Damaged. // Jasper Hale

Chapter 9

Bella pulled up to the diner where dad told us to meet him. We got out of the truck and I rolled my eyes as we saw Mike. "Hey Ell. So you and Cullen huh? That's...I don't like it. I mean I don't know he just looks at you like you are something to eat" He said as Bella and I walked towards the diner. "He has a name you know and Mike, please try and mind your own business" I said to him before walking into the diner.

"Hey sorry we are late. Biology project" Bella said as we sat down at the usual table by the window. "I ordered you two a spinach salad, I hope thats ok" Dad said as Cora placed our meals in front of us. "You should order one for yourself next time. Cut back on the steak" I said grabbing my fork.

"Hey, I'm as healthy as a horse" Dad said causing me to giggle slightly. "Say chief, boys want to know, did you find anything down by Queets River today" Cora asked solemnly as the men next to us turned to listen in on the conversation. Dad looked at them before back up to Cora. "Yeah, we found a bare human footprint but it looks like whoever that is, is headed east so Kitsap County sheriff is gonna take over from here. Ok?" Dad said and I sighed.

"Ok. I just hope they catch him fast" Cora replied trying to muster up a smile before walking away. I grabbed the dressing and poured a little over my salad before beginning to eat. "Looks like your friends are flagging you" Dad said and Bella and I turned to see Mike dancing like an idiot causing me to roll my eyes.

"It's ok if you wanna go join them. I'm just gonna turn in early anyway" Dad said looking over at Bella and she nodded. "Me and Ell are too" Bella said and looking at me and I nodded. "Girls, it's Friday night. Go out" Dad said looking at us. "Looks like the Newton boy's got a big smile for you" Dad said before beginning to eat.

"Yeah, he's a good buddy" Bella said. "That doesn't know how to mind his own business or to keep his mouth shut" I said and Bella gave a small smile. "What about any of these other yahoos in town?" Dad asked. "Any body interest you?" Dad said again causing me to giggle. "Dad we already told you, we are dating the Edward and Jasper" Bella said shaking her head at him.

"Oh yeah" Dad said rolling his eyes. "Dad, we gonna talk about boys?" I said with a smirk and he smiled back. "Yeah I guess not" Dad said awkwardly causing Bella and I to laugh at him. "I just um, I feel like I leave you two alone too much you two should be around people" He admitted looking at his plate.

"We aren't really alone dad. We have each other and we don't mind being alone. I guess we are kind of like our dad in that way" Bella said and dad nodded before we continued with our meals.

LATER THAT NIGHT

I changed into a baggy flannel shirt and some shorts before crawling into bed and reading my book that was some sappy love story. I felt a gust of wind and turned to see Jasper lying beside me causing me to smile. "Hi" I said placing my book down. "Evening" Jasper said with his accent.

"How was hunting?" I asked sitting up as he did too. "Good. I killed 2 deer and a mountain lion" He said and I nodded. "What does the blood taste like to you? Does it still taste kind of salty and irony?" I asked and he shook his head. "Human blood tastes sweet. Like the ripest nectarine or peach. Animal blood tastes like watered down juice I guess is the best way to describe it. Kind of sweet but never fully satisfies you" Jasper replied and I nodded again.

"Have you ever...had sex before?" I questioned and Jasper chuckled before looking up at me. "Yes I have. Why is that?" He asked sitting up too. "I was just wondering what it was like for a vampire?" I asked playing with my finger nails. "Just the same as a human accept you don't worn out as easily and you go a lot faster" He said.

"I've never done it before. I wanted to wait until marriage and not waste it on someone who didn't deserve to know me in that way" I explained and Jasper nodded. "That's understandable. I've been wondering, what did you talk to Alice about yesterday? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to" Jasper said holding my hands in his.

"I just asked her about our future. She said that we would get married and that I would eventually turn into one of you" I said and Jasper nodded. "Being turned into a vampire is extremely painful. You feel the venom course through your veins. It feels like fire throughout your whole body" He said and I bit my lip. "How long is the process?" I asked looking up at him.

"Mmm a few days" He said and I nodded. I laid down resting my head on Jaspers chest and he wrapped his arms around me. "My family are playing baseball tomorrow and I wanted to invite you" Jasper said. "I'd love to go" I replied to him. "You know I'm not looking forward to the day you turn into one of us" Jasper said. "Why is that?" I asked resting my chin on his chest as I looked up into his topaz eyes.

"Well I will miss hearing your heart beat, I will miss your smell, I will miss watching over you when you are asleep, I will miss protecting you" He said and I gave him a small smile. "Well the heart beat and the sleep thing I won't be able to control but I will still be the same Ell Jas. The same Ell that would still need your protection even if I can look after myself" I said and he smiled before leaning down and pressing his lips against mine for a moment before pulling away.

"I will always need you Jasper" I whispered before closing my eyes and drifting off to sleep.