When we last left our lovebirds, they had endured a lovely drive in Jasper's Vacation Wagon, sniping at each other all the way from the airport to Jasper's house. Let's see what happens next…

Oh yes... let's.

You were my hip-hopper
You were my heart-stopper
Yeah you're the only one that makes me feel
You make me feel like a dangerous girl
Like a dangerous girl

Dangerous Girl - Vitamin C

APOV

I stared at the non-descript two-story house in front of me and sighed. Jasper got out without a word and started lugging out my suitcases, making grunty noises. They were kinda sexy…not that I'd ever let him know.

I got out of the car and waited by the door with my arms crossed over my chest while he wheeled the suitcases up, studiously not looking at me. He got the door open and, to my surprise, gestured for me to walk in first. I looked around. Someone needed a decorator STAT. Everything was so…beige. The house didn't look "homey". I know Esme was a decorator, but our house wasn't just a showplace. She put warm little touches all over that made you understand a loving family lived there. Like, she had tons of pictures of us all over from our family vacations to my school pictures. Everything about our house said "warm" and "inviting". This house said one thing: neglected.

Plus, I think they got the living room television in a deal with Jasper's car. It was one of those old console models. It looked like…oh hell…no cable. Mom told me his dad was some big hot-shot lawyer. Surely they could afford a big-screen and some basic cable!

I heard more grunting and turned to see Jasper sweating bullets, lugging one of my suitcases up the stairs. I almost felt bad. Almost. Well, Jasper, one down and one to go, buddy! Work them biceps!

I followed him up the stairs and when he got to the top, he stopped at one of the closed doors, opened it and went into the room. I followed. He set down my suitcase and went to get the other. As I listened to him grunt and swear under his breath, I tried not to hyperventilate. If I didn't know better I would have thought I went back to the 1800's. I fully expected a loom to appear in the corner. The room was…sparse. A twin bed. A dresser with a mirror. Two bedside tables with drawers. All of it probably purchased at Ikea. If I had no vision of hell before, I did now. The small window was covered in fugly curtains. The bed had a hideous blue blanket that looked pilled. The sheets looked new, but very cheap. I really should have thought to bring my own. Then I looked at the closet. No, I was wrong. NOW I knew what hell was. Tiny doesn't begin to describe it.

I sat down on the bed, defeated. Jasper finally made it to the room with the suitcase. He was sweating profusely and redder than a fire engine. His shirt stuck to him and now there were two sides warring. The one that wanted to hate him for the way he spoke to me and the side that wanted to jump his bones…not that I'd ever let him know…

"Where am I going to put all my stuff?" I said.

"Not my problem, Princess," he huffed.

Then he walked out.

I looked around. I couldn't believe I'd be living in this room. I looked down at my suitcases and back at the closet. I would unpack the few nice dresses and hang them, but otherwise I'd be putting my steamer to good use.

I had one bright thought. If nothing else, I could at least keep up with my friends via my computer. Then I started to panic.

"JASPER!"

"What?!" came his voice from somewhere close.

"You guys have the internet here, right?" I waited with bated breath for the answer.

"Of course we do!"

Thank the Lord.

Suddenly he was at my door.

"Of course, mom monitors it, so we can only use it for research and stuff."

I looked at him in shock.

"She monitors YOUR computer. She has no right to monitor mine!"

"We'll see," he smirked.

Oh, it just gets better and better.

***

I finally found some peace in this place. I was on Facebook writing on someone's wall with my iPod buds in my ears, because god forbid there should be an electronic device in this place that was made in the last hundred years, when I looked up to see a woman I could only assume was Jasper's mom, standing there. I must have jumped a mile. My heart beat out of my chest as I pulled the buds from my ears. I put my hand over my heart.

"Mrs. Whitlock!"

"I'm sorry, dear, I knocked but you didn't hear me."

"I'm so sorry!" I jumped up from my bed and extended my hand. "I'm Alice! Thanks for letting me stay with you!"

Hey, this may be hell, but my mama taught me manners. She shook my hand and laughed.

"Well, Alice, it's very nice to meet you. I just got home and we're about to have dinner, so I thought I'd come meet you and let you know. Mr. Whitlock should be home at any moment."

"Sure. I'll just wash up and be right down."

She turned towards the door and then looked back.

