Strings || Jasper Hale

The Day Everything Changed

The day that Bella arrived in Forks, Creed made a point to leave the house early. Christmas had already passed, and January was half way to its end by the time her plane landed in Port Angeles. However, because it was a school day, he didn't need a real excuse. Charlie didn't seem to mind, then again, he never did.

     Creed had messaged Jasper a little earlier than usual, and he promised to drive him to school as had become their normal routine. The day went as it usually did, apart from the timings. Only now, he was more distant from the rest of the student body.

     It was his own fault, really, because he chose to sit with the Cullen's at lunch, but that was only for Jasper. Connor an Buzz didn't seem to want to want to talk to him in their shared classes, and Milo preferred silence whilst they worked. And, despite having Rosalie in his English classes, and, obviously, Jasper in History, he still felt alone.

     Thus far, there had been two instances when they had been missing from school. When the weather was nice enough, Doctor and Mrs Cullen took their children out hiking, or so was the rumour. When that happened, Creed had no choice but to sit alone. He felt guilty for abandoning the others.

     Although, on those days, he felt more vulnerable than ever. He didn't even enter the cafeteria. Instead, he just went into the music classrooms and played his violin, or the piano, depending on his mood. It was the only thing sure to ever calm him down.

     That day in the library lingered in Creed's mind unlike anything else before. Since then, he and Jasper had spent more and more time together, so much so, that his siblings were getting wind of their infatuation with one another. It was, ever so slightly, terrifying. There was this unspoken rule between them both. This love and understanding they shared, despite never being bold enough to let the words leave their lips. 

     There may have been a few kisses, now and again. Perhaps it was more than Creed had expected, especially when Jasper was from a family who were notorious for their secrecy. There wasn't a thing he would change about it.

     When they were together, it was like nothing else mattered. They never let go of each others hands, because of the comfort it brought. It took Creed's mind somewhere else, away from every one of his problems. Even if Jasper's cold skin was slightly numbing.

     He was thankful that none of his siblings mentioned the lack of food on his plate. In return, he kept quiet about their behaviour, which was more standoffish than usual. Creed was even less hungry than usual, and it was all Bella's fault.

In the previous few days, Charlie had been making a deal with Billy Black about procuring a car for Bella. It was her homecoming gift, just for returning to Forks, despite not wanting to. She wasn't a good daughter. Creed wasn't even Charlie's son and he was a better child. It said a lot about her.

This truck had been renovated by Jacob Black, Billy's son. He had Creed had never really crossed paths, for whatever reason, which he always found a little confusing. There weren't that many people in Forks, and yet, he hardly knew anyone. Although, they lived on the Reservation... the boy from the forest, Paul, lived there. Perhaps he and Jacob knew each other.

Even after being fixed up, it was a piece of shit. It was all rusty and orange and it looked like it would fall apart at any moment. Creed wasn't allowed to drive. Renée never let him learn, but with Jasper around, he didn't need to, now. Only they days when the Cullen's were hiking did he walk, and that was a nice change of pace.