(I don't own anything) No Flames
Chapter 2
My body aches my mind crazed. I stare upon the cursed shirt as it rest against the wall across the room. I'm not even sure how long I've been in here but it's been hell. If I were human I would have tried to sleep this off. Instead that shirt mocks me as I stare upon it. I know I look a mess. I could only imagine. I spent most of the time passing eyeing the shirt as though it were my worst enemy. Instead it was becoming my worse fear. I fought the urge to grab the shirt and suckle upon it gathering whatever blood I could even though it was dry now. I felt as though I was locked in a padded room in a strap jacket. I wanted to hold the shirt but knew I mustn't. "Then how do you think you could ever have a relationship with a human if you can't even stomach the idea of being that close to her?" I hear Edward say even though he's not here he's at school. I growl at the imaginative Edward.
Silence filled the air as I started to think. I can't. I laugh almost hysterically. You're right dear brother I can't! I slam my both my fist against the door without meaning to I sent the door flying. "No Jasper!" Carlisle warns and tries to grab at me but I'm faster and he knows it. I hear him sigh and Esme my mother pleads trying to block my way but I pick her up by the shoulders and move her out of my way. I know where I'm going and there is no stopping me.
I run through the woods zipping through the trees. I catch her scent miles away maddening me. The sweetness filled my nose her strawberry scented hair and morning glory perfume a hint of lilac touched my senses as I came closer. I foamed at the mouth to taste her. I come to the parking lot of the school it's an icy slick cold day. It seems fate seeks her dead today as I see a van about to plunge right into her. Something in me charges and I leap out in front of the van pushing it away from Bella. I hover over her making sure she is alright but laughing at the irony. She looks at me as if I'm insane yet trying to figure out how the hell I just shoved a ton van away from her. I swallow and rise making sure I disappear quickly before anyone else notices. I laugh again now realizing I would l die to protect her and risk revealing what I am yet that is not what I came here to do.
Bellapov
I rise up glaring at the van and the dent upon it. "What the hell?" I say to myself. Kevin profusely apologizes as everyone else fusses over me and checks me over. I continue to stare over at the area where Jasper had been. I can't fathom how he managed what he did. We both should be dead him in general him especially. Everything sounds like it's distant and underwater as they talk to me. My mind is jumbled as I realize the one guy that acted as if he wanted me dead just saved my life.
"I'm taking your license away buddy!" I hear Charlie roar wanting to laugh but feel horrible for Kevin knowing it wasn't his fault. Charlie had just put new tires with chains on them however Kevin's were worn out and hadn't any chains. "It's not his fault dad."
"He almost killed you Bella!"
"Well he didn't I'm fine."
"Barely I brought my cuffs boy."
"Dad please."
"I'm so sorry Bella." Kevin goes to apologize again however my father pulls the curtain shut irritably.
"Dad…" I warn again.
Carlisle comes in to check on me. Ironic I thought. "Hello Ms. Swan heard you had a bit of an accident." He says shining a light in my eyes checking me over and asking me the date and how many fingers he's holding up. Charlie folds his arms eyeing me nervously. "It seems you're fine Ms. Swan however if you experience any headaches, nausea or sleepiness come back in."
"It's amazing really." I say trying to find the right words.
"Your son saved me."
"Oh really which one?" Carlisle acts distracted taking notes.
"Jasper. It's crazy really he jumped right in front of that van like it was nothing I mean he just appeared." Carlisle raises a brow. "That' your boy?" My father asks as if double checking. Carlisle pretends he didn't hear him. "Well it seems you are a lucky girl today Ms. Swan."
I'd swear he is rushing out of the room now as he smiles and nods at me. "Take some Tylenol. You can go home now Ms. Swan." I wait with Charlie to get my dismissal papers. I have a million questions for Jasper now but one hangs in the balance of first inline. I'm antsy as I want to get out of this room and go find him. I'm trying to gather how to ask him in my head. It's time I confront him especially now more than ever. Charlie leaves to go call mom and let her know I'm alright. I can't believe he told her in the first place. She'll totally freak out. I'm wondering down the hall as I hear voices carrying over.
"This puts us all at risk." I hear Rosalie say.
"Like we don't face risk everyday Rosalie!" He growls. "What did you want me to do let her get killed?"
Edward chuckles. "What is it!" I snap. "First you want to." Carlisle makes a throat clearing sound as he sees me peering over the corner. I swallow nervously and eye Jasper. "Can I speak to you alone?" Carlisle pulls Edward away as Jasper reluctantly heads towards me.
Jasper doesn't so much even look at me. "What is it?" He says staring into the fire extinguisher across the way. "How did you get to me so fast?"
"How do you mean?" He says stone faced.
"We both know what I mean I say looking around."
