Chapter 4:

A/N: Okay, so this chapter actually included chapter 5 but I noticed it getting kind of long so I split it up. Hope you enjoy

Chapter 4: Sweet Dreams

My dad was watching TV when I got home that night. I mentioned a lot of homework I needed to do and proceeded to go upstairs. Being so into whatever was on the television, he didn't notice the slightly nauseated look on my face.

I went upstairs, took a shower, and then retreated to my room. I grabbed my ipod, went to my bed, and turned the music up until I couldn't hear anything else. I laid in my bed and tried my best not to think. It worked, and before I knew it, I was sleeping.

I opened my eyes, and took in my surroundings. The sun was setting behind the trees, I was in the forest. I saw the green of the trees around me, and if it weren't for the creep-factor, I would have thought it quite beautiful. I could hear distant waves telling me that a beach was nearby. If I could get out of the forest, I would be able to see the sun. I started walking towards the sound of the waves. Then, I felt someone tug on my hand. It was Embry, pulling me back into the dark forest.

"Embry? Where are you taking me?" I asked, he looked frightened. "Wher-I want to get out of here! Let go!" I told him.

He turned and looked me directly in the eyes. He took both of his hands and placed them on each side of my face. "You're safe in the forest," he told me as if it were of extreme importance. "You have to run."

"This way Devin!!" I heard a frantic Angela yell from the depths of the dark and foreboding forest.

I need to go towards the light! Why won't they let me! I need to feel safe!

"Why?! Let me go Embry!" I said pulling with all my strength.

Embry let go of my hand, and fell to the ground trembling from head to toe.

"Embry? Embry!" I screamed. But he wasn't there. In his place was a dark brown wolf with brown eyes. He was facing the shore, the light, growling as the hair on his back stood up. He let out a vicious snarl, and bared ferocious fang-like teeth.

"Run Devin!" Angela screamed again from behind me. I didn't turn. The sun seemed to be getting closer…growing brighter and brighter.

I saw Jasper emerge fro the trees, his skin glowing faintly. He looked at me sinisterly, his eyes black and ravenous. He smirked wickedly, then raised his hand and motioned with one finger for me to come closer. The wolf next to me let out another air-ripping snarl.

It felt instinctive on my part to go near this angelically beautiful creature. With no hesitation, I took a step forward. He smiled, showing two sets of sharp pointed teeth.

"Come here," he said innocently. "Trust me."

I took another step, his smooth voice reeling me in. It was too enticing to resist.

The wolf next to me launched itself in the air, aiming for Jasper's neck.

"No!" I shrieked, sitting upright in my bed. My sudden movement made my ipod to fall to the floor, taking the headphones with it. I let It stay there, too tired to move.

Even though I was tired, I knew I wouldn't be sleeping anytime soon, and truthfully, I didn't want to. My head flooded with images from the dream/nightmare I had just awoken from. I knew I'd have to face them sooner or later, but for now, I suppressed them away in the back of my mind. I brushed my teeth, taking time to carefully inspect each one.

I went back to my room and found something to wear, dressed slowly, and then proceeded to make up my bed. I crossed the room and looked out my window. My dad wasn't there.

Unable to stall any longer, I went to my desk and turned on the computer. While I was waiting for it to become functional, I went downstairs to make myself some breakfast. I ate a bowl of cereal, making sure to chew slowly and carefully, to consume time. After I finished, I cleaned my bowl and spoon, and went back upstairs. The computer beckoned me, but first I went to the side of my bed to pick up my ipod.

I went to the computer, unable to stall any longer, and pulled up my favorite search engine, Google. Then I typed in the seven letter word I was trying so hard to forget.

Vampire

I searched through, countless results until I found one site that sparked my interest—Vampires—A-Z. I was greeted by an interesting quote on the first page:

Throughout the vast shadowy world of ghosts and demons there is no figure so terrible, no figure so dreaded and abhorred, yet dight with such fearful fascination, as the vampire, who is himself neither ghost nor demon, but yet who partakes the dark natures and possesses the mysterious and terrible qualities of both.—Rev. Montague Summers

The rest of the site was literally an A-Z listing of every vampire myth known to mankind. I searched through possibly hundreds of myths, looking for something that made me seem at least a little bit sane. Then, after much frustration, I came across two entries that seemed appropriate. The first was the Romanian Varacolaci, a powerful undead being that could appear as a beautiful pale-skinned human. The other one was entitled Stregoni benefici. Unlike the other entries, this one only had one sentence describing it. It read:

Stregoni benefici: An Italian vampire, said to be on the side of goodness, and mortal enemy of all evil vampires.

