Edward stayed locked in his room for the next 2 days, only occasionally slipping out for food and to use the bathroom. No matter what he did to try to calm down and continue on with his life, he couldn't do it. The world outside, as he had learned, was full of assholes who would never understand him, and he couldn't deal with the hate and discrimination that had been shoved in his face ever again. His room, bong, and sketchbook however, were safe.
"Edward?" Emmet called quietly from the hallway, "Come on man, you can't stay in there for the rest of your life. I ordered pizza. Come out and eat with me."
"Not hungry." Edward told his brother, from behind the closed door.
"Bullshit. I know you haven't eaten a real meal in days. Get out here. Just us. I promise" Emmet walked away from his brothers door, hoping he would come out and join him.
A few minutes later, Edward came down the stairs. It was obvious that he had been wearing the same pajama pants and t-shirt for days, and his hair was sticking up even more than usual. He was actually hungry though, and the pizza did smell good.
Emmet was sitting on the couch, with the pizza box open on the coffee table in front of him, 3 slices already missing.
"I knew pizza would get out of there." he said with a grin.
Without saying a word, Edward sat down and began to slowly eat a slice. He hadn't realized how hungry he was till he started eating, but he wasn't about to prove Emmet right by stuffing his face.
"So, you going to tell me what happened the other night, or do I get to dine with a mute tonight?" Emmet asked.
"Nothing happened really, but it was them, I'm positive."
Suddenly Emmet realized what his brother was talking about, remembering in detail everything that had happened 4 years before. While it didn't seem logical, he could understand why his brother had freaked out and secluded himself again.
"People change though, so what if it really was them. They probably don't even recognize you anymore, especially with the new name. Remember when Angela came to visit us, and tried to hit on you because she didn't realize you were her cousin?"
"Maybe, but I still can't handle seeing them though."
"I talked to Esme today. She's playing down at Cafe Jumping Bean tonight. You should go, keep Carlisle company. I know they have been worried about you." Emmet suggested. "I would go, but I have a meeting with the guys from Bromance tonight. I'm so close to closing a recording contract with them."
Edward was happy to hear about the meeting, knowing it would mean work for him too. It would mean something to keep his mind occupied for a while. In addition to hosting shows at their house, Edward and Emmet also ran an independent music label. Emmet handled the business end, finding bands and booking tours, while Edward handled the art and promotional side, designing posters, cd cases and merchandise. The backyard shows were mostly for fun, but it gave them the opportunity to check out new bands in the area, and get an idea of what the kids liked.
Edward finished a second slice, staring into the pizza box as he chewed. Emmet was right. They probably wouldn't recognize him anymore, and Carlisle would understand if he had to leave the cafe suddenly. Carlisle was one of the few people in Chicago who knew about Edwards past as Elizabeth, and was always very supportive of him.
"Fine." Edward said with a sigh, tossing the crust into the box. "I'll go. It's not like Rosalie and Jasper would be there anyway."
Jasper stood in the kitchen at work, trying to find something to do for his last 10 minutes. It had been a slow day, and he had gotten everything done early.
"Jasper! Get out here!" Victoria yelled to him from the front.
"Great" he mumbled to himself. What does this bitch want now?
He was relieved to find Alice and Bella standing at the counter waiting for him.
"Jasper! You have to come out with us tonight!" Alice told him, "Lauren's playing at the Jumping Bean tonight. They had a last minute spot to fill and called her about an hour ago."
"Uh, sure. I'll be out of here in about 10 minutes. Meet me out front? He asked. The acoustic folk music that was normally playing at the cafe wasn't really his thing, but he honestly had nothing else to do.
20 minutes later, they were tiptoeing into the cafe to try to find a seat. The place was pretty crowded for a Tuesday night, and the first singer had already started her set. After scanning the room, Bella spotted a small table in the corner.
"Go grab that table Jazz, we'll get drinks." Bella decided.
Jasper nodded, and made his way through the tables to the corner. Normally he would walk around first to see who he knew there, but he figured there was no point tonight, and went straight for the table. A few minutes later Alice and Bella returned with a round of beers and sat down.
"We saw Lauren over by the bar. She's up next." Alice told him.
"Cool." Jasper said, after taking a sip. "Looks like our timing was perfect then." he hoped they would be leaving after Lauren finished her set.
They sat in silence, listening to the first singer. They later learned that her name was Esme, and Jasper was surprised to find that he enjoyed her set.
"Hey, look!" Bella said, pointing to someone a couple tables away, "Isn't that Edward? That weird quiet guy from the show Saturday?"
Jasper glanced over, and suddenly felt nauseus. Bella was right. It was Edward. He didn't say a word, trying to get Edward's voice out of his head. "Make sure that kid never comes here again". Jasper blocked out Bella and Alice's conversation, trying once again to make sense of what had happened.
