Chapter 4: Can't I Ever Just Catch A Break?

The next morning came sooner than I wanted it to. Today was going to be a stressful day. Not only would I have to find the courage to go and talk to Jasper but, I would also have to block my thoughts from Edward the entire day. One little slip and he would know what I was up to. If he even had the slightest idea as to what I wanted to do, he'd probably barricade me in the house.

"Natalia are you ready?" Edward knocked on my door and I jumped up slightly.

"Coming." I said, my voice a little squeaky as I went to open the door and walked with him outside towards the car. When we were almost to school, I saw his hands start to clench the steering wheel as he pulled into the parking lot. I didn't need to ask him to know the reason as to why he was acting this way. He had either seen him or heard what he was thinking. Or even both.

"Stay by my side…" he said through gritted teeth as he quickly got out and opened the door for me. His arm was around my shoulder as he began to lead me towards the building where my first class was. I could feel people staring at us.

"I thought they were related?" someone asked.

"They sure they don't like it…isn't she adopted? You never know." Another voice said. I instantly grew frustrated.

"Edward…" I pleaded. I really didn't want people to think that way of me and my brother.

"Don't mind them Natalia…their thoughts are useless." He said, eying the people around us and they quickly looked away. We reached my history class and he just stood there. What, was he going to patrol the classroom?

"Of course not." He snipped looking down at me "if you can promise me that you will not talk to him."

"He sits nowhere near me…so, I'm pretty sure I won't be talking to him." I tried to assure him.

"I'll see you at lunch." He sighed, walking away from me as I made my way into the class. I instantly went for my seat and sat there, my attention immediately focused on my hands and the wall beside me. I didn't dare look around…this is what I did for the entire class period until the bell rang. I made it through my other two classes without any worries. I had attempted my plan twice in those classes but there was no avail. Then, it was time for lunch. As promised, Edward was waiting outside of my classroom, staring down the halls, looking for any sight of him. We made our way to the same table and Edward held the same face the entire time. It was a little unsettling. It was like he was sitting on pins and needles. I just stared at the window, just waiting for this to be over to make it my next class. It was my last chance to try my plan out. The bell rang and Edward and I made our way to our last class together. It just so happened that it was our science class and we were doing a lab that meant dissecting an animal of some sort. After ten minutes in, I went and told the teacher that I wasn't feeling very good and if I could step outside from some fresh air.

"Oh sure Miss Cullen…I see you're still feeling a little ill from yesterday?"

"Yes…I just need a few minutes. The smell was making me a little nauseous." I made a face for dramatics sake.

"Yes, yes of course…take all the time you need." I just nodded and quickly walked out of the room. I felt Edward's eyes on me but I was greatly relieved that he didn't follow me. I quickly began walking up and down the halls. Luckily, there was only two buildings so I was about to go through them very quickly. I don't know exactly what I was doing. I was just praying that it would work. Whatever it was. I was rounding the corner of between two of the hallways when I ran into someone. I let out a small yelp as I fell backwards on the wet pavement. Luckily, my head didn't hit the ground because someone had caught me.

"Thanks." I blushed when I looked up and that's when I saw them. I saw those eyes again!

"You sure have a funny way of bumping into me." He said gently.

"Um…yea, how about that?" I stammered as he helped me back to my feet.

"I saw you roaming around the halls…and I decided to investigate." He smiled at me. Oh, great. How was I supposed to get through a conversation with him staring at me like that. It was a mixture of my heart melting and my head telling me to scream and run away.

"I was um, actually…looking for you." I eyed him, feeling my confidence coming back.

"I'm flattered…and, I was actually thinking…"

"No!" I cut him off "please…just don't think about anything about me right now. I need some time."

"Okay then. Well, what was it you needed to see me for?"

"Well, I know I don't you know…like, at all. And, there seems to be something going on. Something that I'm not really sure of."

"Like?"

"Like the fact that you were staring at me yesterday with such intensity. Or how about the fact that you and my brother wanted to rip one another part in the parking lot?"

"I was provoked." He shrugged.

"By what?" All you guys do is stare and growl…and you keep looking at me funny. And, I want to know why!" I sighed in frustration.

~Jasper's POV~

"I want to know why!" I faintly heard her say to me. As hard as I tried, I couldn't keep my eyes off of her. Everything about her fascinated me. However, I'm sure to any other person…she'd be simply pretty. Her long black hair was pulled up into a clip and I was able to get a better view of her face. Her big, brown eyes grabbed me every time I looked into them. Her lips were full and I noticed that she bit the bottom one when she was nervous. She wasn't very tall…her head stopped perfectly at the spot where my chin was. Oh, what I wouldn't give to just hold her there…to show her how she was pretty much meant for me. She was wearing a hot pink sweater that stood out against her tan skin and a pair of jeans that fit her perfectly. I'm sure she caught my eyes taking in the sight of her because I could sense her blush.

