Saving Jasper: Unbroken | ✓ [COMPLETE]

Chapter 5

Jasper looked incredibly nervous as we got out of the car. The early morning wind scattered colorful leaves around, and the library gave off a homey essence. I loved the beginnings of autumn, and apart from summer, it had always been my second favorite season. I tightened my coat around my midriff and held a gloved hand out to Jasper. Grasping my hand, he followed me inside. I wove between the high, old bookshelves, following the strong scent of coffee.

“Still not awake?” Jasper whispered, sending chills down the side of my neck. He placed a quick kiss there and took my hand again as we located the coffee shop, snuggled in between Historical Fiction and magazines. I pushed the door open and a little bell chimed, alerting the barista of our entrance.

I glided straight up to the counter and appraised the choices I had. The bittersweet aromas had my mouth watering as I inhaled deeply, realizing how long it had been since I’d last had coffee. I reached inside my pocket, feeling around for my wallet. When my fingers made contact, I yanked it out and flipped it open. I frowned at the two wrinkled fives I had, and plucked both of them out.

“No, I’m not. I had wild dreams last night.”

He smirked, “Too much alcohol?”

“That and a side of Jasper.” It was my turn to smirk when he flushed red and looked out the window. The corner of his lips twitched as he fought the oncoming smile.

“Can I help you?” A timid voice asked. I looked up to see a girl with flaming red hair, a narrow freckled face, and cornflower blue eyes looking at me. She nibbled on her bottom lip, exposing silver and blue braces. I scanned her nametag, seeing that her name was Maria. I smiled a little and nodded, looking back up at the list of choices again.

“I’d like a tall vanilla latte, skinny please,” I told her. Nodding, she looked at Jasper who shook his head in response, smiling politely. She turned and began to prepare my drink. Leaning against the counter, I grabbed my phone and opened it. Jasper busied himself with looking out the picture window, while I sent a text to Juliet.

Coffee shop, in the back.

Tiredly, I trudged over to the red armchair sat by the window. I plunked myself down into it, and settled back, getting comfortable. When Maria finished making my drink, Jasper picked it up from the counter and brought it over to me. When he sat, he no longer obscured my view of the doorway. Juliet stood there, looking around. She spotted me, then, and made her way over. I couldn’t piece together the look on her face, but if she was trying to be calm, I could still see the apprehension in her eyes.

Jasper took notice of my distractedness and turned partway. He gasped a little and stood up, turning to face his twin sister. I stood up, too, nearly knocking my coffee over in the process. Juliet greeted me warmly, placing a kiss on my cheek before hugging me.

“It’s so nice to see you again,” she said. Breaking apart, we turned to face Jasper. He had his eyes locked on his sister’s face, and to be honest, he looked a little frightened. Suddenly, I was back six years, standing in my eighteen-year-old body. Jasper looked like the young teenager I had met six years ago, frightened over meeting a stranger. He swallowed hard and composed himself. He came to stand by my side, slipping his arm around my waist. It seemed slightly protective, but I passed it off as a delusional thought and watched as he reached for Juliet, then.

The embrace wasn’t awkward, or happy. When they separated, we sat down at the table. No longer craving my coffee, I pushed it in a small circle, looking down at the table.

“You’re not the only one who just recently found out they had a twin,” Juliet said to Jasper, softly. She rested her folded hands on the table and watched him intently. I looked up and glanced between the two of them, taking note of the startling similarities. Though her image was curvier, and her face was a little narrower, the gray irises and soft dark hair matched in comparison. The silence seemed to drag on as we all watched one another, unsure of what to do or say.

Jasper finally shifted a little in his seat. “I figured. So...where are our...parents?” He made a weird face at the mention of ‘parents’ and I internally frowned. Nora literally had ruined everything for him, no matter how much time passed, it would never be the same.

Juliet looked sad as she processed his words. “They’re not here. They...died in a car accident three years ago.” Her tone dropped so low I could barely hear it. My gaze jumped to Jasper’s face. I looked for any sign of emotion, but he looked a little lost. He had, obviously, never lost someone to death. He’d never even met his parents, really. I could understand the fact that he probably felt nothing, except confusion.  

“That’s...” He seemed to have troubles finding the right words. “Sad.” Juliet nodded slowly, looking a little more emotional than her brother. Jasper searched her face for a moment, looking as though he wanted to console her, but wasn’t able to.

“It is, indeed. I was hoping...I mean....I always wondered...” She shook her head, inhaling sharply. I bit down on my lip, feeling very out of place. I clutched my coffee cup, feeling the heat seep through the cardboard into my palms, causing me to relax.

Jasper nodded, “To go eighteen years not knowing you have a twin.”

“Or, to go eighteen years living in one room. I’m extremely grateful for this chick right here,” she said in a happier tone, pointing at me. I smiled a little, feeling my cheeks heat up. “I read the article, and then I researched. Did you know your father was interviewed about it? What you did for Jasper, that’s incredible. They had no hope for him, not even the psychologists...amazing,” she repeated, shaking her head. My smile widened as Jasper looked at me lovingly.

“I’m extremely grateful for her as well, Juliet. She really has pulled me through so much.” He reached out for my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. Juliet looked at me and grinned. She then looked at our hands and her grin disappeared. I looked down at my hand as well, and saw that she was looking right at my engagement ring. It suddenly felt as if it weighed a thousand pounds. Uncomfortably, I pulled my hand away.

It was too late, though. She’d seen it.

“What’s that?” she whispered, looking expectantly at Jasper. He floundered for a moment, just looking at her, shocked.

“Juliet, I kind of proposed to--”

“You what?” she shrieked.