Disclaimer-I Don't Own Twilight
Please take note of the date…The events in this chapter take place almost a year before Chapter1. This is Nov '08 and that was August '09.
The Park
November 2008
"Hey…Is anyone in here?"
I stopped my frantic search for the charger for my dead cell phone. Wait a second. I know that voice…But…what's he doing here? Now? In my house at 12am?!
I turned my head to the sound of my door opening.
There in all his glory, stood Jasper-Fucking-Whitlock.
I gaped at him like a fish out of water.
"J-Jasper?"
He didn't reply. He just threw a sexy smirk my way and walked into my room, looking around.
"Nice place. Where's the chief?"
Chief? What the hell?! What's he doing here?! And why the hell is he so fucking calm about this?! Is this a habit of his? Walking into unknown girls' rooms at midnight?! I quietly fumed at the thought of Jasper with other girls.
"What are you doing here Jasper?"
Although I was swooning inside at the fact that Jasper Whitlock was here in my room, I was still uncomfortable with all this. I mean, I know we go to school together and have a couple of classes together…but…what the hell? Today was the first time we've talked and…come to think about it…this is just plain creepy…He can't just waltz in without permission as if he owns the damn place!
"Jasper? What are you doing here?"
C'mon, Jasper! Answer me, dammit! You're creeping me out! Just as I was sure he wasn't going to say anything, he spoke,
"You dropped your keys today."
I stared at him. No matter how weird all this was, I couldn't help but notice that he spoke normally. Without the Southern edge to it.
"Um. I thought so. At Newton's?"
He nodded as he fished out my wooden keychain from his pocket.
"Here."
I took the key from his hand and stared at him stupidly.
"Uh. Thanks…I guess."
He smiled and dropped down on my bed and sighing loudly, "God, I'm tired!"
What. The .Fuck ?!?! Okay…I dropped the key. He found it. He thought it his moral obligation to return it as soon as possible. Whatever. Where the hell does he get off jumping in my bed?! Does he think I'm going to do something like that just because he got me back my key?! God. I know I've been crushing on him since forever but this is just…just…mental!
"Huh. Nice. So…um…you should go home now…your parents are probably worried about you…and you can get some rest…Thanks again! For bringing my keychain. Again. I mean…not again…since. Um. You…uh just brought it once…but I meant…"
He looked quite amused by my rambling and I decided it would be best if I just shut up.
I cleared my throat and gave him a lame wave, "See you at school!"
He raised an eyebrow. "Sure. School. Nice seeing you again."
I watched him get up from my bed with unnatural gracefulness and gave him a weak smile when he turned his head as he was near the door frame. And just like that, he was gone. I looked down at the key in my hand and wondered what the hell just happened.
Did Jasper Whitlock, my yearlong crush, just come to my room at midnight when I was alone in the house? Did he really lie on my bed? I shot up from my position on the floor, dropping the key in the process and hurried to smell my bed cover. Oh. My. God! It smells like…hmmm…I don't even know! Something really spicy and manly…Definitely nothing like the powder I use! I buried my face in my Jasper-scented pillow and tried to suppress my ear-to-ear smile. Jasper Whitlock. Was here. In my room. My bed. Oh My God!! He was here!! Jasper Whitlock was here!! I screamed out loud and started laughing jubilantly.
He was here. Oh My God. My chest started heaving as my laugh got louder. I stood up on my bed and started jumping up and down. Jasper! Oh My God! I can't breathe! He was here! My super sexy unapproachable crush was here!! I fell to my bed and closed my eyes, still breathing heavily. Jasper…
***
I groaned loudly as my hand flew to my right to shut the damn alarm. Urgh. What time is it anyway? Crap. 8.10. I shot off my bed and hurried to my bathroom. I was ready in record time and grabbed an apple from the kitchen table as I ran outside for my car. Nothing. Shit! Where is it?! Oh…
The shadow! I shuddered and looked around. No darkness. All bright. I sighed in relief. My breath caught in my throat as I remembered another important part of the previous night. Jasper.
He was here? I bit my lip and looked down…trying to remember what happened. It all seemed so surreal…he couldn't possibly be here. I shook my head and made my way inside the house. There was no way I could make it on time on foot. Kids ditch school all the time, after all…I could just say I was sick if someone asked. I opened my bedroom door and looked around. Nothing was out of place. No indication that I might have been graced by his presence last night.
I slowly walked to my bed and smelled my bed cover. Nothing. I frowned. I'm pretty sure I couldn't have dreamed up that exquisite smell. I picked up the pillow and buried my nose in it. Yes! There it was. Very faint…but still there. I closed my eyes and concentrated. If I focused enough, I could smell it even better! I hugged the pillow to my chest tightly and smiled. I had the whole day to do nothing but hug my Jasper-scented pillow. I closed my eyes, my face still buried in the pillow and slowly drifted to la-la land where Jasper was declaring his undying love for me…
***
A soft pressure on my scalp woke me up. I drowsily opened my eyes to see my father looking down at me with a deceptively tender expression on his face. It took me a second to realize that he kissed me on my head. That woke me up and I shot up and stared at him with wide eyes.
