Caresses (Jasper Hale love story)

The Willow

This small town has everything a small town needs to keep people here. I always think of a venus fly trap when trying to explain the magic it poses that traps people here, the set up is perfect and the temptation so sweet, that the little fly can't help but land on it. Then when the plants mouth slams shut, the little fly can never escape. Is it a sweet warmth that fly meets or is it digging at the walls it is trapped in, wanting to be free once again?

It is how I feel about this town, that I visualize myself as that fly that is forever trapped in the venus trap that is this place. The town is called willow falls, a place established long ago by people who prefer the deep forested land of the Pacific northwest, a small town like many others that can be found in Washington. This place that is shrouded by the tall towering evergreen trees. With sophisticated and small buildings, it looks like a place that is forever frozen on a greeting card. In the middle of the town is a tree that was planted on the day people decided to settle here, a tall old willow, hence the name. There were six families that founded the town, and to this day only five remained. The town has been able to gain more families throughout the years but the population has only risen to a 2,561. Everyone knew everyone, and no one ever leaves.

I always thought I would eventually leave the town, go to some big city and finally get away from the expectations of living here. But then dad died unexpectedly and mom needed me to help run the different buildings and buisness we owned in town. Now I can't run anymore, now I needed to take my role, a role I never wanted.

To be the head of the Jameason family...

Breathing deeply, then slowly release it through my nose. I work to keep my cool as I stare at the boy standing on the other side of the counter. He is still staring at me expectantly, his hands folded in front of him as he leans in. Conner, he was my best friend although at the moment I can't tell if I still believed that as his request.

"Why on earth should I waste the one Saturday that I don't have summer homework or errands for me to go to Lorance's party?" I hope by voicing it outloud that he would also see the ridiculous nature of his question.

"Come on El, Liz is gonna be there." Ah, there it is. The reason he wants to drag me out of my comfortable abode.

"For real Conner, last time you pulled this, you abandoned me as soon as we got there and had to listen to Ryan explain his favorite Dr. Pimple's videos on YouTube." A shiver runs down my spine at the remembrance of that horrid night.

"I promise I won't ditch you again, come on El, please help me out. You know how much this means to me." He puffs out his pink lips and rounds his big green eyes. I know how much this means to him, but I also know how futile it will be for him. Elizabeth, or Liz, has been Connor's crush since 8th grade middle school. But the thing with Liz is that she's head cheerleader, a classic popular girl, dating our schools star boy, the QB of our high school, leading the beavers to our county finals. But Connor is the boy next door, he is not buff but still has classic looks that makes girls swoon. He already has a fan club of girl with his swept back midnight black hair and glowing green eyes framed by long curled eyelashes. Yet, he never sees it as he is so fixated on a girl he only talks to when she needs help with someone doing her physics homework. I being the best friend has had to deal with listening to his many different plans to get closer to his dream girl over the last four years. Now it is the summer before senior year and the last party till school starts in a week.

Rolling my eyes, I puff out a breath and roll my eyes.

"Fine, I'll go but I don't get done till 6." He pumps his fist in the air and a large smile stretches across his face.

"Thanks El! You're the best, have I told you I loved you?" He grins goofily as hugs me from across the counter and I push him away.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm the best I know." The bell signals from the front door and I see four young girls walk in. "Now shoo, I have customers so get." I wave my hands at him and he just smiles and turns to go but stops and turns back.

"I'll come get you at seven tonight, so be ready by then!" With that he runs out the door and I just roll my eyes. Turning back at the task at hand before he interrupted. I start to place new "hot items" to be sold in our boutique. We have also been advertising online these items and since they were so popular, mom decided to include them in the boutique at the behest of the woman in town. The boutique is only open in this town and has an online store as well. A lot of people will come to the town just to visit the store. Our family has always had a hand on the pulse when it comes to fashion and trends. My family is apart of the original five, with each family specializing in different businesses. Mine specifically specializes in fashion and decor. Despite no one in the family ever attending a school other than a local one to major in business, our success is just astounding. Mom says it's in our genes, but I'm not sure how that makes sense.

Folding the new accessories and setting up the display, I head around the counter to take a better a look. Looking at every little detail, examining it for something out of place. I feel something was missing and my fingers start to twiddle as I think I through.

"That looks absolutely amazing." A light and airy voice sounds from behind me causing my heart to jump to my throat as I twirl around to face the owner of the voice that nearly caused me a heart attack.

Seeing the four young women in front of me, I am gobsmacked at the unbelievablely attractive people in front of me.

"Um--" I swallow as my heart is still thrumming in fear.

"Oh I'm so sorry, did I frighten you?" The voice comes from the shorter dark haired woman with gold eyes. Three of the others had gold eyes, which was mildly interesting and strange.

Clearing my voice, I sweep my long curly hair back over my shoulder as I straighten once again. "Just a little. But besides that, my name is Eleanor, can I assist you with something?"

She smiles wide as her hand extends out to me, "Yes, we're new here and are finding new clothes for school. My name is Alice Cullen."

That was the year when my life changed more than I ever could imagine and it all started that day in the boutique shop my family owned.

Author: first chapter is up, hopefully the intro to the town makes sense. Thank you for reading! Also, wondering if people can spot the interesting thing I do for each chapter, first person to guess correctly gets an insert into the story at some point!

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