Chapter Seven: Restriction and Freedom
Vampire or not, Alice was definitely the quickest and most practical person in the entire world. She could gather everything someone would need in brief minutes, then manage to fit it all in a single backpack.
Which is exactly what she did.
Jasper slung his school pack over his shoulder, slightly surprised by the sudden weight. Everything felt heavy to him; he had tried to move the cupboard, which had been impossible, and now, he had to struggle to lift his pack. However, he would die before admitting it to his Alice. He watched as she once again shot a glance at the mirror and then, satisfied by her appearance, danced over to him.
"What do you want to do?" he murmured, gently reaching up to touch her cheek. "Shopping?"
Her pretty face scrunched in an expression of distaste. "I can go shopping whenever I want, Jazz. It just takes up unnecessary time."
He was about to answer when a sudden noise happened just outside their door. Then, if that hadn't been enough, a low laugh rumbled right after.
Alice rolled her eyes. "What are you doing, Emmett?"
"Taking advantage of your lack of visions." His footsteps echoed away, along with his laughter.
The couple glanced at each other warily. They both knew how torturous their rambunctious brother could be once he'd set his mind on a prank. Both, and especially Jasper, had been his target before, and they knew better than to take him lightly.
"Stay here," Jasper said, taking a few steps towards the door. "Let me see what he's done."
Alice made her way to their spacious bed and sat down, crossing her legs. A small smile made its way onto her face as she watched her husband cautiously approach the door. He somewhat resembled the cops in action movies, the ones who would cautiously approach a parcel that could explode at any second.
Carefully, Jasper placed a hand on the doorknob. Then, after just the briefest of hesitation, he twisted it sharply.
Nothing happened.
Instead of turning completely, though, it stopped only a centimetre from opening. Jasper suddenly let a low growl escape his lips as he tried to open the door once more.
"He's locked us in again. Probably propped a dining room chair under the handle," Jasper sighed. "Didn't he get it, the first three times, that things like these don't work?"
After slinging the school bag from his back, he tensed his muscles. Then, with a burst of speed, he heaved himself against the door, knowing from experience that it would cause enough splinters and ruckus for Emmett to leave him alone for a day or so.
His shoulder hit the door, though it didn't have the desired effect. Instead of crashing through, he ended up sprawled on the floor of his own bedroom, his shoulder throbbing painfully.
Angrily, he felt his cheeks heating in embarrassment. Alice was, of course, fighting her merriment and laughter, though he could feel it in her emotions. His pride shattered, he stood up and once again tried to heave against the door, though the results were the same.
Standing, he pounded roughly on the door, which usually would have shattered it, then for the third time he tried to break it down.
Once he had fallen to the floor, he heard Emmett chuckle behind the door. "Door, three; Jasper, zero!" Then, mimicking his brother, crooned, "Didn't he get it, the first three times, that things like these don't work?"
"They do as a vampire!" Jasper hissed back, sitting up as he rubbed his shoulder painfully.
"Well, it's too bad you're not currently a vampire, right?" Then, he addressed himself to Alice. "Hey, sis? How does it feel to be surprised? Didn't see that one coming, did ya?"
Alice hopped off the bed and headed towards Jasper. "If being surprised means I'll see my husband tackle a locked door three times, then I'll gladly go through it."
Still laughing, Emmett once again left, muttering about Rosalie and leaving the couple stranded for a few hours.
"Emmett! Wait!" Jasper immediately shouted, jumping to his feet. Seeing that his brother was gone, he glowered at the door.
Smiling, the black-haired girl flipped open her cell phone. While rubbing Jasper's burning shoulder comfortingly, she pressed a number of speed-dial, then placed the instrument to her ear.
The home phone rang loudly, and Esme picked it up a second later.
"Hi Mom," Alice grinned, glancing up at her husband's mortified face. "Emmett's just locked us in our bedroom. If Jasper tries to break the door down once again, he'll probably dislocate his shoulder. Can you help us?"
Seconds later, the door was opened, and Esme peeked inside teasingly. "Curfew lifted."
"Very funny," Jasper grunted, before sweeping down to retrieve the pack. "Can we leave, now?"
