Disclaimer: All characters belong to Stephanie Meyer
A/N: Big thanks to my beta HammerHips!
~Jasper~
"Alice, why are we going ten miles UNDER the speed limit?" Jasper growled to Alice from the passenger seat.
Alice's laughter chimed throughout the car. "I just want to be careful. You do realize that Chief Swan's daughter is starting today? It is possible that he might take her to school. And I don't want a speeding ticket on my record."
"If anyone would know that, it would be you Alice. Why are we really going so slow?" Jasper pushed.
Alice's hair bounced happily as she swung her head to look at him, eyes wide in mock innocence. "You don't believe me?"
Jasper didn't answer, and instead turned to look at Edward. "Edward? Care to enlighten us?"
Edward grimaced, his hand coming up to rub the bridge of his nose. "If only I could. She's blocking me."
Emmett gave a loud chuckle. "Dixie Chicks or Robert Frost?" He leaned forward, as if he had made an internal bet with himself and the day's antics were based on the outcome. His face fell when Edward instead answered. "Lady Gaga."
Emmett plopped back into his seat with a pout, his lips turned downward. Rosalie leaned her voluptuous body into her husband's, matching their bodies together like connecting puzzle pieces. "Em, it's okay. You can still make out with me in the halls and watch the humans try to not get all hot and bothered." She kissed the corner of his mouth and it turned up in a satisfied smirk. He pulled her even closer, almost seeming to meld their bodies into one as he turned his mouth to hers and deepened their kiss.
Jasper gave a little cough when the lust started to become overwhelming, a cue for them to stop. They gave one more soft, loving kiss before Rosalie simply laid her head on Emmett's massive shoulder; the love between them became the dominant emotion emanating from the couple, until their satisfaction spiked. Emmett's for having achieved the desired outcome of gaining an excuse to grope his wife in public, and Rosalie's, for knowing what Emmett was after and giving it to him without realizing his manipulations were clear. Rosalie winked at Jasper in the rear view mirror and pushed a spike of mischief at him. Jasper just silently chuckled at the two. Edward, being able to read all of their minds, simply looked out the window so his expressions didn't give away any clues and allowed them all to enjoy their games.
Jasper looked out his own window. He let his eyes lose focus until the world outside the car became a blur of colors as he became lost in thought. Would he ever find a love like Rose and Emmett, or like Carlisle and Esme? While it was true that both Alice and Edward were still single, he felt that they were far more likely to find mates than he. There was so much good in them, so much light. Especially Alice. She was the light that rescued him from his dark past.
He tried not to remember his time with Maria and her sister— which soon changed to simply Maria—but vampires never forget. Time didn't soften the edges of his memory, and they still cut just as deep as when they first occurred—they tore at his soul just as strongly as they did when he was immersed chest-deep within the hell that his life had been at the time. He had given himself over to his basest instincts in order to survive. Only the beast within him had been able to handle all the pain and misery. Pain and misery that he had caused. All the death. The destruction.
But even his beast could not overcome his gift. As his gift had matured it had become easier and easier to connect to those around him, whether he wanted the connection or not. His empathy had brought back a spark of his humanity. To feel the pain you bring and the love that you shatter will make even the hardest man crack. Even after escaping Maria he had wandered for years, just trying find his way back to the light. Hell, he would have taken any shade of gray over the darkness that surrounded him. Drowned him.
He had turned to Peter and Charlotte from time to time to try to stave off the abyss. He loved the man he called his brother and his wife. They helped to keep him grounded and prevented him from going to the Volturi and asking for them to end his existence. But their love and acceptance of each other only made him feel dirty. It made him remember all that he had done, and how alone he was, and eventually it drove him away time after time. He had a darkness within him that could not be tempered by his regret, and seeing them only served to remind him of such. Meeting Alice had been a turning point in his life. He smiled slightly as he remembered.
He was sitting in a cafe, staring at a young man; watching the carotid artery in his neck throb and pulse with the movement of his heart. The man was been anxious, fearful, worried, excited. Jasper opened himself up to the man's emotions, using them to gain a better insight to him; to see if he wanted to use this man to expose himself and set the Voltouri upon him.
