Bella POV
"Bella" I heard someone's muffled voice, "Bella…" I heard the concerned voice a little clearer. I gradually realised that a hand was on my shoulder, lightly shaking me. My eyes began to open unevenly; I was slowly coming back to life. My eyebrows pushed towards each other as I tried to remember what had happened last night. 'Of course' it was all starting to come back to me, 'I must've passed out from all that stress and thinking or from exhaustion, either way, I definitely passed out' I began to realise how uncomfortable I was; I was still in my outdoor clothes from yesterday, jeans and coat. 'Oh no' I thought. 'Charlie. School. Time.'
'What time is it?' I thought, I was meant to say that aloud but for some reason my lips wouldn't move, neither would my eyes.
As I examined the rest of my body, I realised my body was refusing to move. I felt so ill, so weak… 'Charlie probably thinks I'm dead or something' I mentally joked.
"Dad" a weak voice escaped my mouth, loud enough for Charlie to hear.
"Bella!" He enthused, "You're okay!" I could picture him right now. A grin on his face, slightly showing his wrinkles. A rush of relief after being extremely worried. "I was going to get a doctor in soon, bells" He continued.
"What's" I swallowed "The time?" I slowly opened my eyes and looked up at Charlie, who was hovering over my head, walking from side to side, and completely ignoring my question "Dad, sit down" I almost ordered him in a hoarse voice. Charlie got on his knees and sat on the floor beside me.
He held my hand and sighed.
"What's the time?" I managed to get the full sentence out this time.
"Around 10" He answered
"OH!" I attempted to sit up quickly but I ended up stuck halfway between sat-up and lying down. I groaned out in pain.
"Bells, I don't think you should go to school today. I called in for you and told them you are ill" He got off the floor and helped me back into my lying position. He observed me and just as I was about to reply, my eyes started closing again. 'what kind of illness is this!' I thought to myself. It was taking all over my body.
"Bella, I think your probably starting to catch a cold or something" It seemed like he was trying to convince himself more than me.
"mhm" I murmured and fell back into sleep.
That night I had sweet dreams of Jasper, beautiful ones; I was happy in my dream, away from stress, smiling, full of energy, 'quite frankly exactly the opposite of my life right now.' I added on. Nothing could distract or disturb me; the dream was so vivid and strong that no one could wake me up, no matter what they did.
I didn't know how long I had slept for, but it was so long that when I went to sleep it was light and when I woke up it was light. I assumed that I had slept for a day at the least. I still didn't feel energised though… It was so frustrating. I rolled over and that caught Charlie's attention.
"Bella?" Charlie stroked my hair lightly; poor Charlie I shouldn't be putting him through this. I frowned.
"Hey dad" I smiled and opened my eyes. They felt tired, as if I hadn't slept for ages, quite obviously not true.
"You okay Bells?" He seemed very concerned, "I mean, that's a stupid question to ask, but I'm worried 'bout you" he added rocking his head from left to right. I wanted to answer him but I didn't know what was wrong with me myself.
"Yeah, dad, I'm fine." I gave him a reassuring smile and nodded. I lifted myself up, and leaned my back against the bed frame.
"I got Dr. Cullen to check on you… but you wouldn't wake up. He said we should just wait 'till you wake up and we did, oh by the way, Edward came, but you were asleep. He kept coming back, so I just told him to take a seat downstairs until you woke up" Charlie explained, he couldn't care less about Edward, you could tell. Of course after the "James accident" He became very protective over me, and disapproved of Edward from then on, but he wasn't very fond of him anyway. I wasn't surprised that Edward was here, he's always there when I'm in some kind of danger, and he's always saved me out of them. Seems like he couldn't save me from this one. Not this time. I frowned and Charlie caught on that, "Would you like me to call him up?" He smiled.
"Uhm" Did I want Edward here? 'Of course I want him here' I told myself. "Yeah" I simply answered before I changed my mind.
"Okay then" Charlie went out of my room and a couple of minutes later Edward came into my room. As I waited my back slowly started sliding down and I was back in my lying position.
"Bella, how are you feeling?" He sat down beside me on my bed and held onto my hand; his ice-cold hand made me jerk. He suddenly let go of my hand and apologised.
"It's fine, and uhm, I guess I could be worse…" I raised my eyebrows trying to make it sound positive. "Could you help me sit up please?" I added a few moments later.
"Of course" He smiled and cautiously lifted my upper body up and placed my back against the headboard.
"Thanks" I smiled awkwardly. 'This isn't working is it?' I thought as I let out a huge sigh of frustration. 'I'm sick of trying. I just can't do it anymore' just as I was beginning to feel overwhelmed I heard a knock on my door, I looked towards Edward for an answer.
"It's Carlisle. He wants to talk to you" he paused "And me to leave" He added on, I think he was trying to read what Carlisle wanted to say to me but instead he got mentally told to leave. "Well, good bye" He pushed himself up and kissed my forehead.
"Bye" I was sort of glad that Carlisle had come and stopped this awkwardness. I was happier that Edward was leaving than I was when he walked into my room.
Carlisle stood next to me and asked me a few questions about how I was feeling; all I could say was that I was tired and feeling drowsy. He took my temperature and said that it was normal; he checked a couple of other things such as my breathing and confirmed that I didn't have flu or a cold. I was curious to know what was actually wrong with me. If I had slept all day then why was I still feeling sleepy? Carlisle asked me to get out of bed and as soon as I did I felt faint, but I didn't complain. He then asked me to walk across my room and I nearly fell half way through the first couple of steps however thankfully Carlisle caught me before I fell and sat me down on my bed. He examined the bags under my eyes from "Lack of sleep" and twisted his mouth in confusion. He stared deep into my eyes and looked surprised "I don't quite understand" he looked away from me as if in thought. "I've only seen this a couple of times before" his eyes widened and his eyebrows rose up, still looking away "but I can't be certain" he looked back towards me and gave me a professional look, "don't worry yourself about anything." He gave me a reassuring smile "I'll try and figure out what to do, but in the meantime, get as much rest as possible." Carlisle placed my pillow lower and placed my head on top of it; he lay me down and nodded his head with a smile.
