A Spark Neglected

Shakespeare's Lemonade

Dating: T: some violence and teenager-ish stuff. Also for audience

Genre: Romance/Drama/Friendship

Summary: The Cullens and the Hales hate each other. But what happens when Jasper falls for Alice? The Cullens learn a secret about Esme Hale and Emmett has to associate with Rosalie. Edward's troubles with Bella pale in comparison.

Characters: Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper, Alice, Edward, Bella, Carlisle, Esme, Charlie, Renee, Jacob, Mike, Jessica, Angela, Lauren, Eric, Tyler, et cetera

Pairings: All the same as books.

A/N: This story is in an alternate universe where not all of them are vampires, but they all will be in the end. I took the title from a Leo Tolstoy story about a family feud. I will be switching POV throughout the story. I'll be using all of the Cullens, Hales, and Bella, but probably no one else… maybe Jacob

Disclaimer: I am only playing with Stephanie's characters; I'll put them back when I'm done.

Prologue

The Cullens were the richest family in Forks. The Hales were the second richest. Dr. Carlisle Cullen had three children. Emmett was the oldest at 18 and the star quarterback of our high school team. He was a comforting cliché. Edward was the second, 17, and the smartest. Alice was 16, a year ahead in school and my best friend. Mrs. Esme Hale had two children. 18-year-old twins named Rosalie and Jasper. Rosalie was head of the cheer-leading squad and immensely popular. Jasper was in the drama club and got the male lead in most of our school plays. All of the Cullens and Hales got straight As, save Emmett, and he could have if he had wanted to. Oh, and I'm Bella Swan, daughter of Charlie and Renee Swan. My dad is the police chief and my mom mostly stays home with me. I wouldn't really have been associated with the Cullens and consequently the Hales if Alice had not taken such a liking to me. It was odd that such a girly shopaholic should want to be friends with me the clumsy bookworm, but Alice was very non-judgmental. She seemed to care more about who a person was rather than the outward appearance. Except when it came to the Hales. She hated them as much as her brothers did. I didn't completely understand this feud, but I wasn't really in their class, so I didn't even try. Jasper was nice enough to my knowledge, but I didn't really hang out with him. His sister on the other hand was exactly what you'd expect head cheerleader to be. Everyone in the school knew that much. Either you had to avoid Rosalie Hale or suck up to her. Well, unless you were a Cullen. If you were a Cullen you could do whatever you wanted, within reason. It was a delicate balance in Forks high school, and I couldn't wait until I graduated and it was all over. But the events of my junior year changed that slightly.

Chapter One "The Run-in"

APOV

I was late! Again! I squealed into my parking space and leapt from me precious yellow Porsche, slamming the door

Sorry! I started running for the school and promptly ran into Jasper Hale.

"Ow!" he exclaimed then turned and saw it was I. "Oh, sorry, Cullen." I nodded quickly and hurried of to class wondering why he was so polite when his sister was such a … well she was! I slid into my chair, but the teacher saw me and gave me extra homework. Oh, well, it would give me something to do while Edward and Carlisle were away this weekend. Three days with just Emmett, ugh! Bella was coming to spend the day on Saturday and we were planning a shopping trip. If only her parents would let her go to Seattle. Oh, well.

JPOV

I felt that funny feeling again. That strange… warmness I always felt around Alice Cullen. It was not altogether unpleasant, which surprised me somewhat. Rosalie was glaring at me again. Oh, right I was supposed to be helping her dissect this, um…

"What is that?" I asked. Rosalie's frown deepened.

"You might try paying attention!" She hissed.

"Sorry," I whispered back. I was saying that a lot today.

"It's a frog, idiot, and you made me cut it open…." She shuddered slightly. I tried to suppress the grin that tugged at the corner of my mouth. "What is wrong with you?" I suddenly realized I had zoned out again.

"Nothing," I replied, taking the utensils from her.

EMPOV

I wonder what Hale's problem in Biology was. He's not usually distracted. Who cares? Thankfully, my lab partner was Eric Yorkie. Yeah, the little nerdy kid. I think he thought I would beat him up if he didn't do my class work. Truth be told though, I wouldn't beat up anyone that small. Honestly, I may be violent, but I'm not a bully. I prefer to pick on someone my own size. But hey, who am I to mess with a good thing? The Yorkie kid did all my work and thought he was very clever protecting himself. I wouldn't want to wound his ego. Edward said I was reprehensible, whatever that means. It's not like I was cheating off the kid's test or something. I got straight Bs on my own… OK I did get a few Cs… and one D. But I've gotten a few As along the way too.