"Oh, and Alice, I see that you're using your computer to go on one of those social networking sites."

I was shocked. Looking around this place, I didn't think she'd know the term "social networking site".

"I know those are popular with the kids these days and I'll allow it for now, since you just got here and you miss your friends and school hasn't started yet, but once the school year begins, I want you to know that I'll be monitoring your activities. That means the computer will be used for school work only. Anything else wastes time and turns your brain to mush."

Please let this just be a nightmare.

I went to wash up in the bathroom and…hold the phone…I looked around. A toothbrush in the holder…a masculine-looking robe hanging on the back of the door…I opened the medicine cabinet. Male toiletries. Oh no. Jasper and I were sharing a bathroom! I just hoped his car meticulousness carried over to the bathroom, because I knew how sometimes the guy's aim wasn't that great and they would "miss". For this reason alone I didn't understand when people carpeted their bathroom. That's just wrong. I'm sure there would be a night where I "fell in" because I was tired and forgot to check if the seat was down. Hey, I'm tiny. I could get stuck and found the next morning like that. Knowing Jasper, he's probably take a picture and show it around school.

I finally went downstairs and found Jasper setting the table. I went to help him. Like I said – manners. Jasper's dad was there looking at some papers and he had his briefcase on the table. That seemed kind of rude. My dad was a doctor, but when he ate with the family, he paid full attention. The dinner table was sacred. Jasper and his mom must be used to it, because they didn't bat an eyelash.

"Honey, this is Alice, Esme's daughter."

Mr. Whitlock finally looked up and acknowledged me.

"Hello, Alice. I understand you'll be staying with us a while."

"Yes, sir. For the school year."

"Good, good. I hope you're as serious about your studies as Jasper."

I looked at Jasper. He gave me a knowing look back.

"Yes sir." The less I said on this subject, the better.

Dinner was really good. An awesome chicken dish with some roasted potatoes and marinated green beans. It's weird, because Mrs. Whitlock said she had just gotten home. When did she have time to…

"Jasper, the chicken is wonderful," his mom said, confirming my suspicions. He grinned back at his mom. Wow! Okay, so Jasper had another redeeming quality besides "hot". I was impressed…not that I'd ever let him know.

Instead I mumbled, "Yeah, thanks Jasper" while looking down at my plate.

I looked up when Mrs. Whitlock began speaking to me. "So, Alice, how is Esme? It's been so long since I've seen her!"

We talked through the entire dinner. Mrs. Whitlock told me all about her sorority days with my mom. I told her some recent stories, particularly one where my mom managed to lock herself INSIDE a bathroom of a home she was decorating.

"The couple came home hours later, and she was so embarrassed! I told her, 'hey, if you were going to be locked in a room for hours, it's a good thing it was the bathroom!'"

Mrs. Whitlock laughed loudly. Jasper looked like he wanted to use his fork as a weapon. Mr. Whitlock had barely touched his food. He was still looking at the documents. It's like we weren't even there. I couldn't believe they were okay with this! My mom would have Carlisle's head!

"Well, you two will be on your own again tomorrow."

I saw Jasper do the 360 eyeroll.

"I have to go into the museum. There's an important client coming in for a tour and I have to arrange it."

"Maybe one day you can take me to the museum! I would love to see it!"

I really did want to go. If there was actual culture in this town, I was craving it.

"Of course, dear! One day you'll just come to work with me! We'll make a day of it!" she said, looking delighted. By the looks of it, her husband didn't take an interest in what she did and Jasper didn't seem like an art appreciator to me. She's probably been dying for someone to take an interest in what she does.

Another eyeroll.

Jasper and I got up and started clearing dishes. I didn't take his dad's plate, not sure if he was done or not. We walked into the kitchen.

"I saw you looking. Don't worry about my dad. He's usually really distracted and doesn't eat until late. He just re-heats it."

"Then why does he come to the table at dinner time?"

He shrugged. "Mom insists."

Well then why didn't she insist he pay attention to the family and actually eat? Still, it wasn't my place to ask, so I kept my mouth shut.

After we cleared everything, I went to go upstairs, desperate to take advantage of the short amount of non-monitored computer time, when I heard his mom yell after us.

"Remember, kids, lights out at eleven o'clock!"

Are you shitting me???

