empathy

ELEVEN

The library is quiet, not surprising as it is in the middle of classes students are restricted from entering it during those. But when has Anastasia ever been one for rules? 

With her back leaning against one of the shelves, her legs stretched out and her ankles crossed and a book resting in her hand, she doesn't notice Jasper entering the library as well.

It's his escape for when the hunger gets too much, for when all he needs is a few minutes to regain control. It's a place he feels somewhat comfortable at because it is a place where he feels as though he can be himself.

Few students visit it as it is and when there are any, it is usually people, who don't bother to judge others or people, who genuinely enjoy reading and because of this usually don't notice their environment.

He misses the times when he could do just that. Another thing vampirism ruined for him. Turning his head in the direction the low music is coming from, his eyes find Anastasia and he stills for a second to watch her. For once focusing entirely on her and blending out her emotions. For one being able to forget his gift for just a second.

His eyes watch hers dance over the lines while her finger taps to the rhythm of the music against the book spine. He watches her blow a strand of hair out of her face repeatedly before brushing it behind her ear. He watches her turn the page, the movement of her shoulder throwing the hair back in her face and he can't hold back the amused smile when she once again tries to blow it away.

"Hair tie?" he offers the tie he has taken with him for the hunting trip Rosalie took him on yesterday. Just in case she forgot hers.

Meeting her eyes, he gives the best smile he can offer her; his hand still held out for her to take the tie. Anastasia doesn't comment a thing as she takes it from her wrist and ties her hair in a low bun before simply turning back to her book.

"Alice in wonderland?" Jasper notices the familiar words in her book."Obviously."

Stopping his rather weak attempt at making small talk, he strolls through the halls until his eyes finally land on 'the count of Monte Cristo'. It was his favourite books back when he was human; sometimes it feels as though it is one of the few things keeping him sane.

Taking a seat against the shelf opposite Anastasia, the two of them sit in silence. Both of them doing the same thing without realising it.

For both of them hold on to the memory of their mother reading to them when they weren't older than a few. For both of them need a moment to feel as though the world is still rotating on its axis. For both of them need the split of a second to feel human.

Though, while one is doing it because he truly is something so much bigger, yet so much smaller than human, the other one is doing it because she hasn't felt half of an actual being in such a long time, it is almost surreal for to ever become one again.

They read in silence for quite some time, both of them listening to the music playing through Anastasia's earbuds. Until a quite familiar song starts playing.

"Would you mind me asking what you are listening to?"Jasper speaks up again."Queen." her voice is flat, uninterested."Do you want to put it on speaker?" he offers.

Glancing over to him, Anastasia tilts her head with narrowed eyes before shrugging and doing just that; turning the volume up so both of them can hear it. Not that he couldn't before.

"What's so funny?" she flips yet another page, her eyes not wavering from the words and he silently wonders how she knew it was amusing him."Nothing, I just don't think I've heard anyone but Emmett listen to this in forever."Jasper replies."The brawny one?"Anastasia finally looks back up. "That's him." he confirms."He has taste."

With that the conversation is once again put to halt; the last words of 'killer queen' filling the silent air. Accompanied by the tapping of her finger.

The two of them spend the rest of the class in silence and Jasper gets to know Anastasia is quite the Queen fan. Her favourite song probably being Bohemian Rhapsody; though this opinion is only based on the way her tapping got a little louder, her foot began to sway back and forth and her lips started to move along the lyrics. Even her reading got a little slower.

"Let me." he offers, taking the book out of her hand as they get ready to leave.

Putting it back in its place, he hears the door shut; turning his head over his shoulder just to find Anastasia gone. Truly not all that surprising.

Jasper isn't sure he realises just how at ease he is felt or how easy it was to blend out the burning in his throat. And Anastasia sure as hell didn't realise how she has started to let down her facade. Not much and certainly not for long but the fact she shared her music alone is a hint.

Music is a way to one's soul; for it shows so many different facades of oneself. Political and religious attitude and whether one is an extrovert, introvert or ambivert. Music says it all. So, in a way, it isn't only a way to one's soul; it's its mirror. Clear and focused.

But despite none of them realising just how important this encounter has been, both of them felt it nagging at the back of their minds. One longing to experience it again and one frowning at the memory, overthinking every pixel she remembers.

It's an encounter, the two of them find themselves witnessing quite a few more times over the next week. Sitting on opposite ends, each has a book in their hand and music playing in the background. They don't talk much because neither do they need it nor would they know what about. Not yet at this point.

But they find themselves enjoying each other's presence more than they should.