"Thanks Carlisle, for everything" I returned a smile and closed my eyes.
Carlisle's POV
Bella's situation really was one in a million, I still had doubts about it and I wasn't certain at all. I would have to wait and see before I can come to a final conclusion. If it was true, I would have to inform Edward.
The normal shine in Bella's eyes had died out and the dark circles under her eyes clearly indicated her weakness. I couldn't stand by and watch Bella wither away. 'If she gets worse in a couple of days then obviously she is destined to be with someone else' but she must have met him, or she won't be like this. 'According to Charlie Bella has been like this for about two days, which is long enough, if she gets any weaker it could become dangerous' I went through all the facts mentally, I couldn't waste any more time and I had to tell Edward straight away, however he was out hunting so I had to keep it for another time.
'Who could that person possibly be?' I wondered . Everyone in my family already had "mates" unless one of them was not with their soul mate, then there was a possibility… I most definitely needed to talk to Edward; there were a few questions I needed to ask him.
I roamed around the living room for a while and waited for Edward.
After a sometime, I saw Edward come through the door with an anxious look on his face, he knew what I wanted to talk about . He stood by the doorframe but didn't move "Come in son" I welcomed him into the living room with a smile. He uncomfortably walked towards me and stood in front of me, allowing me to start. The rest of the family was also out hunting therefore me and Edward had privacy and could talk comfortably. I gestured my arm towards the two rocking chairs at the corner of the room, Edward silently went over to the rocking chair and sat down. I followed after him and took a seat beside him, "So, Son, tell me what's been going on." I left it as an open question so I could get as much information as possible. Edward trusted me, and he would never keep anything away from me. I suppose I really did take the place of a father for him. He took his time to reply but eventually he did.
"Bella's just ill, that's all" Edward was attempting to lie to me? Surely he must know that after spending so many years alongside him, I would recognise when he's honest and when he is lying.
"Edward, if there's anything you know… You need to tell me" I allowed him to think about it, but he quickly replied back.
"There's nothing else" He shook his head calmly.
"Alright." I was going to have to start it, "Has Bella acted differently towards you recently?" That was one of the main questions, but I knew that Edward wasn't going to let answers slip out easily.
"Like how?" He mused, although he did attempt to hide it, I still realised.
"Possibly… distantly" I looked at him thoughtfully.
"No" He smiled, I observed his body language for a sign of uncertainty but I could not find any.
"Not at all?" My suspicious tone knocked his confidence down and he stiffened up slightly. I raised my eyebrows waiting for an answer.
"A little." He's voice was slightly arrogant, as though he didn't care, or it didn't bother him. "Nothing too serious" He added on for his own comfort.
"Of course" I quickly reassured him with a nod. "But," I leaned forward towards him, "often when something" I paused "unimportant is ignored it turns into something serious." I emphasised the word unimportant because we both knew that it was, in fact, very important.
"What are you trying to say?" He placed his elbow on the arm rest of the rocking chair and leaned back in a carefree manner.
"Edward if it's what I think it is, then, we have some serious decisions to make, you can't pretend that nothing is wrong and carry on like normal. That way you would be putting Bella's health a greater risk" I explained in a clear voice.
Edward's POV
"Putting Bella's health at risk! Me? Of course not! Bella's heath is my main priority; I wouldn't let anything put Bella in danger!" I snapped at Carlisle, how could he say that?!
"Edward, you're getting so caught up in your own wishes that you're not realising you could become a danger to her…" He trailed off, leaving me to think about everything. I was curious to know what his theory of Bella's illness was, since he hadn't really pointed out what he thought.
"Carlisle" I looked for a way to phrase it without giving too much away, "What do you think is causing Bella's" I mentally searched for the right word "illness?" He looked at me as if I already knew. I could hear his answer forming in his mind…
"She has found her soul mate." He replied looking at me thoughtfully.
"Well, aren't I..?" I became confused but angry at the same time, did Carlisle know?
"No, if you were she wouldn't be like this right now"
"That is, if her illness was actually caused by that" I added on quickly before I could start thinking negatively. This wasn't going the way I had planned it! I was hoping that after a while of not seeing Jasper, the future would just change because Alice had said the future can change. I thought Bella would just forget him if she already has feelings for him, or, by keeping her away from him they would never get close enough for a relationship to start between them.
"You see," he started "everyone is born with a soul mate, but it's very rare for them to actually find their 'lost half' in fact it's so rare that I've only came across it four times in my entire existence…" He leaned back into his chair and now I was the one leaning forward, eager to hear more. "The bonding doesn't start just by seeing each other" he explained further "It starts from the moment they have their first communication. Once it starts it can only get stronger, the feeling cannot get weaker, and unlike any other relationship, where, if you no longer see them, your feelings die out, this feeling takes over the entire person's body and creates a weak and humble being; if their communication with that particular person stops." I was astounded. I could have never imagined it being such a serious matter. That must have been why Alice had a guilty look on her face yesterday. "If they stop communicating with each other; they start by becoming shiftless, and this carries on to the extent where neither of them have anything to live for. Then they start to become weak and this carries on for at least a week for it to get to its maximum point, where even performing the simplest tasks becomes hard. They can no longer eat or even move." The situations he was describing reminded me more and more of Bella, but not so much of Jasper… "Today Bella was unable to take more than a few steps which means she's not that far off the edge." He finished. The first question that came to my head was; if Jasper really was the one for Bella, then why wasn't he going through this?
"Is there a scientific explanation for it?" I asked curiously
"Well, not particularly, because there are not many cases… but I would believe it's from lack of motivation"
"Carlisle, perhaps her soul mate is a vampire… do we react later?" As much as I didn't want to know the answer, I was curious.
