Jasper

I roared the engine harder, cursing every second when I passed another yellow line the street. It was four am and no one was out in the roads now. I had no idea where I was and I didn't want to know frankly. Because if I did, I would run right back to Alice, afraid of being so far away from the family.

I was angry, livid, infuriated. I felt like my chest was closing in on me and my hands tightened around the wheel, causing the rubber to creak under my fingertips. I eased up. This was my only car. Heading to Maggie's was hard for me, but I knew it was all I could do. I had nowhere else to go, nowhere else to be.

I didn't think life could get any worst after I left Maria, but apparently, I was wrong. My chest panged with pain and my legs itched to follow my instinct; kill and destroy whoever did this to me.

I couldn't do that, but I did the next best thing.

"Jasper," Alice greeted coldly.

"You aren't here." I hissed into the phone.

"The divorce papers are with Maggie. Goodbye, Jasper." She started to hang up.

"You ripped my heart out!" I roared and I heard her breath catch, "Do you know what you mean to me?" My voice broke slightly, "Everything. You mean everything."

She sighed, it almost sounded distressed, "I already told you. We're not meant to be together." It was quiet for a beat as I took in her words. I knew we weren't from the start, but the words burned my stomach. My body felt like it was going through the changing again, the fire tapping my veins as if a blue's beat, "Do you hear me? We're. Not. Meant. For. Each. Other."

I took a deep breath, "We are."

"God! Do you hear yourself? Do you even realizing what you're doing? Do you?" She shrieked, "I don't love you anymore!"

"I love you." I whispered strongly, "And I absolutely know you love me. Even if you can't tell. You aren't seeing clearly…"

"Oh, I am!" She laughed bitterly, "I'm seeing better than I have in years! I can finally breathe without you hoarding over my shoulder or worrying about you slipping up in every vision! I've been protecting you for more than fifty years! And I just can't take it!"

"Then I'll give you your space."

"No. We need to break up. You need to sign the papers." She sounded like she was pleading, "You need…you need to let me go."

Mulling it over is easy. Admitting is the hardest. Yanking it from your heart will kill you. They say the human's mind stores every thought, every word, and every motion in the back of your head. But what do they know? Something could always be forgotten…or replaced…

I paced the living room floor of the loft, trying to center my thoughts. Bella was alive. Bella was well. Bella…was happy. She was happy. Her cheeks warmed every time I said something to her and her smile widened when sarcasm ever hit my throat. She was like a playful child, joyful and carefree. Her feisty ways and her big brown eyes made her seem too maddening for a guy, too much to handle at once.

I didn't know how Edward lasted.

Bella hadn't brought up Edward at all for the whole night. In fact, she didn't even react when I had said his name. The only thing she seemed upset about was my ended marriage. Her eyes had flashed and she had screamed bloody murder.

And she had forgiven me. Truly and really forgiven me. It made my dead heart thump with gratitude. Though Bella was entirely too forgiving, she still meant it and accepted me for who I was. But, she didn't know who I really was. Bella would always be oblivious to people's faults and see past anything that seemed disgusting to others. That was what made her truly brilliant. I just hadn't realized before. She seemed to be just an average human, something I could snack on when Edward ditched her then tell the family how sorry I was and I didn't mean to hunt her.

But it wasn't like that anymore. Now that I had seen the little of her personality, I knew she was loyal; sticking up for Alice when the woman had obviously done wrong, letting go of grudge; even though Edward had stolen her heart then threw it away, friendly; the way she smiled at anyone and took compliments with a shy blush and a steaming cup of coffee, generous; to give me any of her time without even a blink of hesitation.

I had never known what Edward had saw in her, now I did.

I needed to see her again.

Due to my thoughts, I had wasted so much time, that sun was now starting to set and the clouds were dulling down. It was already six and I knew Bella was devastated that I hadn't shown up. I quickly grabbed my dark jacket, threw on my ratty converse, that Alice tried to get rid of for years, and treaded out of the house.

When I reached the coffee shop, I heard laughter and slow music. I headed towards the center of the room. There were more customers than yesterday and I swallowed uncomfortably as the sun seemed to drop into my throat. I saw Fred slapping his hand on the jukebox before it started to play.

