I waited impatiently for a chance to talk to Jasper alone. I fidgeted while Mom explained to Phil that Jasper would be visiting for a few days. I mangled my food throughout dinner, and noticed that Jasper was doing the same thing, though he seemed calmer about it and had taken less food to start with.
I kept shooting him glances as we settled down to watch some movie or other Mom had rented. I nearly choked as I realized it was a vampire movie.
"Bella said you were a fan." Mom said easily. "We had a movie night planned, and so I thought as long as you were here we might as well be sure to get something you'd like." Mom could be like that, considerate at the worst possible moment. I didn't think she liked vampire movies, but it seemed Phil didn't have a problem with them.
"Thirty Days of Night." Jasper read the title. He swallowed nervously, but smiled. "Sounds great." He said. If it hadn't been for the rise of tension in the room, I might almost have believed him. I shot him an apologetic glance.
We watched the movie. It took place in Alaska, and a bunch of vampires decided to attack a town during the thirty day period when they would be without the sun. It was pretty gory. I looked away as blood started spilling.
My eyes fell on Jasper. He was tense, rigid, his eyes on the screen but staring through it, as if he were trying to ignore what was playing. He wasn't breathing, I realized. Fascinated, I continued to watch him rather than the movie.
Someone on the television screamed, and Jasper flinched. I watched, perversely entranced, as his eyes flickered shut and he licked his lips nervously. The anxiety in the room was almost unbearable. Fortunately, Mom and Phil would probably attribute that to the horror movie.
He stood abruptly, and excused himself, saying he needed to use the restroom, and I felt terrible that he had to go through this. But then, it was his own fault, wasn't it? He was the one who had decided to stay here. I couldn't help but feel bad for him, though.
He returned several minutes later, but sat on the floor this time, as far away from the rest of us as he could get. This must have really been bothering him. I hoped nothing would happen. I hoped he could keep his control.
A ringing sound split the air, and we all shrieked. Jasper apologized and slipped out of the living room to answer his cell phone, saying not to stop the movie for him. I strained to hear his soft conversation.
"Thanks." I could barely make out. "Yeah, a vampire movie. How long?" He leaned against the wall. "I don't understand why, Alice. It's not that I mind, it's just that I'm not sure that I can be trusted not to…" He trailed off, and was silent for a moment, listening. "Yes, however long is necessary, but Alice-" He broke off, and swallowed. "It's the first time, you know." He sounded sad at that, and I wondered what he was talking about.
Obviously this was about him staying. I could gather that much. I didn't understand why they felt it necessary or why it was him instead of Edward. I also didn't understand the last bit. The first time for what? And why was he thanking her? Had he been getting ready to do something? I wondered if I could just straight out ask him later, or if I would be too nervous. I wondered if he would even answer me.
He was finishing the conversation. "I'll see you then. Love you." He hung up and slipped the silver phone back into his pocket, then shook his head and closed his eyes. He swallowed nervously, and straightened from leaning against the wall, preparing to rejoin us. I wondered how much longer this movie would last.
He resumed his position on the floor, and was completely still for the remainder of the movie. When at last it was over, and we were all preparing to go to bed, he asked, with a show of reluctance, if he might use our shower. Mom was delighted to let him, and so he retreated to the bathroom as we said our goodnights and Mom and Phil headed to bed.
I waited until they were gone and moved quickly to the bathroom door. I opened the door quietly and slipped through, closing it quickly behind me. Jasper was waiting, sitting on the rim of the bathtub, as if expecting me.
I fixed him with a glare. "Why are you still here?" I demanded.
He shrugged easily in response. "I told you. Alice called."
"She didn't say Rosalie was mad." I countered, my voice a low hiss. I didn't want Mom or Phil to overhear us.
"She asked me to stick around." Jasper replied.
"Why?" I asked. "Because she was worried I wouldn't make it through the week without killing myself?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Something like that." He admitted.
"So why you?" I asked. It was inconsiderate of me, I know. Here he was, saving my life and torturing himself, and all I could do was yell at him for it. "Why not Alice? Or Edward?"
Jasper shrugged, and I could feel his uncertainty. "She didn't say." He replied. "But she must have seen something." He had such faith in her. He was doing this for her, I realized. He probably thought it should be Edward here instead too. He probably didn't even want to be near me.
It was kind of depressing really, to realize he didn't want to be here any more than I wanted him to be here. "So how long are we stuck together?" I asked, trying not to feel unliked.
"A few days, maybe." Jasper sounded weary. Stressed. But I suppose this was stressful for him.
I tried to change the subject. I recalled the phone conversation. "So what's the first time?" I asked, offhandedly.
His eyes widened, and he turned hostile. "Don't you know it's rude to listen in on other people's conversations?"
I shrugged nonchalantly. What was the big deal? "I didn't mean to." I retorted. "I was worried. You seemed upset about it."
"It's nothing." He snapped, then winced as if the statement had caused him pain. He sighed. "Nothing you should worry about." He amended, his dark eyes avoiding mine.
"It's something." I persisted. If something were wrong, I wanted to know. Maybe there was something I could do to help. "What is it?" I pleaded.
He shook his head. "Don't worry about it." He said. "It's late. You should get to bed."
Two could play at that game. I regarded him fiercely. "And you should go hunt." I retorted. His eyes narrowed fractionally, and he stalked past me and through the bathroom door. I followed him.
"I'm not going to be in any danger while I sleep." I insisted. He let loose a sigh that was almost a growl.
"I'm fine." He insisted firmly, turning to stare at me. "Go to bed."
I thought about arguing. He was radiating tension, though, and it probably wasn't a good idea to irritate him farther. I resigned myself to retreating to my room. "Good night." I grumbled at him, closing the door behind me.
Vampires. There were times when they were nothing but an annoyance.
Disclaimer: I own not any part of the Twilight Saga whatsoever, nor do I own anything else you may recognize, or not recognize, such as the movie Thirty Days of Night.