Devotion ~ A Jasper Hale Story

Chapter Seven

A few days later, Bella and Adeline had been invited to La Push beach with Angela, Eric, Mike, and Jessica. Bella had accepted and even invited Edward, who had declined. Adeline had decided to decline the group's invitation knowing it would be cold and rainy, and would prefer to take that time to think about what the Cullens had said.

A knock came from the door of Addie's room. She looked up to see Bella.

"Hey, I'm heading out now. Charlie's at work. Are you sure you don't want to come with us?"

Adeline smiled, "No I'm okay, Bells. Thank you though. Tell me all about it when you get back!"

"Okay, there's leftovers in the fridge, remember," Bella called as she walked down the stairs.

Addie rolled her eyes at her sister and smiled to herself. Then, when she was sure Bella was completely gone, she pulled out a piece of paper and began to list the things she knew about the Cullens.

Didn't she tell them that she wouldn't pry? Yes. However, Adeline was growing more suspicious by the day. She didn't want to be involved in whatever they were up to, she just wanted to make sure her sister was safe.

Let's think. What do I know about them so far?
1. They're freezing cold. Ex: Alice's hug, Emmett and Edward's handshakes, Jasper's hand against the back of my head

She felt a shiver travel down her spine as she thought back to Jasper's touch.

2. They can run insanely fast. Ex: Running across the parking lot to save us.
3. They're incredibly strong. Ex: Leaving large dents in a VAN.
4. I've never seen them eat anything, but they always look strong and healthy.
5. Extraordinary hearing.

What else is there?

6. I've never seen them go out in sunlight.

Adeline's eyes widened as she thought of the last point. Rereading her list, she paused. It felt as if her heart had stopped. Realization came flooding at her.

Cold, fast, strong, don't eat, extraordinary hearing, don't go out in the sunlight...

Vampires.

The word stuck in Adeline's brain.

Vampires.

She heard Bella come back from the beach. She didn't say a word to her. Bella seemed too tired to talk anyways, thank god.

Vampires.

What was she going to tell them? How was she going to explain that she figured out their secret?

Vampires.

It all made sense now. She needed a plan. She needed to decide what to do.

Vampires...

The next morning, Adeline still hadn't decided on a plan. She went through her classes trying to figure one out, but by the time she had art with Alice she still had no idea. She didn't talk to the girl a lot, and Alice was worried that there was something wrong (she couldn't see Addie's future either, but it's not like she could tell her that).

At lunch, Adeline was quiet. Bella wasn't there, as she had to make up a quiz she had missed after the accident. As the Cullens walked in, Addie tried to wipe all thoughts of them from her mind. She had always been good at that. Halfway through lunch the girl made eye contact with Edward. They stared at each other for a moment, before a thought occurred to the girl.

Edward always knows what people are thinking.

The boy's eyes widened, confirming the girl's thoughts.

Can you read minds?

The boy nodded, eyes widening even more. Suddenly Addie knew what she was going to do. She didn't need to tell them face to face, she could avoid direct confrontation and simply tell them through her thoughts.

I know what you are. All of you.

Edward shook his head.

Vampires.

Edward froze, maintaining eye contact with the girl while whispering something to the table. All of their heads shot around towards the girl, who simply looked at all of them (eyes lingering a moment longer on Jasper) and smiled awkwardly.

Cool, was all the girl could think. My friends are vampires.

She looked at Edward again, asking Can I finally know why I'm so different than Bella?

Edward nodded, mouthed after school, then motioned with his head towards Jasper. Adeline got the message.

History class was tense that day, to say the least. Adeline was nervous, but she had avoided having to directly say that she knew their secret, so she was content. When the bell signaled that class was over, Adeline quickly packed up her things and silently followed Jasper out of the door. When they reached the parking lot, she saw Bella, Jessica, and Angela waiting for her.

"Hey," Jessica said, watching as Jasper waited for the girls to finish talking. "Do you want to come help me and Angela dress shop? Bella's coming cause she needs to get a book or whatever."

"Oh," Adeline said looking at Bella, "I'm sorry, I can't. I told Jasper I'd help him with something."

She could see the jealousy in Jessica's eyes, and the confusion in Bella's.

"You guys have fun, though," she said as she climbed into Jasper's car.

The pair drove off. Jasper was silent as he gripped the steering wheel tightly. After about a half hour, Jasper finally pulled his car over. They were practically in the middle of the woods.

"Come on," he said. "We're walking from here."

"Where are we going, Jasper?"

"There's a clearing I know. There's a waterfall too. It's the perfect place to talk without being overheard."

The pair walked about ten minutes through the woods. Eventually Adeline could hear the roaring of the waterfall as it grew louder. She followed the boy until finally, they reached a meadow with a small beach that led into a pool at the bottom of a waterfall.

Jasper walked to the middle of the meadow and turned around to face the girl.

"I guess we finally need to talk about this."