Chapter 2

First day of school always had been a very long day.

When I reached my car, there was a memo squeezed on my car’s wiper.

I took it off and I saw a few words written on it,

I’ll pick you up at 7pm.

Without second thought, I knew it was Jasper. I smiled and went back into car. I lifted the key and ignite the engine, and left the parking lots where I’d been halted for almost the day.

On the way home, I picked up my cellphone and dialed. My dad picked up the phone after three dialing tone.

“Ray?”

“Dad, it’s me. I need to ask for your permission.”

“What’s up?” He said with light tone

“Jasper said that his mom wants to meet me. It’s been a while since she saw me before the break.”

“And?”

“She hopes I’ll grab my dinner at her home, and Jasper needs to talk to me. He promised he will send me back before curfew.”

“Okay, what talking?” Dad asked curiously.

“I don’t know what we’ll talk, but I’m pretty sure he needs to talk to me.” I felt relax in a sudden.

“Ray, be back before curfew okay?” He wanted me to promise

“Okay, I’ll prepare dinner for you before I go.” I made my promise too.

“Thanks, I’ll see you night then. Bye.”

“Thanks dad. Bye.”

One thing I liked about my dad was he doesn’t usually nag me on everything I do.

When I got home, I threw my bad on the couch and went into the kitchen to prepare ingredients for my dad’s dinner.  Pepperoni was done after 20 minutes busying in the kitchen, I left it on the table, cover with wrap in order to maintain the heat as long as possible.  I glanced towards the clock and it stated 5.35 in the evening.

“I guess I better get a shower before Jas arrived.” I thought myself.

I wore a pair of denim jeans and a deep grey long-sleeves. I walked downstairs and laid on my dad’s favorite recliner. Just then, somebody knock on the door. I went over and opened, Jasper went in my house without an invitation. His reticence made me uncomfortable, and I stared at him.

“What?” he asked.

“You look… Well, never mind. You came early.”

“Yea, so, are you ready to go?” his listless attitude really made me sick.

“Yea, wait. I’ve to leave a note for my father.”

I took a piece of paper inside the drawer in the living room and wrote

 ‘Dad, I’ll be back before curfew, I promise. Your dinner is ready for you, I hope you like it. Love you, Raven.”

“Your dad… so important huh?” Jasper smirked.

“Yea, he’s the only family. Course he’s important.” I frowned.

“You have me.”

“Thanks Jas. You’re a good friend.” I grinned.

“Yea.” He grinned.

On the way, he did not talk much and so do I. I wondered what had happen to him, he did not seem like the way he used to be. I knew I have to figure it out, not now, maybe tonight.

“Hey Ray, I’m so happy to see you, my dear.” Jasper’s mom was always such welcoming.

“Hi, Aunt Allie. It’s nice to see you again.” I smiled and I saw emotionless expression on Jasper’s face.

“Come in. Serve it as your home.” Aunt Allie said with joyful smile and went into the kitchen.

“She’s happy to see me, I guess.” I said it purposely to attract Jasper back to the scene but he had no sign of respond.

“Emm, Jasper? Jasper?” I called him repetitively.

“Huh? You called me?” Jasper’s soul finally returned.

“Are you okay?” I asked with concern.

“Yea, let’s get in, is pretty cold out here.”

I know something might have happen during the winter holiday, but he kept on concealing the truth behind me. I couldn’t stand anymore. I have to know what on the earth had happen with him. After the sumptuous dinner that Aunt Allie had intentionally prepared for me, I appreciated her and I went to Jasper’s bedroom straightforwardly.

“Jasper, are you in? Can I come in?”

“Yea, come in.”

“Are you okay?” I tried to comfort myself that Jasper was okay.

“I need to talk to you Ray.”

“I know. That’s why I’m here right?”

“Ray, you know is pretty hard to say it.”

“Jas, come on. We’re best friend, which supposed no secret between both of us.” I started worried what he was going to say. I probably already knew it might be a bad news, or maybe not just one bad news.

“I know you’re worrying about me, but, I really can’t stand it anymore.” Tears oozing from Jasper’s orbital.

“Jasper…” I really have no idea how could I console him, and in a sudden, Jasper fluttered towards and hugged me so tightly. I could felt something in Japer’s embrace, but I couldn’t tell what it was. I patted slightly on his back, and tried to console him.

“I’m fine.” He said after he calm down his sentiment.

“Okay, now, Jas, tell me what’s going on. You’re driving crazy.” I sulked and said.

“Raven…” He never exactly called me Raven only if there’s something he wanted me to do, or something serious.

“My dad got another job in Arizona.” He looked down.

“So, you’re…shifting?” I guess. He nodded. I tried to be nonchalance because I don’t want to freak him out. “Are you switching school?” He nodded again.

“You know he never appear if there’s nothing special gonna happen.” I nodded.

“He got a better job in Arizona. The salary was twice than in Forks. I did try to persuade him to let me stay in Forks as I’m going to graduate this year.”

