Scars

Chapter 3

Bella POV

Most of the journey to town was spent in silence, but it didn’t take long and we didn’t need to talk.  I knew Jasper tended to be a quiet person anyway.

Once in town we walked through the streets looking at the shop windows pointing at things that we liked.  I pointed to a Stetson in one window and laughed.

“I can actually picture you in that you know...” I grinned at him.

“Good, now I feel less embarrassed about the one in my closet.” He joked.

“There wasn’t one in your closet...if there was I’d have probably tried it one.” I replied. “It’d complete my outfit.”

“Speaking of outfit...we could do with getting you something to wear...” he said, glancing to the clothes store on the opposite side of the road.

“Well...I could just get changed at mine...we’re only about a ten minute walk away.” I replied, uncomfortable with the idea of Jasper buying me clothes.

“Lead the way ma’am.” He gestured for me to show him the way.

Jasper POV

Bella’s apartment was...more like a room actually.  There was a separate bathroom and then one room for her bed and kitchen.  I waited silently while she grabbed some clothes and disappeared into the bathroom.  I looked around at the small room again, it was a shame to see Bella living like this but she seemed happy enough.

Bella re-emerged in her jeans and a jumper and we headed back out of the small apartment and down to the street again.  We began our walking and window shopping again.  Bella also seemed to be fond of one of my favourite things, people watching.  It was incredibly entertaining to watch the way people walked around the town; the guys that thought they were cool walking in a way they thought was strong and manly, the mothers trying to keep children in check, couples all over each other and the couples that weren’t but were so obviously in love.  I watched Bella out of the corner of my eye watching a couple skating on the temporary ice-rink, what was this...jealousy? 

“Come on.” I said, taking her hand.

“What?  No!” she protested as I tugged her towards the rink. “Ice is very very bad for the uncoordinated!”

“But you’re with someone who is very coordinated.” I told her simply.

After some persuasion Bella and I both had skates on and made our way onto the ice.  I grinned at Bella clinging to the barrier and couldn’t help but laugh as her eyes narrowed at me.

“This is hardly fair.” She mumbled. 

“It’s easy once you get used to it.” I said, gliding over to her. “Let go of the barrier.”

“I can barely stand up so I hardly think letting go of the barrier is a good idea.” She said her eyes rolling at me.  I pulled her hands for the barrier.

“You won’t fall over, promise.” I told her, as I started skating backwards and tugging her along.  It was funny to watch her glide along behind me.  She didn’t dare move her legs or move at all actually.  She just stood and let me pull her along for a good few minutes before her fear ebbed away and I saw her muscles untense.  Finally she started to move her legs and glide along the ice with me.  When she finally looked up from her feet I felt like the most important person in the world.  She face was graced by the brightest smile I’d seen on her since before our family left Forks and not one of them had ever been aimed at me. “See easy.”

“Just don’t let go.” She said uneasily.  I let go of one hand and turned to skate by her side.  I had meant to take her hand but of course Bella panicked and now clung to my arm with both of hers in case I dared leave her.  A few moments later I managed to pry her arms off of me without hurting her and take her hand and we were both able to skate around the rink fairly easily.

“You think you can do it now?” I asked her.  She bit her lips and I felt her nerves but she nodded anyway and I let her go.  Instead of getting scared, wobbling or falling over she sped up and actually looked like she was thoroughly enjoying herself. 

You are the strength, that keeps me walking.*

You are the hope, that keeps me trusting.*

You are the light to my soul.*

You are my purpose...you're everything.*

“I actually don’t feel clumsy for once.” She grinned as I passed her and turned to skate backwards in front of her. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure darlin’.” I replied.

“How do you do that?” she asked. “Goes backwards I mean.”

“Easy, you just walk backwards and it kind of turns into a glide.” I replied.

“Where did you learn to skate?” she asked.

“Alice.” I shrugged.

“Would you teach me?  It might be the only chance I get in my lifetime to feel graceful.” She said.

“I would happily teach you, Bella.” I replied. “But you’ll need more than one night on a temporary rink.  You need to build up confidence.”

“Oh.” She replied, I sensed her disappointment and tugged her around by her arm so that she was gliding backwards and squealing about it.