He rolls his eyes. "You don't have to be like that." I say and pause. "Thank you. I'll save my gushing for later." He raises a brow and finally looks at me. I'm glad you're alright Ms. Swan." He smiles and walks off. "Are you going to tell me?" I call out. "No mam you're a smart lady I'll let you figure that one out." That relaxed feeling had come over me again as he stood there in front of me looking in my eyes I became dumb. Now that he's gone I feel the anxiousness to know what the hell is going on. Who is Jasper Cullen?
I couldn't sleep that night. I just lay there feeling the breeze coming through my window. I replayed and rewound what happened in the parking lot. How he just more or less appeared. The van should have killed us both. Instead Jasper damn near destroyed the van. No human should have been able to do that. Even he must know that. It isn't long before my alarm sounds or at least it feels that way with my sleep deprivation. I slam my hand down on the button. I lay there for a few minutes. I then decide to get up the thought crosses my mind to tell Charlie I'm sick so I don't have to go but I know that means he'll be making me go to the doctor. Charlie isn't really one to hover but when it comes to something like this he becomes like a second mother. Worse he'll call my mother and she in return will call me freaking out. Let's face it; it might just be easier to face the Cullen's.
Today is our field trip I'm reminded of the fact when I see the buses already parked outside the school good I think to myself. No P.E no dealing with Jasper or the other Cullen's. Yet I squeezed on the steering wheel almost pissed about it. I actually want to confront him though. I want to sit next to him I bit upon my lower lip and almost scream as someone bangs on my truck window. "Mike." I say almost irritably. "Woah Bella." He raises his hands in defense.
I force a smile and open my door. "Sorry I didn't get much sleep last night." I saw but not even looking Mike in the eyes I see him and he's smiling yet again at me. Something in me makes me smile back. Mike's brow twitches and he turns to see who it is I'm smiling at. Mike's brow raises and he turns to see who I'm looking at but Jasper is already gone. Therefore Mike looks at me as if I've lost my mind. Then Mike smiles. "So I was wondering if maybe you would like to go to prom together. The way Jasper smiled at me is still frozen in my mind. I hadn't heard a word Mike said. I shut my door and adjusted my bag. "Well?" He stood there impatiently. "What?" I turned towards him confused. "You want to go to prom with me or not?"
"Oh." I pause thinking of what to say knowing I didn't see anything in Mike nor did I even want to go. "Oh well you see I'm going to see my mom that weekend."
Mike looked sorely disappointed. "Can't you go another weekend?" I mean it is prom…" I adjust my feet uncomfortable now. "Non –Refundable tickets." I see his wounded face and feel terrible. "You should ask Jessica. I know she really wants to go with you."
Mike looks surprised yet still a bit disappointed in me turning him down. Not even 10 minutes later Kevin asks then as we are loading onto the bus Eric. I hear Jasper chuckle in the far back as he's sitting next to Emmett. Meanwhile, I'm uncomfortably sitting next to Jessica her very much unaware of Mike asking me to prom. Now having upset three boys I felt like making myself invisible. We finally arrive and start lining up to get off the bus. Jasper somehow managed to squeeze his way throw and is walking right behind me. I swore to God I felt him breathing me in as he leaned in to walk down the stairs. The teacher meanwhile was stoked about this trip he leads us inside a greenhouse. Jasper is now walking side by side of me. I start to realize I feel relaxed again and can breathe I look at him oddly wondering how and why I felt that way around him. He smiled at me showing his too perfect teeth.
"I wanted to apologize Ms. Swan." He says real soft and smooth.
"Excuse me?" I was shocked he was actually talking.
"You know for how I've been acting you must think I'm insane."
"Well actually." Jasper starts to laugh. "I knew it."
"It's just well you see."
I'm too busy looking in his eyes and realizing the color change they were completely black now they are golden honey colored and beautiful. I trip over something and Jasper quickly grabs my arm breaking my fall. He says looking around. His face looking desperate... I hear him gasp as if he was reminding himself to breath. "You regret saving me don't you." Jasper freezes and grabs my shoulders having me face him. "Never... Don't you ever think that again I have regrets and certainly some doubts but not about saving you."
"Doubts?"
Jasper takes my hand as we walk along the teacher getting on to some of the guys for trying to drink the compost left by the worms. "Your hand is freezing." Jasper pulls his hand back. He makes that face again like he's in a lot of pain. Jasper rubs the hand that was holding mine. He starts walking ahead leaving me behind leaving me confused and the good feeling starts to leave me and now I feel confused and kind of pissed. The teacher goes on for another rant about the greenhouse and some of the plants. All I can focus on is how far away Jasper is trying to keep away from me now. We start to head back to the bus about to head back to the school.
"Will you be joining us?" Jaspers sister Alice asked.
Jasper pushes past me and gets on. Alice looks as confused as I do but keeps a smile on her face. "I see well perhaps some other time." I catch my bearings and get on the other bus.
