AS ALWAYS I DON'T OWN TWILIGHT. THAT WOULD BE AWESOME BUT ALAS NO EVERYTHING BELONGS TO STEPHANIE MEYERS.
I HOPE EVERYONE IS ENJOYING THIS, I'M ENJOYING WRITING IT. THANK YOU FOR READING.
It was finally the night of her party and the small box was burning a hole in my pocket. Looking in the mirror I practiced what I was going to say. Everything that came out sounded stupid, I ran my hands though my hair.
"Jesus man get it together" I mumbled to my reflection. Ever since that night I've been so nervous around her. She woke up with a headache and apologized for acting like an idiot. I told her not to worry about it but every time I saw her all I could think about was kissing her lips.
Well I'm in love, I'm in love with a beautiful gal. That whats the matter with me. Hank William crooned from my phone. Bella ring tone, she doesn't know about it.
"Hey darlin what do I owe the pleasure?" I answered as I finished buttoning my shirt.
"Did you know my parents planned a big surprise party for me?" She screeched into my ear.
"Um, no I didn't." I replied. "I thought we were just going to have dinner and cake." Of course they wouldn't tell me. Bella hated parties, why would her parents do this.
"I can't do this Jasper, Sue invited the show choir and Rose invited her cheer squad and Emmett invited some of the guys from the football team." She was starting to hyperventilate. What on earth were they thinking? I mean I get the show choir we spend most of our time with them, but cheerleaders and football players?
"Bells, darlin where are you?" I grabbed my jacket from the chair and picked up my keys, I was going to take her out for dinner and avoid this calamity in the making.
"On your roof heading to your window, I snuck out."
I turned around and saw her at my window tapping on the glass. I put my keys down and helped her in. She was wearing a green dress and had her small flats in her hands.
"Hells bells did you climb up the tree in a dress with no shoes?" I asked while I checked her for injuries.
"Yeah I just needed to get out of the house." She said walking to my desk and then sat on it pushing the chair around with her feet.
"You could have used the door." I replied as I sat in the chair. She kept pushing it spinning me in it.
"Yeah, then your mom would call mine and I'd be back where I started." She stopped pushing my chair and had a sad look on her face.
"Hey, darlin" I said leaning forward putting my hands on her knees."It's going to be fine, Emmett's friends will probably hit on the cheerleaders and they'll giggle and flirt back. Our friends will stay with us."
She smiled a little and looked up at me. "I know it sounds selfish but it's my birthday. I don't want a big party."
"Sue probably just wanted you to have a great sixteenth birthday party, it's a big deal for girls, remember Roses'?" I said leaning back into my chair.
"I know she means well, It's just she got me this stupid dress, and invited all these people who don't know me." she started to cry a softly.
I stood up and wrapped my arms around her; I pressed my lips into her hair.
"How about after the party, you and I go to the diner, than we'll come here and watch all the Christmas episodes of Doctor Who." I knew she'd smile at that.
"Promise?" she whispered looking up at me with shiny eyes. I nodded and tightened my hug on her.
"And the dress isn't stupid you look beautiful darlin." I said holding her arms out looking at her.
"Shut up, I look stupid." She said flattening the wrinkles in her dress. I offered her my arm and smiled.
"Well I would be honored to escort you to your party darlin." I said in my strongest accent hoping it would make her laugh. She dropped her shoes to the ground and put them on. She stood up and took my arm.
"Thank you good sir that would be great." She replied in a fake accent. I chuckled and we walked down stairs.
"There you are sweetie, your momma called looking for you." Mom said as we entered the kitchen. "Funny I didn't hear you come in." she went back to curling the ribbon on the gift she got Bella. It was some song books and a new hardback journal for her to write her songs in.
"Yeah, well we're heading to the party, see you there Mrs. Whitlock." Bella replied gripping my arm a little tighter.
"There you are, I was scared something happened to you baby." Sue said pulling Bella from my arms into a big hug.
"Sorry, Mom I just needed to get some air." She said returning back to my side. Sue was looking her over and I notice a leaf in Bella hair and grabbed it before Sue saw it.