"I assume so. Since everything is maximised as a vampire, it will take a longer time to make the vampire to become weak or unmotivated, however it will eventually happen." He took a minute pause, "Why? Do you know who it could be?" he asked curiously.
"No. I was just wondering" I was raging inside. Ready to kill Jasper at any moment, he was the cause of Bella's suffering. I squinted my eyes without realising and Carlisle realised.
"Calm down, Son, we'll find out who he is." He placed a hand on my hand which was now a fist full of anger. "The others are coming" He warned. There was no need to find him I already knew who he was.
"Could that-" I was about to ask a question but Carlisle didn't allow me finish,
"We'll talk tomorrow." he stood up and went into his study room. I was in the room alone, and I took the time to calm myself down, but anger was pouring out of me, I was beginning to lose myself in the huge stream of anger when Jasper walked in. The worst person in this situation.
"Edward, what's the matter?" Jasper asked, 'what's the matter?' I thought as my anger increased. "Your anger levels are going through the roof! It's very agitating" My dark eyes shot upwards and stared at him, 'I could strangle you right now' I visualised the process.
I suddenly got up and in a split second stood only inches away from his confused face, "You stay away from Bella, hear me?" I spoke through my gritted teeth.
"What?" he asked confused.
Jasper's POV
I was utterly confused; once again Edward was picking a fight with me for no apparent reason.
"What?" I asked, confused.
"I mean it Jasper." he paused "Stay away. Completely away." He pushed past me with his shoulder and walked off, leaving to absorb everything that had just happened. I hadn't seen Bella for what seemed like…. an eternity, I counted the number of days I actually hadn't seen Bella for which added up to five days. It wasn't safe to think with Edward around, I had to go out, miles away. I went passed the study room and into my own, sat down on the edge of my bed and stared out into the beautiful view. I remembered when Bella first came in here, she was awed by the extraordinary view, she spent almost 15 minutes just staring, I didn't think she cared much for the outdoors. 'These past few days have been really hard without her' I started going into thought. Just as I started going into thought I heard Carlisle come out of his study room and make his way across the corridor towards mine, I wondered if he was actually going to come into my room. Why else would he travel across to the other side of the house? I hesitated for a moment, I was unsure of what he would want to talk about if he did come in, I sat up straight and waited for him to knock and let himself in; just like Bella had done, I smiled at the thought of her, everything seemed to be reminding me of her lately. Carlisle's knocking brought me out of thought and I looked towards the door waiting for him to come in,
"Hello, Jasper" He looked at me with a friendly smile, but I and Emmet both knew Edward was his favourite.
"Hi… dad" I smiled back, Carlisle insisted that I should call him dad so I did. I looked back towards the huge window, trying to stay cool. He walked forwards and stood by the bed in front of the window. He looked at me from head to toe.
"You look fairly in thought, something bothering you?" Carlisle asked with his hands behind his back in a polite manor.
"No, not particularly" I wasn't the type to talk about my emotions, nor feelings, nor thoughts.
Carlisle looked at me from the corner of his eyes with his eyebrows raised,
"Okay, I just came to check because I heard Edward… tell you something" He smiled in a way that showed he knew some of what was going through my mind. Myself and Carlisle aren't very close, but he knew me quite well from past experiences.
"He's always very frustrated with me, I don't quite know why." I shrugged it off, because it was something that was happening regularly.
"No, neither do I" He shook his head lightly, but somewhere beneath his voice he knew something.
"He hates me, quite clearly" I added on, but with a slight hint of questioning.
"I doubt he hates you, maybe your actions, but not you." He looked away from me and relaxed his hands by his side. "He's going through a difficult situation…" Carlisle tried to make me understand.
"Really?" I mocked slightly.
"Yes, Bella's… ill" My attention was suddenly drawn in, and all I wanted to hear was about Bella.
"Since when? Ill, as in, a flu? Or ill? I haven't really heard from her for a while" I panicked slightly.
"Shh, calm down, well definitely worse than a flue, but don't worry, I was just letting you know." He paused for a while "that may be why Edward is being so aggressive." There was a sense of hinting in his voice and eyes. He placed a hand on my shoulder and changed the conversation. "So how is Alice?" Alice I hadn't spoken to her for ages, I hadn't seen her properly for ages.
"I don't know" I answered truthfully, "I honestly don't know, I haven't spoken or seen her for a while" I raised my eyebrows and looked back at him.
"How long is a while" He asked me. I thought about it, ever since we moved away really.
"I… Well ever since we moved away" Carlisle's eyes suddenly expanded in surprise.
"Wow, that long? Jasper you should talk to her" He seemed concerned.
"She isn't interested, and truthfully… neither am I Carlisle. The love just, isn't, it isn't there anymore" I said quite casually but admitting it for the first time, I guess it was fairly hard to finally admit it.
He sighed uncomfortably beside me; "Everyone's falling apart" It was barely audible.
"Sorry, Carlisle, there really isn't anything I can do" I shrugged.
"No, it isn't your fault. How have you been anyway?" He sat down beside me and looked back out of the window. Attempting to change the subject again.
"Pretty bad actually, I haven't hunted for a week, so I'm extremely thirsty" I moved my tongue around the inside of my mouth suddenly craving blood.
"Hmm, you should go hunting. Now…" Carlisle finished off.
"I… I didn't realise I was thirsty till now…" I looked at him curiously, how could I not realise I was hungry?
"I'm not quite sure what to say Jasper, you seem very similar to a depressed vampire, not feeling thirsty when you haven't hunted for a long time, stuttering through words, not being able to express yourself properly, well feeling miserable all the time, not talking to the one you loved…" Carlisle explained.
"Well, I guess I feel quite zoned out." I chuckled.
"Jasper it's serious. Vampires don't get depressed, not unless something is seriously bothering them." He felt concerned and looked worried.
"I'll be fine, I'm sure it's not depression. I'm going out later tonight, so I might hunt then…"
"Okay, make sure you do." He got up and left with a smile.
