So...Today I have to cite Leah: Happy Birthday to me! (03/17/11)

As I have promised you on Monday, I have uploaded chapter 21 as my very special birthday present to you and to me.

A short remark before you start reading this chapter: As you know, I'm not a native speaker, therefore I have absolutely no clue about American accents. I have googled to find out how a Southern accent may sound and tried to adapt at least parts of it so you can see when my favorite vampire switches accents. I'm sorry if I got it wrong, and if you can guess where he talks with his own accent, just imagine it a lot more southern .

Lie and Prejudice

On Saturday morning, I woke up with a nervous feeling. Probably because I had actually planned to meet one of the Cullen freaks. Another reason was maybe that strange dream I had had right before waking up. Last night, I hadn't been able to sleep, so I had made myself a cup of hot milk with honey and had taken some chocolate chip cookies. I had walked back upstairs and had surfed on the internet. A fun activity that I always liked to do was clicking 'random article' on . If it was interesting, I read the text. Last night, I had done that until 3 a.m., reading random articles. Among those had been articles about the Mont Ventoux, Gauntlet of the Inhumans, Wednesday, Balinese Dance, The Covington News and Gandhi.

So when I had finally gone to sleep, I had started dreaming about standing on a huge mountain while reading a newspaper when suddenly a superhero and Gandhi had appeared to talk about civil disobedience. Pretty funny, if the dream hadn't turned into a nightmare. Gandhi and the hero had disappeared, still talking of methods on how to bea tyranny, when I had heard a loud growl not far away from me. I had still stood on the mountain, but it had gotten dark, and when I'd turned round to see what had growled, when out of nowhere a humongous white wolf had come jumping at me. I had started to run for my life, the wolf following me. My heart had beaten faster than ever, and I had run with all the speed I had, but in my dream I had known that the wolf would catch me eventually. Kill me, probably. But I had kept on running, and running and sweating, I had woken up.

Still sweating, I stepped inside the shower and didn't come out there for twenty minutes. The hot water distracted me from the scary dream, and my heart calmed down. When I left the shower, I had almost forgotten about the nightmare.

I walked back to my room to decide what to wear. It wasn't a date, so usually I wouldn't care much about my appearance, but Jasper was not a good friend, and I had a feeling that I just had to look acceptable.

I rummaged through my clothes, like always, until I found a black blazer that belonged to Mom – I usually stole her clothes because hers were a lot cooler than mine.

Outside, the rain was pouring against my windows, so I decided that taking an umbrella would be pretty sensible. I also managed to find a pair of loose-fitting jeans, which were a lot more comfortable than skinny ones. I also put on my checked flannel blouse and then my pair of cream white fake All Star sneakers. They were fake because I didn't have enough money for the real thing. But they looked just as good, and I didn't care much about brands, anyway.

I blow-dried my hair and tied it into a pony tail. I loved my long black hair. I also loved my skin. White people could look pretty sick sometimes, but my skin would always be reddish-brown. When talking about looks, I was really glad to be Native American.

I thought about putting on make-up, but decided not to. This wasn't a date; I wouldn't go through all the trouble for a friend. Or, worse, a soon-to-be-friend.

I ate lunch and told Mom I wanted to drive to Port Angeles today. Great, Jasper wasn't even a good friend of mine, and here I was, already lying for him. Mom smiled. „Okay, but could you do the groceries for me, then? I'll make you a list and give you the money." I nodded. Jasper wouldn't mind, of that I was sure. He was too polite to mind.

Half an hour later I put on my leather jacket, took the purse and an umbrella and went to my car. Suddenly my brother shouted from behind me: „Lee, can you bring me some candy? M&Ms would be nice!" „Sure!", I shouted back. I felt like being nice today. Maybe because I wasn't stressed with the thought of meeting Jasper. It wasn't a date, so it could only be great. Jasper was the only person I knew whom I trusted to meet someone and not fall in love with them. I'd seen him and Alice together, and I could just feel that nothing would be able to change their relationship.

It was the same feeling with Sam and Emily. Only that Sam and Emily as a couple pissed me off, while I didn't care much about Jasper and Alice.