I find a seat and try to resist the urge to jump on the other bus and demand what the hell Jaspers freaking problem was. He was like Jekyll and Hyde he couldn't make up his mind. I didn't want to talk to anyone so I slouched over by the window and pretended to be asleep. I never even knew who sat by me in fact they were already gone when we arrived.
Jasperpov
"I've already seen it Jasper she's the one." Alice says with a smile.. "You won't hurt her. You well you…"
"I what?" Alice I say more annoyed still thinking of her hand in mine.
"You love her."
"About damn time" Emmett says.
Edward rolls his eyes. "He's right Alice this can't work! She'll ruin us all!" Rosalie says. I cut her a look that could kill but know she's probably right I just don't want to hear it. I keep picturing her eyes, smile the way her forehead twitches when she's confused about something. "I don't love her. Hell I barely know her!" I say knowing damn well it was a lie as soon as the word escaped my mouth. Alice continued to smile. She and I will become best friends and she will become one of us. "NO!" Edward and I chorus. For once we agree and eye one another nodding. "It won't be your choice Jasper." Alice says rising up off the couch and heading outside. "You better not turn her!" Edward warns pointing his index finger my way. "Relax bro." Emmett walks over towards us. "Alice is right we can't stop fate the more you fight this the harder it'll become. You deserve to be happy Jasper maybe it's time you've let it happen."
"You're just as insane as she is!" Edward snaps getting in Emmett's face.
Alice comes back in the door with a petrified look on her face. If my heart was beating it would have skipped beat. "Jasper…" She says so softly it frightens me. "Bella's in trouble." I look at Edward knowing I need his skills on this one. "Where is she?" I ask Alice desperately. "Portland. I see an alley it's dark and she's trying to escape she's scared." I grab my brother's arm. You're coming with me and you're going to help me I think. Edward lets out a hissing growl but follows. We run as fast as we can through the woods. "They've got her cornered." Edward says. "The dreadful thoughts they are thinking." He shakes his head and I know it's bad when he's disturbed by what they are thinking. He looks at me and says. "You don't want to know Jasper." I catch Bella's scent and run like hell. I see Bella cornered in by four guys a lot bigger than her. Edward looks disgusted. "Let's see what you got under that…" Is all I have to hear and I grab the one talking by the back of the collar. "Don't do it Jasper." Edward says grabbing another. "You can't kill him."
"JASPER!" Edward yells at me as I clasp my hands around the guy's throat.
I face the guys and let out a growl and grab Bella by the waist. I hear Bella gasp in surprise. "Just get her out of here I'll take care of them." Edward says. "Go you hurry now before you let your crazed mind take over! Get her out of here!" I nod and pick Bella up and run off. I sense how scared Bella is and I want to go back and kill them all. She's shaking in my arms but I also know that's due to me as well. Taking off at inhuman speeds I'm sure hasn't helped with her nerve processing it's a lot to take in almost being brutally attacked and God knows what else even though I got Edward's hint making it that much harder to fight the urge to run back and snap their necks. I put Bella down. She opened her mouth and narrowed her eyes. "Shh..." I warned quickly as I saw her friends exiting the restaurant we were know in front of. Jessica and Angela were giggling then looked upon Bella guiltily. "Oh Bella we're so sorry but we already ate. We didn't know where you were and got hungry." Jessica starts to explain. Bella starts to explain but I decide to step in. "Sorry ladies but we sort of ran into one another and well time got away. I'll be taking her to eat now but thank you for your concern." I feel Bella's shock and almost laugh but choose to remain gentlemen like. I take her arm and nod towards her friends. "Oh well of course you guys have fun." Angela says. I can see the surprise on her friends faces only making this more comical.
Her girlfriends almost trip over themselves looking back at us as they load up in the car. I turn and actually see Bella Swan smiling not just any smile but a certain smile that says I'm doomed. "May I?" I ask taking her by the arm and lead her in as I would have when I was human centuries ago when I was courting. It's been centuries in fact since I courted a lady and times are different now not only because of the time but because I'm vampire now I don't eat. I realize just how awkward this will be sitting there watching her eat. Meanwhile coming up with some excuse for not partaking any food or drink while we are dining I know she will ask. It's not that we can't eat regular food rather than it doesn't give us any substance and taste dreadful. It tastes nothing of what I remember my favorite foods tasting like it's more like when you're human and you get sand in your mouth and no matter how much you try to wash it out its still there. That is why we pretend to eat rather than actually eat.
I pull out a chair for Bella and catch her alluring scent again. I find myself thinking very ungentle men like thoughts and try to shoe them away but find no hope in that as I sit across from her I'm mesmerized by her and can't stop staring.
"What?" She asked as I force myself to blink.
Saved by the waitress as she comes up and ask us what we want. "I'm not hungry Bella you get what you want I got it." Bella cuts me an odd look. "Nothing to drink sweetheart?" The waitress asked me. "No mam just the lady give her whatever she wants." I say staring into Bella's chocolate brown eyes. Bella orders but looks at me without a blink. The waitress walks of and Bella softly laughs shaking her head. I cock a brow curious. "She was into you." She says watching the waitress walk away. "Who?"
