A/N: Sorry for the wait on this one guys! This chapter is considerably longer than the rest, though it's mostly dialogue so it should be a quick read =) It's the rest of the ball, the first day of class (incredibly boring, so true to life) and a revelation…
What I own: A set of crutches, a sprained ankle, and a bruised ego. I am a regular Bella Swan, folks.
What I don't own: All recognizable characters, places, etc.
Enjoy =)
* * *
"So he just…kissed you? Just like that?"
"Yup," Bella said, for the tenth time. Jessica and Angela had her cornered in the bathroom suite. They'd been sitting there for the last 30 minutes, making Bella repeat the story of the Edward kiss over and over.
"That's so romantic," sighed Angela, leaning her head against the wall.
"I know, Ang. But I am just not sure what I am supposed to do for the next week. How am I supposed to get to know him if I am around him twenty four seven?"
Jessica giggled. "Bells, why don't you just get to know him as Jasper for a week, and text him while you are at Dawson? I mean, a week? You won't start dating in a week."
"Jess, did you not just hear how he kissed her? He wants her. And he will want to see her. And get to know her."
Bella sighed, shaking her head at her friends. The bathroom door swung open, and she lifted her head.
"Oh, hello." It was Tanya, coming in to fix her makeup.
"Hey Tanya," Bella smiled sweetly. "Enjoying yourself?"
Bella stood and walked over to the counter, taking the sink next to Tanya.
"Your brother is dancing with everyone but me." She pouted to herself in the mirror, fluttering her eyelashes and fussing with her hair.
"Oh, what a shame. Maybe you should dump him?"
Jessica and Angela started laughing, trying to hide it behind coughs when Tanya turned to glare at them. She whipped her head back to Bella's reflection, her eyes narrowed.
"You would just love that, now wouldn't you Bella."
"Tanya, sweetheart. Don't squint so much," Bella replied. Then in a whisper: "Crow's feet."
She motioned for Angela and Jessica to follow and left Tanya standing at the counter, fuming.
They were just exiting the hallway to the restrooms when the three girls smiled at Rose and Alice. They were linked at the elbows, heads huddled in a whisper. Bella smiled at the two girls, and continued to the foyer with Angela and Jessica.
"Here we go, ladies and gents. Last dance of the night!" The DJ announced. Bella looked out to the dance floor, searching for Jasper and, well, Edward.
"Bella!" A booming voice called to her from the edge of the dance floor. The song playing had a fast beat, and the movement on the dance floor made the whole floor sway. Emmett was pushing his way through the crowd, a grin on his face.
"Bella! Rose left me before the last dance started. Come here!" He grabbed her hand and dragged her to the dance floor.
Bella had never been a rhythmic or graceful dancer. When she was younger her mother enrolled her in ballet, but she always found her way back to the soccer field. Out on the dance floor, with a practiced lead, she could manage the formal dances her mother had forced her to learn. This dancing though, this throbbing and pulsing of bodies, was unlike any she had really experienced. Emmett was lifting her and spinning her, the two really just goofing around instead of dancing. By the time the song ended and the lights came up, Bella was winded and laughing heartily with her dance partner.
"Thanks Bella. That was a blast." Emmett's grin was wide. He was escorting her to her table, where Jessica and Angela were waiting.
"It really was Emmett. Thanks for the dance." He said his goodbyes and she gathered her purse, turning to see if her friends were ready. Just as Jasper was approaching the table, there was a loud shriek from the foyer. Hundreds of heads turned toward the entry, and a haggard looking Tanya limped her way out of the restroom hallway.
Jasper pushed his way to the front of the crowd, Bella close behind him.
"Jasper!" The girl shrieked. "Jasper! We need to leave now!" The crowd had quieted now, and Jasper stepped forward.
"Uh, Tanya? I came here with my sister…"
Tanya's face flushed bright red. She huffed at him, yelling again, and pressed the elevator button. Her broken heel made her stand awkwardly, and she adjusted her dress and hair in the reflection of the elevators. The entire crowd stood watching her, the silence heavy.
