Chapter 18

I could admit that yesterday was the best day ever in this trip. The day that we spent twice kisses a day, the day which we reconciled, the day which we fell for each other all over again. Well, I couldn’t say that I would not miss those moments. Just then, something popped up my mind and I couldn’t wait to see Jasper in a second. After having, I wore one of the dresses that I brought from Forks and went out to the dining room. 

It was nice to see myself wearing a dress just look exactly alike with my mom, young, and energetic. ‘Mom, I miss you.’

“Raven? You look pretty.” Aunt Allie smiled.

“Thank you Aunt Allie. Good morning Mr. Whine.” I smiled towards Mr. Whine.

“Good morning. Take a seat. Are you leaving today?” Mr. Whine frowned.

“Oh no, Raven. Really? I assume that you’d changed your plan?” Aunt Allie sighed with disappointment.

“Geez. Jasper gonna be emotional…again...” Both of them continued their conversation without letting me to answer.

“She’s not leaving.” Jasper stood momentously beside the door and smiled.

 “Oh? I told you she won’t be leaving so quickly.” Aunt Allie exposed a victory smiles.

“I didn’t say she was leaving…” Mr. Whine whispered to himself. Jasper and I were giggling and laughing aside because of the adorable moments brought by Aunt Allie and Mr. Whine.

“Are we going anywhere today?” I patted on Jasper’s shoulder.

“Ya. A prom” Jasper smiled mischievously.

“Am I going too?” I frowned. “Of course. I need a beautiful partner for the party.” Jasper laughed.

“What? Jasper, I’m not going to any party.” I said strictly.

“But you did went to some party isn’t it? It wasn’t that bad right?” Jasper said softly.

“Ya, it wasn’t that bad but extremely bad. Can’t you attend yourself?“ I said boringly.

“Actually it was my school party. Of course there’s a purpose, to salute for the new semester. I want you to come because I wouldn’t be able to celebrate the last high school year or even graduation together with you right?” He frowned.

“Jas…” I was totally enthralled by his watery eyes.

“Come on Raven. I promised it will be as fun as my farewell party.” He smiled.

“Your farewell party wasn’t fun at all. Counting the time to say ‘goodbye’ to you again? I can barely to do that again.” I swerved my back immediately and looked out from the window.

“I’m sorry. You know I never wanted you to do that.”

“It’s okay. I’ll go. As long as you stay happy, I’ll do whatever you want and we have to precious the time we spent in Arizona right?” I smiled and he nodded with pleasurably.

“Are you ready Raven?” Jasper yelled loudly by the stairs. I still couldn’t pick a dress that will suit for a prom because Amanda’s savor wasn’t actually what I would choose. Just then, Aunt Allie went into my room with a soft knock on the door.

“Can you just wait me for a few more moments? I need some times.” I yelled back to Jasper.

“Aunt Allie?” I turned and saw her standing beside the door.

“Need some help dear?” She smiled gracefully.

“Actually…” I couldn’t speak up.

“Let me help you.” She walked towards and started to manage my hair which was disarray and knot.

“Thank you.” I smiled. I couldn’t believe that Aunt Allie was actually a great designer with the hair and there’s no doubt on the clothes either, it absolutely conformed to my style of looking. She’s a really stylish young lady or mom, yeah.

“Thank you, Aunt Allie. You’re awesome.” I smiled with a surprised emotion.

“You’re welcome. You should be going now. Jasper must be impatient already.” Aunt Allie patted on my back lightly.

“You’ll be the prettiest girl tonight at the prom.” Aunt Allie chuckled and laughed. I walked carefully in case I wouldn’t step on the dress and fell on the ground with shame approach.

“Jasper? Are you alright?” I shook my hand in front of Jasper because his eyes and his movement had already stiffened on somehow.

“Oh! I’m fine. You look so different. Stunning.” Jasper smiled with obscene.

“Could you stop doing that emotion?” I shoved him hardly on his chest.

“Sorry.” He laughed. “Beautiful.” He grabbed my hand.

“I thought you guys should be going now?” Aunt Allie came down from the stairs and urged us not to be late.

“Thank you.” I nodded as I smiled.

“Are you sure it will be fine wearing something I’m not really comfortable with?” I frowned.

