All Eyes On The Cullens...ahem, the Hales

November flew past me like an extremely fast car. I was eighteen now, but, let's face it, being 21 would have been a lot cooler. I mean, if I was 21, I could drive to Port Angeles and go to a club. I could become an alcoholic and drown my sadness in drinks.

Oh well, I could do that now too, illegally, of course, but I didn't want to hurt my parents that way. Besides, I didn't even like alcohol.

Suddenly it was December, and it got really cold outside. But it didn't snow, and it didn't rain either, and so the sky just stayed dull gray. I was working at the Lonesome Creek Store now every day after school (I had gotten the job shortly after my birthday), and I had gone to Forks several times, alone and with Jacob, mostly to bring Billy to Charlie, and most of these times Jake and I had gone to the supermarket to get doughnuts.

At one or two of these occasions, we had seen the Cullens. Not all of them, just the children or the doctor. Jake and I had followed them through the supermarket – because even if we hated them, they were an interesting family. I had watched how arrogant the blond girl treated the people surrounding her (she didn't even greet a girl that supposedly was in her class), I had watched how the black haired girl danced around like she owned the place, I had watched the big burly one with the brown curls grinning at everyone, just as if he wanted them to attack him. Of course I had watched the smallest of the Cullen boys, the one with the bronze hair, walking around as well, looking gloomily at anyone who dared to look at him. And then there was the blond boy who dated the black haired girl, and he just looked weirder than all of them put together. He always looked like he was in pain, like someone had stabbed his back or something. „And they smell strange", Jacob whispered on one of these occasions. I nodded. They really smelled strange. It was a sweet scent that would probably have been pleasant, but it was way too strong for that. It was like a really sweet perfume that burnt the nose. And my nose really hurt.

I didn't like their looks as well. They were extremely pale, even paler than the usual pale-faces that came to our reservation, and they had dark rings beneath their eyes, like they hadn't slept for a couple of days. Usually their eyes were golden in many shades, but one day I saw them, all having black eyes. They looked more aggressive on that day, too.

Okay, they were beautiful. The blond girl looked like a Disney princess – I caught myself looking for the pink crown – and even the small girl looked like a freaking super model. The big one looked good, too, but I couldn't stand either the blond boy nor the other boy. The first one would be good-looking, but for some reason, my senses were telling me he was dangerous. And the other one, the one that looked more like a boy than a man – well, I felt a little sorry for him, because he seemed so alone with all his dating siblings. He was good-looking as well, but he was too much self-absorbed, and didn't care about anything that happened around him.

And still I didn't like the way they looked.

I didn't know their names at all. As I had pointed out before, we at the reservation only knew the name of their father, Dr. Carlisle Cullen. He was a big blond man on whom all the nurses had a big crush, and he was supposed to be around thirty, which I simply didn't believe. He was nice, though – I had gone to the hospital with my stupid little brother who had broken his arm during gym (I was mystified. How did he do that? We didn't do any dangerous sports in gym class), and he had been really friendly. But he smelled just as strange as the rest of the Cullens. Did they take the same perfume? But why would anyone take the same perfume as their father?

The Cullens were a strange family.

And then everyone at home hated them. I did, too.

It was a Saturday, just two weeks before Christmas, and I had gone to Seattle to do some Christmas shopping. I hadn't taken Jacob with me, because of course I was looking for something special for my best friend. Sure, I could have gone to Port Angeles, but there weren't so many shops there, and I wanted to find something truly special.

I also wanted to find some new clothes for the winter and early spring, and I just had gotten my money from Logan, so I was looking forward to spending it.

In Seattle, I needed ages to find a parking lot. And I had thought driving early would help! Well, apparently, I had been mistaken. First of all, I needed way too long to the city. It was already noon when I arrived.

I finally found a parking lot and went to find some cool stores.

First I went to American Eagle and bought me a blouse with a checked pattern in black, grey and green and some skinny jeans. They looked really good together, and I went on to Charlotte Russe, my favorite store by far. There I found a warm pullover as well as a black parka, which I really needed. The only jacket I had was my black leather one, and it had become too cold for that.

I watched my salary flowing away, and I still hadn't gotten anything for my family or Jake. I would buy a fishing pole for my dad, of that I was sure. My mom would get a book, a thriller or crime story, something like that. I wasn't sure about my brother, though. I really didn't know what to get him. Maybe I would find something while buying the presents for the rest.

