A/N: So I was very much consumed with the upcoming (now over with) final episode of LOST and I had to put this story on the back burner. I'd like to update every other day, but well life sometimes gets in the way, but I didn't feel much like sleeping and I've been awake for over 24 hours now...sleep is for the weak! Anyway this chapter was a bit of a struggle because it's one of those filler things to get to the goodness that is soon to come and I just want to skip over it all and have Melinda slip all her secrets. But I have to stop myself because I need the bait to lure you in right? Meh enough rambling here's chapter 3...maybe I should sleep...


"All alone in my room, think of you at a rate that is truly alarming. I keep looping my memories of you in my head, I pretend that you want me and I fall asleep and dream of alternate realities...And I can't stop thinking about you and I can't stop thinking about you...What I would give to have you look in my direction and I'd give my life to somehow attract your attention...and I can't stop thinking about you and I can't stop thinking about you..."

-Maroon 5 "Can't Stop"


Chapter Three: Can't Stop

I've never been more sure about something my entire existence and that something was: Melinda Gray absolutely did not like me one bit. I sat next to Melinda in the two classes I had with her, English and Biology. She was always on edge around me and she barely acknowledged my presence even when we had group work to do. I also knew that I could not stop thinking about her; it bugged me to no end that I could not figure out where these hostile emotions were coming from and she wouldn't talk to me. It was consuming me.

A month came and went and our appeal to the humans was wearing off. Edward and I emerged from our math class and headed to the cafeteria to meet everyone else.

"Jasper, can I talk to you about something?" Edward asked cautiously.

"Sure thing," I replied intrigued. Edward and I weren't really ones for heart to hearts with each other.

"It's about that girl Melinda, you're always thinking and talking about," he said.

"What about her? Has she been thinking about me?"

"No...I mean, I don't know if she has. I haven't tried to listen to her," he answered and continued, "I know you've been in a better mood since we started school, but I think you might want to leave her alone."

"I'm not doing anything, plus I'm pretty damn sure she hates me," I said in my defense.

"Still...I'm not sure this fascination is healthy, Jasper," he said as we took our usually seats with the family.

"What fascination?" Emmett asked.

"Who else? Melinda Gray," Bella answered and Emmett grunted in response obviously bored of this topic.

"Yes, Melinda Gray. She's just interesting is all," I said as I glanced around the cafeteria for her.

"Seriously Jasper? You need to get over this. We really don't need another Bella and Edward love affair. I could hardly handle it then and there is no way I want or will put up with it now," Rosalie complained.

"Well aren't you tender hearted Rose," I replied as I spotted Melinda and her group while Rosalie answered with an annoyed growl.

"Well like you've said to us, over and over again, she doesn't seem to want anything to do with you; maybe it is best to let her be," Bella stated.

I looked at Edward and said, "Well there is only one way to know for sure..."

"I'll only do it if you'll leave her alone...wait...don't even say anything Jasper, I know you won't really agree to that, but I'll do it anyway so you'll know for sure," Edward said exasperated.

Edward looks into her mind and feels a little push, but breaks through it...

God it's every damn day. He just sits there and stares at me. What is he playing at? You'd think he would get the hint. He can't charm me, I won't let him.

"So?" I asked.

"Well it seems that she doesn't like that you stare at her and she wishes you would take a hint," Edward answered.

"Hmm..."

"So, now will you just take the hint?" asked Rosalie.

"Yeah...I will...definitely...do that..." I answered unconvincingly.

"Seriously Jasper?" Rosalie exclaimed.

"What?" I asked innocently.

After lunch I walked to art class and then to biology; I had to keep myself from running and drawing attention to myself. I sat down in my usual seat next to Melinda and I feel her anxiety level rise. I tried not to stare, but I just couldn't help myself. I felt her anxiety turn to annoyance and anger. At the end of class, Melinda practically ran out of the room. I followed her into the parking lot, keeping my distance. My family waited by the cars and I quickened my pace towards Melinda. She reached her car, stopped, and turned around to face me.

She crossed her arms and glared at me, "I have pepper spray, Jasper, and I'm not afraid to use it."

I laugh at her tenacity, "Well aren't you quite the wide eyed doe."

She scowled, "Don't even try to charm me with your sarcastic wit and good looks."

I smile, "So you think I'm good looking."

Her scowl deepened and she angrily got into her car and yelled out the window, "If you don't get out of my way, I'll try to run you over."

I moved and shouted, "I knew you had a thing for me."

She rolled her eyes and sped off. I jogged to my family who all look very displeased except Rosalie; she looked livid. I smiled as I sent a wave of calm over them.

"Not fair, Jasper," Bella sighs.


I worked overtime keeping a calm and happy state over my family members. No one was pleased with me engaging with a human the way I was. It was strange how fascinating Melinda was to me. I couldn't bare to think of Alice. It was still too painful, but my interest in Melinda was keeping my pain at bay. There had to be a reason for it.

We arrived at school the next day; Bella and I walked to English.

"You know I love you, right?" Bella asked.

I smirked, "Well shucks Bella Bee, I love you too."

"And I want you to be happy, Jasper," she continued ignoring me.

"But..." I prompted.

"But, I'm worried about this obsession with Melinda," she said seriously.

"Obsession? I'd hardly call it an obsession. It's just my inquisitive nature," I replied indignantly.

"Inquisitive nature?" Bella laughed, "You're a hair short of being a stalker."

"Quit talking crazy Bee! I ain't no stalker, I'm a gentleman," I said outraged, "plus Edward was way worse with you."

"He didn't stalk me!" she argued.

"Yeah he did. He would sneak into your house and watch you sleep," I revealed.

She rolled her eyes, "I knew that. I kept the window open for him."

"Did you know that he did it way before you gave him permission?" I asked tilting my head at her.

She scoffed and answered, "No, but it doesn't matter. Our situation back then was very different from your situation now."

"Oh, how so?" I asked rolling my eyes.

"I liked him and Melinda doesn't like you," Bella answered smugly.

I laughed and messed up her hair, "Touche, Bella bee."

We entered the classroom and I took my seat next to Melinda. She immediately crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. She did not look at me once the entire lecture and as the bell rang she packed up her belongs and continued to her next class. Instead of going to my class I decided to catch up with her and talk to her.

I synced my footsteps with hers, "Why do you hate me? I've been nothing but a gentleman to you."

She stopped and waited for the area to be clear of students.

She placed her hands on her hip and whispered, "In order for you to be a gentleman you would have to be a man."

My eyes widened for just a second, but I shifted my facial features into a confused look, "What are you talking about? Just because I'm seventeen doesn't me I can't be a gentleman."

Her eyes narrowed, "That's not what I'm talking about and you know it."

I shook my head, "No...I don't..."

I felt the anger in her turn up a notch as she poked me in the chest, "Let me spell it out for you then. You are NOT human. I don't know what kind of sick game your family is playing, pretending to be high school students, and I don't want to know. If they knew you were here...," she shook her head, "I don't hate you, but I will NOT have any part of this, I won't, so just leave me alone."

I stood there shocked as she ran off to her next class. There was nothing good about this...except Melinda Gray didn't hate me...


A/N: o0o0o...here's to hoping I get another chapter up tomorrow...or maybe later today...