I drove to Port Angeles in a hurry because I didn't want to be late. Jasper looked like a very punctual guy.

I parked not far from the Bella Italia and walked as calmly as I could towards a honey blond figure in front of it. „Hello", I said in a small voice. Jasper turned round, and a relaxed smile was on his face. He bowed his head a little. „Hello Leah. How are you?" „Great! And you?" „I am fine, thank you. So, would you like to walk with me to my car?" I shifted weight from one foot to the other. „Well, Mom wants me to do the groceries, so I have to go to the supermarket..." Jasper smiled. „Of course. But I propose to do that when we return. Some products are better off in a fridge as fast as possible. The milk might get sour." I nodded, a little surprised. „I thought you don't cook?" „Well, I do go shopping, and my adoptive mother tends to get angry when I need too long. The ice cream might melt, you know?" I grinned. „Besides", he continued, „I have started to learn cooking. It's not as hard as I thought it is. I can do scrambled eggs and pancakes and other food one would want for breakfast." „Really?" I was impressed. „Maybe I'll come over one morning, to test your skills." He grinned. „I would not mind, Ma'am. Now, are you ready to go to Seattle?" „Are you?", I asked back and followed him to his shiny black car. I had to think about Alex and his heart attack because of this car. Poor Alex – I would definitely never meet him again.

Jasper opened the door for me and let me get in before he shut it. He then walked to the other side and let himself fall on the driver's seat. „Do you want to listen to music?" I nodded, and he pressed the power button of the radio and turned it on. A Beatles song was playing. Jasper looked at me. „You like the Beatles", he stated, and I simply nodded. They had made awesome music.

Chuckling, Jasper began driving. He was fast – a little too fast for my taste, but then, I wasn't accustomed to fast cars. I leaned back in the seat. Jasper smiled at me. „Thank you for meeting me again, Leah, I was really afraid that you might not want to meet me again. It is very different to talk to you, and I like it a lot. You are so... full of life." I blinked. „Okay, okay, you can stop making compliments now. I like you." Jasper grinned. „I am sorry. It is just that I was raised like that, you know." „Making compliments?" He nodded. „Exactly. Only that it wasn't called 'making compliments' where I was raised. We called it chivalry." I snorted loudly. „And where do you come from exactly? The Middle Ages? Honestly, where does chivalry play a role nowadays?" „Not here, apparently", he stated. I sighed. „Really? Haven't noticed that. But you can stop that now." „Is that so? I have come to notice that women nowadays actually need a lot more chivalry." He winked at me and sped up. Now it was much too fast for my taste. „Why are you feeling uncomfortable?", he asked. I tried not to ask myself how he could know how I was feeling and simply asked: „Could you drive a little slower, please?" He nodded. „Of course, Ma'am. I'm sorry. I just try to be in Seattle as fast as I can." „What do we want to do there, anyway? You said you wanted to chat with me. About what?" He smiled. „Oh, just about this and that. I am sure we will find something." „Okay." I concentrated on the music, and we both were silent for a while.

Finally, we reached downtown Seattle. „Any idea where to go?", I asked as we got out of the car, feeling a little awkward. Sitting next to Jasper had felt so familiar. Familiarity seemed to be the best word to describe what I felt when being with him. I also felt comfortable with him, although a stupid tiny little voice inside of me constantly warned me about him. I ignored it. Jasper wasn't dangerous. Only when he drove a car.

„There is a beautiful café not far from here", he said and smiled at me, „Woud you like to go there? They serve excellent tea." I snorted. „What are you, English?" Jasper raised one eyebrow. „It is a common prejudice that only people from the British Isles like to drink tea. Alice informed me that you like to enjoy a cup of Earl Grey yourself." I was about to say something, but he added: „Besides, I'm of Irish origin."

That caught my attention immediately. If your forefathers had immigrated to the US thousands of years ago, people with other backgrounds could become quite interesting. „Ireland?", I asked. He nodded. „But you don't have red hair and freckles", I stated, but only to annoy him. I knew it was just a prejudice, and some people got awfully angry about prejudices. I just wanted to check whether he was one of them.

He smiled. „You know, Leah, I won't get angry only because you unpack every prejudice, may it be true or false." My face turned red. Awesome, really awesome. Jasper was good at reading people.

