For my disclaimer, check out Chapter 2! Thanks!

I got into a heaping amount of trouble for leaving school unauthorized in the middle of the day

I got into a heaping amount of trouble for leaving school unauthorized in the middle of the day. Ordinarily I wouldn't be capable of something like that. For that reason my parents felt the need to punish me harder than if ditching school were a habit.

Somehow I convinced them everyday for a week that I was sick with a fever and sore throat. I can't imagine a kid in the world whose swallowed as much Tylenol and Motrin as I have. For the effect of a fever, I took a washcloth that had sat in hot water and left it on my forehead for ten minutes. Granted, I had to wake up extra early every day to accomplish this, but the desired outcome was worth it.

I've had no contact with any of my friends. I think they're afraid of me, or afraid I'll pull another stunt like I had a week ago. Not even Jamie, who I considered to be the best friend I'd ever had. Can't say I was right.

Jasper didn't even come to visit. I thought he of all people might have some sort of inclination to see me. Plus, I had a million questions I wanted to ask him. Most of them I don't think he'd answer, but I wanted to inquire anyway.

So, I spent my time reading old Nancy Drew mysteries. My reading time was kept uninterrupted, except for one afternoon when Mom came to give me news. Apparently a family had moved down the street into the abandoned house that hid in the forest. Said a couple with five adopted teenagers. I wasn't interested enough to care though.

When I did return to school, I was greeted with ostentatious attention. People left and right bombarded me with their curious questions. I doubt any had real sympathy for me; they just wanted something new to gossip about.

The worst was Jamie. She stuck herself to me with no intention of letting go without an explanation. I have to say that there were times when I admired her for her persistence, but now was definitely NOT one of those times.

Jasper was still in class and at school, and he took the time to talk to me and ask about my well-being. He was the only person who reeked of sincerity, and I was happier to answer him than anyone else.

In English especially, he was really talkative. Mr. Berty often had to scold him for not shutting up while I was let off the hook. Obviously the teaching staff had heard about it; they all gossip as much as teenagers.

One day, he opened conversation with a new direction. I'd just seated myself in my desk, and as I was taking out an essay that was due, he swiftly sat down and stared at me intently. I met his stare, confused.

"What? Do I have something on my face?" I unthinkingly lifted my hand to my cheeks, feeling for any trace of mascara not on my eyelashes.

He chuckled. "No. I was just debating whether to ask you something, and I must say the better half won. Now, if it doesn't trouble you, I'd like to hear more about you."

"What about me don't you already know?" My eyes had widened at this new angle. We'd never once talked about Amy the person, only Amy's feelings.

Jasper pondered this. "Well, I want to know about your personal interests, your family, anything about you that I don't already know."

I nodded. "Okay, ask away."

"What is your favorite sport?"

I sighed. This was clearly a boy, and what are all boys interested in? I shouldn't have been surprised. "Boogie boarding."

His forehead creased. "I've never heard that one before. I assume it's a sport played in California?"

"You don't play it. It's more like…you ride it. It's a board that you lay on. When you go to the beach you swim out and turn back to the waves, and when you catch one, you ride it to shore."

"Wow that sounds amazing! How come you don't do it here?"

"How did…"

"I go to the beach a lot, everyday almost, but I never see you there," he interrupted.

"Oh. Well I'm sure you've noticed the weather conditions here. They make it impossible for any water sport, which sucks. It's the only thing I'm good at." My shoulders slumped at the memory of losing the only part of me that was worthy of praise.

I looked up at Jasper, and there was a strange twinkle in his eye. Like he knew something I didn't. "Oh, I'm sure there's plenty more than just that."

I never got a chance to ask him what he meant. Mr. Berty called for us to pass up our essays, and we didn't speak the rest of English.

When we were let out, every student seemed excited beyond belief. I searched for the cause of it, until my eyes fell upon a single paper sign. Homecoming Dance This Friday at 8 pm! Student council must have gotten special permission to put these up during first period, since it was there before school started. I remembered that today is Tuesday. Damn it, why?

Not that I've had any aversions towards school dances back in California. It's just that I'd been able to get a date back in Carlsbad. I wasn't too sure about my luck in this constantly gloomy town. Not one boy, except Jasper, even bothered to talk to me this year. But once all students witnessed my scene, it's like all these boys followed me everywhere. Especially this sophomore, Mike Newton. He's like an over helpful golden retriever; I swear this kid won't leave me alone!

I groaned. Everyone else was exuberant in their happiness. It contrasted well with my state of somewhat depression. Nobody paid close enough attention to find the difference. Other than Jasper, that is.

He'd somehow snuck by my side as I stared in horror at the sign. I crossed my arms in defeat. I knew school dances would never go away, so why didn't I just not go? Because I'd rather have the feeling that someone wanted to go with me, to be with me. Who was I kidding? Despite my recent high school stardom, who really liked me for me? No one did.

Jasper must have sensed my sullen change of mood. He lightly placed his hand on my shoulder and squeezed it, for comfort I think.

