Lifelines - Jasper Hale

Fourteen - The game

Joan had never been more happy for a thunderstorm. She had a grudge against Edward to fulfil and take out. And this was the perfect opportunity. Edward had been doing many things as of recent which were annoying the war vampire. It had started off small, him constantly gushing about the great BoBo. This had only gotten worse. He had started to wander into her sanctuary and stand there and boast about his human as she attempted to MOT and service his Volvo. Though it didn't end. She had completed the work he needed, however, he continued to visit her and talk her ear off. Her sanctuary was named that, purely because it was her escape from everyone if she ever needed it, she was able to go in there and let off steam or calm herself down. And Edward was not allowing her any of that, as even though he was a mind reader, he continued to spend aimless amounts of time in there and continued to prevent her from relaxing or getting a break from the family. 

However, what had done it the most was his ability to not consider the other members of the family in terms of Bella. It had happened when one day Bella had randomly approached her in the hallway. Joan had been alone and in that moment of time was absolutely petrified. She had barely spoken to the girl before other than their awkward introduction when she had first come to their house. It had frightened her even more, if that was even possible, when Bella had started to ask her about her human life. What it was like to fly a spitfire and serve in the second world war. However, Joan had never told Bella this information. She had been frozen in the corridor. She had looked around and begged for someone to come and save her. Anyone would have been accepted, even if they weren't from her family. As long as they stole Bella away or distracted her enough that Joan could slip away that would be appreciated. Though this did not seem to happen. Rather Joan stood their awkwardly not sure how to answer the questions, in general and in a public setting. 

"Ummm..." Was the only thing she was able to mutter out as she stared the human in the eyes. Her anxiety levels were higher than normal and the peak in these levels had alerted her mate from across the school as he rushed to where he could gather she was. She continued to stand there blankly staring Bella in the eyes, thoughts swimming through her head at an immense speed. She refused to answer the questions as the tension continued to grow and the awkward silence only got worse. 

Both Jasper and Edward had turned up at the same time to see the situation the two girls were in. Each 'brother' approached their girlfriend in different manners. Edward was fast appearing behind Bella and acting much like a wall, standing high and proud almost daring Joan to attack her whilst he was there. Jasper took it much slower before placing his hand on Joan's shoulder. He remained calm as she jumped from the sudden contact before moving his hand down to hold hers. 

"Jo-Jo, it's okay. Come on darling let's get you away from here." Jasper had attempted to move her away only to be blocked by both Edward and Bella. 

"No, she should answer whatever question Bella has asked her. It's rude for you to leave without answering the question." Edward tried to argue only for Joan to latch herself even more onto Jasper. She had not answered the question on purpose. She barely knew Bella and was not ready to answer her questions as they had not reached that level of friendship. The pair of vampires ignored Edward's last comment before walking away and returning home. 

That night it had led to an argument in the household. Jasper and Edward had been the ones arguing at first over the situation before the other family members had joined in. Well all par Esme. The adoptive mother and daughter sat in a the back garden in the small flower patch listening in on the argument. Joan had decided to rather take action against Edward in another way. Waiting for their next family game, of which he'd most likely to bring Bella, to embarrass him right in front of the girl he considered was his mate. 

When the Thunderstorm rolled in, she was right. He was basically begging to bring Bella along to the family game. Adamant that she was going to be part of the family and therefore be included even though she would not be able to play and would have to watch from the sidelines. But Joan had not let that get to her. But rather was having a good morning. The idea of playing Baseball, had made her feel better already. She truly loved the game, despite not being very good at it. It was a way to let out some of the energy which surrounded and quite often engulfed her. She knew that she would be on the other team to her mate but was aware she would also be on the same team as Rosalie as that was their compromise. The family travelled towards the clearing by foot. This was easier to do than taking many of the cars to transport them all. And the potential damage the wood's paths could do to the cars had been enough for Joan to advise them not to take the cars. 

They had split into their two teams and were idly chatting waiting for the final members to arrive so that they could start the game. And when they did arrive that's what happened. Alice pitched and Rosalie went up to bat.