"Bye," I chuckled again.
I wasted hours just observing outside, then eventually I got up, opened the window and flew out.
I examined all the options I had. First go hunting then go and visit Isabella, visit Isabella then go hunting, just go hunting, no. Definitely not. Just visit Isabella, better but not possible. I would lose control instantly. I desperately want to see her. I ran through the forest and the strangest thought passed my mind, 'Why can't she just be mine', it seemed as though my thoughts weren't controlled by me anymore, they just came and went as they wished. 'I was sure I had no feelings for Isabella when I first saw her with Edward, however, now it's, different. She means much more to me since the car crash' my mind got pulled into when I miraculously controlled my thirst and managed to get her to Carlisle, 'what could make such a thing possible?' I thought deeply; 'Alice had told me that in her vision I had lost control over a paper cut, but, then how was I able to control myself in such an extreme situation?' Edward was right, I could have killed her, and realistically she should be dead right now. I didn't know whether to feel proud or puzzled.
I found my prey and launched at it.
After I had hunted I decided that I was going to visit Bella; as vampires we don't (except Carlisle) carry watches around with us, so I was completely unaware of the time but it didn't cross my mind and I ended up by Isabella's house. Once I looked up to aim I realised her window was shut and so there was no way for me to get in. In disappointment, I climbed up the tree that stood beside her window and balanced on a branch watching through her window, she was asleep, deep asleep. 'She looks so tranquil' I thought to myself, I envied her for a second; I was never able to reach that state of mental tranquillity, ever. I stayed around until morning, when I saw her starting to awake. I wasn't sure whether I should've gone or stayed until she saw me. 'Wasn't that the whole point of coming?' I mentally questioned, I stayed until she spotted me, which gave her a bit of a fright.
Bella's POV
When I went to bed I assumed that I would've slept till evening. Charlie was getting used to it and didn't worry as much, but still deep inside he knew something was wrong, 'I haven't gone to school for about three days now, I don't really even know what day it is, I don't even care, I just eat and sleep, I don't even do that, just sleep I guess' I thought about the past few days, well I was asleep most of the time so I had no clue.
The morning came, and I actually took notice of the birds singing, and most importantly I felt awake, and… a foreign feeling. Happy. I woke up and stretched my arms, thinking about the past couple of days again. Edward continuously came so I decided to shut the window so that he could no longer get in, I didn't want his presence here anymore and I had finally admitted it to myself, but not to anyone else and it wasn't going to happen anytime soon either. When I turned around, the hugest, most unexpected surprise looked at me, a sudden rush of joy ran through me like a waterfall, and just after my eyes had finished expanding my lips curled up in the hugest grin possible. Jasper. Jasper Hale. Was here, right outside my window, in a ridiculous position though, I wondered how long he had been there. I was unsure of what to do until he returned my smile with a much smaller but satisfying smile. I practically ran towards the window and lifted it up.
"Hi! You know you should really consider somewhere else rather than sitting in a tree," I laughed and moved away from the window, welcoming him into my room.
"Hello," He stood still for a second and that's when I remembered; my scent was too strong for him, I stepped backwards to make him a little more comfortable, though I don't think it helped. "Yes maybe I should, but I was keen on seeing you, and the tree gave the perfect view." He paused and glanced at the window "Since your window was closed" His mouth lifted up sideways into a smile. "I had no way to get in"
"Oh, uhm," I hesitated, but stayed still because Jasper was still in an uncomfortable position.
"Isn't it usually open?" He asked, still uncomfortable.
"Yeah, uhm, it was so that Edward wouldn't…. well I didn't want him here so, I, closed the window. So that he wouldn't be able to get in" I said slightly regretting it, I probably sounded so bad. I'm sure I looked nervous while saying it.
"Ah, I see…" He looked in thought.
"Don't tell him though… Well I'm sure he's figured it out already but…" I shrugged as I allowed myself to sit down and relax, I thought this way Jasper might relax a bit as well.
"No, I won't, I understand." Jasper continued in thought.
"Thanks" I paused, waiting for him to relax "You look really uncomfortable…." I paused again; fairly sad that it was because of me he was uncomfortable, "Is there anything I can do?" He looked back at me and replied a moment later.
"No, I'm okay, sorry, I am new, so I still find it hard…" He smiled trying to make me comfortable.
"But Jasper, how was it that you managed to handle me that day?" I asked curiously.
"I don't know" He shrugged truthfully, "A miracle I suppose" He laughed it off.
"So we need a miracle or a vampire me" I laughed lightly. He realised what I was secretly hinting at.
"It's not fun being a vampire you know" He raised his eyebrows and sat down on my rocking chair, across the room.
"Oh really? So running at physically impossible rates, feeling emotions, and jumping from trees to trees aren't fun?" I joked, Jasper actually found it funny and that made me happy.
"Well yes, I guess that part is." He laughed "But; not feeling warm, not being able to sleep, eat or be around humans, is the not very fun bit" He finished off with a smile.
"Can't be too bad!" I enthused.
A moment of silence passed before Jasper spoke. He seemed to be thinking through everything he said.
"You're feeling very happy, aren't you?" He smiled at me, but with confusion.
"Yes, I am, actually I haven't been this happy for a long time." I carried on smiling, I looked stupid but who cared, Jasper was here!
"Good. You see I would love to be able to hug you right now, but, I can't" His smile faded away into an unhappy face.
"You couldn't try?" I pretty much begged.
"No." He replied almost instantly,
"Really?" my face fell into a frown.
"Sorry." His face also fell.
"Thanks for coming." I attempted to lighten the mood up. "I've been really lonely these couple of days." I fiddled with my hair out of nervousness. I was over thinking every word I said.
"You're very welcome. I missed being around you, plus, I wasn't aware that you were ill, Carlisle told me yesterday." He missed being around me, it made me so happy to know he cares as well. I just wanted to jump up and hug him,
"So, Jasper, if I hugged you right now…. What would happen?" I joked but I actually really wanted to know the answer.
