Rescue Me

Chapter Twelve.

Alice felt really, really bad as she thought back to how Jasper had reacted the day before during lunch. He'd been right to react the way he did and she was such an idiot! How could she be so senseless? To talk of money like it was nothing to him of all people, she was a wretched person, a wretched uncaring brainless person.

"What's up?" Esme asked as she sat on the edge of her littlest daughter's bed.

"Nothing," Alice sighed, looking away from the dress she had been staring at as it hung on the outside of her wardrobe. It was her prom dress, still wrapped in the protective layer of plastic the shop had put it in to keep it looking new.

"Alice," Esme said softly, "What is it baby?" Alice sighed heavily and moved sideways, laying down so that her head was in Esme's lap. Immediately her mother's fingers began to move soothingly through her short hair. "Alice?"

"I was stupid," Alice mumbled, "I didn't mean to be. We were talking about the prom and I forgot that Jasper might not…well that he might not have the money to buy a ticket." Alice wiped at her eyes. "And then I put my foot in it big time by offering to buy him one myself! Like I was some charity or something! Oh I'm such an idiot! And it was going so well."

"I'm sure he knows you weren't being charitable on purpose," Esme said softly, "You just didn't engage brain when you were being nice. He'll know that."

"But he looked so hurt. I hurt him," Alice mumbled sadly.

"Then you need to talk to him, explain and make things better," Esme said softly, "You need to get up, get dressed and get to school and talk to him. I'll make you a nice cup of tea and some toast while you get dressed. Although you must hurry or you'll make your siblings late."

"Sorry."

~ * ~ * ~

Alice jumped out of the car almost before it had stopped and searched the crowds of school children heading into the school for Jasper's familiar face. When she found it she ran full pelt up to him and only just managed to stop before she went careering into him. She gasped at the sight of a terrible black eye, she wanted to kiss it better for him, to take him in her arms and press her lips gently to the bruised skin…what on earth was she thinking?! This was not a time for thoughts like that, it was a time for heartfelt apologies.

"I'm sorry," she said breathlessly, "I'm sorry for being uncaring yesterday and for embarrassing you about the prom and forgetting that you might not have…and…and for offering to give you a ticket. I wasn't being charitable or snobby, I just wanted to go with you and I'm sorry. Sorry."

"It's all right," Jasper said softly, "I-I understand."

"I didn't mean anything by what I said," Alice continued.

"I know," he reached out and touched her bare arms gently, his fingertips stroking over the healing grazes on her arms. Carlisle had given her a cream to help them heal and it had really helped. Alice trembled at his touch. Oh he was…was…

"I'm still sorry…" she breathed before she could stop herself.

"And I still know," he smiled softly down at her.

"Oh…good," she mumbled, looking at the thumb still stroking her skin gently, "You know we seem to be making a habit of this."

"I know," he replied to her mutter, "But it's not a good habit. One to break."

"Like smoking," Alice said brightly. He frowned slightly before nodding with a little laugh escaping his lips,

"Like smoking."

"So…friends still?" Alice asked.

"Of course," Jasper smiled and her heart beat all the faster. Could he be any sexier…well maybe he will be, a little voice said in the back of her mind, in a tux that was snug about his body…especially his bottom.

'Shut up!' she silently scalded that little voice as her cheeks flushed red.

"Are you all right?" Jasper asked, sounding concerned.

"Yes, I'm fine now," Alice nodded, "What about you? How did you hurt your eye? It looks quite nasty…"

"I got elbowed in games," Jasper answered softly.

"Hmm," Alice did not believe that in the slightest. "So…school?" she asked, being as bright as she could as the bell rang. He looked thankful that she wasn't pressing further but little did he know that she was not going to give up on this or on him. He needed help and she would be there when he finally asked. That she silently promised him, she would be there when he needed her.

"School," Jasper nodded and the pair headed into school. All of a sudden a brilliant idea popped into her head and she paused in her step, taking his good hand in hers and pulling him to a stop as well.

"Jasper, do you want to hang out this weekend?" she asked before her nerves could get the better of her. She hadn't specifically said it was a date, after all it was usually the boy asking a girl on a date but if it was just the two of them, well hopefully he would get the hint. His eyes widened briefly. "We could catch a movie or grab a meal or go shopping."

"I…" he mumbled.

"Please? So that I can really say sorry for everything that's happened and before you say anything I wouldn't pay for your stuff," Alice said sternly, earning a light laugh from Jasper.

"Ok. We can hang out. Cheapest thing possible though," Jasper said softly.

"Shopping!"

"How is shopping the cheapest?" Jasper asked confused as they began moving towards the school once again, Alice still holding his hand in hers.

"Because I'll be the one spending all the money! You'll just have to carry all my things," she giggled rather flirtatiously and earned a smile from him.

"So basically you want someone to carry your bags?" he asked.

"No! Well maybe a little," she teased him cheerfully.

"I'd love to," he smiled genuinely at her.

"Great! I'll pick you up on Saturday morning. Nine ok?" Alice asked eagerly.

"Nines fine," he agreed, "Do you have a car?"

"Uh-huh, Carlisle and Esme gave it to me for my sixteenth birthday. Family tradition," Alice said quickly.

"Oh," Jasper mumbled, "What-What car is it?"

"A 911 Turbo Porche," Alice said quickly.

"You have a porche!" he gasped in shock.

"Guilty," Alice giggled.

"Bloody hell…"

"Language!"

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A/N Finally, an update and a date to come! Yay!