“Of course. You looked just fine. There’s nothing you should be worry. The only thing you should be worry is that people will be watching you all the time tonight.” He laughed and made me uncomfortably.

“Why? Don’t make me fear of it.” I pushed him purposely of his intimidation.

“Oh, geez. Why did I choose a girlfriend like you? Everyone will be watching you and you’ll neglect me somehow.” Jasper grasped his hair intentionally with his mischievous laughter.

“Can you please stop that?” I shook my head and he laughed even louder.

As we arrived, there were a lot of people surrounded in front of the school. Most of the girls looked so pretty that I might have attracted by their charming appearances. Besides, the peoples in this school looked so different compare to the school I’m in. They looked so sociable and gregarious. Everyone was talking to each other with a big smile on their face. I couldn’t have seen a scene like that in my school, I’ll admit that.

“What?” Jasper patted my head lightly.

“Nothing.” I smiled.

“Come on, let’s rock the party tonight.” Jasper gestured a peace sign and laughed. He grabbed my hand and carefully holding me beside him to avoid me from falling. Although he always made me speechless and angry, and he also drove me crazy sometimes, but his intimation to me were proved without articulate deliberately.

“Thank you.” He smiled when I whispered softly.

I can see Jack and some of the other guys whom I had met on the night before Jasper and I had an argument. Everyone was wearing formally which had showed how charming they were with the suits they wore tonight.

“Hi, Raven. I thought Jasper wasn’t bringing you along tonight.” Jack smiled delightfully while he saw I approached towards the crowds.

“Hey.” I smiled.

“Jack…are you planning something again?” Jasper frowned. “Not exactly” Jack laughed and they made a secret handshake with peaceful laughter.

“Your girl look nice, Jas.” One of the guys from Jack’s gang showed up. Just when Jasper was going to mess things up, Jack stood up and shoved the guy behind.

“It’s alright Jasper. He’s joking.” Jack smiled meanwhile the guy hugged a girl beside and kissed on her neck.

“My girl feels better.” The guy laughed loudly and walked away.

“Let’s get in.” Jack opened the door for me and I nodded lightly. Jasper wasn’t leaving me beside by myself, not even a second. He said that he just wanted to be with me tonight, but that’s impossible. He’s quite a popularity guy in the school, there are a lot of people wanted to have a photograph with him and in fact, there’s also pretty girls surrounding him all night long.

“Will I have the honor to dance with you, miss?” I heard a sound emerged behind me while I was staring at Jasper with madness about the girls surrounding him.

“Jack?” I frowned. “I don’t dance, sorry.” I grinned and laughed at myself.

“Seriously? I thought you were a great dancer.” He laughed.

“I’m not. May be you should find someone else. There’s a lot pretty ladies in here.” I smiled and he shook his head.

“Not really my type. I never invite a girl in the prom but you’re the first one. You can’t stop refusing me, aren’t you?” Jack smiled and looked somehow miserably.

“Jack, don’t…okay, fine.” I lifted my hand and landed on his palm as consent. He looked relieved and walked me into the dance floor. 

He put my hand on his shoulder and one of his hand landed on my waist. It wasn’t that bad dancing with someone else but not only Jasper. I feel like Jasper wasn’t the only one in my life, I need friends too. This made me feel that… I may have neglected all of my friends because of Jasper. I couldn’t stop thinking about Jasper previously when Jasper left and everyone was just trying to protect me, taking care of me, teasing me to make me happy…

“Are you okay?” Jack knocked on my forehead.

“Oh, great.” I smiled. I do dance like a retarded one.

“Thanks for inviting me for the dance.” I grinned as he frowned.

“Jasper shouldn’t just leave you behind and flirting the girls in front of you.” He looked mad and fierce. I turned my head to look for him, he was still chattering joyfully with the pretty ladies.

“Never mind, Jack. I’m okay with it.” I said disappointedly.

“But I’m not okay with it. Come, you shouldn’t see this kind of scene. He’s way too over.” Jack pulled me out from the dance floor and we leave the ballroom.

“Where were we going?” I stared at his back and walking pantingly with the big steps he was making but he wasn’t answering my question at all.

“Jack, you’re hurting me.” His hand holds even tighter when I tried to struggle and release from his palm but he still wasn’t answering anything.

