A/N: Ok, so I wanted a little Jasper/Bella friendship, so it's in here a little to retain some normalcy for them… Read. Enjoy. Review…
Trip Around the Sun
Chapter Fourteen – Sad Attempts
I spent the weekend with the Cullens and Jake and his friends didn't make another appearance while I was there. I was, for the most part, able to spend the time with Carlisle, but Alice insisted that we all spend some of the time with her and Jasper too. Though she said she understood the fact that Carlisle and I were attached at the hip more and more now, she didn't hesitate to pry me away from him to bring me shopping on Sunday. In a last attempt to spend the last few hours I had before going home with Carlisle, I convinced him to come with us. He in turn tried to get Jasper to come as well, but Jasper made the excuse that he was making emergency attack and battle plans for the wolves. I didn't like that idea, and so Carlisle got me out of the house before I could get too upset about it.
Shopping with Alice was something that Carlisle and I felt the same about. We both hated the actual shopping, but we did love Alice, so we put up with her during her shopping sprees. Though, we both had found it much more enjoyable when we could assist Alice in shopping for each other. I helped Alice pick out a few darker dress shirts that looked amazing on Carlisle, I almost wanted to forbid him from wearing them up at the hospital, and a new watch. On the other hand, I think Carlisle was having fun picking out some of the most ridiculous outfits for me to try on, but then in the end picked a few cute tops and a couple pairs of jeans. Then, it got to the boring part as we sat and watched Alice shop for herself, nodding and shaking our heads when we were supposed to.
Then, before I knew it I was sitting, completely bored out of my mind, in study. Jasper was using his advanced skills to ensure that I was safe to text back and forth with Carlisle, who was equally as bored at work. Jasper nudged me under our lab table, so I put my phone back in my pocket of the study teacher who entered the room about two minutes later. Jasper chuckled as I blushed.
"So," He whispered, "How's the hospital lately?"
"It's almost completely empty," I said and he chuckled.
"Is daddy-o bored?" Jasper asked and I nodded, rolling my eyes.
"He's thinking he'll be home early," I said.
"Oh, so there go our big party plans," said Jasper with a mischievous smile.
"You know he wouldn't care," I said and Jasper shrugged.
"Maybe he wouldn't care if you had a bunch of people over and broke stuff," said Jasper, "but me, he'd be pissed at."
"He doesn't mind the people, just the breaking stuff part," I said, blushing a little at his comment.
"Naw, I bet if we pinned it on you we could even break-"
"Jasper Hale, you are not, under any circumstances to break anything and blaming me," I said and he laughed.
"Ok," He said with a crooked smile as Lauren shot us a look from the other side of the classroom.
Jasper and I had taken to sitting in the back of the study hall, completely isolated from the rest of the class, and that suited us just fine. This meant that we could speak in a simple whisper about just about anything without anyone overhearing. Which, we used to our fullest advantage.
"Have you guys seen or heard from Jake?" I asked, I hadn't thought to ask earlier.
"Not since he almost mauled you," said Jasper and I rolled my eyes, "Seriously, Bella, we may not care about your looks, but wolf scars can be nasty. You? You're dad's friends with his right?"
"Yeah," I said, "I've seen Billy, he gave me one of the most dirty looks I have ever even witnessed, but he didn't tell Charlie, which is what I really care about."
"We all know it's not your fault, but it's his son, you have to understand," said Jasper and I nodded.
"I know," I said, "It just sucks."
"I know," said Jasper, and he hugged me quickly before letting go as the bell rang.
"Finally," I said as we stood up and pushed our chairs in and grabbed our bags, I whipped out my phone, a text from Carlisle was waiting.
One more patient and then I will be home my love… I'll probably be home in about a half hour… Love you babe
Ok love you
I texted him back quickly and relayed the message, minus all the loving inserts, to Jasper as we went out the classroom door and met up with Alice by her locker. We all walked down to the parking lot together, and we froze as all of our mouths dropped in unison as we saw who was waiting for us. Jake was leaning casually against my truck, he seemed to have found clothes, because he was wearing a t-shirt and shorts, in the beginning of November. What was he trying to prove he was a tough guy or something? As soon as that crossed my mind my phone vibrated in my hand.
"Damn it, Carlisle," Alice said, already knowing what the text was going to say.