"Probably nothing good, Isabella" He raised his eyebrows and leaned in onto his elbows. I smirked and ideas where running through my head. Jasper looked at me slightly confused and a little scared. "Don't suddenly jump up…" He leaned back, and shook his head lightly, but with a tone of amusement.
I laughed quite loudly, "don't worry, I wasn't planning on it, just a thought" I sat still and straightened my back up. I looked over to the clock on my side table, it read 6:30.
He followed my gaze and then spoke. "Wow I've been here for an hour already" he said in a surprised tone.
"And you've managed to sit completely away from me the whole time" I let out a single laugh but inside I was quite upset.
"Okay Miss Swan, if you insist" He sighed and got up, slowly walking towards me and sat next to me on my bed, "happy now?" He smiled.
"Very" I giggled.
"Good" he turned his head towards me and stared at me, examining me in some way, possibly my emotions. "Do I make you happy?" He asked as if he truly didn't know the answer to it.
"Yes, you do, you make me very happy" I suddenly became very embarrassed; I needed to stop acting like such an idiot. "Why do ask?" I quickly spoke again.
"I can feel it, it's very immense, I was just curious to know if it was me or something else" he explained. He had a beautiful smile playing on his lips which made me smile. I mentally slapped myself for smiling.
"Right, now I feel embarrassed." I rolled my eyes and looked down.
"You shouldn't, it's nice, knowing I can make someone so happy" He smiled at me.
Jasper POV
Ever since she saw me by her window I felt her emotions suddenly change into a much more cheerful tone, and it just grew and grew until I couldn't hold the question back anymore, I asked her if I made her happy, she truthfully answered, and it made me glad to know I could make someone happy without even having to manipulate their emotions.
"You're not manipulating me are you?" She looked at me from the corner of her eye.
"No, Isabella, I'm not" I shook my head truthfully.
"Really?" She was surprise as if she was almost certain I was changing her emotions.
"Yes." I smiled in a proud way.
"Jasper, can I ask you something?"
"Sure"
"Can you call me Bella, instead of Isabella?" She paused and it made me chuckle a little
"Why?" I chuckled
"It's just too formal" She shrugged feeling slightly foolish.
"Sure, Bella" I smiled
"Yeah, sounds better" She laughed
"I could get used to saying Bella" I grinned while nodding my head. She nudged me lightly in a playful manor and I tried to play along without looking too uncomfortable.
Earlier on she had realised that I was uncomfortable and it made her upset, so I tried to stay as relaxed as possible now.
Just as things were really becoming good, I realised Edward was on his way here and he was close. As he moved closer his anger rates raised and I had to make a decision in a split second. "Edward is close" I spoke without realising in a split second.
"What?" Bella suddenly became confused, "what's wrong with that?"
"I'm going to go, I'll see you tomorrow" I told her almost as a promise. In that second I was out, but it wasn't quite quick enough. Just as I started heading towards the woods, I saw Edward. He stood there and stared at me in the eye.
"You didn't listen to me" He sneered.
"Edward, she was ill, I couldn't ignore her and not visit" I tried to be reasonable with him and make him see why I was here.
"I don't care if she's ill. I want you away from her" he continued staring, "I'm not going to start a fight with you, Where's Bella?" He squinted his eyes at me, I didn't quite understand what he had against me.
"In her room, why?"
"Go home, I heard you're not talking to Alice?" He questioned in a mocking manor.
"That's not the way it is Edward." I shook my head and was ready to explain but he didn't allow me and I didn't want an argument to start, so I made my way back home. Though the thought of Bella didn't leave me, and when I got home Alice wasn't there like usual and I didn't see her until school.
Edward POV
I made my way up her window and through the open glass; she continuously closed it so I had no access and didn't give me a chance to speak to her all this made me very frustrated.
"Hello, Bella, had fun?" I spoke as I landed into her room.
"What?"
"With Jasper I mean" I was sure they were starting to develop feelings for each other and I didn't like it, at all.
"What are you talking about?" She asked anxiously.
"You seem to have something going on" I questioned.
"No, Edward, he had only come to see me! Will you tell me what's going on?" She asked completely puzzled.
"You've been closing the window at night, how come?" I moved in close , she tensed instantly.
"It's been cold so I…" She began but I stopped her.
"Bella, leave the window open from now on, okay?" I threatened as I held her with one arm and squeezed it.
"Edward, what the hell is wrong with you?!" She screamed as she escaped from my hand.
"Nothing I just want to be with the one I love" I continued casually.
"Well…" I stopped her with one finger
"And…" I whispered. "I want to give you what you've always asked for"
"What?" She asked.
Bella POV
"And…" He whispered into my ear "I want to give you what you've always asked for" Oh no, no, no, no! Was all that went through my head.
"What?" I asked terrified.
"I don't want to wait till engagement anymore" Oh no! Engagement, what the hell! No!
"No, I think we should wait" I nodded confidently trying to convince him. I walked backwards a little, towards the door.
"Why? Isn't it what you always asked for? Well I'm ready" He started intimidating me, and since Charlie wasn't home, anything could've happened.
"We'll talk about it after school?" This was the best way to get out of it.
"I thought you aren't going to school today?" He raised his eyebrows trying to pick holes in my story.
"Well, I guess I am now" Inside I was crying.
"Good, and we can come back home together" He placed his arms around me breathing into my hair.
'You are so very different to what I thought you were' I thought as I swallowed lumps of tears.
"You should be happy Bella!" He smiled at me and I forced a smile to spread across my face. But my eyebrows pushed into each other in stress.
"And one more thing…" Oh no what now, how could it get worse? A tear escaped, a tear of fright. "I don't want you to see Jasper anymore, okay?" My heart shattered into a million pieces at that very moment, I could feel every ounce of my body freezing into place.