"What are you doing here?!"
He looked a bit disappointed that I wasn't going to play his sick game and sighed, "I drove off as soon as the conference ended. I know you're scared of the dark. And there's supposed to be a thunderstorm tonight. The power would probably be cut off…"
He looked at me with a hopeful expression that made my eyes widen with horror. Dark. My Father. My two fears combined. Me. Alone. With My Father. In the Dark. I whimpered and moved away from him and his face fell.
"Now, now sweetheart…It's okay. I'll be there…"
He tried to put his arm around me guised in the form of comfort to get his own sick pleasure but I backed away and got up from the bed, trying to be inconspicuous about it.
"Um. I have work today…"
He frowned.
"You're not going. It's not safe. I'll call Mrs. Newton and let her know. I'm sure she'll understand…she has kids of her own…"
I bit my tongue to stop myself from shouting at him and nodded reluctantly. Of course he wasn't going to let me go. That wouldn't fly too well with his plan, now, would it? I shuddered, thinking about whatever he may have planned. I swear, if he lays one finger on me…I'm calling mom. There's no way I'm going to stay with a mentally disturbed man with serious issues.
***
I spent the day hidden in my room, with it securely locked. I wasn't really in the mood to study, so I got out my laptop and searched for some clothes I could buy. I'm not really big into shopping in the mall…all those people staring at me freaks me out and I always end up with the worst possible outfits. So, whenever getting something new became a necessity, I always used my trusty credit card to get me some goodies. This way I could take my own sweet time and try getting what would suit me the best.
I come home in the morning light
My mother says when you gonna live your life right
Oh mother dear we're not the fortunate ones
And girls they want to have fun
Oh girls just want to have fun
The sudden blaring music from my cell made me jump. I rolled my eyes at myself and checked the caller ID. Mom. I sighed. Could I be any stupider? The ring tone was Mom's…who else would be calling from her phone?
"Hey Mom…"
"Hey sweetie! How are you? How's school? How are your grades?"
"Fine, Fine and Fine, mom."
"Aw…cheer up, darling! How's your father?"
"Good, mom."
The phone was silent for a minute before my mother sighed quietly,
"Are you sure you're okay, darling?"
"I said I was fine mom. I'm not really in the mood for a heart to heart."
"Are you ever?"
"Drop it mom."
"Do you even have any girlfriends at school? I've never heard you mention a sleepover or a party or a boy…You should really get out there—"
I scowled at the wall. I don't really get my parents. First, they don't want me dating before I graduate. Then they want me to gush about these guys? What the fuck do they want from me? Can't they make up their minds already?!
"Whoops. Look at the time, mother. Daddy dearest is calling. I should get to him. I bet your husband is calling you, right?"
"For God's sake! What is wrong with you?!"
I sighed as I hung up on the woman who gave birth to me.
***
I woke up groggy and with a growling stomach. I groaned and rolled to my side but stopped when I felt something hard pressing at my side. I raised my head. My laptop. Shit! It could have fallen off the bed. God only knew where I'd get a new one from if I broke this one…
Rubbing my face lazily I reached to connect the power cable to my hp laptop. Then I hopped off the bed, as I checked the time. 1.49 pm. Hmm…thank god it's the weekend…
Weekend. No Jasper. Sigh. How sad… Still, I have work to do before I see him again. I still haven't decided on a suitable outfit for school on Monday… I groaned again as I turned my laptop on.
---
It was 5.00 pm now and I was done with the online shopping, the laundry and my homework, too. I was sitting in the living room, staring at the TV unseeingly. I don't even know why I bothered turning it on…I've always hated watching TV. Especially alone. I don't know why…it just creeps me out. Dad had said that he would bring back my car and have it checked up. I didn't mention the shadow to him…He would probably arrest everyone.
However freaky he may be, I know my father is protective of me and would never be okay with people harassing me. Other people, that is. And the last thing I need is the attention. The weird police chief's daughter, harassed by unknown man. Many arrests made by the chief. Most released after failure to gather any evidence against them . How damn humiliating would that be? Jasper would never want to talk to me then. I frowned.
I wonder what he's doing now…would he be thinking of me? I bit my lip. Honestly…I think he might like me…
My train of thought was broken by the distinctive bleep of a text received. I opened my cell phone and stared at the sender's name with wide eyes. Jasper?!
How'd he get my number? How the fuck did I get his number?!
I quickly opened the text and my breath hitched.
Hey, you free? Wanna meet up?
Hell Yeah! Wait…am I free? All homework done? No Charlie? Check and Check. Free as a lark.
When and where?
Meet me at the central park in ten minutes.
I snapped my cell phone shut and let out an embarrassingly loud squeal.
***
I quickly threw on the best outfit I could find in the limited time I had before I met up with him and started the short walk towards the park.
I strode towards the park and tried to calm myself the best I could. And of course, that didn't work, so I resorted to the best way I could calm myself. Music. I mean what would Jasper think if I turn up to meet him stuttering and sweating like a whore in church? I'll tell you what. He'd run the other way so fast that it'd make my head spin!
