This is a Halewater Fic. Set in an Alternate Universe.
I've taken down the original first chapter and made some minor changes. I'd like to think that my writing has improved since publishing this story back in March (thanks to my Beta, Fogwood, who's a genius :op). Hopefully, my later chapters reflect that. Enjoy!
Standard Disclaimer!
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The handle of my suitcase literally slipped through my fingers as my eyes widened in amazement and shock. The view before me was simply indescribable. I bit down on my lip, and squealed like a schoolgirl. Never in my life had I seen anything so grand, so luxurious and so grotesquely enormous. Even at a distance, it was nearly impossible to appreciate the vessel in its entirety with just one glance. The Oasis of the Seas was the largest cruise ship in the world.
I let out a sigh of disappointment as reality knocked me hard on my ass. I was supposed to be starting my last semester of college this year, but, due to my lack of funds, here I was, thrown head first into the working world. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. My hope was that between my hourly wages and tips, I could at least make enough money to enroll next fall.
As for the next few months, they would be spent cleaning, serving, making beds, and washing thousands upon thousands of loads of laundry.
My shoulders slumped forward. For some reason, the damned ship didn't seem so grand after all.
"What a view," Bella murmured, bumping me softly in the arm.
My eyes shifted over in her direction. She was grinning with excitement, just as I had been, initially. I felt a smile tugging at the corners of my lips as I watched how happy she seemed to be. Bella was finally starting to come alive again. Her mother's death, a year and a half ago, had left her drowning in depression in an almost coma-like state. Luckily, Jake was able to gradually shake her out of it, and the two have been inseparable ever since. Sure, Bella wasn't exactly my first pick for Jacob, but, lucky for her, she grew on me over the years, like fungus.
A twinge of sadness mixed with anger stirred inside me as thoughts of my own intimate past surfaced. Though I have never been in love, since I considered the feeling to be a two-sided affair, my relationship with Sam was long and rather--intense. I gave the bastard everything I had and everything I was and, in return was left heartbroken, betrayed and forever bitter. In some deep, dark corner of my resentful heart, I did feel gratitude towards the son of a bitch for opening up my eyes and making me realize that love is right up there with big foot, werewolves, and the Easter bunny.
"Yeah, fucking amazing. Too bad we'll be spending most of the time in the laundry room folding endless towers of towels and sheets," I said picking up my single, small black bag, which looked like it's seen better days.
"Oh, come on! This is an opportunity of a lifetime. Look at that thing!" she exclaimed, throwing both arms up in the air. I was about to speak, when I saw her frown, then sigh heavily. "I don't know how I'm going to make it through the next few months without Jake. I miss him already."
"Bella." I rolled my eyes. "You just spent the last forty-five minutes fucking glued to the boy's lips! I was actually waiting for one of you to pass out from lack of oxygen. Snap out of it!" I shook my head disapprovingly. "Trust me, you'll live."
Bella scrunched her nose like a child. Typical.
We walked towards a long silver ramp, joining the equally long line of crew members who had already begun to board. I took one last look at the massive vessel and suddenly felt a strange shudder ripple through my body. My legs faltered a little but I managed to hold onto the banister and balance myself in time. I saw Bella's head immediately whip in my direction.
"You okay?" she asked in a concerned tone.
I swallowed hard, then took in a deep breath through my nose and let it out slowly before responding.
"Yeah," I said with a slightly shaky voice. "I'm fine. Just a little dizzy, I guess. But I'm better now. Must be from skipping breakfast."
Bella shot me one last worried look, then continued making her way up the ramp. I couldn't remember ever feeling lightheaded like that in the past. Strange.
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I watched in utter disbelief as Alice pulled a total of six large suitcases from the back seat and trunk of Edward's rental van. I shook my head. This ridiculous cruise would only last two weeks and Alice had packed enough clothes and accessories for a damn two-month safari across the African savanna. I loved my adopted sister, she was one of a kind, literally, but I couldn't fathom the idea of being married to the woman. She was a little too exuberant for my taste. My hat definitely goes off to Edward.
I watched her suddenly pull a white piece of paper from her purse; her eyes scanned every inch of it nervously.
"May I ask what it is that you're doing?"
"I'm making sure I haven't forgotten anything, she responded.
My lips parted slightly, shocked that she would even toy with the idea. "Are you serious?"
Alice shot me a glare.
"Jasper, a girl can never overpack. She never knows what occasion or what situation may arise. Therefore, she must always be prepared for the unexpected."
Her last statement was said with a certain twinkle of something in her eye. I became suspicious. After many years of coexisting, I had come to know Alice extremely well, and I could definitely recognize when she was up to something. Her eyes would give her away no matter how hard she fought to suppress her feelings or how vigorously she tried to keep her scheming thoughts from Edward.
I opened my mouth to question her motives, but Edward quickly intervened.
"You're fighting a losing battle," he said with a grin, wrapping his arms around his wife's almost-non-existent waist. "I've tried everything possible. She's not budging this time."
Alice chuckled, then turned to place a short kiss on his lips before wriggling free and bringing her focus back to the piece of notebook paper she still held clutched in her hands.
"Should I be scared?" I asked, unable to repress the smile that spread across my face.
"Very," he replied with a laugh.
We finished unloading the last of Alice's luggage. The trunk of the van was nearly empty, except for three black, medium sized suitcases. I couldn't help the slight feeling of apprehension that crept up my spine as my nostrils picked up the scent of the bag's contents.
Two weeks. Two long, dangerous weeks aboard a ship overflowing with humans.
As aware as I was that our supply was more than enough to sustain the three of us for the next fourteen days, that assurance alone was not enough to calm my worries. There would be nowhere to run in the chance that I should become tempted.
How could I have agreed to something so foolish? Edward's hand suddenly fell on my shoulder.
"You'll be fine."
I tucked the remaining luggage under my arms, then turned to my brother and met his worried stare. I knew he was sifting through my thoughts, and feeling the growing anxiety that was now rolling off of me in waves.
"Maybe you and Alice should go ahead without me. You know what they say, three's a crowd."
Before Edward could respond, Alice chimed in.
"Don't even think about backing out! I've already told you that nothing is going to happen. I've checked and rechecked Jasper. Please, trust me on this."
"I do, but-"
"But nothing! What will you do at home, anyway? Carlisle and Esme won't be back from their trip to Alaska for another week, and Emmett and Rosalie are still in Europe for who knows how long."
"Perfect. I'll have plenty of time to catch up on my reading."
Alice's eyes narrowed.
"Don't make me hurt you!" she spat, waving her finger at me as if I were a small child.
She turned on her heels and walked towards her tower of luggage. I looked over at Edward for some kind of reassurance, but he just shrugged his shoulders and grinned.
I shook my head and reluctantly gave in with a sigh. I figured I really had no other option. It was either agree to join my siblings on this godforsaken cruise, or go back home minus a few limbs.
I found myself debating which would be the better choice.
Alice was most definitely up to something. I could feel it in the pit of my stomach.