11

                                    

                                          
My heart fluttered at the sight of Jasper. It fluttered toward him, as if gravity pulled it to him, and it annoyed me and excited me at the same time. 
I was annoyed at myself, at my reaction, when Jasper broke his gaze away first. I shook my head to clear it as I slowly made my way over to the clothing section. I could feel Paul watching me, but it was then that I noticed he wasn't the only one. 
Jasper was talking quietly with Edward, I recognized his bronze colored hair. He never even turned around when I walked in, only sent one glance in my direction, but the boy standing on Jasper's other side did. I hadn't realized he was shamelessly watching me until after the Jasper induced fog had cleared from my mind. He wasn't just watching me though, he was smiling widely at me. His crystal white teeth against his pale features and dark brown eyes were oddly striking. I felt horrified and intrigued all at the same time. I knew this had to be one of Jasper's other siblings, but I had been too distracted and shocked to pay attention to the introductions Dr. Cullen had been giving the other day. 
The second thing I noticed about this boy was his size. He was huge. He really didn't look like a boy at all. None of them did. I could see the defined lines of his muscles through his tight long sleeve shirt. I swallowed hard as I combed through the rack of pants trying to ignore the trio. I noticed Paul at my side kept glancing in their direction as well. 
I couldn't really understand my reaction. I guess after seeing Jasper randomly in the woods it was weird to picture him doing anything normal, but I knew I shouldn't be surprised. I know he goes to school and Dr. Cullen has his job, but it still didn't seem right. In the short time they've been here, I have already heard rumors that they like to keep to themselves. Maybe that influenced my shock at seeing them casually looking at outdoor backpacks.
The heat from Paul's body hovering so close to me was even warmer than it was before. It felt like a brand on my skin as I yanked a pair of pants identical to the ones I was wearing from the rack. I tried to ignore Paul and the Cullens as I hurried to the counter, desperate to get out of the store. I had to get to work soon, and I knew I could use that as an excuse for a quick escape from Paul. 
I stood behind a group of obvious hikers checking out at the register and waited. I didn't recognize any of them as locals, which wasn't surprising. Hikers come from all over to explore the wide range of landscapes found in Forks and the surrounding areas. 
"I'm telling you" one said enthusiastically, "it was the biggest black bear I have ever seen." 
My head snapped up as his friends all laughed and scoffed at him. 
 
Black bear. 
I immediately wondered if he had seen the wolf. I listened as he explained to them again what he believed he saw through the thick trees and undergrowth, which wasn't much. The dark shape he described could have been anything. The other hikers must have agreed because they only continued to laugh and mock him. It made my blood boil, even though the man didn't seem to care.
"We've had reports of some strange animal roaming these woods." I interjected. "Some speculated it could be a bear. I think it's a wolf, personally."
They all stared at me incredulously for a long moment. I could also feel Paul watching me too.
The man who had seen the 'bear' shook his head in thought. "This thing was too big to be a wolf." He said as a few of the hikers exchanged glances and smiles.
I only shrugged in response. It was clear from their expressions that they wouldn't believe me. 
"You should listen to her." Mrs. Newton said behind the counter. "She's one of our local police officers. She would know better than anyone what's going on."