FOREVER AND ALWAYS ━━━━ jasper hale.

19- Again and Again

"I love you." I whispered, and for once in my life, I knew for sure.

"I love you too. Eternally."

"Forever and Always."

I feel like in that exact moment, it was when I realized the truth. Love isn't something that can be defined, because everybody has different definitions of it. Right now, I don't feel 'an intense feeling of deep affection.' And I don't feel, 'an intense but short live affection." I just feel... love. My heart is beating fast, my hands are sweaty, and my eyes are full of tears. But I'm with Jasper, and despite everything, I feel safe.

"Hey." I pulled back, and he handed me a pen from his pocket. "I'm expecting this back."

I laughed through my tears, tucking the pen into the pocket of my big hoodie. "Thanks. I'm not giving you anything because I know you can kick ass."

We both laughed, and he bent down to our lips could connect. My brain felt like it melted into my boots, and I truly just felt love. The definition of love for me.

"You kick ass." He whispered, and I smiled, getting one last look at his handsome face, trying to picture everything I could, before slipping into the backseat next to Bella, and closing my eyes as we peeled out of the parking garage.

***

Bella was still trying to contact our mom when we pulled up to Sadie's apartment complex.

"Follow me." I instructed, pushing open the doors and jogging up what felt like a million flights of stairs, feeling bad for poor Bella, who was panting by the time we got to the top. We approached room #314, and I jumped up to swipe the key off of the top of the door. Not the best hiding place, but it works.

"Isn't this considered breaking and entering?" Bella asked, when we walked in, and I almost puked from recognition. This is the home I was in more then my own during my childhood. I could tell Alice was trying to stay serious, but she kept sniffing around. "It smells so good in here."

Bella and I traded a look, but didn't say anything.

"Shut the windows." Alice ordered, and we complied, running over to pull the light pink blind shut.

"Court, get over here." She handed me a piece of paper, and I pulled the pen from my pocket. "Draw everything I say."

She began to describe a room, and I sketched out everything she said. A room of mirrors, with benches o each side, and a big door on the left wall. I stuck my tongue out in concentration, my drawing skills weren't the best, but I am pretty sure I captured the main idea.

"Do you recognize this room?" She asked, and I frowned, shaking my head. "No."

"I do."

We turned to Bella, who regarded us with a sheepish expression. "It's the dance studio. I used to take lessons there."

I laughed out loud, an action I didn't actually mean to do, and sucked in a breath. Bella became defensive.

"Hey! It was when you were always at baseball practice, and I needed something to do!"

"How many times did you break your ankle doing that?"

"Only once!"

"Dance studio." Alice mumbled thoughtfully under her breath. "Why do I see a dance studio?" She sat on the couch, picking up a pillow and smelling it thoughtfully. I mustered up my best WTF face.

Why does Alice keep sniffing Sadie's furniture?

"Did you see James there?" I asked as Bella drifted off to the bathroom. Alice nodded. "I did. But he didn't look like he was with anyone, or.... anything." She took a deep breath. "I don't know-"

My phone rang, interrupting our conversation. I stiffened, almost reluctant to answer. I twisted my hand so I could see the caller ID. I let out a breath of relief. "It's just Sadie." I told Alice, turning around as I answered. "Hey-"

"Why hello, Courtney Swan."

I stiffened, feeling all of the blood rush out of my face. It was James. The vampire who wanted to kill me and my sister.

"I know, this isn't who you expected to hear. BUt your little friend is here, say hi Sadie."

The line crackled, and then an all-too familiar voice came on. "Court? Courtney who is this guys! Why am here, why does he have red eyes, I-"

"Ah yes, she isn't aware of your current friend group." James chuckled. "Say, I can't wait to see you too."

"I can't wait to see you too." I tried to make my voice as cheerful as possible. He can't hurt Sadie, he can't.

"Good girl. Now, I expect your sister is already gone-"

What?

"But I need you more. So if you want your twin, and your little friend to make it out of this alive. Come to the dance studio. I have a present for you. Say, goodbye." The line went dead. I gulped.

"Bye."

"Hey Alice." I turned to my pixie-like friend, who was smelling Sadie's pillows again.

"I really need to use the bathroom, and Bella is in there, so I am just going to run down the hall to the public."

"Kay." Alice said, smelling the pillow again. "If anything happens, just scream."

"Got it."

I tried to keep it cool to the door, but as soon as it closed behind me. I burst into silent tears and broke into a dead sprint down the hall.