So here comes chapter 23, dedicated to all Jasper's fans and fangirls and everyone enjoying it!

It's actually an extra, that I planned after seeing your reactions and reading your comments about chapter 20 and 21: thanks a lot!!!!!!

Let me know what you think of it, as usual, love your comments!

QUESTION: can anyone make a banner or Jasper and Dima together?? Pleeeeeaaassseeeeeee.....

Dedicated in particular to JudgejeanofallGums, hope you'll enjoy the chapter :-))

On the right a banner of Dima and Jasper, made by silvermistenfusion, thank you!!!

Music...I thought Blur would fit the situation.

Enjoy xox

JASPER POV

I had walked to sixth period in a complete daze and confusion, with Dmitri, uhm, Dima, walking besides me and talking about a hockey game he saw last weekend. Oh boy, I asked him about hockey, remembering the Saturday I saw him playing, too scared and angry to actually enjoy it, and he began to talk no-stop. Uhm, not that I minded it, it was actually nice and interesting, because I never really followed that sport and knew little about it, but he was similar to Travis when it came to enthusiasm. Boy, very overwhelming for me, I’ll need to get used to this.

Uhm, I will also need to thank Travis and his persistence.

I’m shy and tend to keep quiet around here, even among my friends I’m the less talkative and cheerful, although I feel completely free and at ease once I skate and jump with my skateboard.

But here is different, people are different.

What would be of my school life without Travis? The day he saved my butt was the day everything changed for me. Boy, just thinking about him at home, at his self-confident attitude and sarcasm, gave me more strength to stand my parents.

Uhm, my parents. Since Sunday morning they barely acknowledged my presence at home, grunted me something, spared some crooked looks, and so, shaking their heads, still in clear shock for what Nic told them. Oh boy, I was so happy he was still there. After the discussion, he took a week of holiday from work.

Dima asked me something, but I didn’t hear what he said and asked him to repeat, feeling my face getting hot and red. Uhm, yeah, I was still nervous around him and the way his eyes stared at me in, uhm, curiosity, didn’t help. Sure not.

“I said, want me to wait here or somewhere else?” He asked with a warm smile on his face. Oh boy, did I really mistake him for that bipolar maniac? I was glad he was even willing to talk again to me and try to be friends.

“Uhm, don’t know, uhm, where is better for you.” I shifted my gaze somewhere else than his face, his bright, smiling and friendly face.

“Where is your locker?”

I told him, more or less, but it was easy to find, not too far from the main entrance door.

“Cool, then I’ll see you later, Jasper.” He grinned, giving the idea of a funny and soft grizzly, a grizzly with complete blonde fur. Boy, did that even exist? I chuckled at that and he lifted an eyebrow in question. I shook my head and he shrugged. Uhm, good, he wasn’t as persistent as Travis or Derek.

“Uhm, sure, I’ll see you later. Which class do you have now?” After hearing he freaked out during an experiment in biology, now I was really curios about that.

He groaned annoyed and rolled his eyes. Uhm, did I ask something wrong? Now I was feeling more nervous. I mean, he was still sort of scaring when he had an annoyed look. Uhm, not as scaring as Alex, but still very scary. Boy, Alex could make freeze hell with just a couple of words and glares. I was amazed at first how Travis could act that relaxed around him.

“I had the stupid idea of choosing literature, America literature. But I’m so gonna change it next semester.” He snorted. Uhm, guess he wasn’t a model student nor he liked to study.

“Can you do it? Uhm, I mean, to change it?”

“I don’t care, they better do it or I’ll have to kick their sorry ass.” His voice sounded annoyed, but he had such a comical pissed face, that I couldn’t hold a laugh and began to.

“What’s so funny, cutie?” He said that on purpose.

“Oh boy! Not you, too.” I whined, still laughing in between. He burst into laughs, too and people turned to look at us.

Someone walked beside us and pushed me against the wall, sneering and snorting. I turned and see it was a girl, quite beautiful, tall and with long caramel hair and big eyes, but the arrogant and superior-feeling-like scorn on her face ruined everything. Boy, why girls like her had to behave as drama queens all the time?

“I see that the fag germs are spreading everywhere.” She snorted, twisting her face in a very not nice way.

“Wh-what do you mean?” I asked her, not understanding what she wanted from me.