„Okay!", I said, trying to maintain a cool grin, „I'm sorry." He winked at me and let me into a smaller street.

„Where's this café you were talking about earlier?" Jasper pointed at a little building at the end of the street. „It's called The Yellow Rose Café. Are you okay with that place?" „Sure! I don't know anything here anyway. Just Starbucks." Jasper chuckled. „I do not like chain restaurants. That is also the reason why I don't like McDonald's." I rolled my eyes. „Looks like someone doesn't like mass conformity." „Exactly. Do you?" I shook my head. „But it's hard to avoid these days."

I could now see the café properly. It was a small white house with a veranda where one could sit, too. A small sign said „The Yellow Rose Café", and to underline the name, yellow roses stood everywhere. The chairs and tables outside where made of white wood, and no chair looked like another.

„It's grand, isn't it?", Jasper asked as we stepped onto the veranda. 'Grand' seemed like an odd choice of word for me, but I quickly forgot about that when I entered the café. The tables inside were mostly brown, and although there were some wooden chairs, the majority of the seats were light blue or yellow armchairs and couches. On the tables stood candles, and behind the counter stood a young woman who looked at Jasper as if she'd drop dead instantly if he didn't kiss her now. I felt a little irritated by that. I mean, it was just Jasper! Sure, he was kind of pretty, but not head-over-heels style. „Would you mind if we sit down at a table upstairs?", Jasper suddenly asked me, „I like the view through the windows." I nodded and followed him upstairs, where it looked very much like the room I'd just left.

Jasper chose the table at the far end of the room, close to a hidden door which sign said „Emergency exit". Jasper moved an armchair for me so I could sit down, and he smiled widely when I thanked him for that.

I felt anger boiling up in me. Why was I getting angry?

Oh right. It started feeling like a date, and I didn't want to date Jasper. Right now, I didn't want to date anyone at the moment.

„Are you uncomfortable?", Jasper asked worried. „No, it's just-", truth could never hurt, I reminded myself, „- I'm just feeling a little weird. Like on a date, although I know this is none." Jasper smiled. „No. I assure you that if I had wanted to date you, I would have asked differently. Although I can of course understand why anyone would want to date you. But I swear, I just want to be your friend." „Good", I answered and grinned at him, „Because I just want to be your friend, too." He smiled and handed me the menu. „Go on and order whatever you want", he said. I looked at him, hopefully furious. „Look, Mr Friend, this is not a date, so I can pay for myself." „I think I've already told you that where I was raised, it is customary for a man to invite the lady, even if it is not a date", Jasper said. „Yeah, well, but in case you haven't noticed, I'm a freaking woman of the 21st century, I don't need no pseudo gentleman trying to push me back into the old role allocation!" I got all worked up suddenly. I hated being patronized, and it felt exactly like that right now.

Jasper blinked a few times, and then I suddenly calmed down. I didn't know why I had started to fight anyway. Really embarrassing reaction. And then all of the sudden I got angry again because I was feeling embarrassed about getting angry. Only that now, I was angry at myself, not at Jasper.

„You get huffy dreadfully fast", Jasper stated. I snorted. „So what?" He shrugged. „So nothing. I find you more and more intriguing, to be honest." „You find me being annoyed intriguing?" He shook his head. „It's not only you being annoyed. It's all of your emotions. I have never met anyone so emotional before – and I mean it as a compliment." I couldn't say anything against that now, so I just sated: „You're still not paying for me, Mr Calm." „Well, where I come from, it is common for someone like me to invite-" I interrupted him. „Yeah, you've said that before. But this is the 21st century. Women can pay for themselves!" I saw a strange flash in Jasper's golden eyes – a dangerous flash that looked like anger. „Yeah, they can. But they shouldn't. Especially not if the gentleman accompanyin' the lady is a spoiled rich billionaire. Don't you argue with me, Miss Clearwater, it aggravates me." The 'me' sounded more like 'may', and I was pretty sure he'd said 'aggervated'. His accent had changed anyway. It had sounded a lot more like loud mumbling, and it had become difficult to understand every word. But the accent also reminded me of something that I had heard a long time ago.

