Before You Go[Twilight;Jasper Hale]

6

Jasper watched Gabriella retreat back into her home as he began to pull out of the driveway. He had stayed for several hours, the two just talking.

Jasper sighed softly and shook his head. He knew what she was supposed to be to him, but he didn't want to bring her into this life. Gabby was such an innocent soul and he couldn't bear to be the reason she was tainted.

As he pulled into the garage, he made his decision. He wouldn't allow himself to get too close to her. He wouldn't be her undoing. He couldn't.

The passenger door opened and Alice sat down, staring at him.

"Jazz, you don't have to push her away. You won't hurt her." She spoke softly to her best friend.

"I can't be the reason she ever becomes like us." His voice sounded so broken and defeated. He didn't think a monster like him truly deserved to be happy.

Alice offered a slight smile. "Just get to know her. I see you being quite surprised at what you find out."

Jasper sighed softly, collecting himself. "I'll get to know her." He promised his friend. He would at least become her friend. He wouldn't tell Alice, but he wasn't going to let it get any further than that.

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A week had seemed to fly by, but so much had shifted in that short amount of time. Gabriella could regularly be seen at the side of one or more of the Cullen clan. Every time she turned around, she seemed to be met by one or more of them.

She had even started sitting with them at lunch. Which seemed to be Emmett's favorite time to have her cackling like a dying hen. The big guy always thought it was funny when she got embarrassed at everyone staring.

She followed behind Rosalie and Alice as the final bell rang. Alice had invited Gabby to go shopping, more so making it sound like she was kidnapping Gabby, but details.

Gabby had almost made it to the sidewalk from the stairs, but the last step caused her feet to slide from under her.

She would have bruised her tailbone if she hadn't fell back straight into the arms of Jasper Hale. Her cheeks began to turn pink a little from the cold and a little from being so close to Jasper. She grinned up at him. "Nice save."

Jasper helped her stand upright. "You would trip over air just walking, wouldn't you?"

Gabby laughed a bit. "Honestly, I have done it a few times."

Jasper reached up, gently fixing her beanie on her head. "I believe it, wholeheartedly."

This caused Alice and Gabriella to laugh softly. Though, the laughter stopped at the sound of tires sliding across the pavement. Gabriella turned to find the source and a scream seemed to get caught in her throat as she saw the van heading straight for Bella.

Her body was rooted in place, her hands hovering over her mouth which was open as if she were screaming, but no sound came out. Suddenly she was spun around and pulled into someone's chest.

She heard the impact of the van hitting the truck. "Shh." Jasper gently shushing her as he watched the situation. He didn't want her seeing such a gruesome sight if Edward had been too late.

She didn't deserve to see that. He slowly let her go when he saw Edward jumping over the back of the truck. Gabby peeked around almost terrified of what she might find.

Relief washed over her when she saw Bella was okay. She sighed softly, her breath turning to fog.

"Do you want to go to the hospital with her?" Rosalie asked, her gaze never leaving where her brother had left the scene.

Gabby shook her head. "No, Bella wouldn't want a lot of people worrying about her. I'll check in on her later,  we can still go shopping if you guys want?"

Alice nodded and clapped a little. "Of course!"

Gabby looked over at Jasper. "You're welcome to come to, Jazz." She looked to the other two. "Right?"

Jasper wanted so bad to say yes. He wanted to spend as much time as he could with her. He couldn't though. "Not today. I feel like hanging out alone."

He had to walk away before he could see the crushed look that crossed Gabby's face. He could feel the emotions practically seeping into his skin. He walked quickly to Emmett's jeep, climbing in. He took a deep breath and groaned, leaning his head against the dash.