We didn’t know each other and I think she was older than me. I felt suddenly very tense and nervous, my palms sweating. I never liked when people began to call me names and insult me out of the blue. I knew she was a girl, boy, still. I wished Travis were here, he would have given her a piece of his mind. However, I felt someone else beside me, different from my best friend, but still reassuring.

“Erin, what are you doing here?” Asked Dmitri, eyeing the girl with a slightly annoyed glare. Uhm, they knew each other? Maybe they dated. Uhm, they idea had me even more nervous.

“None of your business, Dima.” She answered, flicking her hair behind her shoulders, with a dramatic effect. I saw Dmitri rolling his eyes and sort of sigh.

“It’s Dmitri for you, now, why don’t you move along?”

“What? You are changing side, too? It’s all that arrogant fag fault, what’s his name? Trevor, Trey, or Travis? Who cares. He stole my man and I sure will have him back.”

First Dima burst into a fit of loud and roaring laugh, even holding his own belly, having me and the girl looking at him in surprise, uhm, her more in indignation, and then he got serious and dark in a blink. Boy, was that scaring.  

“You.” He hissed, his voice dry. “You are lucky Sasha is not here to hear your bullshit and you know that very well. Piss off, Erin. Sasha has never been your man, that’s plain idiotic of you. And don’t you dare spit more shit about Travis. I might forget you are a girl.”

The girl paled to a greenish degree and trembled at the intensity of his voice, now twitching her fingers in clear distress. Boy, he had me tremble as well, but when he also defended Travis, uhm, he made me happy. The girl, uhm, Erin, shot me a dirty look and made a disgusted expression.

“Erin, another word or face about Jasper and …” He didn’t finish the sentence, he left there for her to get the meaning. Uhm, if I were her I would fly away right now and not push longer my luck. She threw her hair around like an actress, glared us with an outraged expression and stomped away. Uhm, what was wrong with her? Oh boy, Travis would say she had brain issues. I sniggered at the thought.

“I never liked her and I still wonder how Sasha could date that … thing, for a couple of month.” He groaned, shaking his blonde head and looking at the ceiling.

“Uhm, thank you for taking Travis and my side.” My voice was a bit unstable.

Dmitri grinned, his eyes shining warm, and then shrugged.

“Man, now fucking way I’ll ever let anyone talk shit about my friends. Humph, she was lucky indeed Sasha wasn’t here. He would never hit a girl, but be sure he would scare the shit of her stupid self and shut her up for good.”

Yep, he looked like a grizzly bear. Sure thing Travis would like the idea.

I stored the books inside the locker and then took a deep breath, feeling my palms cold for the tension. Boy, one thing was being with him at school with Travis and his friends around, another thing was spending an afternoon alone with Dmitri.

What if he’ll find me boring? What if we’ll end with nothing to talk about?  What if I’ll do something to annoy him or something else or … Oh boy, I was hyperventilating. Ok, I needed to calm down and very quick, because I saw him walking in my direction. Uhm, he sure was handsome. Uhm, this is not helping. Think of Travis. Think of Travis. Think of Travis.

Something rang inside my pocket and it made me jump out of my skin. I took my phone out and saw I received a message.

It was from Travis. I chuckled, boy, we were like psychic.

‘Cutie, good luck and remember to tell me everything tomorrow :-*’

I smiled, feeling instantly fine and relaxed.

‘Thanks! You remember your promise :-P’

‘No worries, I will. I might have more to tell you, Alexi comes to see me dance …’

My eyes widened, knowing what he meant. I was sure they already, well, you know. They were both so, uhm, how to say it, uhm, physical and hot around each other. I blushed at the thought. Boy, I had no idea what sex was like. I had only, uhm, kissed. Travis couldn’t believe I had no boyfriend or, using his words, a line of guys there for me. But why would they? I wasn’t hot and attractive like him neither I had that air around me like River. Sure I wasn’t nothing like Alex or Dmitri or Derek or Hayden, all tall and muscular. I shook my head and answered his message.

‘K, have fun then!’

‘Oh, I will ;-) You too Jas, xx’

“What are you shaking your head for?” I jumped again and saw Dmitri, uhm, Dima, standing there and looking amused at me. I looked up, because he really was tall.

“Uhm, Travis.” I waved my mobile and he smiled.

“Yeah, that guy is really something.”

“Yep, he sure is.” I couldn’t agree more.

