Oh My God I hate him! I bet he thinks he's perfect and that is why he never speaks to me, like he's too perfect to even speak to me. y name is Jenn (short for Jennifer, which I never go by) and don't you ever dare try to call me Jenny or else…well I won't go into details but I would do major harm to you. I've spent most of my life back and forth between my mom's house in Arizona and my dad's place here in Forks, Washington. Bella and I used to take turns switching back and forth and never saw each other until major holidays. Well, once we hit our teens a few years back, we wanted to be with each other more and got our parents to switch. Bella and I are now inseparable and, though we aren't twins exactly, we 11 months apart. I think we are called Irish twins. But, unlike twins who are complete opposites of each other, Bella and I are pretty much exactly the same and we love to hang out together. We also hang out with the same circle of friends. Ok, I'm exaggerating a little. Our circle of friends only includes us and one other girl, Alice Cullen. With the exception of Alice and her mom, I hate the Cullens.
I'm not exactly sure when the annoyance turned into hate but I'm pretty sure it happened when Jasper joined the football team our freshman year. I'm not a sports fan let alone a football fan. Bella and I have not been graced with coordination and we find ourselves in the emergency room quite often. Whenever I turn up at Alice's house for a movie night with a cast on my arm and Jasper answers the door, he just looks at my arm and chuckles. What the fudge? He never talks to me either so I can't really say it's his personality that I hate, it's more his presence. Edward is just as bad except he doesn't play football like Jasper and Emmett; he plays the piano. Who freaking cares if he can play like a natural and is a piano genius? Emmett is just a freaking monster on steroids. I bet he tackles like a steam train. With Jazz playing quarterback and Emmett the major part of the defense, they are a team from heaven. At least that is what I hear. Oh and Jazz! Who freaking goes by the name Jazz, even if it is a nick name? I mean Dj Jazzy Jeff is someone that goes by Jazz! I hate him! GOD! I seriously don't understand how Alice can live under the same roof with these three guys. I'm not sure why or even how we made friends with Alice but the three of us are inseparable. And with Alice's father being the town's doctor, she has the biggest house where we usually hang out when not at school.
At school, I remain unnoticed by everyone and I like it that way. Trust me. I'm not an attention seeking priss like Rosalie. She is the school's self-proclaimed beauty queen. Don't get me wrong, she is pretty (and I mean gorgeous) if that is the kind of thing a guy looks for in a girl; someone tall and drop-dead gorgeous, like the most stunning women ever seen on a printed page. Well, I'm not that. Bella and I both have long dark brown hair and brown eyes. Bella and I differ in one way and it's our skin tone, Bella is pale white, though not an unhealthy pale but a pretty "I'm saving my skin from sun damage" white. I am dark tan and not fake tan either. Mom and dad always laugh at the fact that we took after each of their sides of skin tone. Dad is pale and mom is tan, oh joy right? Also, Bella and I differ in another way. I'm sort of the outspoken rebel. I got a tattoo on my wrist the last time I was staying with mom in Arizona. She went with me and signed for it so everything was legal. Dad said it shouldn't have been though, since they both have legal custody. I got it anyway so really I don't care. It said "Live Art" one word on each of my wrists in elegant writing. I was an artist by heart so why not live it?
During our last weekly sleep over at Alice's house, we started this whole debate on whether or not a girl should wait to have sex until marriage or just have it with someone she really connected with. I am all with having sex (I mean come on I'm not a prude) I just haven't been serious ... ever, with a guy. "I'm not saying jump in bed with the first guy that says he loves you. You can get that same feeling when you have good batteries! I want something that is deeper and more meaningful, not something I will find any day I'm wearing a low tee and a great push up bra!" I stood up and hurried to the kitchen to get a drink so we could finish the discussion. I stumbled backwards when I saw Jasper, arms crossed, leaning against the door frame listening to our conversation. He rushed forward and grabbed my arms to stop me from falling over. He smiled with a crooked grin and my face flushed red. "Be careful darlin'." He righted me and walked away. I didn't even get a word in and he simply walked away like he didn't even need me to thank him. Then, before Bella and I left the house for the weekend, Jasper came up and handed me the smallest white bag with ribbon and a small card. I opened the card first and it read, "PLEASE OPEN ONCE YOU GET HOME. IN PRIVACY." Of course, I didn't wait until I got home... I waited until we were out of the driveway and rolling down the road. Not having a clue what it was, I opened it. A pack of AA batteries fell onto my lap. Another little note read, "FOR YOU! ENJOY!" Did I mention that I hate Jasper?
This week wasn't going any better. First, I got partnered up with Jasper in History class. All he did was smile at me and lean back with his fist on his chin. Whenever I was called on to answer a question, I always hesitated because Jasper would straighten up and look at me like he actually cared how I responded. When I answered correctly (which was every time since for one I'm not stupid and second History class was actually a class I liked and enjoyed), Jasper would nod his head like he agreed with my answer and went back to leaning on his fist. At the end of class, he would rise and leave without even saying goodbye. Oh My God, did I say yet that I hate Jasper Hale?
