"Weekends don't count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless." ~Bill Watterson
Chapter 56- The Weekend
When Carlisle, Esme, and Jasper got back the next morning, I was immediately greeted with a long, tight hug from Jasper.
"Good morning," I said, when he finally released me.
"Good morning," he said.
"Someone's in a good mood this morning."
"I am. But so are you."
I smiled up, pushing his hair from his eyes. The black from last night was gone. They were now glittering gold. He leaned down, and kissed my forehead as I traced where the dark circles had been hours ago.
"Come on," I said, pulling him to the stairs. "We've got to go get ready. We don't have much time."
It took a relatively quick time for us to get ready, changing from our clothes from yesterday, and me recovering the red outline on my arm.
"I can't wait until summer," I said, as I put the foundation back into the drawer. "Then I won't have to worry about covering this damn thing up every single day."
"Well we have a couple months to go," he said, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Then you get to graduate and leave me alone," I grumbled, pouting my lip out.
Jasper's laugh rang throughout the room as he swooped down and kissed my stuck out lip.
"You'll be okay. It's only one year without me."
"I know. But I'll still miss you. I've gotten so used to you being around."
"I'll miss you too, but I'll be here everyday before you leave, and everyday when you come home to me."
I smiled and stood from my seat at the desk. Jasper stood as well, throwing an arm over my shoulders.
"Come on," he said, guiding me through the door. "Rosalie's starting to get impatient. She's ready to leave."
Jasper grabbed our jackets from the bed as we passed, while I grabbed our bags from beside the door.
"About time," Rosalie said when we got in the garage. She was still mad at me for keeping this from her, but much like everyone else, she was worried about me after last night.
"We still have 10 minutes before we actually have to leave," I said, before hopping into the back seat, Jasper moving into his place next to me.
"Yes, but I'd rather get there early and avoid the crowd," she said, more nicer than the first statement.
"I guess that's a good idea."
After draping my jacket on my shoulders, Jasper held it down when he returned his arm to my shoulders.
I curled up at his side as Rosalie pulled out of the garage. Jasper moved his arm, running his hand through my hair.
Jasper and I stayed quiet for a little while, listening to Rosalie and Emmett discuss the plans of a trip to Africa they were planning to take when the school year ended.
"Well we'll go see the pyramids of course," Rosalie said. "However that may be something we have to do at night."
"Do you think we could stay with Carlisle's friends in Egypt?" Emmett asked.
"I don't think so. Amun is very secretive."
"We could still go to Egypt, even if we don't go see Amun."
"Take pictures," I murmured.
"Of course, Alice," Rosalie said, giving me a faint smile through the rearview mirror.
"The Weasleys went to Egypt once," I told Jasper in a quiet voice, as I closed my eyes.
"Did they?"
I nodded.
"The year I turned seventeen. They won a Galleon draw, so they went to go see Bill. Fred and George begged me to come with them, but because Dad had escaped, Remus, Molly, and Arthur didn't think it was such a good idea."
I listened to Emmett and Rosalie's hushed voices, and Jasper's calm and steady breathing. It was all soothing. Especially if you added the whistling wind as Rosalie sped down the streets of Forks.
The ride itself was peaceful. Rosalie's anger towards me, seemed to fade slightly. About halfway through the ride, I started getting flashes of all the questions Edward planned on asking Bella.
I thought more of the differences between Bella and Edward's relationship versus mine and Jasper's. I spent a good amount of time just getting to know him before we started dating, and I think that may have also had something to do with not being ready for a relationship when I first met Jasper. Edward and Bella seemed to do everything Jasper and I did in reverse. They became public about their relationship, then they started to get to know each other. Not that that was bad, of course, it just took me by surprise.
"Al," Jasper said quietly. "Come on, Darlin' we're here."
When I opened my eyes, we were in the school parking lot. A few people were watching us. Then again, they could have just been looking at the car. Either way, to a degree, it made me nervous.
When Jasper moved his arm, I slipped it through the sleeves of my jacket.
"Come on," he said, taking my hand. I let him pull me from the car into his arms. "We still have awhile before class starts. Let's go for a walk."
His bookbag was more of a messenger bag, so once he put that over his shoulders, he took my bag, and threw it onto his back.
"I've got it," I said reaching to get it back from him.
"No, no. Let me." He took my hand. "Isn't that what they do in high school? The boyfriend carries his girlfriend's things?"
