Chapter Four

Bella

By October we all went around in a group, others joining and falling out from time to time and then Jazz made his first move. We were sitting outside on one of the rare warm autumn days waiting for Clarissa and Toni to join us.

"Bella, are you going to the Halloween party?"

I shook my head,

"No, I'm not really a party person, I don't dance, it's safer that way…...for everyone."

He laughed and I noticed his skin seemed to have a dull sheen to it as if he were glowing from within.

"Would you accompany me if I asked you?"

I was rather taken aback despite Clarissa's earlier words,

"Oh, I guess so, sorry that's not very polite. Yes Jazz I'd go with you if you asked me."

"Good, then all we need are costumes. Why don't you leave them to me. I happen to know a good fancy dress shop in Seattle."

"OK, but nothing too skimpy."

He nodded seriously,

"Of course not."

Once Jazz had asked me I knew I would have to tell Renee about him although I knew it was going to be a stressful call. I decided to call her one evening when Jazz was busy and Clarissa was out with some friends at the movies.

"Bella, it's good to hear from you. Is everything OK? Do you need some money? You haven't had an accident have you? Oh sorry I'll stop and take a breath. Tell me how college is going."

"Fine mum, it's hard and there's a lot of work but no more than I expected. Clarissa and I are going to a Halloween party at one of the other residences... it sounds like it's going to be fun."

"Bella, you sure you're OK? Party and fun don't usually belong in the same sentence when you talk. What's going on?"

I knew she would sniff out the truth quickly enough so I blurted it out.

"I met a guy, he's really sweet and we're...well we're going out together."

There was a short silence,

"I see, how old is he?"

"The same age as me mum, we're taking some of the same classes. His name is Jasper Whitlock and he's..."

I waited for the stern warning I was sure was coming but she surprised me,

"Well, you certainly sound happy enough. Where does this Jasper come from?"

"Texas originally but his parents are both dead. He and his sister are fostered."

"Well...? Go on, what does he look like?"

"He's tall, blond, and...gorgeous.

"Sounds like you got it bad Bella. I'm not going to lecture you but please be careful and take it slow."

I will mum I promise. I just thought you'd like to know."

"I expect a photograph...soon. I want to see this hunk that's stolen my daughters heart. Then I'll know who to come after if he breaks it."

The phone call should have made me feel easier but in fact it made everything too real and as a result

I spent the week leading up to the party trying to find ways of getting out of it. I even considered throwing myself down the stairs in a mad moment but Clarissa talked me round,

"What's the problem Bella? Don't you like Jazz?"

"Of course I do, its just…...dressing up and a date all in one?"

There was a knock on the door and Clarissa opened it coming back a few minutes later with a garment bag in her arms.

"Your costume has arrived, shall we see what it looks like?"

I nodded nervously and she unzipped the bag to reveal a long figure hugging black dress and a witches hat and wand. I heaved a sigh of relief,

"I was half expecting a mermaid outfit or something equally stupid."

"Well? Go on try it on."

I shook my head in panic

"Bella what if it doesn't fit? You can't go with the back done up with safety pins!"

She was right of course so I tried it on hurriedly and looking at myself in the mirror I wasn't sure whether to grin or groan. It fitted perfectly but it was figure hugging and that made me slightly self conscious then Clarissa burst in with a camera taking two snaps.

"I'm going to send one to Renee, she told me I had to make sure and get you in costume. She wants one of Jazz too."

That got me thinking, what would he come as? I didn't have long to wait. By the time I'd showered and got into my dress with my nails painted black and white by Clarissa it was almost time for Jazz to pick me up.

"Right, well now Cinders is ready maybe I can get ready too."

I hadn't known she was coming and she smiled shyly,

"Lee asked me, he even got me a costume but it's a little more frivolous than yours. You'll laugh."

I waited as she got dressed hoping Jazz wouldn't arrive too soon but his timing was impeccable.