“Ready Jasper?” He asked, flicking a set of key around his finger.

I nodded and he motioned to follow him. I did and we walked to the parking lot, stopping in front of a big and shining red car, uhm, more like a jeep. Which type of jeep was it? I wasn’t very good with cars.

“Uhm, nice.” I said, gesturing towards the big red vehicle. Boy, I could totally see it perfect for him. Would he even fit a smaller car?

“Thanks man, it’s my sweetheart. Sasha and I always argue on which one is better, but I know mine is.” He made a funny face, patted the hood and snorted. Uhm, sure, Alex owned as well a huge and long car, a black pickup. Very comfortable, I might say.

“Which one is yours? Uhm, sorry, I’m not very good with cars and trucks.” I blushed, fidgeting a bit.

“It’s a Jeep Gran Cherokee, a …” He began to explain everything about it, but I got very little of it. Uhm, the name and the fact it was a 4x4 was enough for my brain. I nodded and smiled, mostly to his content.

We got inside and he turned on the radio, asking if I had any preference. I told him anything was fine, boy, I wasn’t sure going to fuss about music right now. He removed his hockey team jacket, tossed it in the back and I found myself stare at him for a brief moment. Oh my, looking at him that close made him even bigger. I gulped silently, just quickly peeking at him from the corner of my eye, feeling now really nervous, uhm, almost sweating bullets. He wore dark jeans and a blue checkered shirt, which made his light blue eyes stand out even more. It wasn’t anything strange or eye catching like what Travis wears, but sure looked good on him.

Oh boy, what was I thinking? Travis was influencing me too much.

We talked a bit about school, telling me he nearly risked a detention for what he said during American literature; he called the author of the book in question a boring and fucked up man. I laughed quite loud, just picturing his face in the process of that. Boy, he was really funny.

“Man, it was so damn boring.” He grunted, pressing some buttons to change music. Uhm, he had a cool CD player.

His driving was sort of hilarious, because he cursed, I think in Russian sometimes, given I didn’t understand half of it, and snorted most of the time at random drivers, sometimes even flipping them off. Boy, he and Travis would be sure a good match about swearing. Uhm, not sure, though. My best friend cursed more than a sailor, and even though he did so, he could still look amazing and elegant. Uhm, how was that even possible?

“Here we are.” Dmitri said at last, pointing with his head at a shop. He pulled his car on the other side of the street and grabbed his jacket.

We hopped off, outside was cold and when I looked at the sky I saw menacing grayish white clouds, uhm, I shivered at the sight. I was sure soon it was going to snow.

The shop was nice and cozy, it had really couches and armchairs where to sit and watch movies. Uhm, how did he find a place like that?

“Boy, this is cool.” I murmured, wandering around with my eyes wide open.

Dmitri grinned from ear to ear.

“I’m happy you like it.” His voice was cheerful and deep.

I liked his voice. Uhm, I mean, it had a nice and reassuring tone, uhm, as you could feel warm and relaxed. Uhm..boy, what was I blabbing about in my head? I felt my cheeks hot and hoped nobody noticed my own private conversation with myself.

“Dima, dude, how you doing?” A guy with spiky electric-blue hair popped out from behind a counter and went to shake hands and hug Dmitri. He then gazed at me and smiled.

“Same old, same old. How about you, Morris?” He looked at me and pointed his friend. “Jasper, this is Morris. Morris, meet Jasper, he skateboards.” He winked at me and I sure blushed even more.

“You skateboard, dude? That’s amazing. How do you know each other? I never saw him around with you.”

“We go to the same school, long story. Anyway, his best friend is now my best friend’s boyfriend.” Oh boy, he couldn’t be more tactless and blunt.

The guy, Morris, first open his mouth in clear disbelief and then narrowed his eyes, as to say he wasn’t buying that crap.

“Which of your best friends?” He asked with knotted eyebrows and piercing green eyes.

“Sasha.”

“What? You kidding me, dude? Are we talking about the same person? Jee, iceman and scary Aleksandr got a boyfriend?” He then burst into a crazy fit of laughs, sounding like some strange animal.

“You know, I wouldn’t laugh in front of Sasha, if I were you.”

“I know dude, I know. I wouldn’t even dare that, but man, this is really something.” Morris shifted his eyes on me and winked. “Is this cute kid going to be your boyfriend?”

