Chapter Twenty.
.
Bella
When I got up the next morning the sun was shining and I groaned. Every day it rained in Forks and now I wanted it the sun decided to put in an appearance, two days running. Another day went by tediously and I spent the evening studying again and hoping it wouldn't be three days in a row. The next morning I looked out the window to see the welcome rain. Yes! I showered quickly and grabbed some toast before heading to school. I was the first car there so I took out my book to read and waited, looking up every few seconds in case I missed them. Finally I saw Emmett's truck roll in to park up in its usual spot. I got out and walked over looking for the second car but it never came. Emmett and Rose got out and spotted me. I thought I saw a pained expression on his face and Rose wasn't as friendly as usual. "Hi Bells" he said with a smile. "Hey Emmett. Is everything OK?" He looked puzzled, "Why?" I was confused myself, "Are the others coming today?" His brow creased, "No Bells. Edward's gone to Denali with Jazz and Alice has gone off on one of her shopping sprees. I think Carlisle has rung her in sick. No problem, she always gets good grades". "Should do, we've taken the courses often enough" added Rose still looking at me appraisingly. "I thought Edward wasn't going till school got out?" Em shrugged, "He decided he'd be better in Denali." I still didn't know who saved me but I wasn't going to ask, not yet at least.
"Oh well I'd better go" I said turning back just as Mike and Jess came up. "Come on Bella we need help with the Christmas dance". He grabbed my arm and I was towed away, Rose watching hands on hips. I still didn't know what had happened on Saturday and they didn't seem interested in telling me. I sat through morning classes. Baffled by the reception I'd got from the Cullens and Jasper had gone with Edward. I'd hoped to see him again and I was so disappointed. At lunch the two Cullens didn't come to the cafeteria and I got roped in for making decorations for the dance the following weekend. I was confused and I missed seeing Jaspers face and hearing his 'Hi Bella 'as he passed me. The sun decided to shine again for the rest of the week, unprecedented I was told, great!
At the weekend I went to Angela's and we made decorations for a mind numbing 6 hours straight. She was chatty, telling me all about her plans for Christmas and what she was hoping to buy Ben, then she went quiet. "You OK Bella? I was going to nod but it came out as a shake, "Not really Angie". "What's up? Don't tell me Jake is back on the scene?" I laughed "No. Its just I'm a bit depressed. I don't really want to go to Phoenix for Christmas but I can't get out of it". She looked at me appraisingly. "It wouldn't have anything to do with a certain blonde Cullen would it?" I was stunned but I tried to make light of it, "No, Rosalie has never been my type". We both laughed but she wasn't fooled. "You like Jasper Cullen don't you?" Oh god was it that obvious? "No well, yes, sort of". "I heard he and Alice broke up" she mused, "Anything to do with you?" I shook my head, "Look at me Angie. Would he give up her for me?" "Well he sure was looking at you a lot and I've never seen him look at anyone before or talk to them, so my guess is that he likes you too". I shook my head more definitely. "No he's gone to Alaska with his brother Edward". She looked surprised, "Really? Oh sorry Bella. I just made things worse didn't I?" I shrugged, "It's OK Angie. I'll feel better once I get some sun".
Unable to see Em or Rose before the dance I cried off sick and as much as Charlie pressured me I stuck to my guns. "Why don't you invite Jake" he asked. I was floored, "Why would I want to do that? He wont even talk to me!" I pointed out. "Well maybe he's waiting for you to make the first move" he answered. "Then he'll grow old waiting Dad. I'm not going". He eventually gave up and I stayed home. The following week was the last of term and it went too quickly with classes, homework and getting Charlie ready to manage without me. On the last day I couldn't avoid Emmett any more, "Hey Bells why weren't you at the dance? I looked for you" he looked genuinely upset. "I didn't feel like it" I said. He looked at me, "Have we done something to upset you Bells?" I shook my head, "No Emmett I'm just not feeling too good". I didn't want to get into it with him.
"Are you going away for Christmas?" I asked him walking towards my truck. "Yeah off to Denali". I wished I was going with him "Wish everyone a Happy Christmas for me will you. I have to go now only Charlie's taking me to the airport". He looked at me, "You going away too Bells?" "Yes" I replied unlocking my truck, To my Mum's in Phoenix". "Well enjoy the sun". He leaned forward and kissed me on the cheek before opening the truck door for me. I watched him in the rear view mirror as I drove away. He stood there shaking his head and looking pensive. Christmas with Renee was a nightmare. Phil had hurt his leg so he was laid up and she left the Christmas shopping and cooking to me while she played nurse maid. That was better than her searching questions about Charlie, Jake and boys in general. I spent a lot of time watching mind numbing TV or reading before gratefully heading back to Forks.
I'd missed Charlie but more than anything I'd missed the peace of living almost alone. Charlie met me at the airport and told me all the news on the drive home. I heard how Jake had come off his motorbike...Ohh shame! And how he'd called for me to invite me to Christmas on the Res...over my dead body! When I got back I pleaded tiredness and went up to shower, put my things in the washer and then going to bed. Dad had put my post on top of my computer and I took it to bed to read. There were cards from class mates and some college flyers and at the bottom three cards I didn't recognise. The first was from Jake and I binned it. The next was from Carlisle and Esme wishing me a Happy Christmas and hoping to see me in the new year. The third had my hands shaking. It wasn't a card but a short note from Jasper in Denali. "Dear Bella, I got your unspoken message but I just wanted to say Goodbye and to let you know I won't bother you again, I hope you find the right person. Yours Jasper Hale PS Merry Christmas and may the New Year bring you all that you wish for. I read it over and over, unspoken message? What unspoken message? I didn't understand but I'd be asking Emmett or Rose when I caught up with them.