He and Lee turned up together dressed as vampires and I had to say in his suit, black cloak, and wearing the vampire fangs he looked pretty good. Lee on the other hand looked as if he'd got this from a kiddies shop but he smiled appreciatively at Clarissa in her fairy outfit and we went off together.

It was the start of our romance, we danced after some encouragement from him and we talked, joining the others at times but he seemed to have eyes only for me.

"Do you like your costume Bella? I must say you do it justice."

"Thank you, it's lovely, you look rather distinguished too."

"Thank you. Bella. I know we haven't known each other long but I'd very much like to take you out."

"You are."

"No, I mean on a regular basis."

I hesitated blushing furiously,

"Oh, well yes I guess so."

I just wished I could start a sentence without saying oh, he'd think I was an idiot otherwise!

His smile however was dazzling and he pulled me into his arms and kissed me. His lips were surprisingly cold as were his hands but I didn't care. I was very flattered to have such a boyfriend and one I really did like a lot.

We became inseparable after that, he was there waiting for me to walk me to classes and again at lunchtime and when college finished each day. He carried my bag or books and we would spend our evenings doing course work, studying, but we also made time for plenty of fooling around although nothing too heavy, he continued to be a perfect gentleman.

Renee who of course got the photos Clarissa sent her rang with a thousand questions about Jazz. She was impressed by his good looks and touched by his tragedy but still nervous that I was getting involved with someone far too soon. She sent me a list of questions to ask him and when he found them thrown on top of my books he merely smiled and sitting down with it threw an arm around me and started answering them despite my protestations.

"Let's see, well now. I have a twin sister Rosalie who stayed with our foster parents but no other family. My foster father is a doctor and I have two foster brothers and one foster sister. They live in Boston and he works at one of the large teaching hospitals. I was born in Houston Texas and I plan on travelling and writing a book on the American Civil War when I graduate. I think that covers just about everything except…"

He hesitated and dropped the paper to the floor looking deep into my eyes,

"That I love you Bella Swan."

My heart hammered and my mouth went dry when I realized that not only did he mean his words but that I had also fallen in love with him.

Nothing changed after that but everything HAD changed. We spent all our time together and poor Clarissa became lonely as I started spending nights at Jasper's place. Not that we slept together, not yet, we just couldn't bear to be parted so I would curl up with him on his bed and sleep in his arms both of us knowing that the next step was down to us and not wanting to rush it.

There was something strange about him, almost ethereal. He never ate with me and I never saw him drink anything either, even when I stayed and he ordered food delivered for me. He explained he had a medical problem that necessitated a very strict diet and I felt sorry for him missing out on a good Chinese meal or a glass of wine from the bottle he would buy for me at weekends but it never seemed to bother him, he was just happy to be with me.

I guess I noticed that his skin was cold but it hadn't seemed to matter to me, nor the strangeness of his eyes that seemed to change colour from a light golden colour to a dark butterscotch. i certainly wouldn't have asked about it but one day he brought the subject up quite spontaneously.

It was a cold afternoon and we were walking to our usual haunt after college, the coffee shop when he hesitated before taking my hand instead wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

"Have you noticed how cold I feel to you Bella? You've never said anything."

"I guess so, I just never thought about it to much. Why?"

"Well you should know that I'm not quite "normal" for want of a better word. I have a genetic disorder that makes me appear colder and my flesh harder than yours."

"Is that why you're on a special diet and why your eyes change color?"

He smiled,

"I thought you'd noticed that, yes it is. If I feel too cold you must tell me. Its one of the reasons I always wrap you in a blanket when we go to bed."

I smiled,

"And there was me thinking you couldn't stand the sight of my body!"

He looked at me horrified for a second before smiling,

"You almost had me there. I think your body is exquisite Bella and I would like nothing better than to hold you close with nothing between us but you'd probably end up with pneumonia."

Personally I liked that idea too and I hoped it would come soon but there was no need to rush things and I enjoyed sleeping with his strong arms around me, his scent drenching my clothes and hair.