It's been a year since Tatum and her family moved to Forks and the only way to celebrate it is with a whole bunch of unneeded drama. But then again, who doesn't like a little bit of drama?
An unknown stalker, reunited best friend, a loving nephew...
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Showing up to school on Monday, Tatum had tried to withhold her agitation when a silver Volvo parked right next to her truck. However, when Alice had tapped on the window, the agitation had faded. Tatum rolls down the window but doesn't look Alice in the eye, instead, looking at her wheel.
"Tatum," Alice whispers. "I'm sorry."
Tatum sighs, rubbing her lips together and shaking her head, "Everyone in my life goes away at one point. My sister, my best friend, my mom, and then you guys. I'm not angry or upset. I'm trying to wrap my head around all this."
"So, you don't hate Jasper?" Alice tests her waters carefully. She cringes when Tatum rests her forehead against the steering wheel. "I'm sorry."
"No," Tatum breathes deeply. "You're fine, Alice. It's just that what's going on between him and I is a whole different story. We have to figure it out, but I'm also preventing that, I guess?"
"If anything, just let him know you want time to think. He'll understand."
"I'm not worried about him not understanding, I'm worried about how Bella will take this," Tatum admits, biting her lip. She sits up in her seat and looks at Alice. "She hates me and I now realize how much I truly cared for her once you left."
"I mean, you did take care of her. You made sure she was okay and living. It may take her time to see, but she is really grateful for what you did. I know it," Alice hints, smiling sadly at her favorite human. "But, I feel there's another thing bothering you."
Tatum hesitantly looks at Alice, "I got a visit from Alec last night."
"Alec Volturi? The one that calls you sunflower?" Alice asks, leaning against the open window. Tatum nods, cracking her knuckles in boredom. "What'd he say? Is everything okay?"
The human simply nods, "Everything's fine. Other than the fact of him proposing to me."
"What the-"
"I'm kidding! I'm kidding, Alice. He showed up and we simply talked like old friends," Tatum says, grabbing Alice's hands to keep her from beating up the vampire herself. "Alec asked me about Jasper and I. However, he also mentioned something about you knowing something."
Tatum smirks slyly when Alice's eyes widen. But, before she can explain, the bell rings. It was the signal that the classes were going to start soon. Tatum chuckles and grabs her backpack. "Save by the bell. Literally."
●○●
Tatum was tired already. She had finished her last class of the day, which was right after her lunch period, and was currently walking to her car. Her backpack felt heavier than usual. Her shoulders ached and she felt a slight burn in her right shoulder. The one that still had the indented scratches.
"You're in pain."
Tatum looks up at the voice. Jasper was leaning against her truck with a single cup of coffee. She stops walking and crosses her arms, attitude radiating. "Why are you leaning against my freshly washed truck?"
Jasper awkwardly stands up from his leaning position and holds the cup of coffee out for her to take, "I simply want to talk. No ulterior moves. No kidnapping. Just to talk."
"Last time you said that we ended up making out in a janitor's closet."
"I mean, if you want to-" Jasper stops abruptly, feeling the lasers from her. "Sorry, if you want, we can just talk right here."
Tatum begrudgingly takes the coffee and unlocks her truck, gesturing for him to hop in. She places her backpack in the back seat and starts the truck up, the heater pumping immediately. Tatum looks at Jasper expectedly, him getting the hint after simply basking in her presence.
"Tatum, I want to apologize for everything I put you through. When we stopped talking, I realized how wrong I was in thinking what I was doing would be good. I thought you would be able to live without me but I realized that I can't live without you. God, I need you, Tatum."
"You don't need me, Jasper Hale." Tatum grabs his colder hand in hers. "I love you. I'm not upset with you for not talking to me. I'm upset that you didn't tell me the truth about Alec."
