Chapter seven
Nightrider
A full week had passed since Isabella Swan had received her membership into ranks of the undead. Surely, a highly coveted position by thirteen year old girls and a niche community of goth adults; not for twenty-three year old determined creators with record deals and a healthy appetite for substance abuse.
Since her resignation from the band, Bella had spent many hours analyzing different scenarios in which Vampirism could be offered to her and why she'd, perhaps, choose this fate over a normal human lifestyle. The pros of being a living, breathing human woman far outweighed the cons she had explored.
Frustrated with her restrictions, bloodlust, Edward, and lack of any mortal creature comforts, Bella slammed her fist on Jasper's dining table. The wood splintered slightly, Jasper sighed from the living room.
The two unlikely roommates had spent nearly three days dancing around each other. Simple greetings would be exchanged as Jasper drunkenly stumbled home from the House of Dirt, or in the early afternoon when he'd pack a small bowl in the living room to counteract his hangover.
"What broke?" Jasper said, refusing to forfeit his spot on the love seat.
"The table," Bella mumbled, tossing the physical copy of her 'pro/con' list into the recycling bin. "It was a piece of shit anyway, I'll get you a new one."
"Is Daddy Warbucks going to pay for that, too?" Jasper jeered. He'd come to understand Edward as Bella's sugar daddy, despite never actually meeting him.
"His name is Edward and he'll be here soon. I want to accept this guy's offer, Jazz. I think it's legit." Much better than watching my friends attend a phony funeral, Bella lamented; understanding that if Jasper wasn't on board with her plan for 'rehabilitation', she'd be forced to take more impactful measures and ensure not a soul would come looking for her. A fraudulent funeral was the simplest way to confirm this.
"If you're gonna be a bear, be a grizzly," Jasper said, his cocky drawl infuriating Bella further.
"What the fuck, dude. That doesn't even make sense."
The pair fell into their usual silence once again. Bella began setting up dual columns for yet another list of advantages and disadvantages of being a night-walking bloodsucker, and Jasper continued watching Cannonball Run. He broke his silence to act out the famous line he'd used on Bella minutes before.
The faulty intercom system notified Jasper of Edward's arrival minutes after the credits rolled on his film. Bella had quietly been listening for the familiar hum of his vintage car, she'd noted his approach from miles away. She added 'awesome hearing' to her list of pros.
Jasper leisurely tidied his under furnished living room and sauntered over to the door, taking his time to buzz their guest inside. Jasper was often passive aggressive and methodical in his quest for power. Fortunately, Edward possessed the ability to analyze his thoughts.
Bella quickly scrapped her newest handwritten list into the bin and began to comb her fingers through her hair. A nervous habit she'd acquired after becoming acquainted with the star of her near constant daydreams. A small knock on the door had Bella instantaneously on her feet. Edward's spiced scent entering the apartment had her bolting for the door.
"Hello Bella," he said, a large grin touching his eyes. "You look lovely today."
Bella, hardly one for receiving or reciprocating compliments from a handsome man, chose to fidget with her corduroy mini skirt and avoid eye contact for fear of revealing any small Vampire quirks to Jasper. "Hey Edward."
"How're you, I'm Jasper Whitlock. Thanks for making the drive all the from Laurelhurst," Jasper said snidely, his disdain for wealth bleeding into his proper southern upbringing.
"Edward Cullen. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance," Edward said, his tone and handshake equally firm.
"Cullen, eh?" Jasper mused. "Any relation to Cullen, comma, Alice?"
"Actually, yes. She is my sister," Edward said, his voice smooth and unperturbed by Jasper's preliminary interrogation. "Not by blood, but we remain close nonetheless."
"She's mentioned her brother a few times. Says you really know how to get in her head," Jasper said, his tone of voice shifting into a more approachable, affable one. "Please, uh, make yourself at home, Edward. Would you like something to drink?"
"I am quite alright, Thank you."
Edward's Grecian bust worthy features were starkly juxtaposed to Jasper's dreary apartment, a fact Bella noticed in spite of her efforts to remain focused on literally anything else. Edward gestured for Bella to take a seat first. She opted for the windowsill as it made for an easy exit when her lust for blood or Edward became all encompassing. Edward made himself comfortable on the love seat.