"I think that rule can be bent for husband and wife," I said too quiet for human ears.
"We'll I'm posing as your boyfriend, not your husband," he said in the same quiet tone, smirking at me.
I chuckled.
"Okay, fine carry the bag."
He grinned and squeezed my hand.
"Glad you're seeing things my way."
I scoffed, and playfully shoved him away from me.
We walked around the parking lot until we saw Edward and Bella pull in next to Rosalie's car. They got there about ten minutes after we had, but I didn't at all think that it was because of Edward's driving.
Jasper walked me to class like always, pausing outside the classroom door.
"I'll see you after class," I said, standing on my tiptoes to kiss him.
"I'll be waiting right here," he said.
"I love you," I said, looking into his eyes. .
"I love you too."
He kissed me one more time before he turned and headed to his own class. I watched him before smiling, and entering my own class.
The day seemed to move slowly today, although I kept myself occupied by doing the work at the pace of the others. This seemed to work, and before I knew it, I was in gym.
"How's questioning Bella going?" I asked Edward. "What have you learned?"
"Her favorite color changes. I've learned what she's listening too right now."
I was surprised. He usually avoided talking to me about Bella. To me, it would seem that he was hoping I wouldn't befriend her. But I suppose after last night, everyone felt sorry for me, and that's why he was talking to me about it now.
"Why are you blocking me out?" Edward asked.
I didn't look up at him.
"I'm sorry. I didn't realize that I was," I lied.
"Alice, is everything okay?"
I nodded.
"Of course."
"Last night was not easy, I'm sure."
"You're right. It wasn't."
"They do love you, you know."
"I do know. But sometimes, I forget that."
Edward hesitated, but I could see there was something further he wanted to ask me.
"What?" I asked.
"Your memories...they play like movies, right?"
I nodded.
"Do you ever get stuck in them?"
I nodded.
"Jasper helps...sometimes he can't, and I'm stuck watching horrible things in my life. Mom dying, Remus leaving, Dad dying..." I trailed off, as I hit the ball.
"How do you get out of it?"
"I have to try and replace myself. Find a way to remind myself that I am not there anymore."
He paused again.
"Can I ask you another question?"
"Go ahead."
"If you could go home, back to Britain I mean, what would be the first thing you would do?"
"I think I'd go visit my parent's graves, then try and find Harry and George."
I looked over at Edward, and smiled.
"Anymore questions?"
He nodded.
"I have one more. How did you know you were in love?"
"Which time?"
"Both."
"In my years, I have only been in love twice. With Remus, it was a crush. I don't know what it was, but I loved him. When he left, it hurt. What absolutely destroyed me was that he moved on, with my cousin."
"And with Jasper?"
"As you know I saw him for the first time during my transformation. I knew the angel had to be a part of my life. When I realized that I loved him, it was so different than Remus. With Jasper, it felt like I couldn't live without him. I knew then that I would do anything for him. Anything to make sure that the angel stayed happy. When I finally met him, it was like all the weight that was holding me down was finally lifted. Like I was free."
When I stopped talking, Edward was watching me.
"I know it's not a very good explanation," I said, shaking my head.
"No, it's fine."
"It's been over fifty years," I said looking at Edward. "It's been over fifty years, and you all will always have new questions."
"That's because you came from a place that I can't even imagine."
"One day I'll show you."
We went through the rest of gym talking very little. At the end, I walked to go find Jasper while he went to go find Bella.
Jasper stood where he always did. The only difference was today he leaned against the side of the wall.
"Hey," he said when I reached him.
"Hi," I said. I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him.
We walked a little bit further down to where Rosalie and Emmett waited for the two of us.
"What time are you leaving tomorrow?" Jasper asked.
"Right after lunch. We'll probably go a little bit before."
"Okay," he said.
"Don't worry," I said, rubbing the back of his hand with my thumb. "I'll be back before you have time to miss me."
"I'll already miss you," he said, as we stepped in the cafeteria.
Rosalie and Emmett paid us no mind. They talked more about their trip and the hunting possibilities. Jasper and I got our food, and sat in our usual spots. I leaned against him, and he wrapped an arm around me.
I didn't listen to Edward and Bella. Instead Jasper and I talked about our weekend, and what we would do.
