I had this chapter finished completely Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. Therefore, I was going to update this yesterday as early as possible. However, the world seems to be against me. So what happens? My wireless mouse dies! And there were no extra batteries. -Sigh- But whatever, it's all good now; we got batteries for the mouse, I updated, and I have a pair of rainbow toe socks. All is well in the world.
Auf Wiedersehen, Hilary

Chapter Seven

School the next day was pure hell for me. Not only was I fretting about Kyle and the wolf that seemed to be after us, but I also had a grisly ring of purple around my left eye. I had groaned when I caught a glimpse of it in my mirror this morning. I applied layer after layer of cover-up and foundation trying to hide it. As long as one didn't look too closely, it was fairly unnoticeable. I was unable to keep from prodding at it throughout the drive to school though. Kyle had mentioned nothing about my abnormal behavior and I just hoped that everyone else would extend the same courtesy. That vain optimism was dashed when I sat down in math.

Edward had arrived before me and was lounging in his seat beside mine. I suppressed another groan as I set my things on the desk and tried to get comfortable. My eyes were puffy and itched from the deprivation of sleep last night and my head was throbbing. I rummaged through my bag, searching for my book. I really did not feel like reading, what with the protest my eyes were putting up, but I would rather strain my eyes than try to initiate conversation with Edward Cullen. As I forcibly concentrated on my book, I could feel Edward's curious gaze on me.

I wanted so badly to turn and sneer at him, demanding him tell me what his problem was, but I resisted. It would do no good whatsoever to antagonize him and his family. My eye twitched and made me worry about my purple problem. I pulled out my compact mirror I had brought just for this reason and checked to make sure my make-up remained in place.

I tilted my head one way then the other, prodding and poking at the skin just under my eye. I stroked my eye beginning at the top, inner corner and moving in a complete circle, my fingers coming to rest on the left side of my nose. I sighed, clicked the mirror closed, and stashed it in my bag. When I finished, I noticed Edward staring at me and realized with panic that he had observed my entire inspection. My heart plummeted and I swallowed thickly, trying to rid my throat of the sudden obstruction.

I turned to face him and his unrelenting questions I was sure would come. He merely gazed at me, however, and uttered no semblance of a question. Or rather, he was gazing at my covered shiner, I should say. Finally, he met my eyes and raised one of his oh-so-perfect eyebrows at me. I matched him with both of mine and stared at him, trying to force him into speech. Needless to say, it was futile. Edward Cullen would never speak to a mere schoolgirl such as I without some major incentive. That eyebrow of his went down and he smirked.

"Oh, really now?" I thought I heard him murmur. However, his lips didn't move nor did he look as if he had just spoken. Have I officially lost my mind?

"Do you always check your make-up so thoroughly? Or was that a one-time thing, done especially for my benefit?" He smirked at me. The nerve of him!

I decided to ignore his questions, mostly because I did not know how to answer them without giving him the truth. So I just folded my arms across my chest and stared at the front of the classroom. I heard him chuckle softly and I couldn't help the growl that erupted low in my throat. That halted his infuriating amusement. I thought I heard him suck in a startled breath, so I turned to gaze at him. He was staring at me with shock and surprise.

"Yes?" I asked. "Do have something to say to me?"

After completely shunning me yesterday and refusing to utter a single word?

He shook his head slightly, still staring at me intently. Why didn't I just accept the fact that he was too goodto talk to me and leave him be? I knew the answer; I just did not want to think it. It circled around and around in my mind and refused to dissipate. Students started to file into the classroom, taking their seats and situating their things. Mr. Varner followed soon after the last person scurried into the room just seconds before the final bell rang.

I felt like sighing with unadulterated relief, but I bit my tongue and held back. Edward would not be able to stare at me without the teacher saying something at least once or twice. However, as class progressed, his need to look at me turned nearly palpable. I resisted fidgeting in my seat the entire time as he kept stealing glances at me from the corner of his eye. I methodically packed up my things and readied myself for a quick get-away. As the bell rang, signaling freedom, I was vaguely proud of myself for sitting still.

"Kyra."

One word was all it took to bring waves of anxiety roiling through me. What did he want? Couldn't he just leave me alone and not burden me with one more thing to worry about?

"What class do you have next?" he asked to my retreating back. Not the question that I had expected. I halted and remained facing away from him.

"I have psychics," I responded curtly.

He was quiet a moment, giving me enough time to ponder if I needed to worry about him figuring it out.

"Well, have a good day, Kyra," Edward said as parting and then walked around me; leaving me to stare at his back, relieved he had left.

Go away, leave me alone, don't ask any questions…this was the mantra circling through my head whenever he spoke to me. As the days went by and he talked to me more and more, it became a litany as familiar to me as Hail Marys are to people who practice Catholicism.

---------------

"Kyra, hon, are you all right?" Derek asked me.