He did seem pretty pissed, but I wasn't going to give in. This was the typical gender battle I had fought for years. The only person in my surroundings who was still patronizing me was my dad, and he was my dad! So I surely wouldn't give in to some rich brat who wanted to be my friend.

Jasper sighed. „Ah'm sorry, Leah. Ah made you angry, didn't Ah?" I nodded. He smiled. „Ah understand yer wish for independence, Leah." He smiled again, and his eyes suddenly looked at a place that wasn't in this room or even outside the window. This man was getting weirder every time I that I met him.

„Ah once knew a woman who was exactly like you", he continued in his strange accent – was it southern? „She was a Native as well, but she was far away from her real home. She had this fierce independence and an uncanny wish for freedom. Ah-", he thought for a moment, „Ah knew her when Ah was little. She was my father's best friend. He promised her to take her home, but he died before he could fulfill that promise." His eyes looked very sad, as if he was about to cry. I couldn't understand why. If it had been his father's friend, why was he so sad about that? After all, he had told me that his parents had died when he and his sister had both been very little.

Jasper blinked a few times before he continued: „In any case, she was just like you. It was hard to convince her of letting someone do anything for her. She didn't want to be patronized. Ah don't wanna patronize you, Leah, nor do Ah wanna steal yer freedom. Ah just wanna be polite. Give an ol' gentleman a break." He looked at me with glittering eyes. „Please?", he added, looking so sweet that no one, not even me, could have said no.

„So, what do you want to order?", he asked after a few seconds. I noticed that his accent had almost completely disappeared. Weird.

I opened the menu and studied the drinks. „I'll take a coke", I said with a sigh, still feeling uncomfortable about him paying, „And the pancakes, but without the maple syrup." I didn't like maple syrup. „What's your order?" „Just the red berries infusion", he smiled. „You don't want to eat anything?" He nodded. „I'm not hungry. I had a pretty good lunch."

The waitress came from downstairs and smiled at Jasper with brilliant white teeth. She was a pretty girl, and I knew tons of boys who'd stare at her even with their own girlfriend sitting next to them. But not Jasper Hale. He threw a quick glance at her and ordered his tea in a very commanding tone. „And what would your girlfriend like to order?", she said with a voice that was heavy with jealousy and without even looking at me. „I'm-", I started to protest – after all, I definitely wasn't his girlfriend – but Jasper shot me a silencing glance and I shut my mouth. „My girlfriend", he put a lot of stress onto that word, „would like a coke and the pancakes without maple syrup. So it would be great if you added cinnamon and sugar to this order. And make it a fast one, I want to be alone with her. Thank you." The dismissal was almost army-style, and the waitress seemed pretty down when she walked away. I blinked at Jasper. „Why did you say I was your girlfriend?", I asked pissed. He chuckled. „I'm sorry, but I didn't want her to come up here more often than necessary, which she would have done if I hadn't told her you were my girlfriend. I seem to have an attracting power on people, especially on women, for some strange reason." He said the last part with a bitter tone that I didn't understand. „Have you ever looked into a mirror?", I asked, grinning at him, „You're an awfully handsome man." Jasper looked at me and smiled, a surprised expression on his face. „Why, thank you! You are quite the looker yourself." I grinned sheepishly. „Anyway, you shouldn't have talked to her like that. She's probably frightened of you now." „And sometimes, my dear, being frightened might be better than having no respect at all." „That might be true, but we're not in the military here, you know?" Jasper looked at me for a second with questioning eyes before he smiled. „Not in the military, huh? That's sad. I like the military." I snorted. „Then join the US Army after High School – what's up?" He had suddenly made a face as if he was about to puke. „US Army, no thank you. Ah'd rather hang myself than have a US on my uniform!"

I stared at him, shocked. First of all, he had suddenly switched to this weird accent again, which was really hard to understand – of what I knew about the Southern accent, it just had to be it! - and when I had finally understood what he's said I was shocked that he'd said what he had said.

„Wow, you feel very-", I tried to find the right word, „-strong about the US Army." Jasper smiled a very small smile. „About the US in general, I must confess."

