Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or the characters of this story! If I did, Edward Cullen would be mine! Mwahahaha!
Papercut – Jasper POV!
I took the last breath I would be able to have for a while, just as Bella walked through the door. She looked extremely nervous, and I took a few steps back, trying to keep as far away from her as possible.
It's not that I was trying to be rude, but I'm sure she would have preferred it if I stayed my distance rather than get too close and then be unable to resist her scent any longer. I'm sure Edward would have preferred that too.
Everything was going fine, she opened the presents, and she even started to enjoy herself a little. That was until she went to open the present from Carlisle and Esme.
I had just enough time to hear her mutter "Shoot" and hear the sound of the paper slicing across her finger, before I realised what had happened. I looked straight at her, trying to keep control, when a single drop of scarlet blood, oozed out of finger and splashed onto the carpet.
Before I knew it, I was snarling and running towards her. I couldn't help it; the smell of the blood was too strong. Edward ran in front of me and slammed Bella into a pile of crystal glasses and plates, before throwing me into his beloved piano.
I felt the fragile wood splinter beneath the force of Edward's throw, before I smelt the blood again. It was stronger this time, and I leapt to my feet. I had to taste it. I had just enough time to have a quick look around before I felt two sets of arms restrain me from getting to Bella.
I growled and struggled to free myself. It was Carlisle and Emmett. Why couldn't they just let me have a little taste? I looked straight at Bella and growled in longing for the blood. It looked even tastier now. Pulsing out of the crease of her elbow and gently trickling down her arm.
I growled and struggled again. Suddenly Emmett had me in his vice like grip, his arms locked around my thrashing body as I struggled in vain to escape. Then, Rosalie was in front of me, blocking my view, her face smug as if she had known this was going to happen all along.
She helped Emmett to drag me outside, and Emmett deposited me on a bench. Neither of them said anything as I regained control of myself and began to think straight again.
I couldn't believe it. I had just tried to attack Bella. I could've killed her! And all Rosalie could do was stand there with a horribly smug look her face that obviously said "I told you so".
Soon everyone except Carlisle and Bella was outside. Alice was desperately trying to console me, but she didn't seem to understand that wasn't what I needed right now. I had already had Bella's message of forgiveness from Alice, but I needed Edward's. I wouldn't be happy until he looked me directly in the eyes and said "I forgive you".
I sat on the floor, waiting for Edward to say something. But he wasn't even looking at me. Maybe he wasn't ready. I turned to go and hunt in the forest when he caught my arm and spun me back around.
"Jasper, I – I forgive you" he said. "It wasn't your fault, it wasn't anyone's, but I forgive you."
That was all I needed. I turned towards the forest and ran, leaping over the lake in a graceful somersault. I stopped when I reached the other side and sniffed the air. Blood. But thankfully this time, it wouldn't matter when I lost control.