He watched the man's hand return time and again to his pocket, only to escape and then reach for his handkerchief to wipe off the sweat that had accumulated in his palm. Jasper felt the man's determination grow as the time passed, until, with resolve, he reached into his pocket one last time and pulled out a little box. He opened it to reveal a modest diamond ring. Shame washed over Jasper. This man was getting ready to propose, and here he was contemplating using him as a pawn for his own suicide. He wondered with a passing curiosity if the woman would say yes.
A girl dropped into the seat next to Jasper, and cheerfully announced "She's going to say yes."
Jasper quickly cut off the empathic connection he had made with the man and turned sharply to gape at her. Clearly this tiny girl was one of his own kind, for no human could have approached him without him being aware of it. Hell, another vampire shouldn't have been able to sneak up on him. He examined her closely. Her pale skin gave off a slight shimmer that only the eyes of the supernatural would be able to tell was a subdued sparked in the indoor light. Her pink lips smiled brightly, her perfectly straight teeth exposed. Her wild dark hair quivered around her, and there was a mysterious energy that seemed to linger in the air around her. The most startling thing about her was her eyes; her golden eyes.
"Excuse me?"
She nodded to the man, "The girl he is going to propose to. She's going to say yes." They watched him stand abruptly and head out the door.
"And how would you know that?" Jasper asked. He wondered who this girl was, so he questioned,"Who are you?"
"Oh! I've forgotten that we haven't met yet!" she giggled lightly and leaned forward, her hand held out for his. "I'm Alice!"
He didn't take her hand. Physical contact would only make it harder to control his gift. At the moment, he was simply feeling her excitement and friendship, but touching her would allow him deeper access to her emotions. And vampires felt so deeply, so passionately that he tried to not touch any vampire, save those he felt closest to. He grimaced when he realized that would only be Peter and Charlotte. There was no one else he trusted; no one else he would want to know on that kind of level. For once a connection was made, it was so much easier to tap into them; so much harder to keep them out.
She continued to hold her hand out, and when he still would not take it her tinkling laugh echoed through the small room. "I won't bite you."
He gave a soft growl only she could hear. "As if you could hurt me even if you did." He tilted his head and arched his neck out a little, which allowed some of the scars along his throat to be exposed. He waited for her fear.
He felt no fear. No surprise. No horror. No revulsion. None of the emotions he had come to associate with his scars. He only felt a deep affection. Who was this girl who felt no fear of him?
"Who are you?" He asked again softly. Jasper held himself still; suppressed his emotions. He could not afford to feel anything right now. He could not hope, when he had been sure all hope had been lost.
"Like I said, I'm Alice," she replied, letting her hand fall to the table.
"Just Alice?"
She nodded. "Yes. I don't remember anything about my life before I woke. Just my name."
Jasper tensed and looked around, expecting to see another with her for surely her creator would be around somewhere. He scanned the room again, reanalyzing it for its advantages and disadvantages in a fight scenario. Escape never crossed his mind. No one could beat him, why run? He decided he would try to lure them out to the alley first.
"I'm alone; there's no need to make attack plans."
His eyes narrowed as he took in her calm confidence. She simply shook her head and laughed again, drawing the eyes of several men with its musical quality. "Oh, don't be sour with me. I could try to hold out and make you figure it out; but I can see that would only end badly. You are no fun. We'll have to loosen you up. And what's with this outfit?" She pointed to his suit in an up and down gesture of her finger. "It's at least a decade out of date. You look way too young to be dressing that old. If you're going to mingle with people, you must learn how to blend in a bit better. Or blend in as well as any one of us can."
Jasper suppressed a growl. If it was possible for a vampire to get a headache, it surely would have happened with the way she talked to him. It seemed like she was incapable of giving a straight answer. He tensed and his body shifted to the edge of his chair when she abruptly stood.
"Oh! It's time," she looked at him expectantly.
Jasper didn't know when he had been more confused in all of his existence.
"Come on! I don't want to miss it." She waved him forward impatiently, her body turned toward the door.
Jasper sighed as he rose. He decided that the only way to get answers from her was to follow. She squealed in excitement, "Yay! Now hurry up. If we don't walk at a fast human pace we won't get there in time."
He allowed her to lead, but stayed within a pace or two of her. He kept his eyes on her. He wasn't going to let her escape if she changed direction suddenly. He was determined to find out what was going on if it was the last thing he did.
He watched her move through the crowd. She flowed gracefully among the people, like a leaf gently moving along a stream. She even twirled and clapped happily a time or two, causing Jasper to smile slightly as he absorbed some of her happiness and joy.
