. "I just don't see why you make yourself fret over when and if he will ask you out when you can just ask him out yourself. It's not like he is going to say no. There is no way he would turn you down!" She ended with a huff and pushed her hair out of her face. It was still damp from the walk out to the car.
"Thanks, but for some reason, I am not as confident as you are." This was very true. Usually I was the one who dressed different or laughed loud and obnoxiously, but since he got here it seemed like I was a chicken-shit. Until that stunt I pulled after lunch! "Did I tell you what happened after lunch?" I added with enthusiasm.
"No, but you're going too." Bella replied with a smile. I launched into my detailed re-enactment of my plan, and Bella giggled at me when I tried to imitate his southern drawl. Even I had to admit that I butchered it.
"Shut up!" I jokingly complained as we got out of the car and headed up my driveway. "I wasn't trying to make it sound good or anything!" We were both giggling like crazy as we fell into the front door dripping wet. It surprised us both when Carlisle came out of his study to see what the noise was about.
"Daddy, you're home?" I asked through laughs.
"Yes, I took off early today. Snuck out just before they could stop me. Hello Bella." He said warmly.
"Hello Carlisle." She replied smiling.
"Hold on Bells, I'm going to run and grab us some dry clothes." I said while sprinting up the stairs to my room. I grabbed myself a cozy track suit, and Bella some of my pyjama pants and a sweater, she was taller then me so I couldn't give her the matching track suit that I wanted too. I changed and went to the bathroom to wring out my hair. It may have been short but it sure was absorbent. When I came downstairs Bella and Carlisle had migrated to the kitchen.
"How's that hand?" Carlisle asked Bella softly while reaching out to inspect the stitches.
"Oh it's fine. No big deal." She shrugged it off. "The stitches have almost dissolved." He placed her hand down on the table as I slid into a chair beside her and handing her the clothes wordlessly.
"Thanks Al." She smiled, grabbed the clothes and excused herself to change.
"That girl could break her leg, and still think it would be no big deal." Carlisle stated as he pushed himself up from the table quietly.
"Yes, it's very frustrating." I added with a grimace.
"Well, I'll be upstairs. Don't have too much fun girls." He called out as he made his way back up to his study, and Bella appeared in the kitchen.
"My hair looks like it's alive. It has its own entity!" Bella huffed, clearly not pleased with how her hair and the weather got along.
"I can fix it!" I couldn't keep the excitement from my voice; it was at least 2 octaves higher than usual. She looked at me warily. "C'mon Bellaaaaa, I need some cheering up!" I put on my best pout so that she would give in. I loved playing with her hair, especially since I had none.
"Alice, I don't feel like being a Barbie today." She retorted, placing a hand on her hip. She hadn't said yes, but I knew I was winning. There was no conviction in her voice.
"Please, please, pleasseeeee!" I continued, getting up from the table and twirling around her extravagantly. "I'll love you forever!" I shot her a grin while spinning on my toes.
"If you stop dancing like that, you can brush it. Do you hear me? Just brush!" She said sternly to me. Yes! I win! I cheered silently as I grabbed her hand and towed her up to my room.
"Have a seat." I said while pushing her onto the stool that sat in front of my vanity. I was jumpy with excitement as I placed my hands on her shoulders deciding what to do. Bella had a bored expression on her face as she toyed with the many bottles in front of her.
"Just brush Alice." She repeated, as she glanced up and caught me deliberating in the mirror. I mumbled a non-committal sound and started working. First things first, detangle. I picked up the leave-in spray conditioner and started squirting the masses of brown locks.
"Jesus Bella, I bet your hair is half of your body weight!" I said under my breath, and she shot me a glare. "Just putting it out there," I said mock defensively and she huffed.
"I'm betting all these hair products you have here are worth more then your car." She said with a smug smile. I thought about that for a moment while I ran my fingers through her hair.
"You may be right." I concluded, and then snapped my fingers twice. "I need a brush stat!" She picked up the one nearest to her and held it over her shoulder for me. I took it and started at the bottom of her hair slowly working my way up methodically. It was quiet except for the sound of the brush stroke and the rain pelting against the roof outside. Bella's eyelids fluttered once or twice because she was so relaxed. I wish I could be as relaxed as her. I was internally grumbling. I was so wound up about Jasper that I had been losing sleep and thinking all the time. My brain was definitely feeling the wear-and-tear of his presence; I couldn't get it to shut the fuck up!
Minutes ticked by as I worked on Bella's hair. Now starting at the top of her head I was able to pull the brush all the way to the bottom without meeting a single knot. I kept pulling the brush through it anyways because I couldn't decide what to do next. My thoughts were occupied with a certain someone. He is such a nice guy, I thought while I stealthily turned on my neon pink flat iron. I bet he would be an amazing kisser…I sighed out loud. Get it together Alice!