"But... He's, he's no danger to me." I begged.
"Bella... Don't argue…for your own sake, you never know when I might lose control and hurt you" I shook my head in disbelief, this wasn't the Edward I knew. I was terrified, scared, intimidated and most of all shocked.
"C'mon don't want to be late for school. I'll wait downstairs." He winked and went downstairs. I wanted to run away, somewhere far but I knew he'd catch me. Unwillingly, I changed and headed to the bathroom; I looked at myself in the reflection for the first time after a very long time. I looked hideous, but I really couldn't be bothered to do anything, so I walked back out and went downstairs. Edward held my hand as he guided me into his car.
I decided that I was going to tell reception I was ill then I was going to home and run away to Jacob or something, anywhere. My plan failed when I saw Edward waiting outside my class just before break. He smirked, held my hand and took me towards their table where they all sat, I glanced at Jasper and at that second he smiled at me so I smiled back and Edward looked at me as if to warn. He started talking about how we had planned to get engaged and during the whole thing I couldn't have felt more heart broken, it hurt so much it felt as though it was physical pain. We hadn't even talked thoroughly about it, he was making choices up all on his own! Throughout the whole conversation everyone seemed happy but me, I forced a smile across my face and nodded my head every once in a while in agreement.
"Bella and I are very excited" He squeezed me tighter and smiled.
"Oh, yeah, very" I tried to be convincing though I don't think I was doing a very good job. I looked around, Emmet was obviously happy for his 'lil' sis' and Rosalie couldn't care less. Alice was giggling in excitement, Jasper, well, he looked, fairly happy. He was as still as a statue. I thought about this morning, 'he must've cared, right? Otherwise he wouldn't have come to see me.' thoughts where whizzing through my head, but they made me happy, so I carried on thinking them, I was so grateful Edward couldn't read my mind; I started visualising what could've happened if Edward hadn't arrived, well we would've definitely got closer, and I had so many questions to ask him, I remember when he asked if he made me happy, I instantly replied because he did. 'His presence is enough to make me happy from whatever mood I might be in' I went on. I suddenly realised that my emotions were being projected to Jasper, and he would know that I wasn't happy. Alice held his hand tight in hers, it made me jealous to see them that close, something I could never have, I frowned but quickly pulled myself back together. I started thinking of a way to get out of going back with Edward, at least not to my house, but I knew there was no way, there was no convincing Edward once he had made his mind up. 'Oh no, it just keeps getting worse' I thought as my eyebrows pushed towards each other and my hand ran through my hair.
"Are you okay Bella?" Edward lifted his hand off my shoulder and tilted his body so he was facing me.
"Yeah, I'm just, a little, you know, tired" I finally said the truth with a sigh at the end,
"Do you want to talk?" I wasn't sure whether he actually cared or not, but I knew one thing, he wasn't going to know anything about anything that went through my head.
"No, I'm okay" I shook my head and left the table to go and throw my uneaten food away.
Later in class Edward continuously questioned me about why I didn't eat, what I was thinking about and what was bothering me. I felt trapped in a nightmare or something, I waited for the bell to go so I could go to my next lesson; Edward wasn't in this class, so if I stormed out really quickly, maybe he wouldn't be able to catch up to me, well that was the idea anyway.
Just before the bell went I had packed all my stuff and was ready to go out, I watched the clock tick by and a second before the bell rang I ran out, threw my backpack over my back and speed walked towards the entrance of the school, I looked to the left and Edward wasn't there neither were any of them, I didn't know where I was heading I just ran. Jacob's? Edward's? My own was definitely not an option. 'The best option is Edward's house, Carlisle would be there so would Esme, I would feel much safer there, and it wouldn't seem like I have run away from him' I thought to myself, genius. The short cut through the forest was a nice and easy way to get there. I ran at top speed but stopped at the front door to slow my breath down.
I was greeted by Esme when I first walked in. But I was still anxious and worried, I think Esme realised.
"would you like a cup of tea, Bella?" She asked, in a friendly tone.
"Uhm, no, I'm okay thank you" I Smiled, I was still hesitating from earlier.
"Edward, and the others should be here soon" She smiled her kind smile and sat beside me. "Bella dear, is something bothering you?" She asked concerned, she cared, I knew she did, but I couldn't tell her.
"No, everything's fine" I paused then spoke again "Where is Carlisle?" I asked trying to change the subject.
"He's at the hospital, I don't think he's going to come back anytime soon" Her kind smile faded away slowly.
"Esme, don't you ever get lonely?" I asked, truly feeling sorry for her.
"Sometimes, but as soon as the kids get back I'm all good. I guess I sit down and think about my past, my future and the present when I'm alone" She explained like there was a bright side to being alone. I guess there was though, I quite enjoyed being alone.
"Esme, if you don't mind me asking, what was your past like?"
"My human life?" She asked
"Yeah" I nodded interested
"Well, I was a young girl, born in the 1800's, full of life and excitement, I first met Carlisle when I was just 16, I had broken a leg from climbing a tree" She laughed "I didn't see him until later in my life, when he changed me." Esme took an unnecessary breath and stared into space before she began explaining. "I met this man, who my father had planned for me to marry, but eventually I did fall in love with him and we moved into a house, my parents had partly forgotten me, I never got the love I would have wished from them," she sighed in thought, but then looked at me "About a year into our marriage, he became abusive, and I had nowhere, no one, no place to run to, so I just stayed as long as I could- Until I got pregnant, I didn't want my child to die, so I ran away and gave birth to him some place far, he never found me and I gave birth to him, healthily, but, my son…. Passed away a few days later" Her eyes filled with tears. "I was shattered, he was my only reason for living, so I tried to commit suicide, no one knew about me and when the police found me, they believed I was dead, however Carlisle heard my heart beat and realised I could live… but as a vampire. So he changed me and then one by one we 'adopted' people who were in need of help, first Edward then the others. I love them like the kids I never had, and show them kindness like I would have to my little son." She smiled her kind smile.