Soon they were at the edge of the city park and Alice sat down on a bench. He cautiously sat down next to her, as his eyes scanned his surroundings. He saw the man from the cafe; the one he had been watching. He glanced to Alice and she nodded to indicate that they were here for him. He turned back to the man, again watching, as the man sat on another bench. This one was next to the pond where ducks wandered nearby, looking to him to see if he was going to offer them any food. They waddled away indignantly when he ignored them. Jasper wasn't even sure if he knew they were there, for the man was again staring intently at the ring in his hands.
They watched as his head shot to his right, and he hastily shoved the box in his coat pocket. He stepped forward, hands outstretched as a beautiful woman approached him. She was smiling widely, a blush on her cheeks.
"Brandon!" She called to him, her voice so full of love that Jasper didn't need to use his gift to know her feelings.
Jasper looked to Alice, and saw her smiling softly but knowingly. He opened his mouth, but she just shook her head and said, "Just watch."
Jasper became entranced in the scene before him. The man, Brandon, was declaring his love for the woman. He explained how he was unworthy of her, but that she was the missing piece of his soul; and if she would but let him, he would spend the rest of his life trying to make her happy. Jasper could smell salt on the wind, and knew the woman was crying. She nodded her head, unable to speak when he knelt before her and revealed the box. She offered her hand and it shook slightly as he placed the ring upon her finger. Then they were embracing, and laughing happily.
Jasper so desperately wanted that. A mate. Someone to accept and love him. He decided that if he ever found her he would be like this man Brandon. He would dedicate his entire existence to her happiness. His mood fell. Who was he kidding? Who would love a monster like him? He turned back to Alice when she placed her hand softly on his shoulder; a silent request for his attention.
"The road will be long and hard, but you will find her. Together you will be so happy, and will make others turn away in jealousy at the brightness of your bond."
He just looked her, trying to shove down the spike of hope and longing he felt at her words.
"Who are you?"
Jasper's smile widened as he came back to himself. It had taken almost a year to get all of the answers from her, and even then it had taken the bribe of a chance to "bring his wardrobe into this decade" for her to finally sit down and answer him without any vagueness. Edward chuckled as his remembrances, for he had seen this part himself. Alice had led them to the Cullens not even three months after she had found him. They had not withstood the force that was Alice nearly as long, and had given in before they had even been there a month. Esme had been forced to turn one of the spare bedrooms into a space for extra clothes, for it seemed that Alice was incapable of not buying something if it reminded her of someone. But she did it all in love, so no one took offense, and then began to depend on her for these very things.
Soon, it was almost expected that before you even knew you wanted something, it would be there waiting for you. Like when a new medical volume was published that Carlisle happened to have interest in, it was there. When there was a new game or movie coming out that Emmett wanted, it was there. When Esme saw a side table or painting in a magazine that caught her fancy, it would arrive. When a new mechanic's tool was put on the market, it was soon in Rose's toolbox. Even Edward had come home to a new piano once when he had decided to get back into composing.
"Finally!" Emmett crowed as they pulled into the school parking lot. He tried to open the door before the car was even stopped. "Alice..." He whined when he found the child safety locks had been activated.
Alice and Rose shared a laugh before Edward calmly opened his own door and glanced at Emmett, feeling slightly victorious.
"Alice, why is Eddie's door open and not mine?"
Alice answered while Edward sighed in frustration. "Because Edward knows how to wait and not just jump from the car before we stop. Think of how it would look with you tumbling from the car and not having a scratch on you, then what?"
Emmett pouted. "But Ali, I want to see how many people Rose and I can turn on before the bell rings. You are severely cutting into our number count."
"Like it's even a challenge with these hormonally raging teenagers." Edward said derisively. "And how many times have I told you not to call me Eddie? My name is Edward. Ed-ward."
Emmett smiled wickedly and ignored the name comment. "Sure, it iseasy to get them to think dirty..."
"Very," Edward said dryly.
"...but Rose and I base it on how many guys have to start putting stuff in front of themselves to hide their boners."
Edward cringed at the crudeness. "Honestly Emmett, is that even necessary?"
"Necessary, no. Fun, yes."