Jasper saw the look on my face.

"Enjoy it. During the school year it's ten o'clock. Oh, and nice job with the ass-kissing."

"I was not! I'm truly interested!"

"Suuuuuure you are," he said, striding past me and up the stairs. As I climbed the stairs behind him, I noticed his bedroom was just across from mine, and his parent's bedroom must be down the hall.

I went to my room and closed the door. I bet that woman does bed checks like they do in prison, so it would do no good to shut off my light and stay on the computer after the appointed time.

That's where I felt I was. Prison. I'd been promised it was only gonna get worse. That night, I cried myself to sleep. Tomorrow I was calling mom and begging her to let me come home. I'd promise her anything to get out of here.

***

"Mom, please" I begged, trying to keep it together, "it's so awful here!"

I was clutching the one lifeline I had left of what I've come to think of as "my former life": my cell phone. I was in the backyard and talking as quietly as I could.

"Is Mrs. Whitlock treating you badly?"

"No, she's really nice. Jasper is being kind of a jerk, but I can handle him. It's just…she's so strict and there's a curfew and 'lights out' and my closet is so small and pretty soon I'm not even going to be able to communicate with my friends at home and there's no mall and the sheets are cheap and scratchy, and there's no cable and the house is just so quiet and…and…"

Esme laughed.

"Stop laughing at me mom. I'm really suffering here."

"I'm sorry, honey. I understand it's a bit of a shock, but you'll settle in, I promise. Once school starts, you'll be so busy that everything else won't matter."

"That's what I'm afraid of," I said grumpily. "Please, mom, I'll promise you anything. ANYTHING. Lesson learned. No more parties. I now fully and COMPLETELY appreciate what I have. Please," I begged again.

"Baby, I meant it when I said this wasn't a punishment. It's only for the school year, and I know you're tougher than this."

I hung my head. She was pulling out the big guns.

"Yeah mom, okay," I said quietly.

"I can only promise it will get easier. If Jasper continues to give you a hard time, you let Catherine know and I'm quite sure she'll take care of it. I know she raised her boy better than to be rude to a woman."

"Sure Mom. Like I said, I can handle him." I knew how I sounded and I didn't care.

"Okay baby, you take care of yourself. You can call me any time. I'm always here for you. I love you."

That was it. I fought back the tears. I couldn't let go now.

"I know, mom. Thanks. I love you too."

We said our goodbyes and I hung up.

I walked with my head hung low, dragging my heels, back to the house. Jasper was in the kitchen eating a bowl of cereal. He looked at me and for the first time he didn't look like he was thinking of something mean to say. He looked almost sweet.

"Hey," he said, "There's different kinds of cereal in the pantry. Help yourself."

I made a bowl for myself and sat at the table, but wound up just staring into it, not eating.

Suddenly I heard Jasper say, "I was thinking…I know you hate it, but maybe I can take you to Target today to get some stuff for your room or something."

He was being…nice? I looked up to see if there was any hint of sarcasm. He was looking away and seemed only embarrassed. Okay. If he could extend the olive branch, I could reciprocate. I smiled.

"Thanks, Jasper. I would like that."

He whipped his head to look at me, probably trying to catch that same hint of sarcasm. I guess he realized the same thing I did, because he smiled back. Damn, that just made him look sexier…not that I'd ever let him know.

***

Target. I was actually in a Target. My God it's so damn bright in here. They should make the lighting low and maybe people would think this stuff was better quality.

Oh my GOD! The purses! They put them at the front like they're proud of them! I just stood there, my eyes wide. Jasper pulled me out of my stupor.

"C'mon. Let's go over to the bedding."

I didn't hold much hope I'd find anything, but this was my only option and anything had to be better than what was going on in that room now.

We got there and at first, I was very much dismayed at the $19.99 sheet sets and "beds in a bag" that looked like a good amount of nylon and really cheap stitching was involved. Then we came to the "Shabby Chic" section. Okay, it wasn't Lauren or Ashley, but I could work with this. I found an entire set that was actually kind of decent and I could live with. It would certainly make the room cheerier. I even got myself some curtains. Plus, I found some stuff I could use to store some of my things.

"Wow Jasper! I thought this would be a wasted trip! Thanks!" and I gave him my first big genuine smile since I got here.