Throughout the hundreds of myths, only these helped satisfy me. Even though this only confirmed a few of my observations, it was a glimmer of hope. I started remembering things I knew of vampires. Coffins, sun burns skin, garlic, wooden stake, etc.

Now I was feeling really stupid. Frustrated, I turned off the computer. How could I let myself believe some old superstitious myths? What kind of creep actually considers the actuality of vampires? I concluded that Forks was officially screwing with my brain.

I needed to clear my mind. I went and laid across my bed. Maybe if I turned off my brain I could stop thinking about it.

That didn't work; I was still asking questions in my head.

Could what Embry said about the Cullens be true?

No…

But then what? They sure as hell aren't normal.

Does this qualify as talking to myself? Am I crazy?

It's a tad bit late for that don't you think?

I ended that conversation before I convinced myself to get me institutionalized. I instead started thinking of everything I had observed. The lightning-fast reflexes, the gold eyes, the gold eyes becoming black, the breathtaking beauty, and the pale, icy skin. It all fit perfectly with Embry's story.

I decided that they certainly weren't normal, so maybe—maybe they were the cold ones Embry told me about.

Now, in my quest for knowledge, I would need to find out if it was true. But how? Cut myself in front of the Cullens and see if they try and suck me dry? Ask them? Hi, my name is Devin. Are you a vampire by any chance? Those were definitely out of the question.

I decided that I would have to just act normal and gather more evidence for my psycho campaign. I kept thinking, and after a while I found myself asleep again. I was dreaming, somehow it seemed familiar.

"I know what you want," he said. Oh no… "Calm down."

"What?" I looked into his golden eyes. His honey blonde hair fell beautifully around his angelic face.

He leaned in slowly. I froze, heart racing. Before I knew it, he was kissing me. He was swift and cautious, wrapping his arms around me. He broke the kiss, looking at me. He leaned down further to kiss my neck.

"No-! " I gasped.

He released me from his hold. He gave me a look of deep betrayal then turned and walked away.

"No!" I gasped, sitting upright in my bed. I examined my surroundings. It was still bright out. I looked at the alarm clock on my nightstand; it was just a little after noon. I got up and decided to start working on my research paper for English.

I worked productively on that for the rest of the day, stopping when my dad came home. When I got downstairs he was warming up leftovers.

"Dad?" I asked.

"Hey kiddo, what's up?"

"Umm I was just telling you that I'm going to Seattle Saturday…if that's okay?"

"What for?" he asked.

"I want to go to the book store up there and maybe buy some clothes or something," I told him.

"Are you going alone?" he asked, furthering his interrogation.

"Yep"

"What if you get lost? Seattle's pretty big," he noted.

"I won't get lost. I can read a map dad. I'm sixteen, give me some credit."

"What if I came with you?"

Oh god no. That was definitely out of the question.

"No dad, I promise I'll be fine without you, thanks anyway," I told him quickly.

"Okay, well are you gonna be back in time for the dance?" He asked. I was hoping he wouldn't ask this particular question.

"No, I'll probably be too tired to dance."

"Oh, okay, you're probably right." He said.

The next morning, when I got to school, I tried as hard as possible not to look towards the silver Volvo. I even got through lunch without looking at their table, a major accomplishment. Biology was going to be the real test.

I got there before he did. I was reading over my notes, waiting for Mr. Banner to start class. Then I felt someone else's presence next to me.

Wow, I didn't even hear him coming. VAMPIRE!

"Devin?" Why was he talking to me? Did he not just tell me to stay away from him three days ago?

I glared at him. "We're on speaking terms now? I thought I was to 'stay away' from you." I said icily.

"I just wanted to say I was sorry about that…" He said, his voice trailing off.

"What?" I said heatedly. People don't just tell you to stay away from them and then apologize. "Are you bipolar or something?"