"Tanya, babe. You should have taken the stairs." Jasper said from behind the girl. Bella was at his side and could hear a ripple of laughter travel through the crowd. The elevator took a few more seconds and the crowd sat waiting, watching the fall of the girl in front of them. Bella noticed Rosalie and Alice slink their way out of the bathroom, trying to slip into the crowd. Tanya got onto the elevator, holding her head high, and Bella pushed her way over to Rose and Alice.
"Psssst. Alice. What happened?" Bella whispered to the small girl, trying not to draw attention to the two. Rosalie's hair was slightly mussed, and there was a small tear in the hem of her dress. Alice looked like not a hair had been touched on her head.
"Oh hey Bella. We, uh, got into a small disagreement with Tanya in the restroom…" Alice's eyes shifted, and Rose half-heartedly smiled at Bella.
"About what?"
"Your brother…" Alice trailed off, and Bella felt her brother come up behind her. He was wearing a huge grin and shoveling a roll into his mouth.
"Bee, do you think she will leave me alone now?"
"I don't know Jay…" She looked back to Alice and Rose, who were smiling at Jasper.
"Oh well," he shrugged. "Let's get out of here."
He led the way back to Angela and Jessica, who were standing in line for the elevators. The ride down to the lobby was surprisingly quick. The girls stood by a bench while Jasper went to the hotel bar to gather their mom and Phil. Bella sat down on the edge of the bench, taking off her heels and searching the crowd for Edward. She found him standing next to Emmett who was chatting with Rose and Alice.
"Jess, Ang, I will be right back."
She nodded toward Edward and the two girls smiled. She watched her step as she made her way barefoot to Edward.
"Edward," she caught his attention. "I wanted to say goodnight." His face visibly lit up when Bella walked up.
"What an evening, huh Bella?" He said, smiling. He reached over and wrapped an arm around her waist, tugging her in close.
"It was indeed," she smiled back. She leaned into him, hugging him. When she pulled back, he titled his head towards hers for a kiss.
His lips barely brushed hers before she felt her shoulder jerked back.
"What do you think you are doing with my girl Cullen?" Mike was stepping in front of her now, getting in Edward's face.
Bella stepped back in front of him, "No way Mike, back up. You are not doing this."
"Last I heard you two were broken up, Mikey."
Bella snickered at Edward's nickname for Mike. Emmett stepped in and pulled Bella back, sensing that Edward and Mike were going to get into it.
"No way Cullen. She is mine. Step off."
"Boys, as much as I love this display of masculinity, this isn't the time or the place." Bella had stepped back now, shaking Emmett's grip.
Mike turned to Bella now. "Oh, shut up Bella."
Rose raised her eyebrow, and Alice turned her stare to Mike.
"Mike, are you serious?" Bella asked, stepping between him and Edward.
"Did I stutter?"
Before Bella knew what her body was doing, she felt her fist make contact with Mike's face. He stumbled back and tripped over Emmett's well-placed foot, landing with a thud on the thick carpet. By this time a crowd had gathered. Jasper was throwing death glares at the boy on the floor now, visibly being held back by Angela and Jessica.
"No, which is why you are now on the floor." Bella turned to Edward who was staring at her slack-jawed. The crowd dispersed and Edward pulled her to a corner, examining her hand. Jasper was yelling at Mike, who was being pulled toward the door by his very embarrassed looking parents.
"Ok, Mike Tyson. You sure do like to throw those punches."
"Hey, he earned it. I can't believe I wasted my time with him." She was upset, trying to hide the tears between her hair and the floor.
"Hey," Edward said, cupping her face and lifting it to him. "You are right. He did deserve it. And he surely does not deserve you."
Bella shook her head but Edward replied with a kiss. She felt her knees buckle, and he wrapped his arm around her waist, bringing her closer.
"ISABELLA MARIE SWAN!" Bella jerked back quickly, hearing her mother's high pitched voice travel over the dwindling crowd.
