HI everybody! Thanks for all the reviews and adds, you're wonderful. There will be more of Peter and Charlotte in the next chapter, you're absolutely right, they are sorely needed here.
twilight belongs to SM
7
Jasper's POV
I had expected everybody to go at me for talking to a human so soon after I had slipped, but before Rosalie could say anything, Alice's sharp gasp for breath stopped her in her tracks.
"You can't do that. You're just going to be miserable if you go, and it will solve absolutely nothing", she told Edward, who, as I noticed then, had been extremely tense, and desperation was rolling off him in waves.
"I don't care. I'm not giving in to the monster, and if leaving is what it takes, then I will leave."
"Could you enlighten us to what is going on?" Emmett said looking from one to the other in synch with the rest of us.
"The new girl, I…" Edward stopped and pressed his lips together.
"He is scared he will hurt her, so he wants to leave right now", Alice said. "You won't hurt her, I don't see anything like that."
My instincts went into overdrive. No, Edward was definitely not hurting Bella, he wouldn't even get near her. I felt bloodlust coming from him. Oh no, you're not getting your teeth into my mate. I started growling menacingly.
"I'm sorry, Jasper", Edward apologised at once and turned to Alice. "See: I have to leave or my bloodlust will set Jasper off again."
We had by now reached the house, and Edward was off to Carlisle's room in seconds, only to return with the key to Carlisle's Mercedes, which we saw racing down the driveway the next moment.
Alice growled in frustration and took Rosalie off to shop in Seattle for the rest of the day.
I couldn't believe my luck. I had been sure my cover had been completely blown, but Edward's problem had solved the dilemma momentarily. However, I would need to make sure that he was not coming back that night to eat Bella. If she was his singer, it would take a lot for his resolve to hold out against his instincts, and I was not taking the risk of her being hurt.
One hour after school I set out again to keep watch near Bella's house. I knew it was creepy to be stalking her such, but for now there was no other way I could keep her safe, and I have to admit I enjoyed watching her, always looking forward to a time when I could do that at my leisure with her knowing. I was planning to do some research on how to go about getting close to Bella without being as awkward as I had been and must have been quite distracted, because Charlotte managed to sneak up on me. She let me know they had decided to keep lose contact by staying in Seattle for a while, and I was not to worry about them. Shamefacedly I explained my problem, and angel that she is she gave me some ideas and even promised not to tell Peter just how much of an idiot I was making myself. I really couldn't take have him making fun of me right now.
Bella's POV
The next few days at school were weird. Jasper's behaviour kept changing from super polite and friendly to grumpy or intense stares. He seemed downright possessive when I was talking to other students, but at least he kept his distance and stopped showing off his superior intellect. From what he notes down as well as from working with him in assignments, I could get that he is really bright and has knowledge far beyond his age – apparently he also likes to read, which is something new for me to encounter in a guy. What I don't understand is how he can look like he does and be an absolute failure at sports like me. He seems quite fast and moves very smoothly, with a cat-like elegance, but apparently catching a ball does not work for him either. It might have to do with his glasses, though they don't appear to be that thick… hm, strange. Heehee, thinking of cats, that is the impression I get of him, I would not be surprised at all if he started growling or purring when stroked. Bella, get real!
Edward has not been in school at all the last few days; Jasper said he thought he caught some kind of bug. Well, maybe that was responsible for his bad mood on Wednesday.
"If I were you I'd be careful with Hale", Mike said to me in Gym on Friday.
"Huh?" I looked his way and accidentally catapulted the ball in the direction of the back of the coach's head. I ducked, getting ready for my dressing down when the missile hit, but in the last second Jasper caught the ball with one hand and threw it back in our direction. Oops, how did he do that suddenly? I looked over to him thankfully, but he smiled back sheepishly and shrugged.
"What do you mean?" I asked Mike.
"Well, it's only that … Jessica went out with him last week, then this week he turned up very close with his 'sister' Alice, and now he looks like he wants to snare you." Mike blushed.
Oh, I hadn't noticed there was something going on with his adoptive sister, somehow I that idea had not occurred to me at all, but now that Mike mentioned it, I remembered that I had been told he had been holding hands with her earlier. Hey, why was that bothering me anyway? Guys like that never looked at me twice, and Alice was so much prettier than every girl in our year. Luckily I didn't have to say anything to Mike because the bell signalled the end of the lesson, and I was in a hurry to go shopping again. I planned to make some pie for the weekend and had to get the ingredients.
