Disclaimer: The plot belongs EstrellaGrace and the rest is Stephanie Meyer's. There is abuse in this chapter so if you are uncomfortable….Please stop reading.
JPOV
First thing I do when I get up, is trying to read a few more pages of the book. I felt like I was trying muddle through ancient Greek. Some words were easier than others. Not even out of bed and my brain felt fried.
I put it down to get started for the day. Must not be sidetracked from my routine. First is my shower and bathroom routine before breakfast. I don my normal long-sleeved, checkered shirt and jeans with my buckle.
I watched the news for a little bit, then I went back to our room to tell Mike something before I remembered that he was still at Jessica's. That reminded me to write a note to explain Mike's absence. Then I put it on the kitchen counter before heading out to school.
I was speeding my way to school because the note that I had written had set me back a few minutes. So much for my perfectly timed schedule. Words are hard for me, numbers just make more sense.
I'm happy that I don't have to truck all of my football gear to school today since it is Wednesday. That means we don't have practice. Maybe the Cullen boys will change their minds about the team and will join. Edward was the only one that showed any real interest in yesterday's activities. But I won't pester him, too much. I have a feeling that it is not going to happen. There is something holding him back. I'm not sure what is holding him. He was like an onion, very layered.
I had to run to biology class. I barely made it through the classroom door before the final bell of the morning rang. I flashed the teacher a million dollar smile and sat down at my desk. Spanish goes by just as easily as biology. Then I'm off to English Literature. I stop at my locker first to find Edward there again.
"Hey, Cowboy," he said as I approached.
"Howdy, Ed," I say to humor him. I let some of my Texas accent slip through, "Ready for English?"
Ed smiled at my stereotypical greeting. "As ready as I'll ever be. Heard we're going to be starting our first book of the year next week, I think it is called Wuthering Heights so don't forget to bring your reading glasses," he joked. I try not to cringe at that comment. He didn't know that I do actually have reading glasses.
Shit! I bite back a gulp and try to appear calm by talking more. I think he bought it. "Yeah, I heard from one of the seniors that he only gives us three books to read all year. Then most of the time we all take turns reading out loud in class. I wish we could just do it at home instead of in front of the whole class, the pressure is high, you know? It's going to be boring as hell." I rambled out quickly just so I would have something to say. Next week is definitely going to be bad, and it's only the first week of school!
Edward barked out a laugh. It sounds like it came from the gods. Whats wrong with me? Then he followed me into the classroom.
A note is slipped next to my right hand and I look down to see beautiful calligraphy that I couldn't copy if I tried. I am slow to puzzle it out. Reading is the hardest thing for me. I think the note says: Jasper, sorry I won't be joining the team, but I will come to your games to cheer you on. I have a feeling that you are going to have a great season this year.
I'm a little offended and confused by the note. Is our team not good enough for them to want to join, or are they not big sports fans. Emmett looked like he'd be up for anything having to do with sports. So why did he decline?
Something is definitely up here. I turn the note over with the words face down on the table so no one else can read it. I'm sure that my face is giving away the emotions I am feeling right now. When class ends, Edward and I walk to lunch together.
"Hey Cowboy, how do you want to do Sunday? Are we going to go in the same car or do you want to drive separately from me," he asked as we were walking down the hallway.
"Sure, whatever you want to do is cool with me. I thought that we had agreed to carpool when we first made these plans. Oh, I heard there's a new bowling alley opening," I offer up again. Maybe he forgot.
Edward and I walk through the lunchroom doors and fist bump. "Sounds good, Cowboy. I'll pick you up at noon on Sunday." Edward starts to walk away, but I grab him by the arm to still him.
Damn, his arm muscles are rock hard. Solid. What kind of gym did he go to? I couldn't help but notice. He was lean like a runner or a swimmer. A perfect body. He was incredibly toned. Then I realized I still had my hand holding firm to his arm. I was still touching him. Very slowly I peel my finger away from him.
I was feeling something I wasn't use to feeling. Something in the pit of my stomach twisted. Then I realized he was watching me like I'm a feral animal. Then I realize how awkward I was being.
"Shouldn't I be the one drivin'? I am the one showing you around and all." I was trying to ignore that fact I just groped him.
"Jasper," he said as he pats me on the shoulder. "Mike is going to need his car back sometime and that hunk of junk can't go above 60. We're taking my car." He is very firm about that. He walked away and I let him go this time. My body wants to follow, but I stop and head back to jocks' table.
