The cheerful sound of an old jazz record floated through the home of Marie and Evelyn Masen.

It was Friday night, and the two women had decided to enjoy a nice, early dinner at home together since they did not get to spend very much one-on-one time with each other anymore. Marie had decided to try out a new recipe, and was currently working on making a homemade sauce while noodles bubbled cheerfully in boiling water on the stove.

Evelyn hummed along to the soft music emanating from the record player in the living room as she focused on chopping the handful of celery sticks her aunt had given her. The sun was just beginning to set, and the golden light streamed through the open window along with the cold breeze floating in from outside.

"I called Charlie to see if he could make it, but he said he's gonna be late coming home. They're out hunting for the wolves that you guys saw in the woods that day. He told me to save a bowl for him, though. You know how he loves my cooking," Marie said, stirring the saucepan in front of her idly. "I figured we could invite Bella, if you'd like. She probably gets lonely in that house by herself."

Evelyn shook her head, dumping the freshly chopped vegetables in a bowl next to her cutting board. "I did, but she said she couldn't make it. She must be busy, I guess."

She had thought that Bella's message was a little... odd, when she had asked her to come over earlier. Evelyn had texted Bella to invite her to dinner, and almost immediately her friend had texted back that she "had something she needed to do." Alarm bells had gone off in her head, but Bella had been doing better recently, so it was probably nothing.

"That's too bad," Marie sighed, but she had a small smile on her face when she looked at her niece. "But at least now we have the evening to catch up! I feel like it's been a while since we've really talked, you know?"

"I guess it has been a while," Evelyn agreed, returning the smile. "But honestly, there's not much that's new with me."

Marie turned to her, raising a skeptical eyebrow. "Hmm," she said, a sly smile on her face. "Whatever you say, Ev."

Evelyn frowned, setting her knife down and facing her aunt fully with her arms crossed over chest. "Okay, what is that look for?"

Marie shrugged, the mischievous glint in her eye shining. "Oh, nothing, nothing. Forget I said anything."

"Marie," Evelyn said, a laugh building in her throat. "If you have something to say, then I think you should say it."

The older woman sighed dramatically, stirring her pot as she glanced back at her niece. "Well, I was just wondering if you'd met anyone interesting lately." She narrowed her eyes in a very pointed look. "A boy, perhaps?"

"Oh, no," Evelyn groaned, rolling her eyes as an uncomfortable chuckle left her lips. "You saw the boy at the restaurant the other day, didn't you?"

"I may have peeked my head out once or twice," Marie conceded, giggling. "He seemed nice. I thought he was cute, actually. Does he go to school with you?"

Evelyn began chopping another celery stick, shaking her head. "No, he's in college in Seattle. I didn't talk to him for very long so I don't know that much about him."

"Did he ask for your number?" Marie pressed. "It seemed like he really liked you."

The girl sighed, shaking her head. "No, he actually gave me his. But I don't know, I don't think it would go anywhere." Evelyn paused, biting her lip. "I don't think I'm ready for that, yet."

"Well it must have felt nice, at least, to have someone be interested in you. I know it's been a long time since you've had that."

Evelyn nodded solemnly, remembering the way Riley Biers had smiled at her. If only the past year had not happened, then maybe she could have felt more like reciprocating the attention he gave her. Maybe she could put her heart on the line for someone again. But in truth, she was afraid... terrified, in fact. And she didn't know if that feeling would ever go away.

"It was nice," Evelyn admitted, her lips curving into a soft smile as she worked. "But like I said, I don't think it would have gone anywhere, anyway."

Marie nodded, her face contorted in thought, but she did not speak for a long time. The two women worked in silence preparing their dinner, cutting and stirring and mixing until Marie was satisfied enough to let the pasta simmer for a few moments while they set the table.

When they were setting out plates and silverware, Marie finally spoke again. "You and Will seem very close," she observed, carefully laying down their plates on her small dinner table.

Evelyn paused, her hand freezing above the fork she had just set down on the worn wood. "He's a good friend," she said at last, a shaky breath leaving her throat. "One of my best friends, actually."