The waitress returned and put the cup of tea in front of Jasper. The tea had a very pretty color – it was blood red. Jasper smiled at the tea while the waitress put the coke and the pancakes with a loud bang in front of me. She seemed pissed, probably because she thought she had no chance with Jasper. Poor girl – even without me, she wouldn't have a chance. Jasper and Alice were way too much in love. They would never go separate ways, similar to - cough - Emily and -puke - Sam.

The waitress disappeared again and I turned back to Jasper.

„Why do you feel like that?", I asked. He was not getting away with that statement. He was American, for crying out loud! He was getting more and more mysterious. Jasper took a deep breath and sipped at his tea. Then he looked at me again, and a proud grin appeared on his face.

„Because I was raised a Confederate!"

I almost choked on my pancakes and took a gulp of coke to keep me from suffocating. I then took another bite of the pancakes because I wasn't sure what to say. I chewed for a minute or so before I finally said: „Honestly, Jasper, you are getting weirder every time I meet you." He didn't seem to understand because he asked: „Why is that so?"

I took a deep breath and said: „Well, when we met in Port Angeles after my horrible date, you told me that your parents died when you and your sister were both very young. You said that it might have been in one of the Southern states. Now you're telling me you're Irish and that you actually do remember your father's best friend, although you've said earlier that your memory is all very dizzy. And then you're telling me you're a Confederate? Really, Jasper, who are you? Because if you're lying to me, please stop that. Friends are supposed to trust each other, you know."

Jasper emptied his cup and I was afraid he might leave. But he just sighed and looked sadly at me. „My dear, you're far too smart to me. How can I explain this to you... Me and my family, we have to tell lies. Most people wouldn't understand our way of living. Lying is much easier then trying to explain... Besides, we're bound to lie... Maybe you can compare it to being in a witness protection program. We're not, but it's very similar. I can't tell you, but can you forgive me for lying to you?" I snorted and finished my pancakes. „Do I even want to know the truth?", I asked, not very convinced. He smiled. „I don't know. Maybe you do, maybe you don't. You're a sensible young woman, with all her life ahead of her, and of an origin that is much more knowing of some things than the rest of the world. I think you would be able to cope with it eventually, but first, you would have to believe me, and I don't want to risk our friendship now. Let me lie to you a little more, please." I snorted very loudly. „Now that's a great way to start a friendship." Jasper looked angry with himself, and sad, too. „Ah know, Ah know", he said almost desperately, and I started to feel sorry for him. It was funny how he fell back into his accent every time he got angry or sad. „But Ah'm beggin' you to gimme a chance. Ah need to be yer friend. Ah want you as my friend. Please, Leah. Ma'am?" „Fine!", I sighed, a little amused by his behaviour, „Just continue lying to me. Maybe I'll figure out on my own what is wrong with you people." Jasper laughed, but it sounded a little desperate. „Yes, that describes us best", he muttered, „Wrong."

This time, I did hit him. It hurt pretty much – his muscles must be made of stone or something like that – but I didn't care, because this time, he deserved it. „Ouch!", he complained, „Why'd you do that?" I realized that he hadn't stopped talking with his accent, and for some reason, I felt very comfortable with his voice. I could understand every word he was saying, although his accent was becoming very strong. I had heard once that the Southern accent was horrible to listen to if one wasn't Southern. „Because you've said that being wrong describes you best, and that's, well, just wrong!" „You don't know me that well." I snorted. „So what? You're not wrong. How really stupid to say something like that." He threw me a quick questioning glance. „You wouldn't talk like this if you – but that's not important right now." I emptied my glass of coke. „If you say so." I stared at him for a while before I asked: „Is your name really Jasper Hale?" „Why?" „Just wondering." He smiled. „And again, you're right to ask. Yes, Ah'm called Jasper." I raised an eyebrow. „But not Hale", I stated, waiting for his reaction. He gave me a short little nod before he stood up. „Let us go downstairs. Ah wanna pay and leave this café." I stood up, too. „Whatever you say." I wouldn't forget to ask about his name, he could be as evasive as he wanted to.