I don't want to buy my own lunch today, so I go to my table and start picking and choosing food of other people's trays.
When lunch is over, the rest of the day goes by quick and P.E. is a blast. I walk out to the car only to see Ed's pixie sister, Alice. She is leaning against the hood of Mike's car with her hands behind her holding her up. When she sees me, she straightens up immediately and a large smile breaks out on to her face. It looks like she is vibrating in place but when I get there. I can see that she is just rocking from her tiptoes to the heels on her feet.
"I'm glad to finally meet you. Formally. Trying to get information out of Edward is like pulling teeth. He is such a loner." Yes, I know. That was something I had noticed right off the bat, on day one. That was something I liked about him. "So...When are you coming to our house? Can it be next week? How about Monday? Ooh, I am so excited! You will have a bunch of fun. Please say you'll come?" She says this so fast. All with one single breath and it takes my brain a moment to comprehend her words.
"Uh, hi, Alice. Umm…. I'm not too sure that I should be coming to your home so soon," I said awkwardly.
She frowned and her nose scrunched up adorably. "Why not? Is there something wrong with our house?" I open my mouth to speak, but she took the words right out of my mouth. "Oh, you think that Carlisle and Esme hate you. Because of last time. They know that it wasn't your fault. Trust me, they don't blame you for the cocaine incident. They blame Mike instead. So you're in the clear. Actually, they like you already and they really want you to come over so they can really meet—."
Edward came up out of nowhere and puts one arm around her waist and another hand on her mouth. He picked her up off the ground and took her away. He didn't let go of her until he reached the Volvo.
I shrugged and put my backpack in the front seat of the car. Then I climbed in while they are having a very heated argument with gargantuan gestures. Ed walked slowly over to me after he stopped bickering with Alice, knocking on the hood of the car as he comes up to the car.
"Jasper, I'm sorry about Alice. I didn't know that she was going to interrogate you or else I would have stopped her." Ed hangs his head in apology peaks out from his long red lashes.
"Whoa, Ed. You couldn't have possibly known what she was going to do. Plus, I didn't mind her talking to me. She's harmless." I put my hand on his arm. He lifted his head and looked into my eyes. Even with my jinx, I can't read him. I'm normally better at deciphering emotions. "For real, it's no biggie." And it really isn't. In fact, I like getting approached by pretty girls who don't only want to get in my pants.
"So since we are bowling on Sunday, do you really want to spend the day with me again on Monday?" Ed asked. That was a silly question.
"Well, if Alice would've given me some room to talk, I would have told her that I have football practice every day. Except for most weekends and Wednesdays. So, unless it's canceled, I can't come," I say with a shrug of my shoulders. I lean back in the seat of the car.
Ed's face falls for a fraction of a second before he tilts his head and his eyes seem to become unfocused for a second. Once he comes back to reality, the mood quickly changes to elated.
"No, I watched the news last night. We're supposed to have thunderstorms Monday. I remember Monday being forecast as thunder and lightning along with the normal rain. Guess we'll just have to see if Coach calls it off or not. Really, I think you should just spend the night on Sunday, then you can just ride to school us. Hell, then you can go back to our house again for another all-nighter." Ed smiles like the cat that ate the canary. Which makes me think he has something up his sleeve. He's up to something.
I nod and show him a small smile in return. For some reason, the idea of going to his house both gives me the chills and makes me thrilled at the same time. "Yeah, sure." Ed puts his hand on my bicep and rubs my arm. Every time we touch skin to skin I get a static discharge that leaves me feeling strange.
"Crossing my fingers that your practice is canceled." Now I am hoping too. "I really want to introduce you to my parents on some better terms."
"Meet the parents already, Ed? We haven't even had the first date yet!" I laugh at my own joke and Ed joined in after a few seconds of looking lost. "Nah, I've heard great things about Doctor Cullen. Listen, I should be going now," but I don't want to go. He let me finish buckling my seatbelt. I crank the car up and wave as I leave the parking lot to go home.
On the kitchen counter when I walk in is a sticky note. Thank you, Jasper. Send Michael our love.
My aunt and uncle should really pay more attention to their only child that likes to get drunk out of his mind and make bad decisions. I'm not surprised, they're both drinkers too. I shake my head, it's like they don't even care about us. Oh wait, they don't.
