Saving Jasper: Unbroken | ✓ [COMPLETE]

Chapter 7 | part one

“Damn this color,” I swore under my breath, picking at the chipped nail polish on my thumb. Juliet turned on her heel and practically ran over, ready to assist me. She snatched my hand away from my mouth and examined it heedfully. Her face paled as her eyes roamed over my nails, all chipped and ugly-looking.

She glared up at me. “I thought I told you to take this off two nights ago?” she demanded. I floundered helplessly, feeling sheepish. I shrugged and pulled my hand away, instantly ashamed. “It’s your wedding day!” she practically screeched. She was so hung up on having me look perfect, given the fact that my nails had old polish on them.

Juliet, exasperated, grasped my hands and pulled me over to the table along the wall. She pushed me down into the chair and searched inside the drawers. She grinned in triumph and held up a bottle of alcohol. It was vodka. She couldn’t have looked high and low for actual nail polish remover? I snorted and shook my head, protesting her strategy.

“Of all things, you come up with alcohol. I’m not getting drunk on my--”

She grinned, reaching out to smooth part of my dress. “We’re not getting drunk, yet.”

“You expect me to refrain from drinking that while you’re also using it to remove this shit?” I smirked at her, wiggling my fingers. She peered over my shoulder, glancing around the room. We were upstairs in the priest’s daughter’s home, preparing. I was so nervous, but ecstatic all at once. It had only taken four months, maybe five, to plan out the wedding. It would be simple, but memorable.

Jasper was most likely down on the beach already, standing beneath the altar. Metaphorical butterflies hatched in my stomach and made themselves known. My parents were downstairs as well as Serena and Jocelyn. A few close friends and my parents were all I needed to witness the final few words, tying the marital bond between Jasper and myself. Prying eyes were the last thing I needed. It had been quite some time since the trial, but occasionally I would spot a cameraman here and there, attempting to follow up on mine and Jasper’s relationship these days.

Juliet paused for a moment, taking notice of my facial expression. “What’s got you all bugged out so suddenly?” She pulled her hands back, chucking the cotton ball into the nearest trashcan. She then eyed the bottle of vodka as if it could come in use right now. I bit down on my lip and looked away, avoiding her curious gaze. I decided my nails were a safe place to rest my gaze. Looking down, I was pleased to see they were bare and shiny, glistening with a clear coat. Juliet’s alcohol turned nail polish remover had worked wonders.

I knew Juliet would be pressing on me soon, so I met her gaze again. “I just...with everything that’s happened to Jasper, I’m afraid he’s still not...” My voice trailed off as I realized I didn’t have the correct word in mind.

Juliet pursed her lips thoughtfully. “Right?” she tried, helpfully. Frustrated, I groaned quietly and flung my hands into my lap. A wrinkle rippled over my dress, making Juliet’s eyes widened fearfully. I ignored her fear and clutched at the soft, satin material. It crinkled in my grip and I hugged my arms to my stomach.

“Yes, right. But the thing is, how can I be sure that he ever will be?” I hissed in a low voice, suddenly feeling like my eighteen-year-old self again. It was a scary position to be in, feeling open and vulnerable like this. “I mean, when we had first met, I was certain he’d be perfect by now.”

Juliet frowned. “No one is perfect, Charlotte. No one is perfect in the way that they are above someone else. However, I do believe we can perfect ourselves. I know, to you, Jasper is perfect in every way imaginable. And that’s alright.” Comfortingly, she reached out and grasped my hand in hers. She squeezed it gently, reassuringly.