There was a long line at the checkout and by the time I got back, the Cruiser was parked in the driveway. Charlie had returned from work early for a change; that was nice.
"Hi, I'm back", I called out, carrying my purchases to the kitchen.
"So am I", he chuckled back from the living room. In the background I could hear the sounds of a baseball game. Ah, that was the reason for the early return. "Bells?"
"Yes?" I popped my head around the doorframe.
"You had a phone call a minute ago, a boy from your school; he said he'd call back later." I could hear his curiosity, which was matched by mine.
"Who was it?"
"A Jack or Jasper – are boys really called that today? I thought that name went out of fashion with my granddad." Charlie had by now ambled into the kitchen. "Starting to break hearts already, Bells?" Anxiety underlying the light tone. Charlie was scared I would grow up too quickly.
I laughed. "No, don't worry, dad. I don't know what he wants either, must…" I was interrupted by the phone. "I get it." I dashed to the hall and picked up. What could Jasper possibly want from me? "Swan?"
"Bella, hi, it's Jasper. I just found out why my bookbag seemed to weigh a ton. I must have packed your Calculus book by accident, as well as that strange novel we're reading in English."
Accident? My foot. Kleptomaniac much? "Aha?"
Jasper had already talked on. "I know it sounds strange, but when it comes to books, I have a tendency to grab what I can get. Now I'm wondering, when would be a good time to return my loot to you?" His voice sounded silky and I found my attention wandering. What was that guy doing to me?
"Bella? Are you still there?"
"Yes, sorry. Well, I'm going to need them for homework this weekend."
"I know. Will you be in tomorrow? Maybe we could do it together; it would be more fun than on my own or having to ask my sister." Same silky voice.
Like he would have to ask his sister, he could probably do homework with his eyes closed. But he was right, it would be nicer to work together. "We could do that. Do you want to come round at three?"
"Three sounds fine. I'll see you then. Bye." He hung up.
I shook my head and went back to the kitchen to start dinner.
"What did he want then?" Charlie asked later beaming at the food.
When I explained, he nodded. "Sounds ok. They are all quite nice, the Cullen kids, very polite and well-behaved. I have to admit that I was sceptical when they moved here with lots of adopted teenagers, but they have been no trouble at all so far."
"That's good. Why would a young couple adopt so many teenagers?" I made use of Charlie in a talking mood to satisfy my curiosity about the Cullens.
He scratched his chest. "I think they can't have children themselves, and I heard the three Cullen siblings are related to him, kids of an elder brother or something."
"That makes sense."
"Mm, and I think we're damn lucky that Mrs Cullen wanted to live in a small town. I bet the doctor could get work in one of those big hospitals in no time."
"Why do you sound so angry?" I wondered at his aggressive tone.
"Ah, you know, people talk, nothing to worry about, Bells. I had planned to be out fishing with Harry and Billy tomorrow by the way, but I can cancel that…"
"Hey, I don't mind being on my own, and I've got all that homework, too. You go out and have fun."
"Thanks, ah, and hey, visiting the Blacks on Sunday is still on, right?"
"Yep, I'm making pie. Got to do something for Jake after he got the truck ready for me."
He shook his head. "I thought you didn't want to start breaking hearts."
"Wait until you've tasted it, maybe I'm just out to poison your friends."
"Don't think so", he chuckled and retreated to his game.
I cleared the table and then went upstairs to email Renee. She had been sending several mails already and I wanted to prevent her from calling Charlie about my whereabouts.
Later, when I came into my room after getting ready for bed, I saw a man outside our house, looking up at my window. I would not have seen him had I not left the light out, but this way I saw his tall silhouette outlined against the surrounding dark. A minute later he was joined by another smaller figure. I thought about calling Charlie, but the next time I looked they were gone, so I settled for slamming my window shut rather noisily and going to bed.
Charlie was already gone when I woke the next morning. I dawdled around a little, reading during breakfast, but then got my act together. I washed several loads and cleaned the bathroom before I started my pie-baking effort.
When Jasper rang the bell at three sharp I had just gotten the pastry out of the oven and was righteously tired of chores.
"Hi", Jasper smiled at me and pushed himself off the banister on which he had been leaning. He looked as if he had just stepped out of a photo-shoot, a sky-blue t-shirt hugging his body, low-hanging black jeans and the ever-present boots.