Marie nodded, chewing her lip as if she were considering saying something. Her curiosity must have gotten the best of her, because she eyed Evelyn with caution and a little bit of apprehension when she spoke. "I don't want you to think I'm prying, honey, but are you sure that that's all that it is? I only mean that he seems more... involved, than someone who is just a friend would be."

"Marie," Evelyn said, laughing uncomfortably because she knew deep down that her aunt's words were true. "I told you that he's only a friend."

"I know, Ev, I know. I just -- I don't know, it just seems like he doesn't see it that way. And I'm not sure that you do, either." At the look on her niece's face, she hurried to ammend her words. "All I meant was that you seem conflicted about him sometimes, that's all."

Evelyn eyed Marie carefully. "For someone who acts like they don't pay attenton, you seem to know a lot more than you let on, Marie." She smiled when she saw her aunt chuckle. "Will and I just understand each other, I guess. But that's all it is." She knew she was telling herself that just as much as she was telling her aunt.

"I just worry about you, Ev. You know I do." Marie came around the table and took the girl's hand, squeezing it tightly. "I watched you get your heart broken and it was honestly the scariest thing I've ever seen. Watching you just barely exist... you were gone for so long and I was so afraid you weren't going to come back to me."

Evelyn squeezed her aunt's hand back tightly, her heart clenching at her words. "I had no idea you felt that way."

The older woman offered her niece a sad smile, brushing the hair from her eyes. "I love you like you're my own daughter, Evelyn. I just don't want to see you get hurt again. I saw what you were like with Jasper, and what you were like when he left. If I'm being honest, Will reminds me of that, in a way. The intensity that they both have just isn't normal for kids your age."

Evelyn nodded, leaning forward and taking Marie's hand in both of hers. "I love you and I'm so grateful for everything you've done for me, Marie. But you don't have to worry about me and Will. He's my friend and that's all."

Marie did not look entirely convinced, but she nodded. "As long as you're happy, Evelyn, I'm happy. That's all I've ever wanted for you since you came to Forks."

Just before Evelyn could answer, they both jumped at the sound of loud, rapid knocks echoing through the house. They shared a confused look, both of them wondering who could be at their house on a quiet Friday night like this, and then their interest was piqued when the knocks became more frantic.

Evelyn followed Marie through the house, entering the foyer just as Charlie Swan had already decided to let himself in and was shuffling through the small doorframe into the house. His eyes were wide, his face almost dazed as his eyes fell on Marie.

"Charlie? What's wrong? Are you alright?" She asked, hurrying over to him and resting a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Charlie?"

Chief Swan shook his head. "It's Harry. He had a heart attack while we were hunting today in the woods. I'm going to meet him at the hospital but I need you to go and pick up Sue. Harry had the car with him and she has no way to get up here."

"Oh my god," Marie exclaimed, immediately springing into action and grabbing her keys and coat from the hangers by the front door. "Okay, okay, I'm coming -- oh, poor Sue..."

Evelyn's heart was pounding. "Wait, Charlie, is Harry okay? What about Leah, and Seth? I can go and meet them, maybe bring them to the hospital--"

Charlie shook his head. "They're at the house with Sue, she doesn't want them to see him right away. I'll call you though if anything changes." Charlie glanced at the phone in his hand, his eyebrows furrowed into a deep line. "Bella isn't answering my calls, either."

"I can try to call her, or go over there," Evelyn offered in a desperate attempt to feel useful. Though she was worried about Bella, her mind was more focused on Leah and her younger brother. She wished she could be with her friend now more than anything. Evelyn knew, probably more than anyone, what it felt like to worry about the life of a parent.

Charlie offered her a grateful smile. "Thank you, Ev." He turned to Marie. "We should get going. He should be at the hosptial by now."

Marie nodded, her eyes hard. "Okay. I'll let you know when Sue and I are on the way." And with that, Evelyn watched her aunt and Charlie march determinedly out the door and to their respective vehicles.

As soon as they were gone, she ran to kitchen where her phone was resting innocently on the counter. Within seconds, she had dialed Leah's number and she was pacing the floor as she waited for her friend to pick up.

