Chapter 3: Closer
Groaning and rolling over onto her left side Genevieve felt around, her eyes half-closed still, her hands searching around wildly, "Blanket..." she muttered still wanting to continue sleeping. Her green eyes opened slowly as she rolled over onto her back and realized she didn't feel the heavy green fabric anywhere near her. She sat up slowly and gave her eyes a moment to adjust to the daylight filtering into her bedroom. The blanket was still at the bottom left corner where her father had folded it neatly since her previous weekend with him. Sighing she figured she had never actually gotten into bed properly but passed out where she had dropped down and dozed off the evening prior, "How did I even sleep like that?" She wondered though mildly impressed she had lasted the night like that uncovered and not even waking once.
Remembering she had neglected to clean up her injured hand before she passed out, she glanced down at her left hand to notice she was no longer clutching the dark blue handkerchief and the wound had been cleaned and bandaged up. She rolled herself off the bed willing her still tired body to stand and made her way to the small desk she often drew & worked at. Her bag was no longer on the ground but sat on her chair. A solitary piece of paper was left for her on the desk, the black pen that had been used rested on the note. Her father's handwriting was scribbled across the page, "Gen, I came in to check on you and saw your hand. Cleaned it up and bandaged it as good as I could. I wanted to tuck you in but didn't want to wake you. Also I've got a shift today but I'll be home early. P.s I made you waffles. Love you".
Genevieve smiled at the word 'waffles' and folded the piece of paper in half to tuck it into a little box she kept all her notes from her father in. The still very exhausted girl stretched as big as she could and glanced around her room. Suddenly the memory of the golden-haired boy with the book tucked under his arm flashed in her mind. She winced a little out of embarrassment remembering the help from him she had received and how he had very much witnessed her impaling her hand with a carving tool, "Ugh I can't believe he saw me do that. There's only one way to forget about it all...I need a trip to the bookstore." She grinned to herself pleased with her own idea. After all it was a Saturday and she needed an excuse to get out of the house. She threw off her sweatshirt, grabbed her towel and headed to the bathroom for a quick shower.
All showered, hair dried, breakfast had and dishes washed, Genevieve threw on an off-black t-shirt, blue baggy jeans and a pair of black socks. She finished the look with 4 silver rings and a plain black choker. Her dark hair was dried curly and a little wild but she preferred it that way. The vibe was a little emo, a little grungy; a completely different look to the day before. Grabbing the black backpack she had fished out of the closet and filled with the items she needed for the day, she noticed the handkerchief Jasper Cullen had handed her sat neatly folded on her little vanity, "Ah so that's where that went." Grabbing it she tucked it into one of the front pockets of her backpack and flung the bag onto her back, "Might as well carry it with me just in case".
Genevieve fished her phone out from the front pocket of her jeans and checked the time, "Shit, I have five minutes to catch the bus." With slight panic she flew down the small flight of stairs to the front door where she had flung off her boots and pulled them on before hurriedly heading out. Luckily the bus stop was just down the street.
Having successfully caught the bus she settled herself into a window seat and plopped on the pair of headphones she took everywhere with her, prepared to zone out until the bus got into town. Though she spent most of the trip focusing on the scenery the bus passed, her mind could not help but wander to the very awkward golden-haired boy every so often.
It wasn't long before Genevieve found herself surrounded by far more people inside the bus before it was finally her stop. She quickly disembarked from the bus and headed down the street to her favourite small bookshop; The Little Green Frog. It was probably the only place in town that sold books and yet had a certain charm to it that the bigger ones did not. Though quite small, the place had 2 floors. The first one held a tiny coffee bar so you could grab a drink and read your favourite book, while the second floor was mostly quieter and had the odd small divan scattered about between the aisles. Of course the second floor is where Genevieve found herself almost everytime she visited.
Slowly she browsed through the aisles not exactly sure what she came for but decided she would need to leave with new reading material. Stopping suddenly a dark brown book with gold foiled letters caught her attention causing her to grab it off the shelf. As she was lost in thought flipping through the hardcover in her hands, she felt someone silently slide up next to her. Never moving her gaze from the book, she took 2 steps away hoping the person would get the hint and move along elsewhere.
"Genevieve?", her name was called in a deep voice, a slight southern accent mixed in. The girl's eyed widened as she turned her head to face the person who spoke her name so casually; Jasper Cullen. "Oh good, just the person I did not want to see" she thought to herself. The very clearly annoyed girl could not help but give him a quick once-over; he wore a burgundy button-up shirt, black jeans and a simple though thin for the weather black jacket. His shoes were of course the same black boots she often saw him wearing around at school. The smallest of smiles tugged at the corner of his lips as he gave her a curt nod knowing full well he had made her uneasy with his sudden appearance, "I...am sorry if I startled you. I noticed you walk in and thought I would say hello..." he trailed off watching her expression and demeanor change from startled to 'I wish you would leave'.