Together, we walked downstairs, and growling, I let him pay. The waitress continued to look hopefully at him, even when we were on our way out. When we were outside, Jasper breathed in. „Fresh air", he sighed, „Is something that Ah truly miss."

With that strange comment, an idea hit me, and I stopped walking. Jasper stopped walking immediately. „What's up?", he asked, worried. A huge grin appeared on my face. „Look, Mr Not-Hale, I have a proposition for you – a truce, so to speak." He smiled suddenly. „Ah'm listenin'." I had to grin at this accent. It could only be southern, but I couldn't tell from where exactly. I took a deep breath. „Well, you just say whatever comes to your mind. I don't ask any questions. I just make up my mind, and if I have a particularly good idea, I'll tell you and you can say yes or no. Is that okay with you?" He raised an eyebrow. „So you mean that Ah just continue to talk and let slip some information that you shouldn't get, actually." „Yes, that's what I mean." We continued to walk. „Ah don't know, darlin'", yes, that sounded definitely southern to me, „That seems like a very sorry idea." I moaned. „Listen more closely, Mr Not-Hale, what I mean is that you continue lying to me as much as you want, but only as long as it helps you to keep that secret of yours. And I promise to ignore any discrepancy in your story." „But you'll make up yer own?" I grinned. „Can't help it." He smiled. „Fine. Ah agree with that. But you'll have to tell me yer story." „Great!", I beamed, „Then we have a deal."

We walked next to each other in silence for a while before Jasper asked: „Would you like to go shoppin' now? For clothes, Ah mean, not groceries. Ah mean, what else would you do all day in a city." I nodded, because I also had to buy the present for my brother. „Okay", I said and smiled sheepishly, „You wouldn't pay for me now, would you?" Jasper smiled a huge grin. „I certainly would, darlin', if you let me. But I know you won't." „How can you know that? You're a freaking millionaire-" „Billionaire, darlin', billionaire." „Damn, whatever, a billionaire then, anyway, you've got tons of money, how can you know I'm not trying to use you for my own advantages?" Jasper led me around another corner and I could already see some stores. He held his hand up, and I linked arms with him. It felt a little funny, not warm at all, and very hard. Too hard for human flesh in my opinion, but maybe he trained a lot and had built up a lot of muscles. Jasper chuckled again before he said: „If you were so keen on saving your money and using me for your own good", I realized that his accent had switched back to normal, „you wouldn't protest any time that I try to invite you. Second, you've asked my girlfriend how much money you owe her for the garlands instead of just taking them with you, and third, I can feel that you don't really mean what you've just said." I moaned again. „Isn't there anything that makes you mad?" He laughed. „That's what you're trying to do? Getting me mad?" „Well, at least I want to know what pisses you off so I can avoid it." „You mean use it." „I mean both!", I corrected and grinned at him. „Well, mostly injustice, and then being used, of course. I don't like lying much, either, but I can sense a lie pretty fast, so it's not very easy to lie to me." „Honestly? I wanna try out. Let's make a test." „A test?" „Yeah, I'll tell you something and you're gonna say whether it's a lie or not." He looked sceptical, but he nodded. „You, Miss Clearwater, have the funniest ideas. Start please." I thought for a moment while we were walking towards a store that sold shoes, gym clothes and home wear. „I'm eighteen years old", I stated after we'd entered the store. „True", he answered before he looked around and asked: „Now what exactly are we doing here?" „I need new pants", I stated. „This store doesn't sell jeans." I rolled my eyes. „Yeah, I know. I need new comfortable pants to relax in." „Oh." He nodded. „Continue your test then." „Pink is my favorite color", I said after seeing neon pink trainers. „A big fat lie. That's too easy, make it more difficult." I found a pair of gray shorts and a sweat jacket of the same color. „Okay. Wait. I have to think of something. I don't like Isabella Swan." „True", he grinned, „Although I could argue that you almost hate her, which is a much stronger emotion than just dislike." I walked with the clothes to the cashier. „I want to leave La Push." „Oh yes, you do."