"The waitress she didn't take her eyes off of you."
"Huh. Didn't notice." Nor did I care.
I just wanted to find out more about Bella.
"She's pretty." Bella says.
I laugh. Pretending to care I look back at the waitress and see Bella's sudden change of expression to jealousy. I turn back and wink at Bella. "Damn." I say and Bella's face reddens and she looks down to the table. "You said she was pretty I'm disappointed she looks nothing like you." Bella looks back up at me and is red from cheek to cheek. "So are you going to tell me?" I shrug like I haven't a clue what she means.
"You know what Jasper don't do that don't stray from the subject and quit doing whatever it is you're doing." She looks at me accusingly. "What would that be exactly?" She grows quiet as the waitress comes with her food. "Thank you kindly mam." I say to the waitress. "No problem you let me know if there is anything else you need." I start to catch what Bella was talking about with the waitress and smile but at Bella. "I got all I need right here thank you."
The waitress goes on and Bella waits with her fork in hand. "Well?" She says motioning for me to explain. I dread this conversation though and keep stalling. "Just enjoy your food Bella." I say. "That that right there she said." I smiled again I've not the faintest clue what you're talking about I lie as she starts to eat and relaxes. In between bites she says. "I don't know what you're doing but you're doing something I know it. I just don't know how." I shrug my shoulders. I'm impressed as she's pushing through my abilities. I can subdue her for a bit but not very long before I find myself having to push extra hard. I know this isn't normal and want to comment on it but not sure how. I look around to make sure no one is listening or watching us. "There's something off and different about you." I whisper and she looks alarmed. "How do you mean?"
I can't help but to smile at how this is going to sound even before I say the words but say them anyway. "You're difficult." She grimaces and looks back down to her plate as if not sure where else to look. "I mean." I sigh not sure how to put this. "I can't do this anymore." I say she looks up at me. "Do what?" I fold my arms. "I'm not sure how to do this Bella but I know I want to be more in your life." Her eyes widen. "However there are some things about myself and my family that might run you off." She drinks from the sweltering glass. I find myself wishing I was that glass right about now. I lick my lips and shift in my chair. "Or have I already?" I ask as I see her hands shake. She shakes her head and puts her hands under the table. "You haven't run me off. I just wish you would tell me who you really are."
"Well, let me ask you this. Who do you think I am?"
"Jasper Cullen a boy with split personality."
I laugh and decide to leave it there for the night. I take her hand and lead her outside where I'm glad to see Edward had brought my car and parked out outside. Without another exchange in words I take her home.
Bellapov
I lay in bed thinking about Jasper Cullen everything from his eyes, hair and smile. I find myself envisioning him next to me in the bed looking at me with his sultry eyes. Then I start to feel silly and try to shake it off. What did he mean I want to be more in your life? I know what it sounded like but maybe I was reading too much into it. I toss to the side and put my pillow over my head. I growl into it I'm exhausted but sleep won't come. I can't stop thinking about him. Why? He tried to kill me or at least I think he was. Then he saves my life. Then disappears and seems to be pushing me away. He constantly looks like he's in pain when he's near me but says he wants to be more in my life and worries about him and his family running me off? I bite down on my pillow the confusion wrestling in my mind.
Once again it seems as if I just barely fell asleep when the alarm sounds. I throw the covers off of me, get dressed eat my cereal and head out the door. Charlie was already at work. They've been keeping him busy with all the homicides in the woods. I go all day without talking or even looking at Jasper trying to gather all this in my head. I catch him smiling at me every once and while and fight the urge to smile back. I turn my head and focus on something else. Lunchtime comes and I'm so rattled and
sleep deprived I almost drop my tray and my apple rolls off. Jasper right beside me catches it smoothly as it simply rolls onto his foot and he pops it into his hands. My mouth drops and he winks as he hands me the apple. Something in me clicks. "What are you doing this weekend?" I shock myself and fight the urge to cover my mouth as Jasper curiously raises a brow. "Hmmmmmm that depends why?" He smiles that smile and I swear my heart skipped a beat. "My friends and I are going to La Push. You should come. It'd be fun."
Jasper makes a face I can't quite read but doesn't look to pleasant. "Perhaps some other time Bella." He nods and walks off. He goes and sits with his family. I close my eyes and shake my head towards the wall as I sigh and head towards my friends. "Bella said she's coming Eric give it a rest."
Jessica said as I put down my tray. "Yeah I am and don't say it again." I say as he's about to say La Push once again he's been going on about it for days. I randomly decided to go to day but in all honesty I only agreed hoping that Jasper was coming. Now I wasn't so much looking forward to it but already said I'd go. The rest of the day pretty much goes like this Jasper and I only catch glances upon each other but don't talk. School bell rings and Jasper gives me a nod as he takes off with his brothers and sisters to head home. I climb into my truck and head home.
