A/N: wow, I didn't realise Leah fans were so thin on the ground. I think Leah is a fun character and I like the idea of mixing her with the vampire characters. Now, that's the true meaning of forbidden love! If you stick with the story, I promise you that you'll love Leah as much I do – she's angsty and snarky – what's not to like? oh well. On with the show.
The clothes hanger wire hook feels cold pressed against my cheek as I hold the dress close to my body. It's nothing fancy. Just a simple black dress with white polka dots. I pair it with a thin white belt and a string of plastic pearls.
I do a final twirl in the mirror before setting it down to brush out my hair. I've washed it and the tangles have dried. I set to work diligently working out each tangle. The mirror reflects a face set in pure concentration. I'm thinking. What will I do when I get to the Cullen mansion? They will be surprised to see me for sure. I never go there alone, only occasionally to accompany Seth.
I don't ask what he does there but I know he enjoys it. Blissful rays of happiness radiate from him which he always takes care to hide from me. He knows I don't like it but I never voice my disapproval. I also try to hide my anger from him. We keep up the charade of being oblivious to the other person's emotions; it's easier than facing the truth sometimes.
There's a tentative knock at the door.
"Leah?"
"Yeah?"
"Are you coming with me today?" he asks nervously.
I answer his question with a question, working out a hard tangle with my comb. "Do you want me to come?"
"Err, yeah". He hesitates, thinking twice before he speaks again. "You will be good, Leah, won't you?"
I chuckle but Seth doesn't join in. He's being deadly serious. He knows I'm barely able to keep my head above the surface and a visit to Cullen's might pull me into dark waters. He wouldn't be wrong to assume that. If I told you that anger and pain didn't pulse through my veins at every living moment I would be a liar. I feed off the energy of my anger. I could live off it.
I hate that we all seem to be living in the Cullen Universe with us as passing satellites revolving around them endlessly. Actually, it's not a universe. They're a black hole. A swirling black vortex consuming all light and matter they come in contact with.
"I'll be on my best behaviour," my voice rings out as my comb pulls a few hairs from my scalp, finally setting the tangled hair free.
***
It's a warm, sunny day as we walk towards their house. The glass panels reflect the bright light and I have to shield my eyes and squint into the sunlight. I can see the garden where people are gathered. There are pink and white balloons and ribbons tied everywhere, even to the trees at the edge of the forest. Their taste for decadence appals me. The half-breed is going to be one hell of a spoilt brat. I pity Jacob for being tied to that brat like one of Alice's balloons.
"Hey, it's good to see you buddy," says Emmett, bumping fists. He pauses to look at me and is almost fast enough to disguise his surprise. His easy-going manner is enough to smooth it over. "Hey Leah, long time no see," he says sincerely. I like his open manner even if I won't admit it.
I give him a tight smile. "Hey," I say quietly.
"Come meet the rest of the folks, you might recognise a few of 'em," he says, winking at me while he puts his arm around Seth.
It's a small gathering and I recognise the faces. The sickly sweet air tells me they're all vampires. They've been here before when we had the big non-showdown with the Volturi. What a waste of a good fight that was.
Seth goes round to greet everyone but I stand where I am, lingering in the background, looking slightly awkward and not knowing how to hold my hands. He's so much better at this than I am. People skills are not my strong point.
I turn my head and my knees buckle at the sight of Jacob walking with one hand clasped around the half breed's tiny hand in a brotherly gesture. She's gurgling and laughing in a pretty pink dress. Bella is following behind carrying a large cake on a silver tray with Edward in tow. It's all very fitting; she's the girl who got to have her cake and eat it. Edward as her husband, Jacob as her best friend. Their happiness stabs at my heart like knives.
Jacob sees me and waves. The half-breed looks from him to me and waves too. Does she have memories of me? I would doubt it. Her powers creep me out. I always stay far away. I start to back away as they draw nearer.
I step on someone's toes behind me in my haste to get away.
"Watch it," says a disgusted voice. It's Rosalie.
"You watch it," I reply in an equally disgusted voice, aware that it was lame comeback. She rolls her eyes at me.
The Thing bounds towards me and my instincts tell me to run. I watch in horror that she's going to touch me and steal my memories or something. I couldn't bear that Thing touching me. All that happiness and light and childlike curiosity is like Kryptonite to me.
