Beta: BlackwaterLove
A/N: Big hugs to everyone who reviewed. You make me smile!
The Change, Chapter 10
"The Changes."
"Outstanding performance, Ms. Clearwater." The professor approached her after class. She stood up as the rest of her classmates started packing and left the classroom.
"Thank you, professor," she still felt the excitement from the argument as she hanged her bag on her shoulder and turned around to look for Jasper.
"I noticed that you enjoy public debates," Leah turned her attention back on the professor, "Would you be interested in joining the Washington University debating club?"
"Well, I don't know. I drive here everyday and…"
"No rush making your decision. The club is composed on undergraduate and graduate students, who enjoy building their communication and public speaking skills. Several times a year we join the state and interstate debates. Other than that, we just argue a lot during our practices." He laughed at his corny joke. "But seriously, Ms. Clearwater, students who are with the club, usually practice and master their skill for some reason. Sometimes it is just pleasure, and sometimes they have other goals in mind."
"Like lawyers?"
"Future lawyers, perhaps politicians, public commentators…really anyone who has any public interest should join us, mostly students as talented as you are."
Her face burned with the complement, "I will think about it. Thanks professor!"
On her way out, she almost forgot that right by the doors she would meet her vampire.
But indeed, Jasper stood patiently, waiting for Leah like for a friend. Without looking at him, she kept walking. "Sorry you had to wait, are you ready for library?" She addressed him still thinking of her professor's offer.
000
"You know, I agree with you."
Leah looked up from her textbook. They were sitting in the corner of library on the fifth floor. Far from windows and direct light, the place was usually empty. Surrounding them bookshelves were filled with research data archives and academic journals from the years 1943-1965, making the place even less attractive for any normal student. In other words, the little corner of the library was a perfect place of studying for a wolf girl and vampire.
"Agree with what?" She was in the middle of analyzing the meaning of the words 'I imagine that yes is the only living thing' written by EE Cummings.
"Your stance on immigration." He looked at her intensely, and she was certain he was trying to read her emotions. "I didn't choose to argue against you, it was this…Lydia creature who pulled me with her." The tone of voice was almost defensive, "I wanted you to know that."
"Why?"
"You care about that."
"And you care what I care about?"
He stopped talking staring at her again, "Why you think I am lying?" he finally said.
"Jasper," this was perhaps the first time she used his name, "I know what you think about me. About the tribe and the others."
"I was there when you talked about how stupid and undereducated we are. Just a wolf, remember?" She put away her book and faced him with resignation, "I know you have your prejudices and I, frankly, have mine. Lets just try to get along, no sweet nonsense necessary." She went back to her reading.
Jasper didn't say anything for a while. He didn't even read or study, he just stared into space.
000
They didn't speak much for the next day or two. Jasper busy with his thoughts seemed attentive only to classes. He insisted on driving, as usual, and Leah did not mind, as she usually slept or studied during the drive to and from school.
Her studies, although successful so far, were the constant source of frustration to her. If not the breaks between classes and drive time that she committed to reading and preparing for assignments, she had truly little time for academics.
Seth started working for Jerry, and too became overwhelmed with school and job. So Leah started keeping closer eye on him, making sure to spend at least an hour or two with her little brother each day. Of course, the brother was not so little any more, with phasing into his giant wolf self every several nights. Yet, his fourteen-year-old heart sometimes seemed childish and immature, and Leah could do nothing but love him even more.
Seth, despite wolfish nature, reminded her more of good domestic dog. And not in any derisive sense, really. He was attentive and committed to his family, silly at times but sensitive to anyone whom he loved. And above all, he was patient. Instead of fighting, he listened and observed, instead of commanding, he persisted at his choices. This made him the most irresistible person she knew.
This also made him the most observant and perceptive person she knew. Yet, she thought, sometimes even Seth was off with his assumptions.
000
Jasper was driving again and she already re-read her notes for the quiz twice. By now, she was fully familiar with the historical background of and all basic concepts they have covered so far in the class. She put her notes back to her green messenger bag, and looked at the road. They were passing though large patches of forests.
She thought of the previous evening when she and Seth phased. It was late, around eleven in the evening, but she felt restless and her body was on edge like it was missing something important. "This must be because you don't run that much. You should wolf yourself more than on weekends."
So she did. In the darkness, she jumped naked from her window to land in the grass as a wolf. She sped to the forest feeling Seth closely behind her. She felt the rush of wind and the strength of her body. She felt happy.
So good to have you around, you know? Seth was catching up with her, she noticed.
Well, we are the same genes, sister, what do you expect, he laughed in her head.
And it felt good. To be herself, give in to the instincts she carried in her body, but which she had to block throughout the day
Seth followed quietly, busy with observing her thoughts.
Hey, but off kiddo! She did not really mind, there was no thing to hide anymore.
Well, sister, I don't know, Seth responded but this time with a note of humor.
Oh really, and what do you see, o mighty mind-reading brother? Secret boyfriends? Plans of the world destruction?
Seth did not respond. Instead he slowed down, and she stopped to look at him, What? Now even she was curious. His mind, when set on reading or observing her was hard to decipher. But she felt his…what was it, confusion?
You…don't hate him…you almost like him.
Who?
Jasper.
You crazy?
