Shattered Flowers

Twilight

Chapter 3

"Hey," I said. "You okay?"

"Just come take a walk with me," he said.

I didn't know what was going on, but I knew it wasn't anything good as we walked through the forest and then stopped at a big tree. Jasper still had his back turned to me, but after a moment, he turned around.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"We have to leave Forks." he said.

"Why?" I asked, shocked.

"Carlisle supposed to be ten years older than he looks. People are starting to notice."

"Okay," I sighed. "I've got to come up with something to say to Charlie." Then I noticed his silence and how upset he looked. A sinking feeling entered the pit of my stomach. "When you say 'we'…"

"I mean my family and myself."

I inhaled sharply. "Jasper, what happened with Edward, it was nothing. I—"

"Yeah, you're right. It was nothing," he interrupted. "Nothing but what I always expected to happen and nothing compared to what could've happened. You just don't belong in my world, Alice."

I felt a little angry and upset. "I belong with you."

"No, you don't," he said, firmly. "And I'm not good for you."

"Don't be stupid. You're the best part of my life!" I argued. My body began to shake. "If this is about my soul, then take it! I don't want it! I want you."

He didn't respond, even when I cupped his face. Eventually, he looked at me and feelings of desperation crept into my heart.

"You promised me," I said, my voice cracking. "You promised me…in Phoenix that you would stay."

"As long as it was best for you," he said.

"And what, now it isn't? Jasper, I'm coming with you!"

"Alice, please, just stop it!" He closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them, the beautiful topaz gaze was cold and empty. "Alice, I don't want you to come with us," he said.

My heart skipped a beat and I looked at his, shocked. "What? You…you don't want me?"

"No."

"Well, then this changes things," I said, trying to ignore how broken I felt.

"I'm sorry I let this go on so long," he whispered.

"Don't do this," I begged. "Please, don't do this."

"You're not good for me."

My heart was shattering. How could he do this? How could he be like this? I wasn't good enough for him? Had our entire relationship meant nothing to him? My knees were starting to buckle and I felt weak.

"One more thing, promise me you won't do anything reckless. I'm speaking of Charlie. He needs you. Stay safe…for him. And in return, I'll give you my word that you'll never see me again. I won't come back. This will be the last time you'll ever see me. Your life will carry on as though I never existed. Forget that I even existed."

I couldn't tell if he was going to cry or not, but I knew that tears were stinging my eyes and I was fighting them back before they blurred my vision. He didn't want me. I couldn't believe it. "Please, don't."

He began stepping back

"Wait!" I croaked. I reached out for him and took his hand as he kissed my forehead. After a moment, he stood straight and said, "Good-bye, Alice," before he disappeared without looking back.

I didn't even think. I just reacted. "Jasper! Jasper! JASPER!" I shouted as I ran. But he was nowhere to be found. He was gone. My entire world had crashed down around me. The tears then escaped my eyes as I crumbled to the ground and passed out, trying to mend my shattered heart.

Eventually, I felt something nudging me. I opened my eyes to see that it was nightfall and Jacob was kneeling beside me looking worried.

"Jacob?" I said.

"Alice," he said, sounding relieved. "Thank God you're okay. You've had us all worried sick. Come on, stand up."

He helped me to stand and it was then that I wrapped my arms around his and tried not to cry. Jacob just returned the embrace and rubbed circles up and down my back. He didn't say anything, as if he knew what had happened. When we let go, he helped me get home where Charlie and a bunch of other cops were waiting.

"Alice!" he said. He looked worried. I couldn't blame him. I wanted to apologize for that, but at that moment, I felt sick, heartbroken and dead inside.

"She was passed out in the woods. Physically, she's fine," said Jacob.

"Alice, are you really all right? What happened?" he asked me.

I shook my head. "I'm sorry I worried you. I didn't mean to. He's gone, Dad," I said, as my voice cracked. "Jasper's left. I'm never going to see him again."

"Oh, Alice…"

He hugged me and I tried to fight back the sobs that entered my throat. I was still finding it hard to believe. He was gone. My Jasper, my only love, was gone. What on earth was I going to do without his? After a cup of hot chocolate and a long talk with Charlie, I went to bed, but I couldn't even sleep well that night or any other night.

I was dead inside.

The following week saw me absent from Forks High as I tried to regain control over my emotions and my pain. I spent most of the time in my room working on school or trying not to lose it. I came down to eat and use the restroom, but otherwise, I was in my room, feeling numb and dead inside.

My sleep was plagued with nightmares. Jasper killing me. Bella killing me. Emmett killing me. His whole family. I was a game. Nothing but a human to hurt.

Nothing.