Jasper Hale

I tossed aside the carcass of the drained Elk; my thirst was quenched, but would only last for a while. The sun was beginning to set and I knew Bella would be wondering where I was. She had probably gone home anyway. My thoughts were proven wrong when I stepped through the front door. Her sweet scent was everywhere and I could feel the venom pool in my mouth, coating my teeth and tongue. I swallowed it down and searched around the house for her. Finally I found her in Edward's room, sitting atop of his leather lounge chair, head cradled in her hands as she wept. The salty smell of her tears mixed with her scent made my throat burn fiercely, but it was a tolerable burn. I knocked lightly on the door and cleared my throat, making her aware of my presence. She gasped and looked up. Her eyes were puffy and rimmed with red and her cheeks were slightly swollen. Fresh tears built up in her eyes and she launched herself at me. I was shocked and couldn't whether or not to hug her back. Her warmth that seeped through my body and the sound of her pulse was almost irresistible and I quickly grabbed her wrists and tugged them off of me before gently pushing her off me. She looked hurt, but one long look in my eyes made her understand. I hated being the weaker-link. I hated having so little control near her. I hated being a vampire.

"I thought you left me," she whispered and blushed as I met her eyes. The scent sent another ripple of pain down my throat and I stopped breathing.

I just grinned and asked, "Are you hungry?"

As if on cue, her stomach growled and she lowered her eyes in embarrassment.

I chuckled, "I'll take that as a yes. What do you want, Italian, fast food? It's your choice."

She smiled, "Surprise me."

"Alright then."


She watched me curiously as I drove us along the highway, searching for a place she could eat. The car ride was filled with her shallow breaths and erratic heartbeat. I smirked at her and her heart raced; I guess some things never change. As I pulled into the parking lot of La Bella Italia, Bella winced.

"Is there something wrong?" I asked her.

She shook her head, brown tresses jostling with her movements, "No, I'm fine."

I let it go and stayed close to her side as we approached the door. The hostess looked up as the door shut and once her eyes landed on me she gave me a sultry grin. She was okay-looking, short brown hair and hazel eyes. There was nothing special about her except for the way she deliberately shook her hips as she stalked towards us. Her grin quickly disappeared once her eyes landed on Bella, but reappeared as she took in the small gap between us and the awkward silence.

"Two?" she asked

"Yes," I answered in my southern drawl and she shivered. The human eye wouldn't have been able to pick it up, but I did thanks to my magnified vampire vision.

"Right this way," she led us to a small booth in the corner of the restraunt and handed us our menus. I set mine down on the table.

"Your server will arrive shortly," With one last flirty grin she left, again over exaggerating with the hips.

Bella and I were left alone in complete silence, none of us saying a word. Bella busied herself with her menu, eye scanning over the words and prices, clearly trying to pick something not that expensive.

"Get whatever you want, check is on me," I said.

"Oh no, Jasper, it's okay. I can pay for myself," she protested.

"With what money?" I asked.

She patted her pockets and frowned, coming up with nothing.

"Fine, but I am going to repay you."

I chuckled. "No need, I'm already rich as it is."

Before she could respond, our waitress arrived, pad in one hand, and pen in the other, looking expectant. I internally chuckled; guess the hostess had dished some news. This girl was a little better looking than the other one with beach blonde hair and sparkling ocean blue eyes that reminded me so much of my mother's. That thought caught me off guard. I hadn't thought about my human life in years.

"Hello. My name is Hayley, and I will be your server today. So, what can I get you to drink?" she asked directly at me. How about your delicious blood? I chuckled at the thought and she blinked, a dazed expression crossing her face before composing herself and giggling.

I looked at Bella.

"Um, Coke please," Bella said and the girl jotted it down.

She turned to me and the grin returned.

"I don't want anything," I murmured and gazed out the window.

"You sure?" she pressed and I responded with a curt nod, still gazing out the window at the full moon.

"Well, she seemed nice," Bella commented and I smiled.

The smell of human food was disgusting and I felt like puking. However, Bella seemed like she was in heaven, taking in deep breaths and humming under her breath. Throughout the room the pulse of every single human was becoming unbearable and I gripped the table with my left hand, knuckles turning paler and paler by the second. I could feel the metal creak under my grip and Bella must've heard it because her eye snapped to me.

She frowned. "It's the blood, isn't it?"

I nodded. "Excuse me for a moment."

I strode over to the bathroom and thankfully it was a one toilet one. I locked the door behind me. The room smelled of crap and cheap air sanitizer. I turned on the faucet and splashed my face with cool water, patting it dry with some paper towels. I took a deep breath and walked back over to the table where Bella was eagerly sipping her drink.

"Better?" she asked as I took my seat on the red leather bench which protested against me weight.

"Much," I responded.

The waitress magically manifested beside me, the same coy smile on her pretty little face.

"Are you guys ready to order?" she directed at me.

Again, I looked at Bella.

"Mushroom ravioli, please," Bella murmured, her eyes downcast as she fiddled with her fingers.

"And how about you?" Hayley faced me now.

"Still nothing," I said

She gave me a disapproving look, but left with Bella's order. I focused on counting Bella's breaths instead of the tempting drum of everyone's heart and the warmth that radiated in the room, making my mouth pool with even more venom. Eighty-one….eight-nine…ninety-three…..one hundred. The scent of wild raspberries and caramel drifted my way as our server came out with Bella's food. It was steaming and I could feel its heat from all the way over here. Bella stabbed a piece with her fork and brought it up to her mouth, blowing on it before popping it into her mouth. She reached for her Coke and I watched her throat in fascination as she drank. I was mesmerized by the way her Adam's apple bobbed up and down as she took big gulps. I watched as her veins pumped, the smell of her mouthwatering blood making the animal inside me roar with need. I ground my teeth together and clenched my fists together.

I managed to maintain enough control after Bella finished her meal to pay the check. The waitress had tried to smuggle her number to me, but I just ignored the little white sheet of paper and signed the bill and handing it back to her. Bella followed me out the door, leaving behind a very disappointed Hayley. Through the window I could see her finger the paper that had her number scribbled on it before tossing it in the trash.

On our way to my car, Bella stumbled and would've fallen flat on her face if I hadn't spun around and caught her. I steadied her and a few chuckled had my head snapping up. A group of men were staring at Bella in amusement, waves of lust crashing off of them. Something in me immediately snapped. I growled at them, not caring how inhuman I must've sounded and looked. Fear and panic surged off them and the grins slipped from their faces. They staggered back and then disappeared around the corner. Bella continued her journey to the car, acting as if noting had happened. Good girl. As soon as I shut the car door behind me, I revved the engine and pulled out onto the street. Bella clutched the seat, her face pale, her eyes tightly shut.

"Careful," I warned. "That's leather, you know."

Her eyes snapped open and her grip loosened. She blushed and I clenched the steering wheel between my hands. My fingers began to make indentations so I immediately stopped and rolled down the windows. Hopefully I had enough strength and control to last the entire ride home.


Authors Note: Two Advil pills and one doctors appointment later, chapter 3 is finally done! Please review if you can, they totally make my day :)