Bloody Mary // J. Hale

The Distance Between Us

That weekend, Jenna isolated herself in her room, cocooned in blankets and wrapped in her comfort hoodie. Alice had driven her home, and though she tried to talk to Jenna, the words had never come. Jasper isn't human. The thought swirled in her mind, relentless and insistent, but there was no clarity, no answers.

She kept an eye on the news, expecting to see some mention of the six men who had died, but it was as if nothing had happened—no mention of the deaths, no explanation. It was all too easy to pretend it hadn't occurred, and yet, she couldn't escape the nagging feeling that she should know more.

Jenna tried to push the thoughts aside, distracting herself with a house-flipping marathon on TV—something she used to watch back in Seattle to pass the time. It was mindless, familiar, and in that moment, it was the only thing that made her feel a bit less lost. She'd received a few texts from Jessica, of all people, asking about her and Jasper. From what Alice had said while dropping her off, Edward had run into Bella in Port Angeles, and they had passed the word to Angela and Jessica that Jenna had gone home with Jasper after feeling unwell. A believable lie, given she had been sick with a cold earlier that week.

Jenna barely slept that weekend. Exhaustion weighed heavily on her, but rest remained elusive. She tossed and turned, her mind in a constant whirlwind. Thoughts spiralled, each more chaotic than the last, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't find any peace. Not even the medication she hadn't touched since Port Angeles offered relief.

Then, just like that, Monday arrived. Jenna decided to ride her bike to school, hoping the brisk morning air would keep her awake. It didn't. She felt more tired than ever.

As she parked her bike, she couldn't help but stare, like the rest of the students, as Bella and Edward stepped out of the same car, walking side by side as if they were a couple. Bella and Edward. Does Bella know what they are? Did she figure it out on her own, or did Edward tell her? Jenna's mind flashed back to what Bella had said: "I clearly remember him being on the other side of the parking lot before the van hit. And then, suddenly... he was right there."

There is no saving her.

Bella had figured it out—there was no other explanation. But what exactly had she discovered? What did she know about the Cullens? Jenna couldn't shake the curiosity gnawing at her.

Suddenly, the roar of a motorcycle broke through her thoughts. Jenna's breath caught in her throat as she saw him—Jasper. Her stomach twisted into painful knots. She felt the pull of him, his presence like a drug, the calmness he radiated both soothing and irresistible. It was his gift, the "superpower" that made him unhuman.

Jenna forced herself to look away, her heart aching. She wasn't ready to face him—not yet.

"Hey, Jen," Bella greeted her softly as she slid into the seat next to her in English. "About the other night... w-what happened after I left? I was worried sick!"

She knows.

Jenna lifted her head from her arms, where she'd been resting, trying to hide how heavy the exhaustion weighed on her. Her voice was raw and low. "I'm sure Edward already told you everything," she muttered. She knew she must look a mess—dark circles under her eyes and a heavy weight pressing down on her chest. Not even concealer could hide how tired she truly felt.

Bella shifted in her seat, turning her chair so she was facing Jenna more directly. Her brow furrowed with concern. "I want to hear it from you."

Jenna sighed and rubbed her face, trying to push through the fog that clouded her mind. The events of that night haunted her still, and she had no desire to revisit them. But she couldn't deny Bella the truth. She owed her this much. They had been together. She'd told Bella to leave, had tried to protect her. A small yawn escaped her lips, betraying her exhaustion.