The fishing pole was sold at some sports' store whose name I forgot as soon as I had passed the sign. I went on to Barnes' and Noble's, a huge book store that also sold DVDs and CDs as well as comics.

I soon found a promising book on the „Thriller"-shelves, something written by a French author. It sounded really interesting, and Mom loved books like that. That didn't really help me with my brother's present.

I wanted to find something to show him how much I loved him. I couldn't give him a bracelet, though, that would look really strange. But when I passed a jewellery store, an idea hit me. I could buy him a watch!

Happy that I still had enough money (the clothes I had bought at American Eagle had been on sale), I entered the store and looked around.

I recognized the sweet stink immediately. One of the Cullens must have been here. I sniffed again and tried to find out which one of them had entered the store to buy something.

Trying to ignore the scent I walked to the watches, checking the prices. It wasn't too expensive, and I bet that Seth had spent an equal amount of money on my birthday present.

„Hello", a deep melodic voice said behind me, „Do we know each other?" I turned round, frowning. It was the blond Cullen boy. He had bright golden eyes today, but I couldn't help remember those black eyes I had seen a week ago. Today, he looked much nicer. „You're the Cullen br-" I wanted to say 'brat', but I thought that I ought to be nice first and mean later, after I had gotten to know him. It didn't help snapping at people whom I didn't know. And since he didn't know any of the people at the rez, I didn't have to fear losing my reputation as a 'compassionless shrew', as Paul had called me a few weeks ago, earning an evil glare from Jake.

„You're the Cullen boy", I said instead, although it didn't sound much nicer. He nodded. „You are from the reservation, am I right?" His voice was trembling, as if he had to concentrate really hard. But then he took a deep breath and inhaled some air, and suddenly he relaxed a little, although he looked like something smelled bad, too. „Yes", I answered carefully, studying his face. He looked cautious, as if he expected any danger. Well, I was dangerous (at least my words), but probably not to him. He looked like he could take me down within a second. And for some reason, he freaked me out. Not like Jake did more than often enough. This guy freaked me out in a dangerous way. I felt like I should be running instead of standing calmly in front of him.

But, stupid as I was, I ignored my instincts.

„Do you mind helping me?", he asked, „I have a little problem." Unsure of what to think about that, I followed him to the necklaces. They looked all really expensive. I guessed he wanted to buy his little girlfriend one, and she was more than the right person to wear a necklace like those behind the glass, with all her designer clothes. „This one and this one", he showed me two, „are really lovely. But could you pick the most charming one?" I stared at him. „Did you seriously just ask me to pick the Christmas present for your little girlfriend? How am I supposed to know what she likes? Besides, shouldn't you have gone to Tiffany's or something like that?" He shrugged. „I believe it is too late for that. And you are a woman. So you ought to know what women like." I raised an eyebrow. He was weirder than he had looked at the supermarket in Forks. And then he did something really strange.

He looked at me with pleading eyes and a faint smile that probably was supposed to dazzle me. And then I suddenly felt so calm and happy, which simply wasn't my mood at all.

I snorted loudly, and the tension broke. He looked a little confused. That was when I decided to take a look at the necklaces, trying to remember the elfish girl this Cullen guy dated.

One necklace was made of silver, with a white precious stone, probably moon stone or something like this. The other one was made of a dark blue or black band with a similar pendant, just with a bigger stone. „I'd take that one", I said, pointing at the one with the blue band. „Are you sure?", he asked, surprised that I had done what he had asked for. I sighed. „Yes, I am completely sure. Are we done?" He nodded, took the necklace and went to buy it.

I returned to the watches, my eyes resting on a pretty silver watch with a brown leather band. I decided to buy it and took it to the cash desk.

The blond guy was still standing there, because the shopkeeper was packing the necklace into a box. „And just for the records", Cullen suddenly said to me, „My name is Hale, not Cullen. Jasper Hale." Okay. Then it was Hale. „Who cares?", I groaned, still feeling a little uncomfortable next to him. He smiled. It looked rather patronizing „I do." I hated smiles like that. I hated comments like that. I hated the Cullens. And the Hales, if he wanted me to be correct. „I didn't get your name", he said politely. I snorted. „That's because I didn't say it." Unfortunately he didn't seem to get that I didn't want to talk to him, because he just answered: „So what is your name?" Jesus! He was more annoying than I had imagined him. More annoying than anyone I knew. „It's Leah Clearwater." „Nice to meet you, Leah." He smiled very friendly, which pissed me off. „And what are you doing in Seattle?" Ugh. Small talk. Why did he feel he had to talk to me? „Ahem", I cleared my throat and waved with a watch. „Christmas shopping!" How dumb can one be? It was two weeks before Christmas! Hello? Like I was buying presents for Easter holiday.