Jasper chuckled at the pure mischievousness coming off of Emmett. Emmett was a tease and prankster through and through, but it was all in good fun; he was never cruel or intentionally hurtful. Unless you count the time he stuffed raw meat into the glove compartment of the art teacher's car—she was a vegetarian, and the smell of rotting meat had not been pleasant. But Emmett had justified it, saying that she had been too harsh on him for his final project; the paint he had thrown upon the canvas and everyone else in the room, was abstract art and she was an idiot if she didn't understand his creative side.
Jasper finally opened the door for Emmett and he leapt out of the car. He held his hand out to Rosalie and pulled her to him as he asked, "Hey Jasper, want to help out by telling us when we are about to overload someone? Last thing we want is to have someone jizz themselves on the first day, cause that's so not cool."
Before he could answer Alice piped up, "No. Jasper and I have to get to class. I want to find the perfect seat."
Emmett looked confused and Jasper felt the slight bewilderment that came off of him. "Why does Jasper need to be there for that? You can just save him a seat if you want him next to you."
Alice was feeling very determined and Jasper began to get suspicious. "He needs to be there," was all she said.
Jasper simply shrugged; it had been proved in the past that it was better to follow Alice's instructions when she started to get cryptic. Plus as determined as she was, he wasn't about to start a scene. He preferred to stay out of the notice of the other students—or at least as much out of notice as a vampire could be amongst humans.
Rose tugged on Emmett's hand, distracting him when she commented, "Clock's ticking."
Jasper watched as Emmett grinned down at her and pulled her along, looking around for the best spot to gain the most attention, and therefore get the most reactions.
Jasper looked to Edward. "Coming?"
Edward simply shook his head, "No, my class is in a different building. And I want to stay as far away from those two as possible." He nodded toward the couple, who were leaned against a tree in the center of the small campus, arms wrapped around each other. Rosalie's knee was rubbing up and down Emmett's thigh, showing off her legs and ass in her tight pants.
Edward wandered off, his face a hard mask; a fruitless attempt to silently dissuade people from gaining an interest in him. Fruitless, because Edward was the most desired boy in school even despite the natural aversion humans have to vampires. But that was one of the many reasons they wanted him, because they couldn't. Jasper doubted, deep down, that any of them had any real affection for Edward. Actually he knew; he could feel the glamor pulling them in. The prey attracted to the predator, and it was instinct that also held them back. So the student body contented themselves with 'what ifs' and 'could haves'. He felt bad for Edward. Jasper only had to feel the emotions, but surely the thoughts behind them were worse, especially for a prude. Jasper didn't feel guilty in the slightest for using his gift against any hopeful student. If anyone started aiming their sights for him he would quickly start increasing their natural discomfort. So. while they thought of him as handsome, he was not desired by any.
Alice pulled on his shirt sleeve, "Let's go."
Jasper looked down at her and asked a question he knew she would not answer, "If you were in such a hurry to get to class, then why did you take so long to get here?"
She simply smiled and shook her head, "That's for me to know. Now move it!"
He smiled indulgently and stepped up beside her, offering his arm. She gracefully placed her hand in the crook of her elbow and laughed her tinkling laugh. "Shall we?"
They made their way through the crowd of students who lingered about, no one wanting to go to class and thus end their vacation. He was aware of the looks they were given, and felt a variety of emotions at their presence—envy, jealously, lust. It seemed he brought out only the darkest of emotions in the people around him. He sighed forlornly, wishing the day was over. He was going to go to Port Angeles and look for a new book that had come out. He needed to escape already.
"Go and get away if you want, but don't buy the book. It will be delivered by the end of the week."
There went his excuse. "Of course it is," He commented as they entered the room to the History class. "Where would you like to sit?"
She led him to the back row, near the windows—exactly where she wanted him to be. "Here," She pointed at the desk and commanded, "This is where you need to sit."
She took the seat next to him and turned toward him slightly. "I'm serious Jasper, if you need to go then go."
He shook his head as he looked at her, "No, I'll be fine. I can handle it."
"It's not about handling it Jasper," she argued.
"Yes it is. Look at me. We haven't even been here ten minutes and already I'm trying to run away! What will the others think?" he sneered. He could only talk like this to Alice, his best friend. She had known him at one of his darkest points and had helped to bring him up and make him more civilized, so that by the time they had made it to the Cullens the family was unaware of how close to the edge he had been. They knew of his past and his struggles, but sometimes he did not think they really knew him. Even after all these years.
Alice sighed unhappily next to him. "Jasper, we all love you. We understand."
"Do you?" he whispered.
