Caresses (Jasper Hale love story)

Thinking Out Loud

"Nice to meet you," I mutter past my frozen lips. Still stuck on the fact that her eyes were such a blazing gold. There was also a strange glint in her eyes, a glint that I felt in my gut was meaningful and it is screaming at me to run.

"I just love this boutique! My mother loves to purchase from your online store and was so ecstatic to know that we were moving to the town where it is." She looks around in wonder as her sisters started to roam the store, leaving us alone.

"I'm happy you enjoy our products, when did you guys move here?" I tilt my head, curious about how this mysterious family had moved into the town and there was not already a rumor surrounding them. 

"Oh, we moved here a week ago, out on some property down on winterbrook." She moves past me and runs her fingertips over the display I just put up. I frown when I hear the street name--if you could even call it a street as there is only one house out there, well I guess now there are only two out there now. Its the same road my families home branches off of which is why it's strange that I missed someone moving in being it such a desolate road that only my mother and I drive.

"That's interesting, I didn't realize there was a place for sale on that road, I thought we were the only ones that live over there." I turn and watch as her eyes grow wide and sparkle with amusement.

"You live on the same road? Oh then we must have sleepovers together, I would just die to see the home of the genius owners of this fabulous boutique." Alice gushes as she moves to pick up a product I recently ordered. It was a pair of red velvet booties with a brass buckle that looked worn to give it a vintage appearance.

"These are just adorable. How'd you even think to order these?" She gushes over them. Not able to stop myself from pride swelling over what my mother deemed a 'risky' item.

"I found this new designer based out of a small town in Nevada that specializes in new-age vintage designs. I just had a feeling that will be in season soon and asked her to exclusively design a collection for us." And so far, my hunch has been correct as her recent designs have sold out in minutes, all we have left our whats in the store and already girls have been putting in requests to save items for them for the school year. 

"A hunch huh?" Alice muses as she moves to collect a black A-line dress with an overall design that she pairs with a white short-sleeved shirt. A very impressive outfit that will go nicely with the boots she is holding.

She turns and smiles at me as she heads to the counter where I start to ring up her items, making idle chit-chat.  Her siblings also purchase a few items, although the one named Bella got chastised by Alice for buying an outfit that was just a mess of plaid that made me sick to my stomach to stare at. I mean I get the purpose of matching your clothes, but never to that degree. Before she leaves, Alice pauses and turns to shoot me one last smile.

"I can just tell we are going to be the best of friends." And like that, the mysterious Cullens leave my store and I can't help but feel a strong tug in my chest that something interesting will happen soon. 

...

"So by weird, do you mean weird as in bad weird or good weird?" Connor comments as he watches me pull out two outfits for tonight. Lately, I have been into vintage wear as I stare down at my choices. Of course, each outfit has a modern twist but definitely one can tell where they are inspired from. One is a high-waisted pair of black plaid pants paired with a cream-colored button-up shirt. The other, a burnt gold A-line skirt with a burgundy red sweater to wear. Looking at the two, I start to tap my fingers as I feel more drawn to the latter. 

Walking to my en-suite bathroom, I speak through the door as I pull on my clothes.

"I think a good weird? But you had to see it, Connor, her eyes were crazy gold, her whole family was beside the one. Then suddenly moving in down the road, a road I didn't even know had a place for sale out here. It's all so strange." I mutter as I exit and immediately head to my closet where I pull out burgundy ankle boots, the same as in the store that Alice bought.

"Maybe they wear contacts? Or some rare genetic thing." Connor shrugs off as he stands up and looks at me.

"So you ready to go?" He gets excited as I grimly shake my head yes. He grabs my rest and drags me to the car. I dread every single second and wish we never make it to the party. unfortunately, it seems that my wish isn't granted because we already enter the front door. Turning to complain, Connor has already abandoned me and made a bee-line to Liz.

"Well that took five seconds, why did I ever agree to go with him," I grumble out as I head back outside, choosing to get away from the mass of hot sweaty bodies packed like sardines inside the two-story Victorian-era house. 

I've been to Lorance's before which is why I knew that about 15 feet into the back of the property lead to a small clearing. Going to Connor's still unlocked car, perks of living in a small town, I grab the blanket I stashed in his back seat and grab my guitar. I have been friend's with Connor long enough to never take his word and have gotten skilled in finding quiet places to relax until he comes wailing to me later about his broken heart over Liz. 

Walking through the quiet woods, I finally let out a breath as the loud thumping of the music coming from the house fades and I enter a moonlit meadow with the calming sound of crickets play.

Sitting down on the blanket, I pull out my phone and go back to the song I was learning to play on the guitar. Strumming the strings, I start to hum along with the song as I learn the chords. The world seems to narrow as I watch the cords vibrate beneath my fingertips. All my problems vanish, as every stress seems to melt away until its just the cold breeze around me and soft thrum of the guitar cords fill the night sky. At least until I hear a twig snap that has my head turning, expecting to see the figure of Connor come slumping to me in heartache. No instead, its the first moment our eyes meet. Mine in surprise, yours in fear and awe. 

"Who are you?" I whisper quietly as your warm golden eyes seem to swirl and mesmerize me. 

Author: is it going to fast? Let me know your thoughts in the comment.