Babes I am so sorry… They just rolled a bunch of traumas in… I won't be home until later… I wont too late if you want to hang around… or stop by later…xoo
"Hey, Bella," Jake called from over by the car as we continued to approach, and I sighed, more at Carlisle than Jake, "What's up?"
"Nothing," I said, then added slightly hushed, "Carlisle's working late."
"Oh, good," said Jake, "Then you can come hang out with me on the res."
"I don't think so, mutt," said Jasper and Jake rolled his eyes, "What if she wants to hang out with us?"
"You know, I do like the doc better," said Jake, "He at least seems to know that you're not seven and are capable of thinking."
"Lay off him, Jake," I said and he threw his hands up in surrender.
"Of course," said Jake and Jasper snarled.
"Jasper," I said, "He's right, and you know it."
"Yeah," said Jasper, looking down at his shoes a little.
"I know," said Alice, like she had a solution, "Jake, you can come by our house and hang out if you want."
"No, thanks," said Jake, and I knew the only reason she had asked was because she had already known his answer, "C'mon, Bella, come hang out with me."
"Jake," I said bracingly then surrendered, "Fine, I'll come over for a little bit, ok?"
"Fine by me," said Jake and I nodded.
"Bella," said Jasper questioningly and I rolled my eyes.
"Maybe I can talk some sense into him," I said, under my breath so that only Jasper and Alice could hear me, "Call the dogs off so to say, smooth things over."
"Fine, be careful, Bella," said Jasper and Alice nodded in agreement.
"We won't bite her," said Jake, sounding annoyed as I pulled out my phone and texted Carlisle.
Ok sweetheart… I think Im gonna go hang with Jake for a while… love you… text me when you get out so I can come see you…
"Ok," I said as I hopped into the truck, "Do you want to hop in, or do you want to run back to La Push?"
"Coming, darling," said Jake and I rolled my eyes.
"Not your darling, Jake, and if you ever call me that again…" I said, allowing myself to trail off as Jasper and Alice chuckled.
"Yes, Ma'am," said Jake, saluting me and I rolled my eyes as I started up the car.
"Better at least," I said, rolling my eyes as Jasper and Alice chuckled a little more, and I was off to La Push.
Once we pulled into the unpaved driveway outside Jake's house, he hopped out as I checked my phone, I had a text waiting from Carlisle.
Will do… have fun with your friends…I Love you baby
I smiled at his clear acceptance as I hopped out and Jake watched me carefully. I texted Carlisle back quickly before looking up and Jake was shaking his head at me.
"You know, texting him, doesn't really constitute hanging out with me," said Jake as a Sam and Embry came up behind him.
"Just saying I'll see him later," I said innocently and Sam and Embry shook their heads.
"You are definitely in need of some fun," said Sam and I rolled my eyes.
"I have plenty of fun," I said, and they nodded, not really believing me.
"You're growing up too fast," said Embry and I started to laugh.
"Oh," I said, pointing to myself, "I'm growing up too fast? Have you been monitoring yourselves?"
"Fine," said Jake, "He picked a bad metaphor, but really how much fun could they be?"
"Jake!" I said, "Please, no bashing them, ok?"
"Fine," said Jake and Sam and Embry nodded.
"We promise to be good," said Sam as I slipped my phone back into my pocket, "C'mon let's go down to the beach."
I followed the guys down to the beach where a girl with a scar across her face was waiting. Upon seeing us enter, she ran over and threw her arms around Sam, I figured this must be Sam's imprint. That was the way imprinting was supposed to go, the way a normal girl would react.
"Who's this?" she asked.
"This is the Vampire girl," said Embry good naturedly and I rolled my eyes.
"Bella," I said, extending my hand for her to shake.
"Emily," she said with a warm smile on her face, "How'd you get a nickname like Vamp girl?"
"She's with the Doc," said Sam and I turned around at them angrily.
"What are you three spreading that around like common knowledge," I said, my face turning red, "Discretion, guys! Why don't you just tell Charlie to his face."
"We would never, Bella," said Jake defensively, "Emily won't tell anyone."
"Course not," she said, looking from Jake to me then back and forth a few times, "Um…"
"Yeah, don't want to talk about it," I said angrily as I took out my phone.
