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Quote: "Maybe I can never fly, I can't fly like the flower petals over there, or as though I have wings, Maybe I can't touch the sky, Still I want to stretch my hand out, I want to run just a bit more. Wide awake, don't cry; wide awake, no lie"- Awake by Kim Seokjin

Disclaimer: All characters of Twilight belong Stephenie Meyer. In no way do I own them. Only the character that I invented, Adaline, belongs to me.

Chapter 17

I had left Bella alone with dad because I had to use the restroom. Nature waits for no one. Who knew that when I would come back, I would find my dear sister eavesdropping from behind a wall with my dad nowhere in sight.

I looked at her in dismay and said in a low voice, "Isabella Swan! What do you think you are doing?! Since when do you listen to other people's conversations from behind walls!? And where, in merlin's name, is dad?"

Bella jumped in surprise and blushed at having been caught, "uh dad went to take care of the papers. He said to meet him at the car."

I looked at her with disappointment and moved to check on whom she was spying.

'No surprise there.' I thought as I found the entire Cullen clan looking at where we were standing.

I gave Bella a long suffering look before looking back and walking towards them. "Sorry to interrupt you, but Alice, may I have my bag please? And thank you so much for bringing it. I completely forgot about it in the panic."

Alice came to meet half-way with a small smile and quickly hugged me, " No thank you needed. And I am glad that your hands are okay Addy." She then presented the bag to me.

I smiled at her and took my bag. "I am glad that they are okay too. Talk to you later. I have to get my sister away before she starts to ask questions. Though I am thankful that my sister is safe, it brings me distress that this may be to your family's detriment. I apologise for any trouble this incident may bring to your family. I'll try to do some damage control. " I whispered.

Alice shook her head at me, "It's not your fault Adaline. It was sudden and couldn't be predicted. And Edward made this decision on his own. He has to assume it."

I gave her a small smile then quickly said goodbye to her and the others as I heard Bella call Edward's name. I quickly reached my sister and held her arm to take her way.

Bella resisted, "Wait I have to say something to Edward!"

I stopped and looked her dead in the eyes, "Isabella Marie Swan. This day has been a nightmare and my patience is slowly reaching its limits. Edward Cullen saved your life, so shut your mouth and just be thankful. He doesn't owe you any explanations and you have no ground to ask for any. Now, our father is waiting for us so put a beautiful smile on your face, say a big thank you to Eddie and let's go. Comprendo?"

I must have looked scary because Bella gulped, turned to say thank you to Edward then quickly walked towards the exit without any prompting. I gave the Cullens a last glance, mouthed 'sorry' to them, then turned to follow my sister.

From behind I clearly heard Emmett say, "No but really, she can be so scary!"

When we got home Bella ran to her room and shut herself in. I sighed exasperatedly at that and turned to my dad. He still had a worried expression on his face.

Adaline: "Don't worry daddy dearest, she is just tired. I'll talk to her later."

Dad gave me a small smile then hugged me briefly, "okay thank you Addy. I have to go back to work but I'll come home early today. You don't have to worry about dinner, I'll bring something back."

I returned his hug, "okay thank you. Be careful on your way."

He nodded, took his keys and walked out the door. I watched him walk to his car and drive away.

I looked up at the cloudy sky and took a big breath to give myself some strength, 'why me? All I wanted was a boring, simple life with no drama. And here I am, living the most absurd reality and having to deal with an infatuated hormonal teenager who couldn't mind her business.'

I then closed the door and made my way to Bella's room. Had to talk to her before she started forming theories or incongruous plots in her mind.

I knocked gently as I reached her room, " Bella, may I come in?"

Silence was my answer. I knocked again, " Bella we need to talk. Open please… Or would you rather I dismantle the door knob like I once did before?"

That got a reaction. The door was quickly opened. She then silently went back to lie on her bed.

I calmly entered her room and went to sit on the chair to wait for her to talk first. She always cracks after a few minutes of me staring at her.

As expected, after a few minutes she blurted out, " he wasn't anywhere near me! How could he get to me so fast?! He was on the other side of the parking lot with his siblings. Why did he even save me? You know, don't you?! The thing with the Cullens."