She nodded in return, turning away as she remembered the day prior's embarrassment. Silence fell between them for a few moments as Jasper browsed through the shelves. "This is too fucking awkward, why did the Furby had to show up?" Genevieve thought to herself, regretting for the first time ever making a trip to get new books. From the corner of his eye, Jasper caught the stressed stiffening of her back and jaw, "Am I bothering you at all? You seem a little unnerved." Turning to face him once more, she flashed him the nicest smile she could muster up as she tucked the book she held under her arm as a 'I will be taking this home' gesture, "No...not at all. I just wasn't expecting to see you here today. Did you come for something specific?" "That's right, make light convo, maybe he will piss off quickly", she convinced herself mentally.
Taking but one step closer, Jasper nodded and fished out the very tattered copy of "The Outsiders" from his jacket pocket and held it out to the green-eyed girl. Instantly she realized it was the book he had tucked under his arm when he offered her the handkerchief. The sight of the familiar book caused her to give him a genuine smile as it was one of her favourites. A soft though irritated sigh escaped the pale boy's lips, "Unfortunately, I think I just about read and re-read the hell out of this thing til I just about killed it." Genevieve nodded in agreement, "You think? The pages would be flying about this place if you weren't clutching it so hard!" At the girl's very honest retort, the golden-haired boy chuckled and took a step back once again, "I suppose you do have a point. I was looking for a replacement, though I would like to keep this current copy but I'm afraid I am not very savvy at repairing these kinds of things."
The dark-haired girl's eyes lit up as she knew she could be of help though not completely sure why she suddenly wanted to have anything to do with the awkward boy, "Perhaps I could fix it. If you'd let me. I'm not at a professional level just yet but I can definitely rebind it and recover it for you...if you don't mind, as a thank you for helping me yesterday." Jasper stared at the clearly elated girl, her happiness almost coating the air around him, his still awkward and stiff demeanor relaxing a little as he felt her become far less uncomfortable around him, "I would very much appreciate that. Though if you wouldn't mind joining me downstairs, I'm sure you would prefer not to be standing forever as we talk." The sudden invitation took her off-guard to the point where she automatically nodded, feeling even calmer than she already was and followed him down the creaky wooden stairs.
As she stepped down from the last stair, Jasper held his arm out behind her back, though not touching her in case she stumbled or fell back. He led her between the patrons and few scattered about tables making sure to keep himself between her and anyone else; an almost protective gesture she had not experienced before. Genevieve glanced up quickly at him wondering what the hell he was even doing and why he was being so careful with her. Nodding to her as they reached his table, he pulled out her chair and urged her to sit. As she made herself comfortable, she watched him disappear for a moment and return with a small hot cocoa. "I'm unsure if this is to your taste but as it's a bit chilly out I thought a hot drink would be appropriate", he said setting down the steamy drink in front of her before claiming his own seat. Genevieve picked up the dark green mug and took a small sip of the hot liquid, savouring the sweet and almost creamy drink before turning her gaze to him, "Why do you talk like that? It's a bit weird you know."
The sudden question took Jasper by surprise, causing him to go quiet for a moment as he considered his manner of speaking, "I'm sorry if it's a bit awkward. I suppose it's because I'm a little old-fashioned." She laughed in response, "Dude you're like 17...". She caught a small tinge of amusement in his golden eyes before he nodded in agreement, "Old-fashioned 17 ma'am." He gave her a bigger smile this time nodding the way a southern gentleman would. He slid the very old copy of his book towards her, "Again I appreciate you doing this for me Genevieve, is there something I can offer in return?" She shook her head in response before she took another sip, "That's not necessary. You helped me yesterday and was kind enough to buy me a drink, I think that's more than enough."
Jasper nodded as he considered her words, "If you're sure..." and watched as she swung her backpack around to fish out his handkerchief from the small pocket it was tucked into and held it out to him, "I'm kinda glad I ran into you actually so I could return this." Reaching out, the golden-haired boy slipped his right hand under hers cupping the hand that held the handkerchief while his left hand reached out to gently take the folded up material from her to tuck it into his jacket pocket. Genevieve's eyes widened as she felt his icy fingertips on her skin for the second time in 2 days. Jasper flashed her a grin as he used both of his hands this time to lead hers to the still warm mug to cup it tightly, "You should be careful, your hands are very cold sweetheart". The girl stared still unsure what to say, her cheeks flushing pink at his words watching him stand up and push the book closer towards her, "Take all the time you need. And once again I appreciate the help. Of course I'd take you home but I do believe you aren't quite done browsing, so I will see you on Monday." Jasper gave her a curt nod before making his way out of the bookstore leaving a very dumbfounded girl cupping a still hot mug of cocoa.











