Something Just a Little Different (Jasper Hale)

La La La Push

The school week passed ever so slowly, consisting of Arri avoiding Jasper at whatever cost necessary, which had been rather simple seeing as he wasn't there. She tried to avoid most of the Cullen's, Edward especially, but he came as a packaged deal with Bella, who Arri would much rather to hang out with over Jessica.

It wasn't that Arri didn't like Edward, it was just that she felt like she had no privacy around him, like he knew everything that went through her mind. It was slightly unnerving. Emmett, on the other hand, had told her that he was going to 'win' on Friday, win what, Arri wasn't sure, but all Edward did when asked about it was chuckle and say that his brother was very competitive.

Friday finally rolled around as Arri and Josh pulled into the school parking lot for the last time before the weekend, taking her usual spot in the back of the lot. Both were excited about the weekend beach trip and had everything all packed up in the back.

"So I wonder what that Cullen kid is going to show us to win whatever competition he thinks you're having," Josh said, climbing out and slinging his back pack over his shoulder.

"Who knows? I've come to expect anything from them," They didn't have to wait long to figure it out, though.

As they stood there, Emmett Cullen pulled up right next to them, instead of his usual spot by the rest of his family, in his own Jeep. Except now his stood about one inch taller than her own and sat on tires about one size bigger than hers. The red paint was clean and waxed and everything had been detailed.

Arri and Josh let out laughs. This had been what he was talking about? Arri watched as Emmett hopped out of the driver's seat, a huge grin on his face.

"Very nice, very nice," Josh praised, stepping back next to Emmett to look over his remodeled vehicle. Arri just shook her head, chuckling, "Boys and their toys, I mean really?"

"He spent all week on that thing. He's a bit obsessive when it comes to competition." A deep voice laced with a southern charm came from behind them. All three turned to face the rest of the Cullen Clan, save for Edward, Arri's eyes landing first on Jasper, who had been the first to speak.

His voice had been like music to her ears and the small grin he had on his face made her breathing stop momentarily. That was the first time she had ever heard his voice, and it was quite different than she expected, the southern twang made it flow so nicely. That was also the first time she had seen him when he didn't look like he was in immense pain or like he wanted her to disappear.

"If I had known it was a competition, I might have taken the time to actually wash it," Arri didn't let the shock show on her face and her voice didn't betray her, it came out in a humorous tone like she had planned.

"Well, obviously it isn't a competition anymore, because I clearly won," Emmett grinned smugly. Arri shrugged, though she did have to admit it looked quite nice.

"Whatever you say big guy," She laughed, walking away, returning the smile Alice gave her and avoiding eye contact with Jasper.

Josh gave Emmett one last grin before turning and walking away, "Arri's is still cooler." He yelled back to them, not even looking over his shoulder as he gave a slight wave.

Alice and Jasper gave slight chuckles and Rosalie patted her mate on the back, smirking at his impassive expression, "Damn humans..." he muttered, following his siblings into the school.

The rest of the day passed by uneventfully. At lunch, everyone discussed the plans on where to meet up and who was riding with who. Arri got lucky and only had to worry about Bella riding with her since Tyler had a big van.

"I wonder if Bella is going to invite her friends from the res?" Jessica asked more to herself, popping a chip in her mouth.

"Jake said that him and his friends had already planned to be out there," Bella appeared behind Arri, taking the empty seat next to the silver haired girl. This made Jessica grin and Mike scowl a little bit. Arri looked over to the Cullen table where Bella usually sat to see a sulking Edward, making her give a slight chuckle.