"Please…I don't have much time." She said, her voice with a little bit of desperation in it.

"What would you like to know?" I asked, a bit nervous.

"Why do you keep looking at me like that?" she motioned her hands towards my face, indicating that I was looking at her again. I really wanted to reach out and just touch her. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't help myself…next thing I knew, my hands was reaching behind her and letting the clip loose from her hair and I smiled as I watched her hair fall just below her shoulders. It was long and straight and it smelt like honey. It was quite delectable. Before I let her go, I brought her a little closer to me and frowned when her eyes widened a little in what looked like fear.

"We are destined." I whispered, placing my hand in hers which she quickly shook out of my grasp and backed away. No, please don't leave!

"Excuse me…I don't even know you." She stammered. I could feel the fear rolling off of her and I wanted to take it away. Show her I didn't want to hurt her at all.

"Why?" she called me again. But, for some reason, it seemed like she already knew the answer.

"He told you didn't he?" I had forgotten all about her brother…he must have some gift, just like I do.

"It doesn't matter…" she shook her head "I want to hear it straight from you." She said through clenched teeth.

"Natalia…I…I um, I imprint…" my voice was cut off as I felt something slam me away from her. I heard a crack in the wall as I slumped against in. I rubbed my head quickly before jumping up.

"I thought I told you to leave her alone." Natalia's brother hissed as he pushed her in back of him.

"She sought me out!" I hissed back at him. Next thing I knew, I saw my sister Bella walking up and pushing her hands against Edward, causing him to stumble back a little, causing Natalia to hit the wall. I heard her whimper in pain slightly. Even if it had little effect on Edward, it would be ten times harder to a human.

"This isn't his fault." I heard Bella say.

"He needs to stay away from her."

"We were here before you two showed up and now you've gone and caused all these problems with me and my family. Jasper was perfectly fine until she came to town." I grew slightly annoyed at how disgusted Bella sounded mentioning Natalia. I took this opportunity that they were arguing to quickly walk over to Natalia's side, who was holding her head in pain. She had big tears rolling down her face but she wasn't saying anything. She just stared at me, a terrified expression on her face. It was then I realized that she had blood on her other hand. And, being a vampire, it would make sense she'd be afraid. We were programmed to be drawn to blood. However, I could care less that her blood was exposed in front of me. All I cared about was taking care of her and making the pain go away. I placed my hand against hers so I could help her stop the blood and also to send her some waves of pain relief. Her eyes widened even more as she felt the blood seep onto mine.

~Natalia's POV~

When Jasper's sister came out of nowhere and pushed him, he barely budged but his small movement literally slammed me against the wall with such a force that I felt something odd and next thing I knew, the side of my head was bleeding. No one seemed to notice as I slid down the wall. Well, that is until Jasper showed up at my side. I freaked out because I had no idea what he would do. He could take me right here right now if he wanted to. I was beyond shocked when I felt him place his hand against mine. But what amazed me even more was the fact that as soon as he touched me, my pain started to dull and go away. How did he manage that!

"Jasper!" I heard another voice approaching as I looked up and I saw another girl with blonde hair coming to us. Her face was frozen in shock and both Edward and Bella looked back at us, the two of them letting low growls coming from their throats. What was with the two of them? I saw Bella eye the blood on my hand and against Jasper and her eyes suddenly changed a different color.

"Bella no!" the blonde girl snipped and took her sister by the hand and pulled her back. She fought against her and her eyes were only on me…what happened next was all a blur. The bell rang and they all looked up. In two seconds, there would be a crowd of humans in the way, walking in on this sight. I heard Bella groan in frustration as the other girl took her away quickly towards the parking lot…Edward grabbed me in his arms quickly away from Jasper and ran to his car. The pain instantly shot back into my system once Jasper's hand was taken off of me.

"Ow…ow Edward it hurts!" I cried as he started the car. I could see Jasper literally leap into the back of their car as they drove off one way and us the next.

"Don't worry Natalia…I'm taking you to see Carlisle right now." He tried to comfort me but the pain was so intense it was like I couldn't breathe. I hadn't thought I'd hit the wall that hard.

"You idiot…he wasn't trying to hurt me." I cried but expressed my anger at my brother.

"What are you talking about?" he said, his eyes still on the road.

"I was just asking him a question…you're always jumping to the wrong conclusions…Jasper wouldn't hurt me…he'd never hurt me. All he wants is to protect me." I rambled on, not really making sense. Then, things went black…as I kept hearing Jasper's voice saying "we are destined..." Destined to what? Why hadn't he reacted like a normal vampire to the sight of my blood? Why did I suddenly have all this trust for this guy? I didn't know him and he didn't know me…

Thoughts?? I will try to post another chapter later on today at the earliest…I'd love lots of reviews!