Hello dear all :-)) Here is chapter 3 of "Tricks of Love" and hope you'll enjoy it, let me know! Love to read your comments and messages,  you're amazing fans and readers!

Thank you very much to all of you for your comments!!!

Now the story between Jasper and Dima properly starts and we jumped right inside it, meeting the first rival, a new and quite bold classmate.

Dedicated to all Jasper's fans and in particular to MaestrolzeleoKun, who has started writing a story as well and it's very nice!

On the right, a picture of Kevin --> Nicholas Hoult

Enjoy xox

JASPER POV: 3 Months later

I walked to Travis’s locker, because I couldn’t wait to see him and hear all over again what he told me yesterday, when we met late in the afternoon. He came over my place, all giddy and super excited, not able to stay still for more than a second and said he had something fantastic to tell me. Oh boy, was he hyper and jumpy; his eyes were sparkling more than usual and the smile on his face was almost blinding. My best friend was clearly over happy about something and I knew it sure involved Alex.

My mother greeted him politely and coldly as usual; she sort of liked him because of his mother, but “like” wasn’t the right word. Any time mother would meet one of my friends, my blood would freeze, because I was overly nervous about what she might say. Travis never really cared about that, he tried his best to ignore her hypocrisy and pompous manners just for me; he didn’t need to tell me that, it was clear he was doing it for me. Lucky me, so far mum hadn’t say a wrong word about Alex, because otherwise I wasn’t that sure Travis could keep his cool. Boy, he was so in love with him. And I still couldn’t believe what he told me yesterday.

Apparently they had some sort of fight, uhm, argument…don’t know how to say it, because Travis said that they made up in less than three hours and after, uhm, well, you know after what, Alex asked him to go live together during college. Boy, that was incredible; I was so genuinely happy for my best friend, because it was clear as the light of the sun how crazy they were for each other and how deeply they loved each other.

Alex was actually a very nice person, uhm, well, when you could pass his super glacial and scaring attitudes. Uhm, he was nice with me, though and I came to like him very much.

Travis was there with him and Derek, a smile immediately colored my face, and I jogged over there, surprising him by jumping on his back.

“Cutie, so happy to see you.” He cheered, grabbing my arms around his neck to nuzzle his cheek on mine.

“Hey Travis.” I hopped off his back and he hugged me tight and still smiling from ear to ear.

Boy, was he happy and in love. I sighed, thinking how amazing this had to feel, but I didn’t exactly know, because I never had a proper boyfriend or never really liked someone that much. Uhm, well, now there was someone I liked very much, uhm…a lot more than very much. Yep, a huge blonde and funny Russian guy that reminded me of a nice and comical grizzly.

Yep, I sure was quite lost for Dima.

“Jasper, I saw a moment ago Dima and he told me to ask you if you can wait for him; I think he has something for you, don’t remember what. He broke his phone yesterday, so he couldn’t send you a message.” Alex told me, now hugging Travis tight from behind and slipping his hands in Travis’s jeans pocket. I slightly blushed, because those two together were irresistible.

“He broke his phone?” I asked.

“Apparently he had another fight with Anatoly and in the intent to stay calm he punched the table, and didn’t realize the phone was there.” He smirked and shook his head.

“Dude, that’s just so Dmitri like.” Derek joked, laughing his head out.

Uhm, yep, that was Dima like, he was right. I cringed for a moment when he named his twin brother and couldn’t still go over the fact I mistook someone like Dmitri for that … boy, I didn’t even have a proper word for him. He had asked me many times to go to his place to watch a movie or play some video games, but I still couldn’t face the idea of going there, because I was afraid of meeting Anatoly. I knew nothing would happen, because Dima would be there with me, but uhm, wasn’t that easy.

“Jas, he’s here.” Travis winked and then muttered something under his breath. “Dense moronic idiot”.

I wondered why he said that and when I turned my head I understood the reason.

He was about to walk towards us, but he stopped to chat with a girl, a very pretty girl with long and straight blonde hair, super short skirt and a shirt that left very little to imagination. I slumped inside and tried to restrain a sigh, feeling now my smile and good mood slipping away.

