Life ✶ Jasper Hale

Chapter Eighteen: The Vampire Parentals

Svetlana

Before I even open my eyes, I know I'm alone. My room is warmer without his cold body next to mine. Still, I reach out, searching. My fingers brush against a piece of paper. Opening my eyes, I see the sunlight spilling into my room from the doors behind me. Lifting the sheet of paper off the pillow beside mine, I roll over—onto my back—to use the natural light. The words are written in an elegant, cursive script.

As much as I cherish gazing at you whilst you sleep, I have to go home to change for our day together. I will be with you again shortly.

I run my fingers over the writing with a smile on my face. Removing the covers, I slip out of bed, walking over to my bookshelf. Pulling out my copy of Hiding Places, opening it, I flip through until I get to the hollowed-out section.

I bought this book just for the title a few years ago just for the purpose of hollowing it out for my emergency cash. It was perfect. I used to stash it in a sock under my mattress, but when Sebastian found it, I decided to buy a random book. He's never come close to finding it again.

Over the last five or six years, I've stashed six thousand, eight hundred, and fifty-eight dollars inside. I don't remember exactly why I started doing it, but I still add money to it every month or two.

Placing the piece of paper in between in the middle of the stack of cash, I close the book and slide it back in it's place. Walking back by the bed, I lift up my phone to check the time. I wonder when he will be here?

I take my phone off the charger opening Spotify, I tap shuffle on my library and The Chainsmokers fill the silence. Tossing my phone on the foot of the bed, I stroll into my closet and try to decide on what to wear. It has to be something nice enough to meet Jasper's parents, but comfortable for the hike afterward.

I grab a pair of stretchy, dark grey skinny jeans. A black long sleeved thermal. A purple and grey plaid vest with two buttons. After getting dressed, I pull my purple studded belt on and slide on my socks and black hiking boots.

When I finish running a brush though my hair, I braid my hair into Wednesday Addams braids. For makeup, I add winged eyeliner and a little mascara—that's it. Anything else would just get messed up or sweat off during the hike.

David Bowie is singing when I finish brushing my teeth. Collecting my phone, I exit out of Spotify and head downstairs. Nan has another morning shift because someone called in. And Ian went to Seattle for something, he was being secretive about it last night and wouldn't give me a straight answer.

Sebastian is sitting on the couch watching NCIS, in a similar outfit to mine—minus a vest. His jeans are a faded blue, with a white thermal and tan hiking boots.

His startling blue eyes meet mine when I step into the room. "Wow, you look so normal without your raccoon eyes." A devilish smirk appears on his face.

I flip him off with a smile. Sebastian laughs. "That's not very ladylike, Lana."

I roll my eyes dramatically as I sit next to him on the sofa. "And your point? Or do you just like hearing yourself talk?"

"Oh, we both know I love to hear myself talk." He chuckles, nudging my arm with his elbow. Suddenly his playful mood turns more serious. "So, are you ready for tomorrow?"