“Jack! Let go off me!” I shouted out loud and he eventually released my hand.

“Why!” He banged his hand on the wall hardly that freaked me out.

“Jack! What are you doing?!” I shouted at him and run towards him to check if his hand wasn’t injured.

“Is your hand alright?” I touched his hand but he dodged me off. I couldn’t think of any words to say in that moments, my mind was blank in page and I doesn’t know what should I supposed to do or say but to stay silent. In fact, I still wasn’t comprehended what was happening, he looked fine, may be 30 seconds ago... I looked around the surrounding, we were standing in the hallway, there’s not even a person passing by. The hallway was dim and obscure, just like a hallway I used to see in the horror movie, or a vampire movie but I wasn’t afraid of it, because I have to ensure Jack wasn’t injured.

“Let me…” I said gently while he squatted on the floor. This time, he didn’t dodge me over but stay in silent.

“It’s lucky. Your hand wasn’t injured. Are you an idiot? Why did you punch the wall so recklessly?” I frowned and he looked at me, into my eyes. Suddenly, I felt my cheek was heating up without any reasons.

“I want you to choose me instead of Jasper.” He said gently but with a sense of power.

“I promise I wouldn’t let you feel the same way that Jasper did.”

“You do not know what you’re saying!” I pushed him away and started to leave.

“I know! I know what I’m doing and what I’m saying!” He grabbed my wrist and pulled me towards him.

“You actually fall for a girl that you just knowing her for a few days? That’s totally immature and totally unreasonable.” I’m trying hard to struggle off.

“What if I say yes” I stunted at the place without any struggled and stared at him.

“I wasn’t joking. I told you I’m taking it seriously since that day we met but when I know that you’re Jasper’s girl. I tried to let go, but… until when I see the way you watch Jasper, watching at him…I just couldn’t stand it. I couldn’t stand anymore but to let you know, you have the other better choice.” He gradually enhanced his volume.

“Jack! That’s enough! You know the one I love is only Jasper... I’m sorry.” I turned my back to him.

“I saw everything that night. The night you both started arguing, he made you cried. I saw it. Just when I was going to fed up. When I had decided to give on up you because I believe he might give you happiness, but now all I can see is upset and disappointment. He doesn’t deserve a girl like you, Raven.”

“Enough Jack! I want you to stop, now. I don’t know what you’re talking about. I love him, everybody know that.” I could hardly continue my words because Jack had straightly pointed right into my feelings.

“You’re avoiding the problems. It’s not going to help any of us. I know you love him, but you might love me someday. Who knows about the future?” Jack smirked.

“I’m not! I’m not avoiding the problems. Can’t you just forget about what you’re saying and let things get over? This conversation is over.” I walked off with a mad temper but Jack held my back and pushed me by the wall. 

All I knew in a sudden was that he kissed me.  Jack kissed me, on my lips. And he did. I attempted to refuse him, but he’s too strong, stronger than I thought. I couldn’t shove him away from his enforcement, but the more I struggled the closer he approached.

“Could you stop refusing my intention?” Ultimately, he released his lips on mine and said gently in an extremely close distance but I didn’t respond to his question because I was fear to confront what had happened a few minutes ago.

“Raven, don’t refuse me anymore. Can you? Let me prove that I’m better than him.” He left a few inches distance from me and grinned.

“Even just a few minutes ago. You’re not even kissing me back but I know you will someday. I’ll never do that again, unless you ask to.” Jack smirked again.

“Let me go.” I begged him and I started to run away from the scene which I never wanted to remember again. The speed of my running kept on enhancing until I halted in front of Jasper’s car. There’s no one in the parking lots except for my trace, waiting for my boyfriend to ask me what had happened and thinking that my boyfriend’s friend just kissed me a few minutes ago insanely.

‘What am I doing? What did Jack just did to me? Should I tell Jasper about the incident and probably he’ll start a fight with Jack or should I stayed calm for not telling him anything about it until he finds out that I’m lying to him?  What should I do?’

“Where did you go?” I heard Jasper shouting with his panting voice and a hand landed on my hand but the scene shocked me just now.

“Ray…Ray…are you okay?” Jasper shook me softly.

“Oh? Where did you go?” I hugged him nervously and cried for myself.