It had been bothering him for days as he tried to understand the weird feelings of nervousness, and eventually fear, he had felt that night. He usually had a pretty good sense of peoples emotions, but never so strongly. Other than deciding that Edward looked vaugely familiar, he had no idea where they might have met, or what Jasper might have done to him. He figured he could have been a hook up from a party or something, but Jasper was positive he would have remembered someone that hot.
The cheering and applause as Esme left the stage Snapped Jasper back into reality, and he realized that Alice had been giving him a weird look.
"Dude! You okay?" She asked "You've been staring at the table without moving for the past 5 minutes."
"I uh, Yeah... fine." He stuttered, unaware that he had been spacing out for so long. "Just trying to figure out something weird that happened the other night."
He tried to forget about Edward, and listened to Lauren play. It was hard to listen from the corner though, especially since the bathroom was right next to their table and people were constantly going in and out. No wonder this table had been empty.
Seemingly out of no where, the same intense nervous energy that Jasper had felt on Friday night returned, and Jasper found himself unable to sit still. He stood up, excusing himself for a cigarette, and found himself face to face with Edward. Just like before, the nervous tension he felt shifted abruptly to fear.
Edward shoved through the crowded cafe, and ran for the door. He had to get out of there, now, before anyone saw his face and the tears threatening to run down his face. "This isn't happening" he repeated to himslef, trying to take a deep breath and calm down. Without even thinking, he ran around the corner, where he found a dumpster to duck down and hide behind. He slid down the wall into a sitting position, and tried again to breath and calm down. Finally after a few minutes, he figured he was ready to tell Carlisle and Esme he was leaving, grab his jacket, and return to the safety of his bedroom. imagined every step of what he had to do, took a deep breath, and walked out of the ally.
As soon as he rounded the corner however, the panic returned. Jasper was standing in the way of his path, smoking a cigarette as he leaned against the wall. He froze up again, and found himself staring at Jasper, unable to move. Before he had a chance to return to his hiding spot however, Jasper spotted him.
"Hey, Edward right?" Jasper called to him "How you doing man?"
"What do you want?" Edward responded, his voice cracking nervously.
"Huh? Just wanted to say hi. Never got a chance to introduce myself the other night. I'm Jasper."
"Oh, um, Hi. I know who you are..." Edward trailed off, staring at the sidewalk. How had he ended up in this situation? How was he going to get away now?
"You okay? You look kind of pale."
"Yeah, fine. I gotta go." Edward said quickly, starting to walk past Jasper to go back into the cafe.
"Wait." Jasper said, reaching out to gently touch Edwards arm. "Can I ask you something first?"
Edward jerked his arm away, taking a step back. Something about Jasper was calming though, and he found himself starting to relax a little bit. "maybe I am over reacting. He does seem to be a good guy now". He thought to himself.
"Okay, what do you want to know?" he asked hesitantly.
"I'm sorry about whatever happened to you, but I just want to understand what I did. Everytime I've seen you, you've panicked, and run away." Jasper started, watching Edwards reaction carefully. "As far as I can remember, I've never met you before."
Edward just looked at the sidewalk, thinking carefully about how to respond. He was usually pretty good at knowing when people were lying, and Jasper seemed to be telling the truth. He really didn't recognize him.
"Um, its hard to talk about really. You just look like someone I used to know. I'm sorry."
"I understand not wanting to share with a stranger. Sorry about whatever happened."
"Um thanks, I must seem pretty crazy right now."
"Haha, nah." Jasper replied with a grin. "You just seem like someone who has had a rough life".
Yeah, rough doesn't come close to describing it, no thanks to Jasper here, thought Edward. Maybe he wasn't really all bad though. At least Edward had managed to calm down though, and he was surprised how much talking to Jasper really helped. He would of course have to admit that Emmet had been right, again.
"Sorry if I come across as being to forward, but what are you doing tomorrow night?" Jasper asked.
"Tomorrow, um, I'm not sure..." Edward replied hesitantly. What the hell? Is he asking me on a date?
"My roommate Alice has a gallery opening and I was wondering If you would want to come with me? I noticed the drawings in your room and figured you would like her work."
"Oh, maybe."
"You don't have to decide now. Emmet has my number. Call me tomorrow if you want." Jasper was smiling again, and Edward found himself feeling more and more comfortable around him. Maybe Jasper was worth a second chance.
"Okay, I'll talk to you tomorrow then." Edward finally said sounding more confident.
Thanks for reading everyone! Please please please comment and let me know if you like the story so far. I know there havn't been many lemons, but they are comming, I promise. Maybe something kinky could happen in the gallery?