Her breath caught in her throat when she heard Leah's broken voice on the other end of the line. "Ev?" She said, and Evelyn could almost feel the fear that Leah must be feeling through the phone.

"I'm here," Evelyn said, her knuckles white from gripping the phone so tightly. "What can I do?"

She could hear Leah's strangled sigh before she spoke. "I don't -- I don't know anything, right now. Ev, I'm so scared."

"I know." Evelyn knew better than to tell her that things were going to be okay, because she had hated when people used to tell her that when her parents had died. "But he's in good hands at the hospital. Charlie is on his way there to be with him now."

"That's good," Leah said, the usual bite in her voice noticeably absent. "Mom says she doesn't want us to go see him, but I think that's the dumbest shit I've ever heard. I'm going whether she wants me to or not."

"Do you want me to come get you?" Evelyn asked. "Or you can go with Marie and I can meet you there."

Leah sighed, and Evelyn could almost see her shaking her head. "No, I think it should just be me and my family for right now. I know you want to help but I'll call you, or stop by, when I have news or if I need you, okay?"

"Of course. Whatever you need, just let me know." She was a little hurt at Leah's words, but she couldn't blame her. She knew what Leah was feeling all too well and she wasn't going to argue with her.

"I will. I'll talk to you later, okay, Ev?"

"Okay." But Leah had already hung up the phone.

Evelyn's hands were shaking from the adrenaline pumping through her veins as she made her way into the living room. She sat down on the couch in a daze, her head spinning with wild thoughts about what was happening and the painful memories about her family that were coming back to the surface.

She couldn't help but feel heartbroken for Seth and Leah Clearwater. She did not wish the pain of losing a parent on anyone, and she knew what they were feeling right now all too well. She could tell Leah was not normal when they spoke, and she wished that she could do something, anything, to help ease their worries and make them feel better.

She sat in the silence of her empty house for a long time, the dinner sitting on the table long forgotten as she wondered what could have possibly happened to Harry Clearwater for him to have a heart attack. As far as she knew, he was relatively healthy and did not have any known heart problems, so what had happened? Somehow, she could not shake the odd feeling in her stomach that the circumstances surrounding his heart attack were not normal.

Evelyn must have fallen asleep, because she was shaken awake by the sound of someone knocking on the front door once again. She sat up quickly, wincing at the stiffness in her neck, but nonetheless hurried to the door to see if it was someone with news about Harry.

She felt her eyes widen when she met Will's concerned golden gaze on the other side of her front door. "Will? What are you doing here?"

Will looked beyond her into the hosue for a moment before meeting her confused stare. "I heard people saying there was something wrong with Leah's dad in town. I came to see if you knew anything and to check on you."

Evelyn opened the door wider for him to let him inside, and she was grateful that she had someone else to talk to and distract her from her thoughts. "Charlie came here to tell us what happened, and Marie left with him to go and be with Sue. I called Leah but that was a while ago, I haven't heard anything since then."

The pair made their way back into the living room, and Evelyn sat down as she gazed up at the Will, who had paused in the doorway. His demeanor was oddly stiff, and she noticed his eyes flickering around the room like he was looking for something.

"Will," Evelyn asked, frowning. "Is everything okay?"

The vampire's eyes fell on hers again, and he smiled. She could see that it did not reach his eyes. "Of course. I was making sure we're alone here, I feel like all of this happening could be a good enough distraction for a vampire like Victoria to slip in unnoticed. But don't worry, no one else is here."

Evelyn nodded, though she still thought that he was acting strange. Still, she was glad to have him here in case Victoria were to show up at her home unexpectedly. She decided to change the subject as she watched him take one last look around the house before coming to sit on the sofa next to her. "I should probably check on Bella," she said finally, fiddling with her fingers as she stared at her phone on the coffee table. "She hasn't been answering anyone's calls tonight. I don't think anyone knows where she is."

"Maybe she's with the wolf boy, what's his name? Jacob?" Will suggested in an attempt to be helpful. "You can try calling him."

Evelyn shook her head. "I don't think so. I thought they were supposed to be out looking for Victoria in the woods today...Jacob and Embry told me that they were going to try and keep her away from Charlie's hunting party." A lightbulb went off in her head, and she looked at the vampire next to her with worried eyes. "Do you think that had something to do with Harry's heart attack? I just feel like that wouldn't have happened out of nowhere."