I quickly took my ipod out of my pocket and clicked around until Clair de Lune was coming through my headphones. I slowed my steps, taking slow breaths and humming to the tune.
Before I knew it, I was at the park. And I wasn't stressed at all! Yes! Mission accomplished! I looked around. No Jasper. Hmm...Well he should be here soon.
I walked towards a bench and lightly waved at a cute little baby who was smiling at me.
I was on the third song of my playlist when I started panicking. What if he stood me up? What if it was just a joke by the popular kids? Oh My God! What if they know that I have the hots for Jasper Whitlock?! By now, I was full out hyperventilating.
Right then I felt a gentle tug at my earphones. I turned right sharply and then let out a sigh of relief. Ah! He's here. I smiled widely as I tried to regain my composure. Once again, he graced me with his god-like smirk and raised his eyebrow, "You okay there?"
I blushed a deep red as I thought of how I must have looked to him. A hyperventilating fool. God! Even worse than a stuttering idiot! I cleared my throat and gave him a weak smile.
"Um. I'm good. You?"
"Fine, fine. I like your clothes…you're looking beautiful."
I bit my lip and frowned. I know I didn't dress up or anything…so what's his deal? Was he trying to be funny? Or sarcastic? He must have seen that something was wrong by my demeanor because he smiled genuinely.
"I don't lie"
I smiled as I looked up at him through my eyelashes. I lightly cleared my throat,
"So…why'd you call me here? Not that I mind…"
He smiled.
"I just wanted to see you. We last saw each other on Thursday…it's been too long."
I stared at him with wide eyes. Does he miss me as I miss him? Everyday? As if he heard my mental question, he said, "The days seem too long without you."
I turned my eyes to the left shyly and kept my eyes on a boy playing in the sandbox. Jasper was being too sweet. I just don't get why. Why now? Why me? He has always been quite a ladies man at our school but I've heard that he doesn't spend time sweet talking them. Just straight to business. What's different this time? And there's something off about him. Something about the way he talks…
"What are you thinking about?"
I quickly turned to him. That's it!
"Your accent!"
"Huh?"
"You had a southern edge to your accent…but…um…"
I trailed off. What was I supposed to say? Why aren't you speaking with a Texan accent? That would be just too weird. But surprisingly he didn't find my question strange.
"I know…that's just for the benefit of others…but you…I can be myself with you."
I frowned.
"So that was just for show?"
He sighed heavily.
"It's like…people expect me to talk like that just because I spent five years there… People look up to me at school…they want to think I'm cool…that I'm different…but really…I'm not…I'm just another guy…"
I stared at him, my frown still in place.
"It's not fair to you or to the others if you act like something you aren't. They don't even know you…Why do you let others pressurize you into being something you're not?"
He licked his bottom lip nervously.
"I didn't think they'd accept me…I can only truly be myself with people that I feel won't judge me and accept me for who I am."
I did not miss the sideways glance he threw my way. Although I did not agree with his philosophy, I nodded. I am not sure I could pretend to be something else just for high school popularity. Seems a bit shallow, if you ask me. But it looks like he might start showing his true self. Maybe I could help him with that. Yes. I will surely help him.
I smiled.
"I'm sure you'll find many out there who would love you for who you are on the inside."
He looked deep in my eyes, "I think I will."
***
I shivered and rubbed my arms. I don't know where the time went. It felt like I just got here. However, the sky was darkening and I realized with one look at my watch that I had been talking to Jasper in this crowded park for more than two hours. Jasper saw me glance down at my watch.
"Ah…it's getting late…your dad must be worried."
I nodded reluctantly. Although it was late, I am sure dad wouldn't have worried…he was most probably still out with his fishing buddies. However, he would freak if he found out that I had been out with a guy. I was sure that word would get around and he'd realize that I was getting friendly with a guy. I frowned.
"Thinking again?" he chuckled.
"Um. I. Could we possibly keep our...friendship…a secret for the time being? My dad's not big on me being with guys…"
He stared at me with a raised eyebrow and nodded reluctantly.
"Whatever you're comfortable with…At least this way I know you're planning on seeing me more often," He winked.
I blushed and looked at the few people still left in the park. Some of them were looking my way, staring at me with curious and weird looks. Jasper's next words made me realize that he must have noticed my preoccupation.
"Look at them…they're all so damn jealous of me…they wish they were with a girl like you."
I turned my head towards him slowly. He winked at me, grinning impishly and I let out a disbelieving laugh.
"What? You know deep down its true."
I rolled my eyes and got up. I couldn't ask Jasper to walk me home in case dad saw him. And I really don't want to walk in the dark all alone.
***
Hey!
If you have any questions, review and let me know…I reply to all queries extensively and try to clear up any confusion as best as I can. Oh and just so you know, this story would have canon pairings soon…so do not worry!
Please review!
The song mentioned is:
Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Want To Have Fun Lyrics
Well that's it and I will try to update as soon as I can!