“I will be happy to teach you as long as we are both in town, will that do ma’am?” I asked.  She had stopped squeaking in fear now and nodded.

“Can I turn back around now?” she asked in a small voice.  I laughed and turned her back around to skate forwards again.  I noticed her glancing at the couple skating again and then embarrassment.  I watched her not sure what she was embarrassed about, the fact that she knew I knew she was watching them and that’s why I got her on the rink or that it was me she was skating with.

“So what are you doing here anyway?” I asked, trying to distract her.

“I just had to leave home and this was where I ended up.” She shrugged.

“You didn’t kicked you out?” I asked in surprise.  Then the pain hit me again, it was so bad I nearly stumbled over.  Then Bella did fall over.  I helped her up and manoeuvred us to the exit.  I looked at Bella but she wasn’t crying, it was worse she was just kind of staring past me as if I wasn’t there.  I tried to concentrate on feeling happy but there was no need Bella had already reigned in her emotions as if they were nothing.

“Sorry about that.” She mumbled, knowing I felt it too. “No he didn’t.  I’d just rather not talk about it.”

“Sure.” I said, pulling my skates off and gesturing for her to do the same. “Come on lets go get you some human food.”

Bella POV

I was grateful that there were no more questions about Charlie or Forks.  It wasn’t something I even wanted to think about and I’d had quite enough of crying at Jasper already.  But he didn’t ask anymore on the subject just moved on and almost pretended that it never happened.  I guess having someone know exactly how you feel could be exactly what you need sometimes...

We went to a small restaurant where I sat and picked at a bowl of fries, while Jasper watched.

“You look uncomfortable.” He said.

“It doesn’t matter how many times I do it, it’s still strange eating with a vampire.” I smiled.

“Well I think if I had a mountain lion on the table I’d cause a scene.” He smirked.

“So what you said about human pets...” I started, not really sure whether I wanted an answer.

“No I don’t feed off of humans.” He said quickly. “Some of the people I was staying with recently did, the willing ones of course but since I’ve been much better with my thirst recently it would be a waste to start drinking human blood again now.”

“But you told that other vampire that’s what I was...is that what he would have done?” I asked.

“I doubt that was his plan.” He replied, then he leant across the table closer to me, lowering his voice. “Let’s face it darlin’, you were dress like vampire bait.”  I felt my stomach do a somersault as his eyes met mine and the worst part was that I knew I couldn’t hide it either.  He didn’t mention it though and his gaze never faltered.

“What does that mean exactly?  Since obviously I don’t want to end up being some other vampires next meal and didn’t actually know there was such a thing as vampire bait.” I asked.

“Well besides smelling particularly appetising, wearing anything red automatically makes a vampire think of blood and of course having lots of skin on show just gives us plenty of ideas of where to bite, which veins, arteries...you managed all three in one night.” He replied. 

For some reason him talking in that southern accent, low and quiet affected me in ways it really shouldn’t...especially considering the topic but that had my butterflies going even more.  I was desperately trying to get control of myself to stop him knowing what I was feeling if he hadn’t already.

Jasper POV

Bella was nervous now and I could hear her heart beating like crazy...her blood rushing through her veins.  I realised that talking about her like she was food had probably scared her.

“Good thing I won’t let any bad guy get ya then huh?” I joked, trying to lighten the mood and make her more comfortable.  Then I felt something strange, something I shouldn’t be feeling.  I looked at Bella again and for a moment I wondered whether I was projecting on her, but then she smiled and I relaxed.  I shouldn’t be feeling lust for Bella, it was wrong in so many ways...maybe it was all that talk about vampire bait...I should definitely hunt soon, just to be safe.

“So when you’re not rescuing damsels in distress what do you do with all that time?” she asked me.

“Very little.” I replied.

“Well I’m sorry I’m interrupting those busy plans.” She smiled.

“Even my kind get lonely sometimes.” I said. “If you would like, we can meet up another time this week?  I can get you back on the ice.”

“I’d like that.” She replied, and I knew I’d never get tired of seeing that smile. 

* Lryics from Lifehouse - Everything