Jasper's Deaf Mate (1) (Rewrite in Progress)

(9) SECRETS

To say Jasper looked shocked would be an understatement. When I finished signing, Jasper completely froze and did not speak for several minutes. He seemed to be contemplating over what I just signed. At first, I thought he was getting angry, but it turned into, well, I actually cannot tell what he is feeling right now. However, his first words after going into shock were, 'How did you figure it out."

I know I should not have, but I laughed a little at that question. 'The real question is how did no one else in this town figure it out." He frowned at me, so I explained, 'Since I have met you, I have noticed a lot of trivial things, like your eyes changing color, speed, strength, and paleness. So, it was not that hard to figure out once I got an accidental confirmation from a family friend.'

'Go on.' He signed.

I continued, 'When I went to La Push, I ran into this guy named Jacob Black, whose dad is one of the Quileute elders. Bella and I went on a walk with him and his friend, and he told us some old legends — trying to scare us, I think. He told us one about Vampires and mentioned your families. After that, everything about you, sort of, clicked into place.'

'Are you scared of me?' Jasper signed looking like the world was ripped right from under his feet.

I smiled lovingly at him before I signed, 'You are one of the only people I'm not afraid of. Not anymore. From the first time I laid eyes on you, I knew you were the one. The one I wanted to spend all of eternity with. And I am reminded of it every time I'm with you, especially tonight.'

'Especially Tonight?'

'You are always there for me. Whenever I am in trouble you are always there to save the day. Like my night in shining armor. Most of the time its physically, but also mentally. For some reason, I can never be in a bad mood around you. When I am around you all the negative emotions get sucked out of me and is replaced with joy and happiness... Now that I think about it, is this something you can do as a vampire, because that would be pretty cool.'

'Yes, I can feel and manipulate emotions. Some vampires have what we call gifts, and all of them are different in their own way. In our family, Alice, Edward, and I are the only ones with gifts. That is how he found you in the first place. He can read minds.'

'And Alice?' I asked.

'She can see the future.' Jasper responded before the waitress came back and asked Jasper something. I think she said if we needed anything, or along those lines, because Jasper responded, 'We're ready for the check, thank you.' She handed him a small leather folder from the front pocket of her black apron. Without even looking to see the receipt, he inserted a bill inside and handed it back to her.

When she walked away, he turned to me and asked, 'Are you ready to leave? My brother is wanting to go.' I nodded while getting up from my chair. Jasper offered me his hand, and I gladly took it while smiling like an idiot. I did not think anything of it, because Jasper smiled and led me all the way to the car.

He opened the back door and held it for me as I stepped in. He softly shut the door behind me and walked around the car to get in on the opposite side. I love watching him. I am constantly amazed by how graceful and charming he is no matter what he does. I love how the world could be falling about and I would still be happy by just sitting next to him.

Once he was inside the car, the engine started, and the vehicle started to move. I was so mesmerized by Jasper that I did not even realize Edward and Bella were already in the car. Edward pulled out through the traffic, apparently without a glance, flipping around to head toward the freeway.

As I looked out the window, all I saw was a blur. I turned around to ask Jasper about why Edward was driving so fast, but he pulled me closer to him and signed, 'Don't worry, you're safe. I will always keep you safe.' So, I let that thought out of my head, and rested my head on his shoulder. The entire way home, I felt Jasper play with my hair making me even more relaxed.

It took a while to get back to forks, even if Edwards insane driving. Though I think Bella mentioned something, because he did slow down a little. I took my head off Jasper's shoulder when I noticed we were passing into the boundaries of Forks. I turned to Jasper and signed, 'I wanted to thank you for the lovely evening, I had a wonderful time with you. We should definitely do it again sometime.'

'I would love that, darling.' He responded. I smiled at him, and he continued, 'I love how you blush a lot. It makes you cuter than you already are.' His words make me blush even more, 'There you go again.' I blush deepens and I look away so he cannot continue to stare at me, even though he probably still is.

When I could get my blushing in control, I turned back to look at Jasper and asked, 'Will I see you in school tomorrow?'

'Yes, I'll save you a seat at lunch.' Jasper answered. It was silly, after everything we had been through tonight, how that little promise sent flutters through my stomach, and made me unable to respond.

We were in front of Charlie's house. The lights were on, Bella's truck in its place, everything utterly normal. It was like waking from a dream. The car stopped, but I did not move. I turned back over to Jasper and said, 'Do you promise to be there tomorrow? I don't think I can handle another day without you by my side.'

'I promise.'

I smiled at him again. I saw Bella giving Edward his jacket back and remembered I also had Jaspers jacket. I pulled his jacket off, taking one last whiff. When I tried to hand it to him, he shook his head and signed, 'You can keep it — you don't have a jacket for tomorrow,'

'Thanks,' I signed before I grabbed the door handle to exit the car. As I was getting out of the car, Jasper stopped me by placing his hand on my shoulder. I turned around and signed, 'What did you need?'

'Will you promise me something?'

'Yes,' I signed.

'Don't go into the woods alone.'

I stared at him in blank confusion, 'Why?'

He frowned, and his eyes were tight as he stared past me out the window. 'I'm not always the most dangerous thing out there. Let's leave it at that.'

I shuddered slightly at the sudden seriousness in his eyes, but I was relieved. This, at least, was an easy promise to honor. 'Whatever you say.'

'I'll see you later.' I turned back to the open door and stepped out. Bella was already walking up the steppes to the front door waiting for me. I waved goodbye to Jasper and made my way to the house. Bella got her keys, unlocked the door, and we both stepped inside. I made my way toward the stairs and saw that Charlie was sitting in the living room watching a baseball game. I could tell he was speaking so I turned to Bella to ask what he was saying.

She signed, 'It's only eight, I guess we were not there as long as I thought we were.' I nodded at her and went upstairs to my room. I would have stayed downstairs and joined in on the conversation, but I was not going to try understanding him, especially since I do not have the energy.

I went through the motions of getting ready for bed without paying any attention to what I was doing. It was not until I was in the shower — the water too hot, burning my skin — that I realized I was freezing. I shuddered violently for several minutes before the streaming spray could finally relax my rigid muscles. Then I stood in the shower, too tired to move, until the hot water began to run out. I got out, and wrapped myself securely in a towel, trying to hold the heat from the water in so the aching shivers would not return. I dressed for bed swiftly and climbed under my quilt, curling into a ball, hugging myself to keep warm. A few small shudders trembled through me.

My mind still swirling dizzily, full of images I could not understand, and some I fought to repress. Nothing seemed clear at first, but as I fell gradually closer to unconsciousness, a few certainties became evident.

About three things I was absolutely positive. First. Jasper was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him — and I do not know how potent that part might be — that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.