Jasper

I decided the best thing to do before seeing Leilani would be to hunt. Just to make sure I was prepared. The first time I'd seen her it had been several days since I'd last quenched my thirst, but just in case anything along the line of Alice's visions happened…

Having washed away the last of the dirt from the woods, I jumped out of the shower and got dressed. Alice always stocked our wardrobes with bright colours so that it wouldn't show off our pale skin. I wore jeans, and a light blue sweater over my shirt.

I made my way into the lounge where Emmett was sitting in the arm chair and Alice was pacing. She was rubbing her forehead, frustrated.

Before I could ask, she Alice said, "She keeps changing her mind. So indecisive."

"About hanging out with us?" I questioned. "Isn't she meant to be here soon?"

"That's what I thought," she muttered. "But I think maybe she's still in bed."

"I thought she had a good time." Emmett said, confused.

"I don't think it's anything personal," I pointed out. "Leilani might be having a bad day."

Emmett stood up, "If she's not coming here, then why don't we go over to her?" he suggested.

"Yes!" Alice's frustration was pushed to one side. "Let's go."

"Wait, just barge into her house? Isn't that crazy?" I eyed them, unsure. "What if she wants to be alone?"

"Then we'll just leave," said Emmett. "Come on, Jas. We've gotta do something."

He was right. I liked the idea, but I wasn't sure if she would. At least we could make her some tea before she kicked us out, if that was what she wanted. I knew Leilani felt embarrassed and awkward sometimes when we saw her in a low mood, or if she was having a panic attack. Perhaps if we saw her enough, assured her enough that it didn't matter, she could let those feelings go.

"I think we should bring her something." I said. "She likes chocolate."

Alice nodded, "Ah yes, that's meant to make them happier, isn't it?"

I walked into the kitchen and began searching through the cupboards. Esme always picked up food every week so it wouldn't look suspicious that we didn't eat anything. And then before everything spoiled some of us would take it in turns to drive to various homeless shelters and food banks across the country. It was better than throwing it out, and it meant doing something good for the humans.

I found some bags of chocolates and picked up a couple to give to Leilani. Hopefully she would like them.

We could've run there, but instead Alice wanted to bring her Porsche in case we decided to go out somewhere. She was really hoping for a beach trip, but I didn't see that happening that day. Emmett had already called shotgun while I was looking for the chocolates, so I had to sit in the back.

Before we left, Alice send Leilani a message telling her that we were coming over. After a few minutes she replied that the back door was open. I still wasn't sure whether she wanted us to come and see her, or if she had resigned to Alice's persuasiveness.

The side gate was locked, though after checking no one was watching we hopped over the six-foot high boards. Emmett opened the latch on the other side, to make it seem like it had been left open.

The back door led into the kitchen, which was quiet. The whole house was, aside from Leilani's heart beat from above. I could feel her shame, sadness and self-loathing stretching out towards me, becoming thicker as we ascended the stairs. It was like mist, floating around towards me, bathing me in darkness.

Alice knocked on her door. "Leilani?" Slowly she opened it.

"Hey, guys," her soft voice called out. "Sorry, you can come in."

Alice opened the door fully, revealing Leilani sitting up in bed. She was putting her glasses on, trying to tame her wild short hair. The purple was fading away, revealing her light brown strands beneath.

She tried to smile as we stepped into her room. "I'm sorry I'm so late."

"No problem, Lani," Emmett grinned. "Now we get to see your impressive collection," he exclaimed, admiring her shelves of video games.

Leilani blushed, putting her cheek on her hand, her elbow leaning on her knee.

Alice sat at the end of the bed, crossing her legs. "We can all hang out here, if you want?"

"Ok," Leilani nodded. "I'd like that." She glanced at me.

I gave her a smile. "Hey, I brought you these." I stepped closer, holding the chocolates out for her.

The dark, invisible mist, seemed to thin and dissipate as the gratitude and affection spilled out. It was as if I was feeding on her emotions, and I'd never be full. Forever hungry for her.

"Oh, thank you so much." Her face lit up. She took the chocolates, examining the packet. "These are lovely."

The three of us spend the next few hours in her room, playing video games. Leilani had a two-seater sofa so she had taken a seat there, pulling a zip up hoodie on over her pyjamas. I had to admit she looked very cute in her light pink and blue nightwear. The bottoms had cup cakes on, and she had blue bed socks to match. Although she'd tried to tame her hair, it was still fairly messy, with some bits sticking out at the back.

I was sitting on her left side, in her desk chair. Alice had taken the other side of the sofa and Emmett was on the floor, leaning against where Alice's legs would've been if she hadn't been sitting cross-legged.

"Emmett, don't you want a cushion or something?" Leilani asked after a while.

"Nah, I'm good."

"Let me know if you change your mind."

Soon enough she opened the chocolates, offering us all some. We all refused.

"Huge breakfast," Alice said.

"You guys don't even want one? They're so good." Leilani pressed.

"It's ok. Esme gets them for us all the time." I told her.

She seemed to accept that, although there was some suspicion.

I eyed Alice as Leilani picked out another chocolate from the bag. What were we going to do? Throw off her suspicions every time they came up? Think of a constant string of excuses? If she didn't trust our answers to simple things, how would she trust me when I told her important things. Desperate things. Like that she mattered, that she belonged here. Somehow, I didn't think we could keep it up. She seemed to smart for that.

If we told her the truth, would she accept it? Us? What would she do? What if she found out herself? Would she tell someone else? There was always Alice to see, but this morning proved that we could always rely on her gift.

"Jasper?" Leilani's voice brought me out of my rumination. She was holding the game controller out to me. "It's your turn."

"Sorry," I apologised, accepting the controller.

Later, Emmett had made up some story about a video on his phone he wanted to show Alice, and that he couldn't get a good signal.

"I'll try outside. Seriously Alice, it's hilarious." He paused in the doorway for a moment to wink at me. I shook my head slightly. Leilani's attention was focused on the TV screen.

When the two of them had gone, she spoke. "Are you ok?"

I peered at her. She was ill, and she was asking if I was alright. Still, she had definitely noticed something was off. How could I explain it?

"Leilani, I want to be completely honest with you." I told her. "I don't believe relationships can be built without that."

She nodded. "I understand." She looked down at her hands, twisting the ring on her middle finger. "We've all got secrets. There are some things about me that you don't know."

I was desperate to ask her what they were, but held back. There had to be a good reason she hadn't shared everything. "I do want to tell you; I just don't know how. It's not all about me. There are things –," I paused. "Difficult secrets that aren't all mine to share."

"Then don't tell me." Leilani replied, meeting my eyes. "It's ok. I'm sure whatever it is, it's none of my business."

I thought desire to suck her blood was definitely her business, though I didn't say anything to that. How was she so understanding? I could still feel the affection rolling off her.

"Really, it's fine." She smiled.

I breathed in deeply, inhaling her scent. Her, and her whole room smelt incredible. I was glad I'd hunted earlier, as even then I felt the burning in the back of my throat, although it wasn't too intense. More of a dull heat. It was manageable.

"I will tell you, one day, I promise. Once I figure out how." I swore to her. I couldn't seem to deny Leilani anything.

"Ok," she nodded. "And you know it goes both ways, right? You said I can talk to you, and you can talk to me. About anything. I won't tell anyone. Not that I have many people to tell." She laughed, trying to cover the sadness she felt.

"Deal." I said.