"Thank you," I told him earnestly, once more. "You welcome," he shrugged. I made my way to Trigonometry class, still slightly fearful after the incident with Alice. Speaking of which, there was no sign of her. With that thought, I relaxed somewhat as I sat down at my seat at the back of the classroom. I took out my homework and quickly scribbled all the answers on the questions.

It wasn't that hard really, I've practiced a lot of this subject. My handwriting was barely legible, but it would have to do. I continued doodling, this time trying to draw a cabin by a lake. Keyword is trying.

I frowned at it, then started another drawing at the corner of the page. I knew Edward and Bella had just entered the room, but payed their presence no mind. I was as sure as I could be he did not pose an immediate a threat to me.

Mr. Varner came around to collect everyone's homework, thankfully he hadn't assigned anything new the day before, so just handed him the sheet of paper carelessly.

"Mr. Arrastia," the teacher said, "Have some respect. Look at me in the eye while handing in papers, and stop doodling for goodness gracious!"

I did as he asked, staring at him with my most intimidating looks.

"Of course, Mr. Varner. I apologize for my disrespect," I said, smile and sweet voice not matching my glare. He curtly nodded, trying not to show his fear, and quickly distanced himself from me.

As he walked away I rolled my eyes. The bags under his eyes told me he had not had a pleasant night. If I had to guess, I'd say he had a with a fight with his wife, which I knew he had because he wore a marriage ring. SLightly worn, so I'd guess they were married for a little less than ten years.

As Mr. Varner talked, I continued drawing, though every few minutes or so I'd look up and meet his eye. That way he knew I was paying a little bit of attention, just enough as he didn't feel the need to call on me. The glare I had given him must have helped a little.

My thoughts strayed towards the Cullen family. Except for Alice, I doubt any of them were even a little inclined to go on sour terms with me and my brother. They were "vegetarians", as Jasper said, which must mean something.

Jasper. The Connection. God, I had to tell him. My fingers were holding the base of my nose, forehead scrunched together in distress. Do you really need to tell him? my brain asked me, It would only put him in danger. You remember what happened to Ly–

I ordered my brain to shut up. I did remember what happened to her, I remembered it way too well. But what would happen if I fought against the bond? I had found nothing in the Old Book that told stories of those that did so.

I looked back at my notebook. In the drawing of a lake I drew a mermaid looking at a girl from underwater, both hands near the surface as if they were mirrored. Two beings from different worlds, yet so alike. I gave the mermaid gills, then pointy ears. I added a few shadows as to look like her face was hollowed in at the cheeks.

I packed my things and tried to pay attention to Mr. Varner. I got bored so quickly though, so I moved my focus towards Bella and her vampire boyfriend. They weren't talking, yet they were looking fondly at each other.

Well, Edward was at least, I couldn't see much of Bella's face. All I could see was that she kept glancing up at him and hurriedly looking back down, probably blushing furiously.

The class seemed to be neverending, I stared at the clock, at the "inspirational" posters hanging from the billboard, the teacher, the board, yet nothing seemed to captivate my attention.

I retreated back into my mind, toying around with the idea of me and Jasper. That entertained me enough as to last until the bell sounded. I sigh of relief escaped my lips. I looked at Mr. Varner as I exited the classroom, waving at him.

I felt bad for him. I mean, being intimidated by a young-looking girl who happened to be his student was kind of pathetic, and it spurted some kind of pity from me. I was in the hallway before he had the chance to wave back.

Government class. I could do this. I walked as slowly as I could without becoming a body-traffic block as to stretch out the amount of time I could spend in the rain. Besides me there were a bunch of students, mostly girls, running towards other buildings protecting their heads with either books or umbrellas.

Worried a little rain will ruin your hair?. I gave a small chuckle at my own comment. I got to Government class a few moments before the bell rung.

I sat on the same seat from yesterday. I mean, not that I had any choice, I was once again one of the last students to enter the class, and therefore there were limited seats available.

Edward and Jasper were sitting behind me, not seeming to care I was there. I turned around, gave them a smile and said hi. Jasper's eyes came up and met mine, illuminating his whole face. I was feeling happy, content, when Edward looked at him and seemed to send a mental message. Jasper's face turned into something similar to a snarl, he was feral looking. If I said was not frightened it would be a lie.

I stepped back, away from the possible confrontation between the two vampires. Edward said something, yet the volume was so low I couldn't hear the words. "Please turn away, Grace." Jasper said, pleadingly. I nodded and did as he asked. Edward was muttering under his breath to Jasper, but I the latter didn't say anything. They were kind of just glaring at each other, one whispering to each other.

I stayed quiet the rest of class, my mind not making any funny or painfully true comments. The tension radiated from Jasper and Edward, seeming to come off in waves and hit into me. My mind was into a different mindset, I was calm yet in no way relaxed. I realized later that I was concentrated to my very soul, ready to fight or to flee had the occasion risen.

I payed attention, wrote some notes about the subject that I would never review over, and tried to focus on class. Eventually the bell rung and I gathered my things and left the classroom. I walked to English class wondering about the brothers, and what they could be arguing about.

I settled myself on the seat from yesterday, but I fervently wondered whether Jasper would sit besides me again or not. I opened my notebook, prepared to spend another entire class trying to pay attention. I flipped to a new page. My notes and drawings were scattered throughout pages of the notebook, completely random.

I looked up to see Jasper approaching me. He gave me a small smile, but his eyes were strained. He sat down besides me graciously as the bell rung. Edward sat down in the seat behind us, and I noticed Jasper looked him angrily.

"Are you okay?" I asked him, frowning my brow in worry.

"I am fine, just having a little disagreement with my brother," he answered. Mr. Mason started talking about an upcoming writing assignment. I wrote in my notebook:

About what?

He pulled the notebook towards himself and wrote back one word:

You.

I was shocked and confused. I wondered how could I reply to that. I decided on:

Do I want to know why?

"He thinks I'm dangerous for you and that I should stop, as he says, 'pursuing' you." He whispered in my ear, making me shiver lightly. My thought were scattered for a moment.

"What a hypocrite," I said, not caring Edward could hear. Damn, I wanted him to hear.

"But he is right," Jasper said, looking away, "I am dangerous. The thing is, I cannot seem to be able to stay away from you." I had to tell him about the Connection. Just not there, not at that moment with Edward eavesdropping on our every word. "I need to tell you something later," I told him.

"Ms. Arrastia, Mr. Hale, would you please stop talking during my class?" said Mr. Mason. Everyone turned towards us and stared, but I just nodded. I wrote in the notebook:

Can I ask you something?i

Jasper nodded slightly. I continued:

Why in Government class only Edward talking? You didn't reply.

He leaned in and whispered in my ear once again, "Edward can read minds."

Oh shit, I thought. Crap. What has he seen already? Don't think about it. Don't think about it. Distract yourself! 99 bottles of beer on the wall, 99 bottles of beer. Take one down, pass it around, 98 bottles of beer on the wall...

I kept singing the song, aware that Jasper was looking at me worriedly. Around the 47 bottles mark, I hear Edward hit his head lightly with his hand and groan. "Please," he begged, "Please quit singing that song."

Not happening, I thought. I sang the whole song, and repeated it over again until the bell rung, in which I threw my materials not my bag and hurriedly ran out of the room. I needed to get as far away as possible from Edward, the Mind Rapist.

So, what did you think of this chapter? Sorry I took a while to update. I also apologize for it being kinda short. Please review, every single comment I receive means a lot to me. Follow/favorite if you haven't already!

Thanks,

BluestOwl47