Disclaimer-I Don't Own Twilight

Please take note of the date…The events in this chapter take place almost a year before Chapter1. This is Nov '08 and that was

The Shadow

November 2008

Beep…Beep…Beep…

The repetitive sound of the heart monitor might have scared some…but for me this was as normal as waking up to your blaring alarm. I sighed and tried thinking back to whatever might have happened that could have landed me in this horrible hospital cot once again…

Let's see…I woke up late…cursed at my father for not waking me up. Jerk…I went to school…Saw Jasper flirting with Kate, the school slut…ate my lunch in my car…attended bio…hmm…all that seemed normal…wait! What class do I have after Bio? Ah. Now I know. I always did hate gym…wonder what happened this time…Last time it was Eric's elbow…

The door opening interrupted my train of thought,

"Oh good. You're awake! You've been out for a while…How're you feeling now?"

I glanced at the nurse and rolled my eyes. Of course. I just had to end up with McGraw. I moved my eyes to the ceiling and didn't reply. After a few moments, she sighed.

"I'll send the Doctor in if you want."

I gave her a curt nod and hoped against hope that she won't send in her equally irritating husband. The door opened once again and I groaned. Damn. This really isn't my day…

"Allison said you were feeling better…You probably have a concussion but I'm willing to bet you can deal with it just as well as I would by now…"

He sighed and shook his head when he saw that I wasn't laughing at his lame attempt at a joke.

"Would you like to leave now ?"

"Sure, Doc…by the way…where's my father?"

Dr. McGraw smiled slightly, "I think he had a conference to attend…but you'd know all about that, right?"

I scowled at him, "Sure. Whatever. Can I leave now? I have somewhere to be."

"In a minute," McGraw sighed and left the room.

I rolled my eyes and glared at the false ceiling.

I ran to my car with my hands shielding my face from the harsh rain.

"Fuck! Watch where you're going, bitch!"

I fell to the ground with a loud smack and stared up at the retreating figure of the man I had blindly smacked in.

I stood up clumsily and slowly made my way to my car, the rain hitting my face harshly.

I opened the car door, turned the engine on, and tried to warm myself with the blasting warmth of the heater. I rubbed my eyes tiredly and slowly backed my car out.

I was just a little distance from Newton's when my car's engine began spluttering and gasping.

"Oh No…no, no, no…Please don't! God no! Not now! Arghh!"

I screeched loudly and beat the steering wheel with the side of my hands.

And slowly the car stopped moving at all. Shit, just what I need right now!

I hit the back of my head against the car seat and closed my eyes. I looked around and saw nothing but darkness. Crap. My eyes started tearing up. The electricity must've gone bust. God…I can't stand the darkness. I brought up my legs, curled up on the driver seat, and hoped that no one would hit my car in the dark…That would be one accident even I won't be able to survive. Hmph. Well, I'm not about to just sit here, waiting to die.

I angrily wiped my tears, fished out my ugly yellow raincoat from the backseat, and quickly put in on. Carefully locking up my car, I began my journey to Newtons', hoping I wasn't going the wrong way. It really wouldn't do to get lost in the darkness. Darkness. I shivered. Shit. I almost forgot it was dark. Crap. I can't stand the dark and now I am going in blindly in no light. Fuck. I am so going to put a flashlight or something in my truck tomorrow…If I make it out alive, that is. I whimpered and stared at the trees on the other side of the road. All Dark. There could be Werewolves or vampires in there, for crying out loud! And here I am…acting like a…like a pig with a tomato in its mouth on a silver dish!

Maybe I should just go back…I turned around to go back to my car but suddenly I saw a shadow and stopped in my tracks, gaping with my eyes wide open.

The shadow was a distorted shape, larger than a normal human, and was moving slowly towards my abandoned car. I slowly started to move backward with my eyes still trained on the shadow. Then I heard the click of my car lock opening and saw the shadow moving in my car and turning it on. FUCK! I turned on the balls of my feet and made a run for it. I panted, gasped, and ran for my life when I heard my engine getting closer and closer. Shit! He was driving slowly! He was after me!