Will sighed, taking one of her hands in both of his and squeezing tightly. "I don't know. I suppose the situation is a little unexpected, but it's not a very likely link. I'm sure you'll hear something soon."

"I hope so," Evelyn sighed, her green eyes wide as she turned and met his gold ones. "Thank you for staying with me." And she truly meant it; somehow, Will always knew when she needed him and what to say to make her feel better. That was what she loved the most about him, and also what made her feelings about him so confusing sometimes.

He nodded, his eyes falling to her small hand resting innocently between his on his thigh. They sat in silence for a few moments before he spoke again. "Ev, I know you're having a rough night and I don't want to overwhelm you, but I need to ask you something," he said at last, his voice slightly hoarse with an emotion that Evelyn could not identify.

"Of course," she said gently, squeezing his hand softly as she studied the perfect contours of his face. "You're my best friend, you can ask me anything."

Will bit his lower lip, shaking his head as if he had decided to not hold back any longer before his piercing ocher eyes found hers once more. "Do you think that that's all that we are? Just friends?" He leaned in closer to her, squeezing her hand tighter. The chill of his skin was seeping into the palm of her hand. "Because I'm not sure that that's all it is anymore. And I think you feel it, too."

Evelyn felt herself stop breathing. She had pushed this off for so long, not ready to even think about the true extent of their relationship past a platonic friendship. She had hoped that maybe all of the conflicting feelings were one-sided, but Will's words and the way he was looking at her disintegrated that thought completely.

She didn't want to have this conversation now. She wasn't ready, and she didn't know if she ever would be. "I don't think that we need to talk about this now," she said at last, pulling her hand from his and standing up. "I can't do this right now."

Will stood immediately, blocking her way to the kitchen with his strong body as he gently grasped her arms. "If not now, then when, Evelyn? I can't keep pretending that I haven't grown to care about you as more than just a friend over the past few months."

She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She was simultaneously sad and a little bit relieved that the shift in their relationship had not gone unnoticed by him. It was on odd feeling, to say the least; she couldn't decide if she was happy or upset that he admitted to having romantic feelings for her after all this time. Her heartrate had sped up, and she felt like the room was getting smaller and smaller around them as she hyperfocused on the feeling of his strong hands on her skin.

Finally she shook her head, her heart pounding loudly in her ears and her breath coming faster. "I can't do this," she said. "Please don't say anything else." Her voice was higher than usual, and she forced herself to pull her gaze from his face and step away from him. The room seemed to be caving in on them, making it harder for her to breathe and think straight. With a hand over her rapidly beating heart, she stepped around him and walked quickly to the kitchen in an attempt to get some more air. Unsurprisingly, Will followed close behind on her heels.

She stopped in front of the kitchen window, staring out into the inky black of the night that seemed to stretch on for eternity. Though she couldn't see him behind her, she knew Will was standing in the doorway watching her every move.

"Evelyn," he said at last, his voice soft. "Ev, please look at me. Please. I wouldn't be saying this if it wasn't important." He was practically begging her; he didn't know when he'd get another chance to get everything between them out in the open. He had to make her see, before his chance was gone for good.

Her heart and her brain seemed to be at war with each other. She knew she should just tell him to leave and avoid him from now on. Her instinct was to protect herself, and to protect her fragile heart. However, a small voice inside her was curious to see what else he had to say, because she did not know if there would ever be another night like this again. With baited breath, she turned and met his pleading eyes, leaning against the cool countertop behind her.

Will's strong gaze immediately began to consume her. She couldn't breathe anymore; her head was spinning as she leaned further against the counter behind her. She gripped the cold countertop with her hands for support, her knuckles blanching pure white from how hard she was squeezing.

"I know that you don't want to hear it but I have to tell you, before it's too late," he said, his silky smooth voice as soft as a whisper as he stepped carefully closer to her. "I care about you, Evelyn. More than I ever thought I would... more than I ever should have let myself."

