Turning Page - A Jasper Hale story

Chapter Three

The first class of that rainy day was Calculus - Jude's least favourite lesson. Maths was most definitely not her strong point. Edward smirked as she complained incessantly in her mind, walking alongside her towards the classroom.

"I'd understand if you don't want to," she started, looking up at the taller boy, "but we can sit next to each other if you like?" She found herself hoping that he'd say yes, wanting to get to know him more.

Edward was taken back by the desire to sit next to her that began bubbling in his stomach. He was entirely unsure where it had come from. But, nonetheless, he nodded at her words, holding the door open for the shorter girl to enter the classroom in front of him. She smiled politely before introducing him to Mr Varner, and then selecting their seats towards the back of the classroom.

Jude found that she was glad that her friends didn't share this lesson with her - she knew they'd tease her about Edward, and try to insinuate she had a crush on him. Like everyone else, she definitely found him attractive but she didn't desire a relationship per se - just a friendship.

Edward took his seat beside her, resting his elbows on the desk and his chin on his hands. He tilted his head to look at her and smiled when he found her already looking. Usually, the act would've irritated him (why must these humans stare at him constantly), but he found that he didn't mind as much. He liked how her thoughts weren't fixed on wanting to be his friend to get in his trousers, or for money. She just wanted him to feel welcome, she wanted to be his friend so that he had someone to talk to, to help him through moving to a new town, a new school. He liked her already - and that really did shock him. He considered pushing her away, sticking to himself, but that feeling bubbled in his stomach again - he wanted to be friends with her too.

Jude and Edward were almost glued to each other's sides through the following lessons - Jude loved History, and of course English (Edward shared her sentiments for these lessons). Working together only made the lessons more interesting - Edward having lived through the subject of their history lesson and Jude's obvious passion for writing made them an excellent academic team.

***

By the time, gym rolled around, the two were more or less acquainted - Jude knew very little of him and his family other than their names, his favourite books, music and movies. She was quite happy with that information - she was sure they'd learn more of each other as time went on.

Edward, after getting changed, wandered into the gymnasium, his eyes scanning for Jude in the hopes she was waiting for him. He was pleased to see her sat on the bleachers, looking at her nails.

"Have you made a friend?" Alice's voice came from behind him, quiet so that human ears would not be able to interpret her words. Edward gave her a slight nod, "I can't explain it. Every time she looks at me, I get this feeling in my stomach..." he trailed off, eyebrows furrowing as he looked to his adopted sibling.

The blank look on her face was enough to tell him everything - Alice was having a vision, a one clearer than her earlier one in homeroom. He studied her intently, eyes scanning her face as he witnessed what she was seeing.

Jude stood laughing with Emmett, his arm wrapped around Rosalie. Beside them sat Edward and someone whose face was not yet visible to the two vampires.

"Emmett, I will snap you in half if you don't stop saying 'yeehaw' every time he walks past!" Jude giggled, scolding him playfully. Emmett laughed and Rosalie rolled her eyes almost lovingly, smiling at Jude. She turned to look to Alice - her facial features became more visible to them.

Edward gasped as he continued to look at Alice.

Jude's eyes were golden, like theirs. Her skin was pale, almost translucent, yet still dotted with her freckles. She smiled brightly, "Alice! Tell him!"

The small vampire just laughed, shaking her head teasingly. "I'll do it myself then," Jude answered, laughing heartily now as Emmett placed his hands over his mouth, his retort muffled by his palms.

The vision swirled as the scene before them changed.

Jude was laughing again, this time running at incredible speeds through the forrest. She looked back behind her, searching for someone.

For a moment, Edward considered it might be him she was looking for, but shook his head slightly - he'd have known if she was his mate.

"Jas!" she spoke.

Edward and Alice gasped in sync.

The blonde vampire appeared beside her, sliding his hand into her's as they ran.

The gymnasium appeared again before them as Alice's vision came to an end. Jude still hadn't noticed they had appeared, scratching at the nail polish she had applied two nights before. The siblings looked to each other, Alice's mind swimming with possibilities of what her friendship with Jude might be like. Edward, on the other hand, was unsettled - Jude was like them in the vision. Who would change her? Worry filled his features as the possibilities of what might happen to Jude began to flit through his brain.

Finally noticing their arrival in the room, Jude got to her feet. She noted the worry on Edward's face, and assumed it was nerves - he had mentioned that Gym was his least favourite class on their walk to the gym. She approached the siblings, ready to reassure Edward and introduce herself to Alice.

"Edward? Are you alright?" she questioned, placing a hand on his cold arm, "remind me to give you those gloves before lunch - you're still cold, sweetheart." He laughed and nodded, pulling his arm from her hand. He was glad she hadn't questioned it beyond him being cold.

He could see her brain thinking of other ways to help warm him up - a sweater, asking for the heating to be turned up, suggesting he goes for a jog... He took the silence that stemmed from her distracted mind as an opportunity to introduce her to Alice. As he opened his mouth to speak, his sister stepped forwards and embraced Jude in a hug.

"Hi Jude, I'm Alice - we're going to be great friends!"

Jude laughed, hugging the girl back. Edward cringed at Alice's words and bit his bottom lip as he noticed Jude question Alice's coldness too, but his features softened as she smiled brightly.

"I bet we are, Alice."