"Shit. Edward, I better go. I hope to see you soon." She kissed his cheek quickly, and turned towards her mother's voice, which was repeating her name at the same volume.
"I'm here mom, let's go." She gathered her things from Jasper, who still looked pissed.
"You, young lady, are in no position to be telling me what to do. We are leaving now, and you and I will discuss your punishment in the limo."
Bella shook her head and, upon leaving, shot one last smile at Edward.
* * *
The windows were rolled down in Edward's Volvo. The three were soaking up the last few days that a Washington summer could offer. The sun was out, but the temperature was barely above 70. Emmett had the radio turned up loud. He was singing along to something Bella had never heard before.
"Yooooouuuuuuuuu, your sex is on fiiiiiiiyyyyyyaaaaa."
His wailing had only emphasized the tense silence that rest between Edward and Bella. Well, Bella-Jasper. The boys had agreed to pick her up Sunday afternoon. Jasper had thankfully taken off early, and Angela and Jessica had waited until Bella was safely out of her mother's house before heading back to Forks.
To say Bella was in deep trouble would be an understatement. Not only had she punched someone, but she had punched Mike Newton, whose mother happened to be an important member of the League. Also, Bella was "a lady and ladies just do not throw punches willy-nilly!" She had listened to her mother's lecture throughout the entire limo ride home, through breakfast, through packing, and through lunch. Eventually Renee gave up and left Bella alone.
The drive back was quiet. Even Emmett stopped singing aloud, though Bella watched him mouth the words to nearly every song that played.
They finally turned into the Cullen's driveway, pulling into the garage and getting out of the car.
"Boys!" Esme had stepped into the garage, a smile etched on her face. "I've made dinner, come in before unpacking."
They silently made their way into the house, and Esme looked questioningly over her shoulder. Silence from her boys was unheard of.
Alice and Rose were already seated at the table. Apparently tradition stood. After every ball, Esme gathered Edward, Emmett, Rose and Alice to talk about the previous night. Bella was a new addition this year.
"Hey guys," Alice said, as they sat. Rose smiled at the three, raising her eyebrow at Esme when she realized how quiet the boys were.
"So, how was the dance last night kids?" Carlisle had walked into the dining room now, the last to enter. Esme began passing dishes around the table.
Alice broke the silence when no one else spoke. "I thought it was a success Carlisle. I had a blast, and every one looked so nice. What did you think, Jasper?"
Alice caught Bella off guard, but she swallowed her mouthful of spaghetti and answered. "I had fun. I still don't understand what happened with Tanya, though."
Rose looked at Alice out of the corner of her eye and hid a small smile behind her napkin.
"Oh, that poor girl. She looked quite upset when she came downstairs." She looked pointedly at Alice and Rose.
"Edward, didn't you dance with Jasper's sister last night?" Carlisle asked, picking up his water glass.
Bella looked down at her plate, avoiding Edward's gaze.
"I did, dad. Your sister is lovely, Jasper."
Bella nodded, still not making eye contact.
* * *
Bella's phone vibrated under her pillow at 4:45 a.m. exactly. Instead of setting an alarm that would wake Edward as well, she had set her phone to wake her up so she would have at least 15 minutes in the shower before anyone on the floor would be in the restroom. Classes didn't start until 8:30, but Bella didn't want to take any chances. She wasn't about to attend her first day—Jasper's first day—of classes without a shower.
After successfully showering and not getting caught, she crept quietly back into her room. She dressed quickly in the closet, her uniform slightly wrinkled and her tie crooked. It didn't matter to her though. Jasper would probably not wear his uniform correctly after Bella left.
After getting dressed, she crawled back into bed and slept until Edward's alarm woke her.
"Why are you already dressed, Jasper?" Edward's sleep-ridden voice forced her eyes open, and she sat up slowly, adjusting her wig.
