One-shots/Short Stories

Jasper Whitlock - Part III

The Mute - Part III
They walked into school the next day with a different aura around them. They were more. . .intimate. Close.

They were together.

How do the people know? Well for one: when they came instead of Eloise arriving in Bella's car, she came with Jasper on his motorcycle. Two: Jasper had his hand clasped in hers. And three: they kissed at her locker, surrounded by the school. And because of that, when they pulled away, everyone in the hallway was silent and openly gawking at them.
   To stun the students more, Bella and Edward were also close. So in the cafeteria, Jasper, Edward, Eloise, and Bella sat together at a table, listening to the men explain to them more about their kind.
   "So you don't eat food?" Bella questioned them. The two grimaced at the question.
   "It tastes like dirt to us." Edward answered her, Jasper agreeing from across them. He made sure to keep his distance from Bella and Edward, and stayed close with the silent Eloise.
   "How are you doin', darlin'?" Jasper murmured, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. Eloise looked up from the table, giving a small smile. "Listen, if this is too much for you. . ."
   Eloise shook her head, patting his hand lightly. She was fine, she was telling him. "Are you sure. . .?" He stopped when he noticed her sending him a look. "Okay, okay." He decided to change the topic. "Listen, Alice said that there might be a storm coming. I was thinking. . .if you wanted to come with me when we play baseball. It's our only time to play sports when storms come. Thunder covers our hits when playing."
   Sending a small amused smile, Eloise nodded in answer. Jasper grinned at her. "Great! I'll pick you up when we have more details on the day."

***

They can hit hard, hey.

Bella laughed at her note, nodding in agreement. "Very hard." Bella agreed. Another boom followed after her words, gaining the two's attention. Jasper had hit the ball. Bella watched her friend's reaction, noticing how she paid more attention to Jasper, never tearing her eyes away from him.
   "You really love Jasper, hey." Bella said softly. Eloise tore her eyes away from him, giving Bella a shy smile. "It's okay to love him. I mean, the way he's been around you, helping you and cheering you up and all. Your parents keep telling me how happier you seem."
   "Not only is he helping you, Eloise." Esme spoke up. "You're helping him." Seeing their confused looks, Esme continued on with her words. "He's had a rough life. He never thought he'd get over it. But then you came, and everything changed for him. He's happier now, always looking forward for school to see you. Any chance he'd get, he'd talk about you." Esme smiled fondly at the girls. "For centuries, Jasper had been alone and lost. With you in his life. . .you've given him something to live for." Esme looked at the both of them. "Both of you have done that for Jasper and Edward. And I can't be more grateful for what you two have done."

***

"You gotta be careful, okay?" Esme told Eloise sternly. "You stay close with Alice and Jasper. Make sure you and Bella stick together, okay?"
   Eloise nodded shakily, blinking away her tears. Esme led her to the passenger seat, Jasper sitting in the drivers seat. Alice and Bella sat at the back, Alice trying to comfort the sobbing Bella. Jasper gave Eloise a reassuring smiled, pressing a chaste kiss to her knuckles. "We'll be okay, Eloise." He leaned forward giving her a quick kiss.
   "I love you." she whispered hoarsely into his ear when they pulled away. Jasper reeled back in shock, staring at her in awe. She gave a shaky smile back, clearing her throat to speak again. "I love you." she whispered, grabbing his shaky hand in hers. "We w-will get th-through this."

***

"Thank you, for everything." Jasper told her, twirling her on the dance floor. When she faced him again, he decided to elaborate more on his thanks. "Ever since you came, my life has been amazing. You gave me a reason to live. I love you a lot, Eloise. I can't live without you now, you know that, right?" Eloise nodded in reply. "Even with that James situation you still want to be with me. Are you sure you want to be with me?" Eloise nodded again. "Is it because you love me?" She nodded again. "Can you um. . .can you say it, please?"
   "I love you." she whispered into his ear. She pulled away, seeing his goofy smile. It brought a shy smile to her face.
   "You have a beautiful voice. You should use it more." he told her. "I love you, Eloise. We'll get through this. Together."
   "Together." she whispered into his chest. "Forever."
   "Forever and ever." Jasper promised her.

The End