Bloody Mary // J. Hale

You and I

The storm raged outside, its relentless winds howling against the windows, yet Jenna felt an inexplicable calm settle over her. Maybe it was because of Jasper, or perhaps because the truth had finally been laid bare. She should be terrified—vampires were real, and the Cullens were among them. But instead of fear, she felt something unexpected: safety.

For the first time in ages, she didn't feel like an outcast or a freak. The revelation that there were other beings in the world, beings as extraordinary as they were impossible, grounded her in a way nothing else ever had. She wasn't imagining things. It was all real.

And more than that, she wasn't alone anymore.

Unlike last time, Jenna was now bundled in one of Jasper's sweaters and a pair of joggers. They were much too big for her—Jasper was tall, after all—but she'd managed by rolling up the sleeves and adjusting the waistband. It was comforting in a strange way, the oversized clothes carrying a warmth that had nothing to do with the fabric.

Jenna called her mother as soon as she stepped out of the shower, assuring her she was safe and had waited out the storm at a friend's house. Abby offered to pick her up, knowing the storm wasn't letting up anytime soon, but Jenna reassured her that her hosts didn't mind her staying over. She added that they'd make sure she got home once the weather settled.

Jasper had been considerate enough to give her some privacy, offering her the use of the bathroom connected to his room. Jenna was grateful for the time alone and for the warmth of the shower, which chased away the lingering chill from the storm. After tying her damp hair up, she ended the call with her mother and decided to take the chance to explore Jasper's room.

She had expected his room to be spacious, considering the luxurious villa his family owned, but was surprised by its modesty. The real centrepiece of the room was the breathtaking view of the pine forest framed by large windows that spanned one and a half walls. The walls themselves were painted a rich, deep green, lending the space a serene, earthy feel. One wall was completely dominated by a towering bookcase that stretched all the way to the ceiling.

Drawn to the shelves, Jenna ran her fingers along the spines of the books, letting her eyes wander over the titles. Most of them focused on psychology or philosophy, though a few thrillers were sprinkled throughout. Some books stood out for their age, clearly decades or more than fifty years old, while others were written in Spanish. It was obvious that reading wasn't just an occasional hobby for Jasper—it was a passion.

Yet, his love for books wasn't the only thing that caught Jenna's attention. Strangely, there wasn't a traditional bed in sight. The only possible contender was the wide bay window seat, crafted from mahogany wood like the window frames, adorned with plush cushions. Jenna sat down, running her hand over the soft fabric. It was unbelievably comfortable, and it occurred to her that it might actually double as his bed.

The entire room exuded comfort and simplicity. Aside from the window seat and bookcase, Jasper had a sturdy mahogany desk with a chessboard and a spinning globe perched on top. Mounted on one wall was a television, paired with a PlayStation and an impressive collection of video games. The sheer variety of FPS, TPS, and tactical games surprised her—she wouldn't have pegged Jasper as a gamer.

Everything about the room felt perfectly balanced, as if it captured various facets of Jasper's personality: thoughtful, intelligent, and unexpectedly playful.

As Jenna's gaze wandered around the space, taking in every detail, one thing in particular caught her attention. A smile tugged at her lips as she reached for the side table and picked up the Rubik's cube, her fingers lightly brushing the squares. It was the very cube she had given him during their first class together. At the time, she'd assumed he was simply nervous, unaware of how wrong she was. She never would have guessed that his tension stemmed from something far more extraordinary—that he was, in fact, a vampire.