Oh boy, I could never compete with someone like that girl; I mean, I was a guy, with common hazel hair and eyes and not muscular or attractive as Travis. She was the perfect match for Dima and not someone like me, but it wasn’t easy to look at that, to look at the person I liked very much chatting with such a grinning face and uhm, enjoying the company. I silently exhaled and let my shoulder drop down a bit, shifting my eyes away. This wasn’t the first time and uhm, not the last for sure.

Why did I have to crush for a straight guy?

“Don’t even think that, Jas. You’re the perfect match for him and not that blond bimbo.” He whispered in my ear, now hugging me.

I turned to look at him with a surprise face and spotted Derek and Alex talking now with Hayden. My best friend winked at me and I couldn’t help to smile back; he always knew how to make me feel better, but I didn’t think he was right. He kept saying that Dima had a soft spot for me, not just as friend, but he was too dense to notice it himself. Uhm, don’t think that was true, but it was pointless to question and argue with Travis, because he would always win the last word and have me exhausted in trying to discuss it back. I giggled now, boy, he was really incredible.

“You can read my mind now?” I asked staring at his black eyes.

“I can sure read your face, cutie.” He answered knotting his brows and then sticking out his pierced tongue.

We both laughed and shook our heads and then he turned his head to Alex and smiled at each other. I think in that moment they forgot they even were on this planet.

“Dude, did you finally discard Amy? Don’t waste your time with her.” Derek said looking at me and I was about to answer with a question, but I felt a hand on my shoulder.

I froze on the spot, uhm, not exactly freezing, because my face suddenly went hot and sure also bright red; my heart beat went faster at once and all my body tensed in a shy and somehow pleasant way. It was always like this when he was around me, casually touching me or leaning close. I had to fight my own reactions and pray they wouldn’t be too clear on my face, even though I knew there was no helping with my blushing; there I was hopeless.

“Oh, that was Amy?” Dima asked, resting now casually his arm on my shoulders.

I peeked at him, tilting my head up and boy, he was so tall and, uhm, hot. I couldn’t wrap my head around it, about me calling him “hot”, but he sure was it. I blushed even more at my own thoughts and silently told at myself to drop it. Why was I thinking about that now? Oh boy, stop it Jasper.

“Man, didn’t even pay attention to what she said, she’s not my type.” He grinned and then looked at me and grinned even wider. I almost melted there. “Hey Jasper!”

“Hi.” I blabbed out somehow, fighting my own blushing.

“Since when do you even have a type?” Derek mused, clearly wanting to tease him.

“You know I do like cute girls.” He answered bluntly and I blushed even more hearing the word “cute” and seeing how Travis bit his lip to repress a laugh.

“Hmm, right Dee. Did you forget about that? Dima does like cute … girls.” River sneaked behind them and hugged his friend’s shoulders, sending me one of his typical cat-like smiles. Boy, one of these days he would have me going crazy.

“Hell, forgot about that, too.” Travis kept it up with him and they exchanged a quite amused smirk.

I mentally face palmed and exhaled; those two together were exhausting, uhm, Travis and River I mean. Together they could drive nuts even the most sane and rational person and when they wanted to make fun of “peanut-brain-size-morons”, so to use my friend’s words, they would mess around pretending to flirt together and students here would almost drop their eyes at them and shamelessly gawked at them. Yep, they sure were crazy.

“Jasper, let’s go. I found a book that I am sure you’ll like.” Dima grabbed my elbow and I gulped to contain the feeling it gave me every time he touched me like that, so freely and open.

“Uhm, sure. Which book is it?” I asked, trying to not stutter at my own nervousness.

“From the new collection of Star Wars, “Lost Tribe of the Sith”. I just finally found one that couldn’t find anywhere and I am sure you’ll like it: I finished it in just a week, which sure is a record for me.” He laughed at himself and his massive broad shoulders shook at that. His brilliant light blue eyes glinted even more. Boy, was he super handsome. Then he paused and looked at me tilting his head on the side. Err. Something wrong? “Wait, but maybe you have already read it.”

Oh boy, even if I had already read it, I wouldn’t tell him. I mean, he had been so nice to think about me and bring the book over to pass it to me; it’d be awful to tell him so.

“I don’t think so, I haven’t read many of them and sure not any from that collection.” Uhm, that wasn’t quite true, but hey, sure wasn’t going to disappoint his bursting enthusiasm.