"Please don't just assume things Bella." I cut her off. "I don't know anything concrete. Just some vague observations. I hang out with them but that doesn't mean I know everything about them."

"Yes but don't you find that there is something...strange about them? Aren't you curious?"

" Curiosity killed the cat Bella. I find that they are out of the norm but that doesn't mean I have to go and question them. If somebody I barely knew came to me to ask me questions about things that is none of their business knowing, well I would kindly tell them to F off. This is their life and they are allowed their privacy. So I will say it directly. Don't you go and poke your nose in their business. Just be thankful to have your life and allow them their privacy. They have enough people looking at their every movements, so don't go and add yourself on that list too."

Bella:" but.."

Adaline: " no buts. Do they owe you anything? Least of all explanations?"

She stayed silent and picked at her blanket.

Adaline: " That's what I thought. On the contrary, now YOU owe them. So repay them by ignoring everything you saw today and going on with your life peacefully. If there ever comes a day when they wish to share their secret with you, they will do so. Right now you are only strangers. If you get better acquainted in the future and they wish to divulge their secret to you, allow them to do so in their own time and on their own terms. And please don't tell anybody what really happened."

Bella nodded her head a bit reluctantly and said petulantly, "I never planned on telling anyone what really happened anyway."

I heaved a sigh, patted her leg and walked to the door.

"By the way, don't forget to contact mum to let her know you are safe. Or next thing you know, she'll buy a ticket to come to Forks." I said as I left her room.

I heard her groan loudly as I made my way to my room. I was so tired.

' A quick shower then a nap. I'll contact the Cullens afterwards. I did what I could.'

I woke up to my dad knocking on my door and telling me to wake up to eat dinner.

Adaline: " I'll come down in a few minutes dad. Let me refresh myself first."

Charlie: " Okay. Don't take too long or the food will get colder."

I grunted and heaved myself out of bed. A quick trip to the bathroom and I joined them at the table. Bella looked like she could fall asleep right at the table.

Dad cleared his throat, " so Bella you called your mum to reassure her?"

Bella: " Yes I did. Took a while to convince her that it was not necessary for her to come to Forks."

Dad: " You did not fall asleep, did you? The doctor said that you had to refrain from falling asleep for a few hours."

Bella:" I did not even have the time to close my eyes. Calming mom down is time consuming."

Dad hummed then turned to me, "what about you? You talked to your mum already?"

Adaline: " I didn't call her. I just sent her a message. I was way too tired. I'll call her this weekend."

With that said, the rest of dinner passed in silence and, afterwards, we each went to our respective rooms to rest after such a tedious day.

Even though I had a nap, I was still tired. So I turned off the lights and went to lie on bed after verifying that my window was closed.

'Eddie really left a psychological shadow in my mind.'

I then quickly typed a message to Carlisle, informing him that Bella said she will not tell anybody about what really happened. Just as I was going to close me eyes, my phone rang. I prayed for some patience before checking the ID.

'Jasper... He must be really agitated for him to call me.'

I quickly accepted the call, " Hello Jasper. What's wrong?" I whispered.

Jasper:"Adaline. Sorry to bother you so late but I can't deal with the cacophony of emotions at home right now. I feel like going crazy. I need your calming presence. May I come to you?"

I quickly got out of bed and went to the window, " Of course you may come. Where are you right now? I'll come fetch you. But don't forget to let your father know beforehand."

Jasper: " He already knows. He was the one who told me to come to you. And no need to come fetch me, I am near the woods at your house. Thank you for the offer though."

I peered at the woods and really saw him standing there, " Okay, I won't ask questions about that. My dad is sleeping and opening the doors will alert both him and Bella. Were you planning on coming through the window like Eddie?"

Jasper let out a small snort," he hates it when you call him that,you know? And at least I asked first. I am not just barging into your room. If it bothers you, I may discreetly enter through the back door."

I snorted," don't bother. Just do your thing and enter through the window. I am unlocking it. FYI, I now lock my window because I was traumatised by your brother. Okay it's unlocked. I am going to the bathroom for a bit, so you may use your powers or whatever in peace. You may sit wherever you wish."

Jasper: "Okay, thank you Adaline."

I smiled, " No thank you needed. I told you, I'll help you keep your sanity. Even though you betrayed me once." I finished jokingly.