Oh boy, I felt my jaw drop and hit the floor and my face go completely red and hot. I think if someone were to punch me now, I wouldn’t be able to feel it. Boy, what he just said?

“Wh-what?” I stuttered, now wanting to dig a hole and disappear in that.

“Drop it, Morris. Don’t bother Jasper. Jas, don’t mind him.” He shrugged and chuckled a bit at my expression. Uhm, he knew I was gay and apparently, he was ok with that, but sure that joke almost killed me.

“But he is cute, isn’t he?” Teased more the guy. I rolled my eyes and grumbled something.

“If you were to see him dance with River or Travis, Sasha’s boyfriend, you wouldn’t think he is only cute…” Dmitri winked at me and grabbed my elbow to pull me away.

Oh. Boy. What did he say?

Oh boy. Oh boy. Oh boy. Oh boy.

My cheeks were now burning and bet they were purple and not anymore only red. I swallowed and looked down. He was worse than Travis. Would I survive the afternoon with him?

“We are going to rent and watch here “The Phantom Menace”, k?” He called back, while dragging me into a cornered couch. “Sorry, about that, Jas. I hope you’ll get used to my outgoing self.”

His grin was wide and welcoming, so nice that you couldn’t stay mad or crossed at that for more than a second. The embarrassment slightly faded and I shook my head. He went to pick the DVD and then played in the DVD player in front of the couch, right beside a wide plasma TV, equipped with speakers and Dolby Surround system. Uhm, this was really cool. He paused at the menu.

“Want something to eat or drink? I’m getting myself something to drink and nachos with cheese. Want some?” Everything of his face was smiling and shining. What a beautiful smile ha had.

I can’t believe a hour ago was nervous and freakin about this, and now just relaxing on a couch, watching one of my favorite movie ever and discussing about nachos for snack.

“Uhm, sure, they’re fine for me. Uhm, maybe some Pepsi?”

Ok, relaxing was a big word. Uhm, I was still fidgeting a bit, I mean, Dmitri was, uhm, hot. Oh boy, I said it.

“Alright, back in a moment, man.” He stood up, me watching his huge figure standing tall and confident, and then I forced my eyes away.

Why didn’t I notice that before? Uhm, now I got myself nervous on my own. Dmitri was handsome and hot. There, I said it again and blushed madly.

He got back in a couple of minutes with two cans and an extra large bowl of nachos. Err, who was going to eat all of that? He handed me one can, placed the bowl on my lap and plunged on the couch, for jumping up after a second. Uhm, what happened?

“Shit, forgot the cheese and guacamole. Wait a sec.” I chuckled, Travis would scowl at all this kind of food. I wondered if Alex was similar to Dima. Uhm, why he had people calling him Dima? And Alex Sasha?

Dmitri returned with everything, turned on the DVD and sat right beside me, fishing nachos from the bowl that I was now holding in my hands.

“Can I ask you something?” My voice was slightly down and tense.

“Sure, go ahead.” He turned at stared at me, munching some nachos.

“Uhm, why your friends call you Dima? And Alex Sasha?”

“Oh that. Well, Russian names have their own and precise way to nickname them and that’s how you familiarly shorten my and Aleksandr’ name.”

“Uhm, I see. Uhm, do you think there is a Russian version for my name?” I asked, now suddenly curios.

Dima thought about it for a moment and mumbled something, like names or something else.

“Well, not sure, but it would be something like Kasper or Kaspar with “k”. Hey, I’ll think about a nickname for you.” I made quite a face at that.

“No, uhm, thanks.” I mumbled, probably blushing. He chuckled.

“No worries, Jas. Not gonna call you “cutie”, that’s Travis doing.” He smirked and then winked. We resumed watching the movie, him right beside me.

It was nice being around Dmitri, after half of the film I was at complete ease, no more sweating bullets or twisting fingers. Uhm, well, still blushing a bit when we would brush together arms or legs. Oh boy, that had my heart beat fast. Dima had such a strong, warm and confident presence, that it all radiated from his body to mine, somehow making me feel good.

We kept silent and enjoyed the movie, me crossed-legs holding the bowl of nachos, Dima sprawled lazily, his long legs stretched out and wide apart, his left knee somehow touching mine, arms lazed on the headrest of the couch, one right behind my head.