"As much as we can. No one has your gift, so we can only speculate what you go through, but we try."
"I don't want your pity," he looked away.
"Jasper Cullen! When have I ever pitied you?" she asked sharply, her eyes narrowing. "You are not the only one who struggles, who has to maintain a balance."
He reached over and took her hand in his, letting his regret and apology flow into her.
She smiled softly, surprised and pleased at the physical contact. The touch itself said as much as the emotions he let flow into her. "You're forgiven."
They fell into a companionable silence. He looked around and watched the other students in the room. They talked amongst themselves easily, grouping together in twos or threes. So far the room was mostly empty.
He tensed as he saw a beautiful brown haired girl enter. Her scent teased him from across the room. He shot Alice a look of fear, but she was watching the girl intently. He looked back at her and smelled her scent again. She smelled like...home. No, that wasn't right. It wasn't that she smelled like home, but her smell made him feel at home. Who was this girl? What has happening?
"Alice..." he whispered warningly. Everything in him told him Alice had known this was going to happen. Had known what this girl was going to do to him.
"Just wait," she whispered back, her eyes never leaving the girl, obviously waiting for something. Something key.
There was something special about the girl, something that Alice was keenly interested in, and Alice didn't care about anyone in their classes. Not like this. The whole family tried to not associate too closely with any of the humans. You couldn't make friends without them noticing that you didn't age.
He looked back at the girl. She began to walk toward him, and her eyes scanned the room. They passed over him, and then quickly returned. He became aware of only her. Her long brown hair reminded him of polished mahogany. Her eyes were a deep and soulful brown, and looked all the richer for her alabaster skin. There was a slight blush upon her cheeks. Her figure was slight, but curvy. She was perfect.
He heard her heart stutter, and then she tripped. His felt his unbeating heart lurch and he resisted the urge to rush to her and stop her from falling. He breathed again as she caught her balance on the desk next to her. Her hair fell slightly forward and his hand twitched as he was overcome with an urge to push it back, to caress her cheek and pull her close against him. His throat tightened and he felt overwhelmed. He wanted to touch her; wanted it so much he ached.
He reached out to her with his gift. Connecting himself to her emotions. He felt tears of venom trying to well up in his eyes. Her emotions were so bright and fresh they made everything else seem dull and lifeless. There was longing, need, curiosity, embarrassment, and loneliness buried so deep that he wondered if she even knew it was there.
Alice giggled next to him, making him aware of the rest of his surroundings. He felt Alice's sense of victory and excitement at the same time that he felt his girl's embarrassment come to the forefront. It was tinged with shame and doubt and she sat unceremoniously in the chair she had been holding.
Wait. His girl?
He growled too low for human ears and tilted his head so that he could see Alice in his peripheral vision, while never taking his eyes off of his girl. She was radiating fear and self-consciousness. He wanted to go to her, but instead questioned Alice.
"Tell me."
She almost quivered in her seat. "Oh Jas, I am so happy for you."
"Tell me!" He demanded harshly.
She pouted. "Do you really need me to tell you, or have you not been around enough mated couples to know when you yourself have found your other half? Really Jasper, I'm disappointed in you. I thought you would have figured it out quicker."
"No, this isn't happening," Jasper said automatically. He had figured it out long ago that he was damned to live this eternity alone. It was his punishment, his penance for all the evil he had done. And surely he would not be given such a precious mate as this jewel before him. What cruelty had been placed upon her shoulders to give him to her? Who would want the scarred and hollow shell that he was? For all of the emotions that he could feel of those around him, he tried to not feel any himself. No pain, no joy, no hate, no love. He wanted— no needed—to be numb in order to survive the chaos of his gift.
He could not deny that he had allowed himself a sanctuary within the family; it was only at home that he allowed his guard to slip a bit. Not fully, but enough that he now had a bond to each of the Cullen members. They were his brothers, sisters, father, mother—all role-models and ideals to live up to. He placed them above himself, for to him they were all superior. He admired them as much as he envied them, and he hated himself for knowing their weaknesses. The demon in him analyzed them for all their faults and troubles. He knew how to defeat them all, just as he knew how to bring them all joy. Would never willingly hurt any of his family but he feared that someday he would lose control and the beast would emerge again. It would use the knowledge he had gained, and assert its domination over them all. And that would be the day he knew he would seek his end. Someone who could harbor thoughts of his own family's destruction could never be mated to this girl. This girl, who with only a look, had brought him more peace than he had known in a long time.