My skin is still tingling where Edward rubbed my arm. I rub the place on my arm trying to make it stop. It doesn't feel bad. For some reason, I am drawn to him. I don't understand it.
I decided to go for a walk in the woods that's around the house. I miss Texas, I miss the sunshine. I can count on both hands how many days a year that Forks sees the sun. I hate the dampness and the rain. I won't miss it when I leave this little town. I grab my raincoat and hat off the hook by the door. Yes, it's a cowboy hat.
I have a set walking trail that I walk. It helps me to relax. Something has my nerves wired. After my long walk in the woods, I go back inside and I read myself into a fitful sleep earlier than usual.
I am looking through the trees as I run. I'm looking for something, but I don't know what. As I walk past the trees, the leaves on the branches fall to the ground. Then the branches start to fall. I can hear trees falling.
The faster I run, the more I can hear the sounds of destruction following me. I come to a stop. Everything is falling apart. I stop moving altogether.
Ed steps out of the trees in front of me. I want to run to him. I can hear the destruction getting closer. As the forest is damaged behind me, so am I.
Fire-like pain starts to spreads throughout my body. The fire starts in my fingers and toes. It spreads with every painstaking step. It starts to spreading painfully to my heart as I gain speed. I try slowing down to a jog to ease the overwhelming pain that is taking control of my limbs, but it's not helping.
"Jasper," Edward whispers my name but his voice is as loud as the screams that burst through the darkness. He stretches his hand toward me and the pain heightens. Strength flows out through my veins along with the liquid fire, making me feel weak. I try to ignore the pain as I run to Edward as leaves fall hitting my face.
He looks sad and shakes his head. "I was too late." He starts to walk away and my chest aches for him. I need him.
No matter how fast I go, or how much I push my body, I am still not able to catch up to him. I fall to my knees and cry out to Edward as he walks further and further away until he is totally out of sight. I fall to my knees as the pain escalates with Ed's disappearance.
Suddenly, the dead trees around me are being knocked down with loud thumps. The sound doesn't stop and I scream louder and louder, and louder….
"Dammit it, get up, boy!" I sit up quickly, bump my head on something, and fall back down to my fluffy pillow. Looking up, I see my uncle above me holding his forehead and my aunt in the doorway. They are both in their pajamas which makes me look out my window to see that it is, in fact, still nighttime.
"I-I'm sorry, Uncle," I stutter. My forehead starts to ache and my voice is hoarse. I guess I was screaming in my sleep again. I really can't help the screaming, but my uncle doesn't care about that.
"Shit, kid. If you can't get this under control, I'm going to buy you a dog house for you to sleep outside. Hell, maybe you'll do better going back into the system. I'm sure they can whip your ass back into shape. Too bad about that other late uncle on your dad's side, I'm sure he would have loved to have you back. Maybe he wasn't—"
"Honey," my aunt interrupts, "that's enough." She still gives me a disappointed look despite her helpfulness. She turns and walks out of the room without another word, her nightgown swaying behind her.
My uncle isn't yet done with me yet. He grabs my bare shoulders since I don't wear shirts to bed. His grip is tight and would hurt any normal person, but I am no normal person. The only thing that can hurt me anymore is my own memories. Everything else that could have hurt me is now dead.
"Jasper, you are wearing down the last of my patience. Keep in mind that you are only here because you are the son of my wife's dead sister." I flinch at the word dead. My uncle takes no notice and keeps talking. "I don't want to be woken up again! So make sure that it doesn't happen or else next thing you know, you'll be six feet in the ground." He pushed me hard. I fell back into my uncomfortable bed. Hitting my head on the headboard.
Out of the room he walks. He takes one last disgusted look at me and slams the bedroom door behind him.
Mike would have woken me immediately and I wouldn't have gotten into so much trouble. Knowing that I am not going to be able to go back to bed in this state, I climb through my open window and onto the roof. I lay on my back on the shingles and cross my arms behind my head. This is one of my favorite ways to relax. I can just look at the stars and not think while time passes. One thought disturbs my overactive mind as I lay there.
I don't remember opening my window before I went to bed.
"Hi, Jasper. I'm Emmett, Eddie's favorite brother, and this is my beautiful girlfriend, Rosalie." I jump in my seat at the sudden intrusion of privacy and look up at the couple.