I shook my head in a daze. "What?"

Both he and Angela sighed. "You were staring off into space again," Angela provided.

Had I? Again? I sighed as well. I had been doing that quite often recently. Ever since Edward commented on the disguised discoloration of my eye three weeks previous. Every day afterwards, he talked to me and every time he would have even more to say. As he grew more talkative, I became quieter and less responsive. I could not tell if this irritated him or had no effect on him, either way, he would not leave me be. It was starting become infuriating.

"Sorry about that," I said softly, glancing around the cafeteria.

Every Cullen was accounted for and talking among themselves as usual. Jasper and Alice were staring intently at each other, soft smiles tugging at their mouths, proving that love did not always have to be showy and obnoxious. Emmett and Rosalie, however, were polar opposites of this unpretentious couple. It was obvious that Emmett was undressing her with his eyes and one look at Rosalie told the same raging desire. My gaze drifted to Edward; poor, forlorn Edward. Day in and day out, he had to endure his siblings' love while he had lost his own quite recently.

Angela's Ben had returned from an extended vacation two weeks ago and was gazing at me concerned. Derek was giving me the entirety of his focus, as if he was capable of pulling the reason of my behavior out of my mind. Angela was glancing between Derek and me, not able to decide which one of us was more interesting.

I rolled my eyes heavenward; I loved these people, I really did. But why did they have to be so worried? Why couldn't they just leave something be?

Jessica and Mike were holding hands a few tables over from us, surrounded by Lauren and the rest of their posse. Jessica looked smug, finally having Mike all to herself without the interference of Bella. How one could be so callous as to revel in the demise of another purely out of envy eluded me. Nevertheless, Jessica seemed happy enough; smiling serenely as Mike stroked back a strand of her hair. Even if she was unable, or unwilling, to see his sorrow, it was apparent to me that he was secretly mourning the loss of Bella more than he let on.

"What is it that has you losing it sporadically throughout the day?" Derek asked; worry, concern, and genuine love making his eyes shine.

My own itched with the desire to fill with tears. But I couldn't allow it; crying was a luxury I could not afford. I needed to be strong for Kyle's sake as well as my own. LeAnn would eat us alive if she sensed any sort of weakness.

"Oh, nothi—" I tried to say, but he interrupted me.

"Don't you dare. We know that it is definitely not 'nothing.' So spill."

I sucked on my lip ring. How could I side step this one? I opened my mouth to spew something and the bell rang, simultaneously cutting me off and saving my hide. I repressed a sigh of relief and stood up. My friends looked at me, knowing exactly what I was thinking.

"You're not getting off that effortlessly, Kyr. You'll tell us later and enjoy it," Derek warned.

I grimaced but nodded, deciding it would it be better for everyone involved if I just acquiesced. Otherwise, Derek would have went on and progressed to the point of threatening me. I parted with them, both reluctant and eager to do so. I was very nearly the last person to enter the photo studio, the bell ringing as I made my way to an empty seat. Mrs. Cee was sitting at her desk, quietly humming to herself and marking papers.

"Kyra," his voice floated to me on a breeze itself created. "I saved you a seat."

I halted and looked at Jasper. He rested his right arm on the back of my usual seat. I figured someone would have snatched that spot as soon as they realized I was not occupying it. I suppose I should have guessed Jasper would have kept anyone from taking my seat from me. I changed direction, walking to my seat and consequently him.

Setting my things on the floor, I settled in the chair hesitantly. He was showing signs of camaraderie and although it should not have been a surprise, it was. In the past almost-month, Jasper had actually talked to me like a real person. Not like someone to speak with just to pass the time, or a tool for Edward to use in getting past Bella. Moreover, it seemed as if he enjoyed himself. I had to admit, our congenial conversations pleased me as well. While I had been shrinking into myself around Edward, I had contrastingly opened myself to Jasper, accepting his tentative friendship warmly.

"Thank you, Jasper," I said softly, still a bit unsure about the standing between us.

He smiled, unaware of my confusion it seemed, and replied, "I could not have you sitting across the room by your lonesome and some arbitrary student next to me."

My lips twitched in response and I gazed at him, painfully aware that he and Edward shared the same eye color at the moment. He stared and stared into me. I could feel my spirit being lifted, not entirely against its will. However, I shook my head to dislodge the feeling.

"Who was the poor, unfortunate soul that tried to sit next to you?" I teased lightly.

Jasper smiled faintly and said, "I actually have no idea what her name is, I am ashamed to say. After living in this exceptionally tiny town for going on four years now, one would think that I would know everyone's names." He paused to sigh and shake his head, mocking remorse. "Alas, I do not."

One side of my mouth lifted and I cocked an eyebrow. "Really now?" I asked, realizing that I had unconsciously quoted Edward. Plowing on in order to forget that, I added, "For some reason I highly doubt that."

