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𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 𝐅𝐄𝐖 𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒 were uneventful for the young teen girl. She had found a way to slip back into her old routine; go to school, hang with Angela and Jessica in the mornings before going to her classes, joining her friends for lunch were she spent most of her time getting to know the new girl from Phoenix, Arizona. Liz found herself favoring the shy girl seeing is how she didn't ask much questions and understood that Liz wasn't much for talking about what happened to her. It's no doubt Jessica or one of the guys at the table told the brunette girl about what happened and why she was so hostile her first day back. Thankfully, Bella didn't bring it up once, which Liz appreciated gratefully. Her bitterness may have dialed down, but everyone knew she was not the same girl she was three months ago and everyone knew better than to bring up anything to do with the accident.

It was now Tuesday, meaning it has been almost a week since Liz's return to Forks and a week since she had her dreadful night terror. It's also been a week since she nearly made Daniel Black piss himself out of fear that resulted from her night terror. The only way for Liz to try to get through the experience was laughing about it, which is why Danny has been on the receiving end of her taunts because he had no idea about her night terrors at the time and Ester had to calm him down afterwards because he was so confused and upset, looking like a lost puppy. Poor Danny, so innocent yet so clueless sometimes.

     Ester had stayed with her sister for the rest of the night, much to Liz's dismay. The oldest Chambers' sister was just too worried about the girl to sleep in her own room. Despite their argument earlier that day, Ester will do anything to make sure Liz is alright, remembering when the girl used to crawl into her bed after a night terror occurred when she was no older than seven. Unfortunately for the young blonde, she couldn't find it in herself to sleep, staying up for the remainder of the night, watching Netflix on her laptop with headphones so she didn't wake Ester. She managed to doze back off around five in the morning, but it honestly doesn't count to the girl as sleep if she had to wake up an hour later for school.

As the days past, she managed to get Ester to stopped hovering over her, especially because she hasn't had a night terror since that one time. It didn't stop Ester from checking in throughout the night out of concern, something for which Liz had caught onto when she noticed her door wasn't fully shut like she always has it before she goes to sleep. Unfortunately, she has never been able to sleep through the night entirely since, waking up at three or four in the morning, making her feel completely drained by the end of the day.

School dragged by slower than ever before. She was used to sitting through endless lectures while watching the clock tick by, waiting for the time to strike 3:15 so she could get out of there. But for some reason, it seemed to have slowed down more since she's been back, like it was taunting her or something. Liz also made it a habit of watching the track team from a far, never once approaching them and avoiding the girls on the team and her old coach in the halls at all cost. She can be very stealthy when need be, and she knew the team had gotten the hint that she really didn't want to speak to them, seeing is how she would turn away whenever one of them tried to approach her. It's not like she was close to any of them, but she was the anchor. The anchor practically means captain on the track team, and the captain was always respected by their teammates. However, Liz was always more comfortable with her regular group of friends, never really spending time with the girls on the team outside of practice and meets.

Liz used to be comfortable with her group of friends. She still was, in a sense. They've been together since elementary school, it all starting with her and Angela in the first grade before Jessica wormed her way into their two person group. Than Mike developed a never ending crush on Liz, Jessica doing the same with Mike and Eric thought he would just insert himself into the group because... well, he could and no one stopped him. As for Tyler, he didn't come into the picture until the beginning of freshman year when Eric and him had to partner up for a science project, both hitting it off and somehow, Tyler was joining the group for lunch frequently.

But after everything that has happened, Liz couldn't bring herself to get excited over the little things they used to get excited for. Like movie nights or what boy the girls thought were cute that week, or the prom that actually used to feel so far away was now in a couple months. To a lot of people's surprise, Liz actually was looking forward to prom. She wanted to go, date or not. Even had plans to go with Angela if neither girls could find dates. She's wanted to go ever since she saw Ester in her gorgeous light green prom dress, one of the many times Liz has envied the older girl for her beauty. Now? The thought of getting dressed up in an expensive dress she can't afford, spending hours getting her hair and nails done, it was all just pointless to her, especially now that her mother couldn't be there to help her pick out her dress like she always talked about doing, just like she did with Ester.

