Heart of Stone | Jasper Hale

08

"Aimee!" Bella exclaimed loudly at the girl walking past, holding onto Jasper's hand, the couple was walking to their English class. They both stopped walking and turned towards the doe-eyed girl, Jasper's body tensed.

"Yeah, Bella?" Aimee asked, sending Jasper a smile before looking at Bella. The girl stammered a few times before getting her words out.

"A few friends and I are going to La Push this weekend, I was wondering whether you wanted to come with us?" Bella asked, she was hoping to ask Aimee about Edward, seeing as she spent a lot more time with the Cullens.

"La Push?" Aimee asked in confusing, tilting her head and frowning, "What's that?"

"A beach down at the Quileute Rez, you should come." Bella explained, her eyes flicking towards Jasper who looked even more uncomfortable.

"Oh, I already had plans with Jaz, maybe next time though?" Aimee said awkwardly, Bella nodded and walked away without another word. Aimee turned to Jasper, "What's up with you?"

"La Push is their territory." He grounded out, gritting his teeth. Jasper didn't like the thought of her going somewhere where he couldn't protect her.

"Who's territory?" Aimee questioned, as they continued walking to their class. Jasper then began explaining the history between the Quileute tribe and the Cullen clan. Once they sat down in their seats, Jasper carried on explaining the history, making the human girl even more shocked about how little she knew about the world.

"Werewolves exist?!" She shouted but had to whisper at the same time, unless she wanted to attract the attention of every person in that class.

"Yes, but we've signed a treaty with them. La Push is in their territory, I couldn't protect you from them. They can act in anger and lose control." Jasper said, so quietly that even Aimee couldn't hear him that well, and she was sat next to him.

"If you feel uncomfortable with me being there alone then I won't go, but I'm sure they're not bad, I think it would be cool to-"

"Ms. Adeline. I don't see you doing any work." The teacher spoke up, looking at Aimee with evil eyes. Aimee muttered an apology and looked beside her to the smirking vampire.

"Why didn't you get caught?" She complained, Jasper laughed quietly.

"You should learn how to multi-task."

*

The weekend finally rolled around, and Jasper was picking Aimee up to go for a walk in the woods, just the two of them. Aimee's mother had not yet met the vampire, and she was practically begging her daughter to bring him around.

The mother and daughter were sat in their kitchen, finishing up their breakfast when the bell rang. Aimee's mom stood up but Aimee quickly followed and almost tripped up when she got to the front door.

Opening it, she saw Jasper, a smile on his face, as he had heard her rush to get to the door.

"Did you almost fall for me?" He teased, Aimee's face flushed red and she poked his forehead.

"Absolutely not." She said stubbornly, seeing her mom leave the kitchen and walk towards them.

"Jaz, this is my mom. Mom, this is Jasper." Aimee introduced them, Jasper stepped forward and held his hand out, her mom took it with a grin, giving Aimee a look.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am." He said politely, his southern accent thickening slightly.

"You never said he was so polite, Aimee." Her mom teased, "And please, call me Allison." She said with a smile, Jasper returned her smile and then looked at Aimee with a soft look.

"Should we get going?" Aimee asked, Jasper nodded.

"I'm shocked you're actually going outside for once." Allison joked, making Jasper grin at Aimee's blushing face.

"Mom." She begged with a forced laugh, taking Jasper's hand and tugging him outside the house, her mom stayed by the door and waved.

"I'll be home soon, love you!" Aimee said, getting into the car, Jasper closing the door after her, then he got into the drivers side. Her mom smiled and went back inside the house, Aimee looked at Jasper who still had a grin on his face.

"What?" She asked, "Get that grin off your face!" Aimee ordered, causing his grin to widen.

"I apologise, just seeing you like that was very amusing." He said quietly, starting the car and taking her hand, holding it tightly as the car moved down the road.

"It is not amusing." Aimee muttered, looking out the window, but she felt the sparks erupt as Jasper caressed his thumb over the back of her hand, she hated that she was an absolute sucker for his touch.

The drive didn't last too long, since they were only going for a walk. The weather was surprisingly sunny and warm, and Aimee wanted to see Jasper in the sunlight. Once Jasper parked, he opened her door and then they set off on their walk.

Jasper carried her bag full of food and water, seeing as Aimee was complaining about carrying it about five minutes in on the walk. She was not an athletic person, at all. She stumbled over most things, and Jasper was always there to catch her.

Finally, they reached somewhere with sunlight, and she practically squealed, shaking Jasper's arm and pointing to the ray of sun. He rolled his eyes slightly but grinned, feeling her excitement made him happy.

He shrugged off his jacket and stood in a normal t-shirt, stepping into the sunlight, his golden eyes staring for her reaction. Her mouth gaped in delight and she walked closer, looking at the sparkle, like it was diamond.

"It's so gorgeous, like a disco ball." She muttered, Jasper chuckled.

"Haven't heard that one yet." He smiled, and she laughed. Hesitantly, she reached out to glide her fingers across his skin, and she grinned.

Jasper just watched her expressions, feeling her emotions of delight and amazement. It made him feel better about himself, he wasn't a monster.

"Can you carry me back down?" She asked with a winning smile, Jasper nodded with a smile and picked her up bridal style, staying at normal speed so they can admire the nature. They talked about anything and everything, and Jasper was content.

Usually, he was on edge and tensed, but around Aimee, he didn't have to be. Once they got back to the car, he turned the heating on, since it had gotten a little colder for Aimee. By the time they got back to her house, she was warm.

She unwillingly got out of the car and turned around to see Jasper stood behind her, his eyes forlorn and sad.

"Don't be sad, you'll see me soon." She teased, grinning as his face lit up.

"How soon?" Aimee just shrugged and kissed him on the lips, which he gladly returned. She then turned around and waved to him, walking into her house and hearing his car leave. Her mom was out, so she went upstairs and got ready for bed, soon sitting under the covers with a book.

Until she heard a tap on her window, her gaze shot towards the window and she frowned, getting up, she walked towards the window and saw Jasper stood below. Aimee grinned and opened the window, Jasper jumped and landed elegantly in her room.

"So, I'm guessing you took 'soon' a little literally." She laughed, and Jasper looked slightly sheepish.

"Sorry, ma'am." He said in a Southern accent, which made her grin. She then tugged him towards her bed, lying down on it, and Jasper lay down next to her. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and she shivered slightly from the temperature.

"Should I-" Jasper tried to pull his arms away, but Aimee stopped him.

"I don't mind." She whispered into the darkness, smiling.

Jasper stayed silent, until he spoke again.

"Goodnight, darlin'."

"Goodnight, Jaz."