Chapter 5: La Bella Italia

The rest of the week was a blur, making me realize that Jasper Hale was the only interesting thing in Forks. Throughout the week I spied on Rosalie and Emmet, trying to find anything that would prove that they were - dare I say it – vampires. I found nothing. This made me feel rather foolish, but I wasn't going to give up on my suspicions because I had already decided to ask Jasper himself once we were in Seattle.

Since he wasn't there, I had to endure Angela whispering "Where's your boyfriend," everyday at lunch. It got annoying, but I endured it. The highlight of the week was when Tyler got into a wreck and was hospitalized. Everyone went to see him, and I kind of felt obligated, so I went too. I was hoping to see Jasper's adopted father, but then I remembered that he would be camping with the others.

Friday night came around, and I couldn't sleep. I tried forcing myself to sleep, but that never worked for me. I decided to just listen to my ipod until I fell asleep. I put it on shuffle and started listening. I noticed that if I listened to the words, I would only start thinking about them, so I tried listening only to the instruments. Soon I was drifting off into my subconscious, music still playing.

It was like I was outside my body, like looking at a movie. I saw my brown complexion glowing in the moonlight. I could see my brown eyes, glistening softly, even my hair, shining. I heard music, but I couldn't tell where it was coming from. I knew the song, but I couldn't think of the name. I heard waves, and looked at my feet to see that I was standing in sand. I saw myself look towards the sound of the waves, and into the ocean. Then I saw myself look up curiously as the words to the song flooded my ears.

If I put my hand out, would you put yours in mine?

I saw Jasper walk up and take my hand. He was glowing faintly. It reminded me of something else that I couldn't remember. We smiled at each other, and then proceeded to walk down the beach together. We were walking towards a bonfire that was set up down the beach. Once we got there, we sat facing each other in the sand. We held each other's hands in between us. I watched the expression on Jasper's face change from a content one, to one of sorrow.

Don't let your feelings try to tear us apart.

Jasper stood up, I watched myself stand up too. Then I watched as I hugged him fiercely. He wrapped his arms around me too, holding me tight.

I wanna get closer to you. I'm on the outside looking in. Tell me our love is real…

I saw myself pull back, and look at his face. Then I leaned up and kissed him softly. The kiss broke, but then Jasper leaned forward and kissed me again, this time more passionately.

I imagine how you feel. Could be the only thing that's real…

…If you would let me in, then I would know for sure...

The kiss broke and we were just standing there, gazing into each other's eyes. Then everything started fading to black, just like a movie. I opened my eyes, still hearing the song playing in my ears.

I rolled over and looked at my alarm clock. It was nine. That gave me three hours to kill until I got to see Jasper again. I went through about seven outfits before I finally decided on a simple t-shirt and hooded jacket. I took a shower, and then went downstairs to fix myself a bowl of cereal. Steven was at the station again, so I didn't have to worry about him.

It was only 10:30. I had an hour and a half to burn. I decided to email my mom, and to clean my room. I needed to do anything to ease the nerves. When I was done, I sat at the kitchen counter, staring at the clock, trying to make time go faster.

I heard a light knock at the door. My heart skipped a beat. I went to the door, taking a few preliminary breaths. I opened the door to see an angel. Not seeing him for four whole days made a big difference. He looked like he stepped right out of a magazine. My imagination couldn't do him justice.

"Hey," he said.

I couldn't speak…I couldn't even move. I just stood there.

His brow furrowed.

"You ready?" he asked.

"Uh, yeah. Let's go." I said, snapping out of my hypnosis.

He stepped to the side and let me pass. I saw the silver Volvo when it occurred to me that the other Cullen's wouldn't have a vehicle.

"What will the other's drive?"

"They've still got Rose's BMW and Emmet's jeep," he stated simply.

"Wow…" I said, in awe. I guess that's what a doctor's salary can do for you.

He got into the drivers seat. He turned the key in the ignition and the car purred to life. He pulled swiftly and neatly from the driveway. He drove down the street with increasing speed. I was glued to my seat, clutching my seatbelt. He turned and looked at me.

"So are you going to tell me more of your theories?" he asked.

"Can you p-please keep your eyes on the road!!" I said frantically.

"I know what I'm doing," he said, as if that was supposed to be reassuring.

"You need to slow down!" I hissed.

"Calm down Devin, I've got everything under control," he reassured me. His words seemed to sooth me. I felt calmer, and my heart rate started to return to normal. He smiled.

