Chapter 9
Jasper was really nice. He showed me that in the next couple of hours we kept on talking. The blush was in my face almost all the time but I actually felt relaxed. And that was something I'd have never expected. I just had one question all the way, why Jasper Hale would like talking to me if he had a hell of a party in front of his eyes?
We talked about what we liked, what we didn't. About what we'd like to do in our future and what we'd hate. He told me he'd like to play football forever, and that he was staying here for the rest of his life. Then he told me he didn't see me too much around, and asked me what I liked to do. When I told him I loved Wuthering Heights he actually asked me if it was a TV series. Well – he was the captain of the football team, so…
The wind was blowing strongly by midnight – good thing I still had Jasper's jacket on. By now we almost didn't have more questions to ask each other. But the nice atmosphere was still in the air. The bonfire was smaller but everyone seemed crazier now – as if the alcohol had made its effect. Some girls were dancing in a provocative way in the middle of the scene – showing themselves off for some guys that were looking at them from a log.
I scanned the place with my eyes to see if I could find where Edward was. And there he was, in a far log with Jessica. They were kissing and every time he'd pull her away, she'd crushed her lips to him one more time. His face showed an annoyance I didn't quite understand; maybe it was because of her impatience. I just really didn't get why he liked her, they didn't match at all. She was completely shallow and he was truly deep. I couldn't understand how he didn't get bored with her… But again, his life – his 'loves'.
Jasper's question brought me back, but the mumbling was so strong, I didn't quiet understand it. "So, mmm, youmm, mmmwanna gommm out sommme timemmm?"
"WHAT?" I frowned and sharpened my ears.
He breathed deeply. "If you wanna go out with me, you know… some time, go out, like… together?" His tone went lower in the last part. Was Jasper Hale, the captain of the football team, self conscious?
I didn't know that. What I did know, was that my heart suddenly stopped. Yep, all the blood went off my system – no idea where it went, but what I know is that it wasn't in me. I'm sure I was completely pale. Like a vampire. And God, those had always scared the hell out of me.
Though I was completely shocked for the unexpected question I made my system react. Not because of my health, but of Jasper's one that had the biggest frown I'd ever seen in my entire seventeen years of existence. And I was scared that he could be the one suffering a heart attack. What would I tell his mother? That he asked me out and died?
"Alright," I mumbled back and blushed.
He smiled and exhaled some air that I was sure had been in his thorax for too long. "Really?"
"Sure, why not? It's not a crime not knowing Wuthering Heights is a book," I laughed trying to dissipate the tension.
Okay, this was a whole new me here. I'd never joke with a guy like Jasper. Tell you more; I'd just one boyfriend some years ago. And it was a very basic relationship. Jacob Black was his prohibited name. I didn't let anyone, ever talk about him. He'd hurt me, and bad. And with that, I vowed I'd never be with anyone again – I vowed I'd never fall in love. But I was just enjoying my time here, not thinking it that much. Though I was sure I'd cringe late night when I'd think about it.
Jasper laughed back with my comment. "Yeah, well, it's not a crime not knowing who Pelé is, either." He laughed back.
I hided my face in my hands, ashamed. "I guess, I told you I didn't know a thing about sports!" It was a Brazilian soccer player. Alright, he was very well known. But sports + Bella = 0.
"Cullen doesn't teach you about it?" he asked a bit surprised.
"He had… for some years. But I guess he gave up when he discovered it had no effect on me, I just forget sports things. Don't know what it is," I shrugged. It was completely true; someone could spend all day teaching me something about some certain sport and on the other day… kaboom! Totally gone from my brain.
"I guess your mom must be happy about that, huh?" He smiled.
And even though I wanted not to affect me, goose bump covered every inch of my body and the hole on my chest pounced. "I don't—my mom died ten years ago."
His eyes widened with this and I could feel the regret in his eyes. "Oh, I'm sorry… I'm so stupid, I should've known… I can't believe that even at a tiny town I can get lost like this…" he shook his head.
I shrugged and breathed deeply. "It's alright, don't worry, it's been a long time, but I guess it sometimes hurts a little bit." I didn't know why I was telling these things to him, he wasn't even a friend of mine.
He made a pause for some seconds and then looked to the sea with dark eyes. "Well, I have a mom but she just doesn't care about me. My sister, Rosalie, is all for her. I'm just the shallow, childish Jasper. She never takes me serious… I think I've talked more to you than to her in my entire life, it's pathetic really…" he trailed off at the end and look at his hands, ashamed.
An immense urge to hug him overpowered my body. Poor Jasper. His family along with Edward's one had always been the perfect one for the outsiders, the model to follow. I'd have never thought that was case with his mom. I guess I was lucky in some point… I'd enjoyed my mother for just seven short years, but I'd really enjoyed her.
"Maybe you can talk to her? Let her know what you feel?"
He shrugged at my side, his eyes still glued to his hands. A bitter laugh escaped his lips. "I don't even think she'd care. She's really blinded."
"And your dad, maybe he can talk to her?"
A louder bitter laugh escaped again. "They don't talk that much either. Great family, huh?" He looked at me with ashamed eyes, now.
I tried my best to reassure him with mines. "Don't worry; every family is a different world."
"I guess," He sighed and stared to the front. "Oh, I think Cullen is looking for you?"
Edward was walking to our spot, his expression a bit darkened.
"He is. I guess we should get going…" I said as I started to get his jacket off.
"No," Jasper stopped my action touching my arm. "It's still cold out here, I don't want you to get sicker than you already are, you can keep it and give it to me tomorrow night?" He arched his eyebrows invitingly. And my heart pounced with force.
I bit my lip a bit self conscious. "Alright… and what's happening tomorrow night?"
"I'm taking you out for dinner, promise there won't be anything related to sports," He smiled a bright smile.
Bring it on! "Sure, sounds great,"
"Awesome, pick you up by eight? The Sheriff's house, right?"
"Right," Oh, he new my dad was a sheriff.
Edward was some feet from us now. And I could see his eyes full of questions as he saw us. I'd have a long questionnaire in the way home.
"Should I be scared of the Sheriff?" He joked but I saw the real worry on his words.
"If you behave well, no problem."
"Of course I will," He smiled again and then bended to my ear. "Please don't tell Cullen about my family, I haven't talked to anyone but you about it."
Really? I felt powerful. I stretched so I could reach his ear now. "Promise not to say anything,"
He nodded. "Promise the same."
"Hey guys," Edward greeted, weighing up the situation. "It's a bit late…let's go, Bell?"
I started walking to where Edward was. "Sure, see you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow," Jasper grinned and stared at me for longer than necessary.
"Aren't you going to give Jasper his jacket?" Edward asked, restraining my walk.
"Not now," I gave him an I-explain-you-later look and keep walking.
"Oh," He frowned. "Alright… Casanova," he murmured to my ear and walked by my side.
"Okay, start talking," Edward whispered to me when we were already in the sand-dune. God, how much I knew him. And the questionnaire party begins… now.
