вυмp ιn тнe nιgнт

NINETEEN

jasmine had noticed the relief her family tried to hide when she didn't return to bella swan's home for the next couple days. she hadn't missed the sigh of relief maria let out as she was leaving the woman after telling her she was done with the girl. she also didn't miss her siblings talking about how glad they were that she was no longer subjecting herself to the torture that came with trying to help bella swan.

the days went by as normal — well, as normal as they can be with hailey still not showing up to school. her friends were glad that she was finally not focusing on the depressed girl, and even refused to speak her name aloud, only calling her "she who shall not be named." it clearly showed that they'd been watching harry potter recently without her, which caused her to tease the group.

charlie would call her from time to time to ask how she was doing, which was honestly very sweet of him. jasmine knew the man wanted to update her on how his daughter was doing, but he recognized that doing so would just restart her vicious cycle of trying to help and ending up with no results all over again.

so, charlie didn't mention his mute, comatose, nightmare-plagued teenager, and instead asked how she was doing, or how her siblings were fairing. it was nice, to actually have someone outside her family or circle of friends ask if she was alright.

it made her feel like she mattered to other people.

she woke up late on friday, too mentally exhausted to get out of bed. the girl got out of bed, took a thirty minute shower, and then went downstairs to go and eat something. her younger siblings were already out at school, her parents were at work, and jackson was probably wandering around or something.

"you're up late," said vampire comments, coming around the corner and leaning against the island, where she was eating. she simply shrugs, not caring, and instead looks at her phone. there were messages from angela, eric and jess, that she answered saying she had woken up late but wasn't feeling it so she'd be staying home. once putting her phone back down, she turns to her brother, giving him a small smile.

"yeah. i'm probably gonna go on a walk or something just to clear my head. help reconnect, you know?"

he nods, smiling back, and shuffles closer so that he could wrap his arm around her and pull her into a side hug.

"i'm glad you're finally taking time to yourself again. you know you can talk to me about things, right? i'm your big brother, and i'm always here for you," he says softly, and jasmine simply nods and leans into his hug.

"thanks."

the two eventually separated and jasmine headed out into the woods not that long after, barefoot, breathing in the fresh, rainy air and the smell of wet dirt. wet dirt had always been one of her favorite smells.

the further she traveled into the woods, the more and more she relaxed. her magic pulsed in her veins, flaring underneath her skin and waiting for the chance to be used without restraint. the wind was already beginning to pick up around her, her hair flying everywhere as the forest celebrated the presence of a witch. she could hear the whispers of the dryads, their excited twittering making her smile. the anemoi rejoiced as she walked along, fluttering the girl off her feet every once in awhile and bringing a smile to her lips.

the spirits were curious of her, having not witnessed a witch in their presence in centuries. they watched as she moved, watched her interact with the nature around her, and smiled when they appeared before her and she waved at them. small flowers bloomed in the places she stepped, and vines reached out for her to stroke.

when she felt she was deep enough in the wood that she came upon a clearing, she came to a stop. jasmine lowered herself to the ground, smiling as she lay on her back and allowed the earth to flourish around her. so many different flowers popped up around her, the grass turning lively shades of green that could rival ireland's fields.