"Where you going?" Charlie asks as I'm putting my hair up and grab a jacket.
"To the La Push with some friends."
"You be careful out there Bella." My father's face says it all about what's been going out in the woods.
"Have they seen anything out there?"
"No Bella but don't take any chances just don't go into the woods and don't go anywhere alone."
I nod.
"Ok Dad."
"You have fun Bella."
"What are you doing today?"
"Billy and I are going to do some fishing."
"Why did I even ask?" I tease and head out as I hear him laugh.
Jessica and the others are already out waiting for me in the driveway. I climb into Kevin's van and we head out. The guys I notice were in wet suits and had surfboards. "You're surfing in the cold?" I ask. "Yeah this time of year the waves are great aren't you going to join us?" Mike asks as Kevin pulls in and kills the engine my cue that we're hear. "Nah you all go on ahead." I say. Jessica laughs. "Yeah Angela and I are staying with Bella." The guys go off towards the beach Jessica hands out some twizzlers." I'm just about to bite one off when I hear. "Hey chicka."
I turn my head. "Jacob?" I was actually glad to see him. He was with 3 other guys. He comes up and leans against the van next to me. "So you following me?" I tease. "Actually this is my territory Bells." He leans his shoulder into mine. I can feel the heat off his body as cold as it is out here I actually don't mind it this time. "Right the reservation?" Jacob nods and takes a Twizzler from my hand. "So heard you invited Jasper Cullen?" Mike said. Jacob's friends made a disgusted face. "Yeah I did but he was busy." Jessica smiled. "I think it's she invited one of the Cullen's no one ever does."
"The Cullen's don't come here." One of Jacob's friends snapped. Jacob sighed and rolled his eyes. "Come." He nodded as I started to follow him. "What did he mean the Cullen's don't come here?" He started to tell me the legend of his people and the ones that killed his people called the pale faces. My jaw dropped in shock and my hands started to shake. "So she really did take her own life to save them?" Jacob laughed. "It's just a legend Bella."
Even as he said that I kept thinking about it. "Looks like your friends are calling you Jacob said after we'd been walking around for some time." I looked over and saw Mike waving me over. Jacob laughed. "I think he's jealous." Jacob smiled and took my hand as we headed back. I pulled away and Jacob reached for it again. "Jake." I said trying to be nice. "Um I got to go."
"Well then ok Bella I'll see you later."
Mike and Eric gave Jacob unpleasant looks. I was hoping Jessica didn't take notice. Jacob I noticed stared them down as well. I practically pushed both guys in the van and slammed the door shut. I fastened my belt and leaned back. Kevin started the van and Jacob and his friends waved us off. My friends talked the entire time but I was quiet as I continued to think about the story Jacob had told me. We arrived at my house. "It was fun Bella. We'll have to do it again sometime." Jessica said. "Yeah it was." I felt odd though as I stepped out of the van. Like I was being watched I caught myself looking around. "BYE BELLA!" Eric hollered as I saw Kevin punch him in the arm. They eventually sped off and I walked up to the house and reached for the doorknob. "Ms. Swan." I almost screamed but that temporary good feeling came over me and then I knew immediately who it was. "Jasper Cullen." I said without turning around and putting my hand back down to my side. "I wanted to apologize for not accepting your invitation. I didn't want you to think I didn't want to go." I felt his cool hand upon my shoulder as he turned me around to face him. "So I came to see you." He looked around. "Might we take a stroll Ms. Swan." I couldn't help but smile at the way he spoke as if he were from another time.
He took my hand in his as we started through the woods. I started to pull back. "You wish not to hold my hand Ms. Swan?"
"It's not that." In fact I was enjoying it. "And my friends call me Bella remember."
"Yes I do I will do that just an old habit." He grinned he reached out his hand again for me to take. I eyed the woods remembering what my father said. "Jasper my father said not to enter the woods." Jasper sniffed the air which I found very odd. "There's no danger there today Bella. I wouldn't put you in danger. I would protect you." He continued to hold his hand out. I looked back to my house dissevering whether or not my father was watching and would come out and scold me.
"It's ok Bella." He said warmly and I took his hand. "You're safe." He said as we walked further into the woods. A chill came about me and Jasper took off his jacket and put it on me. It smelt wonderful I resisted the urge to take the collar of it and breathe it all in. "How do you feel about me Bella?"
"What do you mean?"
He looked at me only this time without smiling and he actually looked rather terrified as he waited for a response. "I think we both know what it is I mean." He said and waited yet again. My mouth suddenly went dry as I tried to come up with an answer. Jasper looked hurt. "I see." He said. "No Jasper it's just well I'm not sure how to answer that."
