"Okay so he's a little odd. They're all a little odd. But we can't go around saying they aren't humans."~

CHAPTER ELEVEN - PRECURSORS

First Beach was exactly as I had imagined. Cold. My eyes linger on the three in wetsuits, clearly intent on surfing regardless of the bitter breeze that manages to go through the blanket and coat I have wrapped around my body. Eric and Angela were the only two normal people not looking forward to surfing in the icy waters.

Eric trailed behind the three maniacs, stating he was going to watch them eat sand while Angela asked if we wanted to walk with her as she photographed whatever captured her interest. Seeing as that was better than sitting alone, freezing my ass off, I agreed. Bella and I wandered along the beach with her as she snapped photos here and there before she brought up Eric and how she's been waiting for him to ask her to the spring formal.

"Isn't it girl's choice?" I ask aloud, making Bella roughly elbow me in the side.

"Ask him." Bella counters, trying to salvage my thoughtless mouth. Angela looks thoroughly flustered but Bella pushes onward, "Take control. You're a strong independent woman."

Angela's eyes would be spinning if we were in a cartoon as she asks "I am?"

"Of course. And I'm sure Eric has just been waiting for you to ask him." I try to reassure her. And I am speaking the truth. I think most guys only asked Bella because she was new but Eric clearly liked Angela–plus I think they were an endgame couple anyway so what's it hurt if I nudge them along?

We spend a little more time along the beach before returning to the van, watching as Jessica, Mike, and Tyler sprint to the shore from the water. We group back up as the three decide to change out of their wetsuits so we could all explore a little more. After they changed, we decided to eat a light snack in order before we moved on to adventuring.

"Bella! Vega!" A voice calls out from behind us.

I turned my head, spotting Jake and two others I didn't recognize. Bella smiles a bit more brightly at Jake and I know she was glad to spot someone we knew. As the trio stops near us, Bella introduces them then jokingly asks if Jake's stalking us.

"You're on my rez, remember? You guys surfing?" His eyes are on the surfboards still sitting outside the van.

I puffed a little laugh, "Absolutely not." coming out of me at the same time Bella goes "Definitely not." Two peas in a pod we are.

"Keep her company. Her date bailed." Jessica smirks teasingly, though not maliciously, and I swear wings sprout from her back as she tries to play cupid.

Eric nearly breaks his neck trying to stare at Bella and Jessica, curiosity thick in his tone as he asks, "What date?"

"She asked Edward." Jessica informs everyone present.

Bella's face is positively red as she mumbles defensively, "To be polite."

Angela comes to the rescue like a real angel, "I think it's nice she did. Nobody ever invites them." She glances at me, "Well, Vega is a different story~" She teases and I instantly take back my comment of her being an angel. And I don't try to argue or say that it is actually Jasper asking me because I feel like that will make it worse.

I send a silent thanks to whoever is listening since Mike was far too distracted by the news of Bella inviting Edward, calling him a freak. As if Mike is the best catch around here, ha.

"You got that right." One of the two unknown males agrees with Mike and it takes everything in me to not jump to their defense–that would definitely be too weird and give too much ammunition for future teasing.

Bella perks up, "You know them?"

Eyes narrowed he practically growls, "The Cullens don't come here."

I can see Bella's mind spinning and thinking and creating all sorts of questions. Before I can move, Bella has secured Jake and is leading him away on a walk, no doubt taking full advantage of his little crush on her to get more information regarding the Cullens and the Quileute lands.

The two who came with him trailed off with Tyler and Mike to do who knows what. I was immediately uncomfortable when I turned back around, seeing Jessica and Angela leaning a little too close to me and Eric watching wide eyed.

"Did you ask Jasper to come today too?" Jessica practically squeals and I wonder how long she's been keeping that in.

I tell them I didn't and my mind wanders to the man who has enthralled me over a few short months. I'm pulled back into the conversation by Angela trying to comfort me? Telling me that maybe Jasper just doesn't like the beach. Eric chimes in that maybe he can't surf and doesn't want to embarrass himself and I laugh a little at them trying to cheer me up even though I wasn't upset about Jasper's lack of presence. Especially because I didn't invite him.