On Thursday, I accidentally ran into Jasper while I was talking to Bella and not paying attention. Alice yelled "Jenn!" right when I ran face-first into his chest as he was coming out of the locker room. Of course, my face got all red in embarrassment and I bit my tongue by accident. Tears welled up in the corner of my eyes. As I looked up at Jasper, who of course was smiling at my stupidity, he reached down and wiped a tear away with his thumb. I was dumb struck as he turned and walked away without a single word. Alice chuckled and whispered, "Someone's got a crush!" I gasped and growled out "I do not!" She bumped my hip with hers and said, "I wasn't talking about you, silly." I ignored her and walked to the next class. Only as we got to the end of the hall did I turn around to look for Jasper only catching a glimpse as he entered his classroom. Did Jasper really like me?
Friday was snowing and I hated snow. Dad told us as we were leaving for school that he had new tires installed on our truck. You see, Bella and I shared an old truck, a red 1953 Chevy pick-up. I'm genuinely surprised it has lasted as long as it has. Jacob swore it wasn't going to leave us anywhere but Bella trusted him more than I did on his word. He was ok, don't get me wrong, just not someone I preferred to hang out with when I was on the rez. I hung out with Leah Clearwater, who has way more angst that anyone I ever met before which was perfect for me. I let Bella drive in the weather seeing that she was a better driver in this thing than I was. I had us all over the road last time she insisted I give it a try.
We arrived at the school parking lot a little early, actually. Bella and I talked about what we wanted to do this weekend, hovering near the truck's heat source before jumping out into the coldness. Just before Bella opened the door (I was sliding over to exit the same door), we heard the roar of Tyler's van coming towards our truck at what seemed like full speed. Bella and I froze as we watched him speeding towards us. He tried to turn away but instead, he hit another car which pushed both the car and his van towards our drivers side head light and door. He hit our truck with so much force that Bella bumped her head on the side window and my hand, that went forward to protect Bella, was jammed against the dash. I think my head also hit the back window pretty hard. I heard a scream from somewhere and I don't remember much more of what happened next except that the truck door was taken off and both Bella and I were taken out. Whoever took me out had very strong arms and I cuddled into them, seeking the warmth they were offering. It seemed that the paramedics were on the scene in no time flat and I was gently laid on the stretcher that the paramedics brought. Warm hands cupped my face and their owner asked me if I was all right. I nodded and asked about Bella. "Edward is with her, she is fine." Edward? My head was saying that this wasn't right, but at the same time I wanted those arms, who ever they belonged to, were to be holding me again. Today, I hate Tyler!
When I looked up again, we were in the hospital. Oh great! The chief's daughters were in the hospital once again! I turned my head, catching Bella's looking at me. We both rolled our eyes. Classic! As always, Dr. Cullen came in to tend to us. I'm not sure if this was normal or if he did this because he felt we were special, being the chief of police's two daughters, but he went all out making sure everything was done that needed to be done. I rolled onto my back and sighed out loud. Warm hands enclosed around my shoulder and, before I had time to react to the familiar feeling, I heard his voice. "Does something hurt? Are you all right?" I looked up in the gentlest blue eyes (I'd never noticed these before) and melted. Jasper kissed the top of my head as I relaxed in his arms. Today I don't really hate him.
After a few moments, Dr. Cullen was at my bedside. "Jenn you hit your head and your wrist pretty hard. It looks like I have to splint your wrist for a short while." The doctor stood now on one side while his son stood on the opposite side looking down over me. I grimaced and wondered out loud to myself (hoping they also heard me), "Is this going to be on long? I already look like a dork at school, another sign pointing to me isn't going to help!" Ok, the last part was for my own detriment, but maybe the self pity will work on their pity for me. "Well I could make sure someone follows you around helping you in everyway possible to make sure you don't lift or do anything too strenuous…" Dr. Cullen laughed at the last bit and continued, "I think I know who the perfect candidates would be for both of you. Jasper? Edward? Would you please escort these two lovely ladies back to their father's home and help them with their chores until they feel a little better and up to the tasks. That is, if Chief Swan doesn't mind my sons being in his home?" Charlie just nodded his head. He knew I spoke of my hatred towards the boys and found amusement at the situation. Bella didn't say a word. I guess she just gave up fighting. We were pushed down the hall and elevator to the front doors to find Edward's perfect Volvo waiting to pick us up. I glanced over at Bella who was brooding away. "It's just a small bump on my forehead, it's not a concussion, I swear." She still wasn't giving up her last pleas before going quiet and getting in the car. I got in and just gave the seat one good thump. Edward turned slightly around as if to say something but stopped when his face matched up with Jasper. Jasper pulled my legs closer to him to save the seats I suppose, instantly calming me down. "Are you calming down now darlin'? Edward is pretty particular to who he lets beat up the inside of his car." I nodded and the pain meds must have kicked in because fell asleep curled into those warm arms again. This time though, I could have sworn they were also encircling me, pulling me closer.
