Author's Note: Hello All! Still dont own Twilight, though I wish for it at 11:11 :D Okay so here is Chapter 32. Just to WARN everyone fairly, this is a sad/depressing chapter! I'm sorry, it was just one of those days. Anyways, please Read, Enjoy, and Review!!! Love You All As Always!
Chapter 32: Into The Night
"Death ends a life, not a relationship."-Robert Benchley
Ignoring someone who lives across the hall from you is hard, what's harder is to do it when every fiber of your being knows that you should be with that person. I sit in my office staring out of the window, tapping my pen incessantly against the desk. I think I have been making some head way in the forgetting about Jasper category. Not every song I write is about him, regardless of what Jade says. I don't think about him anymore at all really, or the way he smiles, how he smells, or the adorable way that he runs his fingers through his hair when he is nervous. Damn it, stupid Jasper. I throw the pen in my hand against the wall just in time to someone opening the door to my office.
" Whoa, is it safe?" the deep, familiar voice of Brody asks. I roll my eyes as my stomach rolls. Brody has been doing a good job of staying away from me ever since the night that Jasper beat him half to death right outside of this office.
" What do you want?" I ask, bitterness and anger coursing through my voice.
" Big boss lady wants to see us," he says, shoving his hand nervously in his pockets.
" Her name is Veronica," I say, pushing away from my desk. I smooth out the shirt and skirt that I am wearing and push past him, walking slowly down the hall way.
" Ana, wait, are you ever going to forgive me?" he asks, catching my elbow. I turn to look at him with steely eyes.
" Forgive you for what? For being an ass, or for the whole fiasco a month ago? Either way, things aren't looking up for you," I say, pulling my arm from his grasp.
" Come on Ana, I am truly sorry. For everything, I haven't been right you know? In more ways than one, but I'm getting help now, so please, just give me a chance to make it up to you," he says, his eyes shining with sincerity. I can feel my heart soften a bit.
" Look Brody, I will tell you this. I forgive you and I will forget that all of what happened, happened, but I think that we should just be what we are, co-workers, nothing more, nothing less," I say, smiling slightly.
" Ahh come now Ana, cant we at least be friends?" he asks, his voice whining.
" We'll see, for now your on probation," I say jokingly.
" Yes!" he proclaims, throwing his hands in the air, " That's something at least."
" All right, well we better get to Veronica's office before she hunts us down," I say, pulling Brody by the hand behind me. I knock softly on the door to Veronica's office.
" Come in," Veronica's melodic voice calls out, and I slide the door open.
" You wanted to see us," I say, the smile on my face faltering, and falling away altogether as I see Jasper standing behind Veronica's desk.
" Ahh, yes, Ana dear how are you?" Veronica asks, standing and skirting around her desk to pull me into a warm hug.
" I'm well," I say, hugging her back while looking over her shoulder at Jasper. He stands straight, staring at me deeply.
" That's great to hear. So sit please, I have some amazing news," she says as Brody and I sit.
" Okay," I say, sitting down carefully. What news could be so amazing with Jasper here?
" So, as you both know the label has been doing, amazingly well. Especially with Ana here working on scouting out bands and getting them in the studio," Veronica says, and I blush madly at the recognition. " With that said, an opportunity has risen, one that I think the three of you would be the best for."
" Wait the three of us?" I ask, sitting forward. She couldn't possibly mean that Brody and I are supposed to work with her demon incarnate of a son.
" Yes, Jasper has always played a role in this company, now granted its usually a silent role, but he is in all truth the one who came up with this opportunity. Anyways, onto business. There is going to be a string of shows in Oregon, mostly underground, and I want you three there this weekend. The goal is to scout out the best of the best. Accommodations will be taken of, down the rental car that you will be driving down there," she says smiling brightly at us. Now, for most this would be an opportunity of a lifetime. For me, its like I am being forced into hell.
" This is so awesome," Brody says, breaking the silence the fell after Veronica delivered her news.
" Oh yeah, awesome. Thank you for the opportunity," I say standing up.
" All right so you guys will be leaving the day after tomorrow, Jasper has all the information, he will get everything you guys need to you shortly," Veronica says, and I excuse myself from her office. I walk back to my office in a daze and decide that God or what every holy entity that presides over my life, really must hate me.
" Wait let me get this straight, you have to go all the way to Oregon with Brody the crazy stalker dude, and Jasper?" Jade asks, looking at me sympathetically.
" Yes," I mumble darkly into my pillow.
" So, why the hell didn't you just back out?" she asks, nudging me roughly. I peer up at her and roll my eyes.