Friday, I'd be with Edward, so Jasper said he'd probably help Esme around the house. Saturday, while Edward was with Bella, we planned on taking a couple recreational items,like chess, gobstones, and Muggle cards, and spending the day in the place where we stargazed, and we probably would stay there through the night if the weather stays nice. Sunday, we'd spend the day with the family. We spent a lot of time in our room, and it made me feel bad, especially with what happened last night.
"One more class," I said, as we walked to French. "Then we get to go home."
He smiled, but he didn't say anything. He was feeling content. To be as close to him as I always was, it was natural for me to be able to feel what he was.
The worry increased as class started. He didn't speak. He just held tightly onto my hand under the table.
"Don't be worried," he said in my ear. "I'm okay. I'm just thinking."
"About what?"
"Tomorrow."
"What about it? I thought you said you were going to be okay."
He scowled at me as Mrs. Molina passed around a worksheet. We paid little attention to the work that set in front of us. Instead, he scowled at me, and I glared at him.
I turned away from him, setting the hand I had just taken from him in my lap, and started working on my sheet.
"It's nothing, Al. Just thinking about what I'm going to do while you're gone. After I help Esme, I'm going to need to do something."
He kissed my cheek without anyone noticing. I hid my smile behind the sleeve of my shirt.
"See?" he said smugly. "Can never stay mad at me."
"I wasn't mad. I was irritated that you wouldn't talk to me."
He laughed quietly and shook his head. People around us had started talking, so our conversation didn't seem so out of place.
"My apologies, ma'am," he murmured in my ear.
I smiled, and looked down at my worksheet.
When class ended, Jasper and I stayed behind so I could get my work. I didn't like being behind. Once we got that, we went to meet Rosalie and Emmett by the car.
The ride home was mostly quiet. Rosalie and Emmett talked in low voices, and Jasper and I sat quietly, just enjoying each other's company.
When we got to the house, Rosalie and Emmett went immediately to their room. Esme was in her's and Carlisle's room, I could hear the scratches of the pencil on the papers. Carlisle left about an hour after we did. He had taken on extra hours at the hospital for the week.
"How about a game of chess?" I asked, sitting my bag on the couch.
He thought about it for a moment.
"I won't cheat," I promised.
Jasper sighed, but he was smiling.
"Come on. We'll play a game or two."
We played two different games. Jasper won the first, I won the second. I focused on not letting the visions, that I usually welcomed, surface. I played fair.
Edward came home before the sun had fully set. Jasper and I sat on the couch, him sitting cross legged, and running his fingers through my hair while I sat with my head in his lap.
Edward moved my legs, and sat down with us. We had been watching the news.
"Are you going back tonight?" I asked.
"Don't I always?"
I shrugged and sat up.
"I guess so. But don't you get bored watching her sleep?"
He shook his head. "You know how Jasper stays with you when you try and focus on the future? Or when your energy is at its lowest?"
I nodded. "He told me when we first met that he found it interesting."
"That's how it is with Bella. She talks in her sleep."
I smiled.
"I told you it would happen for you," I said.
He looked at me questioningly.
"What are you talking about?"
"When we were moving to Calgary. I told you one day she'd come. I was right."
Jasper started laughing. "I remember that day very well," he said. "The movers thought our relationship was odd."
"Everyone thinks our relationship is odd."
Edward looked between the two of us. "I remember that day too. Alice had so much hope for me finding a mate."
"But I was right, wasn't I?" I asked.
He smiled and looked down at the floor. "Yeah, Alice. You were right."
"One day you'll learn to not doubt me, Edward."
Jasper laughed again, and Edward playfully punched my leg.
"Hey, Alice?" Edward asked, after a few minutes.
"Hmm?"
"You don't want Bella to know your past."
I shook my head.
"No. Not yet."
"So what do I tell her about your energy?"
I thought about it for a moment.
"I'm going to start taking potions again. That should help. Just tell her that because the public story is that I'm sick, I take off for a few days out of the month."
He nodded.
"Why don't you want to tell her?"
"It's not safe. Not with James still alive."
We all watched the news for a while longer before Edward left to go see Bella. Carlisle came home as Edward was leaving.
Jasper and I went to our room to do homework, which we both finished quickly. Afterwards, I laid at his side, with his hand in mine, and closed my eyes, focusing on nothing in particular.
Before we knew it, the day was up.
"Come on, Al," he said pulling my arm.
I groaned but let him pull me off the bed and to the closet.
I ended up in another long sleeved shirt, and didn't bother covering up the mark. My wand was stowed away on the holster on my forearm like it is for every hunting trip.