Maybe I should throw this raincoat off…it's so damn bright! If I don't have it on then maybe he won't be able to see me…Just as I began shrugging the raincoat off, the headlights turned on and I quickened my steps and prayed that he wouldn't be a merciless serial killer or rapist and would finish me off painlessly. But he kept going slowly as if he was enjoying torturing me like this. Useless tears kept mixing up with the rain and I let out stunted sobs as I sprinted, stumbling along the way. As soon as Newton's came to view the driver made a sharp U-Turn leaving a screech behind in his wake and I screamed when I fell to the floor, gasping.

The car was gone before I knew it and I heard footsteps running my way as I hurriedly stood up, looking for the car in the distance. Nothing. I whimpered lightly as I heard my name being called.

"…Hey! Is that you? What's wrong?! You okay ?!"

I stared at Mike's panicked form and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Yeah…I'm okay now…"

"Honestly though…you should go home…I can handle the shop today myself…The electricity's back on…You should take some rest…Its all cool here…I'll even talk to my mom about it…I'm sure she'll understand—"

I cut off Mike's rambling, "I'm okay, Mike, it's all good…I don't really want to go home right now…besides…I'm already late for my shift…Let me make it up…"

The last thing I wanted to do was to walk through the darkness for hours only to reach my empty house. Maybe later I could persuade Mike to give me a ride home. God knows what might happen if I walked home now. He stared at me skeptically as I traced the stupid flowers on my obnoxious raincoat anxiously, "I don't know…you did get messed up pretty bad today…"

His words made me realize that I still didn't know why I was at the hospital today.

"Oh yeah…What happened today anyway?"

Mike stared at me with a raised eyebrow, "Uh…you don't know? Um. We were in gym, playing volleyball…and it was Jessica's turn to serve…well…you know how she is…almost as bad as you are at throwing the ball and…well…you were in front of her--"

I let out a snort. Of course,… trust Stanley to do that. I had seen her play quite a bit and it seldom was pretty. I put on my employee's vest and asked him something else that had been bugging me.

"And what about my car? It was in the hospital parking lot…"

"Oh yeah…Jess was really sorry about everything so we drove you there…she drove your car and I drove mine, by the way…maybe you should think about not leaving the keys in the car…and, well…once we got you in, I gave Jess a ride home…so…yeah…"

Yeah…And they didn't even bother to wait for me to wake up. For all they knew…the bitch could've put me in coma. Well…what am I complaining about…My own father didn't bother checking up on me…I shook my head lightly and changed the topic, narrowing my eyes at Mike…

"Jess, huh? Why do I get the feeling that someone benefited from my grievous injury?"

He smiled a little and blushed lightly, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Ahan. Tell that to someone who doesn't know of your crush on Stanley, Newton."

He smirked at me, "Well…now that you mention it…I might be taking her to dinner tomorrow…."

Snickering, I rolled my eyes at him, "Hope you score, bud…"

He frowned at my wriggling eyebrows, "Its not like that with Jess…I really do like her…I don't just want to jump in bed with her…I want to get to know her…have her as my girlfriend…the whole deal, y'know…"

I frowned at him, "Whatever…You'll get there either way."

He sighed exasperatedly and walked off.

I worked on rearranging the shirts on the rack and sang quietly,

"I've gone crazy...
Please forgive me...
I've gone crazy,
I'm so sorry...

Pour my heart into the dust,
Step aside and watch it rust,
You don't need to bury me,
I've buried myself...'

The chimes hung on the door tinkled and Mike said loudly,

"Finally! A customer!"

"Hey there…"

The song choked off in my throat and my eyes widened as I heard his voice. Fuck! He's here! He's here! Shit! He can't see me for the first time outside school when I'm looking like a drowned cat!! I quickly looked around and decided that making a run for it was my best bet.

Well, I was halfway down the aisle when I realized why it wasn't such a bright idea. My wet multicolored shoes skidded across the smooth surface with a screech and I fell to the ground in an indignant heap. Jasper was talking to Mike when he saw-okay, heard-me.

"Hey…I'm Jasper…I'm looking for sturdy air mattresses for camping [Enter the drowned cat] …wait…don't I know you?"

I slowly got up with the typical Deer-In-The-Headlights expression that would put even Bambi to shame. I glanced at Mike and saw that his eyebrows were raised so high that they were in great danger of disappearing in his messy hair. I looked at Jasper and quickly took note what he was wearing. A cute schoolboy grey hat and an AC/DC shirt. Wait. AC/DC ?! Holy Crap! We have something in common! I simply adore AC/DC! All their songs are magic! I did a quick mental dance as I moved my eyes below his torso to complete the inspection.