He broke his gaze from her and turned to Alice. "No, I will not allow it."
She sighed, a slight unhappiness coming forward. "Jasper. This is not something you can fight. Neither of you can. You already feel the pull, and so does she. Fighting it would only bring you both pain."
"She deserves more. More than... this." He nodded down at himself.
She shook her head. "You've never been able to see yourself properly. There is so much good in you..."
He snorted softly at that.
"There is Jasper, and maybe she'll finally help you see it." she smiled softly to him, pushing the faith and conviction of her words toward him.
He nodded slightly and then turned back toward his girl. He watched with interest as Jessica Stanley approached her, and then insulted her. He growled but swallowed it down when Alice shot a narrow-eyed look his way.
Jasper watched her hands gracefully move in the air, then smirked to himself as he interpreted what she had said. Alice giggled next to him, "She has a bit of fire in her. Maybe she'll spice you up."
He responded to her teasing in kind. "Maybe it is you who should watch out. You could get burned."
Then he realized that he was talking as if she was going to be a part of their lives. He felt his resolve cracking a little. It was so natural to think of her as a part of their family already. He turned his mind in another direction, shelving the thought for later analysis. "Is this why you suddenly wanted to take that sign language class over the summer?"
"The better question would be, why she said she was 'supposed to be deaf'?" She raised an eyebrow at him.
The corner of his lip turned up. "Are you telling me you don't know the answer?"
Alice huffed, "Just because I can see the future doesn't mean I know everything."
His eyes widened in false shock. "What? Are you admitting that there is something you don't know?"
She stuck her tongue out at him and he chuckled at her antics.
He leaned forward slightly when Jessica asked her if she was dating anyone, waiting for her answer with anticipation. He relaxed back into his chair with a shocked joy. She wasn't dating anyone. How was that even possible? How was it that some undeserving human boy hadn't laid claim to her yet?
He growled at the idea of someone else touching her. She was his. No one else was allowed to touch her.
Alice gave a soft squeal and her fingertips clapped together to show her joy. "Oh Jasper, you won't regret it. You two are going to be so happy!"
Jasper looked at her and allowed a little bit of hope to slip into him. But he only nodded once to her, acknowledging her words.
His eyes flicked to the teacher as he called for attention, then back to the girl as she took out a Notebook and tape recorder. He nodded in understanding. Very smart. Maybe he could help her study. His mind started to go into overdrive as he considered several scenarios for how he could approach her, get an introduction, talk to her. Anything. He needed to get near her, and the sooner the better.
The teacher called Jasper's name and he responded with a simple "Here." As he spoke his girl suddenly stiffened, and her back arched slightly. She radiated shock and longing. He began to lean toward her again, but the few inches did nothing to help alleviate his need to comfort her.
"Isabella Swan," the teacher said in his bored tone. He looked toward Jasper's girl.
Jasper almost hit himself in the forehead with his palm. Of course that was who this was. The whole town had been doing nothing but talk about her for weeks. He had been so caught up in her and how she made him feel, he never thought about who she was. Idiot.
She didn't respond to Mr. Corburn and his eyes narrowed. Jessica leaned over toward her and tapped her shoulder, making her jump. Jasper bit back a growl. Her head turned sharply toward the teacher.
"Isabella Swan." he said again, his voice tighter.
Her hand shook slightly as she held it up.
"If you are going to stay in this class Miss Swan then you must pay attention. I am not going to give you any special treatment. Do you understand?"
Jasper felt her embarrassment flood through her, as though it rushed along her body with her raging blush. She nodded jerkily.
"Good," he said before moving on to the next name.
Jasper started to stand, wanting to confront the asshole, but Alice's hand whipped out pulled him back down to his chair by his shirt sleeve. "Don't even think about it."
"Someone needs to do something. He shouldn't speak to her like that," he whispered angrily.
"This is something she had dealt with all her life. I'm sure she knows how to handle herself. Let it be."
As the teacher moved on, Jasper felt Isabella's embarrassment change to disappointment and resignation. Determination eased in and became the predominant emotion. He watched her lean forward in concentration, as her fingers flew over the keys. Phrases and main themes appeared on the screen in an organized fashion.
His own hand jotted down the occasional word for the illusion of his own note taking. His vampire memory would retain everything Mr. Corburn said, even though he was only aware of him in the periphery of his mind. There was no need for notes, it simply helped to maintain their human facade.
