I know some of you are going to look at this and think, "What the frick have you done?" I'll admit I bow to the will of the muse, and the muse spoke in screenplay for this one. It's short and hopefully not too painful. I took some liberties with some of the action lines and had to use non-standard formatting to accommodate FFn's limitations. In addition, I'm a screenplay neophyte, so who knows what else is wrong.
I recommend reading this in 3/4 width – it'll be easier on the eyes.
Disclaimer: They aren't mine, I just break their hearts.
"In Which They Are Both Just Tired" - The J/A breakup.
If you choose to read this, I recommend doing so after Chapter 9 of FitV.
Legna is my bb and reads my stuff a million times and always helps make it better. Accio also provided invaluable assistance with this craziness.
Time frame: March 2009 – one month prior to Chapter One: "In Which Jasper Shows Up at the Door."
"IN WHICH THEY ARE BOTH JUST TIRED"
by
ElleCC
FADE IN:
INT. THE CULLEN KIDS' HOUSE - ALICE'S BEDROOM – NIGHT
ALICE and JASPER are in BED, on their own sides, on their backs. Jasper is on Alice's right side. Both are awake. They're not touching.
ALICE
Jasper?
JASPER
Yeah?
Alice rolls onto her side to face Jasper.
ALICE
I'm tired.
JASPER
Me, too.
They're quiet for a moment.
ALICE
You need help I can't give you.
Jasper is silent.
ALICE
I've tried, Jasper, I've really tried to do everything for you that I thought I could. But it's just not enough and I don't know what else to do.
Alice is crying now – not something she does often. Jasper rolls over and gathers her into him. He rubs her back while she cries softly.
JASPER
I'm sorry I can't be what you want me to be.
Alice pulls back from Jasper to look at his face.
ALICE
Oh, Jasper, that's never been it. I just want you to be happy, that's all.
Jasper's face shows that he wants to lie and say he's happy, but he can't.
ALICE
I always thought I could help you. You know, be happy enough for both of us? I figured it was bound to rub off on you.
JASPER
It did, Alice. I've had all of my happiest moments with you.
ALICE
Really?
JASPER
Really.
Alice puts her head against Jasper's chest. They're quiet for a few minutes. He continues to rub her back.
ALICE
Why aren't you happy now?
Jasper looks down at Alice and then looks up at the ceiling.
JASPER
I don't know, Alice.
(pause)
I'm just... not. I'm sorry.
Alice puts her left arm over Jasper and hugs him.
ALICE
It's okay.
JASPER
It's not fair to you to have to deal with me. I'm just dragging you down.
ALICE
You're not dragging me down. No one drags down Alice Cullen!
They both laugh quietly.
ALICE
But...
JASPER
What, Al?
ALICE
I don't think I can do it anymore, Jasper. I'm so sorry.
Alice is crying again and Jasper holds her.
JASPER
It's okay, Alice. I can't ask you to keep trying when I don't even know if there's a way to fix it.
ALICE
Don't say that, Jasper.
Jasper doesn't respond.
ALICE
Are you going to be okay?
JASPER
Yeah, I'll be fine.
ALICE
(softly)
I'll miss you.
JASPER
I'll miss you, sweetheart.
ALICE
Are you going to hate me for this?
JASPER
Never.
ALICE
I hope not.
They lie in silence.
JASPER
Do you want me to go?
ALICE
No! I mean. Unless you want to?
JASPER
I think I'll stay. If that's okay.
ALICE
Yeah, it's okay.
(pause)
I love you, Jasper.
JASPER
I love you, too, Alice.
FADE OUT:
THE END
Not quite the drama of the E/B breakup...
Next for Embers? I'm not sure. We'll see what the muse, Jasper, and Bella have to say.
Update: I have published, in a separate story, a pre-FitV one-shot focusing on sixteen-year-old Jasper. It is called "An All-Consuming Fire." Don't let the Jasper/Maria tag scare you... it's an important piece of our boy's history. If you're interested :)