"So Sue, heard you invited half the school?" I said in a joking manner, but I was upset.
"Well it started with just the show choir, than Emmett asked if he could invite some friends and it just kind of snowballed from there. I'm sorry baby girl. I didn't mean to, we can send them home If you want." Bella smiled her make everyone happy lying smile.
"It's okay, but I think Jas and I will head out early and go to dinner if that's okay?" she asked with a hopeful look in her eyes.
"That would be fine, just try to enjoy yourself okay?" She said pushing us into the back yard were everyone was.
"Happy birthday!" everyone screamed then went back to whatever they were doing. As predicted the football players and the cheerleaders were on one side and on the other side were our friends from choir. A few people came over to us and brought us to the group. We talked and laughed with them for about an hour. The whole time Bella never took her arm out of mine. I couldn't quit smiling and I think everyone knew.
"It's time for cake and presents." Sue yelled from the back porch, we all headed to a big table and my mom brought out a carrot cake with Bella name written on top with blue icing.
She blew out the candle and smiled as everyone sung Happy Birthday to her. Emmett was the first to offer his present. It was wrapped in newspaper and duck tape. She opened it with difficulty. It was blue and green striped sweater, I'm pretty sure Rose picked it out for her.
"Thank brother, its perfect." She said giving him a kiss on the cheek. She then opened Roses present with was a new blue knitted hat. Charlie got her mace and Sue bought her some new books. A few of our friends from choir gave her some presents. Even a football player gave a gift of two movie passes. He smile and said he's be happy to go with her. She turned red and puts the passes under all the presents. I glared at him hoping he'd get the message. He smirked at me and walked back to his friends.
I handed her the small box and she opened it slowly. She pulled the ring out and put it on her left middle finger. Well this wasn't going to plan already. I thought she'd put it on her ring finger. I also didn't think half the school would be witnessing this. I could feel all their eyes burning a hole into me.
"Jasper I love it, it's so pretty." She jumped up and wrapped her arms around my neck.
"Yeah." I said turning bright red, I chickened out. I couldn't do this in front of everyone. What was I thinking? Rose was looking at me with a supportive look. I shook my head at her.
"It's the state stone of Texas; I saw it and it reminded me of you." That sounded innocent enough, just a friendship ring. I could tell more about what it meant later, without so many people around.
"It's great. Thank you." she kissed my check and sat back down. Mom and Sue took the presents inside. I leaned over and took her hand.
"You ready to go?" I whispered so that no one heard us. She looked around and nodded. We got up and walked into the kitchen.
"Leaving so soon?" My mom asked sipping her coffee.
"Yeah, promised Bella dinner. Then a marathon at our house." I said hoping they wouldn't stop us.
"You going to say bye to your guest?" Charlie said without looking up from his game.
"They won't notice I'm gone, just have Emmett apologize for me." She said grabbing her jacket and went out the door. I shrugged and followed her out to my truck.
At the diner she pushed her food around her plate. She was deep in thought.
"Oi earth girl" I said in an awful British accent. She looked startled and smile.
"Watch it space man." She replied in an even worse accent.
"No, no don't do that." I said smiling she started laughing loudly which made me laugh.
After I paid our ticket I drove us home, she seemed to be in a better mood. We got into the house and she plopped down on my sofa. I put the DVD in and sat down next to her.
"Don't forget we have a performance tomorrow." She said putting her feet into my lap. I groaned and threw my head back.
"Hey it's not that bad, we practiced Friday, and we sound good." She said with a hint of laughter in her voice.
"That's not the problem Bells and you know it." I said "Now shut up and watch your show." She smiled and laid her back on the armrest. I rubbed her feet and watched the show in comfortable silence.
"Thank you for my present, you didn't spend a lot on it did you?" she said looking at the ring.
"Not really the lady gave me a really good price." I half lied. I could tell her now.
"Good, thank you for the best birthday. I don't know what I'd do without you." She said with a smile and a sleepy look in her eye.
"No problem, glad it made you happy." I said. "Promise me you'll always wear it?"
"Of course." She said closing her eyes and relaxed into the couch. I got up and put a blanket over her.