"So, what's the plan here?" Jasper began, jumping headfirst into the minute details. "Ship Bella off to some celebrity rehab and mark our calendars for two months from now? I'm no doctor and forgive me, I empathize with Bells when I say I'm guilty of boozin' too hard with the nose beers, but how exactly does this process work?" Jasper said, dragging a kitchen chair into the living room and taking a seat.
"My father, Dr. Carlisle Cullen, offers private rehabilitation," Edward explained. "He requires inpatient treatment. Bella can retain her autonomy and ultimately learn preferable coping mechanisms for her troubles." He glanced at Bella to flash a sly wink before turning back to Jasper. "I've yet to see a case fail. I include myself in that statistic. Carlisle was my foundation throughout adolescence."
"Your sister speaks very highly of your father and I'm sure the services you're offering are top of the line, but let's get down to brass tacks here; How is Bella going to afford this?"
"Jasper, don't worry about money right now," Bella chided, signaling him to stay away from the topic of funding.
"Neither of us have any, Bells. My funds are tied up at the bar, the guys are scrambling to find gigs for quick cash without you at the wheel. I'd just like a quote to see what ballpark we're in."
"My father has expressed interest in treating Bella pro bono, you need not worry about the brass tacks," Edward responded, the cockney rhyming phrase sounding endearing amidst his professional tenor. Jasper would be hard pressed to deny Edward anything at this point; yet another perk to being a flawless and charismatic Vampire. Bella noted this for her 'Pro Vamp' inventory.
"Why would he do that?" Jasper said, his tone developing an accusatory edge. Jasper was a prideful man, after all.
"Jasper," Bella warned, irritation and bloodlust clouding her focus. Edward could sense her distress.
"No, Bells. What does this dude want with you? I fuckin hate to be rude, Edward. Why are y'all taking this on?" Jasper stared at Edward expectantly, his icy glare convincing Bella that she'd be researching shady funeral homes within the hour. Staunchly perched on the rotting windowsill, her hands found the fingertip sized grooves she'd made days before; her increasing anxiety splintered the wood further.
Edward sat on the couch as though he'd begun to daydream halfway through Jasper's third degree. He blinked once, his attentive gaze returning to the present conversation within seconds. "Alice is a great fan of Bella's band," he said, his inflection similar to an anchor reading a teleprompter. Or a telepath reading his psychic sister's mind. Bella heard Alice expertly pounce onto the fire escape. "And my father tends to be quite charitable. What does this indisposition stand against kismet?"
It was Jasper's turn to be silent. "Y'all Cullens have a funny way of saying shit." He held Edward's gaze for thirty excruciating seconds before turning his attention to Bella. "Is this really what you want, Bells?" Jasper's fatigued expression and hunched shoulders cemented Bella's decision to answer in the affirmative.
"Yeah, Jazz. I need to go away and figure things out."
Edward smiled back at Bella. Jasper sighed, but offered an encouraging smirk. He rhythmically tapped his hands over his knees. "Alright champ. When do we get this show on the road?"
"I plan to leave tonight," Bella said meekly "I'm packed, I don't have much."
"Can I tell the guys? Are we allowed to see you? Or call?" Bella's heart broke, she knew this time would come.
"I'll tell them," Bella lied. "Give me some time to get settled. I'll be around if you need me," she continued, hoping to dissuade Jasper from forging a spectacle of her disappearance. "Don't worry about me, Jazz."
Edward left alone shortly after a terse apology from Jasper for his defensive behavior. He graciously accepted, understanding Jasper was fiercely protective of his friend. A quality Edward appreciated.
"Pretty boy's sweet on you, Bells," Jasper joked, locking the door behind Edward. Bella stilled. "If you want this treatment to work, you might want to think about avoiding Dr. Cullen's prodigal son."
"Edward's just an friend, and I'm hardly in a position to get involved with anyone," she countered. The words felt off on her tongue, Bella wasn't wholly convinced her relationship with Edward would remain strictly platonic; at least, not on her part.
Bella was beginning to realize Vampirism immortalized more than her skin and bones. Every emotion, desire, and pavlovian response she'd learned as a human had been elevated to inordinate levels. Drug abuse paved the way for poor impulse control, her appetite for sex had become overwhelming, and the subsequent frustration from a lack of willing sexual partners left her feeling despondent and agitated. Bella's thoughts were giving her whiplash when her breakneck speed and super strength failed to ruin everything she touched. Vampirism felt like an oversized magnified mirror was being held inches from her body and soul, forcing her to become aware of and agonize over every emotional whim and physical imperfection.