"Wow, that's truly amazing, everything, the things you went through till now" I replied in a surprised tone. Her story was somewhat inspirational.
"And here they come now" She smiled and looked towards the door. My head turned towards the door and moments later Edward walked in along with the others, and the silence had suddenly vanished and replaced by giggles and laughter. Edward walked over to me in vampire speed and sat down,
"Where were you I didn't see you? So I just followed your scent and it led me here." He asked in a surprised tone, which was hiding anger behind it, he knew I had run away. Esme got up and left the room to go to the others.
"Well I thought I should come and see Esme, I haven't seen her for a while" I smiled at my fairly believable story, he didn't believe it and knew the truth.
"Right. Well shall we go back now?"
"No, I haven't seen Carlisle yet" I looked around, so that I wouldn't make eye contact with Edward.
"Bella, don't think I don't know what you're doing" He whispered as he grabbed my upper arm tightly.
"Ouch!" I scream-whispered "Edward, get your hand off" I hissed.
"C'mon we're going to the meadow" He pulled my arm and dragged me out of the house
"No, Edward, I'm not coming, why are you acting like this?" I questioned angrily.
"Me? Why am I acting like this? It's not me Bella it's you" He walked closer to me and placed his face only inches away from mine.
"I'm just having a bad week, that's all! And it doesn't give you the right to treat me like this! You're heartless!" I screamed at him.
"Guess I really don't have a heart." He grabbed both of my arms and dragged me to the meadow in a cradle.
"Take me back. Now." I said firmly after we got there.
"No, you should have thought about all this before you started a relationship with me" He mocked. "I love you and until a week ago you loved me too, so we're going to act like nothing has changed. Understood?" He grabbed my arms again and brought my face up to his.
"Let go of me!" I kicked at him. But his strength was obviously resistant to my kicks.
"Understood?" He held my whole body close to him and placed my feet back on the ground.
"Yes, understood" I said out of pain.
"Good," He brought his face down to mine but I turned my head around in rejection, he held my chin in-between his fingers and turned my head around. My head would not move a single inch in comparison to his strength. He held my arm with one hand and my chin with the other, I could only imagine the harsh bruises that were going to be there tomorrow.
"Whoa! Dude! What are you doing?" Emmet came from behind us and stood in front of Edward about 20 feet away. "You're hurting her, let go" Emmet spoke in a friendly tone and wasn't aggressive, but clearly concerned.
"What are you doing here?" he replied in a hiss.
"Well I heard Bells scream so I came to see what was going on but then you came here, so I followed you here, thinking you were joking around, and this is what I see." He explained, disgusted at what Edward was doing, though all I could actually think about was the pain that was going through my arm each second. He waited a moment but Edward wouldn't let go.
"Haha" Edward laughed, "We're only joking around, aren't we Bella?" He continued laughing making Emmet seem like a fool when in reality if he hadn't come I wasn't sure what would have happened. I looked at Edward in disgust, but he looked back at me with angry eyes and all I could do was agree.
"Uhm, yeah, Em, we were just messing about" I forced myself to laugh and looked at my arm which was now stinging.
"Alright, but still, let go of her arm" He nodded his head towards my arm.
"There" Edward lifted his hands beside his ears and laughed. I quickly grabbed my arm with my other hand and rubbed it, trying to ease the pain, and then the other arm, which didn't help at all. I moved a couple of steps away from him and looked at Emmet, wishing he could read my mind.
"Well are you guys gunna come back home, or what?" He laughed.
"Yes, Actually we were about to come" I looked at Edward and then started walking towards Emmet.
"You guys go ahead I'll come in a second." He shot the death eyes at me and walked away before Emmet could see.
"C'mon then Bells, piggy back, or cradle?"
"Cradle, if you don't mind" I shrugged.
"Sure," He lifted me up and started walking at a human pace,
"Emmet, what are you doing? I can walk myself…" I laughed, "Just not run at vampire speed" I finished off.
"I wanted to talk to you, tell me the truth now, were you really messing around? Or was Edward..?" He asked looking at me in the eyes. I had to lie, or I'd be in more trouble then I already was.
"Could you imagine Edward being like that?" I said slightly sarcastically but not enough for Emmet to realise "Of course we were messing around."
"Yeah, I could actually, though he always shows his good side to you, he isn't always like that" He raised his eyebrows and smiled.
"Right. Well we were just joking" I smiled back convincingly.
"Alright, but you know I've always got your back if..."
"Thanks" I cut him off. He started running and in moments we were back at the Cullen's house. It was dark outside so I hadn't realised the bruises on my arm until Emmet mentioned them when we got inside.
"Bella, look at them, you can't be telling me he was joking" Emmet said concerned. He held my arms out and rolled my already rolled up sleeves even higher, "Their on your upper arm too!" he shook his head in disbelief.
"Shh! Emmet, I don't want the whole house to hear!" I said quietly.
"Sorry," he looked down.
"It's okay. I guess he kinda forgot how fragile I can be…because I'm human so…" I laughed it off and smiled.
He rolled my sleeves back down to my wrists, "there, I'm sure you don't want the others to see" He winked. He knew Alice was coming.
"Thanks, you know me too well" I raised my eyebrows and nodded my head.
"Hi Bella! Where's Edward?" Alice's cheery voice came through the hallway.
"Uhm, he said he'll come in a second." I was surprised Alice hadn't seen it in my future, maybe she didn't care anymore, so she never looked into it. Rosalie called Emmet to her from the hallway and looked from me to him. She gestured her hand for him to come quickly, he looked at me and smiled. I nodded and mouthed 'thank you' as he went off.
"How are you?" She sat me down on the sofa.
"Not too bad, you?" I replied.
"Good thanks." She smiled.
"I have got a surprise for you!" She squeezed my arm which made me flinch in pain.
"Ouch!" I groaned and looked over at Jasper who looked at me as if to ask why.
