Turning Page - A Jasper Hale story

Chapter Six

Edward had wasted no time, after Jasper had dropped Jude and her books off at her Calculus class. He grabbed his brother by the bicep, pulling him into an alcove where they would not be seen.

"What are you doing?" he growled at a volume that no human could possibly hear. Jasper shook his head, eyes wide - as if shaking himself awake.

Edward could her his thoughts loud and clear when Jasper was looking at Jude. It would kill him to hurt her. He had no bloodlust for her, just pure, sweet desire. Not in a sexual manner, per se. He desired to know her favourite book, her favourite movie, what her favourite holiday was. 

Edward released his grip on Jasper's arm ever so slightly. His eyes widened.

"You're going to pursue this?" he asked, "are you sure that's wise?"

Edward knew what he had seen in Jasper's thoughts, but the worry bubbling in his stomach, telling him that the situation would not be the same were the girl bleeding, had him doubting his brother.

But Jasper's mind was set.

And so was Jude's.

***

Jude had been very confused when Edward did not arrive to calculus that hour. She tried to hide the emotions shining on her face but the blush on her cheeks sold her out. 

That boy, Edward's brother, had her mesmerised. She had intended to quiz Edward on him, regardless of her upset at his cold shoulder, but his absence from their class made that difficult. She wondered where he had got to. Surely he wasn't so angry at her that he would avoid her after spending only five minutes remotely near her?

The lesson dragged by slowly as she anticipated cornering Edward. Her imagination ran wild with what she would say to him.

When the bell finally rang, Jude was the first out of her seat and out the door. She couldn't wait for American History - Edward would have no choice but to speak to her. She intended to plead with him, apologise for whatever it was she had done to cause him such upset. Her heart ached, she had never intended to upset anyone, she just wanted him and his siblings to feel welcome.

She had taken two steps away from the classroom when an ice cold hand wrapped around her wrist. Jude jumped and turned to find who it was that had sent such a (physical and metaphorical) shiver up her spine.

Jasper.

"Hello Judith," he smiled, holding his hand out for her books. Jude winced as he used her full name, handing him her books nonetheless. She felt oddly compelled to, just as Jasper felt oddly compelled to be near her, to walk her to her next class. Of course he knew her schedule, Edward had complained incessantly that he was going to struggle ignoring her - they sat together in ever lesson! 

"It's just Jude," she smiled at the boy, warmth spreading to her cheeks as he flashed that lopsided smile again. He nodded, "okay, Just Jude. What class do you have next? American History?" 

He pretended to look at her books that he held in his hands - wanting to look less inconspicuous. He didn't want her to think he was stalking her.

"Yeah, I sit with your brother - although he doesn't seem to be thrilled about that..." she trailed off, "he didn't show to our last class." She gestured over her shoulder to the calculus class she had just vacated as Jasper nodded. He could see Edward and Alice hovering in his enhanced peripheral vision but his eyes did not leave Jude's nor did her's leave his.

A pit of regret began to open in Edward's stomach. It was clear this poor little human already cared for him - he felt despair at making her feel so upset. Jasper felt both sets of emotion hit him like a wave. 

"He's really been struggling with the move," Jasper falsely divulged, hoping it would settle the girl's aching heart. He saw Edward nod from the corner of his eye - the lie was feasible enough. There was no reasonable way they could avoid Jude for the rest of their time in Forks, however long or short it would be. 

"Oh no," Jude answered, her eyes shining with sympathy. Jasper was taken aback as the wave of emotion hit him starkly in the chest. He had never felt someone's emotions as strongly as he felt hers.

Edward began to approach his brother and their new friend as Alice retreated to her next class. 

"Hi Jude," he looked down at his shoes, sheepishly. The relief Jasper felt radiating from her, and the thoughts of sympathy and support Edward could hear had the brothers stunned. How could this little human have such a hold over them?

She hoped he would look at her, so that he could see just how glad she was that he was speaking to her again.

He felt compelled to look up, to look her in the eye.

He couldn't help the smile that grew on his lips as she smiled up at him. Jasper felt almost warm with the genuine happiness that radiated between his brother and his mate. 

He looked up, checking the hall - they'd have to get to class soon enough. 

His eyes met Alice's from where she stood at the bottom of the corridor, the twinkle in her eye was enough to tell him everything.

She had seen something.

Something good.

Jasper's eyes sparkled as he looked down at her, a wide smile on his lips at pure love in her golden eyes that spread throughout his body. It was almost like she had turned him human again - like the sun was kissing his skin.

She reached her hand up and traced a finger along his sharp jaw. He leaned down and pressed a sweet kiss on her palm as it passed his lips. 

"I love you, Jas," she whispered.

The scene expanded as Alice's vision became clearer. 

The white dress that sat beautifully against Jude's pale skin. Jasper's tuxedo and impeccably combed golden hair.

Their families sat watching.

The golden and diamond littered rings that sat on her finger.

Edward couldn't help the smile on his lips. Regret filled his body and Jasper could feel it. He knew that Edward felt guilty for trying to keep them apart but he couldn't decipher why. He assumed it had something to do with whatever Alice had seen.

He smiled. 

He couldn't wait to find out.