" Oh yeah that would have worked. I'm sorry veronica, I know that this an opportunity of a lifetime, but I am going to bow out gracefully, because I would rather jump out of my office window then be stuck in Oregon for a weekend with your son the jack ass," I say sitting up with a groan.
" This is true," she says at length and I sigh heavily.
" I guess I just have to suck it up and do what I have to do," I say, banging my head against the wall. There is a soft knock on the door and we look over to see Jasper popping his head around the door.
" Hey can I talk to you for a second?" he asks, and I glare at him.
" Okay I am going to go. I need to find Edward anyways, play nice children," Jade says pushing past Jasper and out of the room. Some friend she is, deserting me in my time of need.
" I know that you were surprised by my mothers news," Jasper says, running a hand nervously through his hair. I smile to myself at the act. " I figure that for the sake of your job, and so that my mother doesn't kill me we can play along and pretend that you don't hate me."
" Fine, whatever you say Jasper," I say, rolling over on my bed so that my back faces him. I listen as the door opens and wait to hear it close but no sound comes.
" Damn it Ana, cant we at least be friends?" Jasper asks, his voice filling with frustration. I can feel tears of bitterness filling my eyes as I lay stubbornly on my bed not speaking a word. " Ana, please." He sounds desperate, almost lost.
I stand up from the bed, and turn slowly to look at him.
" Jasper, I wish that it was that easy. I have been fighting for two weeks to just forget everything that I feel for you. To just move on, and be happy, and be friends, but I cant do it," I say, looking at him seriously.
" Why? Why cant you? Do you think this is easy for me? I cant stop thinking about you Ana, every second of every damn day your in my head. I wake up thinking about you, I go to sleep wishing you were next to me. It's killing me Ana," he says, stepping towards me. My head screams at me to back away, to not fall for this again. I keep my feet planted and look at him.
" You did this Jasper. You said no. I laid my heart on the line for you, and you walked away, so if this is hard on you, you only have yourself to blame for it," I say, crossing my arms tightly around me, my voice as cold as ice. Something flashes in his eyes, almost as if he feels challenged by my sudden iciness towards him.
" I never would have thought that you, of all people could be such a cold bitch," he says, backing away towards the door. His words leave me speechless and bruised, and they play in my head like a c.d on repeat as I sink to the floor and let the silence take me away.
'I'm a Barbie girl in a Barbie world.' My phone shrieks at me and I open puffy and tear dried eyes. I sit up and look around slightly disoriented. I get to my feet walking slowly to my dresser. I look at who is calling and see Alice's name flashing across the screen. I flip open my phone and stifle a yawn before answering.
" Hello," I say, and immediately my heart sinks at the sound of her crying voice on the other side.
" Ana, I'm really sorry to call you like this, I just didn't know who else to call. I didn't want to call Em or Edward because they would flip," Alice says into the phone, her usually happy and upbeat voice thickened by her tears.
" Alice, please slow down, what's wrong?" I ask, flipping on the light in my room.
" It's Mike. We got into this stupid fight because he wants to race his stupid truck tonight and I don't want to be there, so he kicked me out of the car and left me," she says and I roll my eyes at the stupidity of the male species.
" Where are you? Jade and I will come get you," I say, and I grab a piece of paper and scribble down her directions. " Okay just stay calm, be there soon." I slide my phone into my pocket and slip on a sweater as I walk from my room. I bounce down the stairs and walk quickly towards Edward and Jade's room. ' That still sounds so weird to me,' I think to myself as I knock on the door. There is no answer, so I take my chances and open the door slowly.
" Jade?" I call out and there is no answer. " Well shit, where did they disappear to?" I walk from their room and decide that I would ask Emmett, he always seems to know where everyone is, at all times. I knock on Emmett's door and push it open when there is no answer.
" Em," I call out and I walk towards the open bathroom door. I walk in expecting to find Rosalie but instead I what I find is far more entertaining. I stand paralyzed by the scene in front of me, and then burst out into hysterical laughter. Emmett sits in an outrageously huge bath tub filled to the brim with bubbles, holding a black rubber ducky with horns.
" Hiya Ana-Banana, say hello to Sir. Quaksalot," Emmett says, grinning wildly as he holds up the rubber duck to me.
" Erm, hi," I say laughing so hard tears come to my eyes.
" What can I do you for half-pint?" he asks, totally unashamed of the state that he is in.
" I was just wondering if you knew where Jade was," I say, jingling the keys in my hand nervously.