"Better?" he asked, with his perfect, fluid voice.

"I guess…but I'm saving the psycho-theories for later" I told him.

"I'm not very patient, but I'll wait," he sighed.

He drove, and I watched as the cars blurred past. I admired the change in scenery. Less green was quite a relief. It would have been even better if it weren't cloudy, but I guess I can't have it all. We drove for another five minutes. Then he parked the car on the side of the road.

"Meet me back here at four." he told me as he got out of the car.

"Kay," I told him. Then he was off to do whatever it was that he needed to come to Seattle for.

I walked around a bit, looking in stores at stuff that I liked but wasn't willing to spend money on. Then, to my excitement, I found a Borders Book Store. I went in and quickly went to scanning the various books. I looked for anything on vampires, but all I found was some cheesy teen romance novel.

I continued looking through the books and found a few that interested me. I checked the time. It was almost three. I checked out, and then chose to walk back to the silver Volvo. I felt pretty confident in my route. I turned the corner to the street where I thought the car was, and it wasn't there. I panicked. Then I realized that I hadn't even thought to look at what street Jasper parked on. I started walking faster, bumping into people passing by.

I heard thunder. I looked up to see angry dark grey clouds. This only made me feel worse. It got darker all around me and I thought I was going to have a panic attack. I felt a drop of rain fall on my head. I started running, and soon it was drizzling. No matter what street I ran down, there was no Volvo. I turned a corner and found myself in an alleyway, feeling the rain pounding against my head. I slumped against the wall and tried to catch my breath.

"Devin?"

That voice. That same beautiful voice!

"Jasper?" I asked, though I knew it was him.

I turned to look at him, he was wet, but he had an umbrella.

"You weren't at the car, so I went looking for you and then it started raining so I had to go get an umbrella. You should really get under the umbrella," he told me.

I walked under the umbrella, as he guided me back to the car, without getting lost once. We got in the car and I sat there panting in silence.

"Are you hungry?" he asked.

"Yeah, all I ate was breakfast." I told him.

"Okay," he said, starting the car.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked.

"To a restaurant. You said you were hungry…" he replied.

"We don't have to go to a restaurant! We can just go to McDonalds! I don't have enough money to go eat at a restaurant!"

"Then I'll pay," he said as if I should have known this previously.

"You don't have to, I'll just eat at home," I told him.

"Devin, don't argue, you won't win," he said, closing the subject. He parallel parked the car and got out. Apparently I was to follow.

I sighed. Jasper walked to the door of La Bella Italia and held it open. I crossed my arms and walked in grudgingly. It wasn't very crowded, and the lights weren't the brightest, ultimately it had a nice feel to it. We walked up to the podium where the hostess smiled warmly at Jasper. It sickened me. Could she be any more obvious?

"Table for two please?" he asked, his voice sounding extra smooth. The hostess looked from him to me and back again. She led us to a table in the middle of the restaurant, where most of the other customers were. I was about to sit, but Jasper held out his arm, preventing me to pass.

"Could we get something more secluded?" he asked the hostess.

"Uh, sure." she said. I could tell it wasn't common for people to refuse a table. She led us to a booth towards the back of the restaurant. Definitely secluded.

"Is this better?" she asked.

"Perfect.' He said, smiling. She stood there for a second, staring.

"Um…" she mumbled, shaking her head, "your server should be with you shortly." She walked away briskly.

"Did you see that?" I asked him.

"See what?" he asked.

"You had her eating out the palm of your hand!"

He looked confused. "I did?"

"You must be kidding. You do it to people all the time."

"Do what exactly?"

"I don't know! It's like you hypnotize them with your eyes or something."

"Do I do it to you?"

I looked up, directly into his golden eyes. I stared, captivated. I managed to look away, thinking of a good way answer to his question. Then I noticed a blonde, perky looking waitress, with an eager gleam in her eye, coming our way. The hostess must have told her about the hottie at table four. Despite my annoyance, I was glad to see her.

"Hi, my name is Michelle. I'll be your server this evening, Can I take you guys something to drink?" she said, looking at Jasper the whole time.

"Root-beer" I said, forcing her to acknowledge my existence.

"I'll have a root-beer also," he said.

"Okay, I'll be right back with those drinks," she said, smiling at Jasper.

She wasn't gone for long. When she left I looked up at Jasper. He was staring at me.