"Are you ready?" I asked, slipping out of the closet to put on my jacket.
"Almost," he said following me out while clipping a set of chains onto his jeans. "There. Now I'm finished."
I tossed him his jacket, and grabbed both of our bags from next to the door as I did every morning.
Jasper sat closer to me than usual on the ride to school.
"Are you sure you're going to be okay?"
"Yeah I'm going to be just fine," he said, his lips brushing against my temple. "And you and Edward are gonna go and hunt, then later tonight you'll come back to me."
I leaned my head against his shoulder. "I'll have my phone on in case you need me."
"I know, Darlin'."
When we got to the school, I looked around for Edward, and then Bella, then finally for the Volvo. I didn't find any of the three.
"Are we waiting for Edward to get here?"
I shook my head. "No, I'll just talk to him in gym."
Jasper and I walked around the lot for a bit, waiting for a time closer to the bell ringing for us to head to class.
When gym came, Edward waited for me.
"What time are we coming back tonight?" he asked.
"That's up to you," I said, holding open the door for him.
"Do you think coming back at around one o'clock would give us enough time?"
I nodded. "It should. If not we can stay another hour or two."
He nodded. "Sounds like a plan."
We went for the rest of gym quietly discussing the plan. As bad as I hated to say it, it was the longest Edward and I had talked in a long time. Even if it was about hunting, we talked.
When lunch came, Jasper was leaning on the side of the gym building.
"I'll come get you at the end of lunch," I said, as Jasper took my hand.
Edward, walking in the opposite direction, held a thumb up behind his back.
Rosalie and Emmett had went ahead to the cafeteria, so it was just Jasper and I.
We walked quietly. Jasper seemed absorbed in his thoughts. But he was happy. I knew that much.
"Hey, Alice?" he asked as we stepped into the cafeteria.
"Hmm?"
"Did you and Edward decide on a time to come back?"
I nodded. "We're going to go until one. But there is a slight chance we'll stop at three."
He nodded. "Okay."
"Why? Are you okay?"
He nodded. "Just curious. And I know. If I need anything to call you."
We stepped into the line, and Jasper moved his arm around my shoulders.
He seemed to be doing okay. He was more quiet than normal, but also more relaxed.
He stayed quiet until we sat down before he launched into a story about his psychology class. Today they had talked about the cultural differences between Britain and America.
"I had meant to tell you about it this morning," he said.
"How much did they get right?"
"A good portion of it based on what you told me."
I smiled and shook my head.
"Tell me about it."
"Well a lot of it is subtle," he started. He told me about the word differences that it took me years to learn.
I grinned as Jasper talked about the class.
"I really think you'd like psychology, Al," he said.
"I've never taken it before Jaz."
"I'll teach you!"
I laughed.
"I'll think about it," I said smiling.
He and I talked about various other things. Some included what he would do, and others included what we would do when I got back.
"How much longer do I have with you?" he asked, as I glanced at the clock.
"Not much, love."
We both listened in to Edward and Bella's conversation a few tables over.
"I should have let you drive yourself today," Edward said.
"Why?" she demanded.
"I'm leaving with Alice after lunch."
Jasper and I talked quietly. I still had a bit before I actually had to leave.
I turned back and looked at Edward and Bella. They were currently having a scowling contest. Or at least that's what it looked like to me.
"Why are you going with Alice?" Bella asked when I started listening again.
"Alice is the most….supportive."
"And the others? What are they?"
"Incredulous, for the most part."
I laughed, and Jasper glared at me.
"Don't give me that look, Jasper," I said. I then turned my attention to the other two. "Bella's about to look."
Jasper stared off somewhere above my head, while Emmett slouched in his chair. I stared out the window, and Rosalie looked at Emmett.
"They don't like me," Bella guessed.
"That's not it. They don't understand why I can't leave you alone," Edward said.
"Damn straight," Rosalie said, under her breathe.
"Neither do I, for that matter," Bella said at the same time.
"I told you—you don't see yourself clearly at all. You're not like anyone I've ever known. You fascinate me. Having the advantages I do, I have a better than average grasp of human nature. People are predictable. But you… you never do what I expect. You always take me by surprise."
Edward had broken off mid-sentence to growl at Rosalie who glared at Bella.
"Rosalie, that's enough," I said, grabbing my bag.
She turned her glare on me.