He nodded. „And did you get everything you wanted?" I sighed silently. He was pain in the ass, no questions about that. „Almost", I growled. He laughed, but it sounded a little artificial. „Calm down, I am just trying to have a conversation here", he grinned, but his grin made me growl even louder. It looked dangerous.

His grin faded, just as if he had felt that I didn't really like him. „What else do you need, if I am allowed to ask?" I rolled my eyes at him. „A present for my best friend."

We had already left the shop, and I should have been happy about the watch for Seth, but I was concentrating on the Cullen- sorry, the Hale boy. I felt like I had to be extremely careful when talking with him. „Who is your best friend?", he asked politely. „As if you would care", I snapped, extremely pissed that my afternoon alone had been destroyed. „But I do care", Hale – okay, Jasper said, and he looked like he meant it. And I couldn't help but answer.

„It's a boy of my tribe. But I don't know what to get him." „Have you known him for long?" I shrugged. „Sort of." „And you want it to be something special?" I nodded. He thought for a moment. „Why don't you give him something personal?" I raised an eyebrow. „What do you mean?" Jasper looked at me like my question had been really stupid. „Well, if you like to draw or paint, paint him a picture. If you like singing, record a song. If you like writing, write him something." He smiled. I thought for a moment. Then I smiled back. „You know, for a Cullen – sorry, Hale – that was actually quite smart." He bowed a little. „Happy to be of your service, Ma'am." I stared at him. „Okaaaaaay... Weird comment. I'm going to pretend I didn't hear it. Thank you, though." I waved a short good-bye and walked through the beginning rain to my car.

I wasn't far from my car when I smelled him again. I turned round and saw him following me. He didn't seem to have noticed that I had seen him, and so I continued my way. But I was mystified. Was he following me on purpose? Or did we accidentally park in the same area?

I got into my car and drove home, constantly looking into my mirror where I could see a shiny black car not far behind me. What did he want from me? Did I steal anything without noticing? Did I do something to him? What a stupid, infuriating boy. Jasper Hale. Ugh. I felt an urge to puke.

I wasn't too far from the rez, just about twenty minutes, when suddenly my car shook a little and stood still. I tried not to panic and started it again, but it didn't work. Something had broken. „Awesome!", I moaned, trying to start my car again and again.

The black car stopped next to me. Jasper got out and came towards me. „Do you have problems with your car, Leah?", he asked, with just the slightest hint of a smile. „Yes", I growled. „Would you allow me to take you home?" He saw my expression. „Just to the reservation borders." I relaxed and nodded, feeling a little uncomfortable. I didn't really want to be alone with him. Not with the freakiest of the Cullens. Ahem, Hales.

I got into his car, and he drove me to the rez. We didn't talk, and I was glad about that. I had talked enough with him today.

At the reservation borders, he got out of the car and opened my door. Grrr. Like I wasn't able to open it myself.

And then I saw Sam and his stupid follower Jared, looking warily at Jasper and me. „Do not forget your car, Leah", Jasper grinned, „It would be really sad if I had to pick you up from the highway again." He stressed the „again", as if he wanted to taunt Sam, who looked extremely pissed. Then he got back in his car and drove off.

I walked towards Sam, who didn't look pleased at all. „What did you do with that Cullen boy?", he demanded. I looked at him. „We met in Seattle, and when my car broke, he was so kind to drive me home. And by the way, his name is Hale, not Cullen." „Whatever", Sam said, and his hands trembled, as if he was really furious, „You could have called one of us." I rolled my eyes. „Jeez, Sam! Get over your stupid prejudices, will you? It was easier that way." Sam just snorted, and now his arms were trembling, too.

„I'll keep an eye on the Cullens", he said coldly, „And you should stay away from them, Leah."

I hope you don't get too mad about me introducing Jasper to the story - he and Lee are my favorite characters. But don't worry, it's still a Blackwater Story, and it's going to stay one. I just might make Leah like Jasper against her better judgment. Hope you don't hate me for that ;-)

I wish you all a Happy New Year!