Chapter Sixteen
Bella
As we drove out of Forks Alice turned to look at me,
"Bella would you mind if we took my brother with us? He's at a loose end at the moment and I feel sorry for him."
I couldn't imagine Emmett at a loose end but then I couldn't imagine Rosalie letting him go out with me so maybe Edward was back. That would be a good evening!
"Sure no problem, its your treat."
"Our treat Bella and don't look so worried, you're going to enjoy yourself."
"You seem very sure of yourself."
"I am"
And she seemed to believe this so I sat back as she grinned pulling up suddenly as a figure loomed out of the dusk and I thought she might be right because it wasn't Edward but Jasper. I opened my door to slip in the back but he shook his head and got in leaning back with a nervous smile,
"I hope you don't mind my crashing your outing?"
"No its fine."
And it was, my heart was beating a little fast again and I had to swallow the nervous lump that had appeared in my throat. Just a second though, was this all part of Alice's master plan? The one I had suggested ironically enough! Let him see she was happy for him to be in company with other girls before hitting him with the one he really liked. I could hardly ask her if I was part of her scheme but I would watch knowing that he could hardly be interested in someone so ordinary as me.
Jasper
I felt Bella's emotions and they gave me hope, she had been pleased when she saw me and I knew she was reacting to my presence but whether that would lead to her falling in love with me I had no idea, all I knew was that she was the one for me and my destiny was tied irrevocably to hers. Alice chatted away as usual during the drive drawing us both into conversation about the film she had chosen for us, a romantic comedy which I wasn't sure I would enjoy but then I was there to soak up Bella's presence not watch the film. In the dark I could sit close to her, breath in her scent and wallow in the emotions she brought out in me. Alice paid for the tickets while I bought drinks and popcorn, at least in the dark I could get away with dropping the disgusting stuff without anyone seeing me. We walked in together and Alice arranged for Bella to sit between us giving me a grin over Bella's head and then settling herself back with a tub of popcorn and a large coke. As the lights went down I allowed myself to lean a little closer and position myself so I could watch Bella's face. When she smiled it lit up her whole face and when she frowned the little creases on her brow made her look even more cute. Her scent was stronger than I remembered but then she was older and her hormones more active. Her blood made my throat burn a little but it wasn't uncomfortable, I desired the girl much more than her blood. She was beautiful and I hoped one day to make her mine but she was nervous and self-conscious so I would have to treat her like a nervous colt, with a soft hand and a calm manner. "Bella" I allowed myself to mouth her name and I liked the way it sounded on my lips.
Bella
I was so aware of Jaspers presence next to me that in found it difficult to concentrate on the film, my popcorn sat on my lap uneaten and while I sipped my coke I found it difficult to swallow. What on earth was the matter with me? Yes he was gorgeous, good-looking, sexy even, but he was just a friends brother, not interested in me, not here because of me and I wasn't going to make a fool of myself over a guy, however appealing he was. Wouldn't the school have a laugh if I fell for Jasper Hale! I found myself leaning towards him even so and I almost wished he would put his arm around me but he kept it on the arm of his seat so close yet so far from me. When the lights came back up I blinked in surprise, I hadn't realised the film had finished. Alice turned to me her eyes sparkling,
"Now that's what I call a hunk."
I looked at her confused,
"Bella, don't you like Kellan? I think he's hot."
"Oh yeah, no not really my type."
I was babbling and it was embarrassing but Jasper appeared to be occupied in something he'd taken out of his pocket.
"If you don't have to get back early Bella there's a poetry recital at a small club close by".
"I love poetry if that's OK with you Alice."
She beamed,
"Great, let's go"
Alice
I thought maybe I could push things just a little bit so I took Bella's arm as we left the cinema and prodded Jasper,
"If you don't grab hold you're going to lose us in the crowd".
He gave me a rather doubtful look but Bella smiled and held out her arm so he took it and the look on his face told me he would be thanking me later. Once inside we found the poetry reading had been cancelled and instead there was a Karaoke. Not exactly Bella's forte from the look of panic on her face so we made a hasty retreat and found a quieter bar to have a drink. Jazz had a beer while Bella and I stuck to Coke but she was far more interested in Jasper than her drink which made it hard for him to pretend to drink his beer. I felt sorry for him as he was forced to actually drink it as we talked while I was able to water the plant next to our table with mine. Still the sacrifices he was making now would be worth it in the long run. I was content to watch them until that is I got a vision and was unable to stop a small gasp from escaping my lips. Jazz looked at me concerned while Bella took my hand,
"Alice are you OK?"
She sounded genuinely worried about me and I managed a smile to reassure her,
"Sorry I stubbed my toe."
She laughed,
"That's usually my trick but now I come to think about it I haven't tripped this evening at all, strange! If you'll excuse me for a minute."
She made her way through the other customers towards the rest rooms and as she disappeared from sight Jazz took my arm,
"What did you see Alice?"
"Carlisle and Eleazer didn't manage to persuade Edward to stay away but something else may. He was planning on coming home tomorrow and taking Bella."
"No, I can't, I wont let him Alice".
Jasper
I felt panic nibble at the edges of my brain, I wouldn't let Edward anywhere near my mate, I'd kill him first!
"You missed the important point Jazz, He isn't coming back although he still plans to at the moment. Something is going to stop him."
"Really? What Alice?"
"Carlisle is planning on travelling back with him but doesn't think he's going to have any more luck than he has so far. But I see something coming, something not quite clear yet that will change Edwards mind. I think everything is going to work out after all Jazz. Which is just as well really because otherwise you would have to tell her, get her away from here."
"Are you absolutely sure Alice? If not I'll do it, take her and run."
"You know it doesn't work like that, I won't know for sure for a while"
I hit the table in my frustration and heard the wood splinter,
"Alice, what do I do? Try?"
As I lifted my hand again Bella reappeared and gasped taking it in hers and turning it, then I saw what she had seen, a long splinter of wood sticking from the palm of my hand.
"Let me."
She took out a handkerchief from her pocket and gently pulled out the splinter wrapping the wound in the clean white material then she looked at the splintered table top.
"What happened?"
I couldn't answer her I was too dizzy from the feel of my hand in hers and the concern she felt for me.
"I put the bottle down a little too firmly but thank you for your concern."
It sounded stiff even to my ears but she just smiled shyly and let go of my hand reluctantly.