If Ever (COMPLETED - EDITING)

Chapter 7 - Ella

When I came to, I was in Jasper's car, laid down in the back seat. I gingerly got up putting my hand to my head. It hurt like a bitch.

"Hey, hey, Stella careful, you passed out, I think you have a concussion, you guys hit the ground pretty hard. And you threw up."

"What the hell happened?" I groaned.

Jasper's lips tightened a bit, "some drunk dumb-asses thought it would be fun to spit vodka into the fire to make it bigger. He sprayed it straight as you were walking back and it would have hit you straight in the face, but you're ok now. So, my first visit to a age appropriate party was a bust.

All memory came flooding back. Kai. I was only ok because of Kai, Jasper didn't want me to know or remember?

"Is Kai still there?"

"You remember?"

"I'm not sure, bits and pieces."

"Last I saw he was brawling like a nutjob, he got into it with the guys spitting into the fire." Shit did he get into a fight because of me? No, that couldn't be true. He wouldn't care enough for that.

"Is the party over?" If it was I'd just have to thank him on Monday, if he ever decided to have classes with me again. He didn't hate me, isn't that what he's said? Or was I just imagining things? I was so hazy on the details, last thing I remember was the fire and then there were his green eyes and him telling me to breathe. Had I thrown up, my mouth tasted weird.

"Nope, party's still raging, Troy asked me to take you home." Jasper said in clipped tones. I wasn't sure what that was about, but I didn't care. "Jasper, I have to go back, I've dropped my phone and Jacket. Please Jasper." I begged. "You serious?" I nodded.

"Your fucking funeral." He said, turning the car around. I didn't want to admit I was going back for him. In fact, I was pretty sure Kai was going to spit in my face when he saw me and throw my thanks back at me like a fucking javelin and I knew it would hurt. But I didn't care. I didn't have to explain anything to Jasper.

He didn't understand how already fucked up I was, anyway. Pain and sorrow beget pain and sorrow. I couldn't explain that to anyone who didn't already know. I silently crawled into the front seat and looked sideways at Jasper. My head still hurting.

"Thank you, Jasper. For the fun evening, and for driving me home." My voice was quiet, sincere.

He just nodded. But his features relaxed. "Are you ok?" he asked. "I think so. My head's a bit tender." I realized my elbows were also pretty raw, he cursed looking at them, handing me some tissue from his car, I dabbed at them. I had blood on my jeans. Shit.

We made it back to the party, Troy was furious, "why the fuck did you bring her back? What the hell, Stella?"

"She wanted to come back man, lay the fuck off me, she lost her phone and jacket." Jasper walked off. For someone that constantly asked me out, he seemed out of it. Maybe he had given up all hope of me saying yes. Or maybe he thought I was too fucked up for him. I was fine with that.

"Why the hell did you come back?" He asked, Angry. Whoa, what? He was shouting at me?

"I need my phone." I said. 

"That's not fucking it. You came back for him, didn't you?" Troy almost spat.

"And for my phone and Jacket. I had to thank him Troy, I don't think I would be standing here otherwise." I said neutrally. Troy handed me both my phone and jacket and I wondered why he hadn't put them in the car with me.

He brushed two fingers across my cheek, what the hell was that? I recoiled. "Sorry, I'm sorry. I've had a bit to drink." He really looked it, I nodded unsure of what to do, but letting it go on account of the drinking. "I just don't want to see you get hurt, least of all by that asshole, you deserve better, Stella." I nodded again saying nothing. I knew he was the closest thing I had to a friend but my arms were hurting and I just wanted to find Kai to thank him and leave. I would call Mel or Owen for a ride. Maybe coming back was a mistake.