Revenant j. hale

Chapter 24

There were few days out of the year where Forks, Washington didn't rain. Today was not one of them.

With my truck out of gas, no phone, and pouring rain I was basically stranded. I had thought about my option of walking only to realize there was no way I would get home before it got dark and it was freezing outside. 

To be fair, it was my own fault. This morning I could have gotten gas but chose to wait until after school. My bad. As I lay back in the seat I pondered what I should do. Within a few minutes it was decided that once the rain went down and wasn't so heavy I'd walk. I would have to pass the diner eventually and could stop and call Paul.

While laying back for what only seemed to be a few minutes tapping started on my window. Scaring me I saw a face in the window but quickly recognized it by the vibrant eyes. My cheeks were already heating up as I rolled down the window.

"Hi?" I questioned quietly.

With a small smile on his face, Jasper gave me a polite nod. 

"You seem to be havin' some troubles. Need some help?"

Eyes wide the stuttering began. "W-well, I just ran out of gas is all. I'm waiting for the rain to slow down so I can walk." 

"I can take you to get gas. I have a can in my trunk," he said with a hopeful look. 

I shouldn't go with him. It's weird that he is the only person who can touch me without his stupid death day coming up. 

"If you don't mind." My mouth spoke despite my brains accusations. Instead, I was greeted with a big smile as he opened my door and helped me out. 

Walking over to his brothers jeep, he opened the door for me. "After you ma'am." The giggle that came out of my mouth made my inner self cringe. Not wanting to be one of those girls.

The car ride was mostly spent in silence. Once we had gotten to the gas station in Forks, he refused to let me pay for the gas. Instead giving me a blanket from the backseat and telling me to stay put. 

It was strange. Other than the touching thing and eye color nothing was wrong with him. He was a complete gentleman. Timelessly so, with tendencies I didn't see from other people anymore. 

"Do you like hot chocolate?" He poked his head through the door.

Confused, I just nodded. With a nervous cough, he got back in the car. A cup of steaming hot chocolate in his hands. 

"The lady had just made it and I figured you might like something warm," he said in an awkward tone. Pulling out of the station we began the drive back. The rain had finally let up some so it wasn't thumping as hard against the window. A peaceful tap and the blast of the heater was the main source of sound.

"You know, I shouldn't be taking drinks from strangers." I said with a soft laugh. 

"Yes, but a stranger whose car you got into might be different don't you think?" He responded with a chuckle. 

"Touche Hale." I say and take a small sip. It was heavenly, making my eyes close and a smile crawl onto my face. "Thank you for this." 

His eyes went over to my face and trailed over my features. The small tug at the corner of his mouth remained. "Anytime darlin'. "

My heart stopped for a second. Eyes already beginning to fill as I looked down at my lap instead. My hands, once again seeming very interesting and entertaining as they ran across the lid of the hot chocolate. 

Oh, how I missed Gran. 

"Did I say something wrong?" He asked nervously. 

"No, not at all. I just was reminded of something is all." I said with a tiny smile. Not wanting to make him feel bad I met his gaze once again. 

Of course all things must come to an end as we pulled up next to my truck and I had to leave. 

"Thank you again Jasper. Have a nice night." A genuine smile came across both of our face as he pretended to tip his invisible hat. 

"Always a pleasure ma'am."

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"Where the hell were you?" 

I was immediately bombarded with questions before my foot even went through the door. 

"I ran out of gas Paul, relax." 

He came rushing towards me only to reel back, a disgusted look crossing his features. "Why the fuck do you smell like them?"

His tone made me flinch. "You mean Jasper? He helped me get gas." 

"No! You will not be hanging out with any leeches." Scrunching my eyebrows and rolling my eyes I shook my head. "I can't tell you Cay but you aren't allowed. You can stay home with me or something, you've basically graduated as it is."

That made me angry. 

"Paul, I will not be staying home. And Jasper is really sweet so just back off. I will be finishing school at Forks."

"God, no. You don't even know him Cay. He's not a good person. Just please listen to me for once." Paul was desperate, reaching for my hand to have me yank back. It visibly hurt him. 

"Pauly I have to go to school. Gran wanted me to," I said quietly. 

Regret instantly flashed through his eyes as I let him pull me into his embrace this time. Sinking into his hot skin, I could feel the low rumbling in his chest. 

"Cay I told you about imprints. Even though I don't see you romantically like Sam and Em, I can't lose you." He whispered into my hair. "Not again."

"I know Paul. I have a story to tell you about your wolf and what I saw. I think it'll help you understand." 

"You can save it for the bonfire because you're coming whether you like it or not." I smiled at that, pulling back and tangling my fingers in the little tuff of hair at the back of his neck. 

"Paul, I didn't see him die." My face twisted in confusion again. "We ran into each other and I didn't see anything. What do you think that means?"

The smile on his face fell and his grip tightened slightly. 

"No idea."