Chapter 21: In the Night

Jasper sighed deeply as he watched the sun sink low into the horizon. The sky was turning from a glorious orange-red to a cold gray in a blink of an eye. As the last rays of sunlight left the world, all grew silent except for an unexpected rush of wind that came blasting from the north. He had not taken anything with him when he separated from his family while they hunted and he walked for miles and miles until the land cut off and plunged down into the roaring sea far below. He stayed there for hours waiting and waiting until it grew dark and it was time to go and see her again. When it was finally dark enough, he departed from his hiding place towards Harrie's.

The light to her room was still on when he finally arrived at the little bungalow home. Scaling up a tree from across the street (the distance would not affect his ability to see or hear her at all), he perched on top of the branch where he had a clear view of the house. A thin curtain was drawn over the only attic window facing the street. He couldn't see her; only hear her soft, low, and gentle voice talking to her brother.

Jasper smiled and waited awhile until all the lights in the house and of the neighboring houses down the street went out. Then he slowly and inconspicuously made his way towards the house, careful not to be seen in case there should be anyone watching. He easily leaped over the small white picket fence that lined the front yard and jumped the locked gate that led to the back of the house. A part of him felt guilty and ashamed for trespassing on her home but his need to see her overrode all common sense. He had to see her at least if he couldn't summon enough courage to talk to her and apologize for his no-show that day. He missed her and it was hard to keep his thoughts from straying towards her while he was in his family's company, especially Edward's.

There weren't many windows on the side of the house where the small attic was. In fact, there were only four – a small, squat half moon shaped window that looked out into the street; two square ones facing the neighbor's house on the left and another one facing the backyard. It was the last one he was trying to reach.

A relatively young Engelmann spruce sat a few meters from the window in question and with little difficulty he climb it and using one of the sturdier branches he flung himself onto the roof. Jasper winced as he landed and hoped no one had heard him.

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Harrie woke up, drowsily, only half awake. She thought she had heard a noise but she wasn't sure. It could have been a part of a dream but still, it felt too real. She sat up and strained to listen for anything but there was only silence. Taking up her quilt and wrapping herself in it, she quickly padded across the cold, icy floor over to her opened window and looked out. Nothing.

Harrie sighed and shook her head as she pressed her forehead against the glass pane. It must have been a dream. She looked back up as she was about the close the window but everything was mysteriously black. "What the-?" she exclaimed as she made out a shape of man. She almost screamed but then she saw a flash of golden yellow orbs staring at her and her voiced died away. "Jasper?" she squeaked.

Harrie couldn't quite believe that Jasper per was perched precariously on her window sill in the dead of night but as he motioned for her to open up the window again, she hesitated for a moment but obeyed. The window was a tight fit for one so broad shoulder as Jasper but with a little help from her, he managed to squeeze through. Grasping him by his shirt sleeves, she pulled him. The tumbled together onto the floor, landing with a dull thud, Jasper on top of Harrie.

His breath was icy cool on her skin in an almost unnatural and uncomfortable way. They just lied there staring at each other dumbfounded for awhile until Jasper finally came to his senses. In a blink of an eye, he was up on his feet, stooping with arms outstretched for him to help her up as well.

Finally regaining her own senses, Harrie took his pre-offered hand. "What in the world are you doing here?" she demanded in a harsh whisper.

"I had to come and apologize," Jasper replied in a low voice, his trademark puppy dog grin was plastered across his face.

"For what? Not coming to class like you promised? It's not a big deal," she said, feigning disinterest. "It's nothing that couldn't wait until school for."

"But I couldn't wait," he said. He saw her smile in the dark. It was a small, embarrassed smile but she looked pleased. He was very glad now that he could see very well in the dark.

There was an awkward silence and it seemed to stretch on forever. He longed to touch her. To hold her. But the feeling dissipated as he was reminded by Rosalie's words. Was he really starting to fall in love with this human girl? He thought about Alice and shame replaced his sudden longing for Harrie. 'No,' he thought brusquely. 'I do not love her. It's the bloodlust talking.'

"Will you be coming to school tomorrow?" Harrie asked in a tiny voice. Her head was bowed in embarrassment. He could hear her heart beating wildly and he thought she might swoon.

He lifted her face up to look at him. His hand trembled as he touched her skin. This was first time he had ever touched her openly. Not those little accidents where he brushed his hand against hers or when she didn't know it. She felt the iciness of his hands and she couldn't help shiver but she did not protest as she looked into his eyes.

"I'll be there. I promise," he replied.

Harrie smiled and Jasper let go of her and stepped back. "Well, you better! Because next time I won't be as forgiving," she teased.

"I swear it." The tone in his voice said he was serious. Serious and confident. Confident that there was nothing that would keep him from seeing her tomorrow. The weather surely wasn't going to stop him. Alice had "seen" a brief storm early in the evening which would gather up slowly throughout the day, covering the town in thick clouds.

This startled Harrie, making her unable to speak and she blushed crimson. Taking her hand this time, Jasper bowed over it in a old fashioned manner before looking back at her stunned face. "Sweet dreams," he whispered and before she could call after him, he was gone. He had slipped through the window and disappeared into the night. Harrie staggered back to her bed and tumbled into the sheets, falling asleep happy.

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A/n: Sorry again for the late chapter. A lot of things are happening right now and I'm trying my best to get a chapter in every week. Hope you guys understand and thanks again so much for all the support! :)