I grabbed a clip and parted Bella's hair so that the top half was clipped on top of her head and the bottom was easily accessible. I glanced up from my work to see Bella giving me a weird look, I ignored it and picked up the now hot flat iron.
"Oh no, no, no missy!" She scolded, sitting up straighter than before.
"Oh come on Bella! What's the big deal?!" I whined to her reflection.
"The deal is I said no!" She explained, using a voice you would use on a child. I very deliberately picked up a piece of hair and brought the iron towards it. Cue the "Jaws" music. She set her lips into a hard line and started swatting her hands over her shoulders at me.
"Let me, let me, let me!" I repeated the phrase so fast it all jumbled together and sounded like one word. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at me through the mirror. "Thank you," I said calmly with an angelic smile, "remember I am the one with the burning hot metal in my hands, and I will forcibly use it against you." My voice was friendly, but I couldn't mask the threat.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." She mumbled and scowled at me.
"Don't do that, you'll get wrinkles," I informed her as I continued on the bottom half of her hair. Each piece fell flat and shiny against her back. The mahogany a strikingly different color than the pale yellow sweater I had given her.
"Well, I act middle-aged so I may as well start to look like it," she grumbled as I continued working on. "You know you have thirty two bottles here right? I counted," she said to me, astonished. I decided to tease her.
"That means I'm missing five!" I giggled out with a fake gasp of horror, and she couldn't help but laugh too.
We fell silent again as I continued to work on her hair quietly, my thoughts moving to fast for me to voice them. Eventually my masterpiece was almost completely done, a long dark brown shiny sheet of hair where a wavy frizz-ball once was. She studied it in the mirror, no emotion on her face. I stood behind her still tweaking pieces as she ran her fingers through it easily.
"Well it does look nice." She quietly admitted, as the corners of her mouth rose up slightly, trying to reach her ever rosy cheeks.
"See! You always like it in the end." I squealed a little with a smug expression on my face, and sat on the bed as she spun around on the stool to face me.
"You were very quiet today…" She looked at me pointedly, probably expecting an explanation.
"Yeah I guess." I shrugged it off and fell back onto my bed so I was staring at the white ceiling. I felt the weight of Bella joining me as the mattress bowed. I turned my head towards her and she had herself propped up on one elbow, her body perpendicular to mine. Her hair fanned out around her arms and she tugged at random pieces.
"You have it bad." She stated in a friendly tone. I nodded, still looking at the ceiling. "I usually can't get you to shut up!" She said in an even lighter tone, trying to cheer me up.
"I don't think I talk that much." I replied rolling my eyes at her. She just raised her eyebrow at me. "Okay, okay. I may have a problem controlling my mouth sometimes." I admitted sheepishly.
She was chewing her bottom lip, and had a very un-characteristically devilish look in her eyes. She kept shooting me nervous glances out of the corner of her eye, and I finally had to ask what she was thinking.
"What is going through your head?" I asked exasperatedly, rolling onto my stomach.
"Nothing, I was just thinking…" She trailed off, and I waited for her to keep going quite impatiently. "Well it is Friday night, we could like…" She trailed off again, twisting the string of my hoodie.
"Spit it out Bells, I wont bite." I promised her.
"Call him?" She sputtered out and I inhaled sharply. "Well not just him, like everyone! Edward, Jasper, Rose and Emmett. We could all like hang out…" She suggested while looking at the bed spread intently.
My stomach felt queasy. That would mean that he would be here, in my house. Outside of school. Very close to my bedroom…Okay don't get carried away Alice.
"I don't know Bella…" I wasn't entirely sure if I wanted to call him or not. If he came would it feel forced? Would he enjoy himself? Would he even say yes? Would I be able to not jump him like a hormonal cat? The questions were making it even harder to make a solid decision. "Maybe next weekend or something, I don't know if he even likes me or anything!" I was starting to sound hysterical, my breathing picking up noisily. Pathetic.
"I know you would do the same thing for me." She got up, and walked out of the room with something in her hand, but I couldn't tell what. I clued in when I heard the bathroom door close, then lock.
"Isabella Swan! You come out here this instant! You better not be doing what I think your doing!" I shouted while sprinting into the hallway and colliding with the locked bathroom door. I twisted the handle, but it did nothing. She must be getting back at me for straightening her hair! That little…
"You'll thank me one day!" She called through the wood of the door calmly. I leaned my ear up against the cool door and listened nervously, praying she wouldn't do it.
And then I heard the soft clicks of the buttons on her cell phone being pressed.
Shit.