I hold my hands up in a defensive posture, hunching my shoulders and cringing in anticipation. She bounds past me straight into Rosalie's arms who spins her around.
I quickly drop my shoulders and feel silly, hoping no one else saw me do that.
Rosalie walks past me with the Thing in her arms.
"She won't bite you," she says smugly.
"That's what you think," I mutter under my breath.
She releases the half breed and she immediately jumps into the nearby arms of Esme.
Rosalie turns to me. "Oh, don't worry sweetie, she doesn't like the smell of wet dog, and neither do I,"
"Something tells me she'll change her mind about that one," I say, observing Jacob fetch a string of balloons.
The meaning is not lost on her and I know it's a touchy topic between her and the rest of the Cullens. Take that, Leech. It's a cheap blow but I'm satisfied.
She huffs loudly and I feel a presence changing the atmosphere. Jasper's face gives away nothing but a wave of calm is flooding me. I stare daggers at him but the force of his manipulation is making me feel lethargic.
I try to phase in the hopes it will overpower his calming influence but the shivers down my spine are unsuccessful. His eyes are locked on me and his hands by his sides are twitching. I've become the target for the full force of his powers, he knows better than to hold back. I scowl at him, shivering and shuddering in a futile effort to phase.
He finally overcomes me with a powerful surge of drowsiness. I fight to keep my eyes open and blink furiously but the view is dimming before me.
I give up.
In a final act of defiance I slowly raise a hand up in front of my face and bend all the fingers. Except one. Take that, Leech. I drop to the floor.
***
"Wake up, sleepy head," says Seth, sounding relieved.
The sky is a pretty shade of blue and I can feel the grass underneath me. I feel like I've been sleeping deeply for a long time. I try to sit up slowly but my head feels heavy. I'd much rather lie back down in the grass.
"Where is he?" my speech is slightly slurred.
"Who?" asks Seth.
"That godforsaken leech, Jasper. How dare he use his powers like that?" my voice shakes with the little anger I can muster up.
"Jasper's really sorry about that. He was really worried about what would happen if you phased in your current emotional state. Alice warned him things could turn nasty if he didn't try to stop it," replies Edward, who I see next to Seth. He must have been with Seth, waiting for me wake up. I know they're close and Seth would have been really worried about me.
I huff loudly. "Your brother is sorry? So sorry that he can't even tell me so himself and has to send his brother to do the dirty work? Well, gee, that's so touching," I say scathingly. "And I wasn't going to hurt anybody anyway; I just wanted him to stop,"
Edward sighs, surveying me as I smooth out my dress over my legs. Curiously, he looks amused which only serves to wind me up even further. I've seen him look at Bella like that. A condescending look that refuses to take a woman seriously.
"Is this some sort of joke to you? I don't appreciate being mind-controlled. Typical pale face arrogance to dominate over others," I spit the words in his face, staring him down.
Seth tries to put his arm around me but I shake it off. Edward's eyes melt with sympathy.
Don't do that, you bastard. Don't you dare feel sorry for me. I don't need it and I don't want it.
Edward takes the time to choose his words carefully. He knows he's on thin ice.
"Leah, I'm not laughing at you. Jasper wanted to apologise himself but I prevented him because I thought it was too soon. So it's my fault he hasn't said sorry himself. I stupidly involved myself when I shouldn't have," he shakes his head sadly.
"Jasper could feel your presence as soon as you walked up the garden. He called you 'the walking thunderstorm'. He smiles at his own words.
"Yup, I suppose that does sound like me. But next time you have a problem, talk to me. I know how to listen…when I'm not being stubborn," I concede.
We exchange grins and Seth looks pleased. This is the first time I've actually managed a proper conversation with Edward. He thinks it could be the beginning of a friendship. I'm not so optimistic.
A small voice cries out "Lay-uh," I look around and the Thing has her eyes locked firmly on me. She rushes from Jacob's grip and bounds towards me. I do the only thing I'm good at. The only thing that makes sense to me at times like this. I run.
this was a fun chapter to write. Liked it or loathed it?
Jasper wants you to write a review. You can't resist his powers!
