Growing Closer

I still don't own Twilight. I'm almost as disappointed about that, as I was when I didn't get my Hogwarts letter. If I can't be a wizard, then I don't understand why I can't have a vampire girlfriend instead. Real life is dumb.

○●○ Growing Closer ○●○

Me and Jasper were sitting in my truck. He was driving, he insisted on it. The windows weren't cracked this time, Jasper had explained that he had gotten used to my scent. I trusted him, I knew he could never hurt me.

I also had a grand epiphany, it was completely possible that Jasper's gift actually directly effected his blood lust. While he was around the Cullens their thirst would increase his own. That explained his sudden ability to control himself around me so much better than before. I had told Jasper, and he seemed very inclined to believe it. I knew he wanted an explanation as to why he struggled with blood so much more than the others, and I had given it to him. I just hoped that I was right. Maybe somehow the information would help him.

"The show won't start until seven. Do you want to get dinner before or after? We've got time." Jasper spoke.

I glanced over at him. I had been lost in thought for a moment, but he had snapped me back to the present. He turned his ochre eyes to me and smiled slightly. I felt my face heat up and I quickly turned away. I cursed myself for buying him that jacket for Christmas. It looked too good on him.

Jesus, what was wrong with me? I just couldn't get the fact that he was married to stick in my head. The only explanation I could come up with was that he had vampire charm. He was supposed to be painfully attractive. It was an unfair truth, that I would have to live with.

"Could we get food now?" I questioned.

"Yep." He said, letting the 'p' pop on his lips. "Where do you want to go?"

"We should probably go somewhere quick." I suggested.

"Probably." He agreed.

"Pizza?"

"I don't eat, so yeah. You can get whatever you want. I'll buy." Jasper shrugged.

"Jasper for the last time you are not buying!"

"But, I am."

"No, you aren't." I stated as firmly as I could. It had next to no effect on Jasper.

"But yes."

"No."

"But... yes." He smirked. He chuckled to himself and looked away from the road. I hated when vampire's would do that, I knew they had enhanced sense, but we could still crash. "You know Emmett ate a whole pizza once." He laughed.

"Don't try to change the sub- wait, what?" I hadn't been expecting such and intriguing change of subject. I definitely wanted to hear this.

"Emmett, he ate a whole damn pizza. And he spent the night after in the bathroom, puking it all back up. It was so fucking funny. Esme and Carlisle chewed him out for being an idiot after." He chortled. His lips were curled up into a large smile as he recalled the memory.

"Why would he do that?" I asked.

"Someone may have dared him to."

"Someone?" I raised my eyebrows at him, and he erupted into a laughing fit.

"Okay, it was me. And let me tell you, that was fifty dollars well spent." He admitted between laughs. He pulled into a parking space and we both got out of the car.

We ordered a pizza and waited for them to make it. We were still laughing. The image of Emmett throwing up an entire pizza wasn't at all appetizing, but it was very funny.

"I still can't see Esme and Carlisle getting mad at anyone." I chuckled. The image of Emmett getting scolded by Carlsile in of itself was hilarious.

"Well, you see Bella, when living with Emmett even the most patient saint loses it every now and again. They don't really get mad when they tell you off anyway, they just get 'disappointed'. It usually involves a lot of rhetorical questions, deep sighs, and of course Carlisle's classic face palm."

We both tried to smother our laughter, seen as we were in a public setting, but we weren't at all quiet. We both earned a few strange looks, not only were we both giggling hysterically, we were both dressed in clothes that were far too nice for a pizza place. When the pizza was ready, Jasper walked over to pay. I rolled my eyes when I had realized that he had distracted me so he could pay for the pizza. He came back to our booth with a victorious smile on his face. He set down the pizza and sat down across from me.

"You are-"

"The best friend you could ever ask for." Jasper interrupted, his smile growing in size.

"I was going to say a dick, actually." I snickered.

"Well that's also true. You've got to accept your flaws."

We both shared a laugh. I ate some pizza while we chatted. Once I was no longer hungry we got back into my truck. We drove to the community theatre and parked. Jasper got out of the car, and quickly came over to the passenger side. I was already turned to get out when he offered me his hand. I smiled at him and he smiled back. I tried to make my grateful emotions more prominent, and before I knew it he sent his emotions back. He made me feel warm and happy, it must have been his way of saying 'you're welcome'.

He escorted me into the large theatre, and I noticed an immediate change in Jasper's stance. He became very tense and on alert. His normally golden eyes flickered to black, and his hold on me seemed to tighten slightly. I was about to suggest that we leave and do something else, but before I could he sent me a look; a look that said he wanted to be here.

We went into the main theatre and found our seats. Jasper was only getting more tense. The play started, but I don't think that Jasper or I were watching any if it. I would glance at Jasper sneakily, and he was only getting worse. He would shift and swallow every few minutes. He was uncomfortable that much was obvious. I felt terrible for him. He was in pain.

I moved my hand almost on instinct. I took his hand in mine, and rubbed my thumb over his knuckles in a soothing motion. I saw Jasper's lips curl up slightly. He sent me a wave of some kind of emotion. They brought butterflies to my stomach and heat to my face. I looked down at my lap and tried to hide my face with my hair.

"Bella I, well I-I," He said in a low whisper. He paused for a moment, and sighed almost in a resigned way. "Thank you."

"Sure thing, Jasper."

We watched the rest of the play quietly. Jasper had relaxed after I had taken his hand. His cold hand felt almost the same as Edward's had, but there was something different about it. Something that made my stomach do somersaults. Was it his gift?

Once the play had finished we walked through the streets, looking at storefronts. Jasper had given me his jacket to wear, and his hand was still locked in mine. I knew what we looked like, but I honestly didn't care. He was my bestfriend, and I was going to hold his hand if it made him feel better.

"I've found a new job." Jasper said out of nowhere.

"Really?"

"Yeah, I start training in two weeks."

"Why so long?" I asked.

"The woman who is quitting is still on maternity leave, and she still has to train me." He explained. I nodded my head. I was relieved that he had found a job, I was starting to worry about his financial security.

The weeks passed by, and I don't know if I had ever been so happy in my life. Everything was clear skies and sunny days as long as I could see Jasper. He hunted at night, so we had all the time in the world to spend together. The only time we were part was when he went to work. He and Jake had been able to fix his motorcycle, and he was teaching me to ride. We went on rides weekly. I looked forward to them the most. It was like we weren't part of the world for a moment. It was just me and Jasper and nothing else in the world mattered. The only sounds was the wind rushing past us. I could hold onto Jasper and just enjoy the ride. Sure it was cold, but it was well worth it.

I couldn't imagine how I had survived without him. He was everything to me. He knew me like no one else ever had. Not even my own mother was this close to me, we just understood each other so well. I could only hope he felt the same about me.

"Bella, what are you thinking about? You are... very happy." Jasper said. We were sat on the couch watching a movie.

"Well, I'm just really happy." I answered with a chuckle.

"Why?" He asked.

"I'm just thinking." I said vaguely

"Yes, but about what?" Jasper chuckled. He sat up and turned his attention to me.

"I'm just really happy that you decided to write me all that time ago." I mumbled, and started to blush. Jasper smiled at me, his eyes shining in the light.

"I am too." He whispered.

Okay, I wasn't planning on posting this until later this week, but I stayed up late writing it while listening to the Hamilton soundtrack and Queen. So.. there. Here it is. The next few chapters I've already written so they will come out quickly after.