"Good night Bells." I whispered and kissed the top of her head. I went upstairs and went to bed. I really need to talk to her about how I feel. She's wearing the ring I got maybe she knows what it means. Probably not, she sees me as another brother. Perhaps I should just accept that and try to be the friend she needs.
"Jasper Daniel Whitlock, get out here now." Bella yelled at the dressing room. Adjusting the red bowtie I groaned at the gold jacket. Mrs. Webb had lost her mind, I get our colors are red and gold but this jacket was ridiculous. Opening the door, I walked out and Bella started laughing.
"We need to be in the auditorium like five minutes ago." She said between laughs. I smirked at her.
"Well then we better hurry." I said stalking towards her.
"I can't hurry in these stupid heels." She said backing away a little.
"Not a problem" as I caught up with her. I picked her up and slung her across my shoulder. I took off running down the hall to the auditorium.
"Jasper put me down." She squealed. I heard laughing and saw Rose and Emmett behind us holding a camera.
Once we got to the stage I put her down and patted her head.
"Jackass" she mumbled fixing her hair and smiling. We did our performance for the school; I could hear all the guys laughing at our uniform. After we went back to our dressing rooms and changed back into street clothes. We went to lunch and sat with Rose, Emmett, Angela and her boyfriend Ben.
"You guys sounded great." Rose said giving me a smile. We nodded a quiet thank you.
"Bella we were wondering if you could play piano for us this afternoon." Lauren, one of the girls from the dance group asked."Our normal guy is sick, Madam Fleur said she's write you a pass."
Bella nodded and blushed, everyone knew she could play any instrument she picked up and could play almost any song after hearing it once or twice. She's rather sing though, so she made me join choir with her.
"Okay, thanks. See you later." Lauren left the table to sit with all the other dancers.
"So I want to see the ring you got yesterday" Angela said grabbing Bella hand. I may have beamed with pride a little bit.
"Isn't it great? Jasper is such an awesome friend." Bella replied giving me smiles that brighten my whole day.
"He really is" Angela said giving me a knowing look.
The next few months went without incident, we would practice our songs, I'd read to her after school. Boys would try to ask her out, I'd beat them up when she wasn't looking. Every day bleed into the next and I was content being her friend. Happy that she was happy. Then came December and the winter formal. I had been working up the nerve ask her to go with me. We had always stayed home and watched TV.
"Jasper will you go to the formal with me?" She asked one day at lunch, I nearly choke on the grayish pink jelly they call meatloaf. "Mike keeps asking me, so I figure I tell him I'm going with you he'll leave me alone" Honestly I was so tired of fighting Newton, I've almost got suspended last time so I have to let it go.
"Yeah, I'd be happy too, I was going to ask you myself." Why did I say that, she wants me to go as her protector not a date.
"What do you mean?" she said giving me a suspicious look. How do I cover this, I scanned the room for some forbearance. I saw Jessica and she gave a creepy smile and a wave. The bile climbed into my throat she had been hinting at me all year.
"Uh, Jessica has been stalking my like a coyote for the few days. Figured if I had a date she's let it go." I said, she smiled and nodded at me.
"Sounds like a plan." She said nudging her meat jelly around with a fork.
The night of the formal I walked over to her house, Rose and Emmett were already in the living room. She was trying to get his corsage on his label and he was whining that she was going to stab him.
"Just shut up you big oaf or I will stab you." she growled at him, he stilled for a second and let her finish.
"Love you Rosie." He said with a puppy dog look in his eyes.
"Love you too monkey man." She replied kissing the top of his nose. I rolled my eyes and made a vomiting noise.
"They are gross aren't they?" Bella voice came from behind me from the kitchen. She was wearing her birthday dress. She looked so pretty in green, it made her skin look warm and glowing. I smiled at her and handed her a small wrist corsage. I had the store use white tea roses, I knew they were her favorite.
"Thank you" she blushed slipping it on her wrist. We all head out to Emmett jeep and drove to the hotel the formal was held in. I led her inside and we sat at a small table. We talked for most of the formal, she kept smiling and laughing. She was so beautiful I couldn't take my eyes off of her.
