The Southern Thing

13

"Carlisle!" Rose screamed, "What is she doing?"
"Her mind is blank!"
"She has no future!"
"Her feelings are gone"
"She is gone," Carlisle said softly, "She just shut down."
"What does that mean," Esme asked softly.
"I believe it is similar to a plane going into autopilot. Adeline herself is in her body, but she is no longer in control. She is locked inside her mind."
Adeline's eyes moved to Carlisle as he spoke, giving him all the confirmation he needed.
"How do we bring her back?"
"We don't."
***
Months had gone by since Adeline's confession to her family. She had finished high school, graduated alongside Rose, Emmett, and Jasper, yet she never said a word. Through everything, she never spoke or made any form of communication to anyone. Jasper has been by her side the whole time, though it hurt his heart to know their time together was growing shorter he did not give up. Alice and Rose have continued to plan the wedding, after Jasper's pleading. The whole family knew he needed it more than he would ever care to admit. Jasper needed the hope Adeline would come back to him.
*** Jasper's POV ***
Nothing. That was all I felt when she was around me; nothing. No emotions at all. It was as if I was all alone, yet Adeline sat directly next to me. I wasn't sure what to do anymore. I hated to think that I drove her to this; I am the reason she is not really here.
"Adeline," I started hoping she'd turn away from the window to look at me, "My darling please. Just look at me" I was met with no response, "I don't know what to do anymore. I wish you were still here. I keep having them plan our wedding in hopes that one day you'll snap back. We will be planning something and you'll just all of the sudden come downstairs, yelling about how I'm wrong in the decision. I just want you to come back to me." With that, I turned and sped out of the room.
Little did I know, if I would have stayed for just a few seconds longer, I would have seen a single tear fall from Adeline's eye.
***
I sat in the meadow, the same one I had asked her to be mine within. I heard footsteps behind me, though I didn't care enough to turn around.
"Jasper," I heard the pixie-like voice say, "You shouldn't be out here all alone."
"I have no where else to be Alice."
"Fine then. Do you mind if I at least sit and keep you company?"
I motioned to the place next to me, "It's all yours."
We sat in silence for a bit, just staring off into the distance before I dared to speak.
"Alice, do you think she loves me? Or do you think she's fallen out of anything we once had?"
"Jasper," she said quietly before stopping.
"Don't go easy on me Alice. You never have before, don't start now."
"I think she's fallen out of everything for everyone. She is not herself. For all we know, she's not even aware of anything that is going on around her. You could move on, and she would never even realize."
"I don't know what to do, Alice. Am I supposed to just give up?"
"Jasper, you've been fighting since April; it's now August. Is it giving up, or coming to grips with reality?"
I laid down on the grass, wanting to just fade away.
"We need another topic," I said wanting an escape. "What's that game you made me play once? The lying one?"
"Two truths and a lie?"
"That's the one. Let's play, I'll go first.
1. I'm ready to get out of this stupid town. 2. I love Mario Kart. 3. I don't truly want to get married."
"Oh Jasper, we both know Emmett loves Mario Kart not you. You love Super Mario World," she paused, "Do you mean it? You don't want to get married?"
"Not anymore. I don't want to marry someone who isn't there. But hey, it's your turn pixie."
"Okay. 1. I like Charlie Swan more than Bella Swan. 2. I've had feelings for you since the day I met you. 3. I can not wait to go through high school again."
I quickly sat up, looking at Alice. "Alice-"
"Oh I know, you're in love with Adeline. I never have stood a chance. I just needed to say that before you end up married."
I sat for a simple second, then against all of my better judgment: I kissed Alice Cullen.
*** Edward's POV ***
It had been hours since Jasper had left, with Alice close behind. I had been sitting on the piano bench, wondering what songs were left in the world to learn when I heard it: 'Edwort' That simple thought had me running upstairs.
"Adeline," I said quietly seeing her standing in her room.
"Edwort," she said slowly, "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to be gone for so long, or to hurt you all so much. I thought I'd be back once I processed but I was trapped."
I pulled her into a close hug before calmly saying, "I forgive you Adeline. Though if you ever do it again I will personally light the match for Rose to set you on fire."
I felt her laugh into my chest, "I've missed you Edward."
"I've missed you too."
"Shall we go tell the masses that you're back?"
"Probably a very good idea."
As we walked downstairs, I didn't need to be able to feel Adeline's emotions to know she was insanely nervous.
'Edward,' she thought to me, 'Is he here?'
'No. He's out with Alice.'
"Can everyone who is home meet me in the living room? I have a surprise!"
I heard everyone gather in the living room suddenly. "May I introduce the newly awakened, Adeline!"
As we finally came into view, I saw the whole family light up with smiles and run toward Adeline to give her hugs. Or to threaten her in Rose's case.
"Everyone please sit down," she said once everyone had hugged and said something to her. "I want to say I'm sorry for putting y'all through so much pain. That was never my intention. I did not know I would be gone for so long. I am so truly sorry."
Before anyone could say anything, Alice and Jasper entered the house; holding hands and laughing. Though the both stopped when Adeline reaches their line of sight. The word "Adeline" fell from both of their lips.
Suddenly I was hit with the same thought from both of them, memories of a multitude of kisses shared in Adeline's meadow. I knew I wasn't the only one in the room who saw them, as Adeline's face fell at the same time of mine.
"You told me you were just best friends," Adeline whispered, "You asked me to marry you."
"Adeline, let me explain." Alice said quickly stepping forward.
"I don't need to hear anything from you," Adeline spit stepping backwards, "From either of you."
***
Well hey guys! So much happened in this chapter, but I really needed it to move along without being super super short. I swear I don't plan for everything to go wrong for Adeline.
xoxo