Well, I felt the absence of him far more than I'd like to think about but the absurdity of that makes me wonder if I have an attachment issue. I mean, I don't really have friends and I never hung out with someone so much other than Bella. The three around me naturally segway the conversation into all of the Cullens and who is the hottest.

"Rosalie." Angela's reply was so fast I was taken off guard for a moment.

"It's definitely Edward!" Jessica retorts and I feel like I've stumbled into a very strange competition.

Eric's response of, "Doctor Cullen." and we nearly broke our necks to stare at him. His hands are up defensively, "What?! It's true."

I watched on, remaining silent as the three continued to argue. My answer would be Jasper–but they didn't need to know that.

The trip to La Push ends without any injuries and Bella looks like she wants to talk but instead shuts herself in her room. I would have let it go if I wasn't woken up at five in the morning from her screaming.

I burst through her door, bat in hand, clad in only my shirt and underwear and hair wilder than a beast's. Bella releases another scream of terror from my sudden and unpredicted appearance and I scream back, my eyes searching every nook and cranny in her room. Once Bella catches her breath she exclaims, "What the hell, Vega!"

My eyes pop open and my mouth drops, "Me? You were the one screaming!" She should be happy and grateful that I–her best sister ever–would be willing to fight a home intruder barefoot in a thong and thin shirt.

She audibly gulps, "I'm sorry. Bad dream."

I finally lowered the bat, "Want me to stay?"

She shakes her head, pushing her hair back out of her face, "Nah, it's okay. I'm just going to go back to sleep." I stare at her for a minute before nodding and heading back to my warm nest of blankets.

The next time my eyes open, a silent scream is muffled in my throat from seeing a figure standing over me. It's luckily just Bella but my heart still takes a few minutes to steady back to a normal beat. Upon seeing that I'm awake she sits on her knees, hands gripping my bed as her face draws close and her eyes are bugged.

I'm almost convinced I'm in a dream where Bella has gotten into some brownies she shouldn't have but the reality washes over me like a bucket of ice once the words, "The Cullens aren't human." leave her mouth.

I fight the urge to close my eyes again and pretend I heard nothing. I can see my peaceful life as being just Bella's human sister crumbling to dust with every passing day. Bella climbs on top of me, sprawled out and holding me hostage as she shouts, "Give me a minute to explain!"

I truly have no choice and just sigh, agreeing to hear her wild theories on how she got here. She licks her lips before starting, "I want to start with saying I don't think they're dangerous."

I do worry about her sometimes but she continues before I can ask anything, "Edward has had a lot of chances to hurt me and hasn't so they must be safe. Haven't you noticed anything off about Jasper?" Her voice is practically begging me to understand and I don't think I can fool Bella for as long as I have been fooling the Cullens.

"Okay so he's a little odd. They're all a little odd. But we can't go around saying they aren't humans." I explained, trying to avoid staring into her sparkling eyes.

She nods excitedly, "Think harder, Vega! Think past a little odd. The pale skin. The speed. The strength. The beauty. At first, I thought about vampires…" She trials off, perhaps waiting for me to laugh but releases a relieved exhale as I stare at her and listen earnestly.

"But they can walk in the daytime so I'm not sure. I spent hours earlier looking all kinds of things up but nothing really stood out." She plops her full body weight down, head shoving into my shoulder before timidly murmuring, "Please tell me I'm not crazy."

I press my mouth closed and squeeze my eyes shut as I free my arms and hug her, "You're not crazy, Bells."

"I have something else to tell you. But you have to keep it a secret." She demands.

"Bella, I won't be telling anyone about this conversation. I don't even have anyone to tell." I swear, trying to lighten the mood.

She buries her face deeper into the blanket, mumbling something I couldn't hear making me ask her to repeat that. She groans, lifting her head a bit to stare at me with hesitance, "I think I might like Edward Cullen despite whatever it is that he is."

The rest of the day was spent with us lounging on the couch cuddled under a soft, warm blanket after I had raised Bella's spirits back up and then teased her for her first real crush. The TV was playing Van Helsing much to Bella's delight if her giggles were anything to go off of when I first put it on.