"May I have the next dance?" Newton voice came from beside us. He sat down next to her eyes lingering on her chest before smiling at her. "I noticed that hick boy here hasn't taken you on the floor once. A pretty girl like you should have at least one dance."
My blood boiled and I clenched my fist I was going to punch him. I bite my cheek so hard I could feel blood pooling in my mouth.
"We were just talking about that, we were about to head to the floor before you so rudely interrupted us. Sorry." She said standing up and grabbing my hand. I couldn't believe it, she wanted to dance with me. I placed my hand on the small of her back and lead her to the floor. She turned to face me her cheeks were so red I thought she had a fever.
"You okay?" I whispered as I put a hand on her waist and took her hand in mine. She made a gulping sound and nodded as she place her hand on my hip.
"We don't have to do this" I said quietly hoping she would stay. She smiled nervously and started to move her feet slowly. I smiled back at her I could feel my own blush reaching my ears.
We moved together slowly, she followed my every lead. She was smiling but looking at the floor trying so hard not to trip.
"Hey, do you trust me?" I said making her look up at me. She nodded and looked back at her feet. She could climb a tree in the rain and dance across the stage without a care in the world. But walking from point A to point B she'd tripped.
"This is just like show choir without the swinging." I said, "Plus I won't let you fall."
"Promise?" she said looking back at me.
"Promise." I said smiling, as I spun her gently. She laughed and spun back into my arms. Chills ran down my spine. We danced together until the end of the dance; I never wanted it to end. The feeling of her in my arms was too much to let go. She let go of my hand and walked out towards the door. I felt the loss and my stomach plummeted to the ground.
"Hey, everything okay?" Rose said coming up behind me with Emmett.
"Yeah, everything is the same as it always is." I said looking at the floor. People were starting to stare. Rose whispered something into Emmett's ear and he nodded. He put his hand on my shoulder and gave me a pity smile as he walked out to the jeep.
"When are you going to tell her brother?" she asked as she put her arm around my shoulder leading me out the doors slowly.
"Rose I can't, she sees me as another brother. She tells she doesn't know what she'd do without me. It would crush her and me if we broke up." I said trying not to cry in front of everyone.
"What makes you think you'd break up." She asked stopping us before we got outside.
"Because we're young, and all young couples don't last." I replied without thinking.
"You think Emmett and me are going to break up." Her face had a look that was sadness and anger.
I chuckled softly. "No, you two wear made for each other. He makes you happy and you make him less annoying."
"What makes you think you and Bella are any different than us?" she asked with her all knowing smile.
"Because she's perfect and deserves so much better than me." I huffed out. "Let's just drop it okay?" I spitted out storming out the doors.
I got in the back of the jeep and buckled my seatbelt. Bella looked over at me and smiled.
"Everything okay, Jas." She asked reaching for my hand. I crossed my arms and looked ahead. I don't think I can keep being her friend if she's always touching me. Each touch has made me want more, and I know I can't have more.
"Fine." I said, we drove home in silence. She was looking at her lap trying to hold back tears. I could tell by the shaky breaths she'd take. We pulled up to their driveway I all but leapt out of the Jeep. I ran up to my room and grabbed my phone dialing the number hoping he was awake.
"Jasper soon, is everything okay? Did something happen to Rose or your mother?" Papa sounded a little panic. Shit he's probably thinking we got in a wreck or something.
"No papa, I just needed to talk." I said collapsing on the bed closing my eyes.
"Alright son, what's' wrong?" he asked sounded concerned.
"Can I move in with you?" I needed to get away from Bella this friendship was driving me insane.
"Can I ask why?" He said sounding serious. I knew he wouldn't just let me move in without a reason.
"I can't take it anymore, I really can't. Papa I love her so much, but she'll never love me the same way." I was crying now and there was silence long uncomfortable silence. After a few minutes I heard him clear his throat.
"Jasper, I'm going to come up for spring break and we'll talk about it then. I'm not going to let you run away from your problems." He said in a very stern voice. "I would love for you to stay with me, but we need to make sure it's what you really want to do." I was nodding then felt stupid because he couldn't see me nodding.