"Glare all you want. It doesn't change that you are being rude." I snapped. I turned to Jasper and pulled the rings from around my neck. "Keep these safe for me?" I asked. When he nodded, I put them around his neck. "Thank you."
He nodded, and pulled me into another hug.
"I love you," he said quietly.
"I love you too, Jazz. I'll be back before you know it."
He kissed me, and like always it seemed like the world stop.
I pulled away from him, pressed a hand against his cheek.
"I'll see you soon," I promised.
"Bye, Al," he said, smiling at me as I stood.
I walked through the crowd of people, careful to make sure that none of them touched my icy skin.
"And you're ready to leave now?" Bella asked, her voice becoming clearer as I got closer.
"Yes," Edward said. It's probably for the best. We still have fifteen minutes left of that wretched movie left to endure in Biology." He paused. I stepped behind him then. "I don't think I could take anymore."
Bella looked up to me then. I smiled at her.
"Alice," Edward greeted without turning to look at me.
"Edward."
"Alice, Bella—Bella,Alice."
"Hello, Bella!" I said, still smiling. "It's so nice to finally meet you."
Edward flashed a dark look in my direction.
"Hi, Alice," she mumbled shyly.
"Are you ready?" I asked, turning back to Edward.
"Nearly. I'll meet you at the car."
I walked away without saying anything else, and shot Jasper a smile before walking out of the cafeteria.
I walked across the lot rather than running. There were a few people who didn't go to lunch, and were in their cars, probably ditching the next block. I still walked quickly though, making it to the car before Edward made it out of the cafeteria.
The car door was locked and a few people had been looking in my direction. I had suddenly found myself grateful for being able to do wandless magic. I quickly unlocked the door, and ducked inside.
"To Bella's house first?" I asked, as he slipped in.
"You have your wand, right?"
"I always do. I'm sure it will come in handy when breaking and entering. Even if I didn't have it, I can do wandless magic."
"There is an unlocking spell type thing, right?"
I nodded. Edward was curious about the world I came from. But he never seemed to borrow any of my books. I would have thought at some point in the last fifty five years, he would have asked at least once.
"You've never offered them to me. I didn't think I was welcome to them. Carlisle wonders about it quite often too."
"Just ask. I have a few different books I think you'd like."
"I may take you up on the offer. It gives me something to do at night."
"Yeah I guess watching someone sleep can get boring," I mumbled.
"It's not boring," he said, as we started speeding down the road. "It's just slow. She takes a bit before she starts talking."
My mouth made an 'o' shape, but I didn't speak.
When we got to Bella's house, Edward followed me to the door. Everyone seemed to be at work, so we didn't worry about leaving the Volvo in an unseen location.
I approached the door, and Edward hovered behind me.
"She didn't lock the deadbolt," he said.
"I know."
I focused on the door, and raised my hand to it. I did the usual hand movements that you would do with a wand, looking around.
The click of the door unlocking seemed louder than what it would have with a key. Perhaps it was the magic forcing it open. I did another quick sweep of the street before ducking into the house.
"Close the door," I told Edward. "I'll get the key."
I pulled my wand from the holster as Edward shut the door.
"Accio truck key," I said, clearly.
I heard the whistle of the key. I held out my hand and the key dropped onto it.
"Here we are," I murmured.
"I'll drive the truck. You drive my car behind me, we'll take that back to the house, then we'll go."
I handed him the truck key, and he handed me the key to the Volvo.
He headed out of the house before me, and I paused to turn the lock before shutting the door behind me.
I darted through the rain to the car. The loud roar of the truck behind me carried through the town. We quickly made it back to the school, and Edward parked the truck in the empty space where the Volvo sat before.
"Okay, so we'll take this to the house, then go through the woods to the park," he said, ducking into the passenger side.
I nodded, and backed out of the lot.
Edward and I ran inside the house long enough to drop our bags off in our rooms, and to take off our jackets. I didn't like hunting in my jacket because I felt that it was too much weight.
We then took off for the Olympic National Park.
To give it credit, it did hold a nice variety of animals. Bears, elk, deers, and Roosevelt elk cows.
About half way through the trip, Edward and I paused and sat on the rock.
"It's stressful being away from her, isn't it?" I asked, climbing onto the rock next to him.
He nodded. "She's a danger magnet, Alice. I'm worried she's going to fall into the washer or trip down the stairs."
I chuckled before shaking my head.
