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The best and safest thing is to keep a balance in your life, acknowledge the great powers around us and in us. If you can do that, and live that way, you are really a wise man

-Euripides (484 BC-406 BC)


"I think I fancy a game of chess."

Carlisle's suggestion fell on eager ears, for late night television was not the comedic entertainment on Wednesday that it was on Saturday, and Emmett was not the only one to announce his compliment.

"I think I do, too," said Esme, setting down her book (what was it this time? Jasper wondered. Dickens, again? Austen, perhaps?) and placing her hand in her husband's as he gently lifted her from her seat. She lightly stepped towards the small game table and sat upon the adjacent chair.

Rosalie and Emmett hopped up and crowded around the table. Carlisle was a good chess player (they all were, though, so it was no remarkable feat), but Esme was, too. Competition did not exist merely in the confines of the baseball diamond.

But Jasper sat on the couch and watched the fire and was antisocial. Alice pouted, her sweet face crinkling a little (but losing none of its beauty, of course). "Jasper," she whined. "Come on. Play with me?" He looked up at her and sighed a little. She was so hard to refuse.

"I have homework," he replied, his excuse nothing if not feeble, if not desperate. And I happen to be failing the subject from which it was assigned. From across the couch Edward quirked up an eyebrow and Jasper ignored the feelings of amusement.

Alice let out a child-like sigh but nodded and sulked for less than a second before scampering over to watch Carlisle and Esme, squeezing in between Emmett and Rosalie.

Jasper tightened his grip on the pencil, his fingers pressing so hard upon the wood that it promptly snapped. Cursing under his breath, Jasper grabbed the remnants and tossed them to the side. He ran a hand through his blonde hair and narrowed his eyes at the unfinished chemistry homework.

He could graduate high school a million times. He would never like chemistry. Of that, he was sure.

Edward handed him a new pencil and locked eyes with him. "Uptight, Jazz?" he asked, one eyebrow still raised. Jasper shrugged and did not reply. "If you need to be tutored I'm sure Emmett-,"

"-I do not need to be tutored," Jasper said coolly. "Especially from Emmett." He shook his head. "Be reasonable, Edward. I'd never live it down."

Edward thought for a moment and then nodded. "Perhaps Rosalie, then."

Snort, Jasper thought, quite literally.

Edward could not suppress a smirk this time. "What about myself? Would you allow me to supply you with my services regarding-," he stole a peek at Jasper's homework. "Quantum mechanical anomalies?"

Jasper calmly shook his head. "I think I can manage, thank you," he said. "I just need some peace-," he spoke the word deliberately, looking at Edward. "And some quiet." He clenched his jaw a little as Emmett and Rosalie emitted sounds of respective cheer and disapproval.

Edward laughed and looked at the crackling fire. "I wonder what Bella thinks of chemistry…" he said, voice going wistful. Jasper shook his head vaguely and squinted at a homework problem.

I'm sure she does not waste time thinking of chemistry. And if she does, then I am exceedingly grateful I cannot read her mind.

"You're probably right," Edward conceded. "She probably doesn't think about chemistry." He frowned a little. "I wish I knew what she did think about, though. It's so odd not knowing…"

Jasper suddenly could not bear the thought of more homework. "I am not going to school tomorrow," he announced. "I will make someone give me the answers to this—maybe I will pay Rosalie—but I am not stepping inside that room."

"Don't you have a lab partner?" Edward asked him casually. Jasper snorted out loud this time.

"Her name is Kimberly," he said stiffly, packing up the homework as Team Esme cheered loudly. "And she has given me several tanning recommendations in the off chance the sun remembers to show up some day in Forks." He shook his head mournfully at Edward. But that's not the worst part. The worst part is she smells so good! And I'm always so thirsty. She just sits there, and her heat is beating and her blood-

"Jasper." said Edward firmly. Jasper closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

I'm sorry. "I'm sorry," he said shakily. "I just—I can't help it, and-,"

But Edward suddenly looked alarmed. "-I can't bring Bella here!" he said as if having reached the same conclusion yet again, but with unmatched horror at the recollection of such an epiphany. "How can I put her in that much danger? How can I risk so much…?"

Jasper felt (if it were possible) sick to his stomach and he abruptly stood. "I swore to you I would not hurt her," he said quietly. "And I intend to uphold that promise, Edward." He closed his eyes briefly and looked away, scarred face half-obscured by shadows. "Not matter what it takes. I will not-" He frowned slightly. "-I will not interfere with your relationships."

Edward made no reply, save a small murmur of recognition. He stared broodingly into the flames and Jasper picked up Esme's forgotten book and began to read, mostly to distract his own thoughts.

It was not raining outside and the absence of the comforting sound made his beat-less heart ache.


To Be Continued