I had originally picked the DVD up to see if I could get a rise out of Jasper when we explored a video store in Port Angeles but the man barely flinched–tch. I wondered if that was from him being used to my book preferences but now I could put the DVD to work. I'm sure dad would really like this movie too, maybe I'll ask if he wants to watch it together next weekend.

I was in the brightest of moods upon waking Monday. The sun was out, a rare opportunity for Forks, and I took full advantage of basking in the sunlight the entire ride to school. My mood plummets as Mike pops up next to Bella as we walk towards the school, asking her on a date and I physically bite my tongue from lashing out. He is literally going to prom with Jessica–she told Bella that Mike agreed last week.

I'm proud as Bella firmly and bluntly rejects his offer, telling him she wasn't interested but Jessica certainly was.

I felt off kilter the rest of the day and it wasn't until I was home that I realized Jasper's absence from school was affecting more than I wanted to admit–that was happening a lot lately, my own denial. As if Jasper could feel my desire to see him, my phone buzzes with a text from him.

'Found a great new coffee after our hike today. Better prepare yourself, I'll be making it next time instead of Rosalie.'

The text wasn't even anything crazy but I couldn't help the grin splitting my face or the squeal that I pushed down into my chest.

'If I die it's on you. Hope you're ready for such a commitment.'

My response was meant to be a joke and it wasn't until it was already sent that I kind of regretted it but it was too late to want to bring it back–undo send not created yet and all. He'll probably be making coffee all night in hopes not to poison me tomorrow.

'If you don't see me, know I've failed'

I giggle, glad he could take my joke. But if we had been friends this long and he wasn't able to then I would be worried.

Bella ruins my morning by informing me that she volunteered my presence, once again, for dress shopping with Jessica and Angela in Port Angeles after school. And not to worry because she already told dad where we'd be.

I was suspicious of course–Bella hated shopping. The day only gets worse when I remember it as sunny out and what should bring me joy has now brought me irritation since Jasper was going to be missing again. My coffee would be nowhere to be found until the clouds make their way back overhead. I'm in the middle of the first period when my phone vibrates and I check it immediately.

'Did not fail just being forced into family bonding for another day.'

A chortle leaves me unwillingly and I reply that I'm sure it's very uncomfortable having to spend time with Mister Hot and Cold. Jasper was now used to me giving random nicknames to people and things. I also tell him that I have been forced into dress shopping with the girls per Bella's fault.

The end of school was slow to arrive and getting to Port Angeles was too quick. Jessica and Angela were excited though, Bella having promised that I was one of the best when it came to fashion help. My chest puffed up a little bit as Bella talked me up. That's right Bella, I am amazing–only if she would let me dress her.

Bella asked about the Cullens and if they missed school a lot. With Angela's explanation she shoots me a look over her shoulder.

After trying on a few dresses, for Jessica I suggest a pretty blush pink one in the same style as the hot pink one she tried on earlier that makes her boobs look fantastic, encouraging her by saying Mike won't be able to keep his eyes off her all night.

Angela looked amazing in a powder blue gown and she looked like she didn't want to take it off. "We'll run back to drop these off at the car and then we can find somewhere to eat." Jessica makes the executive decision, the two scampering off with their bags, leaving Bella and I to our own devices.

"Let's find a bookstore while we wait for them." Bella suggests, starting to walk down the sidewalk with me only a step behind.

"Oh! I actually know a place. Jasper brought me here a few weeks ago. I think it was this way." I point toward the right, changing our path.

Bella's face is alight with mischief as she sings, "Ooooh~ Jasper brought you."

I smack her, "It's not like that."

"You guys are totally dating but too obtuse to admit it." She grunts, clearly frustrated.

I pause my steps, looking around confused, "Wait a minute. You distracted me, I need to figure out where we are so I can refresh myself."

"We're lost?" She emphasizes that word and I don't want to admit it. I never get lost.

"I don't get lost, Bella." I inform, sniffing a bit.

