Chapter Nine
Bella
We took her car and I was really nervous as we walked in,
"Is he here yet?" I whispered.
She looked around then shook her head, "No, not yet, just relax Bella. I'll get us drinks, you find a table, at the back away from the lights".
"Why there?"
"He's shy" she snapped then disappeared to the bar.
I found a table as she instructed and sat down eyeing up all the men in there. None of them seemed to be looking this way and none interested me. She came back with a soda and a beer. When I looked at the two drinks she smiled, "Local colour that's all".
We sat and listened to the music for a while and I almost forgot why we were here then I felt something and looked round,
"He's here isn't he?" I whispered.
She looked at me a small smile on her lips "How did you know?"
"I don't know. I just felt something".
Her smile got broader, "Well we'll soon find out won't we".
A minute later a tall man, broad-shouldered with dusty blond hair stood at our table. As I looked up I saw he was wearing dark glasses,
"May I?" He asked gesturing to the empty chair by my side.
I waited and Alice nodded, "Please do".
He sat down and my heart started beating faster, my mouth was dry and I couldn't speak, he turned to me, "Isabella"
"Just Bella" I croaked embarrassed.
"Bella, I'm Jasper". His voice was liquid honey.
"Hello Jasper".
He smiled and I couldn't breath.
"Well I'm going to powder my nose" Alice said getting up quickly and before I could argue she was gone. "Do I make you nervous Bella?" His voice was deep with a hint of the South and it sent shivers down my spine.
"A bit" I said looking into his face. "I know you. I've seen you before" I said quietly.
He smiled again. "Yes. Once".
Then it hit me "It was you. You stopped Laurent at the Baseball Game. You're..." what had they called him?...The Major".
He stiffened a little but his smile stayed in place.
"Oh you've heard of me?"
"Not really, just your name"
"Not my reputation?"
"Well, a bit. I was told you were dangerous".
"Oh, and are you scared of me?"
I thought about that.
"No, not really. I don't think you'll hurt me, but I don't know how I know".
His smile brightened "You fascinate me and I have no idea why".
"Well it looks like we're even then".
He nodded then looked over my head, "I think your friend is coming back. I'd like to see you again, perhaps alone?"
He left it to me, "Yes, I'd like that".
"Could you get away for a couple of hours tomorrow? We could walk in the woods".
I nodded "OK when?"
"I'll send you a text".
"I don't have a mobile phone" I pointed out.
He put his hand in his jacket pocket and handed me a small black cell phone.
"Now you do. My number is programmed in and it wont cost you anything. It's on my account so use it whenever you like".
As Alice reappeared he stood up.
"Do you have to go?" I blurted out.
He looked at Alice and she smiled. "Stay, I don't mind. You know we almost met once".
He looked at her as if trying to see inside her head.
"In Philadelphia" she explained and the frown disappeared.
"Oh yes. In the rain. It was you?"
She nodded, "Yes, you changed your mind at the last minute but I knew you'd end up here eventually. I just hope the long wait wasn't too onerous. You'd have had a much easier time if you'd travelled with me".
"I never have an easy time Alice, never have and I don't suppose I ever will. Nice to finally meet you properly Bella".
He smiled then walked away into the crowd. Alice grinned at me. "Well?"
"You knew it was him, The Major and you nearly met him once?"
"Yes" she said ruefully. "But he changed his mind at the last minute. Sad really because he's had some hard years since then, that could have been avoided if he'd just come in out of the rain".
She saw my mystified look, "I'll tell you one day Bella but not now. I guess we better get back or Charlie will be out with his shotgun. So, what did you think of your secret admirer?"
"He's very good looking" I said slowly.
"Yes?" She was grinning more broadly,
"I don't know what else to say Alice".
"Well did you enjoy your little meeting? Do you want to see him again? Do you want to spend time with him? Jeez Bella give me something?"
I nodded, "Yes to all your questions but perhaps he wont be so eager now he's met me".
"Oh I don't think there's any danger of that Bella. He finds you intriguing and the Major doesn't like to feel anything".
"Nothing?"
"No, his life is one huge emotional roller coaster".
"Speak English Alice".
"OK but you mustn't tell him that I told you this OK?"
"OK I said eagerly.
"The Major is an empath. He feels the emotions of everyone around him, and over the years he's learned to shut it all out before it sent him crazy. So if emotions get through to him it makes him very nervous. Your emotions are getting to him and he doesn't understand why".
"Neither do I Alice".
"I know but you will eventually."
"What do I do about Edward in the mean time?"
"Do you still love him?"
I stopped to think and that was enough, "No I don't".
"Then break up with him before he finds out about The Major".
She was right, I had to finish things with Edward now.
The next day he met me at school, "You OK Bella? Only I rang last night but no one answered".
"I was tired Edward and Charlie was out".
"Oh really, tired?"
"Yes tired, is that a problem?"
He looked at me narrowly, "Is there a problem Bella?"
"Yes, there is Edward, it's not working out. I want you to stop coming over. I don't love you Edward I'm sorry but I need my space".
"You don't love me Bella? What changed? Is there someone else? Is it Jake?"
"No there's no one else. Not even Jake. I just don't feel the same any more. Please leave me alone Edward".
I walked off to class and I never saw Edward for the rest of the day. He didn't turn up for Biology or English. But he was waiting for me at the end of the day, leaning against my truck.
I sighed, "Edward I thought I told you I didn't want to see you any more".
"Yes you did and I wondered why? There is someone else isn't there? Who is it?"
"Edward there isn't anyone else".
"Well I don't believe you Bella and I'm going to find out who he is if I have to watch every move you make. You are mine and I will win you back".
"No Edward you won't and I don't want you following me around".
"Well Bella I don't believe you and I will find out who he is. You don't just fall out of love like this"". Edward things change, people change. I'm too young to be involved in the way you want".
"No Bella you loved me. You still love me and I'll show you it".
"No you won't. I don't love you Edward".
I got in my truck and drove home, in my rear view mirror I saw the Volvo following me. When I got back Charlie was there. "You OK Bella?".
"Yes I broke up with Edward and he won't take no for an answer"
Charlie looked out the window then opened the door and marched down the porch steps to the Volvo parked there. I listened to the conversation,
"Edward, I understand Bella has told you she doesn't want to see you again".
"Yes Chief Swan".
"Well in that case I guess you should listen and go home".
"I don't think she means it"
"Oh she does. She wants you to leave so do so or I'll run you in for loitering".
Edward drove off but I knew it wasn't over. When I went to bed I heard a tap on my window but I ignored it. Eventually it got so annoying that I got up and slid it open a few inches.
"What?"
"Bella please let me in I want to talk to you".
"Edward go away I don't want to talk to you. Leave me alone".
"Bella please".
I pushed the window open wide.
"What do you want?"
He sat on the ledge, "Bella I love you".
"No Edward, you love my blood and I don't love you".
"You do Bella, you just got confused. Spend time with me and you'll remember".
"Go away Edward".
He sat there so I shut the window again and climbed back in to bed. He was watching me but I rolled over and closed my eyes so he tapped the window but I ignored him and eventually he stopped but he was still there. I fumbled under my pillow and got hold of the cell phone. I was scared but I didn't want to ring the Major. It would cause a problem, there might even be a fight but I felt better just holding the phone.