I trudged up the rain soaked steps of the cullens, deep in thought. thoughts about what to do about Joe, whether to tell anyone, thoughts about vampires and high school. I decided to disregard it all. the stress was too much.
Carlisle swung open the door professionally.
"Bella, how are you?" He said warmly.
i smiled.
"Hi carlisle. Im good thanks how are you?" I said quietly.
"Im well. Come on in." He smiled.
I began approaching the stairs when a high pitched voice spoke from upstairs.
"Bella! Come help me pick which napkins for the graduation party!" Alice shouted.
i audibly sighed as Carlie chuckled behind me.
"Hey i can hear you sighing." Alice said disgruntled. I approached the table of which she had covered with all different coloured napkins, as she stared lost in thought. I was glad for a distraction from my anxious thoughts.
"That one." I pointed to the soft grey colour. Alice stared intently.
"Yes okay great let me go get the cutlery now." She practically danced off down the hall.
I noticed Jasper sat in the corner of the room on the couch, lost in a book.
He looked up at me kindly.
"Sorry Bella. Looks like you're takin one for the team in helping Alice's party planning." He said with humour in his voice and a thick accent.
I rolled my eyes. "Well im going to try to escape." i said lightly as I headed for the kitchen.
I listened to the kettle heat, rubbing my forearm absentmindedly. It ached strongly and concern pitted in my stomach as I realised how hard he grabbed me. I diverted my thoughts avoiding an increase in anger and anxiety.
I made my tea and sipped on it, lost in thought. I could hear Alice rummaging with supplies upstairs. I thought best to avoid her and I walked outside to the darkening sky on the balcony, leaning on the railing.
My train of thought was broken by the door opening.
"Bella, blue or grey? " Alice held up two balloon packets.
"Blue?" i said confused.
Alice thought for a second and then sighed. "Do you have no vision". she shut the door in a rush.
I chuckled, sipping my tea again. My thoughts drifted to Joe again. I turned and walked inside, washing my cup in the kitchen as a distraction.
A southern accent broke my daze.
"Hey Bella, how was your day?" Jasper said almost cautiously, leaning on the bench top. My eyes widened in surprise. We didnt talk much.
"Yeah it was good, shift went quick." I felt my heart increase.
He nodded courteously.
"Did you have a busy day?" I said quick .
He smiled. "Just homework ive done a million times. literally." He laughed once as I did too. I turned to place my cup in the cupboard.
"Bella, is everything okay?" Jasper asked lighthearted. i hesitated, then turned to face him.
"Of course. why do you ask?" I didnt want to know the answer but it was already out of my lips.
He turned his head slightly, his eyes staring.
"It's just, you feel anxious about something. Like a concern for your safety anxiety. I wanted to reassure you that we wont be letting Victoria anywhere near you." He said warmly.
i felt calm instantly. I almost laughed. Joe had made me forget i had much bigger problems.
I felt comfort for Jasper asking.
"Thank you Jasper. You are very kind." I leaned on the bench.
"So nothing else is causing your anxiety for your safety?" Jasper pushed, his eyes scanning my expression . My heart leaped in my chest. I know he heard it.
I shook my head." No it was just Victoria, like you said. that helps a lot thank you." I said warmly. His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Anyway im going to go find Alice before she looks for me again." i said as I walked past him.
I left the room in a hurry, knowing he would feel my bluff.
i spent the evening helping Alice pick colour themes and it went by quick.
Before I knew, it was Monday morning and i was dragging my feet to class. Alice dropped me off with Jasper in the morning and mentioned that her and Carlisle would be joining the others hunting tonight. I sighed. Edward would be home in a few days and everything would be better.
I finished my last class and quickly changed before driving to work. I talked to my colleagues and stock filled shelves, grateful for the break from having to do homework.
I kept my distance from Joe,well he normally kept his distance from everyone, and I socialised with a few other girls at work. Their shifts finished an hour before mine.
I did outside bin runs to avoid him as much as possible, only entering the shop again when it was time to leave.
I watched as he counted the till, his usual sullen expression on his face. I spoke softly.
"Hey, i can finish that and lock up if you want to head off now?" i said kindly.
His eyes looked up at me accusingly.
"Why, so you can frame me to the boss for something else?" He said aggressively, slamming the till drawer roughly.
I gasped, collected myself and turned to leave abruptly.
"Hey dont walk away from me bitch!"
I kept walking to the door as my heart pounded. Joe's large frame suddenly appeared in front of me, blocking my exit.
"Don't mess with me or I will mess you up Bella." He towered over me, his words similar to a small child bully, his eyes full of murder. I held my kneesback from shaking.