I in contrast was all hot and probably sweaty from the heat of the oven and my exertions before, my hair in an untidy bun. I sighed, well, he'd have to deal with that. I could never match him for beauty anyhow. Or Alice, I added in an afterthought. I was just hoping that he did not notice my admiring stare. "Hi, come on in", I held the door for him.
He followed me into the living room and held out my books. "Sorry, again. I brought you some chocolate", he placed a bar of my favourite – and expensive – chocolate on top of the books, "compensation for my theft." He smiled widely.
"Hmm, thanks, I love that." I had left my bookbag downstairs, and now got us settled at the dining table.
We worked conscientiously and were done with the homework after two hours. He had been right, doing this together was not only more fun than working alone but also far more efficient, especially because Jasper was absolutely charming and it turned out he had a great sense of humour as well as a talent for explaining stuff.
"Right, that's it", I said in the end. "We're finished, a whole weekend free." I closed my folder with a satisfied smile.
"What is that heavenly smell?" Jasper asked.
"Pie, I made some for tomorrow. Do you want a slice?" I suddenly realised that my hostess skills were sadly lacking and got up quickly.
He looked …scared suddenly and declined quickly. "No thank you, I really can't have any, allergy, you know." I must have been mistaken about the scared face, because he was grinning widely again. "That explains some things, though."
"Like what?" I frowned.
His grin became even wider. "Like you having flour on the tip of your nose and on your forehead."
"Hey", I exclaimed embarrassedly. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?" I scrubbed it away furiously, shaking my head. Why did stuff like that always happen to me? Was there even a remote possibility I would ever walk through life with poise and elegance? Obviously not.
He shrugged and came closer to me. "You looked absolutely adorable this way." He was next to me, so close that I could feel his cool breath, and pushed a lock of hair behind my ear. "But you always look beautiful to me, darlin'."
He looked at me longingly, and my heart skipped a beat, then started racing furiously. I was suddenly very aware of being alone with Jasper, who was not so much a boy but a man, and felt myself wishing he would touch me or kiss me at once. With a swift motion he put his hands on either side of my face and bent down to kiss me. My brain switched off, and my hands went round his neck and into his hair automatically and pulled him closer to me. I felt like hot wax, my body moulded against him, yearning for him to get even closer. Suddenly he growled and I found myself on the sofa with Jasper's body pressing down on me. He was grinding against me in an unmistakable movement, still making that odd growling sound.
"Jasper?" I asked shyly.
"Yes, darlin'?" moaned. His hands started wandering underneath my shirt.
"Jasper, stop. I… stop at once!" I tried pushing him off. No luck, I might as well have pushed a stone wall. Now I was scared. "No, Jasper, please! Stop!"
The next second he was at the opposite end of the room. I blinked. "How did you just do that?"
Jasper ignored my question. He looked absolutely contrite. "Bella, I'm so sorry. I should never have… That was out of line. Can you forgive me?"
I didn't really hear him. I was confused and ashamed. Had I done something wrong? Had I led him on? I was not really experienced in things like that. Hell, I had never even had a boyfriend before, but I was pretty sure things were not meant to go that fast.
He came closer again slowly, but I scuttled back on the sofa and pulled my legs up against my body. He flinched. "Darlin', I never meant to scare you."
"Can you leave now?" I asked in a small voice. I was shaking, nerves, I knew, but I wanted to be alone.
"Please believe me, I did not want to hurt you, Bella, I just got carried away when we kissed." His eyes were pleading with me to let him stay, but I could not do that.
"Mm, I want to be alone, my dad is going to come in ten minutes anyway", I lied, and Jasper got his things and left.
I waited until my heart had slowed down to its normal rate, then rushed upstairs and threw myself onto my bed. I started crying, not because I was sad, but because I needed to relieve the tension and confusion about what had happened downstairs. How was I going to face him on Monday? What I really needed was a good friend, but I hadn't found one here yet. In Phoenix my mom had been my best friend, but I was quite sure I did not want to talk to her about it, which left me nowhere.
In the end I had a hot bath and went to bed early. Just before I dropped off to sleep, I realised a strange thing: when Jasper had come in this afternoon, his eyes had been golden, not black, like at school. Later they had become really dark again. Curious!
While I certainly like the reviews and adds, and they always make me update faster, there is a limit to my output now that I've started working again. I will however try to go as fast as possible.