Bella POV:
"After we left everything fell apart, Bella," Jasper said quietly, suddenly looking up into my face. "I could feel all the sadness and guilt at leaving you and not even saying goodbye. Carlisle and Esme told Edward that we were coming back whether he liked it or not and he was just going to have to be a big boy about it," Jasper smiled here, obviously fond of the memory. "He wasn't very happy and threw a tantrum. He truly is stuck at seventeen forever. Esme kicked him outside for the rest of the night and was angry with him for weeks. Still is a little peeved at him to be honest. Anyway, Rosalie was actually on our side and the day before Esme and Carlisle told him how it was going to be she surprised us all by saying she agreed with Emmett and I and wanted to go back. I had a long conversation with her about why she seemingly hates you and I think you'll be surprised when she with you. Pleasantly though," He added, sensing my hesitation and wariness. I remembered her smiling at me recently and smiled at him and kissed his forehead, signaling for him to continue. None of this had to do with Alice and him.
"Emmett was a huge ball of excitable mess, you know Emmett. He is excited to hang out with you, after school I mean. You really are like his little sister. He loves you a lot, Bella." Jasper said, smiling up at me.
"I know, he's the best big brother a girl could ever ask for," I replied. "This has nothing to do with you and Alice though."
"I'm getting there woman," He said, tickling my side and making me giggle before he continued. "Alice got really quiet and withdrawn when we left. She didn't even go, or mention, shopping for days. I thought she was just sad about missing you, and trust me she was, but there was something else. Turns out when we showed up in North Dakota she had a vision. It wasn't clear at first, she said, but she knew it was bound to happen. I had divorce papers from a tight lipped Alice eight days into her quiet, brooding mood. She said that she had tried deciding on different things to do and most of them ended up horribly," I was completely curious and hanging on to his every word by now. "A few days later I walked into her room, I had moved to the guest room, and she started pounding on my chest, dry sobbing away. It took me a long time to calm her down and finally she choked out what had been bothering her for all those days. Well, at least some of it. I still don't know the details," This fact clearly irritated him because his brow was furrowed and his arms tightened around me a little. I placed my hand on his cheek and felt the same tingly feeling go through my arm and travel through my body.
His eyes widened and he got this "Oh! Duh!" expression. Now my brow furrowed as he smiled up at me with the biggest smile I have ever seen in my entire life.
"What?" I asked, my hand dropping to his chest. He shook his head at me and continued his story.
"Nothing, I think I figured out the details of her vision is all. She was angry and upset with me about what her vision showed her and how she's kept it from Edward I don't know. She had locked herself in her room all those days trying to stop blaming me and trying to convince herself it wasn't my fault or her fault. She's better now and has accepted it but she's still upset by it, I know. I tried to convince her that if we stayed together we could work through it but I see now why she said it was impossible." Jasper finished, smiling but I could tell sadness clouded his happy emotions at the knowledge that Alice was hurt.
"Well, what is it?" I asked him, trying to figure out what would make Alice divorce Jasper like that. Why would she- I stopped myself mid-thought.
"It's me, isn't it? I messed up your long marriage." I felt guilty immediately. How could I take my best friend's husband? I was a horrible friend. I can't believe I didn't have this thought before I almost kissed Jasper! Everything had just felt so right...
"Stop it!" He growled at me. "Don't you dare feel guilty! Whether she likes to admit it or not, she put this in motion with the divorce. If we were still married I wouldn't have any idea how great you were and I don't feel guilty about that. I hate that she's hurting but this was her choice. She knew what was going to happen and she doesn't blame you, Bella. It's hard to fight fate."
"I guess... I still want to talk to her though." I said, determinedly. He nodded and motioned for me to get up.
"Wait, where does this leave us?" I asked him when he stood next to me.
"This leaves us..." He looked down at me with a smile and leaned in and kissed my cheek. "As getting to know each other. But, you're all mine, Bella. You need to let Jace know soon. I'm more possessive than you think, I won't take away your choices but when it comes to us or other guys I might go crazy sometimes."
I laughed and nodded, "Of course, cowboy. You're all mine as well." I said, winking at him. He tipped an invisible hat to me.
"Now, I know your dad is going to be home soon, why don't we go make dinner! Unless you'd like me to leave, that is?" Jasper said, sticking his arm out in a very proper fashion.
"I could use your assistance, sir. Come with me." I replied, taking his arm as we walked into the kitchen.
"This house design truly is beautiful, Bella. Esme would be proud." Jasper said as I told him where the pans were.
"Thank you. What is the family up to now?" I asked as we began making barbeque chicken, baked potatoes, corn, and a salad.
"Emmett and Rosalie are taking classes at the Port Angeles Community College, while also taking classes at the high school. They are using the excuse of missing a few classes. Truth is Emmett just wanted to spend all day with you. Esme has an interior design business going now, Carlisle is working at the hospital of course, and Alice, Edward, and I are going to high school with you." Jasper replied, positioning the potatoes on the pan.
"Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be the same age as Em and Rosalie? Why aren't you in college classes?" I asked, slathering barbeque on the chicken, waiting for the oven to rise to the right temperature.
"I had Carlisle tell the school that I had missed a few classes at the end of the year due to the move and here I am. I didn't want to take college classes just yet." Jasper said, smiling at me and presenting his potatoes proudly.
"Pretty good for someone who doesn't eat." I praised and put the chicken and potatoes into the oven.
We went into the living room as we waited for the chicken and potatoes to near the end of their cooking time. I wasn't going to make the corn and salad until they were almost done.
We settled on the couch and I turned the TV on, seeing if there was anything worth watching. We both watched as I would settle on a show, become dissatisfied, and change it. This went on for a while until he spoke.
"So, I hear you're a cheerleader." Jasper said with a wink at me as I flipped through the channels. I rolled my eyes and settled on River Monsters and turned to him.
"Yes, what's it to you?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Aren't cheerleaders really flexible?" He asked, waggling his eyebrows, which made me laugh.
"I guess so, I mean, I can do the splits and all that fun stuff." I answered watching my River Monsters.
"Oh, and do I get a preview anytime soon?" He asked with a smirk, pulling me onto him.
I got up, hearing the timer for the oven, and leaned over him, planting my hands on his upper thighs, and whispered into his ear, "If you're a really, really, good boy." I pulled away when I heard a little groan from him and walked into the kitchen smiling as I heard his footfalls behind me.
"I can be a very good boy, baby girl." He whispered in my ear. I shivered again and I'm sure the room became saturated with the lust I was throwing off. As if in answer, he groaned lightly.
I told him to dump the can of cream corn in the little pan on the stove to heat it up and started making the salad. When I was done I felt his arms go around my waist and I leaned back into his embrace.
"I hear Charlie's cruiser coming down the road, would you like me to stay or leave the 'meet my dad' scenario for a different day?" Jasper asked me.
I thought about it for a minute and answered, "I'm still getting to know you, so a different day," I turned in his arms and looked up at him. "I'll see you tomorrow at school?" He nodded, kissed my cheek slowly, and disappeared. I sighed happily while I set the table and called Jace.
"You sure you don't wanna come for dinner?" I asked him, knowing he was probably bored.
"Is Jasper there?" He asked with a slight edge to his voice.
"No, you big baby. Your ass better be in my dining room chair in less than five minutes." I said, smiling as I heard his front door shutting. We both hung up at the same time and I could hear my dad and Jace greeting each other on the front porch.
After dinner Charlie went into the living room to watch some sports thing like usual and Jace and I went up to my room. We were working on homework for exactly 25 minutes before he burst out with questions.
"Do you like Jasper? Are you dating? What's going on?" He looked down and laughed, realizing he just had a mini meltdown. "Sorry, Bells."
"It's alright. We aren't dating; we're getting to know each other. We do like each other though, so I can see us dating soon." I told him, completely honest. He looked up at me and started searching my face for something. He pulled me to him and took a deep breath.
"Bella, as long as he makes you happy I will be happy. Just make sure he knows that the second he hurts you his face will be screaming in pain for weeks." Jace said, pulling away and looking at me with a completely serious face at the end. On the inside I was laughing hysterically- Jace hurt Jasper? I appreciated the sentiment but I also knew it would never happen. Unless Jace became a vampire.
"I'll make sure he knows. Thank you, Jace. I hope you know that I'll be terribly jealous of whoever you give your heart to." I told him, a smile on my face, but I was being honest none the less.
He laughed and said, "Good because I've gotta tell you, I'm pretty jealous! I know that you really like him however, so I'm not going to make a fuss. We knew this day was coming."
We joked and laughed while we finished our homework and I knew that we would be friends forever. We promised to make the most of this last year together before he left for where ever he was being sent after graduation. The magazine he worked for still didn't know either as these assignments changed all the time. I also knew that this night marked the end of our romantic relationship. He was an amazing man and I knew he was going to make some girl the happiest she had ever been.
When he left later that night he hugged me goodbye and looked down at me with an unreadable expression on his face.
"Bella, can I ask a favor?" He asked me, his hands on my waist.
"Of course." I said, looking up into his eyes, my arms still around his waist.
"One last kiss?" He said with a small smile on his lips. I smiled at him after hesitating briefly. I knew Jasper would be upset but I needed this closure. I put my arms around his neck as our lips met in one last beautiful moment. It was slow and sweet; a reminder of the wonderful relationship we had formed in such a short time. When we pulled away I patted his cheek softly and said, "See you tomorrow, Jace."
"Bye, kitten. Love ya!" He called over his shoulder as he walked to his front door. He knocked over the gnome I had insisted was a cute addition to our yard. I laughed as I said, "Love you, too you hooligan!" His laugh followed me through my front door and I said goodnight to my dad on my way to my room.