"Why are you so adverse to the dance?" he asked lightly. "You look like you want to hit something right now."

"Because I do," I mumbled. It was true; even though I was normally prone to violence, this recent turn of events brought up that urge. I had to internally battle with myself to keep from mistakenly hurting someone.

"Why?" I didn't think he'd heard me.

"Because I'm not a fan of dances. Mostly since no one ever wants to go with me," I sighed.

"How can that be?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well," he struggled. "Um…you're…uh…very smart, and talented, and pretty, and interesting, and…"

I laughed. "You must have been talking to the wrong girl these past few days, because I'm not any of those things!"

He suddenly glared at me for joking; he must have been serious. I shrunk back into the hood of my jacket, wishing for the moment to end.

"Don't tease me. I'm serious." His golden eyes just turned pitch black. I've never seen any pair of eyes as dastardly beautiful, and dangerous, as Jasper's. They must change colors according to his moods. I deducted that when he was happy, his eyes were golden. When he was mad, well, I just found that out for myself.

"Oh. Sorry," I quietly apologized. He shrugged and ran his hand through his shiny blonde hair.

"You know what though? I've studied you ever since I've gotten here, and you seem…now, please don't take this offensively, but I think you have extreme self-confidence issues. Not to mention that you let your emotions weigh you down."

I stood rooted to the sidewalk. He had it in a nutshell. I was well aware of my lack of confidence, and it did feel like I let my emotions govern me and how I felt all the time. I just looked up at him and raised my eyebrows.

"Wow. Sounds like you've got me all figured out."

He smiled. "Not completely. There are still many things about you that I still need to discover." I put my hands on my hips and squared my shoulders to him.

"And how do you propose to do that? You can't follow me everywhere, analyzing what I say and do," I pointed out. He nodded thoughtfully, as if trying to find a solution. I noticed as he stood there that his eyes had retained their molten gold color; he wasn't angry with me anymore. I sighed in relief. Soon he faced me like an idea just popped into his head.

"No, not everyday. But, I can watch you this Friday night." My eyebrows came together in confusion.

"What are you talking about?"

"Would you…" the bell rang for the start of second period. I hadn't realized that we were the only ones standing there, and the fact that I was late for class made me curse under my breath.

"I'll see you later, okay? Tell me later!" I shouted over my back as I ran to Calculus. My teacher gave me a disapproving stare as he watched me crash into the classroom and slide into my seat.

I didn't see Jasper again until lunch, but even then I'd never talked to him at lunch. His family was…intimidating. Plus, the fact that they were all so perfect made me feel like an outcast compared to them. Although, they never really seemed to socialize with any other students.

I only bought a water today; I wasn't that hungry. After I paid the lunch lady, I started towards Jamie's table, until something tugged my arm and pulled me over to another table. I shrieked in shock at the sudden movement, but it was only Jasper.

"Sorry to scare you, but would you like to sit with me today?" I helplessly nodded, smiling like an idiot.

Once I saw that we were actually sitting with his fellow Cullens, the stupid grin was wiped off my face. I felt panicky, like they were going to kill me for intruding on them. But they just ignored me, even when Jasper sat me down next to the short, imp-like girl with black hair. He took his seat across from me.

"So, you weren't hungry?" he asked. I could tell he was trying to make me feel comfortable; obviously he was aware of how everyone avoided him and his family at all costs.

"No, I just haven't felt hungry lately. My Mom has all of a sudden turned vegetarian, so our house is packed with all this tofu and green leafy stuff. In other words, I haven't eaten steak in a week, but I've gotten used to the normally empty feeling in my stomach." I quickly shut my mouth to keep from more embarrassing babbling.

Instead, Jasper seemed interested in what I'd said about our newly-conforming vegetarian household. His eyes were sparkling, and he had this beautiful, angelic smile plastered on his face.

"In that case, would you like some of my…ah, I forgot I didn't get lunch today either." He looked around for some sort of edible item for me to chew on. I began to protest, and he held up his stone hand to silence me.

"Alice?" he called. The girl next to me turned her head. "Would you mind sharing your lunch with Amy here?"

"Oh no, that's okay…" I tried to deny acceptance of her lunch. She turned to me and flashed a dazzling white smile.

"Of course you can!" she squeaked. "Wow, you do look hungry! Here, go ahead and take all of it!" She shoved her lunch tray containing an apple and a slice of pizza towards me. I opened my mouth to say no thanks, but she shook her head.

"No buts, you're eating it!" I crossed my arms in defiance. Silence encased the three of us while Jasper and Alice waited for me to gobble up the food. It went on for five minutes before I threw up my hands and said, "Fine, I forfeit." I lifted the pizza, took a bite, and grimaced at the slimy cheese that made the cafeteria food so unpopular.

Jasper laughed at my expression while Alice giggled. I rolled my eyes playfully.

"Glad I could provide entertainment for you," I remarked sarcastically.