I stormed around his frame, practically running to my car. I was so scared, adrenaline pumping through me.
i cried on the drive home, trying to slow my heart rate, wondering how i would make myself safe from him. He was so intimidating and I hated my smaller female stature against this piece of shit. I had so much to worry about. I worried Joe would escalate again, hurt me again or stalk me. The fury in his eyes was terrifying.
My anxiety lept as I pulled in the Cullens driveway. I realised only Jasper would be watching me tonight. I planned to make up some school related stress and prayed that he would stick to himself like always.
I entered the large front door andwalked up the kitchen stairs. Jasper stood politely in the kitchen. His eyebrow was creased, he spoke cautiously.
"Bella, is everything okay?" He had so much warmth and care in his voice I almost spilled everything right there.
i darted my eyes down. "oh yes fine. Just really stressed with school and everything with victoria today but im sure itll pass." My voice shook with my own lie.
"Okay of course." He said politely. I knew he didnt buy it.
"imma go take a shower." He stared with worried eyes as I left the room.
After i had changed, i walked down stairs and made myself a tea.
Jasper read a book in the corner of the room although didnt seem to be reading it more just staring at the pages.
I noticed him get up and wander into the kitchen.
"Anything you want to do tonight Bella? i can go get you specific food or movie?" He said awkwardly. I smiled at him trying so hard.
"No thanks Jasper im fine." I said warmly as I boiled the kettle. i started small talk. He leaned against the counter casually.
" Also im sorry you got Edward's neurotic babysitting duties. He doesnt trust me" i chuckled at my joke.
Jasper smiled and his brow creased. "Not at all Bella i enjoy spending time with you."
i felt comfort fill me. "oh, thank you Jasper. As do I. though I am sorry for all the pain I caused you and your family recently after my eighteenth. " His brow frowned and his expression became concerned .
"Bella, im the one who should apologise. But want to reassure you that I hunt more regularly now and I have grown so much stronger in my tolerance, your scent doesnt even bother me now. I truly am sorry." He said earnestly.
i smiled big and chuckled. "Thanks Jasper. im lucky to have you around." He smiled genuinely.
I turned and pulled out a teaspoon from the drawer. My phone buzzed in my pocket. I read the text. Joe.
"Watch your back," it read. My heart picked up, pounding. I quickly put it in my pocket and went back to the teaspoons, praying my heart would slow.
"Bella? You okay?" Jasper asked.
i turned only half facing him. "oh yeah, just remembered a sooner deadline for an assignment is all" I lied.
"Bella, I am an empath. I know when you are lying. What is truly bothering you?" He said firmly. I looked up at him for a moment and sighed.
"its below your pay grade Jasper, really its fine." I said. He stared intently reading my face.
"Bella, i know you arent fine. If you are in some kind of trouble, you need to tell me now." He walked closer.
I stared anxiously back at him for a second.
"Im fine really." i said half hearted , turning back to the cupboard. I opened the door and reached high for the tea bags. I watched as my sleeve lifted, exposing finger shape bruises across my right wrist. I heard a faint gasp behind me. i stared a few seconds as I processed how obvious these were and how prominent they had appeared over night. Then i remembered whos sharp senses were standing right behind me. I turned, eyes wide.
Jasper looked terrified and serious. "Bella. what is that." He spoke slowly. He stood incredibly still.
"Oh I just bumped that yesterday." I stammered. "Anyway it's nothing. Actually i just have to go grab something." I was panicking. I turned quickly, walking out of the kitchen at pace.
A tall figure appeared in front of me. I gasped. Jasper's face was so worried, i had never seen this side of him.
"Bella, you tell me right now who hurt you and dont you dare attempt anymore lies. I am an empath and I know."
I froze. "i its n nothing." i took a step to the right. Jasper mirrored me instantly.
He placed his hands gently on my upper rms. I felt calm and safe. "Bella, you are important to me too and I need to know you sre safe. i cant do that if you dont tell me who did this." His voice was filled with concern like honey.
I sighed.
"It's embarrassing." I said. Jasper blinked once. He slowly lowered his hand from my upper arm to my sleeve, gently pulling it up to expose my dark bruises on pale skin. He clenched his jaw as he waited for me to continue.
"There is a guy at been giving me a hard time, but i can handle it." I said quickly. Jasper smiled darkly.
"Thank you for telling me Bella. I will pay him a little visit tomorrow." i shivered at his menacing threat.
"But, why would you not tell me? why is that embarrasing?" He pressed.
i looked down.
"Because i cant confront him myself to deal with it. He gets physical and im no match for him. Its frustrating."
Jasper pulled me into a hug. "Sweetheart, you are tiny yes. Leave the physical defense to me."