He gave me his sexy grin back, "See? Target isn't so bad. Maybe I can even get you into Wal-Mart! Or Payless!"

I laughed, "Don't press your luck."

He laughed back.

I was having a good time with Jasper at Target…not that I'd ever let him know…

JPOV

I got out and went straight for the pink monstrosities that she called luggage. I couldn't help but wonder what the hell she had packed in there - concrete slabs to remind her of New York? Bricks? Weights so that when I lifted the damned things, my arms would pop out of their sockets?

She was waiting at the door, arms crossed again - eyes up, Jasper - and looking almost impatient, except that would require some sense of wanting to progress forward. I doubted she wanted to move forward, more like backwards. Back in time until neither of us ever had to see each other. Ha, if only.

Too bad someone didn't make a time machine for Senior Project.

I gestured for her to go in first, and watched as she looked around. I guess horrified wouldn't be the proper word… more like just plain unhappy. Borderline horrified. Yeah, that was it.

Not wanting to see any more of her reaction to my house, I went back to the pink hell-bags. Hopefully no one who knew me would drive by and see them while they were left unattended. However, I would welcome a pink-bag thief.

I nearly slipped while dragging the thing up the steps, barely managing to keep my footing. Damn manners and damn girls with their damn clothing obsessions….

At the top I went to the guest room, settling the luggage on the floor - sweet relief! - before tramping downstairs for the next piece. Which hadn't been stolen… just my luck. Since no one was around to glare at me for improper language, I made sure to use my time for free speech wisely and get it all out of my system. While dragging up the second heavier bag, I nearly knocked one of Mom's lamps off of a side table. I caught it in time, thank god; she would have chewed me out if she came home to a missing or broken lamp. Then I'd have had to buy her a new one or something, because I'm sure it would make no difference that I was being a good guy and giving myself a hernia by dragging up the ungrateful delinquent's bags.

She was sitting down on the bed when I walked in, looking like she'd just been assigned the life sentence in the worst possible prison. What was she so upset about? I mean, I'm the one lugging those stupid bags of hers up all those stairs without any help. I'd have to take a shower after this for just two pieces of luggage!

"Where am I going to put all my stuff?" she asked, all sad and hopeless sounding.

I wasn't feeling merciful. "Not my problem, Princess," I grumbled as I left to take a shower. It wouldn't do to cook dinner while sweaty.

I was in the bathroom the two of us were going to have to share - ha, I bet no one had mentioned that to her… I'd leave that to my mom since I had to pick up the Jailbird - when she yelled for me in a panic.

"What?!" I asked, my shirt halfway up my chest, worried but also suspicious. Nothing could be wrong…. This was Lodi after all.

Maybe she saw a bug or something.

"You guys have the internet here, right?"

I glared in the direction of her room and pulled my shirt back down. "Of course we do!" I snapped. It wasn't like we lived in caves or something else as barbaric. I wanted to see her face when I added the rest though, so I walked back down the hall to her room.

"Of course," I said, startling her slightly. "Mom monitors it, so we can only use it for research and stuff."

She looked completely shocked. It was pretty funny. "She monitors YOUR computer. She has no right to monitor mine!"

I smirked at her, thinking 'Wanna bet?'. All I said, though, was, "We'll see."

I went back down the hall, stripping off my shirt and pausing to toss it into my room's hamper, and then locked myself in the bathroom for a quick shower.

I glanced at the time on the clock in my room as I ran a towel over my head, frowning and thinking of the food we had in the house and what I could make for dinner by the time Mom and Dad got home..

I traipsed downstairs, pausing only momentarily to listen at Alice's door. It was curiosity, not spying - honest! I didn't hear anything, so I shrugged - maybe she was asleep. Didn't people sleep a lot when they had jetlag or something? I wouldn't know - I'd never been out of the Central Valley.

Perfect timing had to be a gift of mine - I was pulling the potatoes out of the oven right as Mom opened the front door. She walked into the kitchen, smiling and taking an appreciative sniff.

"Hey, honey. Where's Alice?"

I shrugged, moving to the counter to make sure all the finishing touches on dinner were taken care of. "Up in the guestroom. She hasn't made a peep since we got here; I figured maybe she zonked out."