After I had payed for the clothes, we left the store and walked to a store where they sold DVDs and CD players and stuff like that. I had decided to give my brother a white iPod shuffle for his birthday. „I love cheese." „You hate cheese", he corrected my statement, „Continue." „I find your sister Rosalie very nice." „A lie. Although Rosie really is a nice girl. You two should get to know each other more." „Yeah, whatever. Okay, last one. When I was five years old, Dad gave me a doll for my birthday." He stopped walking and looked at me for a second with questioning eyes before he answered: „False, although there seems to be one birthday where you were presented with a doll." I winked at him. „I'm impressed. Yeah, it was my third." „And what did you get for your fifth birthday?", Jasper asked while we were walking towards the store. „A stuffed wolf. A white one." I smiled, thinking back on my fifth birthday and on the beautiful stuffed white wolf that I had lost years later in Seattle, when we had visited Mom's mother. I had been already eleven back then, but I had cried a lot. Until Grandma Young had told me that I was too old for a stuffed animal and that I should grow up. Very nice of her, especially because it had been my favorite toy.

We entered the store and I started looking for my brother's present. Jasper followed me, always close behind me, which felt a little creepy because his breath felt so cold. „What are you looking for?", he asked after a while. „It's my brother's birthday on the 20th of April, and I need to buy him a present. Do you think an iPod shuffle is okay for a fourteen-year-old?" Jasper nodded. „Of course this is appropriate for a young boy. What color would you prefer?" It was kind of weird when he switched his accent. I more and more had the feeling that the Southern accent was the right one, while the accent he talked with now seemed only like he was trying hard to avoid speaking with his original accent. „White. They should be somewhere over-" „You mean this thing here?" He held up the iPod I had been looking for. „Yeah, exactly. Thanks." I bought the iPod and was very glad that I had my job at the Lonesome Creek Store. Without it, I wouldn't have been able to pay for anything.

We left the store and began walking back to his car, since I had to get the groceries in Port Angeles. „So, what's your real name, then?", I asked, not having forgotten what he'd said earlier. Jasper sighed. „It's not Hale, isn't that enough?" „So Rosalie is not your real sister?", I continued. Jasper stopped walking and looked at me. „I was under the impression that we had agreed you wouldn't ask any questions." His voice was rather sharp, and so I shut my mouth for the rest of the way.

At the car, Jasper opened the door for me again, and I got into my seat. After he had begun driving, he turned to me. „I must apologize, Miss Clearwater. I was not very nice to you. I will answer your two questions in a second, but first, let us make one adjustment to our agreement: You are allowed to ask questions, I just do not have to answer them. Is that okay for you?" I nodded. That adjustment was very much okay for me – I was way too curious about this guy. He seemed like a big fat secret, and I liked secrets.

„Of course it is"; I said to underline my nod. He smiled. „I thought so. And now back to your questions: First of all, you are absolutely right. Rosalie is not my real sister. She is my adopted sister, yes, but we just pose as twins because we look alike. At least our hair does." „Nice." Intuition suddenly hit me. „This is not something I should be telling around, right?" His eyes widened and he nodded quickly. „Exactly. Please, please keep it a secret, whatever I tell you and whatever you think of it. It is already an exception that I talk to you about anything like that." I grinned and winked at him. „No problem, darlin'", I imitated the accent he'd had before. He twitched a little before he smiled a huge smile. „You are one special woman, Leah Clearwater", he said before muttering to himself, „But I've always known that." Although I had understood what he had said – and it confused me very much – I acted as if I hadn't heard it. „What did you say?", I asked. He still smiled. „Nothing. Do you still want to know my real name?"

He had my attention immediately. „Of course!", I exclaimed, probably sounding very excited, which pissed me off pretty much. Sure, I was interested in him, but he didn't need to know that, right?

Jasper smiled to himself before he stopped the car and parked at the roadside. He turned to me. „My name's Jasper Whitlock, Ma'am. It is very nice to meet you." His golden eyes sparkled, as if he was remembering something, and I decided not to ask further questions today. A strange feeling was creeping up my back again, a feeling that urged me to say somthing as well.

„Nice to meet you, too, Mr Whitlock", I answered in a weird attempt of politeness, „I'm Leah Clearwater." His smile grew even wider, and I looked out of the window, pretending not to see it. This strange feeling didn't go away. It was this feeling of familiarity that I always felt when being with him, only that now I knew where this familiarity was coming from. It was undoubtedly his name, his full, right name.