"Aye!" He mocked the Fontz and gave an overdone pout. I heard another giggle and I whipped my head to the sound. Bella was standing behind the counter with a bright smile, but I could feel the sadness emitting from her. Fred was trying to cheer her up. Bella's hair was down again, waving gently around her face. She twirled a cool cup of coffee in her small hands, her eyes turning dreamy and distant.

I slid onto the seat in front of the counter, "Sorry I'm late boss."

Her entire face lit up and she straightened her back, a big grin on her face, "Jasper! You came." She whispered happily. Then she studied me for awhile, her eyes probing mine, "You came."

"Yes, Bella. I came." I placed my hand over her hot one, rejoicing in the warm, comforting touch, "Sorry."

"It's fine." She said and slid the cool coffee towards me, "It…um, it was for you, but…" she shifted on her feet. She had made a coffee for me before I even gotten hear, and I had to be a dick and be three hours late.

I offered a teasing smile, "Bottoms up?" Then I tipped back my head and chugged down the disgustingly, sweet beverage. I slammed the cup back down with a revolted groan.

Bella's fine eyebrows had arched high and her mouth had fallen open. Then a bubbly giggle left her full lips before she was outright guffawing, holding her sides as her face turned pink. Fred whirled around to see then smiled fondly at Bella before winking at me.

"Ohmigod! Jasper, you didn't have to do that!" She laughed and took the empty cup from me before calming down. Then she smiled softly and leaned back over the counter, "But thanks. And apology accepted."

I smiled back as my body was hit with warmth. She was entirely too forgiving like I had said before, but I was so grateful for it, I felt like breaking out into song. Bella served a young, teenage girl then turned back to me. I tried not to focus on her throat, or mine for that matter.

"So…" Bella cupped her hands under her chin and smiled, "Where are you from?"

"Nope," I popped, "It's my turn to ask questions." She pouted, but didn't object, "Where exactly are you from?"

"Why good ol' Forks of course." She replied easily. Then her smile faded and she wringed her hands uncomfortably, "But then my mom wanted a divorce…and we went to Phoenix…," she perked up and met my eyes, "And I moved back and I stayed with Charlie…and I met Edward." The rough way it came out of her mouth made my eyebrows arch. She shook her head when she saw my expression, "Long story."

"I got time." I said persistently and she sighed, leaning away and folding her arms over her chest.

"Edward's a drama queen." She muttered almost silently. If I hadn't been a vampire, I would've missed it, but I heard it loud and clear.

Without warning, I was smiling, then grinning, then chuckling, then downright guffawing. I almost fell out of my chair as my mirth bounced off the walls of the small shack. Bella frowned before beaming brightly, my emotional state getting to her and everyone else in the shop.

She giggled, "Ease it in, Jasper!" She finally squealed and I quickly, bottled up my emotions, still chuckling as she leaned against the counter for support.

"Don't forget pansy." I put in and she snickered.

"Of course." We were quiet for awhile until she broke it, "Is that it then?"

"What?" I was somewhat appalled, "No! I've barely asked anything."

Bella groaned, "What more is there? You should know everything about me."

I paused, my brain turning onto everything I could possibly distinguish about her. I knew she liked Italian. I knew she hated gifts. I knew she was stubborn. I knew she was kind. And I knew she worked at a coffee shop. Other than that, I knew next to nothing about her.

"Actually," I started slowly and her eyes became curious, "I don't."

She frowned and shook her head, her hair dancing with the movement. Finally she said murmured something, "Huh."

"I didn't care about you, Bella, to be honest." I told her, truth shining in my voice while a light smile lit up my face. I remembered the day Edward had come home, breathing in and out raggedly, his pupils dilated, his skin ashy, and his emotions raging with bloodlust, "I didn't particularly like you either."

Her frown deepened.

"When you started school in Forks, I just thought 'Great. Another human to snack on'. I thought you were just like the rest of the girls; gossiping, talking about the latest clothes, and curious about the weird, beautiful specimen in the back of the caferteria, or that's how Jessica Stanley used to describe us. But when Edward came home, all shaken up and shouting, claiming he was one breath from killing you, I knew something had to be done about you. Of course, I'm his brother, I knew I had to kill you or whatever the case, but…," I trailed off, thinking of that day when Edward saved her from the van, "you surprised me."

She raised her brows.

