A/N: Ok. I have another fanfic on here called My Starlight Muse. There's only two chapters in it, but I really wanted to start on this. I also wanted to say that... well, the first chapter is written weird. Jasper's POV. His state of mind and sobriety level should tell you why he's talking so dull and blunt, and really nonchalant about everything in a way. But ya. Enjoy.

It's October 24th, 2005.

My elective class is a total drag. We never really do anything interesting, ever.

I keep about thirty-eight percent of my attention on this new guy that just registered today. Looks like a total jock. Kind of pale, but you can't blame anyone in Washington for that. There's never any sun. It's ridiculous.

The other sixty-two percent of my attention is dividing equally by my annoying sister, Rosalie, and the fuzzy feeling in my gut. I usually come to school sober. Today I made an exception. I kept digging my nails into the already damaged skin of my wrist, and, every few seconds, swallowed phlegm. I should've realized this was disgusting. I should've gotten some water.

Edward has his head down, his forehead pressed against the edge of his desk, his eyes staring down at his left untied shoe. Not really seeing anything. Not really doing anything. Just kind of there, but all gone at the same time. I think he took more than I did.

I wonder how many aspirin it would take to get me to pass out.

I hate Mondays.

I don't even notice that class is over until I see that new guy, tall and bulky, short curly black hair, suddenly standing next to my desk. I can't see his face. He's talking to Rose. Fantastic. Another reason for mom to whisper little hints about birth control. It drives Rose off a wall. She's still a virgin. She says.

I'm not paying attention to what they're saying. It doesn't bother me that Rose keeps eyeing me. It doesn't bother me that Edward hasn't even picked his head up. Just sits there, staring at his shoe, but really staring at nothing. He doesn't even look like he's breathing.

"Hey," I hear.

I turn and see Rose and the jock staring at me.

"What?" I snap back. I wanted it to sound threatening, but I don't think it worked very well. For all I know, they can't understand me.

"Aren't you chipper," Rosalie says. She's smirking. "I just found you a friend."

I don't look up at his face. "I have plenty of friends."

"They don't talk to you anymore." Thanks, I think. That's real sweet of you to say sis.

"I'm fine."

"Well, at least be nice to him," she continues, as though I'm interested in making friends with one of her kind. "He's new. And he could be very… valuable."

This last word brings me into reality a bit. Now I'm interested.

"Oh?"

I finally look up at him. He's nowhere near as pale as Edward and I, but much more so than the other kids who go to this school. He shares our dark circles and our tired look. But he looks too perky, too cheerful. He must be fairly new.

"Emmett," he says in a booming voice. He holds out a hand. I don't take it.

"What do you need?"

His big grin fades slightly. "Not here, dude."

Right. Lunch. Great.

I imagine that they got Edward out of his trance, and I find myself to be right when I see him sit down across from me. He looks tired. I get this odd urge to give him a hug.

I wonder if Tylenol would be better.

"My sister has my lunch," I hear the booming voice of Emmett say again. "She might sit with us. Cool?"

"Cool," I think I say aloud. I can't be certain. I don't think he heard me if I did.

"Sure," Rosalie says, sitting down next to Edward. Emmett takes a seat next to me. I scoot over an inch away from him. I doubt he notices.

"Where'd you come from anyways?" Rosalie asks him, seeming very interested. I wonder if she really is.

"Seattle."

"Of course," she nods, pulling out her stupid mirror. "You'd be tanner if you were from any other state."

Emmett laughed. I scoot away another inch. I wonder what would happen if I snatched the mirror away from Rose and smashed it on the ground. She would probably punch me. I let my attention go back to the conversation they're having.

This weird buzzing in my ear keeps me from hearing them very clearly. All I get is something about a midget, and I don't understand, so I go back to not caring. There's bugs under my skin. Tiny little fuckers keep annoying me, and I keep scratching at my wrist. I think I'm bleeding. There's wet goo under my fingers. I'm too out of it to care much.

"Emmy!"

This high pitched voice. It's very beautiful. I stop scratching at the bugs and look up to a pretty face.

I understand the midget comment now.

This small girl the size of a pixie walks to our table, dragging behind her a scared looking girl with large brown eyes. The brown-eyed girl sits next to Edward. The pixie sits next to me. I'm thanking myself silently for scooting closer to the empty seat.

"Who're your friends, Emmett?" the beautiful, small girl says. She's not looking at me. I suddenly remember what I look like and look away from her, down at the table. No matter how much drugs I take, I can't help but feel self-conscious. Maybe that's part of the problem, I think. Maybe.

"Oh, this is Rose. Er…"

He doesn't know our names, I realize.

"Jasper and Edward."

I smile at Rosalie briefly for introducing us and look up at the tiny girl.

She's looking at me and I feel myself blush. I hate it and hate her for making me do it.

"Nice to meet you," she says like an angel and smiles at me. I instantly forget what I hated her for.

"Same," is all I say. I want to say something funny, something clever, to know what her laugh sounds like. I can't think of anything.

"Are you all Seniors?" the taller girl asks. Edward picks his head up a bit, but doesn't say anything.

"No," Rosalie answers again, very rudely staring at herself in the mirror as though she's too wonderful to even look at them. "Edward is a Junior. He just has an elective with us."

"Yo, Jasper." Emmett.

"Yes?" I say, still looking at his sister.

"How's about we talk about that thing Rosalie mentioned. About my… worth."

I sigh, not wanting to leave this spot at this particular moment. Nor do I really want to give this guy what he's asking for. "Sure, guy," I hear myself say anyways. "Somewhere else, though."