Next class was Literature. It was OK, not as fun as watching other people do Biology, though. The Hale kid always had something clever to say.

Thank God his sister wasn't in this class. Ugh, I hated her. Everyone hated her, actually. Except her brother, which made everyone question his mental health. Jasper Hale may well have been crazy; I mean look at that hair! I guess Einstein's hair was a little crazy too… but then, wasn't he a little insane as well? Worse than all of this, he stared at my sister sometimes, which made me want to tear his head off. Edward would have helped me except he never noticed. Nobody ever noticed the obvious around here. Bella saw, but she was more normal than the rest of them. I tried to get her to help me plot Jasper's demise, but she was against violence of any kind. Girls!

EPOV

Emmett had that look in his eyes again.

"No," I said as he sat down to lunch, "I will not be a part of your maniacal schemes." He looked at me, incredulously.

"I swear, Edward," he said, "you are a mind reader."

"Then stop thinking such ridiculous things. Dude, it shows on your face, I wouldn't need to read your mind." Bella snickered slightly and shook her head. Alice joined us amid the conversation.

"You might have waited for me this morning," she said with a pout.

"And been late ourselves?" Emmett asked. "No way." Alice huffed, and I was so glad I got to go with dad to his conference this weekend.

"You'll miss the game on Friday," Bella said, as if she were reading my thoughts.

"Oh," I said, "Emmett will forgive me, and you guys can tell me all about it."

"But that means we have to pay attention," Alice said.

"Yeah," Bella agreed, "you always explain it to us so we don't have to watch."

"I'm hurt," Emmett said placing his hand over his heart and looking forlorn. I suddenly burst out laughing.

"Leave the acting to others, Emmett," I said, "you are pathetic."

"Hmm," he crossed his arms, "what a way to treat your big brother."

"Mmhmm."

RPOV

I hate the stupid little drones, especially that Jessica or whatever her name is. Ugh! They follow me around and try to seem like they are anywhere near as good as me, really! And I'm going to kill Jasper for that little stunt in Bio. Why is her staring at the Cullens? And who is that clumsy freak that follows them around?

"Jasper!" I knocked on his head.

"Ow, Rose! What do you want?" He growled.

"Why are you watching them?" He shrugged

"I'm not watching anyone in particular."

"Oh, cut the crap… you don't actually think the little freaky one is cute?" he didn't answer. "OMG you do! Jasper!"

"Shut up already, people will hear you."

"She's a Cullen!" I hissed.

"So? I don't have anything against them."

"Be that as it may, they have something against you."

"It's not like I was ever going to say anything."

"Good." We finished our lunch in silence. Jasper was mad at me. Mom would be madder at him.

APOV

"Come on, Bella!" I pleaded, as we walked to Spanish class.

"Alice, we have to go to Emmett's game. He doesn't have the others this week. He'll never forgive us."

"But it's Linkin Park! Bella, you love them."

"Alice my parents would never let me go to Seattle with just you."

"Tell them we're going to Port Angeles for a movie or something. You're a good liar."

"Alice!"

"I'll convince Edward he likes you. 'Cause I mean, we all know he does."

"No way, I don't even want you to do that!"

"You do you just won't admit it."

"I'm not going to the concert on Friday." I sighed and sunk into my seat.

"Couldn't you do something dangerous for once?" Bella laughed.

"I do something dangerous by getting up every morning." I quieted then. She was right. Bella was awfully clumsy.

JPOV

The ride home was tense. Rosalie was thinking of how to break the news to Mom that I was crushing on a Cullen. Big hairy deal! Nothing would ever come of it anyway. Alice was the epitome of everything I wanted, but I knew she would never look at me twice. Mom was more understanding than I thought she would be.

"I'm sorry Jasper," she said, "I know what that feels like." Wait, what? She went on to explain. "In high school I liked a guy who hated me. It was hard, but I eventually got over it. And my life turned out so much better for it. I met your father and we had five happy years, which I wouldn't trade for anything."

"Thanks Mom," I said, and shrugged, "I'm sure there's some one better out here for me."

But I wasn't sure; not at all.

So, what do you think? Review? Please?