"After Edward saved you from being nearly killed, you didn't say anything. In fact, you tried to put all the gratitude on Edward, claiming he saved you. I was fascinated. If it was Lauren, I bet, she would've instantly blabbed off to Jessica, shouting to the high heaven's that Edward was some kind of Superman. But you didn't. I was starting to become paranoid when you didn't talk. I tried to warn Alice actually, demanding she glance through the future to check you weren't on Facebook or some bullshit Twitter to brag about how immortal Edward is. But no.

"Then when you came to the house, I was actually warning everyone to stay away. If Edward could barely handle you, then what would happen if you got too close to Emmett or Rosalie? Rose already despised you and I'm sure she would love an excuse to attack. Rosalie had to calm me and escort me to the next room when you first arrived. I was annoyed. You seemed so at ease; your heart rate calm and blushing like innocent child. When I finally came to see you, you were grinning and I was unnerved. I knew from then on, Bella Swan was going to dictate our lives." She smiled at that, "You irritated me to no end how you acted with Edward. Like he wasn't a monster like he tried to put out."

Bella rolled her eyes, "What kind of monster sparkle? Or have fangs? I was anything but impressed." I glared at her from the corner of my eye and she laughed, "Continue."

"Then the baseball field."

"Ah." She nodded with a smile.

"You just had to come. Fuck up everything, didn't you?"

"Well, excuuuse me." She scoffed playfully.

"I already knew what would happen when James got a whiff of you. I was instantly protective of you. Though you were an annoying little thing, you still kept my brother happy, and that made everyone else happy. You were really a danger magnet to be put in that kind of predicament."

Her eyes softened, "I knew none of you would hurt me, Jasper."

"You thought. And then look what happened." I paused, "I was worried for you. All the time." I admitted softly, "I didn't want to care about you, Bella. But someway, somehow, you weaseled yourself into my brain and I couldn't get you out." That sweet, unnerving blush hit her cheeks and her heartbeat increased. I swallowed uncomfortably as the pain started.

I stood abruptly, almost toppling over my chair, "I need some air."

Bella frowned again, but I grabbed her hand and she hurried to keep up with me as I literally dragged her outside. I stuffed my hands in my pockets and breathed in the clean, crisp air. Bella watched me warily.

"You're okay?" she placed a hot hand on my arm.

I gave her a wry smile, "I'm fine."

"Continue." She repeated with a beam.

"I grew fond of you. In my own way. I don't usually become attached to things. In my life, it was always get up and go, never think of the past. Everyone always asked, 'Are you thirsty, do you need to hunt, and never get too close." My tone was getting harsher, and cutting then I looked down at the beautiful girl next to me and she smiled, "But they never stopped to think that I liked you because you were Edward's. When I really liked you for you. They never thought I genuinely liked you or even noticed your existence. All the family seemed to like you because you were with Edward, but I didn't. No. I saw under Isabella Marie Swan. And I just saw," I looked her in her brown eyes, "Bella."

Bella was quiet, taking in everything I said gently and reluctantly. I didn't know if it was because I told her the truth of the family or if she was staggering that I felt that way about her. But no, she surprised me.

Again, her arms wrapped gently around my waist, rubbing soothing circle through my thick jacket, and pressed her face into my chest, "Thanks." She whispered and I could detect the thickness and happiness in her voice.

"No problem, Swan." I hugged her back gently and she pulled back slightly. I yanked her back, probably a little too hard, "I won't hurt you, Bella."

"I know. I'm not worried about that. And sometimes I question my sanity." She sighed, hugging me tighter, "But I liked hugging you or being with you…which ever comes first."

I chuckled, "I enjoy your company too."

She released me with a happy beam, "Hey, I thought you wanted to learn about me."

"You distracted me." I joked with a grin and she shrugged.

Then she went into the tale of Bella Swan. Her voice carried me through different scenarios; from hot, humid Phoenix, to dreary, vampire-filled Forks. From tears from leaving her mother to happy grins when she had moments with Charlie. From Edward giving her a sweet, chaste lip lock in the morning to the nights she cried herself to sleep when she touched her heart.

There were too many ways to describe Bella Swan.

Quirky, joyful, peaceful, energetic, bookworm, and kind.

But I knew one that stood out from the rest.

She was perfect.


Until next time, my lovelies...