No, seriously, I don't feel… When you attacked each other in the house, after that you felt hatred and disgust. I remember because it was quite…strong. He walked to her, his nose touching her neck, Now, there is no hate.
So you say I am his friend him now? She mocked but realized he was on to something. She also had to admit it was strange. She kept grudges for years. Shit, she was famous for keeping grudges.
No, you are not friends, hell I see your memories, he wolfishly smiled, but you don't hate him either. You…tolerate him. At least this is how you feel to me.
Leah looked in his eyes and then at the sky, I don't know, Seth. I just don't…It's not that I like to tolerate him, but he didn't cause any harm so far. In fact he has a better grip on things that I expected.
What do you mean?
He, well, he tenses when someone touches him, but that's it. He interacts with humans but stays clear of them when possible. He studies and goes to classes.
He really is the most boring person I have known. She added after a while.
Boring? Seth laughed again, You know that he is like a super-solider? Like he was born in seventeen hundreds and fought the Civil War and then lead legions of vampires.
Oh, c'mon. And this was when, over a century ago! As far as I am concerned he is a domesticated husband to the little vampire and a weirdo.
Well, according to gossips, she left him. So, maybe this is where the weirdness comes from. But, really, Leah, he is not a bore.
Leah looked at the sky, Whatever.
Still, admit: Leah Clearwater, the werewolf extraordinaire does not mind to have a vampire around. He laughed, The world as we know it over! He bumped her with his nose and took off. It was a clear call for chasing him, and Leah obliged. Why not?
The kiddo clearly needed a lesson for his silliness.
000
It was Friday.
It was late. They had to finish a library assignment and it took them longer than usual due to the commuter virus that took over the library computers. When they were finally done, Friday evening festivities overtook the campus.
Students were walking and laughing trying to enjoy the last days of warm weather. The sound of someone's guitar, along with heavy blues coming from the local bar mixed in the air. The restaurants served fried food and beer, with crowds of young people sitting outside or just strolling around in small groups and talking to their friends.
The darkness disrupted only by small street lamps and colorful lights of restaurants gave the campus strange intimacy.
A kissing couple stood in the middle of the street, people cheering them. Someone drunkenly sang Love Me Tender. Leah laughed quietly, what a wonderful evening…
A night like that called for a leisurely walk outside in the companion of someone loved or at least a good friend. Someone you could hold on to or kiss slowly.
Among the crowds of students, the amazing ambiance of the night, and flirtatious stares that girls were giving him, Jasper just walked as if not affected by his surroundings. Walking with Jasper though this night was…awkward. She felt his eyes on her sometimes, but never caught him looking at her. His solemn presence made her self-conscious.
Walking to the parking lot, they passed the village restaurants and bars strolling along a narrow bridge. The air became quieter now. Jasper slowed his steps. Leah looked at him expectantly.
"Look, I didn't mean what I said that night with Rose. I was angry ..." He started but stopped. His body tensed as a group of people emerged on the other side of the narrow passage. They were obviously little drunk, their laugh overly loud. One of the guys swayed as he walked, cursing loudly. He tried to walk fast though the bridge, and yet, his swagger caused him to loose balance.
Almost falling down, he bumped into Leah. She tensed, and the guy straightened up unnaturally. He grinned, "Oh, hello, beautiful…lovely night, right?" She tried to back out form his embrace, but with only the railings behind her she had little room. Instead she shook him off, and pushed him away.
The guy bumped into one of his drunk friends laughing loudly, "Hey girl, I mean no harm!" He shouted as he tried to approach her again. With his hand reaching toward her, he took a large step forward almost grasping at her blouse.
But caught nothing. Surprised with the empty air in his hand, he drunkenly asked "Girl?" And then, the groups of his loud friends swallowed him among laughs and dirty songs. The group moved on toward the bars, Leah and Jasper forgotten behind.
000
The drunken fellow was trying to reach for her, and she felt panic. She did not want to strike him or bring attention to them. Instead she froze in panic for a moment. She remembered his hand getting closer to her, smelling with fried fish and tequila. She remembered a moment of panic.
And then, well…then she found herself standing next to the bridge, hidden from the prying eyes by a bush of wild roses. Jasper stood next to her, his hands on her arms yet barely touching her skin.
"You all right?"
She nodded, "You shouldn't have to, it was okay, " she stared but did not finish.
Something was wrong about this situation, so unnatural it screamed at her; and yet, her conscious mind could not grasp at the message.
She felt his face close to her, the coolness of his body invading her senses.
She could smell his skin. She became aware of the scent that was him, deep beneath the wilted lilies and brown sugar that she could smell first. It was not only the subtle smell of Jasper, the vampire. Rater she realized it, it was the smell of Jasper, the man.
The bergamot and sandalwood so delicate she had to get closer to the skin of his neck to distinguish the smell form the scent of the wild roses.
But being so close had its risks. She smelled him, his sex and masculinity had its own scent, so intimate, so sensual. She stopped her breath.
"Right," she said too loudly and stepped back form him, "Thank you?" She actively avoided his eyes, certain he could see her blush. She walked fast, back toward the road.
He did not say anything more that night, simply following her. Yet, the drive back home, with his smell predominant in the car made her feel it again.
A small sphere of heat, like slow arousal, burned somewhere down in her belly.
Jasper stared at the road.
000