“That’s great, man.” He stopped at his locker to get something and then groaned annoyed. “What an idiot. Why I came here? I forgot it in the car. Jas, I’ll bring it over for lunch, sorry man.”

“Sure, no problem.” I smiled back at his carefree and warm grinning face, always so open and friendly.

Someone hugged me from behind and slipped his arms around my neck, crossing them on my chest. I stiffened at once and held my breath. I recognized the light and fresh cologne and then the voice talking close to my ear. Boy, this guy was hopeless and I still couldn’t get used to his way of being totally open, flirty and embarrassing blunt. He was a fair match to Travis, but my best friend was more subtle and was dazzling in his being direct and frank, he was enthusiastic and without barriers. While this guy, my new classmate, uhm..well, he was sort of too much open and bold.

“Jasper sexy, how nice to see you as first thing in the morning.” He murmured in my ear, making me slightly shudder for the tickling feeling his hair gave me.

“Kevin, uhm..mo-morning..” I tried with all my best to untangle his arms from me, because I was feeling overly embarrassed in front of Dima and surely blushing out of mind.

He looked at Kevin with a curios expression and studied his face; uhm, his grin wasn’t anymore so wide and I was afraid it was because he maybe didn’t like to see two guys this together, but he should be used with Alex and Travis.

“And who the hell are you, man? I was just talking with Jasper before you jumped him. Now, leave him alone, you’re making him uncomfortable.” He said sort of snorting in a funny way.

I widened by eyes and almost gasped. He had noticed that. Dima was such an incredible kind and understanding person. I had no idea how that was possible, but since we became friends, he would understand at first when I was nervous or tense or something else, and just his presence was enough to calm me down.

“Sorry Jasper, didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” Kevin let go of me and took a step beside me, looking at Dmitri. “Hey big boy, I’m Kevin and you must be that scary Russian guy’s friend, right? I saw you guys walking around school. You’re all freaking big.”

“Uhm, Kevin, that’s Dmitri and the guy you’re talking about is Alex.” I tried to explain, because I knew Dima never appreciated when someone called his best friend scaring, although you couldn’t deny Alex really was intimidating.

“Nice to meet you. Mind if I steal Jasper? We have class together now and it’s about to start.” He smirked and hooked his arm with mine, wanting to drag me away.

“Boy, wait a moment Kevin.” I tried to stop him, but he was taller and bigger than me.

Who wasn’t taller and bigger than me?

He was actually, uhm, quite attractive with his dark hazel hair, kept cropped short in the back, longer on his forehead to make them look as unleveled and messy bangs, with smirking deep light blue eyes, that stood out like wicked eyes from his pale skin and heart shaped face. His lips were always red and uhm, looking smug, pressed together in a witty faint smile. Since he transferred to our school, Kevin kept acting in this way with me, openly flirting and calling me sexy or more, making me blush and feel awfully embarrassed all the time. It turned out he was bisexual, but somehow he said guys were his soft spot and he declared after a week we met, that I was his ideal type of “eye-candy”.

Oh boy, he’ll drive me nuts one day or another.

I never really took seriously what he said, because I was sure he was only joking around and he in fact never asked me to go out or do something, thus that’s why I tried to ignore it. He sure was a pleasant person to be with, given he never was in a bad mood and it was easy to talk to him, because he was very smart, but uhm, he wasn’t Dima.

Dima himself shot him a confused look and then simply shook his blond head.

“Jasper, let’s meet at lunch then. I’ll bring you the book.” I nodded at him and smiled. “What was your name again?” He asked to Kevin. I giggled; he was hopeless in remembering names at first.

“Kevin; Kevin Martin.”

“Man, what are you? My name is Bond, James Bond.” He laughed and I couldn’t help chuckling with him. His faces were always the funniest thing to see. “Later then, Jas.”

“Sure.”

Kevin simply shrugged his shoulders and then dragged me away.

“So, you really are friend with those scary giants from the hockey team?” My classmate asked me once we sat at our desks.

“Uhm, yep, but they aren’t scary, uhm, well once you can get to know them well. But I met them through Travis, my best friend.” I explained.

“Oh yes, you speak a lot about him and you got me curios to meet him in person, he sure does have a hot butt. Saw that around school.” He winked and rested his chin on the palm of his hand. “But I think you’re sexier and cuter.”

