Almost Human | Jasper Hale

Chapter 15

Jasper was now moved to the living room couch. The sky was dark and gloomy outside, the sun touching the horizon one last time before sinking under. His dark eyes landed and stayed on the hands in his lap. He was upset, very upset, but didn't know why. Meg was gone already so she couldn't be radiating her sadness into him anymore, yet he still felt it.

The other siblings decided to give him space and were elsewhere in the house. Esme was stood at the entrance to the kitchen, looking at Jasper on the couch. She debated talking to him for a few minutes until Carlisle came up next to her and urged both of them to give him some alone time.

The front door knob turned slowly which pried Jaspers eyes from his hands and to the door. It swung open and in walked Alice who shut it again behind her. She stood a moment, facing the closed door before turning to Jasper again. Jasper met her eyes then turned to the floor again. Alice sighed and walked over to the couch, planting herself next to him and pulling her legs in.

"You realize you're the only empath here right? I may be able to see the future but you have to tell me what's wrong right now. You didn't break, nothing happened and you're still upset." Alice began, tucking a strand of her short brown hair behind her ear and leaning back on the soft cushions.

Jasper hesitated before answering the girl. Though Alice was a bit confused, she still unknowingly radiated the most positive vibes which helped Jasper relax at least in the slightest. "This isn't a risk I'm willing to take. It's unfair to Edward anyways. Do I hurt her?" His last sentence seemed off topic compared to his first two, but it was as if curiosity forced him to ask.

Alice tilted her head. Her eyes trailed along the floor then came up again to meet his. "Mentally, probably from today. Physically... I don't know. It's the same for you and Edward. I think it's up to you. You've done so well though, better than anyone else I've seen you with."

"I'm not ready Alice. What makes her so special and all? She's just like everyone else, yet I can hold back. Why?" Jasper spoke with a hint of harshness in his tone. His fists were each clenched and his knuckles paler than before. He knew Alice couldn't supply him with answers he needed.

"I don't know." Alice shifted in her seat and sat up straighter from previously laying on the cushions.

Jaspers hands loosened their grip around themselves and his eyes met Alices. His dark eyebrows furrowed, a few strands of his golden locks falling messily onto his face.

Alice placed a hand on top of Jasper's. She had always been loving to all of her adoptive siblings, treating them as actual siblings.

Alice and Jasper met before the Cullens adopted them. There was a possibility they would've been mates, but Alice isn't exactly the girl to have a mate. She shared an immense love for almost everyone and treasured her platonic relationships more than being tied down to one person the rest of her immortal life. Though that doesn't stop her from being a hopeless romantic who can't help but interfere with her brothers love lives.

"It's way too dangerous. I need to take care of it." Jasper stood up and Alices hand returned to her own lap. Before Alice could speak again, Rose cut her off. "We're talking. Now." Rosalie hurried into the Cullen dining room where everyone else seemed to already be. Jasper let Alice take him by his hand and lead him to the room behind Rosalie.

Carlisle was sat at the head of the table with Esme next to him, holding his hand. Rosalie was at the other head, glaring down the table as if she held the power in the family. Edward was next to Carlisle, tensed up and anxious. Emmett sat next to Rosalie, though he was worried about having to choose sides. Jasper broke free from Alice's hand as they entered. Alice sat next to Esme and glanced to Jasper with pleading eyes. He debated joining her, but ultimately went to stand against the wall behind Rosalie's side.

The main debate of the night was Edwards mistake and what to do about the consequences.

After a few minutes of lying lifeless on the couch, he pulled himself to his feet and quickly walked to an open window on the opposite side of the room. Moments later, his feet were touching the grass and his eyes pointed towards the second story window that still hung open. He picked up on the scurrying of animals about a mile away from him and followed the scent into the woods, farther and farther from the house. He had been hungry for a long time which made him even more agitated, at least after hunting he'll be able to think more clearly. He hoped.

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