" Oh yeah she and Edward went to the store? Everything okay? You look like you've been crying," he says, and I smile sincerely at him. Nothing ever gets past Em.
" Oh yeah, I'm fine, just had a short run in with he who shall not be named," I say, smiling at him.
" Need me to straighten him out?" he asks his tone turning serious.
" No, its okay. Well, since Jade isn't here. I guess I will go by myself," I say, heading towards the door.
" Where you going? If you can wait for a few, I'll tag a long," he says, and I smile when I look over my shoulder at him.
" Oh I'm just going to see a friend, and that's okay Em, enjoy your time with Sir. Quaksalot," I say laughing as I walk from the room.
I follow Alice's directions exactly and have to say that I am quite proud that I managed not to get lost. I put the car in park and slide out of the car making my way towards Alice.
" Hey buddy," I say, sitting on the bench next to her. In answer she just sniffles, and my heart goes out to her. No one can break your heart more thoroughly than someone that you love. I slide my arm around her and hug tightly letting her cry.
" Boys are so dumb," Alice finally says at length.
" Your preaching to the choir," I say, pulling away from her fixing a sympathetic smile on my face.
" I know. Thanks for this Ana, really. I have just one more favor to ask you," she says and I smile nodding. " Do you think I could crash with you tonight?"
" Of course. By the time we get back Jade will be home, and we can do some quality therapy time with Ben and Jerry and bash guys," I say, getting to my feet.
" Nothing has ever sounded better to me," she says and we slide into my car. " Okay I lied, I have two favors to ask of you. Can we just drive by where King Butt-face is racing. I just want to make sure that he wont do anything stupid."
" No problem. But if you don't mind me asking, why don't you just use your gift?" I ask, looking at her from the corner of my eye.
" I made a promise to myself that after Jasper, I wouldn't use my gift to see what will happen between me and a significant other, and besides Mike doesn't know yet," she says and I nod in understanding.
" Okay, turn here, yeah see, there he is," she says pointing to Mike who stands confidently next to his car. I park the Explorer and cut the engine.
" Do you want to go over there?" I ask, and she just shakes her head. I watch as Mike climbs into his truck and revs the engine. ' Boys and their toys,' I think to myself. I cant help but to feel some sort of exhilaration as I watch the cars race past us, and I smile slightly to myself as Alice whispers under her breath, silently cheering Mike on. Then it happens, he takes the turn to fast and as if in slow motion his truck flips multiple times.
" Mike," Alice shrieks as she tears out of the car. I push out after her, my heart hammering in my chest as I run towards the wreckage right behind her. Alice pushes through the crowd with a force that is unbelievable and I follow her lead.
" Someone call 911." Alice screams and almost as if at once people are on their phones yelling for help. Mike lays outside of his truck, blood pooling underneath him and Alice kneels down next to him, her hands running over his body.
" You idiot, what were you thinking? I told you not to go," she says, tears pouring down her face.
" Hey, don't cry, I'll be fine, you'll see. How bad is the truck?" Mike gasps out and I kneel down next to him on the other side. I hate to say it, in the last few months I couldn't help but to get somewhat attached to Mike. He was after all what I looked at as my saving grace. He was with Alice therefore Jasper was available. It wasnt only that though, it was his crazy randomness, and I could tell even at the times when he was being a complete ass, he loves Alice. Since Alice and I have become close, her happiness with Mike has helped having him around tolerable. I take his hand smiling down at him.
" I hate to tell you Mikey, but the truck is toast," I say, and he smirks slightly.
" Of course it is, poor truck. I'm sorry Ali, I should have listened to you. Tell my mom I love her," he says, closing his eyes slowly.
" Mike, Mike, don't you dare. You stay with me do you hear me?" Alice yells, and finally she starts crying so hard you cant even make out the words that she is saying. I start crying as I let go of his hand and scoot back across the gravel. The flashing lights come, and the sound of sirens screaming shrilly, piercing the quiet night. I grab Alice and hold onto her as she cries, looking on as the paramedics works feverishly to save Mike. Finally when they stand back and an officer walks towards us I know it's too late.
" I'm sorry," he says and that breaks it. I buckle under Alice as she drops to her to knees, weeping uncontrollably into her hands. " Is there anyone we can call?" I look up blindly and slightly in shock at the officer. I shiver and nod my head giving him the number to the house. It's silent know, as I sit in the same spot, holding Alice, her tears run dry. I sit and stare at the emptiness of the night. Mikes truck already towed away, the ambulance gone, people cleared out. I stare into the blackness that surrounds us and know that after tonight, things will never be the same.