"Let's just say I was having a bad day."

"Whatever." I said, turning my attention to Mr. Banner, who had just started class.

"So do you forgive my rudeness? I was hoping we could be friends," he said, as if we weren't supposed to be taking notes. Even though I was still mad at him, my heart fluttered involuntarily at the thought of us being friends.

"I guess I forgive you," I told him.

"Wonderful" he replied.

"Now will you please stop interrupting my education Jasper?" I felt a slight thrill as I said his name.

"Yes sir" he replied, turning his attention to the board. I couldn't help staring at him from the corner of my eyes. He was perfect. I couldn't find one single flaw. It was captivating.

The rest of the day I was in an extremely good mood. I was still kind of confused, but the fact of the matter was that he wanted to be friends with me. My heart sped up at the thought. Even Gym was bearable, and when I got home I practically made me and Steven a feast. He was skeptical at first, looking at the food as if checking for poison.

After dinner, I cleaned the kitchen and went back up to my room to do homework and finish my paper. Then, exhausted, I went to bed.

The next day went by in a blur, as most of my days at Forks High do. Before I knew it, it was time for lunch. I took my seat next to Jessica and looked at the Cullen table. He wasn't there. My shoulders slumped in disappointment. I sighed.

"Umm Devin?" Jessica said, poking me.

"Huh?" I asked.

"Jasper's…staring at you." She said in a slightly subdued tone.

I turned to her. "What?!" I asked.

"Yeah, I wonder why he's sitting all alone though…" she said dreamily.

I followed her gaze to see Jasper sitting at an empty table towards the middle of the cafeteria. We made eye contact, and then he motioned for me to join him. Then he gave me what I thought to be the most gorgeous smile in the world.

"Maybe he needs help with Biology homework," I told her.

"The Cullens are smart, I doubt he would need any help…You really shouldn't keep him waiting." She told me.

"Yeah, I better go see what he wants," I said as I got up with my tray.

"I want details!" she yelled after me.

I got to the table and stood there, unsure if I should sit down or not.

"Why don't you have lunch with me today?" he asked, smiling.

I sat down, still eyeing him with suspicion. Even though he had said he wanted to be friends, I couldn't help being skeptical. I was suddenly reminded of my dreams in which he would disappear. He was just staring, as if waiting for me to ignite the conversation, something I had never been good at.

"Why did you want to eat lunch with me again?" I asked him.

He smiled. "That's what friends do right? And also, I was tired of staying away from you." That sent chills up and down my spine.

"Staying away from me?"

"Umm yes, I've decided to take more risks in life." He said, as if it were some sort of inside joke.

"You're confusing, you know that right?" I said, pondering the double meaning in his words.

"More or less"

"I'd say more…" I muttered.

"So, anyone ask you to the dance?"

"Yeah, but I'm going to be in Seattle that day, so I turned them down," I told him.

"Really? Turns out I'm going to Seattle that day, do you need a ride?"

"Huh?" I said, taken off guard.

"Do you want a ride to Seattle?"

"With…you?" I asked, stunned.

"Yes, you should really consider getting your ears checked," he said, smiling.

"No, I don't need a ride, I'll be fine."

"Are you sure? I don't think your truck can make it."

"My truck works just fine, I'm sure I'll be fine." I said, still a bit flustered.

"But can your truck make it there on one tank of gas?"

"Can yours Jasper?" I asked, slightly irritated by his bashing of my truck. It had sort of grown on me.

"Edward's can and he said I could borrow it." He stated simply. "So why don't you save the money, and ride with me? I mean we are friends right?"

"If you say so…" I replied.

"So will you go to Seattle with me?" he asked, looking at me with golden eyes that seemed to liquefy before my eyes. I couldn't breathe again. I nodded.

He smiled.

"Good," he said, releasing me from his powerful gaze.

"Something's wrong with you" I informed him.

"What?"

"No one can do that with their eyes"

"Do what?"

"I don't know how to explain it….I just know it's not normal."

"Again with the weird theories?"

"Yep, I still haven't figured out what you are." I told him.

"Okay," he said, playing along," what are your theories?"

I went back and forth in my mind debating whether I should tell him what I really thought he was.

