Embers [Completed]

{I'm Not A Fool}

I notice Bella constantly looking for Edward over the next week, seemingly pissed off every time he never showed.

Although I tried to ask her about it, Bella just shrugged and said he was a dick when they met.

I haven't had as much trouble with Jasper. We're top of the History class as partners, and have shared quite a few interesting conversations.

He's sweet, and, while still rather shy, seems to enjoy talking. The softness of his voice always takes me by surprise.

I've gathered that he is indeed, from Texas. Along with the fact that he has a staggering amount of knowledge about history, Jasper comes across as wildly intelligent. Listening to him talk about anything is interesting.

I'm walking to class alone today, because apparently Edward is back and of course, Bella's gone.

My head hurts for some reason. I think I hit it in my sleep. Either that or Bella yapping my ear off about little Eddie has finally worn on my sanity.

"Are you okay?"

Jasper's smooth Texan accent rips me from my pained stupor. A brief smile flashes across my face as I run a hand through my hair.

"Sorry, I'm scattered today."

"It's fine. But you keep rubbing your forehead, so something must be wrong," he says.

"It's just a headache. Hopefully it will be gone by tomorrow," I say, returning to rubbing my forehead.

"Maybe-maybe I could help," he says, so quietly it's almost imperceptible.

I turn to him. "Really? Do you know any magical remedies for someone taking a jackhammer to my skull?"

He chuckles and his hands tense up a little. "Not exactly. But people put cold packs on their heads to soothe it, right?"

"Yeah. Do you have one?"

The corner of his mouth tugs in a nervous smile. "I guess."

He reaches over to me with his hands outstretched. They hover a little away from my face. When I don't object, he gently, ever so gently, presses his fingers to my temples.

They are ice cold, like nothing I've felt before. But there's something underneath, an odd warmth. I wouldn't compare it to what other people's skin feels like. No, it's a different type of warmth, one that makes me think only I can feel it.

My eyelids flutter closed at the almost instant relief it gives me. The throbbing inside my head is purged by the most soothing coolness I've ever felt.

"Woah..." I say, letting the word slip out accidentally.

"I'm sorry," Jasper says, quickly retracting his hands. "Did I hurt you?"

It takes me a minute before I can open my eyes again. The shock of pain being so easily taken away is startling.

"Oh, no. You didn't hurt me. In fact, that was more effective than any pain killer I've ever taken," I say.

His lips pick up a bit. "Oh. Well, I'm glad."

A nervous energy is still hanging around him, though. He's sitting stiffly and watching me warily. I finally, after a minute of feeling stupid, figure out what he's getting agitated about.

"Why are your hands so cold?" I ask softly.

"It's a...medical condition. All my adoptive siblings have it."

"Huh. Does it effect your eyes, too?" I ask.

Jasper stares for a moment, clearly shocked by my question. "Yes."