Juxtaposition|Twilight|Jasper

14

Staying inside the hotel was starting to get on Hazel's nerves. It had only been a day, but she was constantly pacing the living room. That was until Alice had a vision. Jasper was quick to give her a piece of paper and pen, and she began drawing what she was seeing.

Hazel and Bella stood over Alice's shoulder as she drew, Hazel squinted her eyes. "Mirrors?"

Bella looked almost startled, as if she recgonized the place that Alice was drawing. "What's so important about my old ballet studio?" Jasper's eyes were on Bella in an instant.

Alice's vision finally cleared up as she too looked at Bella. "You mean you've been there?"

"Yeah, I used to take lesson's there when I was a kid." Bella seemed confused, but Hazel quickly picked up on what was going on.

"Bells, where was the studio?" Hazel questioned, a slightly urgent tone in her voice. 

Bella looked to Hazel, still seemingly confused, "It's here in Phoenix, why?" Hazel shook her head, turning instead to Jasper. She gave him a careful smile, as she began to think. He didn't like the look in her eyes, and he began searching her face for her intentions.

"I'll be back, I'm gonna go grab something." Alice nodded, and Jasper watched as Hazel turned and went to the bedroom. Hazel sat down and opened her bag. After sifting through various articles of clothing, she found what she was looking for. Her vampire slayer gear. She quickly slipped it on, and then putting on sweat pants and a hoodie to cover it. 

After a few minutes, Hazel returned to the living room to see Jasper and Alice gone. Bella herself was getting ready to leave, but stopped in her tracks when she noticed Hazel standing in the doorway. "Where do you think you're going?"

"I'm going to my old ballet studio." Bella gave her a weak smiled, and then turned to leave.

"Well, then I'm coming with you." Hazel stood by Bella's side. Bella shook her head, pushing her to stay in the room.

"He only wants me."

"Bells, he'll only come after me once you're gone. Besides, I'm going to protect you. You have my word, as a vampire slayer, I won't let you die." Hazel smiled, the pendant around her neck glowed slightly. "So let's go, I'll block Jasper's ability to sense me the best I can, and let's sneak out of here." Hazel then removed her sweat pants and sweats

Realizing the ebonette wasn't going to stand down, Bella nodded. "Let's go." The pair crept past Jasper and Alice, slipping into the streets of Phoenix. 

Bella hailed a cab and the two quickly got in. While Bella was giving the cab driver direction to the ballet studio, Hazel was writing a note to Jasper. She wanted him to understand why she didn't tell him.

Jasper,

I'm sorry. I don't want you to hurt, but I'm sure you will. Leaving Bella to face James alone was  against everything I stand for. My hope is that I can protect her long enough for you all to come her aid. Even if I don't make it, maybe she will. I hope you don't have any hard feelings toward Bella, she is my cousin and I'd do anything for family. You're so important to me, despite you being a vampire. I'm glad I got to spend as long as I did with you. Thank you.

Hazel smiled, a tear escaping from her eyes. She quickly wiped it away, steeling herself. Placing the note in her pocket, Hazel leaned back, slowly closing her eyes. It was an attempt to focus, and hone her mind for the fight she was about to partake in.

°✳✴❇✴✳°

It wasn't until Bella shook her did Hazel realize where they were. The ballet studio loomed above her as she stepped out of the cab. Doing her best to push her anxiety away, Hazel walked in the building with Bella.