"Please don't," Evelyn gasped, though she couldn't help but wonder what would happen if he came just a bit closer. The internal war was driving her insane; part of her wanted to tell him to stop, to forget his feelings for her. And yet, the other part of her seemed to be winning, willing her to close the achingly large gap between them. She squeezed the counter tighter to prevent herself from doing just that.

He ignored her weak plea, instead taking one last careful step so that their chests were nearly touching. His chilled hands gently curled around her rigid fingers, gently prying them from the countertop. "I think," he started, his smoldering ocher eyes meeting hers once more, "that you care about me too. Tell me I'm wrong" he breathed, his cool breath tickling the bridge of her nose. His fingers began tracing gentle circles on the tops of her hands as he pulled them from underneath the counter. She hated that she loved the way it felt.

"I can't," she said finally. "We can't."

"You're afraid to betray him, aren't you?" Will realized, moving his hand to caress her cheek. "Even after everything he's done."

"I'm sorry," Evelyn said. "I don't know why I can't forget about him. I'm so sorry."

Will smiled, stepping back just slightly and removing his hand from her cheek. "It's okay. You love him." He paused again, a sad smile gracing his lips. "What a treasure it must be to be loved by you, Evelyn Masen. He certainly doesn't deserve it."

The absence of his familiarly cold fingers on her skin made her step towards him again. "I do care about you, Will. But I'm afraid."

Slowly, carefully, Will lifted his hand to her cheek once more, gently tracing the outline of her lower lip. "I would never hurt you the way he did, Evelyn. I want you to know that. If you don't care about anything else, just please know that."

Maybe it was because he was saying the things that she so desperately wanted to hear, or maybe it was because if she closed her eyes she could imagine the icy fingers caressing her body were not Will's at all, but she lifted her chin towards his and stretched up on her toes. He met her in the middle, brushing his cool lips softly against hers in a whisper of a kiss. The feather-like touch set Evelyn's body on fire.

He pulled away slightly, wordlessly asking for permission, and when she didn't pull away he lowered his mouth to hers once more.

A breathy sigh escaped Evelyn's lips as Will kissed her. His hands moved from her face, slowly gliding down her body and settling at her waist as he pulled her closer to him. She instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, tangling her fingers in his soft brunette locks as she relished the feeling of his lips on hers.

It had been so long since she had felt this way; so long since she had been in someone's embrace, and she had not realized how much she had ached for it until now.  Her skin tingled where it touched his, the cold of his body and the warmth of hers combining to make that addictive feeling she had been without for so long.

The worst part was that she was not thinking of Will as she deepened the kiss, pulling his head down towards hers. No, she was imagining her fingers curling in soft blond waves, a romantic southern drawl whispering her name, and the crooked smile that she had loved so much grinning against her lips. There would never be anyone except for Jasper. She knew she was so incredibly selfish for allowing this to happen, but at the moment she didn't care.

Will pushed her back slightly so that she was leaning against the countertop. Their kiss became deeper, quicker, his fingers digging almost painfully into her sides. It was as if they couldn't get close enough to each other. Evelyn could feel his hands everywhere at once and the intoxicating smell that constantly surrounded him filled her to the brim.

And yet, it was what broke the spell.

Because no matter what Evelyn imagined in her mind, Will was not Jasper. And he never would be.

Breathless, she pulled away, the guilt already beginning to eat her from the inside out. Will did not open his eyes, instead moving his lips down her jawline and onto her neck in a trail of gentle kisses.

"Will," she whispered, her fingers gripping his hair tighter as he softly kissed a particularly sensitive spot on her neck. "Will, we have to stop."

He hummed against her skin in response, the sound low in his throat, sending pleasant shivers down her spine. Why was he making this so hard?

"Will," she tried again, firmer this time. "Please stop."

Immediately, he lifted his head back up to hers, clear questions in his eyes. "What's wrong? Did I hurt you?"

She shook her head, untangling her hands from his hair and resting them on his chest, gently pushing him farther away from her. His concern for her safety made what she was about to do so much harder. "No, I'm fine. You didn't do anything wrong." She looked into his eyes, begging him to see where she was coming from. "I care about you, Will. I really do. But not in the way you want me to. I'm sorry."