"Well?" he prompted me, pulling me back under his captivating gaze.

I decided against it.

"Okay, well have you been near any toxic waste lately?" I asked.

"No, not that I can recall." He said, smiling again.

"Bitten by a radioactive spider?"

"Too cliché, you're not even close."

"Okay well…are you an alien?"

"Is that really all you could come up with? I'm disappointed in your lack of creativity," he said teasingly.

"I've got more…I'm just too…embarrassed to say them," I lied. The real reason was that I was afraid…afraid of being right.

"I won't laugh, I promise," he said, his innocent face too alluring.

Then, the bell rang. Thank god! I was saved, literally by the bell.

"Well, see you in biology!" I said quickly as I got up and went back to my table.

I was eagerly greeted by Angela.

"Well?" she asked impatiently.

"Well what?" I asked, feigning ignorance.

"What were you two talking about for all that time? Hmm? I mean if you don't want to tell me, that's cool. But I will find out eventually, and when I do, I'm not telling."

"I've got to get to class Angela, I'll tell you later," I promised her.

"I'll just smile and laugh every day and it will eat you alive!"

"Angela," I said, trying to calm her," have you been around Jessica too long? Calm down. I promise I'll call you tonight and fill you in."

"You better not forget," she warned me.

"I won't" I replied, walking towards Biology.

I walked into biology just before the tardy bell rang. Jasper had a puzzled look on his face. I took my seat.

"What's wrong?" I asked him teasingly.

"My siblings are keeping things from me. They think it's funny."

"What won't they tell you?" I asked, intrigued.

"Edward told me he heard something interesting, and Alice says she saw something even more interesting, but they think it will be more entertaining if I find out myself."

"Okay, I'm completely and totally confused," I told him.

"That's fine, I expect you to be," he told me, "So are you going to tell me the rest of your theories?"

"How about we save those for this weekend?" I said craftily.

He sighed. "Fine, I'll be patient."

Then, he scrunched up his face in thought, It was totally adorable, and asked,
" What time do you want me to pick you up Saturday?"

"Umm does twelve sound good?" I asked.

"Fine with me, I just need to know now because Alice, Esme, Edward and I are going camping this weekend" he said with his smooth voice.

"Why?" I asked, confused.

"Our family is big on camping." He replied with a laugh.

"Why aren't the others going?"

"Carlisle has to work, and Rosalie isn't as enthusiastic about this particular camping trip, so Emmet's staying here with her."

"Oh," I said, feeling confused again.

When I got home from school, I had barely got through the door, and already the phone was ringing. Angela.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Hey Devin, how ya doin?"

"…fine" I said suspiciously.

"So…you wanna tell me what you and Jasper were talking about today at lunch?"

"Umm, we just talked and stuff," I told her casually.

"WHAT! LIES! Tell me now!—"

"Calm down Angela, sheesh."

"Okay, okay. I'll try to remain calm."

I sighed, not knowing exactly what to tell her. I decided that the truth was the best way to go, leaving out some parts of course.

"He said he wanted to be friends," I told her.

"Really? I think he likes you."

"I wish. He's just too hard to figure out, and its not like I have any experience with guys or anything."

"You've never had a boyfriend or anything?"

"Nope, never even been kissed." I told her, slightly embarrassed.

She giggled.

"Not funny Angela."

"Sorry, so what else did you two talk about?"

I sighed again.

"He's taking me to Seattle on Saturday."

"What! A date! I thought you said you didn't think he liked you!"

"It's not like that!" I hurried and told her, "I told him I was going, and he said he was too and then he offered me a ride."

"Sounds like a date to me," she muttered.

"Definitely not…" I reassured her.

Then I heard Steven walk in.

"Hey Ange, my dad just got home, I'll see you tomorrow at school."

"Kay, see you tomorrow," she said, ending the call.

A/N: Don't stop now! Keep going! It only gets better, I promise. Would I lead you wrong? I don't think I would, so keep reading silly!

Hahaha, I crack myself up. Okie dokie, the next chapter is the Seattle trip. Should be interesting, no? Shouldn't take me long, i'm almost done with it. Hope you Liiiike it. R&R

-Kevyncito 3