EPOV

I could not believe I was actually going to this party. Jasper always did keep me on my toes. I must be either completely insane, or just an idiot. Was I seriously listening to Jasper again?! And it went so well the last time. My first college party was that disaster of an event where I got drunk off my ass. I don't even remember anything after the first five minutes of that night. It's apparently become a legend on campus, and Jasper has no reservations about teasing me about it. I'm going to murder him.

Okay, things since that night had been going well, but only because I steered clear of any common social gatherings. I barely knew what was going on in campus outside of my classes. It wasn't my fault. I had no idea what to do at these infernal things. I had no idea what to say. I didn't even know how to mingle. And to tell the truth, parties really freaked me out. They made me feel like that social outcast again. Like the solitary person I was in high school. And I didn't want all the progress Jasper had helped me make to come crashing down around my ears.

I was just starting to feel comfortable with all that non-comfort zone stuff, and he has to go and push me into something I just didn't need to do. I'm going to murder him.

Again. Good freaking' God. I have been thinking about this party all morning and I am about to lose my mind. For one, Jasper is driving me up the wall with all his Zen-acceptance of the truth crap. Don't even bother dude. Just because I know you're right doesn't mean I'm going to listen if you keep dragging me into your crazy half-assed schemes. He'd already squeezed an acceptance out of me this morning. Isn't that enough?

Even though I had a decent time with Jasper last time, I was definitely apprehensive for tonight's event. Besides the consuming mystery of Jasper's friend, which presented an interesting challenge for me, the wingman, I was starting to realize two things. One, I was a complete and hopeless pushover for agreeing to go to another party when I had a five-page essay due tomorrow; and two, I didn't really care. It surprised me. I'd been so focused on school, for so long, that these things never felt comfortable to me. And yet tonight, I felt like I needed to go to this party. And I wanted to go to this party.

Jasper and the other guys, well, for once I was starting to recognize that going to college meant more than growing up and taking responsibility for your life. Jasper had been pushing me to branch out and meet other people since day one. And he was right. It's just that so rarely I had found someone I'd connected too. That I had wanted to talk too. I never really thought I had been missing out on anything. I was always just focusing on the "important" things in life. School, music. And while those things were important, sometimes other things were more important, and more necessary.

"Edward!" Jasper yelled through my door. "What are you, a girl? Let's go! We're late." Hah. Like those valued and precious friendships that hang in a delicate balance. Oh, the irony. I suppose I might actually have fun. I smiled grimly and threw on a pair of jeans and plain white T. I was such a pushover. I didn't mind, not really. I was just so freaking' scared of all of this. It was so new. I grabbed my keys and pushed open the door to go face my death, or, in other words, (impatient) Jasper. His mouth was open, fist raised to pound again on my now open door.

"Oh thank God." he lowered his hand. "There you are. Now come on already. There's someone I want you to meet!" He grabbed his keys from off the counter and ran towards the door.

"We're taking my car. Meet me downstairs in five minutes after you've changed into something…different."

He left.

Huh. No torrential anger or irritation. We must either be really late, or this someone he wanted me to meet was exceptional. I didn't change; but as I searched for my coat and made my way to the parking lot, a thought struck me.

There was another reason I was going to this party. I was going because even though I'd changed, even though I was someone different now, and even though I had finally admitted it to myself; I still felt like I was missing something.

JPOV

Fuck. Edward sure can be an idiot sometimes. And a hypocrite. And a jack-ass. Oh, wait we're friends. Fuck. At least he was coming to this party. That guy over-thought everything, from what kind of toothpaste to get to what classes to take. I just wanted him to have a little fun in his life. You know, loosen up. It's not as if going to one party is the end of the world. Hopefully he won't be too stubborn tonight. Bro knows I've got his back.

EPOV

The lights flashed, the music was hypnotic, and the hosts had a full and open bar. All I could think about was how mind numbingly dull it all was. It had turned out that absolutely none of the guys could come, or, more accurately, bother showing up. Jared had some date, whom he very eloquently described as f***in hot. Josh and Zachary had another video game war planned; and Jasper, whom I had thought I could depend on, had very rudely ditched me, running off to find his "friend". He or she had still not yet made an appearance.

I was shoved my way through the sweaty bodies, still glancing around futilely for Jasper, when my world froze. Holy shit. People shoved against me, pushing me out of the way. I stumbled into a corner, still frozen. A girl. A staggeringly, stunningly, mind-blowing gorgeous girl. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think. I couldn't look away; those wide brown eyes locked with mine captured me. Music filled my head. A full orchestra, chorusing together, it was making the perfect sound. All I could see was those perfect eyes. Everything around me was a blur. The symphony played out in my mind, bringing my feelings to life, enveloping the moment in a blanket of perfection, shutting out everything else. I could hear the notes as clearly as if the musicians were standing right next to me, playing out a melody of ethereal beauty that corresponded perfectly with the images playing in front of my eyes. All I could see was her.

Her eyes. I was so lost. I could see into her soul through those eyes. Deep brown. An endless pool of chocolate, somehow with flecks of gold and green. They sparkled in the dim lighting. Beautiful. Those eyes. I could see her much too perfectly. She was staring right back at me in unmistakable surprise and shock, her mouth parted gently; and as her gaze suddenly snapped away from mine, I was distracted too. For the connection that had frozen us in our own private bubble suddenly shattered, and I was jolted back into reality like an ice-cold bucket of water had just been dumped over my head. Whoa.