"I don't understand," he said, leaning back to fully study her face. "Why would you kiss me if you don't feel the same?"

Because I'm a terrible person, she thought bitterly, hating herself for what she had just done. She bit her lip, struggling to find the right words to say. "I thought that I might, but then I kissed you, and all I could think about was..." she trailed off, knowing that she didn't have to say Jasper's name for him to know who it was. "I'm so sorry, Will. It was so selfish of me. I shouldn't have done it."

Will studied her guilt-stricken face. He didn't believe her when she said that she didn't have feelings for him; she wouldn't have kissed him if that were true. Still, he would always respect her wishes, and he knew probably better than anyone the hold that Jasper still had over her. He just wished that he had more time to help break it.

"Do you hate me?" Evelyn asked, chewing her lip between her teeth as she waited impatiently for what he was going to say.

He sighed, pulling Evelyn into his arms and burying his face in her neck in a final embrace. "Don't be sorry for being honest with me, Ev. I could never hate you."

Evelyn let out the breath that she had been holding and wrapped her arms around his neck once more. "If I were you, I would hate me. I don't blame you if you do, even a little bit." She smiled when she felt him laugh into the crook of her neck.

He pulled away then, though he didn't want to, and plastered a teasing grin on his face to hide the pain he felt from her rejection. "Alright, maybe I do hate you a little bit."

Evelyn was about to respond when the sudden sound of three distinct knocks echoed through the old house. Evelyn's stomach leapt with anticipation.

"That could be Leah with news," Evelyn said, moving to untangle herself from Will's arms. However, she frowned in confusion when Will tightened his grip on her waist. "Will, what are you doing? Let me go talk to her."

"It's not Leah," he said quietly.

"How do you know that?"

Will's eyes were pained. "Evelyn, if I asked you not to open the door, would you listen to me?"

"What are you talking about?" She glanced from him to the front door just down the hallway. "Who's at the door?"

Will gripped her waist tighter, preventing her from wriggling free. "Please," he begged. "Please don't open it. I don't want you to get hurt. Not again."

At his words, Evelyn's interest was piqued. No, she thought. It couldn't be. But who who else would make Will behave this way?

Three more distinctive knocks echoed through the house.

"Will, let go of me," Evelyn ordered. "I need to see who's out there."

Will's expression was unreadable as he reluctantly released Evelyn from his grasp, his hand running through his hair in frustration as he watched Evelyn hurry towards the door. He adored her independence, but why couldn't she just listen to him for once? Didn't she know that he only ever had her best interest in mind?

Evelyn's heart was pounding in her chest as she got closer to the front door. She could just barely see the outline of a tall silhouette through the frosted glass window, and suddenly her heart was beating in her throat.

With shaking hands, she curled her fingers around the metal doorknob. Just as she was about to open it, though, she hesitated. Did she really want to see whoever was just beyond the threshold? Would she be able to handle it, after everything that had happened over the last few months?

With a glance over her shoulder at Will, whose eyes were hard as he stood with his arms crossed over his chest, she took a deep breath and turned the knob, gently pulling the door open.

He looked even better than she remembered; how she had let herself forget so many details, she would never know. His honey blond hair fell in perfect waves to his collar, his skin almost shimmering from the moonlight outside. He was taller than she had remembered, his lean body towering over hers as she stared up at him with wide eyes.

His eyes were what shocked her the most. Sure, she had seen Will's vampiric eyes nearly everyday for a while now, but nothing compared to the way Jasper's seemed to pour into her soul when she looked into them. Uncharacteristically, though, his eyes were nearly black, the skin beneath them a sickly looking purple color that resembled deep bruising.

She felt her mouth open in shock as she stared breathlessly at the beautiful man before her.

"Evelyn," Jasper Hale breathed, eyes wide in disbelief. "I can't believe it's you."

"Oh my god," Evelyn whispered, her free hand covering her mouth in shock as she took him in. "This isn't happening."

And then she shut the door in his face.

***
YAYAY HE IS BACK I'm so pumped omg!! but mostly im excited for the drama, yall don't even know what's coming lmaoo thanks for reading!!