“Yea, you know our promises.”

“I know but I have no choice. Raven, you know how important that your promise to me.” He looked up and met my gaze. I can still saw the tears in his eyes.

“I know. Jasper, since you have no choice, I have no choice too.” I half grin and I started to feel my tears dashing out from my eyes.

“Ray, you know I treated you differently among the others girl in our school.”

“I know, because we have common.”

“Part of it, and I know you’re special enough to me.”

“But you never told me that.” I tried to smile.

“Since the first time I look into your eyes, I’d already knew it.” He grinned.

“Hey, I’ll make you a farewell cake.”

“Ray, don’t say farewell now. I still have a week to go, it hurts my feeling.”

“I’m sorry, so, how’s the deal?”

“Yea, I accept it. But the cake is just half of my farewell present, I need another.”

“Hey, you’re so greedy.” I laughed.

“I want there’s always a smile on your face. I want you to be happy, even though …I’m not there for you.”

“Jasper, don’t make me cry.” I punched on his shoulder.

Jasper never hesitate, he hugged me again. This time, I know the truth in his embrace. I felt the warmth in his enfold. When he released his hug, I looked at him, straight into his eyes, and he met my gaze.

He whispered in the ears,

“Ray, I love your smile. I know how hard you make it since your mom left. I know I never fail to put a smile on your face. I’m not kidding that you’re really special to me. I really like to be around with you. There are a lot of memories between you and me, I would never forget these precious memories you’d gave me. Is always in here…” He lifted my hand and put in front his chest, “feel it, Raven. It will never stop. Memories between us will continuously beating like my heartbeat did.”

I knew I’m crying like a lost little girl, but I knew Jasper doesn’t care about it. He looked at my damped face, and he used his hand to wipe off the tears beneath my eyes. I never hold back because I knew he never want me to hold myself back from him.

A knock transmits from the door.

“Jasper, can I come in?”

“Mom?” Jasper asked smoothly

“Yes, is Raven still here?” Aunt Allie asked.

“Yea, she’s here. Come in, mom. I think Raven needs a little help.” He grinned.

Damn it, Jasper!

“Is Raven okay? Raven, are you okay?” Aunt Allie squatted down at looked at my face

“Oh my god, Jasper, what did you do to her?” Aunt Allie enhanced her volume and turned her gaze from me to Jasper.

“No, I just told her something, and she just cried like a little girl.” Jasper laughed.

I lost my control again, tears dropped uncontrollably. Aunt Allie looked curious as she took a box of tissues and gestured towards Jasper.

“What’s that suppose to mean?” I asked once I controlled my tears.

“Are you okay? She asked me to help stop your tears, and makes you smile again.” Jasper said with a smile on his face.

“I’m fine. I’m sorry. “I looked down

“Come on Ray, we need to get some fresh air.” Jasper pulled my hand and led me the way to his house backyard.

I felt much better once I stepped out of Jasper’s bedroom. I discarded everything Jasper told me in his bedroom, and I turned my back and looked at him.

“Hey” I said.

“Yea, so, you okay?”

“Relax. I need to get back before curfew.” I noticed him.

“I know. It’s just 9.30. Ray, we still need some time. I’ll send you back at 10, okay?” His face became tighten, and his lips pressed into one straight line.

“Another bad news?” I asked.

“Ray, do you miss you mom?” he looked at me as he dished out the question. I perfectly felt shocked when he mentioned.

“Yea, I do miss her. I truly miss her but I knew she was there.” I pointed at the sky and said confidently.

“What do you do when you really miss her? Do you cry?”

“No, I don’t. I used to sit on my desk, look out from the window from my bedroom, and the most important, is…”

“The song?” I assumed he’s guessing.

“Yes, how did you know about the song?” I asked doubtfully.

“It’s not hard to know your stuffs. I’m your best friend right?” Jasper looked guilty.

“Jasper!”

“Okay, okay. I accidentally saw your notebook. I saw you’re looking for that song. Is your tape spoilt?”

“Yea, sort of. You know that song was during the eighties’. It’s hard to find, but I’ve found an old type of CD shop in Arizona on the web.”

“Arizona? U got the address?”

“Yea, I wrote it in my notebook. I guess I’ll go when I visit you during holiday.” I smirked.

“Ray… Get me the address tomorrow. I’ll check the details for you.”

“No, Jasper. You have your stuffs to do, and I guess your family will be moving to Arizona, right?”

“I think so. Ray, I think I better send you home now.” Jasper stood up from the lawn, which he meant to instruct me to follow.  I followed him to the front door, and I stopped him beside his car.

“Jasper, there’s something we have to make it clear. I still want to sustain our relationship and there’s nothing I want so badly in my life.”

“You really fulfill my needs today. We’ll talk about it soon okay?” Jasper did not force me to stop but I knew what he meant by…

Thanks for __ Reading!

TO BE CONTINUE ....