Bella gave a non-committing shrug and stretched her hands above her head. Edward left for the showers, leaving Bella at least fifteen minutes of solitude. She sat on her bed, processing her schedule for the day and packing the old green backpack she had taken from her mom's house. Walking around with "I 3 Boys!" scrawled on her backpack straps would not make a good impression on Jasper's part.
Edward returned soon after, getting dressed. Though 'Jasper' respectfully turned his head, Bella had a hard time tearing her eyes away from Edward's half-naked torso. When he turned his back, she felt herself staring, only managing to distract herself with a planner before she was caught.
Breakfast with Emmett was strained. In fact, ever since returning from Seattle last night, Edward had been unreasonably quiet. Bella was used to his contemplative silence—at least he would throw in a few sarcastic remarks, or joke with Emmett. Bella was unused to Edward struggling to form polite conversation. Emmett just looked at Bella and shrugged when Bella asked him to pass the syrup and he downright ignored her.
AP English started at promptly 8:30 a.m. Bella was already in a seat, realizing after the bell rang that Jasper would be unhappy with his front row chair. Rosalie had walked in two minutes before the bell, snagging the seat to Bella's right. Class went by slowly. After discussing the reading list (Jasper would not be pleased—he hated Joyce. Bella was disappointed this wasn't her class list) the teacher broke the class into groups and had them dissect a sonnet by Neruda, one of Bella's favorite poets. At least she would enjoy one class this week.
Rose said goodbye as Bella made her way to College Algebra. The only familiar face she found in this class was Laurent, the boy who had that creepy thing for Alice. When she passed him on her way to a seat in the back (Jasper would enjoy that) he caught a picture of Alice on his binder. It made Bella shudder.
Anatomy was the only class Jasper-Bella had with Emmett and Edward. The grey lab was pretty large compared to Forks High. The teacher also seemed much more eager to teach than Coach Banner, who was always distracted by soccer.
Lunchtime was uneventful. Alice and Rose joined the three for the meal. Edward was still brooding and disconnected. Bella seemed to be to the only one concerned about his behavior. When he left the table to get some milk, she asked Emmett.
"Hey man, what's up with Edward?" She tried to lower her voice.
Rosalie interjected. "Is he being all moody and quiet again? I hate when he does this. I swear sometimes he is in sync with Alice and me." Bella blushed, aware of what Rose meant by 'in sync.'
"What do you mean by in sync Rose?" Emmett asked, clueless.
"Nothing Em," She sighed. Alice just giggled. She had been uncharacteristically quiet today too.
Edward returned, bringing with him the bad mood that settled over their lunch table.
AP US History was with Alice, and Bella smiled at the thrill Jasper would get from that. What he liked more than any pretty face was a girl who could joke about American history.
'Shop' turned out to be wood shop, something Bella hadn't been too bad at the previous year at Forks High. Jasper would hate it, she knew, but it didn't matter. He just had to last a semester. He'd get to pick something else, like music, next semester.
Instead of heading toward the gymnasium for intramurals, Bella returned to Alder to get ready for soccer. As an 'athlete,' Jasper would attend soccer practice instead of the traditional gym class that most of his classmates would grow to dread over the semester. Bella was well aware that Jasper would have preferred that to the torture he would endure during soccer practice.
* * *
"Come on Jasper. We have been working on this play for a week now. You don't pass to me, you pass to Jack!"
Bella dribbled the balled in frustration, ignoring Edward's angry yelling. He'd been irritable all morning, and coach wouldn't let them go until they nailed this play. Dinner was supposed to start in an hour, and Bella was starving after a light lunch.
Bella stopped in the middle of the field, her foot resting on the ball. "I understand Cullen, but a guy can only do so much. The defense coach is pushing is not something one person can handle."
Edward shook his head.
"If I can handle it, you can handle it. Now suck it up and let's try it again."
Bella rolled her eyes, shaking off his words.
They ran the play two more times, and Bella nailed her passes with precision timing. Instead of encouraging words from Edward after each successful run, he turned his back on Bella and looked down to the clipboard he was holding.