“What happened?” He whispered.

“Can we go home now?” I asked with my shocking voice.

“Okay, okay. We’ll go home now.” He rounded on my waist directing me to into the car. On the way back, Jasper didn’t speak any words but I knew he did kept on gaze to ensure my emotions within a few seconds. I should know how serious it might be if I told Jasper about the case that just happened and it implicated his friendship and love affair. That wouldn’t be my choice if it might ruin his life because of me. I couldn’t do anything right in the moment. What if I say the wrong words? What will happen if I told him? What will happen if I chose to hide the truth behind him?

Jasper grabbed my hand while he halted the car in front of his house. I know he was worried but I couldn’t tell him anything right now before I calm my mind down to distinguish the right or wrong.

“You know you could tell me anything.” Jasper said gently and I nodded lightly.

“Jas…I love you.” I said guiltily. “I know.” He leaned forward and kisses on my forehead.

Please no trouble again. 

Chapter 17

He stayed very silently while he was holding my hand, pulling me to somewhere else. I wasn’t dare enough to speak up not even a sound I would have made…because I knew he wasn’t having a good mood right now. I followed at the back of him tranquilly, following up his pace undoubtedly.

“Jas…” I whispered to myself, with an agony, mercy voice… seems like there’s no sign of for the end journey. It seems like we’re both having an excursion to somewhere but neither of us knows where we were actually going. Jasper swerved over and hugged me compactly. He wasn’t talking…but I can feel the tiredness and exhaustion in his mind through his body movement.

“Jas…you’re tired.” I said softly.

“No, as long as you’re here, I won’t be tired… because I need to protect you.” Jasper’s words always made me feel so touchy.

“We should head home. You need some rest.” I said insistently. He didn’t speak a word but I knew he had accepted the suggestion of mine, so I pulled him along and started to walk towards the direction of. home.

“Take some rest now.” Once he lied down on the bed, I loosen his hand and he sleep immediately. He’s extremely sluggish because of the thing we argued for two whole days. I bet he’s the one who got hurt the most, which he had to sacrifice his friendship to protect our relationship. He looked so tired, extremely tired that I couldn’t imagine.

“Don’t leave.” I heard Jasper said gently as his hand grabbed my hand.

“I wasn’t leaving. I will be here when you awake.” I smiled as he grinned.

“You know I don’t mean that. I mean, stay here for a few more days. We weren’t having any time together to do something special.”

“Oh, but…” I said unwillingly.

 “Did you tell you dad that you’re going back tomorrow?” I shook my head speedily and he smiled.

“Then everything will be great. Or, you wanted to leave me behind and made this trip worthless?” What he said had made me realized that I really didn’t spend my time wisely with him at all.

“I’ll stay… but promise me you’ll get some sleep now.” I said sternly and he nodded. He went back to his sleep soon after I left his room.

After unpacking my luggage, I spent the rest of my day with Aunt Allie, helping her in the garden.

“Raven? Can I ask you something?”

“Of course, Aunt Allie. Ask whatever you want.” I said softly.

“So, did something just happen between you and Jasper?” She asked straightforwardly but I remained in silent.

“It doesn’t matter if you weren’t intended to tell me about it.” She said disappointedly.

“No, I can tell you if you want. It’s just that…Jasper forgot about our half-year anniversary but it doesn’t matter anymore.” I smiled as I said.

“Oh? That’s not cool. Jasper shouldn’t forget about it. It’s so hard for both of you to maintain this long-distance thing.” Aunt Allie had emphasized the points.

“But you can, don’t you? I believe that you were having long-distance marriage for so many years right?” I stared at her meanwhile her eyes went wide.

“Yea, it’s really hard to maintain such marriage…” Aunt Allie looked upset. “But you did managed it.” I said immediately.

“Ya, I know but things change too much.” She intentionally turned her back and started trimming the plants.

“Mr. Whine does love you. I can see it.” I grinned as she veered and smiled.

“Thank you, Raven. This made me feel better.” She smiled again.

“You’re welcome. But I believe that a lot. You are the proof to me that long-distance stuffs can work well if I insist to remain it.” I just said something that helped to comfort my relationship.