I don't know how I hadn't noticed them before in my Spanish class. Granted, they sit in the back of the class where they aren't as easily spotted. Emmett leaned over me. I was sitting in my chair when he did that and my first instinct was to straighten up in my seat. The blonde goddess, Rosalie, is behind Emmett. She is holding his hand as she looked at me intently.
"You probably remember us from that party and I came to your practice that one time. Rosalie just wanted to come up and say hi." Emmett continued with a loving look at his girlfriend. I raised a single eyebrow and look at Rosalie in surprise. She always looks so lethal. She always feels so angry. There is a good bit of vanity rolled up in there too. That screams to me that she has issues. Yet, with her standing in front of me, she seems almost accepting of me. Then I recognize it, a kindred spirit
"I'm sorry about Edward. He is annoying." Rosalie sounds really genuine in her apology for Ed. "For a long time, it was just me and him. I know him a little too well, sometimes." I bet those two fight like cats and dogs behind closed doors. I bet it's a strange love-hate relationship those two have.
I shoot her a small smile. There is something about her. I feel a kinship. "Oh, he's alright. Can be kinda weird and moody at times, but he's alright."
"If you say so. Just remember, if you ever need someone to beat him up for you, I'll make Emmett do it. Don't worry about roping Emmett into, he is always up for a fight."
What is it with these Cullens and their nicknames?
We both look at Emmett for confirmation. He eagerly nodded his head. I chuckle and the bell goes off so the couple goes back to their table in the back and I look back at the people around my table.
My team is looking at me, astonished. I'm confused by their behavior and I questioned them about it later in class. They all looked at each other with furtive looks before Tyler answered me hesitantly.
"Would've thought you'd notice by now, Jasper. The Cullens haven't spoken to anybody but themselves, the teachers, and you. We just can't figure out why you're the chosen one." I shrugged and pulled out a smirk.
"They just can't resist this face." Tyler shoves my arm and laughs loudly. Bringing the attention of the whole class down on our heads, including the teacher. We lower our heads at Señora Roof's glare but a small smile stays on my face.
Emmett and Rosalie are the first ones out of the room once the bell rings and don't wait up for me. Not that I wanted them to.
Ed is in his normal spot by my locker. Today he is wearing some new designer jeans that don't belong in this town due to their price, and a plain dark purple shirt. This might seem girly on any other dude, but Ed pulled the look off with confidence. He smiles at me as I approach. I give a half smile back.
"What's up?" I said, making small talk.
"Oh, nothing." He runs his fingers through his flyaway hair. Must be a nervous habit. "Alice is just getting on my last nerves, she is getting the house ready for you to come on Monday. She just won't stop moving around the house. She's like a mini tornado." I can picture her like this. I try to choke back a laugh and fail. I see his face light up at my laughter. It really doesn't take much for me to make Ed smile. I like it.
"Well then, I'll be sure to thank her. She really doesn't need to go all tornado for me, I thought we were just hanging out anyway, I won't be there for too long."
Ed's face drops for just a second. If it wasn't for that strange sixth sense of mine I wouldn't have noticed. What was she going all out for, I was just coming over to stay a day or two?
"Alice wants to go to college for interior design. Well, Esme has an extra guest room. Apparently white walls and a gray comforter wasn't good enough. She will be thrilled if you like all that she's set up for you." Why was she going through all this trouble for me? "Don't worry Cowboy, you'll like it, she that good." I hadn't realized that we'd made it to the classroom. I guess I was too into the conversation to take much notice on where I was going.
That's not safe. I look around, the halls are devoid of teenagers. Save for him and I. I have a sneaking suspicion that we are late for class. Edward doesn't seem to notice that we are all alone in the hallway. We will probably get detention if Ms. Owens has a particularly large stick up her ass this morning. More so than usual, that is. Ed opened the door and every head turned our way. I try to slip by him with my head down, trying not to get into trouble.
"Ahem, boys." Ms. Owens pulls my attention to her. "You. Are. Late." She raises one drawn on eyebrow and I cringe at the expression on her face. I open my mouth to say some bullshit about the librarian holding us hostage, but Ed beats me to the punchline.
"I am afraid that I was distracted," his voice is silky smooth as he said this. "In the hallway and did not notice the time," Ed reaches for her hand and kisses her knuckles. "I am so sorry, Janice." My jaw, along with the rest of the class, was on the floor.