The walk back to Alder was tense. Emmett felt the heaviness of the air and kept quiet, nodding hello's to a few people and hanging back from Edward and Bella.
Bella was seething. She had run hard practices before, pushing her teammates and pissing people off. But she always made sure to let her team know that what was said on the field wasn't personal. Edward had just been all around pissy. When the rest of the team gathered for a cheer, huddling in the middle of the field, Edward stood on the outskirts of the group and gave a half-hearted yell. The looks he kept shooting Bella were deadly, and Bella started questioning herself. She wondered if Jasper had said or done something to Edward on Saturday. When Bella had left him on Saturday night he had seemed happy and cheerful. But when he picked up 'Jasper' on Sunday, he'd been quiet and brooding. It was driving Bella insane.
She was so lost in thought, she didn't notice that she had drifted off the sidewalk on to the grass. Edward was watching her out of the corner of his eye, still angry. Bella turned to look at Edward, opening her mouth to ask him a question when she suddenly felt her kneecaps meet the edge of a bench. She felt her feet kick up and toppled over the bench, her face landing on the wet grass and her feet coming over her head and landing beside her on the grass.
Emmett was doubled over in laughter, walking over to the bench that had just caused her fall and sitting down. Edward was rolling his eyes, and came over to her, extending a hand.
"Jesus, Jasper. Could you be any more clumsy?" His words were harsh, not light and joking like Bella expected.
She pushed his hand away, and stood on her own.
"Ok man, I've let it go long enough. What is your problem?"
Edward looked surprised. "What are you talking about? I don't have a problem."
"Bullshit," Emmett half-coughed. His back was to them now, and he was examining a leaf in his palm.
"Emmett's right. You've been quiet and moody since you picked me up yesterday. You've been playing the Byronic hero since we woke up this morning, and you were a down right asshole during practice."
"Whatever man, stop imagining things." He rolled his eyes.
"No, Edward. Tell me what your problem is." Bella had never been confrontational, but hiding behind Jasper gave her a confidence that she had never really embraced.
"You know what my problem is? My problem is you. Ever since I picked you up yesterday, you have been shooting me dirty looks. If you don't want me to be with your sister, you need to just come out and say it."
"Dude, really? Is that why you have been all moody and…lame?"
Edward didn't look any less angry.
"Edward, Bella is a big girl. She can make her own decisions. Obviously I trust you, or I would have thrown you on the floor next to Newton Saturday night."
Edward relaxed a little, his shoulders less tense. Emmett, who had now turned to face them, looked between the two of them before speaking.
"I told you Ed. Now can we please stop being women and go back to laughing about how Jasper looked flipping over this bench?"
Bella started laughing and Edward cracked a smile.
"I was not being an asshole during practice, for the record."
"Dude, fifteen suicides is kind of an asshole thing." Emmett replied, shoving his brother's shoulder.
"For real, Edward. It was shitty. I can barely walk," Bella smiled, pointing to the bench.
"Whatever. I'm hungry, can we go eat?"
The three made their way to the dining hall, with Edward back to his normal, only semi-brooding self.
* * *
Late at night, when the orange lights played on the slick, wet surface of the sidewalk, Bella did her best thinking. She would tell Edward she was taking a walk, he would nod in distraction (he and Emmett were trying to beat Assassin's Creed together), and she would leave. Sometimes it'd be 20 minutes, sometimes it'd be two hours. It really would just depend.
Tonight, though she was dressed like her brother and walking like her brother, her thoughts belonged exclusively to her. Her head was a million miles about the earth. Her mind was floating next to a star, resting on a cloud. When she reached this place, especially in her younger years, the only person able to pull her down to earth was Jasper. Her mother would snap her fingers, clap her hands; her father would gruffly yell her name, or try and tickle her. But it was Jasper would walk into a room, and Bella would know instantly. Even before they grew close, they had always had that cliché twin-bonding thing.
