It was bright and sunny out today, so I opted to stay inside. Or, to be more specific, I decided not to suggest going outside when I saw Jasper glaring at the patch of sunlight on the living room carpet. Instead, I grabbed my book and settled down to read.

This plan lasted only until Mom reminded me that Phil had a game today and insisted we all go and see it. I started to protest, but Mom reminded me that we had planned this, and that Jasper would probably enjoy it too, since he had said that he and his family loved baseball.

Jasper, for whatever odd reason, didn't argue. He just disappeared into his overly large hoodie and followed us out.

It was large enough on him, I realized, to completely shadow his face, and he kept his hands shoved into the front pocket. It made sense that he would be wearing that when usually Alice insisted that everything fit properly.

Alice.

Jasper had been fine during breakfast until he said her name. Had something happened to them? Had they gotten in a fight that I didn't know about? Was he angry with her for sending him here?

I hoped nothing was wrong between the two of them.

Jasper didn't watch the game. He just sat slouched in his seat, tense and rigid, as if he were stressed. Almost as if he were in pain.

Well of course he would be stressed, I realized. I felt so stupid. We had dragged the hungry vampire into a stadium packed full of loud, sweaty people. This was probably torture for him.

I frowned, and wondered why he had agreed to come. I mean, I could tell there was absolutely no way I was getting out of going, but Mom wouldn't have made him. He didn't have to follow me around-

Oh.

I eyed him critically. Huddled in the seat, barely breathing, he didn't look like he could protect me from much of anything at the moment.

His hand lashed out in front of my face, and I blinked in surprise. He dropped the baseball into my lap, his sparkling hand retreating quickly back into his pocket. I stared at him in shock. The whole event had taken less than five seconds.

"Th-thanks." I stammered, picking up the baseball that had nearly beamed me in the face. My Mom was beside me, completely oblivious to the events leading up to me holding the ball.

"Nice catch!" She grinned. She should have known better. I couldn't catch a baseball if you dipped it in crazy glue before throwing it directly at me. I could end up with a baseball sized bruise, however.

I just smiled back awkwardly, and pretended to watch the game.

Jasper's stress was starting to get to me. I leaned over. "I'm going to get a soda!" I said to him, loudly enough that Mom would hear. "Want to come?"

He nodded, but didn't speak, and we made our way out of the stands. I led him past the refreshment stand, looking for someplace empty.

I finally settled for the parking lot, and we slipped into the car. "You shouldn't have come." I said as he sank back into the seat, relaxing slightly. "You need to hunt. I don't want you torturing yourself on my account."

He didn't speak, but instead reached forward to slip the baseball out of my hand. He held it up before me, as if to prove the point he wasn't verbalizing. I glared at it.

"So hunt tonight." I said. "It's not like something's going to get me in my sleep. I'll stay in bed, in my room, until you get back in the morning. Okay?"

He sighed. "Fine." He agreed tersely. A sense of relief radiated from him, though I doubt he was aware of it. We sat there in silence for the rest of the game. I was actually a bit relieved to have gotten out of there myself.

Mom and Phil found us in the car after the game. "Is everything alright?" She asked, worried. "You missed the last half of the game."

Jasper shrugged. "Sorry." He said. "I get nervous around large crowds. Bella didn't want me stressing out, so we came out here. You guys win?" He asked Phil.

Phil grinned. "Sure did."

"We should go eat somewhere to celebrate." Mom added. I stifled a groan. I should have seen that coming. Jasper didn't put up any arguments, though, and Mom just ignored my protests, so we ended up going out to eat instead of home.

Disclaimer: Twilight and all its stuff does not belong to me