Chapter Eight

Jasper

I couldn't bear to be separated from Bella any longer, not now we had made love, I hated the fact she went back to her room. I wanted her with me all the time, I needed her close. As we lay together in bed after another night together I broached the subject.

"Bella, why don't you move in here with me? There's plenty of room here and half your things are here already."

She smiled snuggling closer and kissing my neck but I could see the answer in her eyes,

"I can't Jazz, it wouldn't be fair on Clarissa. We're friends and I couldn't leave her on her own all the time."

I understood, even applauded, Bella's stance but that didn't mean I had to like it. I didn't push her to change her mind but I did keep asking her.

On the 1st she went back to her place, I drove her there and stayed until Clarissa got back when I decided it was time to make my goodbyes. Bella walked to my car with me arm in arm and I could feel there was a large part of her that was sorry she was saying goodbye. After that she stayed more often and every time we made love, bringing us closer and closer which only made her absences hurt all the more. So every time I asked again and each time she would smile and shake her head before leaving me again.

This place was cold and empty without her presence and I found myself spending the nights she slept at her place sitting in my car outside hiding in the shadows but feeling better for being close to her. I toyed with the idea of listening in to their conversations but it felt like an invasion of privacy so instead I spent my time dreaming of the places I would take her once she agreed to be mine. I had already decided to propose at Spring Break and I was almost sure she would say yes although her mother and possibly father would disagree with such a decision.

Bella

I knew Jasper wanted me to move in, he asked me often enough and God knew I wanted to but I felt a loyalty to Clarissa and it wouldn't feel right leaving her just like that. I must have appeared distracted because her question came out of the blue.

"Bella what's on your mind?"

"Sorry?"

You aren't here most of the time and when you are you still don't seem to be so whats on your mind?"

"It's nothing really, I'm fine. Sorry Clarissa I was miles away."

"I rest my case. Come on don't try that with me, I'm not stupid."

I sighed and crashed down on the couch beside her,

"Jasper asked me to move in with him."

Her eyes lit up and she grabbed my hand excitedly,

"Oh my God! So what did you say?"

"I said I can't."

I could see that hit her hard,

"You did? Why? What's the problem? He's crazy about you and I thought you felt the same way about him."

"I do but…"

"But what? Come on, spit it out Bella, I'm dying here."

"I can't leave you here on your own."

She looked at me for a moment wide eyed then she laughed,

"Please, I'm not a child Bella. Do you love him?"

"Of course."

"And you want to move in with him?"

"Yes."

"Then what's the problem? I get this place to myself and you get the guy, it's a win win situation."

I looked at her critically,

"You really mean that don't you? Wouldn't you mind being alone here?"

"Are you kidding? I can have guys back whenever I like, spread out all over the place, be untidy, what's not to like?"

"It just didn't seem right somehow, fair to you."

"Well personally I think you'd be crazy not to. I wouldn't need asking twice! In fact, I'm going to arrange a slumber party as a moving out celebration."

"A what?"

"Well if you're going to shack up with the most gorgeous guy in the world we deserve to join in the fun."

"You sure?"

"What are you waiting for? Ring him and tell him. I'll contact the girls."

"Oh, if you must."

"I must, I love a party."

Of course Jazz was over the moon and agreed with Clarissa that we should have a girls night.

"I'll pick you up the morning after along with all your stuff, when is this party? And I'll get you a key cut tomorrow."

I couldn't help laughing at his enthusiasm. When we finally finished speaking and I went back into our sitting room and found Clarissa had already made the arrangements for the party and organized the food and drink along with a couple of horror flicks.

I looked at her mystified,

"Horror flicks? Aren't love stories and make up more usual at these kind of parties?"

"Hardly Bella, it wouldn't be a slumber party if we weren't terrified out of our wits. I told everyone to bring an urban legend with them too."

"A what?"

"Yeah scary stories, it's gonna be great."

I couldn't think of a single urban legend and decided I must have lived a very sheltered life so I was forced to do some research between classes. Finally I found one I thought might entertain the others and printed it out to learn. I didn't think Clarissa would appreciate me reading it from a script. I hadn't realized there were so many or that they were so varied but I tried to stick to those affecting girls at college, to really get into the spirit of things.

When I got back from classes on Friday night, she didn't waste any time getting rid of me, I stopped inside the door and stared. All the furniture had been pushed to the sides of the room and large cushions were scattered on the floor. There were candles absolutely everywhere in holders, saucers, empty tins and anything else she could lay her hands on. A stack of DVD's were on the floor by the side of the TV and our coffee table groaned under the plates and dishes laid out on its surface. I lifted the tin foil to see what she'd got, there were potato chips, dips, vegetable sticks, pizza slices and assorted other nibbles which of course I had to sample until that is I found my hand slapped away.

"You, go get ready. You are the belle of the ball after all and no more sampling. I got sodas and some wine for this evening, you think there's gonna be enough?"

I rolled my eyes,

"Unless you invited the whole year I'd guess yes Clarissa. Who have you invited by the way?"

"Toni, you, Sally, Gemma and me. I thought small and intimate would be more fun."

"Whatever you say."

"Don't forget it's a slumber party so PJ's only."

"I'm just going to ring Jazz first."

She smiled,

"Boy you got it bad girl. Give him my love and tell him I'm still waiting for him to show up with a cute brother."

"I'll be sure to remind him."

He sounded pleased to hear from me,

"I didn't expect to get a call tonight. I thought it was your last night as one of the girls?"

"It is but I miss you. You missing me?"

"Always darlin' but not for much longer. What time can I pick you up tomorrow?"

"We're having brunch at our favorite restaurant, so when I get back I'll call."

"I'll be waiting for that call engine running ready. Have you told your parents you're moving to a new place yet?"

"I told Renee."

"And?"

"She just told me to be careful, introduce you as soon as possible, and good luck telling Charlie. Really helpful."

"So when are you going to tell him?"

"I thought once I'd moved in, he'll probably moan less if it's a done deed."

"Would you rather go to see him? I'll go with you if you like."

"Once I tell him I guess we should go to Forks and introduce you to him but remember he carries a gun and he's an expert shot!"

He laughed then told me he loved me and I rang off. Well that was a relief, Charlie could hardly throw a fit with Jasper standing there in front of him or at least I hoped not.