"So I've noticed. But it's like that even if they're not magnets for danger."
He looked at me with surprise. "It's like that for you and Jasper? I've never noticed."
"When I came into this world, he was all I had. Even now, everything he does, he's trying to keep me safe."
"I know that. But he should know you're perfectly safe."
I nodded. "He does. But I don't think he's only protecting me from outside forces."
He looked at me questioningly, cocking his head to the side.
"I don't understand."
"I think he's also trying to save me from my mind. He knows I constantly think about how things could have gone differently in my human life. I don't regret my decision to be changed. But I wish there was more I could do."
I looked down at my feet.
"But there was nothing you could have done."
I laughed hollowly. "That's what everyone tells me. But I know there had to be more."
"No, Alice, that's the truth. You did what you had to do to survive."
"Killing several innocent people….how is that better?"
"Because you wouldn't have gotten to Jasper if you didn't do that."
I shrugged. "Maybe you're right. But your being right doesn't make it any better."
"I know."
I always thought that's why I related to Edward so much. We differed, because I didn't think I was a monster for what I am. I thought I was a monster for what I've done. Jasper helped numb the pain and guilt. I'm sure being with Bella did the same for him, even if it meant that he was hardly around anymore. But I related to him, because he understood the guilt of killing people. Not in the way Jasper did.
I hopped off the rock. "Well. I don't know about you but I'd like to make the most of my hunting."
I darted off through the space, and charged after a elk. It was small, and fast. I found it easier that if I was hunting in a time crunch, much like today, I could get more prey by stunning my catches.
"Immobulus!" I cried. The elk dropped and fell to its feet.
It belated under me as my sharp teeth pierced into it's throat. The bleats turned to gurgles, then went silent all together. My sleeves had been rolled up, so I wiped my mouth on my forearm.
We took another break at around nine, to decide how much longer.
"I should be good," I said. "I've had a decent amount. I'd say I'm almost done."
I was currently working towards clearing up any trace of Edward and I being there.
"Me too," Edward agreed.
"We may be able to leave earlier," I told him.
He nodded.
"So let's meet here at ten. Or would you rather eleven?"
"How about ten-thirty?" I asked. "It's a nice medium."
I nodded.
"Gives me the chance to get one more in."
He grinned as I took off through the park.
We did as we said we would, and met back up at ten-thirty.
"Are you going to text Jasper and tell him we're on the way back?"
I shook my head.
"No. I think I'd rather it be a surprised."
He smiled at me, and we started to head back towards the house.
"Alice?"
"Yeah?"
"I wanted to say I'm sorry. I know I'm not really around anymore."
"It's okay," I said, smiling at him. "You're happy. We miss you, of course, but you're happy."
He smiled.
"This is why I said you were more supportive," he said, smiling at the ground.
"Edward?"
He looked up at me.
"What's going to happen next year? Jasper, Rosalie, and Emmett are going to be gone. It would seem like you don't want me around Bella. So what? Am I going to be alone?"
"No, Alice!" Edward said. "It's not that I don't want you around Bella. It's just that I wanted to see how things would go. Next year, you won't be alone, I swear."
I smiled, and we continued to take off.
When we made it back to the house, Jasper wasn't waiting outside like I expected. I smiled, and went into the house, closing the door quietly behind Edward.
I found him in the living room, playing chess with Carlisle.
"Hey," I said, sitting down on the floor next to him.
"You're back early," he said, not taking his eyes off the board.
"We finished early," I said, kissing his cheek.
"Will you be back before you and Bella head out?" Carlisle asked, much like Jasper when he greeted me, not taking his eyes off the board.
He nodded. "I'll be back when Chief Swan wakes up."
"What time will that be?" Jasper asked.
"He wakes up early each morning," Edward said. "It's hard to pinpoint a time."
Edward turned to me, and closed my eyes.
"He's going fishing. He'll probably be awake at around five."
"Is Bella asleep?" he asked.
I changed my focus to Bella. She looked to have been asleep for a while now. She looked very peaceful.
"Yes," I said, opening my eyes. "Would you like to borrow a book?"
He scowled at me, but nodded.
I stood. "Follow me."
He and I went up to mine and Jasper's room, and straight to the large bookcase.
"Here's all my books," I said, pointing to the collection of books that I both came to America with, and bought over the years. "If you're looking to read about a certain section, their organized by you're looking to read about magic in general, this section may help you more," I said, waving to the section dedicated to History of Magic.
