jasper | part two

chapter three

"I have a problem." 

"You seem to have many of those, Lauren." 

It hurt, but considering I was in need of his help I refrained from bad mouthing him off to his own face. It wasn't often I called Jasper, but when I did it was usually because I wanted something. I was just surprised he answered. 

A hand caressed my temple. "Yes, well I've seemed to obtain some type of moody, hormonal creature and I don't know what to do with it."

There was a low, tired sigh before he spoke. "What do you want me to do Lauren?"

"Okay so I'm sort of freaking out, this chick with badly died hair appeared inside of my  apartment like a bloody horror movie and claimed to be my sister or some shit and not only that but she's like plus one like a fucking baby plus one- I don't want to go through that baby shit again oh my go-"

"Lauren," he interrupted. "Calm down - why did you call me?" 

He sounded tired, more than usual but there was a gentle tone to his voice that calmed my nerves. I wasn't a hundred percent sure why I chose to call Jasper out of all people, he was just the first person to pop into my head- I knew I could rely on him and it wasn't like I could call my Mum. That bloody woman had enough trouble keeping her mouth shut as it was. 

"I was wondering if you could look after my sister while I'm at Juliana's wedding," I puffed. "She's been kicked out of her mothers home and has no place to stay- it would only be for a few days, six max, I promise." 

"As much as I'd love to look after a pregnant teenager, unfortunately, I have prior engagements," he muttered with heavy sarcasm.  "I have a meeting to attend," He further explained. 

I bit my lip. "And you wouldn't possibly be able to just lend her a room? She won't bother you a bit - I promise!" 

 "I'd prefer not to Lauren. This pregnant sister of yours should live with her parents, she's going to need a lot of support..." He trailed off. 

"I know," I huffed. "but she has nowhere else to stay until she grows the balls to tell dad." 

I hung up with a sigh and snatched my hand bag from the counter. I had no choice but to ask Juliana at school later that day. 

"I'll be back soon!" I called out to nothingness. Ariel must have still been asleep, I couldn't blame her for sleeping in. I would have done so too if it wasn't for art class.  

-

"Yeah, that's totally fine."

The strong smell of wet oil paints was as thick as the gratitude radiating from my pores. 

I smiled from ear to ear. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" 

Finally, things were starting to take a turn. Juliana was like my angel fluttering in to save the day. Ariel was officially allowed to come to the wedding and even though I'd rather her not to, it was better than nothing. 

"All good, though you better calm down. You might be kicked out for being a disturbance." 

Joanna chuckled. "Yeah, you don't want that to happen again." 

I looked around Mr Finch's class and blushed as my eyes landed upon Mr Finch himself. 

Mr Finch sent me one of his knowing glances. "Miss Sanders, what do I owe the honour? I can't seem to get rid of you." 

I shrugged. "Just feeling a little bit sentimental, you know?" 

It was a new semester and with a new semester came the possibility of a dreaded class change. For some dumb ass reason, I was picked to move into Mrs Huckle's class. Yeah, I had a fit too. The thought of it still angered me, so during my toilet breaks I'd sneak back into Mr Finch's class, you know just for a chat. Mrs Huckle wouldn't mind anyway, that old bat couldn't decipher left from right. She was a pretty bomb artist though.

In a way I knew, deep deep down it was a good thing. Mrs Huckle had a lot to offer me and her class was only small meaning we all got a fair chance to grow as artists, plus she was really nice. I was just glad they didn't put me into Jaspers class, I already spent enough time with his ass....not that his ass was terrible or anything... it actually was quite nic-

I shook my head. As much as I pretended to be oblivious to Jaspers good looks, I wasn't, but that didn't mean anything would ever happen between us. He had done the deed with my mother for goodness sakes. Ew. 

There was a soft knock on the door, heads turned as Amelia entered- one of my few classmates.

Her shy, cerulean eyes scanned the room before they landed on me.

She flushed an innocent shade of pink. "Lauren, Mrs Huckleberry was wondering when you're going to decide to go back to her classroom." 

I sighed, Mrs Huckleberry, as nice as she appeared, wasn't one to get on the bad side of. I gave Joanna and Julianna a slight wave before slipping out of the class room with a sheepish grin. 

The buzz from my phone saved the impending awkward silence. I liked Amelia- she was sweet but I hadn't really had the chance to talk to her. I probably spent most of my time outside of the classroom rather than inside of it. 

It was a text from Ariel. 

'I'm boreeeeeddddddd' 

I texted back, 'pack for Juliana's wedding then.'

I slipped my phone into my back pocket with a smile- that was sure to shut her up. For someone who should be grateful, she sure did whine a lot. It was funny how much we had in common. 

"Mrs Huckleberry didn't seem very happy," Amelia said with a soft voice. "We should hurry." 

I snorted. "Mrs Huckleberry angry? I doubt that." 

Amelia looked up at me with worried eyes but kept her lips shut. 

It was a long few hours before I had reached home. I rubbed my face with an exhausted groan before shoving the key in the door. The first thing to greet me was Ariel's snoring form on the couch with a tub of ice cream in her grasp. Beautiful. 

Beside her was a small suitcase - the one she had first brought with her. I doubt she had the chance to unpack it from when she first arrived.

I slung my bag on the counter and sauntered into my room to start the tedious task of packing.