"I know you used to not get lost. Like back when you'd come home drunk through your window." She drops the bomb and I barely have time to register that she knew because a group of men reeking of booze are too close for comfort.

I throw my hand out to clasp her arm, giving it a hard squeeze and moving my eyes in their direction. She glances discretely before grabbing my hand and squeezing back.

The look in their eyes showed darker intentions than robbery and the only thought I have is if they have a weapon. If no? We might be okay. If yes? I try not to think about it.

I let go of Bella as one of the men stepped close to grab her, my fist moving faster than anyone was ready for and my feet swiping his own out from under him. Just as I see Bella's mouth open to scream, headlights are blinding us all and the car is screeching to a halt in front of us.

The familiar Volvo is a welcoming sight. "Get in!" Edward snarls, his glare chilling and full of animalistic anger. We don't waste a second before flinging ourselves inside, Bella upfront and me in the back. It's only then that I notice the back seat was not empty as Jasper sat there eyes closed and fists clenched on his thighs.

"What–how–how did you find us?" Bella manages to get out the question that kept getting stuck in her throat.

"I should go back and rip their heads off." Edward literally growls.

Bella shakes her head, "Mm, no. Bad idea."

I drown out their conversation when I feel eyes on me. Obsidian eyes are running over my body, leaving a trail of fire in their wake and the air is thick with fury. I'm practically choking on it.

Jasper's hand slowly moved out to grab my own, the one I used to punch the daylights out of the guy, carefully taking it in his own–the usual cloudiness getting easier to push back with more contact we have–and cradling it gently. The icy temperature feels good against the abused skin, it stung a bit but I doubt I would even notice tomorrow.

"You're hurt…" he mumbles, voice full of anguish. And I want to soothe him.

"I'm fine." I whisper, fingers curling around his palm, allowing the rush of warmth to spread through me. My eyes drift shut before snapping back open and focusing on him again.

"I should have been there for you." His mouth is pressed into a tight line and his eyebrows are pulled together in distress.

I give a sympathetic smile, "You couldn't have known." But I did know. I just didn't remember. So in the end wasn't this my fault? Or were there parts of the story that had to play out regardless of my interference?

We're in front of a restaurant in record time and Jasper comes around to open my door for me and the butterflies in my stomach go wild. Gosh, it's only been four days since I've seen the Adonis before me but as it turns out seeing Jasper never gets old. He's got a face I could stare at for eternity.

He offers me to go inside with him for dinner and my stomach agrees before my mouth as it rumbles embarrassingly loud. I wave goodbye to Jessica and Angela and tell Bella I'll see her at home.

Jasper gets us a more private booth and I can't help but feel like he might have manipulated the host with a bit of extra persuasion. A waiter comes to take our order but he won't stop stumbling over his words so I cut him off, ordering the pan roasted salmon and saying Jasper will have a house salad. Have to look somewhat normal as we sit here. His eyes don't leave my face and I notice they're getting lighter than they were in the car.

"I'm worried about you. How do you feel?" He asks, tone laced with concern.

"I really am fine. I've had worse run-ins." I admit carefully but refuse to elaborate. I knew he could tell I was telling the truth about everything, I'm almost certain he could feel if I were in shock or not.

He frowns, "That–that does not make me feel better, Vega."

The food arrives and when I'm halfway done with my food Jasper's voice shook, "Don't you have anything you want to ask me?"

His hands are clasped together tightly, nervously twiddling with his thumbs. I set my water down after taking a large gulp. The road in front of me is forked. I can admit that I'm curious and thus admit that there is something more happening than just Edward and Bella's story.

Or I could deny everything but potentially lose Jasper from the fallout–and that was an agonizing future to think about. I lock eyes with him, deciding on the third path, ignoring the paved roads and jumping headfirst into the patch of baby's breath set in between the roads.

"Do you want me to ask something, Jasper?" I glance down, deciding to put the ball in his court, "Because if I do, it will change everything won't it?"

End note: Baby's breath - here it's to allude to the meaning of everlasting love

*A volcanic precursor is any signal that could be associated with an impending eruption*

Happy New Year to all! 〜（ゝ。∂）