Christmas Rose

A/N Before I start, the beginning is really happy, you'll have to read the whole story to get to the sad parts okay?1

I silently smiled to myself hoping he wouldn't notice the gleam in my eyes. I looked at him watching as the professor droned on about something I could care less about.2

"Miss Claney, you should answer this question." I heard snickers around me, as though I didn't have enough stress. I racked my brain had anything Mr. Moore said registered in my mind? I begged myself to answer but could say nothing.3

I glanced hopefully around the room, my best friend, Megan was holding up four fingers, I took that as an answer and turned back to the teacher.4

"Four." I answered-squeaked was more like it. He shook his head in a shocked way, I smiled triumphantly and turned back to my watching him. He was beautiful, everything about him, he had blue streaked black hair, and amethyst eyes, he was tall and leonine he was gorgeus. Of course, I had competition and lots of it too. Katie and Bridget wanted him, as well.5

Katie and Bridget were the most popular girls in school, and everything about them was perfect. They were blonde thin and tan, whereas I had dark black hair I was the shortest girl in my school and I was slender but somehow soft...average. 6

When the bell rang everyone jumped and ran out of the room except him, we were there alone. Somehow, the white walls of the math room seemed almost magical. I took a deep breath and as I walked past him I deliberatley dropped all my books. He fell to his knees beside me, helping me pick all my books up, his face fell on mine his eyes sincere. 7

"I've never seen you before, how long have you been going to this school?" My heart sped up a notch but I decided to play it cool, I hugged my books against me. 8

"Only since the first grade." I couldn't believe it, all these years I'd been watching him, waiting for him to ask me to hang out and he'd never even seen me! 9

"Oh, sorry I'm-"10

"Jasper." I finished for him. He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly and nodded.11

"Yeah, who are you?" He asked. I sighed and shook my head.12

"Madison, I'm Megan's best friend." I said he looked confused then bit his lip.13

"Yeah, um who's Megan?" He said. 14

After three hours of explaining everyone to him, I finally realized he was a loner, and didn't really pay attention to the kids around him. We finally got to my street corner, I told him I had to go. He waved, and that was the first time I saw the scars on his wrist. I sucked in a breath but waved back happily, and practically skipped the whole way home, Jasper was my friend! Finally, after all these years we were finally friends, I couldn't wait to call Megan.15

Three weeks passed, the Christmas dance was coming. It was after math classI was walking home with Jasper we were both angry at the teacher, he'd given us a surprise test with absolutley no warning. Of course, we'd all failed. When we got to the parting spot he looked hesitant for a moment, then pushed a note into my hand. I opened it and read it:16

Madison,17

Will you go to the Christmas Dance with me?18

Jasper19

I was giddy with delight, but I knew something was bad was going to happen, it always did when I was involved. 20

The next day in school, Jasper kept watching me anxiously, then on the way home from school I told him I would go with him. His face lit up like a Christmas tree.21

"Really?" He said smiling, his cheeks a rosy pink. I nodded we lived in a small town so I knew where he lived and he knew where I lived so I knew he'd pick me up, I craned my neck to look up at his six feet. 22

"Of course, you're my best friend." I said I didn't realize how close our faces were until he closed the space between us. I couldn't believe it my life was getting better and better. He licked my lips, begging to be let in and of course I complied, he ran his tongue playfully across the top of my mouth, and we didn't let go until my lungs were screaming for air. 23

"I'll pick you up tonight." He said and jogged home, I went my way, I didn't know that tonight would be the night my whole world came crashing down. 24

I was doing my hair in my room happily singing along with the radio. Then, I went outside and waited, I waited until seven thirty (he said he'd pick me up at seven) and then I walked to his house, I knocked gingerly on the door. A plump woman answered it. 25

"Hello?" She said glaring at me warily, I smiled she grinned back suddenly happy.26

"Is Jasper home?" She shook her head and pointed into the darkness.27

"He left an hour ago to pick up his girlfriend." My heart leaped at the term but I was also a bit worried where could he be? After my thank you's and goodbyes I walked down the road there was a car on the side of the road. I ran over and peeked in28

the window, Jasper was there an arrow sticking out of his stomach he was alive, but barely.29

I pushed open the car door.30

"Is the murderer still here?" I asked-shouted, actually fighting tears. He had to say no several times before I heard. Jasper is on his side, his body was curved in and around the spear. I pulled out my nail filer freeing him from the suspicious net that held him. One look at the wound and I knew it was beyond my capacity to heal. Beyond anyone's probably. The spearhead was buried deep inside the shaft of his stomach. I crouched before him staring helplessly at the embedded weapon. There was no use in comforting words, in telling him he'd be all right. He was no fool. His hand reached out and I clutched like a lifeline. As if it was me who was dying instead of Jasper. 31

"You found me." He whispered trying to smile but grimacing instead. 32

"Don't go." Jasper tightened his grip on my hand. 33

"Of course not. I'm staying right here." I said. I moved in closer to him, pulled his head onto my lap. I gently brushed some stray bangs out of his eyes. 34

"Sing." He said, but I barely caught the word. 35

Sing? I thought. Sing what? My throat was tight with tears, and dry from the shock of this discovery. But this was Jasper's last request I had to at least try. I thought of a song I'd made up for my little sister when she was crying. 36

I gave a small cough, swallowed hard and began:37

"Deep in the meadow, under the willow38

A bed of grass, a soft green pillow39

Lay down your head, reast your sleepy eyes40

An when they open, the sun shall rise"41

The final lines were barely audible:42

Here your dreams are sweet and 43

tommorow brings them true.44

Here is the place where I love you.45

Everything was still and quiet. Then, almost eerily Jasper's breathing stopped. 46

For a moment I sat there, watching my tears drip down onto his face, I leaned forward and pressed my lips against his unresponsvie ones. I laid his head back on the seat and released his hand.47

I checked the seats for any clues, on the seat laid a single Christmas rose, I began crying uncontrollably. I had no use for the spear so so I left it there the sooner it was gone the better. 48

I couldn't stop looking at Jasper, he looked small, a baby anima curled up in a nest of mysterious netting that must've held him for his death. I couldn't bring myself to leave him like this. 49

I wanted to do something to make this seem proper, to let him know I loved him more than my life. 50

A few steps away from the car was a patch of wildflowers. Perhaps they were really weeds or something, but they had blossoms of every shade of red and purple and yellow. I gathered up and armful and went back to Jasper's side. Slowly, one stem at a time, I decorated her body in the flowers. Covering the ugly wound. Wreathing his face. Weaving his hair with bright colors.51

I stepped back and took one last look at Jasper. He could really be asleep in the backseat of that car after all. 52

"Bye, Jasper." I whispered. I pressed the three middle fingers of my left hand against my lips and pressed them against his cheek as a farewell gesture. Then I walked away without looking back, clutching my Chrstmas rose to my chest and knowing this Christmas would be far from merry. 53