"What?" I asked him.

"Nothing," he said. I felt my eyes narrow. By then the waitress had come back with our drinks. She must have rushed to make the drinks. I mean, who wouldn't rush to see that face again?

"Are you ready to order?" she asked, still only looking at Jasper.

"Devin?" he asked. She turned towards me, as if I had just appeared at the table with Jasper. I didn't know much about Italian cuisine, so I thought I'd stick with what I knew.

"I'll just have the spaghetti."

"And you sir?" she said, smiling widely at Jasper.

"I won't be having anything," he told her.

I knew it! Vampire!

"Okay, if you change your mind, just let me know," she said, still smiling her head off. When he didn't look at her, she left. He was still looking at me.

"What? Why do you keep staring at me?"

"Trying to figure you out," he said thoughtfully.

"You're not the easiest to figure out either, Mr. Mood swing," I told him.

"Everyone's entitled to a bad day every now and then, aren't they?"

"I think it has something to do with your eyes. You're a bitch when they're black." I told him.

"Is this a part of your crazy theory?" he asked.

"Yep," I told him, taking a bite of a breadstick.

"Still think I'm some sort of comic-book hero?" he asked sarcastically.

"Maybe, maybe not"

"Did it ever occur to you that I might be the villain instead?" he said, his tone serious.

"I took that into account," I told him.

"This should be good then…so?" he pressed.

Then, the waitress came back with my food. I realized that while we were talking we were both leaning forward, and both sat back as she arrived. She sat the plate in front of me, and then turned her full attention to Jasper.

"Are you sure you don't want anything?" she asked. There seemed to be an innuendo buried in her words, but maybe I was imagining things.

"No thank you, I'm fine." He said politely.

"I need a refill though," I told her, once again forcing her to notice me. She took my glass and walked away.

"Well?" he asked.

I sighed. Time to get this over with.

"Well I didn't come up with this on my own. I'm nowhere near creative enough."

"You had help?" he said, surprised. The waitress then came back with my refill, this time not bothering to say anything.

"Yes, a guy I met at the beach—Embry Call."

He looked confused.

"He told me some of the Quileute legends. One of them was about—"i hesitated, looking at him. He sat there, waiting for me to continue.

"About vampires," I said, looking away.

"And this made you think of me?" he asked, his tone calm, yet serious.

"No…he said some things about your family…that you aren't allowed on the reservation…because you're vampires."

"And you believed him?" he asked, his voice showing signs of no emotion whatsoever.

"It was just a silly superstition, I mean, only the elders really belie—"I started.

"Devin, did you believe it? Yes or No?" he said, in a severe tone.

"Should I believe it?" I asked. I noticed I was whispering. He leaded in

"You're avoiding the question," he said, matching my whisper.

I remained silent. It felt like my heart was going to break through my ribcage.

After a few seconds, he sat back. I remained frozen.

"Calm down," he told me. I couldn't. I honestly tried. I was feeling severe hysteria.

Then I felt my heart rate start to slow down, and my shallow breaths became deeper. I leaned back against the seat. He smiled. Did he somehow do that? Could he do that?

"Did you just d—"

"So let's say that hypothetically, I was a vampire. What would you do then?" he mused.

"I—I don't know…nothing, I guess." I said, wondering what was going on.

"You wouldn't run away screaming to the police?" He asked sarcastically.

"No, then that hypothetical vampire would have to leave," I said.

"You wouldn't want this vampire to leave?"

"How about we call him John"

"Okay, you wouldn't want john to get as far away as possible?"

Is that what I wanted? No, I wanted him to stay. Even if I couldn't have him the way I wanted, friendship would be enough.

"No, I wouldn't care if my friend was a vampire," I stated.

"Hmm…"

"Would this mean that john's family members are all vampires?"

"Hypothetically," he said. Even though I knew I should be panicking, I still felt completely calm.

"Would john have to kill anyone he told this to?"

"…Maybe…" he whispered. All rational thinking told me I should be panicking. Something wasn't right. He had to be doing this to me.

"Does John have some kind of magical powers?"

"Why would you think that?" he asked. It didn't sound like a question.

"My brain is telling me I should be pretty much having a heart attack right now, but my body won't let me. Is John somehow causing this?"

He sat there silently.

"Well?" I prompted.

He sighed. "I guess I've gone too far to turn back now. Yes, that's my fault."