The week passed by quickly and it was now Friday night. Jessica and Angela were sitting on my bed while I pulled on my coat, ready for our night out.
"Let's go!" I said. We headed to the door and we drove to Port Angeles. We went to this little dance club and danced the night away, getting hit on by a lot of guys. We saw Mike, Tyler, and Eric there and all danced in a group. Everyone now knew that Jace and I were officially only friends and Mike put his hand on my hip. I turned around and laughed at him, saying, "No way, Mike!" He rolled his eyes and twirled my around jokingly.
Jess, Ang, and I left around 1 am and were back at my house a little after 2 am, thanks to me speeding. We all changed into Pj's and passed out on my bed before the movie I put in even started. I woke up the next day to someone shaking my shoulder softly.
"Wake up sleeping beauty!" A honey voice said, laughing.
"Go away. Tired." I mumbled as Jess and Ang groaned.
"I come bearing gifts." The voice said, opening the curtains, causing the room to brighten.
"What the- Jasper?" I half yelled, shooting up into a sitting position. What was he doing here? Not that I didn't love seeing him… I was just tired.
"Hello, sunflower." He said, holding up bags and a drink carrier.
"Coffee and cakes!" I exclaimed, forgetting my earlier curiosity. I no longer cared what he was doing here, only that he was the best man ever. That statement got Jess and Ang up and we all dove into the bag that Jasper tossed at us. He handed us coffee and Jess and Ang looked at him with curious expressions.
"I remembered what you got Thursday." He answered simply. A large group had went to the city for a movie and they had gotten coffee. They smiled at him and started chatting about everything. Jasper left to go to the living room while we all dressed and got ready for the day. We called a few people over and we all watched movies and relaxed until I had work at the library until 9pm. I had picked up an extra Saturday shift as I didn't usually work on Friday's and Saturday's.
The next few weeks passed quickly and today was game day! Jasper and me were closer than we ever had been and it was like we were dating already- everyone thought we were. There was, of course, gossip about this. When asked about it Jace said always said, Bella and me are just great friends and I'm happy she's happy. He never really elaborated any and the gossip was just starting to die down about Jasper and me. Edward was furious, which was to be expected. Jasper and him had gotten into three fights about it and Edward took to calling me a whore when he would pass me in the halls sometimes. I would just smile at him and shrug it off. He was just mad I didn't want him anymore. No one liked him and he usually stayed outside with his iPod- headphones in blaring his brooding, weird music during lunch.
Jacob was upset at first that Jasper and me were so close but I invited Jasper, Jace, Emmett, and Jake over for pizza and video games a week after Jace and my last kiss and they all got along famously. Jace and Jasper were practically best friends which at first I found weird but finally just accepted it. I wasn't going to complain if my almost boyfriend and best friend wanted to be friends. I had a feeling it was going to backfire on me someday but right now I just let it be. Jake had skipped forward a year and was now going to graduate with my year. This year was amazing so far.
I took one last look in the mirror and smiled. We had gotten new uniforms because I had set up something during the summer to raise money. The team went around and did yard work or house work. It was a pretty exhausting task and as I made sure my uniform was straight it gave me an idea that I was going to have to put into motion.
My hair was up in a ponytail with a blue ribbon tied in a bow around it cliché I know but it was cute! Our uniforms came with a white, long sleeve, shirt to go under the blue bodice because it was usually cold here. The top of the suit came to a point mid-stomach in a V shape; the border was white with a thin blue line in the middle and small, gold strips on the edges. The top connected with the bottom of the suit through the V and the skirt was the same blue of the top with a border matching the V at the bottom. A very small slit was over the left thigh. White tennis shoes were required for footwear.
It was quite a cute little outfit and although I had wanted a two-piece cheer outfit there weren't any that would keep my team warm enough. I was pleased when I found this outfit. I sent a text to Jace to let him know I was ready and I heard his phone go off in my kitchen. Rolling my eyes I grabbed my bad and white coat and walked down the stairs and made my way into my kitchen.
"Woo! Won't Jasper be happy." Jace said, winking at me and handing me a granola bar. I laughed at him and we made our way out to my car and drove off to school.
When we pulled into the parking lot and parked; I noticed Jasper parked across from me and he was leaning against his car waiting for me. His eyes got wide as I stepped out of my car and he walked over to him. I saw his eyes go up and down my body and he barely acknowledged Jace laughing at him.
"Ready cowboy?" I asked him, standing on my tip toes kissing his cheek.
"For what?" He said, taking a deep, unneeded breath.
"For all the boys to be staring at your girl." I told him and started to walk away toward the front doors.
He caught up with me easily and put his arm around my shoulders as he growled low into my ear, "Like hell they will, sunflower. You're mine!"
[A/N]: Hello all! Only four chapters in and I have more reviews than I expected! Thank you thank you for all the favorites, alerts, and follows. It means a lot to me. I hope you liked this chapter [=