"I'll just go introduce myself and let her know dinner's ready," Mom said, smiling happily. She didn't get out much, so having another female in the house - even a New York delinquent - was probably the same as telling a five year old that they could live at Disneyland.

While Mom was upstairs, Dad walked in, arguing on his cell phone. He went up to his and Mom's room, then came back down not a minute later with his briefcase still in hand. At least the phone was gone today.

Mom came back downstairs and Alice came down a couple of minutes later and even helped set the table. I'll admit I was surprised. Jailbird had some manners. She hesitated when she saw Dad, and gave him a strange look. Mom introduced Dad to Alice, and he finally looked up for the first time since walking in the house. Alice should be honored - half the time he never even looked up from his work or spoke a single word.

I almost snorted as Dad mentioned her being as serious a student as I was. Her gaze met mine and I stared back; Dad might be nearly oblivious and have totally forgotten why she was even here in the first place, but I remembered. Dad didn't have to listen to her whine the whole car ride about what an old man I was because I studied too much and the lack of name brands Lodi had to offer.

Of course, he probably wouldn't have even heard a word she said had he picked her up, so it was rather moot.

We sat down to eat, and it was basically the same as always - quiet. It stayed that way until Mom spoke up.

"Jasper, the chicken is wonderful."

I grinned at her, loving the praise as always. Bella liked to joke that I was like a puppy, eager to be given a pat on the head and a treat. Thanks to her little joke, all her friends called me "Pup". I took it all in stride, because they never meant it in a mean way. It was their way of extending friendship.

I was pretty sure, at least.

Alice's eyes widened slightly, and then she looked down at her plate. "Yeah, thanks Jasper," she mumbled.

I was about to respond - it had taken me a few moments to decide if I would be subtly sarcastic or polite, and polite had won out - when Mom turned to Alice.

"So, Alice, how is Esme? It's been so long since I've seen her!"

It's been so long since she's seen anyone who didn't go to her work.

And then the talking started. Mom went on and on and on about her college sorority days and the shenanigans they got into, which I decided was something no teenage boy needed to hear about his mom. She and Alice just kept talking and talking, and Dad kept up with his papers and whatever, and I was left just sitting there. Completely left out.

Well this was just great.

Mom laughed loudly, drawing me out of my sour thoughts, and the two girls suddenly looked like they were going to be the best of friends. Obviously Mom loved her. The fact that Dad actually had a conversation with her suggested that he did as well. My own parents had spoken with Alice more than they had with me all day. Great. Fabulous. I could see where their priorities were.

I eyed my fork. Which would be more effective… using it on Alice, or myself?

"Well, you two will be on your own again tomorrow." Mom announced. Big surprise; I rolled my eyes. "I have to go into the museum," Mom continued. "There's an important client coming in for a tour and I have to arrange it."

"Maybe one day you can take me to the museum! I would love to see it!"

I just bet she would. Mom eagerly agreed, wanting to make a day of it or whatever. I was right - she was already in love with Alice. If offered the option to choose between her and me, I had no doubts about who she would choose.

It wasn't me.

Dinner finished soon after that, and Alice got up with me to clear the dishes. How nice. She wasn't going to butter me up with helping, though I wasn't going to fall for her as easily as my parents obviously had.

She hesitated at my Dad's plate but left it in the end. As we walked into the kitchen, I finally spoke up. "I saw you looking. Don't worry about my dad. He's usually really distracted and doesn't eat until late. He just reheats it."

"Then why does he come to the table at dinner time?" Alice asked, obviously not able to make sense of it. Hell if I was, either.

"Mom insists," I replied, shrugging. That was the truth of it, as far as I knew.

Her lips pressed together lightly, but she didn't say anything else. We finished clearing up, we both headed back upstairs. What, she didn't want to spend more time with her new best friend, my mom?

Speaking of, she yelled up after us. "Remember, kids, lights out at eleven o'clock!"

I glanced over, choking back a laugh at the look on Alice's face. "Enjoy it," I told her, "During the school year it's ten o'clock." Then, because I couldn't help myself, I added, "Oh, and nice job with the ass-kissing."

"I was not! I'm truly interested!" she defended. I didn't know her well enough to tell if she was lying or not.

Because I had gotten such a great start on it today, I felt like being a jerk, and decided to believe she was lying. "Suuuuuure you are," I basically sneered. I moved past her on the stairs, securely closing my door behind me.