“Oh boy, Kevin. Stop messing around and joking.” I exhaled, dropping my head on the desk, feeling already tired and it was only the beginning of the day.

“I’m not joking; I’m serious.”

“Sure, sure.”

“So, can I meet him later? Your friends seem all very interesting and I’m honestly curios to see this feared and glacial beast of Lebedev close.”

“Alex isn’t a beast…he’s very nice. Well, sure he has an intimidating air around him.” That I couldn’t deny it.

I thought for a moment what Travis always says about him, calling him a sex-beast and I blushed like mad. Uhm, they were so physical together; I wondered if it would be the same for me, if I’d be that physical as well, but uhm, don’t know...it was quite embarrassing to think about doing some stuff with..uhm..Dima. I mean, would I be able to .. uh, well, how do I..?  Oh boy, what was I thinking about now? Travis was affecting me too much.

I sighed, because I really liked Dima and when I was close to him, feeling his scent and cologne around me, looking at his smiling and plump lips and bright eyes, many times my thoughts betrayed me and made me think how it would feel to touch them, to kiss them. Every time I had to look away, afraid of my own expressions and thoughts. I sighed more; even if I would be able to do just half of what Travis told me, I still saw no point in that.

Sure, we became great and close friends and I felt warm and free around him, but it pained whenever my eyes would spot a girl eyeing at him or trying to flirt with him; and it pained even more whenever he would stop to talk to that girl. It wasn’t easy at all to withstand it, but what could I do? Uhm, nothing. I didn’t think Travis this time was right. Dima was straight and uhm, there wasn’t much to do about that.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Uhm?” I turned my head and saw Kevin staring at me intently, his piercing blue eyes studying my face and his lips pressed tighter together. This guy reminded me of some wicked sprite.

“You seemed a bit down a moment ago.” He said with calm voice.

I shook my head and then the teacher came in and began to talk in Spanish. Yep, my first hour was Spanish and it was one of the few things I enjoyed here in school, considering I was very good at that, thanks to Maria.

I walked to the cafeteria feeling a bit nervous, having Kevin right beside me and talking about something he saw on TV last night. He had quite an accent from Texas, the place he came from, and you could easily detect it sometimes. His family transferred to New York right after Christmas, because of his father’s job, but I didn’t remember what that was about. Apparently New York was better according his opinion than Dallas, because he said that here he felt freer and there was much more to do. I had no idea, never been in Texas.

At the end I decided to let him come with me at lunch, because I remembered how also Travis was curious to see him and thus here we were. Once inside, my eyes immediately registered where my best friend was and saw he was talking to River and Derek, while Hayden was busy with phone, probably messaging with Diane. I giggled, he was such a softy when it came to her and she was indeed awesome, very much like her brother. I searched for Dima and his grinning funny blue eyes, but he wasn’t there and realized also Alex wasn’t there. Uhm, strange.

Maybe he got called back for making another inappropriate comment in class; I almost laughed out loud thinking about it. Oh boy, that must be quite comical to see. Travis turned his head and when he saw me, he stood up and waved at me. We walked there and when I reached the table he jumped from his chair and in a fluid and very elegant move, he was hugging me.

“Jas, how was school today?”

“It was good, not particularly boring. What about you?”

“Hell, I had an argument with one teacher, because she refused to accept my different opinion on a picture and had to tell her that her opinion was wrong. Oh well, whatever, at the end I won it.” He smiled that dazzling and open smile and I could picture that scene clearly in my mind. Boy, I’m sure he drove the teacher out of mind.

“Who’s the guy with you?” Travis asked, looking at my classmate.

“Oh, uhm, that’s Kevin, my classmate. He wanted to meet you.” I turned towards Kevin. “That’s Travis, my best friend and then River, Derek and Hayden.”

“Hey dude, what’s up?”

“Nice to meet you, Kevin.” River was always so charming and collected. How was that possible? I wish it would be the same for me.

Hayden barely heard me, just tilting up his head and sort of nodding, going then back to whatever he was doing.

“Hayden dude, will you stop chatting with my sister? Isn’t she anyway busy right now with some class?” Derek asked, faking annoyance.

“She’s not, she has