"Wha—How?" I was dumbfounded.

"Are you done eating?" he asked.

I looked down at my half-eaten plate of spaghetti.

"Yeah," I said weakly.

He waved for the waitress. She strode over to our table with the check. She sat it down and walked towards another table. He slipped in a single bill. He stood up.

"You don't want the change?" I asked, awkwardly stumbling to my feet.

"No, I'll be fine." He said, motioning for me to walk towards the door. I walked to the door as steadily as I could, given my current state of mind.

We got to the car, and he held the passenger door open for me. I got in silently. Seconds later, he was sliding into the driver's seat.

"How does it work? I asked softly.

"I can feel other people's emotions, and manipulate them." He said.

"How does that work exactly?" I said fearful of the emotions I had been feeling near him.

"Anything you can put the words 'I feel' in front of, I can feel and manipulate."

"But that means…" I started thinking of all the possibilities. I feel nervous. I feel mesmerized. I feel like kissing you. I feel lust. Oh god.

"What does that mean?" he asked.

"Nothing." I said quickly. "What are the details, I mean, you're cold, and pale, and fast.

"Basically, I'm dead. I don't have a heartbeat, and I don't have to breathe. My skin is always ice cold, I don't age—"

"Wait, what?!" I asked.

"I don't get any older." He stated simply, as if that were normal.

"How old are you?!" I asked.

"Seventeen," he replied.

"And you've been seventeen for how long?"

"A very long time," He said simply.

"Okay…" I said, not completely sure what that meant.

He started the car. I just realized that we had been sitting in the car the whole time.

"Are you sure you don't want to reconsider running away? He asked again.

I ignored his question. "So umm…do you sleep in a coffin?"

He laughed loudly, the sound startled me. "No! Even if I could sleep I'd like to think that I'd have better taste than a coffin."

"You can't sleep? Like ever?" I asked. Wow.

"Never," he said in a serious tone.

"Wow, what about burning in the sun? Or silver bullets? Holy water? Wooden stakes?"

"Silver bullets are for werewolves. Those are all myths, but you're forgetting the most important question." He said keeping his tone even.

"What?" I asked, confused. He looked me in the eyes. I was dazed again.

"My diet," he said as he pulled out of the parking spot.

"Huh?" I said, still overcome by his presence.

"I'm a vampire. Don't you want to know if I drink blood?"

"Embry s-said you feed on animals, not humans." I said, it sounded more like a question than a statement.

I looked at him. He was staring intently at the road. I followed his gaze to see the road under his headlights speeding by. I looked at the speedometer.

"SLOW DOWN! ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME?! JUST BECAUSE YOU"RE DEAD AND ALL DOESN'T MEAN—"

"Relax Devin, we're not going to crash. I always drive like this." He said, pulling me under the full influence of his molten gold eyes. I also started feeling calm again.

"That's going to get annoying after a while…"I informed him calmly.

"Where were we?" he asked.

"Your diet…" I said, still calm. "Embry said that you didn't kill humans."

"True, but that doesn't make me any less of a threat to your life." He said thoughtfully.

"What?"

"This is a mistake. Me being alone with you? This is very detrimental to your life. I could very well choose to kill you right here and right now." He murmured.

"But you won't…will you?" I asked, uneasily.

"I don't want to…" he said. I could tell that was all I was going to get. We sat in silence. Why did the most gorgeous guy on the planet have to be inclined towards killing me?

"Why do you hunt animals?" I asked, wanting to hear his voice again.

"Do you want me to kill innocent people or something?"

"Of course not, but is it the same?"

"Definitely not, I try to stay away from the thought of human blood, especially around you." His velvety voice was alluring.

"Sorry…"

"Don't apologize." He smiled at me. I sighed.

He started laughing.

"What?!" I asked, looking at him with wide eyes.

"This is what Alice and Edward were keeping from me! They must have known that you knew!"

"I don't follow." I said confusedly.

"Alice can see the future, and Edward can read minds. Edward must have heard it, and Alice must have seen our conversation. It all makes sense." He said, his voice filled with wonderment.

I was tired, I rested my head on the back of the seat, and closed my eyes.

"Tired?" he asked.

"Mhm," I said, already dozing off.

"Okay, we're almost to your house..." his voice drifted off as I fell asleep.

A/N: I kinda rushed to finish this chapter cuz it's late and I'm tired. :D. Please Review! Love you guys!