I practically skipped my way to meet Rosalie and Emmett at lunch, lifted at the possibility of me and Jasper being something more. I still couldn't quite grasp the concept, he was so perfect physically, golden hair and golden eyes, his strong jaw and high cheekbones… I could feel myself melting at the thought of kissing him again.

Again.

Now that I'd finally let myself see that I truly did have feelings for him, there was nothing I could do stop the floodgates opening. Pictures flooded my mind of Jazz and I together, holding hands, sharing a bed, amongst other things… blood rushed to my cheeks at the thought of being intimate with him. I still couldn't help but doubt if Jasper could actually want me that way. But he did, Edward told me, and he had no reason to lie. Esme too.

"Hey Beatrice, you alright?"

Emmett greeted me, ruffling my hair. I tried to smooth it back down, not wanting to deal with the tangled red mess he'd created.

"What's up guys?" I asked, dropping my bag onto their table and slumping into my chair.

"Just talking about the gala tonight, I'm so glad I can actually dress up again, we haven't had a proper event since Bella and Edward's wedding." Rosalie gushed, her excitement tangible.

"The university gala? Of course you guys will be going. I'm so jealous, I've never gotten to wear a ball gown before." I replied.

"You should come!" Rosalie insisted, "Jasper and Alice are going to be hunting tonight so we have extra tickets."

"Will Carlisle and Esme be okay with that?" I worried out loud. I don't want to intrude anymore than I already was, what with me living them.

"Don't be silly, we'd love you to come. Plus it'd just be you home alone for most of the night otherwise. I'm sure Rose has some dresses for you to borrow." Emmett insisted, and I couldn't say no to his eagerness.

"Some? Thanks to Alice I have a whole wardrobe full. We can have a look when we get home." Rose smiled, and I was suddenly looking forward to having plans for once.

I was grinning so much my cheeks were hurting, and Rosalie was perceptive enough to know that I wasn't simply excited about a ball and a chance to dress up.

"What's making you so happy?" she questioned. I just shook my head, still smiling.

"It's nothing Rose, just… I think Jasper might actually like me as more than a friend?" Rosalie's face dropped, her mouth slightly parted. She was probably just surprised that I confessed my feelings out loud.

The rest of the day passed quickly with the gala looming, but I hadn't seen Jasper or Alice all day and I was missing them both.

When we got back to the Cullen's mansion Rosalie took me straight upstairs to her room, throwing open her wardrobe and pulling out dress after dress and throwing them onto her chaise longue. A black silk dress caught my eyes, and Rosalie noticed.

"You like this one do you? Isn't it gorgeous, it would show of your body amazingly! Jasper won't be able to keep his eyes off you." She winked. I blushed again, but couldn't deny that I liked the idea. He'd never looked at me with lust.

Rosalie helped me into the skin-tight dress, the black silk sliding over my body, emphasising my figure.

"You look so hot!" Rosalie reassured me, and I think she was being honest. Rosalie wasn't the sort to bullshit, one of the many reasons I loved her.

"Come on, I'll do your makeup and then you need to help me pick out a dress!" Like Rosalie wouldn't look good in a trash bag?

It only took 20 minutes for Rosalie do me a full face of makeup and curl my hair, applying the same red lipstick I wore the first day I met Jasper and Alice as a finishing touch.

She adjusted my hair for me, and then turned to look at herself in the mirror, her dark purple dress fit her perfectly, and I knew I was stood in the presence of the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen.

"We need to get going, we can't be late, Esme is the guest of honour." Rosalie smiled, so proud of her mother. Rightly so: Esme was incredible.

I stumbled into the hallway, struggling in Rosalie's five inch heels. Rosalie ran downstairs to go and talk to Esme, and I followed behind, trying not to break an ankle. I was so busy concentrating on waking that I nearly didn't notice Jasper leave his room, walking right into the hallway.

I looked up at the vampire, my eyelashes heavy with mascara.

"Oh hey Jazz." I grinned, trying to let him know that I'd forgiven him for our argument this morning, and hoping that he would forgive me for what I'd said to Esme this morning.

"Bea… you… holy Shit." He stuttered. Had I actually flustered the ice cold Jasper Hale? From the way his eyes roamed up and down my body, lingering on my chest and cherry red lips, I'd guess yes.

"Thanks Jazz." I winked, my confidence carrying me through my brain slowly melting at his reaction. I didn't want to lose my control, loving watching his reaction.

"You're going hunting with Alice tonight right? I could do with talking to you when we're back, is that alright?" He nodded, biting his lip. Jesus fucking Christ.

"That's if I don't find a guy to hook up with." I joked, teasing him for how much he was staring at me. I instantly realised my mistake. His eyes shot up to stare into my own, his expression twisting into one i didn't recognise.

"Have fun Bea." He grunted. And he'd gone, again.

I wanted to follow him but Carlisle called me from downstairs, telling me we were going to be late if we didn't leave soon. So I carefully tiptoed down the stairs, to join my foster family for a night I was guaranteed to remember.

We took two cars to the gala, Edward driving one and Carlisle the other. I guess when you're a vampire you don't have to worry about having a designated driver.

When we arrived at the gala every eye was on the Cullens as we entered the ballroom, but that was nothing new. What did surprise me was how many people actually looked at me too, and not in the 'what the hell is she doing with them?' way. They actually looked at me with intrigue and lust. This was a new sensation. This dress must really suit me.

Throughout the night I had three guys come up to me and ask for a dance, but my mind was elsewhere. All I could think about was Jasper back at home, probably done with his hunt now. And what we could be doing if we were there together. That thought, combined with the fact that men were ogling me every time they walked past me, was enough for me to call a taxi to take me home.

I found Rosalie, who was slow dancing with Emmett. "Hey guys, I'm going to head back, I'm feeling a bit tired."

"Tired?" Emmett smirked, "or missing a certain blonde Texan vamp?"

"Em!" Rosalie scolded, slapping his chest with the back of her hand.

"Are you sure you want to leave? Jasper and Alice might still be out hunting…" Rosalie looked between Emmett and I, clearly not wanting me to leave. Which was weird because they had no problem with me being alone in the house from what I could tell.

"Rosalie, I'll be fine. I'll see you guys later." I reassured her. As I turned to leave Rosalie went to grab my arm, but I left her hand hanging in the air, just wanting to get back to Jasper, ignoring the worried look on her face.

The taxi journey took no time, as I spent the entire journey thinking about how I was going to confess my feelings for Jasper. Nothing could ruin the fantastic mood I was in, knowing I could finally clear the air between the two of us.

I paid the taxi driver and practically ran through the front door, stopping only to take in the loud music that blasted through the house. I smirked to myself: of course Jasper liked Indie-rock.

I couldn't even hear my steps over the thumping music, I couldn't work out why Jasper was listening to his music so loudly.

I reached his door, and knocked, but heard nothing, so I twisted the door handle and poked my head around the door, grinning at the fact that Jasper was so into his music he was oblivious to me.

But my smile dropped from my face. And my breath caught in my throat, choking me.

Because there was Jasper, naked. Fucking Alice.