These were the reasons why Liz had found herself growing closer to the new girl in town, both respecting each other's privacy and found comfort in just one another's company. Bella Swan wasn't like the rest of the girls in Forks. She was kind, but she wasn't one to gossip or pry into her business. Angela was like that too, but she had a tendency to feed into Jessica's drama sometimes without realizing that she's doing it. It was a small town so other people's drama was basically everyone's entertainment for at least a week. Liz always thought she was the only one who felt that people need to mind their own business. After meeting Bella Swan, turns out she's not the only one.

Once again, Liz found herself sitting on the bleachers in gym class, having to sit out because of her stupid knee injury. Today was dodgeball day, something she always loved because she loved hitting people with balls and getting away with it. It was a good way to take out her frustration without getting suspended. But sadly, she is forced to sit in the back and do random reports, something she decided she would wait to the last minute to do. Thankfully she had some entertainment. Something she didn't noticed her first day back - probably because she was too busy sulking in the corner feeling sorry for herself - was that Bella also happened to be in the class, and watching that poor girl trip over her own two feet or try and fail to dodge the balls coming her way was the most hilarious thing she has seen since she witnessed Mike trying to make her jealous last year by dating Jessica. It was sad really, but the two ended up together for a while before they broke things off, Mike somewhat forgetting about Liz during that time. Now Jessica was still pinning after him more than ever while Mike went back to Liz, or as of recent, Miss Bella Swan herself.

Liz cringed as she watched Bella get whacked in the side, causing her to lose balance and fall to the ground. Seeing is how it was a good hit, she was out for the rest of the game, for which she seemed more than thrilled about as she dragged herself over to the bleachers, sitting next to the bored girl with the notebook on her lap, a scowl forced on her face. "I swear the person who invented dodgeball needs to get hit in the face with one."

"They probably did," Liz comments, resulting in the brunette to raise her brows questionably. "Think about it. If they had gotten hit in the face, what would been the first thing you thought of?" Bella shrugged, not knowing where she was going with this, and Liz gave a lopsided grin. "'Man, I really should of dodged that ball.' Hence, how the legendary dodgeball was formed."

Bella giggled from extremely sad joke, brushing a piece of hair away from her lips. "I highly doubt that's how that happened."

     The blonde shrugged. "You never know, Swan. I could be completely wrong or spot on. We'll never know." Bella rolled her eyes, both looking up and watching as Jessica tried her hardest to get Mike out, but he dodged it every time. Looking down at her, she felt a smirk spread across her lips. "So, has Mike asked you to out yet?"

     "No." Bella immediately replied, turning back to the blonde with wide eyes. "Why? Did he say he was going to?"

    The blonde couldn't help but chuckle from the fear and dread radiating from her soft brown eyes. "Not directly to me, no. But I see the way he looks at you. It's the same look he used to give me everyday for the passed eleven years. Correction, ten years, not counting the time when he dated Jess for a year before the two split it off."

      "How come you two never dated?" Liz had to hold back a gag, shaking her head at the brunette dismissively.

     "Me and Mike? Absolutely not. He's a good buddy but I'd rather gouge my eyes out than date someone that egotistical and self-absorbed."

Both girls looked over to said boy, who was laughing obnoxiously at Eric after hitting him not once, but three times before he even made it to the bleachers, cheering himself on like he was the pro at being an ass. Bella turned back to the blonde, nodding her head in understanding. "Yeah, I see your point. But I know Jessica still likes him, and I think we might be friends? I'm honestly not sure. But I don't want to ruin it. Besides, Mike's not really my type."

"Oh, well this just took a turn. Who is Bella Swan's type?" The brunette tried to hide her red cheeks as Liz nudged her side with an elbow. This is what Liz meant about the two just clicking, both basically getting along like they've known each other their whole lives without mentioning anything too personal. Also, Bella helped Liz grow out of her shell since she's been back, she wasn't so hostile or on edge as much when she was around her, but that's mostly because all the stares and whispers dialed down a bit.