He cocked his head to the side, studying me. "Now what reason have I given makes you doubt my word?"

I racked my brain, looking for such an instance. I was disappointed when I was unable to find one.

I waved my hand dismissively. "I can't recall at the moment. Ask me some other time."

His eyebrows rose, striving to meet his hair. I narrowed my eyes at him. "But I know you have. There is no denying it, Cullen."

He chuckled but said no more on the subject, instead opting to change it. He looked ahead to the front of the classroom and then surreptitiously glanced at me from the corner of his eyes.

"Edward and you have been awfully friendly these past few weeks," he remarked casually.

I merely stared at him, choosing not to answer right away. Why had he done that? Look away then study me carefully as if I hadn't known he was still watching? Moreover, what was it about Edward and me that had him interested?

I shrugged indifferently. "Not particularly."

He continued to watch me "covertly." Not very secretive when the person of interest knows you're doing it. I told him as much and basked in the joy of his laughter.

He was really quite handsome, exquisitely so. His blond hair hung over his forehead, caressing the pale, beautiful skin. His deep amber eyes suggested a score of knowledge whenever he so much as glanced in one's direction. His nose and subtly strong chin seemed to have been carved at the hands of a loving artist; chiseled to glorious perfection. The clothes hugging the contours of his body screamed of the many toned muscles that lay hidden beneath them.

Edward, in contrast, had devilishly tousled hair in the most alluring shade of bronze. His eyes, similar in color yet entirely different from those of Jasper's, held grief so acute, it physically pained the soul to look upon it. Moreover, swirling among that excruciating agony there was also indescribable joy and pleasure in discovering one's true love. His nose was angled more than my blond companion's and his jaw was squarer and more masculine as a result. Edward wasn't as toned as Jasper and certainly did not compare to Emmett, but he was lean and muscular.

They both resembled creatures of fantasy; too painfully gorgeous to be real. In addition, their language was so fluid and intelligent that it was impossible it was of this petty, criminal world. It reflected the people that spoke the words. My mind stuttered to a stop, as well as my heart.

I had no reason to be responding as such. Especially that bit about his enigmatic brother. Why the hell had I made that comparison? Inarguably, they were agonizingly stunning, but that did not serve as an excuse. I had to hold myself together; grip the fraying edges of my sanity before I lost it completely. Otherwise, I would be lost in unattainable daydreams of Edward Cullen with the possible guest visit of a one Jasper Hale.

I focused in on the real Jasper, or as real as he could be with that sinful beauty, and found him staring at me intently. I resisted the urge to squirm in my seat, being the focus of such an intense gaze. Finally, he spoke but the intensity in his eyes did not lessen.

"Well?" he prompted.

"Well, what?"

"Who talks to whom? I'm assuming that it is you who talks to Edward. Seeing as he is rather…introversive since the incident."

I shook my head, hair lightly grazing my cheeks. "You would be wrong in your assumption. It is he who talks to me. I would rather him leave me be but he absolutely will not." I added, teasing him, "Haven't you ever heard that saying 'don't assume; it makes an ass out of u and me', Jasper?"

He grinned, chuckling. "Yes, I do believe I vaguely remember hearing that once upon a time. I tend to disregard it."

I nodded my agreement to his self-assessment. He sobered quickly, despite the humor still hanging in the air.

"Why do you wish Edward would leave you alone?" he asked.

I shrugged. Why didn't he just drop this? Didn't he realize I did not want to talk about it? On the other hand, did he know that I had no desire whatsoever yet he continued to push me out of my comfort zone?

I sighed and shrugged. "I don't know, Jasper. I feel as if I could easily slip up and mention something about Bella, sending him spiraling into an endless abyss." I looked up at him through my lashes. "I don't want to do that to him. Do you understand where I'm coming from?"

He nodded solemnly.

"Of course you do, you're his brother," I murmured.

Realization concerning Edward and me hit the same instant Jasper jerked his head away from me. I glanced up startled. His eyes were widened comically. He was staring at me head on and I briefly wondered what he was thinking before deciding that I didn't want to know. At least that's what I told myself to keep my mind firmly in this realm.

Jasper's hands contracted into fists and the muscles in his neck resembled protruding cords as he strained his head away from me. His entire upper body was seemingly trying to escape my proximity. His feet remained rooted to the floor even as his brain tried absconding. His peculiarity was beginning to shine through in this moment.

"No," he murmured. "Not Kyra, not now." His lips were quivering but they did not move enough to have released those words.

"What do you mean?" I asked, puzzlement coloring my own.

Jasper snapped back to reality with my question. He blinked at me stoically, his face perfectly impassive. He said nothing, prompting me to reiterate my question.

"Why say that? It makes no sense."

He looked at me as if I were insane. "I didn't say a word, Kyra."