"I'm proud either way, bud."
"It's the only option," Bella sighed sadly.
At six o'clock Bella packed her bass guitar and trusty backpack into Jasper's parking ticket infested Chevy. The twenty minute drive to Edward's Laurelhurst mansion remained quiet, save for the echoes of large rain drops and Jasper's racing heart. Bella held her breath. Flames enveloped her throat when Jasper leaned over the center console to hug her goodbye and quietly sobbed when his prehistoric rust-bucket roared away from her.
Edward was at Bella's side to collect her bags instantly. "He loves you, Bella. This will keep him safe."
Bella recalled the vision Alice sent upon their first meeting. Jasper, pale and undead, holding hand with Alice Cullen. Her languid heart rate spiked with rage. "Keep her away from him," she growled.
"I've tried," Edward admitted, defeat coloring his voice. "What kind of guitar do you have?"
Bella's black irises peered at him through wet lashes. "I'll show you if we can go inside."
They hurried inside as a large crack of thunder shook the house, the sound causing their immortal ears to ring.
Edward disappeared up the stairs with her belongings for less than five seconds before returning to a soaking wet Bella in the foyer. "I've just put your things in your room. We can go the the shops tomorrow and purchase whatever you might need."
"You don't have to be so accommodating," Bella said, a small smile gracing her lips. Edward felt his heart warm, a feeling he was beginning to attribute to Bella's endearing presence.
"Nonsense, we're roommates."
"Like Louis and Lestat," she joked.
"Are you insinuating that I am Lestat?" Edward guffawed, his right hand resting on his chest . "Do I strike you as desperate and lonely?"
"Desperate? No. Lonely? Edward, you live in this beautiful home all by yourself."
"You are incorrect." Edward noted. "You live here, too"
"Well, yeah. For right now," Bella grimaced. "I could be Lestat in 'The Queen of the Damned' universe. I'd be a killer undead rockstar. No pun intended."
Edward chuckled, but his smile failed to reach his emerald eyes. An uneasy stillness creeped into the atrium. Bella shifted her weight, her waterlogged boots squelching on the carpet. Edward's eyes cast downward. "Your room mirrors mine, only to the right after the first landing." He said, gesturing behind him. "I have a few errands I must run, Bella. Welcome home."
Edward soared directly past Bella and had his Studebaker purring down the street sooner than she could blink. He seemed impossibly fast; moving at speeds that Bella certainly hadn't clocked herself. She grinned, feeling safe and cared for in a way she hadn't felt since early childhood.
The rooms Bella had not seen in Edward's house were immaculate. Large house plants in ornate planters, vases and family photos on every surface, hardwood floors flowed seamlessly around cozy cobblestone fireplaces; and Edward had somehow forgotten to mention he'd supplied Bella's room with every top of the line personal electronic. Her bed stood tall beneath an arched window; deep burgundy blackout curtains hung on either side. Several guitars and colossal bookcases teeming with hundreds of records sat next to a gilded armoire. Bella had never seen a more posh bedroom, save for Edward's down the hall.
She ran to the bed and heaved her body onto the plush red duvet, the frame shook upon impact. She relished in the feeling of a luxurious bed despite the knowledge she'd never dream under these sheets. Memories of lazing for days in her California apartment crossed the back of her eyelids, the far off recollection of her dormitory twin cradling her into sleep after a night of partying earned an evocative swoon. Her day dreams were interrupted by a quiet vibration emanating from her bedside table. She sighed and surveyed the caller ID.
"Edward?" she inquired. Leisurely rolling back onto numerous pillows, she nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Jasper is on his way, Bella. I cannot ensure I will arrive first," his conventionally smooth tone hurried and fraught.
"What the fuck?"
"Jasper located some notes you had discarded. It appears he's in the process of piecing together our secret," he sighed. "She was able to convince him to avoid contacting the police. Isabella, I'm sorry. I have no control over the consequences of his knowledge, he'll be given an ultimatum tonight."
The phone dropped from Bella's frozen hand. She laid in stark silence. Leaving Jasper and the band behind was intended to save their lives, but now her toxic undead sentience had poisoned Jasper's livelihood. He'd either die or live an existence ruled by bloodlust and darkness.