"What's wrong?" Alice suddenly back off, "Sorry, I didn't mean to-" She hesitated.
"No, no it wasn't you" I reassured her, "I already have bruises there, that's it." I shrugged. "Well, what was your surprise anyway?" I asked after a minute of silence. Jasper was still standing there and wouldn't come near me. "Jasper, why don't you come n' sit down" I suggested before Alice replied.
"I have got plane tickets for you and Edward!" She enthused. 'Oh My Gosh, I wish I never asked how it could've got worse' My face suddenly fell and became shocked, I tried to stop it but my facial muscles just refused to move. "Bella? Bella! Bella, I haven't even told you where to yet," The last thing I saw was Jasper coming this way to sit down before I fainted.
When I woke up the first person I thought of was Charlie, he was probably freaking out right now, assuming the worst. I couldn't hear anyone so I assumed no one was in the room, and slowly opened my eyes; My bruises, I wonder how they are, how bad they are. I was resting on a bed in front of a beautiful view, I remembered seeing this room, 'Jaspers room' I thought, of course, Alice brought me to her room until I woke up. I wondered if Edward was back yet, if everything that had happened was a dream or a bitter reality? I brought my back up to sit up and stared out of the window, I wondered if Emmet really had saw, I was glad he saw, in a way, at least now I have someone to talk to and tell everything to if I ever decide I can't take anymore. I wanted to lift my sleeved up and look at my bruises, make sure they were real, but I was scared, of reality, I didn't want them to be real, I hoped everything was just a nightmare, but it wasn't, somewhere in the back of my head I knew all this had really happened. I slowly lifted my sleeves up and slowly the bruises started to reveal themselves. 'Definitely real' I thought to myself as I pulled them back down again quickly.
I grabbed my phone from my pocked at called Charlie, I already had a load of lies at the ready, something I was going to have to get used to.
"Hello?" He picked up
"Hi, Dad, uhm, I'm at the Cullen's house, with Alice" I began to explain, but he cut me off before I could finish.
"I know she called and told me, how are you feeling?" He asked. Great, Alice had already sorted everything out for me; I could never thank her enough.
"Good, thanks," I replied.
"Well Alice said she'll drive you back home later, enjoy while you're there, and… well, try not to faint again" He chuckled a little.
"Dad!" I said in a shocked voice. "I couldn't help it…"
"Alright, well I'll see you later kid."
"Okay bye." I hung up and slid my phone back into my pocket.
I let my back drop back onto the bed; I only wanted one thing right now. Jasper, I felt so miserable without him, like I was empty, meaningless and dead. His name escaped my lips subconsciously, and instantly I regretted it because I was worried he might have heard, but I assured myself that he hadn't heard and relaxed. He suddenly crept up on me and I jumped up in shock, what? A thousand things went through my head and I was struggling to keep it calm. I was so sure he hadn't heard, it wasn't that loud and their hearing wasn't that good.
"What- When, how did you get here?" I asked confused.
"I was sitting there" he looked back to the armchair "on that chair behind you the whole time." He smirked.
"You're joking?" I shook my head in disbelief.
"No, completely serious" he continued smirking.
"What- through the conversation with Charlie as well?" I asked.
"Yes, from the moment Alice brought you here, I said I'll sit by and watch you 'till you wake up" He smiled.
"Oh," I looked around awkwardly. "Thanks" I smiled again.
"You're welcome."
"Uhm, where's Edward?" I asked, not wanting him to know I was here with Jasper.
"He hasn't returned yet"
"Really? Where could he be?"
"I'm not sure, he doesn't disappear often." He went into thought but came out of it quickly.
"You seem to go into thought a lot recently" I murmured to myself but, obviously, he heard.
"There has been a lot to think about recently" He replied softly and quietly.
"Like what?" I questioned as I attempted to rest my back against the head board.
"Such as Edward's actions" He replied as he helped me up. I started to worry. Did he know about today? Maybe I sleep-talked and he heard?
"Edward's actions?" I asked looking sideways at him.
"Yes, he has been very…" he searched for the right word "Aggressive, recently." He continued.
"Yeah, I've noticed that" I agreed trying not to give too much away.
"Not towards you, I hope?" He asked, I could tell from his tone of voice that he didn't suspect Edward to be physical, which was good in a way.
"No, not really, he's just a little, well, jumpy " I shook my head trying to make it seem believable, "I guess I'll just have to get used to it" I added after a moment; but there was a deeper meaning to what I had said and Jasper caught on that.
"Get used to what?" He questioned.
"Just, his, way of speaking,"… "He's been shouting a lot recently" I saved myself.
"Right" He smiled half-heartedly. He placed his hand lightly on my arm, which caused me no pain.
"Thanks" I smiled as he lightly rubbed my arm in an attempt to comfort me.
"Anytime" he paused then spoke again "Bella" He reminded me of when I had asked him to call me Bella. I smiled again with amusement.
"I should probably get back… Charlie…" It suddenly came through my mind.
"Remember? Alice is going to drive you back." He tilted his head slightly.
"Oh yeah" I suddenly remembered. "How did you-?" I realised almost as soon as I asked. Of course, he had heard while I was speaking to Charlie on the phone. "Oh." I almost laughed at my stupidity.
"How come Edward drove you to school this morning?" Jasper asked.
"Well, he asked to drive me to school, because he wanted me to come back home with him," I paused "But I changed the plan at the last minute" I smiled, making it not seem as bad as it actually was. "I wanted to come here and see Esme anyway" I carried on. Jasper didn't speak which caused me to look sideways at him, the thing I had been trying to avoid. I began feeling love and affection, which I knew were towards Jasper, and no matter how hard I tried to hide or mask them they would not go away. Jasper looked at me less confused than last time, which I wasn't sure whether to feel good about or bad. I started to become confused too, it was a nice feeling though… and within all of my emotions I knew one thing; I was happy being with Jasper and I never wanted to leave him. Ever.