Liz, also, had sort of become Bella's go to person about her strange encounter with Edward Cullen her first day and his disappearance act afterwards. For the rest of the week, he was still a no show and Bella strongly believes it was because of her. As much as Liz tried to sway her thoughts into agreeing that he was the one with the problem, not her, Bella just wouldn't listen. It was now Tuesday and he still has yet to make an appearance. It was like she was watching herself think about Jasper Hale and how rude and ignorant he had been with her in the beginning when his family first moved to town. Liz used to think it was her too, but when she realized she had done nothing to him, it became clear that he was the one with the problem. Same thing with Edward Cullen — Liz has never talked to the guy personally but he always rubbed the blonde the wrong way by the way he would stare at you, almost like he knew what you were thinking.

     "Okay, maybe 'type' was the wrong word to use. I really don't have one, to be honest. I don't really date much." Sensing the brunette getting uncomfortable, Liz tried to sway the conversation in the another way.

     "I get that. I mean, I've only ever really had one boyfriend in my life, but that was back in my freshman year and only lasted six months before we decided we were better off as friends. I just haven't really met anyone who sparks my interest enough to want to date them."

Bella, surprised by how opened she was being, nodded in agreement to her statement. It was also a little bit of a surprise to the brunette, seeing is how she thought Liz was one of the most gorgeous girls in this school, if your not counting the strange Cullen/Hale sisters who look like they were made from marble. Bella was surprised when she first met Liz, immediately misjudging her and thought she going to be one of those snobby, popular girl stereotypes - when really, Liz was the complete opposite. Sure, she has a sharp attitude and tough exterior, but from what her father told her about Liz and her parents, you couldn't exactly blame the girl for acting that way.

Silence fell upon the two girls as they watch the rest of the match that was now down between Mike and a kid named Hector Jones. He was a scrawny looking kid, but apparently is very well at dodging the ball that came his way. Jessica had taken a seat in front of the girls, cheering Mike on whereas Liz was silently rooting for the scrawny kid, not needing Mike's ego to expand more by winning this stupid, yet very intense game. Unfortunately for Hector, even though he was skilled at not being hit, had zero hand-eye coordination whatsoever. So when he to attempted to catch the ball Mike threw harshly at him, Hector ended up dropping the ball, resulting in elimination.

All the way towards lunch, the three girls had to listen to Mike brag on and on about how that kid never stood a chance and how he was the undefeated champ. Than Liz reminded him about the many — many times she had beaten him before she hurt her knee and the reason he was the reigning champ now was because she wasn't able to put him in his place. He immediately shuts up after that, not having anything to say because he knew she was right.

As they neared the table, Liz places her tray down, grabbing a hold of Bella's arm to stop her from sitting down. "Hey, can I talk to you in private?"

Furrowing her brows in confusion, Bella nodded anyway, placing her tray down next to the blondes and allowing her to lead them towards the exit that leads to the outside. Waiting for the students to pace them, Bella sticks her hands in the back pockets of her jeans and Liz asks the girl what she has been dreading to ask her all day. "What's up?"

Trying to figure out the best way to ask this, Liz fiddled with her hands, brushing her curly hair over her shoulder and taking a deep breath. "Okay, so I kind of need a favor from you. It's not a big favor, but it's not small either."

"Sure — anything." Bella nodded, growing a little worried about why she could be so nervous to ask a favor from her.

"You might be rethinking that in a moment," Liz mumbled. "Okay, so here's the thing. I kind of need to go to the doctors the first of Wednesday of every month, which is next Wednesday. They are just check ups after— well you know." Liz pauses, waiting for the brunette to nod before continuing. "The thing is, my sister doesn't exactly know about them and I really don't what her to know about them because than she's just gonna ask me why I have to go there. I just, I don't want her or anyone for that matter, to know. I was just hoping that you might be able to be my alibi?"

     "You mean, cover for you with your sister?" Bella questioned.

     "Kind of. Not only just cover for me, but I was also wondering if you could be my ride? The doctors office... it's in the far part of Forks and I really am not supposed to drive that far by myself." Liz was lying through her teeth right now, but she just couldn't bring herself to admit that it wasn't that she couldn't drive, it was that she was afraid too. Driving to school was a piece of cake because it was only five minutes from her house, not even, but on the opposite side of the town? Not happening. "I mean, I totally get it if you can't. This is asking a lot. I know we barely know each other."

     Bella shook her head, crossing her arms over her chest from the cold. "No, it's not that. I just don't understand why your asking me and not Angela or Jessica?"