"Why is it so hard?" He asked as he leaned his hand over me almost pinning me in against the tree like he did last time only this time there was nothing threatening about it. In fact it was more sensual than anything and I found myself having to keep in check. "Do you know what I think of you Bella?" I tried to ask what but nothing came out as he leaned closer into me. He ran his hand along my face then pulled it back quickly. "Sorry my hands are always cold." He looked in my eyes. "I don't know how to do this Bella. There are things about me. Dark things inhuman things I suppose is what I should say." He stepped back and looked to the sky. "What am I doing?" He said but not looking to me. "This is wrong Bella so wrong." Jasper paced around as if trying to gather something. I stepped forward seeing his distress. "Jasper?" I reached my hand out and put it on his shoulder. He put a hand over it and twirled around. "I lied Bella there is something dangerous out here in the woods." He said looking to me again. "What Jasper?" I said feeling slightly alarmed.
"Me." He said and suddenly leaped up into the tree in front of me.
My heart skipped several beats. I watched as he bound from tree to tree. He came back down landing in a crouch and stared into my eyes. "Aren't you going to run or scream?" He said menacingly. "Why would I do that?" I asked still shaken up by what I just saw but somehow I knew Jasper had no intentions of hurting me. He leaped back up and pinned me against the tree. "Maybe because I'm the one your father warns you about. The reason you shouldn't be in the woods." He said with his mouth practically on mine. "You won't hurt me." I say as if matter of fact. "How do you know that?"
"I just do."
"Do you know what I am Bella?" He asks sadly.
"No but that doesn't matter."
"Yes. Yes it does Bella it means everything."
"I don't know Jasper. You're unbelievably strong, fast, and there's something else about you something about how you make people feel when they're around you. Your hands are icy cold."
"So what am I Bella?"
Suddenly images of what I'd seen about them came pouring into my head in movies and online. I put all comic book heroes out of my head at that point. "Say it Bella what am I?"
"Vampire." I say almost shocked it came out of my own mouth. "That's right and what do we eat?" I swallow as he leans into my throat. "Humans." I said.
"That's right."
He said now leaning his body into mine. "I could drain you right here right now Bella." He said looking terrified and his eyes turning black."
"But you won't." I swallow again. Jasper leans his entire body into me and starts to kiss me. Euphoria fills my veins and I find myself wrapping my arms around him as I feel his tongue in my mouth. I feel his hand run along my waist. Suddenly Jasper lets out a growl pushes me off him. "Stay." He says holding up a hand as he's backing up and I'm still against the tree. Jasper leans his hand against a tree collecting himself. "I love your enthusiasm but remember you are fragile Bella. You mustn't tempt me." I narrow my eyes. "You kissed me." I say.
"Yes but you wrapped your entire bewitching body around me. Your scent was smothering me and my arousal was… " Jasper stopped himself. I blushed and I swear if he were human he would have too. "I must go Bella. I got to hunt."
"Hunt?" I say.
"Don't worry Bella. We only hunt animals."
"We?"
"My family and I."
"Your entire family is?"
He nods. "Afraid so." He says still keeping his distance. "I thought you said vampires feed off humans."
"Most do."
"My family and I have learned to suffice off animal blood it's not as satisfying by no means but it keeps us alive. That is what allows us to life as humans would and stay in this town. That is why our eyes are gold and not red it's the animal blood that does that." Jasper looks to be in more and more pain. I want more answers but know he needs to go.
"Go Jasper." I say.
Jasper nods and then disappears. Then the thought hits me are the Cullen's responsible for the deaths in Forks? I scold myself as I walk back how I could think such a thing? Jasper's not a killer nor is the Cullen's.
Jasperpov
I catch the scent of the nearest mountain lion. My excitement still flows through me as I think of kissing Bella and how she tasted and smelled. My hunting frenzy begins as I think of how she wrapped herself around me. Thus meaning tonight I will need more than one lion. I still thirst for Bella's blood like a mad man but my lust and love were overriding it. That was the only reason Bella didn't die tonight or any other since I first met her. I plunge my fangs into the second lion I feel my thirst start to tame down. I finish and lean back against the tree staring at the lion's body. I hated this life yet I also loved it. It was confusing fulfilling and yet very unfulfilling. Which was why Bella was hard to stay away from she seemed to help make my life more fulfilling. I yearned to be near her in fact even now I caught myself wondering what she was doing or thinking about. I whipped the blood off my mouth with my sleeve and headed home. The first person I see as I enter the door is Alice she's all smiles and gitty. Edwards pissy looking and Emmett's giving me a high five. Rosalie is leaning against Edward at the bar indifferent. "How'd it go son?" Carlisle asks me.
