Chapter Twenty Two
Alice
I thought it was about time Jazz spoke to Bella seriously and when I saw Edwards decision to stay in Denali with Josie I hunted him down. He was in the garage with Emmett doing something to the engine,
"Rose is going to kill you if she sees you with the hood up."
They both looked at me and Emmett shrugged,
"I can't get in any more trouble with Rose, she's not talking to me as it is. Why she hates Bella so much I can't figure out."
"Well she's going to hate her even more pretty soon Emmett."
I turned to Jazz,
"I thought you might like to know that Edward isn't coming back. He's staying in Denali with his new friend Josie. I think her lure has overcome his thirst for Bella's blood so now the way is clear I think you should go see Bella."
Emmett grinned widely,
"Yeah you know you're panting for her, go tiger"
Jazz rolled his eyes but he had a grin on his face as he did so,
"So what have you seen in your crystal ball Mystic Meg?"
"This weekend Charlie is going to spend time on the Res again, Sue and Harry are throwing an engagement party for Emily and Sam so Bella will be free, unless of course you'd prefer she went along? I guess being with all those wolf boys might do something for her, who knows she might just decide she likes Jake after all."
Jasper
I knew Alice was just winding me up but Emmett thought it was highly amusing,
"Yeah bro' you could lose her to a cub."
They both looked at me waiting for an answer so I took out my phone to ring her but Alice shook her head,
"You'll get Charlie if you ring. Speak to her at school tomorrow."
Now I'd decided, I didn't want to wait,
"I'm going for a run."
They looked at each other and grinned,
"Yeah sure. Best of luck Jazz"
I ignored them and went to change, I didn't want to turn up at Bella's in greasy overalls so I slipped into the shower quickly then put on sweat pants and a long-sleeved tee-shirt and went out the back way so I wouldn't see their grinning faces again, I was nervous enough without that. I paced myself thinking about the first time I saw Bella, a young girl tying her laces while a bear got ready to attack. I remembered her scent and the feel of her warm hand as I placed the tooth in it, the tooth she had kept according to Alice. Getting close to the house I saw with relief that Charlie was just pulling away with one of the deputies and was about to step out into the open when I saw her in the window. She was gazing out wistfully and I wondered what she was thinking about, would she be pleased to see me? Alice seemed confident that she would so I straightened up and walked over the road to the house, running up the porch steps to knock on the door then waited expectantly.
Bella
As Charlie left I got the feeling that someone was close by so I looked out the window wondering what Jasper was doing, not peering out the window like an old woman was my guess so I went back to the kitchen to tidy up the dinner things. I'd just got my hands wet when there was a knock on the door so I pushed my hair back from my eyes and walled through to answer it drying them on the tea towel. When I opened it my heart beat faster and my mouth went dry. Standing on the porch looking like he'd just walked out of a fashion shoot was Jasper Hale.
"Hello Bella. I wondered if you'd like to go for a walk."
I nodded then pulled myself together,
"Sure I'd love to. I was just washing up, let me grab a jacket..."
He smiled and touched the side of my face,
"You have soap bubbles in your hair."
Unable to get my mouth working I just grabbed my coat and shut the door,
"Where were you thinking of walking only I think its going to rain soon."
"It's sure to Bella, we're in Forks, only suitable for amphibians really."
He held out his hand and it seemed the most natural thing to take it, registering that it was cold as if he'd been making snowballs or something. We walked in silence for a few minutes before he spoke again.
"You must be wondering why I suddenly appeared at your house with an invitation like this."
"Well yes but I'm enjoying the walk. Are you going to explain?"
"I think I should or you'll be thinking I'm a little strange if you don't already. I was wondering if perhaps you might consider going out with me...on a date."
Jasper
She stopped suddenly and looked at me quizzically,
"Why would you want to go on a date with me?"
"Why not?"
"Well, I can think of a lot of reasons..."
"Care to tell me a few? Not that it matters, I would like to take you out but it's up to you. Maybe we could go to the pictures or out for a meal, or do you have somewhere you'd like to go?"
We walked on again but this time her grip on my hand was tighter and I could feel her confusion she really didn't know why I'd want to take her out so I continued,
"I wondered if you would like to take the ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria then take a bus to the Butchart gardens and have a meal on Saturday. It's just a thought, if you'd prefer somewhere else..."
"No, that sounds great thank you. I'll just have to clear it with my dad, he's going to the Res, there's a party and I was invited but I didn't really want to go".
"I'm a good excuse?"
I grinned as she looked at me scandalised,
"No of course not. I'd much rather go out with you..."
With a blush she realised I was teasing her and sighed,
"OK Jasper. I'd love to but in the meantime I have some homework to do before school tomorrow so much as I'd like to stay out with you I guess I should be getting back. Will I see you tomorrow?"
"Of course, at school. I'll be looking for you."
We walked back slowly and I could feel her reluctance to go back in the house so I took her hand and put it to my lips,
"Thank you for accepting. I'll see you tomorrow Bella."
Bella
I went inside and shut the door in a daze, had that really just happened? Jasper Hale had called at the house and asked me out? I felt an empty ache in my chest when he'd gone, oh Bella what are you doing? It wasn't a good idea to get involved with a boy here in Forks. After all I didn't know how long I would be here but I couldn't help myself, I was attracted to Jasper, he made my breath come faster and my heart beat louder. I waited nervously for Charlie to get home wondering what he would say when I told him I had a date. He knew I didn't like going to the Res but he might put his foot down as it was an engagement party, I just hoped not. I did my homework but I couldn't settle, just kept drinking coffee and gazing out the window hoping he'd get back quickly, after all he'd only gone to the station for an hour to catch up on the news. When I saw the cruiser pull up and dad get out the passenger door I ran to the front, Charlie looking at me in astonishment,
"You OK Bells?"
I thought quickly,
"Yes I was just worried about you. It's too early for you to be going back to work."
"I only went to catch up on what's going on, I didn't do anything I promise. It was good to talk to the others though, I was getting cabin fever here. What have you been up to?"
"I went for a walk."
"A Walk? On your own?"
"Not exactly. Jasper Hale came over and asked if I'd like to go out for a while."
"Jasper Hale? That's one of Dr Cullens boys isn't it?"
"Yes. We went for a walk and he's asked me out at the weekend."
"Really? What about the party on the Res?"
"I was hoping I could miss it. Jake's been crowding me and I'd really like to go out with Jasper."
"Where exactly?"
"Jasper mentioned the ferry to Victoria and a bus trip to some gardens."
"Sounds good. You want to go with him?"
I nodded flushing slightly,
"Then I guess I'll make your apologies. Go and enjoy yourself Bella."
"You sure dad?"
He smiled broadly,
"I know I'm an old man in your eyes but I remember when I was sweet on a girl, nothing else mattered, just remember you're still at school, don't get too involved. To be honest I was thinking of crying off myself, I'm not sure I'm up to any more late nights for a while."
"Are you sure you'll be OK if I leave you all day?"
"Bella I think I'm old enough to fend for myself even if I do look like an old crock to you."