Alice openly laughed. "So are we! I'm Alice by the way. You're Amy? Such a pretty name!" I blushed. No one had ever told me my name was pretty, other than my parents of course.

I looked back at Alice and saw that she kept eyeing me, her golden eyes following my…clothes? She glanced up at me and saw that she was caught and giggled.

"Oh, you should let me take you shopping! I can give you a complete makeover, and buy you some cool clothes that will totally flatter your figure! Ooh, I can already see what color highlights would go great with your hair…" she trailed on, almost looking dreamlike in her trance of figuring out how to transform me from Plain Jane to Heidi Klum.

"Um…that's okay; you don't need to do that…" I said shyly.

"I won't take no for an answer! I'll pick you up on Thursday night and we'll go shopping! Trust me, you'll need it. I'm already excited!" she squealed and gave me a hug that surprised me. Then, something the Hulk said caught her interest and she turned away to listen to him.

I looked back at Jasper, who had been watching Alice and I plan the shopping trip. In truth, I was glad that I seemed to have found a girl to do girly things with. Jamie would never invite me on shopping sprees; she'd rather spend the time in her room making out with her autographed poster of Zac Efron. Gross, what if she really did that?

Jasper still had the placid, wondering look on his face. I remembered he gave me that look when he'd asked me what my favorite sport was. The curious, debating look.

"What?" I asked.

"No one will ever deny Alice a shopping spree. You're the first I've seen even attempt to protest it," he mused.

"Is that a bad thing?"

"No, she just tends to go overboard. Often she'll try to pay for everything, even if it's not hers."

My eyes widened at how much money she must have to pay for everything. "She can do that? I won't let her, that's not fair! I'll bring some of my own money. Granted, it's not that much, but I'll survive with it…"

"Please Amy, just let her do it." He pleaded, and it felt like my bones were turning to mush. Jasper just had that effect on you, like he was dazzling you.

"I can't!" I protested. "My parents will be suspicious at how I could afford new clothes!"

"Amy, just please, don't fight her. She's really excited, and I'd hate to see my wi…I mean, my sister, crushed because her new friend wouldn't accept her friendship…gifts, per say."

I sighed. "Fine, but now you're subjecting me to horrendous amounts of guilt. How's that fair?"

He chuckled. I had a feeling that he had a solution.

"Well, this is where our unfinished conversation comes in. I'm going to make it up to you," he declared.

"How?"

"Well, would you like to go with the homecoming dance with me?"

My jaw dropped. Jasper Cullen, insanely smart, funny, caring, and good-looking, just asked me to the homecoming dance. What kind of transformation did I go through this summer to bring this on? I'd already considered it a change when I got him to at least talk to me, but now he was asking me to a dance. On a date? I tried to remember if anything special of mine grew over the summer… Suddenly the bronze-haired boy laughed hard, and slapped the Hulk on the back. Did one of them say something funny? I shrugged and turned back to Jasper.

"Um…look Jasper…I'm not so sure that's a good idea…" His face fell and I immediately felt terrible.

"No, no! I meant, are you sure you want to? I understand you're doing this to make me feel better, but you're willing to put yourself through that?"

"Why, should I be worried?" His features regained a teasing smile.

"I don't know. I haven't danced in years, since I was eleven, actually. I don't know if you know what you're getting into. And…" I hesitated. I chewed on my lip, not wanting to say what was coming next. Jasper patiently waited for me to continue.

"And, well, how will I know if you mean it? To be honest, I'd rather just stay friends with you, and not be put in a situation where you feel differently…" There I go again; my incessant babbling.

"That's all?" Jasper laughed. I looked down at the cap on my water bottle and busied myself with twisting it on and off.

"Amy, look at me." I obeyed instantly. "Listen, this is purely a friendly offer if you want it to be. I don't want you to be in that sort of situation either, if it makes you feel uncomfortable. We'll just go as friends, period. Nothing else. All right?"

I smiled at his willingness to go along with how I felt, and his compassion for my feelings. "All right! Well, I guess it's a good thing I'm going shopping with Alice; I don't have one dress in my closet!" I lightly changed the subject.

"Funny how things work out that way, isn't it?" he mysteriously teased. Yet, he sounded like he was telling a joke. There was a double meaning to his words, but at the moment I was too happy to even bother trying to figure it out.

Then the bell rang, and everyone shuffled out of their seats and out the doors to sixth period. As I started to stand up, Jasper grabbed my hand and gently squeezed it, saying, "See you later." I nodded and pulled out of his chilling grasp. I'd never thought before how intensely cold his hand was. And when Alice had hugged me, her temperature broke through the thin material of my sweatshirt, and it was also surprisingly freezing. I was reminded of this when Alice pulled me into another hard, cold hug and said, "Yay! My new shopping buddy!"

As I walked to World History, I smiled at how my luck had suddenly changed. Now, I had friends who seemed to know me better than I knew myself, better than Jamie and Hannah and all my other friends. I don't even know if I could call them that anymore. But I did know that I was happy. It was like my parents were still happily married.