Before long Mr. Corburn was finishing his lecture.
"There will be a group project that everyone will be expected to participate." There were groans around the room at this announcement and Jasper saw Isabella's shoulder's sink down.
Mr. Corburn waved at them to get them to quiet. "You will be placed in groups of two to three. You must pick a battle within the past two hundred years and research it. I expect you to write about the instigation and resolution of the battle. In other words, who started it and who won. I also want an analysis of the battle itself. Tell me if there were any major flaws or advantages in the actions of either side and the reasons as to why they affected the outcome of the battle. You have all semester, so this will be a ten page minimum. Double spaced with research and sources. We will go more into this next time when I will be telling you who your assigned groups will be."
He paused briefly as he looked around. "Okay, that's it for today."
There was a scraping of chairs as the other students stood and began gathering their things.
As fast he could without drawing attention, Jasper approached the teacher. "Mr. Corburn? May I speak with you sir?"
Mr. Corburn looked him over briefly. "Yes, Mr Cullen?"
"Alice and I would like to volunteer to be part of Isabella's group"
Mr. Corburn's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Really?" He looked over to Alice as she appeared at his side. "And why would that be?"
Alice smiled her most charming smile. "Well, you see, Jasper and I took a sign language class this summer. I am very confident that we will communicate well with her. I'm sure it is much easier for her to sign than to write down her thoughts. So if you group her with us, you would be saving everyone a lot of preventable frustration...you included." She ended her little speech with another smile.
Jasper felt the man's relief. Mr. Corburn looked through space between their bodies and saw Isabella was still in the room. Jasper saw her look at her class schedule and the map, probably trying to find the easiest way to her next class.
She nodded to herself and looked up at them, startled to find them all looking at her. Jasper felt her apprehension and he smiled, trying to bring her ease. Instead her heart beat faster, a flush moving across her cheeks as admiration and need seeped into her.
Her eyes left him to land on the teacher as Mr. Corburn stepped forward. Jasper felt a cold chill when he lost her attention.
"Isabella, I'd like to speak to you a moment," Mr. Corburn said, his voice more gentle now that he didn't have a classroom audience.
She nodded her consent, worry on her face and coloring her feelings. Mr. Corburn waved Alice and Jasper to his side and introduced them. "This is Alice and Jasper Cullen. They would like to be your partners in the project."
Her eyes turned worried and Jasper felt her suspicion and curiosity grow. She did not respond in any way, forcing Mr. Corburn to continue and explain. "They took a sign language class this summer..." Jasper saw her eyes widen at this information "...so would be the easiest for you to communicate with. Do you understand?" He asked this last question in confirmation, not condensation.
Isabella nodded, as sadness tinged the edges of her emotions, before she turned to look at Alice. 'Do you really know sign language or is this a farce in an attempt for brownie points?'
Alice's laugh echoed through the room as she responded, 'I doubt anyone can get brownie points from Mr. Coburn.' She then spoke aloud as she continued, letting Mr. Corburn in on the conversation. "I'm sure I still have more to learn, but I'm very excited to have you teach me more."
Isabella smiled brightly. 'You look like you are doing fine to me.'
Alice started clapping her hands and hopping in excitement. "Yay! I just know we are going to be the best of friends."
Jasper watched as Isabella gave her a hesitant smile before her gaze flicked to him. He caught her look and held it, staring deeply into her eyes. He could almost see their connection grow as he stepped closer to her. He noticed how there were natural highlights of red running through her wavy locks. There were little flecks of green in her eyes. She had three freckles along the bridge of her nose. Her scent surrounded him; natural and pure with no perfume to mask it.
He leaned closer and watched her eyes widen slightly. When he was finally able to speak, his voice was slightly husky. He didn't bother to sign when he asked. "May I walk you to your next class?"
She nodded in amazement as he reached out and took her bag. Alice was bouncing on her toes next to him, happiness, joy and anticipation surrounding her.
"What is your next class?" Jasper asked, this time signing along with his vocalization.
Isabella simply handed him her schedule which he took gently from her. After scanning the page he shot Alice a knowing look before smiling back at his girl. "It seems as if we have all the same classes."
His grin widened at her sudden intake of breath and flash of joy.
A/N: Thanks for reading. Let me know what you think. I try to respond to all reviews. :)