He had finished all the snacks and when the movie was over, he complained he was still hungry. I chuckled and shook my head. I insisted to pay my share, but he wouldn’t hear of that, boy, that wasn’t fair.

“C’mon man, my treat, relax. Remember? Have to get your forgiveness for having such a sick and twisted … twin brother.” He flinched at those words, as if he didn’t like to admit they were related and brothers.

“Uhm, but it’s ok, I mean, there is nothing to forgive, uhm, you’re actually nice and funny.” Oh boy, I didn’t say it, right? I blushed madly and immediately looked away, pretending to watch something very interesting on the other side of the street. Dima was driving me home.

“Why, thank you, Jasper. I like you, too.” I dared to gaze at him and he was there, beaming like a huge blonde bear.

“Uhm, thanks.” I mumbled, barely audible.

Dmitri asked me if I wanted to hang out more, but I knew my mum wasn’t in the right mood today and wouldn’t push too much my luck. He then asked me something about my family, but I didn’t feel like telling him much, I wasn’t still that relaxed around him. I was glad he picked my mood immediately, because he changed subject and just told me about his family, his hobbies and stuff like that.

I still couldn’t get over the thought that I mistook him, Dmitri, for his evil and psycho twin. How did I even not notice the difference? Boy, they might look alike, but sure from what I remember, they were actually different like light and darkness.

We reached my place and right when I hopped off the car, my mother walked outside and had a very crossed expression on her face. My mood immediately dropped under the ground. I so didn’t want to go inside and face them, not today, because I had such a nice day. I sighed, waved bye to Dima, he stared at me a second thinking about something and then got out of the car as well. My mother eyed him with stern and suspicious glare, something that I didn’t like.

“Jasper, you are back late again. We’ll discuss over it once more after dinner. Now, get inside.” She didn’t even spare a word to Dmitri. I could feel him beside, playing cool.

“Mrs. Lucas, Jasper spent the afternoon with me, we are schoolmates and my name is Dmitri Denisov.” He introduced himself with a very dry voice, stressing even more than normal his Russian accent. I think he did it on purpose.

Mother studied him silent for a moment and thought about something. Then she faked a polite smile.

“Denisov, you said? Is your father..” Dima cut her off immediately, understanding what she meant and how her brain worked.

“Yes, that’s my father.” His voice had dropped completely the polite tone.

My mother winced a bit at that, but didn’t say anything. Oh boy, she apparently knew also his family, which owned an import/export company, mostly trading between the States and Russia. I rolled my eyes at her, she and my father were such huge hypocrites.

“I see, so eventually my son has learnt to make useful and decent friend. Would you like to join us for dinner?” She wasn’t even ashamed of her snotty and pompous attitude. Dmitri didn’t say anything, simply shrugged. He was indeed easygoing, but boy, she got me mad.

“Mum, what are you talking about? Just stop it. We are friends because he is amazing, just like Travis, not because he is a ‘useful’ friend.” I didn’t even care what I was saying right now, that word, useful, made me cringe badly.

“Jasper Lucas, do not dare to talk back to your mother with that tone.” She hissed.

I went to say something, but Dima grabbed my arm.

“Hey man, Jasper, I don’t care what she thinks of me, ok?” He had a very warm and honey-like smile. He shifted his gaze to my mum. “Thanks for dinner, but I’ll pass this time.”

My mum nodded and eyed me cold, as to say to move my butt and get inside. I slumped down again, feeling down.

“See you tomorrow, Jasper” He winked and walked to his “sweetheart”.

I chuckled and watched him drive away, now my mood getting even more down. We entered the house and my mum ordered me to get ready for dinner, a couple of guests were coming. Boy, I could only picture what kind of guests, just the same as my parents. Fantastic, Travis would say sarcastically. I sighed and climbed the stairs to reach my bedroom.

Once inside I slumped on the bed. My phone rang and I jumped up.

A message.

‘Hey Jas, you ok? I had fun day! Пока, may the force be with you :-)’

It was from Dmitri, uhm, Dima. I guessed that word was written in Russian, but couldn’t read it nor understand it. I chuckled at the last sentence, thinking about our afternoon and the film, feeling immediately better. Boy, he wrote he had fun, with me. My cheeks blushed again.

‘Thanks, I’m fine. Had fun, too. May the force be with you :-)'

Oh boy, now I couldn't wait to see Travis and talk to him and tell him everything.