Hmm…Really low bootcut jeans that were in great danger of falling off and baring his super toned legs for the world to see. Well, for Mike and me to see, actually…But. Urgh! Whatever. And yes. I know exactly how toned his legs are. I get a good look at them whenever the sun is high…which, unfortunately is not very often in Washington.

I heard a snicker from Mike and turned my head to look at him. He was looking between Jasper and me, his lips slowly turning up to form an evil smirk and my eyes widened at his mischievous expression. Jasper cleared his throat and looked at me expectantly.

"Um…I know you…?" He prompted.

I blinked.

"Um. Yeah. Uh. We have gym together, I think…"

"You were in gym today, right, Whitlock?" Mike cut in with his devious smirk still in place.

I narrowed my eyes at Mike in warning as Jasper replied, "Yeah…Gym, sixth period…"

"Team number four, volleyball?"

Jasper looked at Mike with a confused expression and nodded slowly, "Yeah, why…?"

"Oh nothing…she was in the same team…got busted up pretty bad--"

I swiftly and tactlessly cut Mike off before he embarrassed me any further, "So! Air mattresses! Any particular one you're interested in?"

Jasper looked between a Mike and me with a bewildered expression and then cleared his throat as Mike snickered.

"Um…I'm not really sure…I'm new to campin' 'n' stuff…so…"

I nodded and quickly went into professional mode and rattled off all the information I had read up on airbeds when I first got a job here.

"Well…We have twin air beds, queen air beds and even king size air beds. All of the air beds come in a raised air bed or double high air bed styles. They aren't limited to just camping trips… raised air beds with built in air pumps are the perfect solution to accommodate guests or the kids' sleepovers. Why don't you follow me and I'll show you some you might like."

Jasper nodded and moved to follow me. I saw Mike making kissy faces behind Jasper's back so I discreetly flipped him off.

"Would that be all?" I asked as I handed him his change and the bill. I cringed. Shit! I should have asked him that before I rang him up. Right? Or should I …My breath caught in my throat as I caught the direction his eyes were looking. Oh My God!Yes! Maybe he does like me!

"Nice shirt."

Oh. Okay. So maybe he does not. No…wait! He likes my shirt! He complimented me! Yes! Oh! God, I really should reply before he thinks I'm retarded.

"Th-thanks. I…um…like yours, too."

Shit! I just have to be a stuttering fool in front of him!

He raised an eyebrow, "Really? You a fan?"

I blushed and sang in a low voice,

"I wont take no prisoners, wont spare no lives
Nobody's putting up a fight
I got my bell, I'm gonna take you to hell
I'm gonna get you, satan get you"

Jasper smirked and sang back in his deep baritone voice,

"You got me ringing hells bells
My temperature's high, hells bells."

"Wow…Impressive! Not many people know this got my seal of approval."

I ducked my head down, blushing a bright red. I expected him to walk out any minute now but when I raised my head, he was staring at me which such depth that my mouth fell open.

He lightly cleared his throat and nodded towards my torso. Well…more like my shirt. My British rock shirt.

"You British?"

I quickly shook my head, "No, but I love it all the same."

He nodded his head, staring at me, "Which one's your favorite?"

"The Clash."

"Ah. I'm more of a Sex Pistols man, myself. They're it for British rock."

"Yeah, I like them, too."

"Hmm…what about Non-British rock? You like that?"

"The Ramones…"

He chuckled in his deep voice.

"Ooh yeah…Can't beat that. Maybe we can talk some time. There ain't many people at school who appreciate our genre of music."

"I-I'd love to."

I had to actually bite my fucking cheek to stop myself from grinning like an idiot.

He nodded, "Thanks a lot…by the way…hope you get better soon…"

I swooned at his sexy Southern accent and bit my lip, nodding my head.

He smiled, "Great…well. I'll get goin' now…See ya!"

"See you," I breathed, smiling goofily at his now retreating figure…his broad shoulders…his slim waist…his amazing—

"Well. Now, we know why you're always so distracted in gym."