Jasper Whitlock.

The sound of this name stirred something in my memory, only that I couldn't remember what. Jasper Whitlock... where had I heard that name before?

„Leah? We're back in Port Angeles. Do you want me to get the groceries with you?"

I jumped up. „What? We're back already? That was fast!" Jasper chuckled. „No, you just fell asleep, dear." „Oh God!", I blushed, „I am so sorry! I am so sorry, Jasper, I didn't mean to. Wow, that is embarrassing." „Don't apologize, Leah. You just have been very tired, you don't have to be sorry for that. Now, do you still need those groceries?" I nodded, and he parked in front of the supermarket. He opened my door again and as I got out of the car, we linked arms again. Not because I really wanted to, but somehow he felt the need to held his arm up so I could link with it. It felt more like an official position than a friendly gesture, and still, it felt nice. Like I could trust him.

His arm felt rock-hard and ice-cold, which was very bizarre. Maybe he had a circulatory disorder, one never knew.

Together, we entered the supermarket, and Jasper inhaled deeply. „So, darlin', what do you need?" I pulled out the piece of paper with Mom's list. „Three bottles of milk, eggs, butter, flour, apples, potatoes-", I stopped, „Jeez. She's exaggerating. That's a week's supply. Why am I buying a week's supply of food?" Jasper fetched the piece of paper from me and studied it. „She's preparing you for your own life. By giving you the responsibility of the week's shopping, she teaches you how to lead your own, independent life." I stared at Jasper. „She does?" My tone was rather sarcastic, but only to cover my surprise. I had never seen my chores that way. „Let us start", Jasper said, „Milk, you have said."

We walked through the supermarket and Jasper got everything for me. I almost forgot my brother's candy, but did think of it in the last second.

I payed, and we walked back to Jasper's car. He pushed the shopping cart while I was walking next to him. „Thanks a lot, Jasper Whitlock", I said, smiling. The name went easy from my lips. The name made a lot more sense to me, too. Jasper Whitlock sounded far more melodic and sensible to me than Jasper Hale. Whitlock sounded right.

„I'm not letting you walk alone to your car", Jasper said with a sincere voice as I was taking the shopping bags from the cart, „Port Angeles is full of drunk men on weekends, and not all of them are just funny and annoying. Besides, the bags are heavy, I don't want you to carry that." I growled, but I was amused. „You're such a chauvinist", I complained and tried to take one of the bags away from him. „I am not", he insisted, "I am just polite." And with that, he took four of the bags, leaving me with only one that I could carry, and walked in front of me.

We reached my car and I opened it. Jasper put the bags in my trunk and opened my door. "Goodbye, Leah. It was just grand to meet you. I hope that we can repeat that soon." "Sure!", I grinned, "Although you're kinda weird of course – no offense!" He chuckled. "None taken." "Anyway, I like you – and I'm looking forward to uncovering your secret." He smiled. "I am happy that you have enjoyed the day. As for my secret – you are a smart woman, you surely will find out." He suddenly looked sad. "I just hope it won't destroy our blossoming friendship." I raised an eyebrow, but had to grin. "Oh, so it's that kind of secret." He nodded. I poked in his chest. "Are you a dangerous man, Jasper Whitlock?" He pulled me into a gentle hug. "Not to you, Leah Clearwater, I promise. Never to you." And with a slight bow, he walked away, not turning around to me again. He probably knew that I was staring after him with an intrigued look.

Confused, I drove back home. It was already very late when I finally stepped in through our entrance door. Dad was still up, and I made him help me with the bags. "We have to continue your education as a storyteller", he said as he put a bag onto the kitchen table. I nodded, not so happy about that. Couldn't he just leave me alone? I would never be a good storyteller. "Maybe after Seth's birthday", I proposed, not wanting to think about tribal mythology right now. I was thinking more about Jasper, what he's told me, his behaviour.

Dad nodded. "Alright then." He kissed my forehead. "Goodnight, Lee. I love you." "Love you too, Dad. Goodnight." And with that, I walked upstairs, got ready for bed, went into my room and fell asleep right away.