I furrowed my brows. Yes, he had. I know what I heard, even if I didn't know what he meant by it. I had relied on my ears to detect any movement from LeAnn far too long to believe that I had put words in his mouth, so to speak. He had undeniably spoken, whether he would admit it to me or not.

I nodded somberly, consenting to his outrageous declare that he had indeed not uttered a single word.

"Sorry, just hearing things, I suppose." If he bought that, he was too gullible for anyone's own good.

Jasper merely looked at me with an appraising eye but nodded nonetheless. He had not believed me. I don't know whether I felt relieved or concerned he didn't automatically accept it as unwavering truth. That was when I noticed he wasn't breathing. At first, I thought for sure my eyes were deceiving me. But as I looked on, his chest did not rise once.

Mrs. Cee stood at her desk and clapped her hands to grab the attention of the rowdy class. I glanced at the clock and noticed with chagrin that the class was half over.

"I presume some of you have not obtained your photograph for your projects," she addressed us with a stern eye, obviously not relishing the idea that some people had not finished by now, the month nearly being over. "I have already given you a month to finish this; I am disinclined to suspend the due date. So please, students, complete your work tremendously quickly or I shall have to extract a punishment."

She retook her seat behind her immaculate wooden desk. "Now go out and find your inspiration," she declared, dismissing us with a wave of her hand.

Jasper remained sitting there, straining every muscle he seemed to have for three maybe four seconds, then he shot up and gracefully bolted out of the door. I was left blinking and confused. What had just happened?

"Are you not going to scout for a good photograph, Kyra?" Mrs. Cee asked from her desk, lodging me from my shock and bemusement.

I forced a smile as I answered, "Oh, I already have my project photographed, polished, and printed, Mrs. Cee."

She beamed. "Fantastic! I knew I could count on you being the first finished."

I doubt I was the only one in the class that had their projects completed. Everyone simply wanted out of the classroom, regardless of the state of his or her photograph. I rose from my chair and claimed one closer to Mrs. Cee's desk.

She was by far my favorite teacher in these drab little buildings. She was intelligent and artistic; she sketched and painted as well as photography. An amazing speech giver, she could easily keep high schoolers awake during one of her lectures. A great skill to have if you are employed in a school full of moronically adept students such as ours.

She had the deepest, darkest, chocolate brown eyes I have ever seen; they seemed black some days. Her eyes complimented her light brown hair that was cut in a medium bob. Her face was angular, sharp, causing her to look demanding, which she was. Her very presence demanded respect the moment she entered a room. Unlike most tall women, Mrs. Cee was delicate. It is a difficult feat to be slight at five eleven, but she pulled it off wondrously.

I watched as she categorized photographs into four different piles atop her desk.

"Have you decided what it is you wish to do when you are grown, Kyra?" she asked.

I sucked my lip ring into my mouth, flipping it with my tongue. After a moment of faux contemplation, I shrugged. "I don't really know."

That was a lie. I knew exactly what I was going to do when I graduated. Kyle would only be in the eighth grade, so there was no possible way I could leave him here alone with LeAnn. I planned to stay with Kyle the remaining five years of his schooling and then take us away from here. I would work as many jobs as was possible to earn the money beforehand. Once Kyle was old enough, he would also get a job or two, depending on the demand.

There was no way that I could leave to go to college. That would entail leaving him and I wasn't about to do that. I could sell my photography as a living. Write a little and try to earn some money from them. I already had this figured out. There was no need for me to dream about anything else; this was my inevitable future.

Mrs. Cee sensed my reluctance and unlike Jasper silently switched topics with no further ado. I smiled gently, internally thanking her for her kindness and understanding.

"You and Jasper seem to have become good friends," she remarked. She glanced up at me, smirking. "I remember how you looked at him the day he transferred in here. Virulently." She paused to chuckle light heartedly. "I watched from across the room. At first you seemed furious that he had the audacity to even breathe the same air as you. However, as he continued talking, you slowly relaxed."

I smiled, the scene playing out in my head. I happened to glance through the open doorway and into the hall. There was Jasper standing in the shadows, his skin glowing faintly from the light spilling out of the classroom. I focused my attention once again on Mrs. Cee.

"I heard you two in the hall when I released you all." She chuckled, and then continued. "'I believe I am walking down the hall.'" She sighed and shook her head. "That Jasper is a clever one."

"Oh, yeah, most astute," I muttered. She merely grinned at me before going back to her filing.

I glanced at Jasper and found him smiling. When he caught me looking, however, the humor faded. We stared at each other for a moment before he mouthed 'Forgive me' and, not waiting for me to respond, walked away and very nearly out of my life.


Oh, poor Kyra, what has Jasper done? I know but, alas, I am disinclined to acquiesce to your request. Means 'no', I'm not going to tell you. Ahh, gotta love the Pirates.