"But your still with Dr. Cullen?" said Emily, she seemed surprised and I nodded, "He doesn't mind you…being here?"
"Nope," I said, then quickly explained the concept of L'amore fatale and Jake managed to keep himself calm.
"Oh," said Emily, slightly taken aback.
"Yup," I said, looking at the sand for a minute, "So what did you all have planned?"
"Food?" Embry requested and we all chuckled a little.
"Right," said Sam, "Because we just finished eating, and naturally you would want to some more."
"So what's up with Jasper?" Jacob asked me once we were sitting in one of the neighborhood kitchens, I presumed it to be Emily's because she was fixing something up for Embry to eat.
"Nothing," I said, "He's younger than Carlisle, he gets territorial and protective. He knows how much I mean to Carlisle, he's an empath. He senses emotions."
"So he's worried your feelings for Carlisle don't match that of his for you?" said Jake hopefully and I shook my head.
"You would see it that way," I said restlessly as the guys and Emily all turned to pay attention, "No, he's worried about your emotions, Jake."
"Right," He said as Emily offered me a can of soda.
"Thanks," I said as I opened it and sipped it as Emily gave me another warm smile.
"Emmy?" Sam asked sweetly, "Come sit, you look tired."
"Ok," said Emily and she walked right over and sat on a stool beside him.
The conversation then, thankfully, varied from my extreme love triangle of a life, to random topics that interested the whole party of people. I actually was having a lot of fun, and thought, though mostly to myself that if the situation was any different, that Alice and Emily would make good friends. Emily was certainly growing on me, she was very nice, all of them were. I started to laugh towards the end of my visit as Jake and Embry were trying to make a tower of their own trash, and Sam kept casually blowing it down. My phone was clutched in my hand, I knew Carlisle would be getting off work soon and I missed him.
Just heading home now… hope youre having fun… maybe I'll see you tomorrow? I love you my darling…
"I'm gonna go," I said as I got up and Jake looked over at me disappointedly.
"Oh, c'mon Bella, it's only like six," said Jake as I thanked Emily.
"Six-thirty," I corrected as I slipped my shoes back on, "And Carlisle just got off."
"Oh, so he's making you go see him or something?" Jake said in an annoying tone.
"No, Jake," I said, and I noticed that he started to tremble so I went with the nicer version of what I was going to say, "I don't have to explain things like this to you, he's my boyfriend, you're not."
He started to shake and I realized just how bad an idea it was for me to come. I ran from the house to my truck while Sam and Embry converged on Jake to try and calm him down. I wished that that could have gone smoother, and that possibly today I could have had a normal good bye from him. I hopped into the truck and sped directly to Carlisle, who was waiting for me in the front room of the house.
"Alice saw you coming and you were upset," said Carlisle the minute I walked through the door and he took me in his arms, "You ok?"
"I'll be fine," I said as he nodded understandingly and smiled, "Hey, Jasper and Alice and I are planning a trip this weekend. Little camping, very little hiking because I know how uncoordinated you are, and for the little that we have to I'll carry you. I think it sounds fun, but it also means forty-eight hours with you, so I may be biased. What do you say?"
"Sure," I said, it sounded amazing, and I could tell he was really excited about the idea.
"Now what was wrong when you walked in?" He asked, holding me close and looking down into my eyes.
"That was probably the saddest attempt at smoothing things over ever," I said and he gave me a weak sort of half smile.
"I'm sorry," He said sincerely, noticing that I was more than a little down, "One extra thick chocolate milk shake coming right up."
"Thanks," I said, and he kissed me sweetly, "Actually I think that's better than any milkshake."
"Really?" He said, kissing me again as Alice and Jasper walked in.
"I took the liberty of making the milkshake," said Alice, handing it to me where I stood, wrapped up in Carlisle.
"Thanks, Alice," said Carlisle and Alice nodded dutifully.
"The wolves behave themselves?" Jasper asked and I nodded.
"It was actually a lot of fun," I said and Carlisle smiled.
"Good," He said, kissing my forehead as I sipped the milkshake through a bendy straw.
"Movie?" Alice asked and I nodded as Carlisle swept me up in his arms only to put me down gingerly on the couch, and sit down next to me.
"Hey, guess what," He said with a smile.
"What?"
"I love you."