Ms. Owens blushes twenty different shades and rubs the back of her neck with her other hand. "Oh, it's f-fine, Mr. Cullen. I didn't mean to accuse you of anything. G-go on back to your s-seats." She was so entranced by Ed that she was stuttering, wow. Ed shoots her an award-winning smile that could rip the panties off any young lady and walked to his seat and I follow to mine.
"Holy shit, dude. What the hell was that?" I whisper to him after a few minutes.
"That is called getting out of detention. All you have to do is….be me." Ed winked then his eyes dart up to the front of the classroom, but I know that he is still paying attention to me.
"I can't believe you used her first name. I didn't even know her first name is Janice. My Ma would have whipped my ass if I called an older lady by her first name." I am in awe of the man before me, I'm sure that if I were to try to pull that off that it would not go quite as smoothly as it did just now.
"Not everybody can be as cool as I am, Cowboy." Smug asshole. I see him glance at me and then an arch and a single eyebrow. And he knew it. I see one side of his perfect lips turn up in a half smile.
Near the end of class, Ms. Owens tells us about the reading out loud session next week and the class groans in unison. "Oh, hush up. We will do it next week. Wuthering Heights is the name of the book and after we finish it next week, we'll be able to talk about it all through the first and second term of the year. Make sure to pay attention because you will be doing many project and essays on different themes and characters with your table partners, and there will be no slacking!" The bell rings and I try to slide past Ms. Owens's desk.
"Jasper, will you stay a moment?" Though it was phrased as a question, there was definitely no choice in the matter.
I turn around tensely and stare at her. Ed walked past me and then looks at me curiously. He then bumps my shoulder kindly as he walks out the door. I've noticed that he doesn't actually walk out the door, or anywhere for that matter, but instead struts everywhere he goes like the ground is his own runway. A loud cough brings me back to reality and I look back to Ms. Owens, no doubt my ears are pink in embarrassment.
"Mr. Whitlock, if I had to guess, I would say that you are not looking forward to next week, am I correct?" Wow, she's an observant one. What next, my hair is blonde? I nod.
She sits down heavily in her chair and looks me right in the eyes after flipping her hair. "We both know that you have some….troubles that we need to take a look at. I think that I can help you in that area….among others as well." She bites her lip and looks at me from under her lashes and I cringe on the inside but smirk dashingly on the outside. I layer my accent on thick.
"Well, ma'am. I do indeed have it all under control and am workin' really hard to overcome this weakness of mine, but I do appreciate your offer. Maybe if you could avoid callin' on me…." I wink at her and she giggles in response.
"I'll see what I can do," Ms. Owens said, doing a horrible impression of my own accent. Yet, I smile none the less.
"And that is all I can ask of you." She licks her lips and raises her eyebrows. "Goodbye, ma'am." I open the door and leave. The door knocked into somebody in the hallway as I was heading out.
I found Ed leaning against the wall near the classroom door. He must have been waiting for me. Was he listening to our conversation? I start to get mad and tense my arms, but I come to my senses. Was he eavesdropping?
He looks up at me meekly. "Hey, Cowboy. I was just, uh, waiting for you out here….so we can go to lunch together."
I roll my eyes. "Let me guess, and while you were waiting, you just so happened to overhear the conversation that I was having in private? Come up with a better excuse next time, asshole." I push past him, seriously pissed off that he would do that. I really don't want my new friend finding out that I am less competent than any kid in this high school. I could lose Ed that way. I really don't want Ed to step out of my life.
"Wait! Let me explain." He rushed to my side, moving a little to fast. I file that away for later. Glad to know it wasn't the drugs. Something about the way he moved reminded me of something. I just couldn't remember.
He put both of his hands on my shoulders and looks up at me. I'm a few inches taller and I am broader than him. His gaze pleads with me to understand. "I really was waiting for you….at first. Then when you didn't come out for a while, I started listening because I was bored. I swear I didn't hear much." Ed puts on a good show, but I can detect the lie at the end. He heard every word. He was trying to make me feel better. With a huff, I calm myself down.
I took a few deep breaths and close my eyes. When I open them again, Ed is staring at me with an expression I can't place. "The only way I got out it was with flirting, don't speak of this again." He nodded quickly and we keep walking to the cafeteria. The air around us feeling lighter.
Maybe Ed can help me as a tutor. No, that is a silly thought.