Few hours past by, Jasper woke up from his sleep and appeared at the front door, staring at me with a sweet smile on his face. Aunt Allie picked up the tools and walked into the house. I followed at the back as I stopped once I met his eyes.

“Are you tired?” He smiled and hugged me.

“Nope, it’s really nice to spend some times with your mom. Indeed, she’s cool.” He released me and touched my hair.

“Take a bath. You sweat.” He laughed. I shove him aside and he pulled me back.

“I’m joking. Don’t worry about the dinner, I’ll help my mom.” He smiled as he kisses lightly on my forehead. I grinned and went back in to take a bath before the dinner was ready.

As the bath was done, I walked towards the dining room in order to get my stomach filled with abundant nutrients after working hard in the garden. Everyone was sitting in the dining room, waiting for me to begin the dinner. They were laughing and chattering around with laughter. This was my first time feeling a sense of warmth in the house.  

“Hi.” I said unnecessarily.

“Come take a seat. Dinner is ready.” Aunt Allie smiled with joy, Jasper and Mr. Whine did the same thing too.

“Did I miss something?” I grinned.

“Not at all, we were just talking something about Jasper. I mean, when Jasper was young.” Aunt Allie laughed gently with her hand covered right in front of her mouth.

“Oh. Should I hear it?” I smiled and Jasper shook his head quickly.

“Of course you should. You should know everything about Jasper.” Mr. Whine laughed when he saw a delightful smile appeared on Aunt Allie. The dinner went by smoothly and the atmosphere of the house was filled with happiness and joy. That also will gradually become one of my desire, which I hope my home could be the same all the time… although there’s only my dad and me.

“What are you thinking?” Jasper hand shoved hand lightly.

“Nothing” I smiled as I said.

 “Take a walk with me?” I nodded. It was the second time since I came out of the house during the nighttime. The moon was round, and brightly hanging on the sky while I can barely see the stars.

“Jasper, would we be able to maintain our relationship for a really long time?” I said. “Or, it will be something that Chloe just said, you’ll be hers someday.” I sighed, wondering what it will be.

“Oh. You’re still mind about what Chloe said? And don’t tell me you’re thinking this just now.” He stared at me.

“No, not her. I don’t think she have the possibility to influence my mind that much. I wasn’t thinking about that. Just answer my question.” I grinned and patted him lightly on his hand.

“Oh, it’s really hard for me to think about it because I never thought that you wouldn’t be mine someday. I always wanted you. You know that.” Jasper was an expert coaxing people, especially me.

“That’s sweet to hear but what if we can’t maintain?”

“You’re an expert to make things difficult. You know I wouldn’t think too much about it. As long as we were fall for each other, that’s adequate for me. I thought you weren’t a person that will assume something...ahem.” He laughed.

“I will, sometimes.” I laughed. “You’re the only reason I happen to do that. It might be hard to remain the gradation so equally, there will be arguments somehow, and we’re in a long-distance relationship. Wouldn’t you think it might be hard and insecure?”

“Ray…I know it will be insecure sometimes but I promise we’ll work this out. We’ll figure this out together. We’d already figure this out for half a year right? Things will get even better as our relationship get even stable.” Jasper became mature, he telling the fact because we had already been through 6 months and everything will be fine.

“Okay.” I grinned as he stopped his pace and approached towards.

“I promise and I will do it. Just promise me that you wouldn’t let go my hand.” I nodded and smiled.

“I won’t let you go even though if you want.” I smiled and he kisses me. It was the second time that we kissed. Jasper’s kisses had conveyed the passion of his love towards and also his affections.

Looking across our eyes, spreading out the love between us, to proof how much we were important to each other, establishing the sense of security between both of us. In fact, I love him even more, even crazed.

“Jas…there’s something I wanted to tell since a while ago.” I stared into his eyes and smiled. “Even though we’re not together all the time and having a hard and long distance relationship, but with each passing day, I love you more and I can’t stop that feeling...” I grinned because I eventually spoke out the words that I wanted to tell Jasper since a while ago.

“Raven…” He hugged me tightly under an asthenic streetlight along the tranquil street in Arizona.

“I love you.” Jasper’s touchy voice appeared beside my ear and automatically transferred and brands it on my mind. The day went by promptly but with full with memories that I wouldn’t forget in my life.