I fell onto my bed, grabbing fistfuls of my hair and groaning. Today sucked. It had to be on the list of my top five worst days of my life, the pain in my back a constant reminder.. I reached over and grabbed the book my English teacher had "requested" we read over break. I was almost finished with it and I figured I could get lost in the words on the pages.

Later, as I was about to drift off to sleep, I heard soft noises coming from the room across the hall. After a moment's hesitation, I got out of bed and crept to her door, listening.

My chest constricted as I heard her crying, and guilt swamped me. The jerk from the entire day was gone, leaving only a guilty gentleman in his place. She was in a complete culture shock, and I hadn't made things any easier.

I wasn't sure I knew how I would apologize, but I would make it up to her.

***

When I got up the next morning, I had figured out one way I could maybe make things up to Alice. The guest bedroom was just that - a guest room. Not meant for more than a few days at a time. Since Alice would be living with us for… months… I figured she might feel better if it didn't look so empty. Besides, hadn't she mentioned needing a place for all her clothes? We could get dressers or cubbies or something for her. The best place to get all of this would be Target. No way was I driving all the way to Stockton's mall, even if it was just twenty minutes away, to listen to her say that it wasn't a real mall. I wanted to make things up to her, not make myself pissed at her again.

I paused outside of her door; it was open a crack, and I knocked once after a brief hesitation. No answer. I peered inside, noting the empty room, and decided to see if she was downstairs.

She wasn't in the kitchen or living room, so I decided to get some breakfast while I waited for her to appear. She came in a few moments later, looking for all the world like she had been abandoned. My chest decided to tighten in sympathy, which was not a pleasant sensation.

"Hey," I greeted her, "There's different kinds of cereal in the pantry. Help yourself."

She moved around the kitchen, making her own bowl, and sat down, but she didn't make any moves to eat it, just stared dejectedly into it.

"I was thinking…" Oh, god, this was harder than I thought it would be, "I know you hate it, but maybe I could take you to Target today to get some stuff for your room or something." I looked away. Maybe if I didn't have to look at her, it would be easier.

Yeah, that didn't really make any difference.

"Thanks, Jasper. I'd like that."

I snapped my head over to her, wondering if maybe she was being sarcastic. I mean, I had offered to take her to Target, and judging by her reactions yesterday, that was almost the same as suggesting she dumpster dive for lunch. She seemed sincere, the smile lighting up her face, whichwas a nice contrast from its earlier dreary expression, so I smiled at her. Perhaps we could work this out… somewhat….

When we got to the store, she squinted for about the first five minutes, giving the ceiling a glare. I wanted to point out that if she thought it was so bright, staring straight at the lights wasn't going to help at all, but I had a feeling that would just put us back to square one, so I kept my mouth shut.

Abruptly, she stopped and stared wide-eyed ahead of her. I glanced in the same direction, seeing nothing of consequence. Maybe she just went into a minor case of shock, realizing she actually was in a Target. Whatever.

"C'mon. Let's go over to the bedding." I led her through the store to the several bedding aisles. After that, I let her lead the way, having no clue what girls liked, especially girls like Alice. She didn't look very impressed or encouraged for a while, but then we got to this one aisle and she seemed much more optimistic. I couldn't tell what the hell the difference was, but I didn't say anything. Again. She threw things into a cart, enough that I started to wonder if she was planning to redecorate the whole damn house. We went back to the check out and then out the doors.

"Wow Jasper! I thought this would be a wasted trip! Thanks!" She actually seemed happy, and it changed the whole countenance of her face. Hell, it seemed to change the whole damn atmosphere, but whatever.

I couldn't stop the grin I sent her back. "See? Target isn't so bad," I teased, "Maybe I can even get you into Wal-Mart! Or Payless!" I hadn't forgotten her reaction to that particular store.

She laughed. "Don't press your luck."

I laughed with her, shaking my head slightly. I was going to blindfold her and take her in a Payless, one day, just to see how she'd react….

Hey B! Looks like they're as snug as two bugs in a rug! Alice went to TARGET – and ENJOYED herself! They're smiling and being cordial even! Think it'll last?

With us in charge? Uh, is that a trick question? I mean, they're sharing a BATHROOM.