Jasper laughed, "okay okay sorry. No more betrayal."

Adaline: "Uh huh. We'll see. Okay enough to you in a few. Get in quick."

With that said I hung up and quickly went to change my clothes in the bathroom. What I wore now was not appropriate for company.

When I got back Jasper was sitting on my chair. He relaxed as soon as I got into the room. I walked to him and slowly put my hands onto his head. I gently ran my fingers through his hair and he closed his eyes.

Adaline: " Hey. Feeling better?"

He nodded then sighed sadly, " the situation at home is not the best right now. It was too much for me. Worry,anger,confusion,guilt...Ugh there were just too much emotions. I couldn't stay there."

I grimaced at that and moved to sit on my bed, " I am chagrined about that. I am so sorry, your family is going through difficulties because of us."

'..And the way you described it, it is just as if you can really feel and distinguish all they were feeling.'

Jasper shook his head, "like Alice told you it isn't your fault. Especially you Adaline. You know that we have a secret but never pried. Even now you are not asking questions. You are even trying to help us. I really appreciate that and respect you for that. Edward could have walked away when you told him to and claim plausible deniability. But that willful donkey chose to stay."

I snorted at him calling his brother a donkey, " by the way, I already talked to Bella. I told her not to pry and that she kind of owed Edward for saving her life. So she might as well do as if nothing out of ordinary happened as repayment. I had a hunch that your brother might be unable to keep his distance and tease her curiosity even more, so I told her that in the future, if she gets closer to you, to let you divulge your secret at your own discretion. If you wish to divulge it, that is. I don't know if she will heed my advice though. After all I can't dictate her actions. But one thing I am sure of, is that she will never reveal what really happened to other people. She will pry in your business but will never blab about your secrets."

Jasper gave me a crooked smile, " nonetheless, thank you for trying."

I returned his small smile then grimaced, "I kind of owe Edward and your family anyway. Your family's safety is at risk while my sibling's life has been spared."

Jasper looked guilty, "to be frank, don't include Rosalie and I. We wouldn't have really cared if your sister died. In fact, we both were against Edward saving her from the get go. Alice, Emmett and Carlisle don't hold that against him. They are only angry that he did not take the opportunity you offered him to discreetly fade away from the scene."

I gave him a bland look, "don't worry. I am clear about your personalities, so I already expected that. That doesn't change the fact that your secret is collective, so you are still on my 'owe people' list."

Jasper stared at me intently, "….you are not angry?"

I raised an eyebrow at him, "No. I can understand. You and Rosalie are the most protective of your family. Were I in your place, I would have made the same decision to keep my family safe. I would have felt guilty and sad, but I would have still done it to keep my loved ones safe." I gave him a gentle smile, "I am protective too. And I can't fault you for wanting to your loved ones safe too."

Jasper let out a small laugh, "you always amaze me."

I could have sworn that I also heard him say 'Carlisle is lucky to have you.', but it was too soft for me to hear clearly.

'I may have completely heard it wrong…Let's just ignore that.'

Just then, Jasper phone vibrated. He glanced at it the stood up, "that was Alice. She said that I can come back now. The drama has calmed down for now."

I also stood up, "ugh drama. I can't stand it either. You can come take refuge here anytime you need it. Just let me know beforehand."

Jasper: "Thank you very much Adaline. I'll be sure to pass what you told me to the others. May I have a hug before I go."

I rolled my eyes at him and opened my arms, "if I must. And I expect repayment. A hint, I love strawberries."

Jasper hugged me carefully as he laughed, "I'll keep that in mind. But really, thank you Adaline. I really needed your calming effect."

I pushed at him in vain. It was like pushing an ice block, "okay enough mushiness now. No thank you need. You are my friend after all. Now go to the little pixie. I'll see you at school tomorrow…And let go now. I'll turn around so you can do your 'thing.' "

Jasper let go and walked to the window. I turned around and heard him say, "See you tomorrow Addy. Good night."

I let out a soft 'good night', waited for a few more seconds then turned around. Just like that he was gone like the wind.

'Really ninja-like', I thought to myself as I locked the windows again and got into bed.

At last I closed my eyes and let sleep consume me.