Tonight Bella was sprawled out on a bench, hidden in a grove of trees. The clearing where the bench sat gave a perfect view of the sky. The clouds were drifting over the stars and the moon, playing with the shadows and making the damp grass and leaves sparkle.
Bella didn't hear Alice approach the bench.
Suddenly Bella bolted upright, feeling tiny fingertips brush against her forehead. She felt her head narrowly miss Alice's, who thankfully jerked back just in time.
"Jasper?" Alice was panting now. "You scared the crap out of me. I thought you passed out."
Bella composed herself, slightly, adjusting her wig. "No, Alice. Sorry. I was spacing out."
"I can see that," the girl said, clearly entertained. "I said your name like ten times."
Bella shrugged, giving her an apologetic smile. "I get caught up in my own head sometimes. Sorry."
"It's ok," she said, plopping down next to Bella on the bench. Bella made room for the girl, putting space between them.
It was silent for a few minutes. Bella listened to the trees and the steady, even breathing of Alice. She kept checking her phone, hoping for contact from Jasper or Edward. She was so caught up in lighting the screen of her phone, she jumped when Alice spoke.
"What are you hiding Jasper?" She sounded sure of herself, like Bella's reply wasn't going to surprise her.
"I—I—uh, what do you…what are you talking--?" Before Bella could even form a coherent reply, Alice attacked her mouth.
To say this kiss was awkward would be the understatement of the century, in Bella's eyes. She quickly pushed Alice off her, wiping furiously at her mouth and forgetting that the girl was still sitting on the bench, wide-eyed. Instead of looking upset or hurt over 'Jasper's' actions, however, her eyes were alive with a gleam Bella could identify only as understanding.
"You aren't Jasper." Alice stated, rather than asked. She was buzzing excitedly, her hands shaking and her shoulder tense.
"You aren't Jasper. I knew it. I knew it, ever since the ball when I realized Jasper's eyes were changing color. I knew it, I just knew it."
Bella tried to interrupt her at various moments throughout her revelation, but Alice's persistent flow of one-sided conversation stopped her attempts.
"You're Bella, aren't you?"
Accepting defeat, Bella slumped down on the bench next to the girl who looked like she was ready to leap up and do a victory dance at any minute.
"How did you figure it out?" Bella asked, dropping the Jasper voice.
"HA! Oh Bella, Bella, Bella. I am so excited right now." She wrapped her arms around Bella's shoulders, laughing.
"Did you really have to kiss me?" Bella grimaced, wiping her mouth again with the back of her hand for good measure. "I mean, no offense…"
"It was all part of my plan. Oh, Bella, do you know what this means?"
"What?" Bella stared at her, clueless.
"Jasper isn't gay! He is interested in females, which means he might be interested in me!"
"Of course he isn't—I'm not—did you think I was gay while I pretending to be Jasper?"
"Come on Bella, you dressed in the closet and went out of your way to hide your eyes when Edward changed. Even with Rose and I in the room, acting like nothing was out of the ordinary."
"Well, it's different…you've known him longer…" Bella pouted, suddenly panicked at being found out.
"It's ok, it all makes sense now. The outrageous shower times, the occasional girly comment…I can't believe the guys haven't caught on."
"Alice!" She interrupted, suddenly alarmed. "You can't tell Edward and Emmett. You can't even tell Rosalie! This is important, I can't leave until Saturday. Jasper won't be back until then!"
"Calm down Bella, I wasn't going to tell anyone." She chuckled a bit, relaxing back on her hands and watching the now cloudy sky. "I can't believe you deceived me for so long!" She didn't sound upset, only in awe at Bella's skilful portrayal of her twin.
"I honestly thought I would be found out sooner than this." She smiled a bit now, and hesitantly took of her wig.
Alice smiled and nudged her with her shoulder. "Your secret is safe with me, in any case."
"You don't know how good it feels to take this thing off," she said, gesturing to the wig on her lap.
"So," Alice turned to Bella. "Tell me how you thought you could pull this off?" Her eyes sparkled with excitement as Bella began to speak.
