Safe & Sound[Jasper Hale●Twilight]

Four

Art had always been a hobby of Jasper's, so of course one of his favorite classes was art. It helped that he had years and years of practice under his belt.

Another reason that he enjoyed art was the smell of the paint was strong enough to dull all of the pulses around him. He sat comfortably at the table in the back that he had all to himself, sketching away quietly as he waited for the teacher to assign them work.

He heard the door open and close, but paid no mind to it at first. Somehow over the strong chemical smell that came with the paint, the smell of roses and rain filled his senses, setting his throat on fire. His darkening gaze shifted up and landed on the owner of such a tempting smell, air catching in his throat as he saw her.

Her hair was a beautiful, dark chocolate color, reaching her shoulder blades in length, and when he caught sight those beautiful hazel eyes he could have lost himself.

This young woman's pulse was calling to him louder than any blood he had ever came across. Instantly, he knew that he was in trouble.

"You can take a seat next to Jasper." The teacher told Avery, motioning to the boy in the back. She faltered in her step as she realized that he had been the man in the vision. Shaking her head, she quietly made her way to the table. She held such inhuman grace, Jasper would have mistaken her for someone of his kind if not for her tempting blood pumping through her veins.

As soon as she sat down, his body tensed, the scent so much stronger. He stopped breathing altogether and struggled to look as though he still was. His mind was a jumbled mess, and something strange about this girl really stood out to him.

He couldn't feel her emotions. It was as if there was nothing, but a hum surrounding her. It confused, but also intrigued the vampire. He stole glances at the young woman as class drug on. He wanted nothing more than to run as far away as possible before he did something to this girl beside him.

"Could I borrow a piece of paper?" Even her voice cut through him, causing the searing pain in his throat to worsen. He said nothing as he shoved a piece of sketch paper at her. A bit more forceful than he had intended, he noticed after he saw her nose crinkle with irritation.

His gaze shifted back to the clock and he almost groaned. Still half an hour left, but he couldn't wait. Quickly shoving everything in his back, he rushed out of the classroom after muttering a quick 'Not feeling well."

Avery was beyond confused when the strange young man jumped up and left. Had she done something wrong? She sniffed at her hair and clothes to confirm that she didn't smell. Glaring in the direction that he had gone, she tapped her pencil on the desk in irritation as she waited for the bell. She was going to find him at lunch and figure out what exactly his problem was.

When the bell rang, she gathered her things, dumping them in her locker almost jumping out of her skin when Bella appeared at her side. "Jesus, Bells, almost gave me a heart attack.."

"What's got you so distracted?"

"I'm not distracted." Avery defended quickly, shutting her locker.

Bella rolled her eyes. "Then you would have heard me calling your name instead of just glaring into your locker."

Avery was silent for a moment before she looked at her cousin. "I met Jasper Hale...and he was an ass. Is that like a common family trait or something?"

Bella furrowed her brows a bit, looking at the ground. "I guess..." She looked back up only to see her cousin stomping towards the lunch room. This couldn't end well.

As soon as Avery walked in, her eyes began to scan the room for the golden eyed young man who had insisted on being such a prick in art. Her gaze never found him, but she did zero in on the pixie like girl that she had seen this morning.

Without much thought or care, she stalked over to the table of three. She completely disregarded to big guy and the pretty blonde sitting next to him, though she could feel the blonde's glare. She looked straight at the small one. "Where is he?" She demanded of the girl who only offered her a polite smile.

"Where's who?" The beautiful bell like voice had caught her off guard, but she recovered quickly.

Avery set a glare on her. "Jasper Hale. I know you know where he is."

"And what exactly do you want with my brother?" The blonde snapped, causing Avery to turn to her. She noticed the big guy about to fall over from trying to contain his laughter.

Avery leveled her gaze on the blonde. "I believe that is his and my business alone. So, kindly butt out."

Rosalie rose from her seat, getting in the brunette's face. Their chests were pressed together and their noses almost touching. "You watch your mouth. You need to walk away and leave our family alone."

Avery's entire body went cold and she wanted nothing more than to run far away from this intimidating woman, but she stood her ground, staring her down. "I'd be more than happy to, after I talk to your brother." She broke her gaze from the blonde and turned to look Alice who had watched the whole thing with a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Tell him that I'll be watching for him."

With that, she walked away, stomping over to the table Bella was sitting and flopping down in the empty chair. It was quiet as everyone seemed to stare in shock.

Bella cleared her throat awkwardly. "So...this is my cousin...Avery."