     "I love Angela with all my heart, same with Jess. They've been my best girl friends for most of my life. But that's the thing, they know me too well. They'll want to know what's wrong. They'll want to know why I have to go there and why I won't tell my sister. Your honestly the only I trust that won't try to pry their way into knowing what is going on and won't spread around your own theories to the entire school."

Bella was almost surprised that she trusted her enough with this, even though this was a no questions ask kind of deal. She figured it was something serious if she didn't want her sister or other friends that she's known her whole life to know, especially if she has to go every month. Even though it sparked her interest, she restrained herself from asking further questions, actually liking Liz and not wanting to ruin her trust. "Um, yes. I wouldn't mind taking you."

It almost felt like weight has been lifted off her shoulders. "Are you sure? I'll even pay for gas and everything."

"Don't worry about it, Liz." Bella brushes off. "Maybe afterwards, we could even hang out? My dad has been wondering if I made any friends and is constantly telling me I should invite them over. I think he's just trying to make sure I'm adjusting well and doesn't like leaving me alone when he's at work. This could be you returning the favor, I guess."

Liz couldn't help but smile. "That actually sounds nice."

With that said, both girls made their way back into the cafeteria, returning to their table where the others waited. On the way, Liz couldn't help but glance to the side, slowing her pace when she caught the sight of bright gold eyes staring her way. Not really to her surprise did she find it to be Jasper Hale, but this time, it wasn't just him. His whole family was had been watching her. Feeling something strange course through her veins, she shivered slightly, gripping her arm before lipping back to the table, trying to push away this weird feeling and ignore the intense stares coming from the group that makes it impossible for her to ignore.

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𝐀𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃𝐍'𝐓 have gone any slower, Liz found herself in the last class of the day, painfully watching the seconds tick by on the wall clock above the door. All the blonde could think about was her bed and at least attempting to get a full nights rest today. It has been her goal for three months now and it will be her goal until she actually achieves it.

     Mrs. Taylor was going on about the Revolutionary War and Liz couldn't help but doze off, feeling the weight of the lack of sleep taking its toll on her. Sleeping two or three hours a night was not healthy, especially when she has a hard time shutting off her mind at night as it was. It used to always be like that but it had gotten worse, especially now after the night terror, afraid of feeling that never ending fear again whenever she shuts her eyes is taunting.

    She was so out of it, she hadn't even reacted when Mrs. Taylor announces a pop quiz and told everyone to clear their desk. Just because she hadn't been paying attention, Liz did do her homework last night and finished this test with time to spare. Flipping it over, she examines the classroom, noticing how everyone's heads were down as they were most likely still on the first page. Hearing a flap of paper, she turns to her right to see Jasper had also completed the quiz almost a minute after she did, setting his pencil down on top and leaning back in his seat. This time, Liz found herself in the opposite position. Instead of being the one getting stared at, she was the one staring at him.

     She studied his complexion, how perfect facial features were. Lean-jawed and almost hungry looking. His long curly golden blonde hair that almost reached his eyes, the way his hands relaxed on the table so delicately. It was strange seeing him so relax when normally he is very stiff and always has this pained look on his face like everywhere he went, he was hurting. His skin was almost like it was glowing in a sense, extremely pale and still to where he looked almost like a statue. He had a way of making you want to reach out and caress his marble like skin, just to see if he was real or had any body heat coming off whatsoever.

     Jasper knew she was watching him, Liz knew this but she didn't make any effort to stop. This time, he was going to be the one getting stared at, hoping he would see how annoying and uncomfortable it was and understand why she freaked out on him before. Granted she wasn't in the right state of mind and the two haven't really spoken since than. But after lunch today, Liz just couldn't help herself. Bella's words started to run through her head. How she wanted to confront Edward Cullen and find out what his problem was with her. Did she have the right thought in mind? Should Liz have confronted Jasper the first time they met? If you could even call it a 'meeting' that is. She even contemplated on confronting him now. Just to get some peace in mind. Liz may think she did nothing wrong, but maybe she did and just truly wasn't aware of it?

     Feeling annoyed with herself that she was even considering this, she bit her tongue to try to keep her mouth shut. Unfortunately, it wasn't much help seeing is how her curiosity has grown ever since she ran into the boy sitting next to her in the hall and had that strange flash back to the accident. It was weird, but it hasn't happened since and Bella being curious of his brother did not help her at all seeing is how Bella and her have gotten so close.