I just smile and head to my room. I look out the window still thinking of her. I still feel the thirst as I swallow back and imagine what it must be like to taste her blood. I quickly shake my head at the thought angry at myself but this is who I am. Part of me will always want her blood. I've never known anyone whose scent drives me as mad then I again I've never known anyone I've felt so strongly about. I've heard of men that want to rid their significant others after too long because they couldn't stand them later. I laugh at that thought. Imagine being around someone you deeply love and lust for yet you yearn to plunge your teeth into their veins just to taste their blood. I know I should stay away from her but can't I don't want to and it is stupid and highly selfish of me. Being around her for even just a few seconds is like playing dodge ball and I still don't think she quite grasp that danger. I can sense her belief that I won't hurt her yet I myself am not 100 % sure. Like that kiss. I had to stop my thoughts were worse than the guys that tried to attack her that day. I'm no better than they are honestly in fact mine were probably much worse. I lean against my wall still thinking. "So you kissed her." Alice says and I turn my head to face her. "Yes. Yes I did."
"And you liked it."
I turn away. "Too much?" Alice asked. I nod. Alice keeps smiling as though she knows a secret. I look at her oddly trying to figure her out. "What is it Alice?" She sighs like a human and looks disappointed. "I want to meet her."
"You already have."
"No I mean you should bring her over let us all meet her and have a day together."
"What do you know Alice?"
"That Bella and I become the best of friends." She says pride fully and exits my room. I raise a brow and turn towards my cell phone laying on the night stand.
The sudden urge to hear her voice hits as I reach for the phone I sniff the air and smile. "You have a visitor." Carlisle says. He looks at me as if making sure he's able to leave me alone with her. I nod Carlisle half concerned nods and leaves us. I look at her face and it's perplexed. I know something is wrong but not sure what. She half smiles but I can tell it's forced. She slowly walks through my room and starts to finger through my cd's and dvd's.
"What's wrong Bella?"
"Nothing." She lies.
"Bella, just tell me."
Her big brown eyes glare into mine as she stops and faces me. "Did you have anything to do with the murders?" She asked but the moment it escapes her mouth she looks as if she'd slapped me. I'm not surprised that she would think that. Seeing as how we're the first sup's she's come across. If she only knew what else existed… I freeze and look her in the eyes. "So you are aware of the danger after all." I say walking up to her closer. "That's not what I asked." She says. I see the concern in her eyes for some reason it seems almost comical to me so I smile. Wrong reaction Bella looks furious. "What if I did?" I grow serious seeing her reaction. "What if I killed every single one?" I say running my index finger along her warm cheek. She swallows but stays still. "What if I lured them into the woods just as I did to you at school that one day and killed them as I was going to kill you?" I feel the cold darkness fill me as I ask her this. "You. You were going to kill me?" She asked. "What did you think I was doing? Why do you think I told you to run?" She swallows again. "You weren't going to kill me." She says. "Yes I was Bella. I was using my ability to lure you in. I was going to seduce you and then drain you dry."
"Then why didn't you? And why didn't you just let the van hit me that day?" She says angrily now. "You think I wanted the van to hit you?" I say alarmed. "Yes, yes I do. I can tell that would have been easier on you if it had." I look at her in disbelief. "How could you think such a thing Bella?"
"You already said you wanted to personally do it yourself Jasper."
My eyebrows still narrowed confused.
"I didn't want to see you die at the hands of Kevin's van! I don't ever want you to die Bella not by that not by me! I never said I wanted you dead. If anything happened to you…" I paused lifting up her chin. "Nothing can ever happen to you Bella. It just can't." I felt desperate at the thought of her dying or getting hurt. She grabs my wrist yet looks horrified. "So you didn't kill those people."
"No Bella."
"And they?" She nods her head meaning my family.
"Most certainly not we don't know who did it but believe me when I say we plan on finding out. Whoever it is puts our reputations at risk and our ability to stay here.
"So I was right."
"How do you mean?"
She starts to back track on something I said. She opens her mouth to say something only my sister interrupts. "Jasper! Why didn't you tell me she was here?" I roll my eyes and fold my arms. "As if you didn't know already." Alice smirks at my offhand comment. She gives Bella a hug and Bella looks at me concerned. I wink at her and walk towards them both. "Easy Alice." I say. "Oh wow you do smell wonderful." Alice says breathing her in and I want to bury my face in embarrassment.
"Oh Jasper don't worry like I told you she and I become best friends."
Bella looks at me again bewildered. "Alice can see the future or at least what's the future at that moment." I explain. Alice takes Bella's hand and pats it. "Oh she'll be in our future no doubt about that." I shake my head. "People change their minds every minute you yourself said that Alice. I remind." She nods and looks to me. "But this, this I know." She puts Bella's hand back down. "It seems my brother is getting testy about your and his time together. Not to worry you and I will have plenty of time." Alice practically floats out of the room. Bella is blushing and I can't help but to think of how darn cute that is.
I walk up to her and lean her up against the wall staring at her. She gasps and then I can tell she is holding her breath now. "Easy Bella." I say. "You really think that's a good idea?" I hear my brother's voice chiming in behind me. "Edward." I say disgruntled and backing off of Bella. "I can control it Edward."