Alice shot him a questioning look. "Since when do you ask Esme if you can leave?"
He stopped, suddenly contemplative. Looking at his mother figure, he shrugged lightly. "I guess being human brings me back to when I was one. Suddenly, you're this vulnerable kid who's under mom's wing and relies on her for a lot."
Instantly, Esme crossed the room and swept her son in a hug. Then, she outstretched her arm and brought Alice in her embrace, holding them both against her tightly. Her voice was slightly tearful as she whispered, "I love you both so much."
"And we love you, mom," Alice replied, breaking away from the hug. "But Jazz is right; time's running..."
"Of course. Go, both of you. Enjoy your day! Don't drive too fast and be careful, understood?" Esme kissed them both on the cheek, then handed Alice a small handbag, without telling them what was in it. Afterwards, she stood silently at the door as the two, holding hands, dashed out of the house.
Esme leaned against the window as Alice's yellow Porsche dashed out of the driveway, and she hurriedly prayed that Alice would control her love for speed. Without her toned reflexes, she could easily wreck her car. However, she also knew that Jasper would be there to calm her excitement, without entirely snuffing it.
Proudly, she shook her head, the large smile never leaving her face. "Children..."
"You know, I'm still not sure what you want to do," Jasper remarked, his blue eyes twinkling.
"I'm not sure what I want to do," she admitted, pushing past the speed limit. However, suddenly nervous, she slowed down and looked around herself.
The blond laughed and leaned back against the car seat, letting her take him wherever she wanted to. He had expected many things from her, but hadn't thought she would park directly beside the city, just on the outskirts. Hurriedly, she jumped out, clutching the purse Esme had given her.
"What's in there?" Jasper questioned, coming up behind her.
Alice peeked down at the silver bag, then opened it slowly. Her curious face turned surprised as she pulled out two pairs of dark sunglasses. A small note was folded neatly inside, with Esme's perfect script etched upon it.
'Even though you both surely won't want to wear them, remember the complications. Tomorrow, your eyes will be golden. Be careful. I love you both.'
"She's right, unfortunately," Jasper sighed as he picked up his glasses. After sliding them on, despite the few clouds in the sky, he smiled. "She really does think of everything."
Alice smiled also as she pulled out a wad of money from the small bag. Even though they had more than their share of credit cards, their mother always made sure that they had everything they needed. Including well over five hundred dollars.
After putting the money back in the purse, she slipped on her sunglasses. She then took Jasper's hand in hers, and together they entered the city.
Seconds later, though, something happened. Any other day, it would have sent both of them in a state of utter panic, since it was a situation that they constantly feared; they mostly relied on Alice's visions to guide them around those moments.
For the first time in over a hundred years, Alice and Jasper stood in the middle of the street as the sun peeked from behind the grey clouds. The sun rays struck their skin, only casting a light glow upon their bodies.
Despite the fact that it drew many strange looks, Alice squealed happily. Opening her arms wide, she faced the sun with a wide, contented smile on her face. The warmth tickled her cheeks as a light breeze passed by, her hair moving lightly.
"Jazzy," she said, her eyes closed, "we're outside. It's sunny..."
"Yes," he whispered, slipping behind her. He gently wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer, ignoring the cars that drove by, or the woman who disapprovingly glanced at their display of affection. His aqua eyes raised to the sky, where the golden orb peered down at them. "You deserve nothing less than a perfect day, Alice."
Suddenly, Alice whirled around and faced him excitedly. Batting her hands together, she squealed happily. The morning's vision returned, and she suddenly realized its meaning as she yelled, "I know what I want to do!"
"Lead me," he whispered indulgently, before being dragged away towards Alice's sudden fancy.
A/N: Hi dear readers,
I know. I've said two weeks, and it kind of went into three/four weeks. I am terribly sorry, but many things have popped up, including an 8h bus ride to Stratford, 8h back, my first real rock concert (Booya to eXterio and Kamakazi), an interview (I didn't even get the job! D8), a physics test, my seminar, and my ISU. Look, I only have one major physics test to do, the exams starting at the end of next week, and then I'm going into the freedom that's called summer. Yessss.
I swear I haven't forgotten you! Keep holding on for a few more days!
Take care!