"Yes, sir." I replied quietly. "Good night papa, sorry if I woke you."
"You can call me anytime, I'll see you in a few months okay?" he replied, we said our goodbyes and then hung up the phone. I heard a knock on my door before I could answer Rose barreled in.
"What the hell man, she's over there in tears." She screamed at me. She was crying and it was my fault. I ran my hand though my hair pulling the ends.
"I can't do it anymore Rose, I can't be here boyfriend that's not her boyfriend." I said as I stood up to face her. Hopefully this didn't last long. "I can't keep fighting every guy who looks at her, I'm done."
"Then tell her." She yelled, always yelling my sister.
"I can't. I can't risk hurting her anymore then she's been hurt." I said grabbing my keys and storming down the stairs.
"She's hurting now don't you care?" she said. I stopped on the last stair.
"She has to learn to fight her own battles, remember?" I threw the words she told me years ago back at her.
"Not if she has you." she replied, that was a low blow.
"Not now Rose, okay." I said walking out the door and got into my truck. As it started I saw her face though her window. It was red and puffy she gave a small wave. I looked at the steering wheel and drove off. My phone started going off I ignored it.
As I got to first beach I turned my truck off and went sat in the sand. It was freezing out and my suit jacket wasn't providing much warmth. My phone went off again; it was a angry text from Emmett telling me to get home now. I had about five from Rose, calling me every form of coward she could think off and some she invented. I pulled my knee up and rested my arms on them. My phone kept buzzing from text messages, all from Rose and Emmett. There was one from my mom, asking where I was replied. I texted her that I was at first beach and needed to be myself for awhile. She responded okay and to be careful.
Well I'm in love, I'm in love with a beautiful gal. That whats the matter with me. stupid ringtone, I let it go to voicemail. It rang again the song mocking me with each ring. After the third time I answered it.
"What." I growled. She sniffled and my heart shattered into a thousand tiny pieces.
"Jasper" she whispered, she sounded so wounded. "What happened?"
I didn't say anything I debating on hanging up the phone. After about a minute she sniffled again.
"I'm sorry for whatever I did." She said her voice straining not to cry. I took a deep breath.
"Darlin you didn't do anything, I'll tell you one day, just not today." I said. She started crying again.
"Come home." She whispered.
"No, I'll see you at school Monday." I replied trying to void all emotion from my voice.
"okay." She whispered, hanging up the phone.
I stayed at the beach until I saw the sun come up. I stood up and all my muscle screamed from stiffness. I drove my truck back to the house and climbed up the stairs.
"Jasper, honey." My mom stuck her head out of the door. "baby I was so worried. You're grounded."
"That's fine mom, can me and Rose switch rooms?" I asked opening my door.
"Um, okay." She said as she went into her room.
I lay down on my bed and stared at the ceiling for a few minutes. After a few minutes I got up and started packing up my stuff into some boxes and taking my clothes out of the closet. I finally heard Rose move around in her room. I walked to her door and knocked on the door.
"There you are, you are in so much trouble asshole." She said rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.
"Whatever, I'm taking your room. Go visit Emmett or something I'll do everything." I said turning my back going back to my room.
"No, it's my room." She yelled from her doorway. I walked back to her.
"Just do this for me okay." I pleaded with her. She nodded.
"Fine, just don't break anything." She said closing her door so she could get ready.
I changed into some shorts and a tank shirt. As I left the closet I saw Bella though her window, she was looking at me trying hard to smiled. I grabbed the curtains and shut them quickly. This is why I needed Roses room; it faced the back yard, not Bella's room.
I spent the rest of the day going back and forth between the rooms moving my stuff into Rose's room and her stuff into mine. I made sure to put everything back the way she liked in my room and even made her bed and organized her closet. I finished getting everything moved into my room, the desk was the hardest thing to move but I did it. The sun was starting to set so I threw a blanket on the bed and fall on top of it passing out from exhaustion.
A/N: SO HE'S AN EMOTION WRECK AND BELLA IS CRYING. WELL HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS SAD CHAPTER.