I shook my head and stepped back, only now realizing the while her eyes held me, I had been standing frozen for the past few minutes with my mouth open, just running my hand through my hair again and again. I was gaping at her in complete astonishment. I yanked my hand away from my face. What was wrong with me? And who was she? I was unwilling to quit looking at her in any case, in hopes of seeing her eyes again. They revealed everything about her. My gaze, now free, trailed over her body. I was still shocked, but not so much that I couldn't comprehend how delicate she was. Her skin was pale, almost translucent, and her figure slim. Still perfect, and still stunningly beautiful. I could think of a million adjectives to describe her. Lovely, exquisite, pure.

I glanced away, for the first time in what seemed like an eternity, trying to focus on finding Jasper, my thoughts still centered around this girl. A pang shot through me, and pain welled up. I still couldn't think. She turned me into a puddle of melted goo. My only clear reaction to her was one of rejection. There was no way we were in the same league. Whoever she was she was no concern of mine. I wouldn't know the first thing to say to her. Was I never going to see her again? Rejection washed through me, and I sat down heavily with a sigh. What was it about this girl? I'd never been so absorbed by someone before. I tried to refocus again. I had to find Jasper.

I looked up, and what I saw made emotions course through me like a tidal wave. Shock, followed by chagrin, and a sudden irrational anger. He was standing next to her, talking. She was his friend. They were talking.

My jaw clenched and my whole posture stiffened. I stood stock-still, tense and rigid. She must be the friend he had mentioned. My eyes flashed. How did he know her?! If they were dating… I couldn't even allow myself to think it. But then…he did say she was just a friend. My thoughts chased each other around in circles. I couldn't come up with an answer. What could I do? I could introduce myself. No, no way. I wasn't that brave.

Jasper spotted me and started walking in my direction, presumably to introduce me to his "friend". I had no idea what to think of her as now. I didn't have any idea who she was, but she was already so much more than just Jasper's friend to me. I swiftly closed the few steps between Jasper and I. At least there was one thing; I knew I had to get out of here and talk to Jasper. I had to think things over. I couldn't think at all with her around, especially at a party. What the hell would I say?

"Jasper!" I half-shouted. He looked up, startled by the desperate tone in my voice.

"What the fuck?" he asked, surprised and annoyed. "Where have you been? Come on, I've been looking for you everywhere. You've got to meet Bella."

Bella. My head snapped up to look again at her beautiful face, and I was lost again. I wanted to know more about her. I wanted to know everything about her. Bella. So that was the angel's name. I reveled in knowing it. Finally. I needed to know her. An acute need fueled by desire. Jasper again yanked me into the real world, tugging me through the crowd towards Bella. Oh shit

"No way Jasper. No, no, no, no, no. Oh, crap. I can't meet her now. Not here, not like this. I feel sick. My hair's a mess isn't it? Crap."

By now I was desperately pulling in the opposite direction than Jasper was towing me, leaning out of his grasp on my arm, and trying to swallow my uncontrollable panic that was suddenly and inexplicably all I could think about. I barely noticed that Jasper had stopped and was staring at me like I'd just lost my mind.

"Edward!" he yelled, interrupting my tirade. "Calm down. Take some deep breaths."

I breathed in deeply through my nose, and tried to relax. What the hell was wrong with me?

"Now." Jasper said. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Jasper," I said "I don't have a f***in clue." He froze. He knew I never used language like that. With the cursing on top of all this excitement over Bella, he had probably gone into shock. I almost felt sorry for him before remembering what he trying to do. And as I thought about that hasty statement a little longer, dread started slowly rising over me. Of course Jasper was going to introduce me to her. And I was probably obligated to at least treat her with some sort of respect. Even if I didn't even know her that well. Normally that wouldn't have been an issue. I might have even enjoyed meeting someone who Jasper actually liked. But the obvious problem was that she was standing there like my own personal fantasy, and Jasper was, as of now, completely oblivious to my sudden infatuation.

She was drawing me in. No matter which way I turned, she trapped me. She didn't know it, but she could already control me with just a glance. To my surprise, I quite liked being captured. More than that, I was absolutely in love with the feeling that I had actually noticed her. And I wanted her to be able to have a hold on me. I rarely met someone who so easily captured my attention. Already this made her remarkable, as if everything else wasn't enough. I wanted more. I wanted to know that she felt the same way I did about her. That I wasn't alone any longer.

I looked over Jasper's shoulder for another quick glance at her angelic face, and as I stared, anxiety clawed its way back up my throat. I turned to Jasper.

"Look I don't know what it is about her." I said in a hurried whisper. "I just can't meet her. Not now. I have no idea what to say." Jasper looked at me, incredulous.

"Um, how about something like. Hey! Nice to meet you. I'm Edward. Look, you're being ridiculous. You're meeting her. Now come on."

"Jasper!" I hissed. "Just trust me on this, I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important."

He looked at me for a moment. Then, sighing let go of my arm.

"Fine. But seriously, explain when we get back, okay? I'm completely lost."

"Yeah sure. I'm heading back now." I sighed. "I need some time to think."

"Aw, crap. You're the designated driver!"

I huffed in annoyance.

"I'm sure you'll survive Jasper. Make sure Bella knows you're gonna drink, and maybe get a ride home with her, okay? See you."

I walked away moodily, more confused than I had been in years. With one glance Bella had turned my world upside down. I had no idea what to think anymore.