He pulled off A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot off the shelf a I placed my wand into its box, and placed the holster on my bedside table.
"There you go," I said. "Give it back to me when you finish it. Just don't have it with you when you're around Bella, please."
While I already thought of Bella as one of my friends, I didn't want her to know just yet.
"I'll put it back in here in the morning."
"Thank you," I said, following him out of the room.
I took my spot next to Jasper when I got back downstairs. Carlisle glanced at me, but then paid attention to Jasper's next move.
"Which did he take?" Jasper asked.
"A History of Magic." I turned to Carlisle. "You know, Edward and I were talking. You are more than welcome to borrow a book. You just have to ask. I always wondered why you never asked."
His eyes brightened. "Really?"
I nodded. "Anytime."
Carlisle seemed more cheerful during his and Jasper's round of chess.
I moved away from the two about half way through the game, and moved to my computer.
That night seemed to be the beginning of my energy increasing. I moved from my computer to the couch with Esme and Carlisle, back to the floor, and then starting moving through the rest of the house, returning things laying around the downstairs to their proper places, and straightening up the already cleaned coffee table. I sat still only when Jasper, much like everyone else, got tired of hearing me walking, and pulled me into his arms while he and Rosalie played a few rounds of chess.
"How about after I finish this game, we go for a walk?" Jasper asked me, as I tried to move again.
I nodded.
Edward came home not long after. Esme had made her way upstairs, and Carlisle had went to his study.
Edward took off up the stairs before saying anything.
When he returned downstairs, he sat on the couch next to Emmett, and looked down at me.
"I finished it. I think it was rather interesting."
"So Edward," Emmett said before I had the chance to respond. "What will you and Bella be doing since the weather's nice?"
"Hiking," he muttered.
"I bet he won't bring her back," Rosalie bet.
"Wanna put money on that, Rose?" Emmett challenged.
"$50," she challenged.
"Okay. I bet fifty that he'll bring her back. Jasper?"
"Won't," he said.
They all looked at me.
"He'll bring her back," I said, siding with Emmett.
"We'll see if she's wrong," Rosalie said.
"She won't be. Just you watch," Emmett said, moving next to Rosalie.
I turned to Edward, who was grinning at me.
I'm right. I know I am. I thought, causing him to break a smile.
Edward left not long after, leaving us to watch the game.
"I'll see you guys later," he said before ducking out the door.
"Bye," I called, as he took off down the path.
"What are you two doing today?" Rosalie asked as Jasper put her into checkmate.
"I think we're going to go for a walk," Jasper said, as I yet again shifted my position.
"Is your energy going up?" Emmett asked, watching me, as I twisted my way out of Jasper's arm.
I nodded.
"It would seem that way."
Jasper raised to his feet, pulling me up with him.
"Come on Al," he said, putting an arm around my waist.
We walked to the back door, pausing so Jasper could grab a bag that sat by the door, and then to the edge of the woods. I simply walked through the woods rather than running. Making our way to the feild, Jasper and I made small talk.
"How was hunting?"
I shrugged.
"It was nice to spend time with Edward. He's been gone a lot."
"You're afraid," Jasper said.
I nodded.
"You graduate this year. So does Emmett and Rosalie. Edward doesn't seem to want me around Bella. I'm scared of being alone."
"Al, I will come up everyday at lunch if it makes you feel better."
"I'm afraid of being alone Jasper."
I was afraid of being alone because the memories were worse when I was alone. I was afraid of being alone because I had no way of ensuring that my family was okay.
"You're not going to be alone," Jasper said. "I promise."
He kissed the back of my hand, causing me to smile.
When we made it to the field, Jasper pulled me back into his arms, and laid down in the grass. It was still wet from the mists of rain we had gotten through the night.
I laid my head on his chest, rising and falling as he breathed.
"Are you okay with sitting still now?" he asked.
"I think so," I said, closing my eyes as the sun shined down on my face.
The thing I missed most about being human, was being able to sleep. I closed my eyes, but I was still fully conscious of everything around me. In my human life, sleep was how I numbed the pain, in this life, Jasper does the same thing that sleep did for I still thought of sleep. Wishing I could sleep one more time.
"What are you thinking about?"
"I'm thinking about sleep," I said, opening one eye.
"What about it?"
"It's what I miss most about being human."
"Why?"
"I don't know. I guess because sleep was always so peaceful."