      With that in mind, Liz ended up doing something she immediately regretted as soon as the name left her lips. "Jasper?" She had said it in such a low whisper, she was surprised he had even heard her. But on the contrary, his head turned to her, looking as if he expected her to call his name or to say something to her. "If I asked you something, would you be honest with me?"

      Never once did his expression flail from its soft yet stiff exterior, not really used to seeing something other than a glare coming from him for the past two years. Giving a stiff nod, he spoke ruffly through his voice. "I can try."

      This was it. Now or never.

     "Did I... Did I do something to you? Or to your family for that matter, that makes you all stare at me all the time?" She could feel how red her face was getting. She wasn't used to this, she never cared what people thought enough to try to make them refrain or persuade them. But of course, Jasper Hale just had to be the one to confuse her so much that makes her want to ask questions.

     Almost immediately, Jasper shook his head. "No."

     Liz let out a soft, humorless chuckle, looking over to make sure Mrs. Taylor wasn't looking before speaking again, her eyes narrowing at the boy to her right. "Okay. Than would you mind enlightening me on what it is than? Because it's been going on for a long time and if it's something I did to you, I'd really like to know."

     Jasper was not at all surprised by this. He expected her to say something. Liz is the most kind and caring person he has ever met. She never listened to rumors, nor did she care what people thought of her. She has always been confident about herself and Jasper knew that after the horrific accident she endured only a couple months ago, she was bound to let some of those traits slip. Like her curiosity for example. He always admired the way she repressed that, how she minded her own business, if it didn't involve her but would defend the people she cares about if anything bad were to happen to them. Like the time some girl shoved Angela into a locker and didn't apologize. It may have not been her business, but that was her friend who was hurt and Liz refused to let that girl get away with it. That girl never went near Angela or Liz ever again.

     With that in mind, the Hale boy looked up, his bright gold eyes that Liz always used to feel an amount of intensity was filled with regret. "It is nothing you did, Liz. It's me."

     "What does that even mean?" Liz frowned in confusion.

"It means, you make it very hard not to stare at you." The blonde opened her mouth to respond to that ridiculous statement, but Jasper cut her off before she could. "Your a very interesting girl, Liz Chambers. Like a puzzle I can't seem to solve. A book with no title or summary. It's quite irritating, if I'm being honest."

     The blonde squints her eyes. "Really? It's irritating for you?"

      Jasper gave a stiff nod. "Very much, yes."

      Liz let out a scoff, shaking her head in disbelief. "So, let me get this straight. You mean to tell me you that you have spent the past two years being a complete and total asshole to me like I did something horrible to you all because you find me interesting?"

    "If it makes you feel any better, at least now you know you did nothing wrong." Jasper replies bluntly, causing the blondes jaw to slack a little.

For some reason, Liz couldn't help but find amusement in that, letting out a soft chuckle, covering her mouth to repress it further and shaking her head. Jasper joined the girl, his shoulders moving to each laugh that escaped his lips, a lopsided smile forming on the corner of his lips. She could feel something weird stir up inside her, it was strange but oddly nice at the same time. Looking back at the front of the desk, Liz went over what he said, her face red with nerves and embarrassment but almost was very relieved. She had more questions for him, wanting him to explain what could be so interesting about her that he found himself staring. For some reason, Liz knew her limit. "Well, alright than."

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- EH, THIS CHAPTER WAS UNEVENTFUL BUT NECESSARY. MOSTLY THE PART OF LIZ ASKING BELLA TO TAKE HER TO THE DOCTORS, ONLY BECAUSE SHE CAN'T EXACTLY DRIVE HERSELF AND ITS A WAY FOR ESTER NOT TO QUESTION.

- I DECIDED TO SEPARATE THE CAR ACCIDENT SCENE BECAUSE I THOUGHT HAVING EVERYTHING IN ONE CHAPTER WOULD BE TOO MUCH, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE NIGHT TERROR IN THE LAST CHAPTER. I PROMISE I WONT BE TORTURING HER MUCH LONGER, THINGS ARE GOING TO LOOK UP!

- THANKS TO WHOEVER IS READING THIS, IT MEANS A LOT.