I scowled, "Fuck off, Mike."

I bit my lip as I watched Mike lock up the store.

"Hey Mike…could you do give me a ride?"

He looked at me with pursed lips and then sighed, "Sure."

As he drove to my house, I fidgeted in my seat. I don't know how I'm going to live through the night. I thought about asking Mike to call my dad but decided against it. I stuck up my chin defiantly. I'd be better off without my dad. God only knows what he might do. I'm always scared whenever I'm with him nowadays…he looks at me like he's going to…like…I don't even know! But I think it'd be safe to say that he doesn't wish me well.

"Hey…you there?"

I jerked my head to Mike's worried face and nodded, clearing my throat.

"You kinda seem out of it…You sure you're feeling okay?"

I rolled my eyes, and reached for the door handle, trying to reassure both Mike and my whimpering sixth sense.

"Sure, I am. Now go on home and dream up some horny Stanley-filled scenarios."

He pursed his lips indignantly, "I'll see you tomorrow."

I laughed a bit shakily as I got out of his car and looked at my dark house. I shut the door and waved at him as I searched my back pocket for the house keys and then cursed when I realized it wasn't there. Shit! I must've dropped it when I fell in the gym…or the numerous times in school before that…or the hospital parking lot…or when I was running from the creep in the car…or when I was running down the aisle when I was running from jasper...Well. You get the picture…I must've dropped it somewhere.

I took a good look at my surroundings. Surroundings. Yeah, right. As if anyone could see a thing in this lighting. So, I suppose it would make more sense if I said that I took a good look at the darkness encompassing me. Fuck. Let me tell you…if there is one thing I hate more than my father…it is the darkness. It fucking creeps me out and sends my spidey-senses into super alert mode. God knows how many freaking shadow-thingies of creepy men are in there waiting to get me.

I searched beneath the doormat for the emergency key with a shaky hand, opened the door, switched the light on and slammed the door shut in record time. I leaned against the wall, breathing heavily, and turned to lock the door again. I slowly moved towards my room upstairs, flipping all the light switches on as I surveyed the house carefully. I sighed with relief as I saw my room was in the clear and jumped on my bed without bothering to take off my clothes. I closed my eyes as I thought back to my day.

Crappy. That is the only word that could be used to describe it. Okay maybe Jasper talking to me was cool…but shit! He didn't ask for my number! That just freaking sucks. I pouted to myself. I bet it was because of the way I looked. Why the hell can't I carry a lip-gloss and mascara in my back pocket like a normal teenage girl?! At least that way Jasper could have been impressed by me. And then he would have asked me for my number…then a date…then he'd ask me to be his girlfriend…then he'd be all romantic and propose…then we'd get married…have pretty babies and hold each other's hands as we looked at our first born exchanging vows with his soul mate.

I let out a frustrated scream. Tomorrow I am so getting dressed up!

As soon as I heard my scream bouncing off the walls, I bit my lip. Damn! The house key could be anywhere…with any-fucking-one! For all I know they could be downstairs. And here I am, shouting to let them know where I am. Could I be any more stupid?!

Thump. Thump. Thump

Oh .My .God . Fucking FOOTSTEPS!! Someone's here! I jumped up from my bed and ran towards my dresser to get my cell phone. Shit! Fucking dead!

Crap! Crap! Crap! CRAP!

The footsteps kept getting louder as each second passed. I whimpered. I can't die now!! I have too much to look forward to! Jasper hasn't even asked for my number yet, God dammit!

"Hey…Is anyone in here?"

I stopped my frantic search for the charger for my dead cell phone. Wait a second. I know that voice…But…what's he doing here? Now? In my house at 12am?!

I turned my head to the sound of my door opening.

There in all his glory, stood Jasper-Fucking-Whitlock.

Hey!

Please let me know your thoughts. I would love to hear what you think.

By the way, some people have asked whether this is A/J or B/J. Also, that the summary said it was E/B. Yes, I am aware of that and actually, you are meant to stay in the dark for a while…otherwise, the story would lose its edge when it gets to near the prologue. However, I am really interested in the pairings you think this story will have. Please review and let me know. By the way…if you want to see the things and clothes mentioned in this chapter…go to my profile…there's a link to all of them there.

Well that's it and I will try to update as soon as I can!