"Funny didn't look like it."
"I was just."
Edward walks up to us and grabs Bella. He looks her in the eyes. "What are you?" He demands. Bella looks nervous and answers. "Nothing I'm just." I grab Edward's arm. "Leave her alone Edward." He shakes my arm off. "No! This isn't normal she's not normal." He eyes her menacingly making me nervous myself. "Edward that's enough we aren't exactly normal ourselves."
"Wha, What does he mean I'm not normal?" She asked. Edward whipped his head back around at her. "YOU JUST AREN'T!" He yells. "Back off." I warn yanking him away from her and backing him into a corner. Edward snarls his nose and eyes Bella I squeeze the hell out of his shoulders and keep him against the wall. "I'll go home." Bella says. "No Bella you stay Edward was just leaving." I say trying to keep my anger in check so not to upset Bella any more than she already may be thanks to my brother. "It's alright Charlie's expecting me soon anyway." She goes to exit the room and Rosalie makes it a point to bump into Bella with her shoulder. At this point I want to take my brother and sister and have more than a few choice of words. Even if I weren't interested in Bella I was raised a gentlemen there's no call for such behavior. I laugh at my own thought when I think of all the people I killed and I think about being a gentleman. "That was in your human years Jasper." Edward says I narrow my eyes at him. He knows I hate he pries into my head. I shoot him the look that anyone that truly knows me knows means back off! Edward takes Rosalie's hand and drags her away as she's still giving Bella a stare down.
"I knew this was a mistake." She says starting to heading down the staircase.
"How do you mean?" I ask curious.
"Coming here, I knew they would hate me."
"I don't hate you." Emmett says bouncing along stopping right in front of her like Tiger.
"Neither do I..." Alice chimes in right behind me.
"You just have to ignore Edward and Rosalie everyone else does." Emmett says.
"YES LETS JUST ALL IGNORE WHAT THIS COULD BECOME. WHAT THIS COULD DO TO US ALL!" Rosalie yells as Edward grabs her arm pulling her back. "NO you don't get it do you!" She says looking at Bella threateningly. Pissing me off to no end.
"ENOUGH!" Carlisle warns.
"I wouldn't tell anyone. Your secret is safe with me."
"They know that Bella." I say looking at my family ashamed.
"This is going to end badly." Rosalie says looking to Carlisle.
"Badly as in me becoming the meal." Everyone laughs but Bella, myself, Edward and Rose.
In fact I felt a twinge of sickness as I realized how real that could be. My throat suddenly felt dry and my senses were at full tilt as I breathed her in from a few feet away. Alice looked at me and shook her head. She mouthed the words "you won't" and smiled. Bella's scent danced in my mouth playing tricks with my mind I liked my lips and focused on her neck. I heard Edward laugh. "Go ahead brother let's shorten this misery get it over with drain her." I saw Bella go pale as she looked to me and then to Edward. Emmett grabbed Bella's arm and started leading her out. "YOU!" I growled and grabbed Edward by the throat. Rosalie reached behind me grabbing me by the neck. "ENOUGH!" Carlisle yelled. "We are family!" My mother chimed in almost in tears if she could cry. She was very disappointed and there wasn't one of us that liked to disappoint Esme. "Family doesn't do this." Carlisle put his arm around her. "Your mother is right. Rose. Edward. Jasper likes Bella he has made his choice. He wants to be with her and we will respect his decision. As for you Edward we won't discuss this again! We will have Jasper's back and support him and help in any way we can. Bella is family now we will love her as we love Jasper. If someone tried to come between you and Rose…" Carlisle started to say. "THIS IS DIFFERENT She is not one of us." Rose said. "Yes she is and that is that." Carlisle said and left Edward and Rose standing there as he walked off.
"Thank you." I said as he walked beside me.
"No need. It is what it is. To be honest I'm a bit smitten with her myself. She's a wonderful girl Jasper. Just one thing..."
"What's that?" Carlisle grew serious. "Don't ever give in. that feeling that you have right this moment you must fight it in every which way. Don't prove Rose right let's not hurt Bella or do anything we can't take back." He said then patted my shoulder and was gone.
I headed outside to where Emmett had led Bella. "Where is she?" I asked as I saw him leaning back against the Jeep. "She went home." He shrugged. "Of course…" I close my eyes trying to put away the anger towards Edward and Rose. Emmett smiled. "It'll be alright bro. She's rather fond of you to." I felt my body grow intense. "She said so."
"Nope."
I felt annoyed. "Then how would you know."
She's still wearing your jacket.
"So that doesn't really mean anything."
"I caught her sniffing it and wrapping it tighter around her body." He said looking to the sky.
I swear if I could blush I would have.
"You are joshing me."
"Nope... She totally digs you." Emmett then took off to go hunt.
"So many emotions ran through me but I wasn't sure how to react or what to do."