"Until it got interrupted."
I laughed. "I suppose you're right."
I pulled the bag to me, and looked inside. Inside sat one of my sketchbooks for non-fashion related drawing, colored pencils, and drawing pencils. There was also a book or two on philosophy that Jasper had bought some time back on one of the shopping trips I dragged him on, there was Wizard's chess, and Gobstones, as well as a deck of cards.
I didn't want to draw, and I didn't have patience to read. The games required focus, which would require me sitting still.
I groaned and turned onto my stomach, covering my eyes with Jasper's hand.
"So much for sitting still, hmm?" he asked, smiling at me.
"I can't sit still!" I said, jumping back on to my feet. "I want to sit here, and play Gobstones, or war, or chess with you, but I can't!"
"It's okay, Alice," Jasper said, laughing, as he sat up. "Will the highest point be today?"
I shook my head.
"Tomorrow. I think there may be a thunderstorm, so we may be able to play baseball."
"We'll see if the weather changes."
I smiled and began to shift into my Animagus form.
I tugged on the bottom of his pants, signaling to him I wanted him to stand.
Once he did what I wanted, I began to run to the other side of the field, before letting out a loud bark. He understood that I meant that I wanted him to run with me.
It would be a good way to keep me calm until tomorrow.
Jasper ran with me. Around the field, through the woods, all the way back to the house. We didn't stay as long as I would have liked to, but at the same time, I would have liked to be at home. Home was comforting.
When we got back, it was a little after 3:00. Carlisle sat in the living room writing in a small notebook. I recognized it all too well. He kept track of all of my energy bursts over the last fifty five years in it.
He looked up to the sounds of my paws clicking on the wooden floor.
"You're back early," he noted, looking at the two of us.
I crouched, and morphed back.
Jasper shrugged. "Alice led the way."
"Being here may keep me calmer."
"Does magic help with pain?" Carlisle asked. "When things get too fuzzy and bring your headaches?"
I shook my head. "There is a potion for pain. I've tried it. Doesn't work."
"But the energy potions do?"
I nodded.
"They help to a degree. I can move around, go to school, but I am still tired."
He scratched down a couple of notes.
"I was thinking," he said, looking back up at me. "How many of books on potions do you have?"
"I'll go get them," Jasper said, standing. He darted out of the room and up the stairs.
"I have just about every potions book I could find. A few, I had brought with me. A few I bought along the way."
Jasper returned then with a stack of books in his hands. He set them on the couch between Carlisle and I, then sat on my other side, peering over my shoulder.
"This one," I said, laying a finger on the book Moste Potente Potions, "is a book I got during my time with the Death Eaters. Voldemort thought that with the exception of Severus, I was the best at potions. So this is filled with dark potions."
He picked up the potions book from my first year at Hogwarts. "I was curious. Do you think brewing a sleeping potion could help you with the decline of the energy bursts?"
"But she can't sleep," Jasper said.
"Maybe not. But I wonder the effects it may have on her."
Jasper hissed and moved me protectively into his hold on his lap.
"Jaz, stop," I said, putting a hand over his.
"You know it is not my intent to hurt her. I'm simply curious. She's not like most vampires."
"I'll think about it," I said, looking over his arm.
"Do you mind if I look over these?" he asked, pointing to the stack.
I shook my head.
"Go ahead."
Jasper was tense until Carlisle went back to his study, taking the books with him. He began flipping through the channels before settling on a news station.
I curled up at his side, my head on his shoulder while one arm was around my shoulders, while the other was around my waist.
It was easier to sit still being this close to him. He held me tightly, and sent never ending waves of calm to me.
"Thank you," I said, closing my eyes, fighting the high amount of energy that remained.
Hey guys! I know that I usually do three or four chapters, but I wanted to put these two up as one group, and the next two as another. I should be done with the other two sometime before Wednesday. I know I've been putting chapters up quickly, and that's because I have been using the original story as a base. There is a lot, however, that I wrote by myself. I take chunks from the original, and add it to a notepad, then I edit that, and add it to a chapter. Then I'll skip over other pieces, write some for this chapter on my own that fits more to this plot than the other, and then return to the original.
Some of the dialogue came from Midnight Sun, and Twilight, and in some spots, chunks of the original dialogue has been taken out, but I felt that in order to make it fit my plot, things needed to be taken out, and some things needed to be added. Keep in mind, some dialogue will come from the movies as well.
So I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
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