The next morning I woke up early with a jump start and almost jumped off my bed in a panic. I almost didn't notice myself pushing a heavy arm off my thigh and onto the ground. I let a small squeal escape my lips and scooted back on top of my bed, throwing my pillow squarely at Bella's face to wake her up. She also started to panic and pushed herself all the way to the top of her bed, hitting her head against the headboard. Looking at me, she stopped moving because I was shushing her. Our dad had actually let the Cullen boys sleep in our room and we both simultaneously looked at the bedroom door to find that it was hanging wide open! We both nodded our heads in agreement. That was why they were allowed in our rooms at night. I lowered my bare foot to the body lying next to my bed and poked it with my big toe. Jasper groaned but didn't move. So I did it again, a little harder and using my heel. This time he rolled over and growled. This was quite funny and as I looked over at Bella she was playing the same game with her sleep watcher. So my plan this time was to push so hard he would have no choice but to get up. Well that was a good sounding plan, except he was already awake and waiting for my next move so he could make his own move on me. I lifted up my butt so that just my arms were holding my weight and lowered my feet to give a good kick to his backside. Just as I leaned back to give more power his hand reached up, grabbing both my arms and tucking me under his arm pits putting my in a lock hold. My legs where flying everywhere and I wanted to scream so badly but all I could do was laugh. I finally stopped laughing, gasping for air. He dropped the play act as soon as he heard me gasping. Jasper's body stilled over mine, his hand whisking my stray hairs away from my face as he whispered, "You're not hurt are you? I didn't want to hurt you." I just laughed and attempted to get back out from under his massive body but it was impossible. "I am hurt unbearably." I sighed as I lied back down. "Well what can I do to fix it?" I knew he was playing along with the game once I felt his heart beat slow down to normal. "Kiss me!" Trust me when I say I have no idea where that came from! I hate Jasper Hale so why would I want him to kiss me? Without hesitation, he leaned forward and kissed me gently on my mouth. Just a quick kiss that promised me oh so much more than what we had at this time. I ran out of the room, heading towards our one bathroom. I didn't lock the door because I never locked the door. I wasn't expecting this kiss to affect me in such a way. Shortly after, my heart jumped threw the roof once again when Bella entered. I could tell she just had the same experience I just did with the other Cullen boy. We looked at each other and wrapped our arms around each other for comfort. We were freaked out! Forever we had hated them. Bella and I didn't need to speak a word to each other. We got up off the floor, took one last look at ourselves and opened the door. As we walked back into our tiny bedroom we found it empty. The blankets that were on the floor before were folded and placed on the chair in the corner. We looked at each other again in silence and turned to walk down stairs. When we walked in the kitchen which actually took up most of the downstairs we were greeted by the three guys chatting and making breakfast. I grabbed onto Bella's wrist to stop myself from falling. Dad turned to look at us and smiled saying "What? We are making you girls a gourmet breakfast to help you heal and to help your soul say yes!" Bella leaned forward to speak first, "Dad? Say yes to what exactly?"
Charlie shrugged his shoulders and began walking away before turning and saying, "I'll let the boys answer that question for you. Bye!" Then off to work he left. Bella and I both turned to face the boys, putting our hands on our hips and saying simultaneously, "Well... spill it!"
The boys both promised they would tell us everything in detail after we ate and went on a walk with them. So as much as I don't want to admit it, I ate the most wonderful breakfast I've had in like... forever. When we finished, the boys got our boots and Jasper helped me put mine on and tie them. Then, after they handed us warm jackets, we all left for a walk in the great out doors. Only as we got to the edge of the woods did we separate, Edward and Bella went left and Jasper and I went right. At this point, I know they had this planned out but I was wondering exactly how long they had this planned. I continued walking and Jasper came right beside me. Of course, at that exact moment I trip on a root and almost did a face plant in the woods when those arms reached out and grabbed me. When I right myself, they don't let go.
"Jenn," Jasper looked intently into my eyes. "I have to tell you the truth and I want you to believe me." He took hold of my hands, his were so warm and it made me smile. "I love you! I have loved you for as long as I can remember and I know you must think I'm a total jerk for not saying anything before but I couldn't! I wasn't ready and I didn't think you were ready to believe me or to trust me. Will you go to the dance with me?" He leaned forward and lightly kissed my lips. I couldn't stop myself from leaning further in and accepting him. Then, I straightened up as a light bulb in my head suddenly went off. I slapped him. I slapped him hard, almost like an open handed punch. "I hate you Jasper Hale. Why the hell would I want to kiss you, let along go to the dance with you?" I turned on my heels and ran out of the woods, tears streaming down my face. As I neared the house I passed Bella and Edward wrapped in each other's arms making out. I stomped toward the house faster. Bella stopped and whispered something quickly to Edward then followed me into the house where I slammed the door.