Bella's POV

"Damn it."

I threw the book of foreign conjugated verbs to the floor. "Ugh." I was restless. And disappointed. It was almost ten at night, and I was sure that he'd be here by now. Stupid, unreliable boy…

A muffled, "Aw, fuck!" sailed up from the yard. Grinning ear to ear, I raced to my window, pulling it open and letting the cool, floral breeze into the room.

"What are you doing there?" I asked, barely able to restrain a giggle, "It's cold!"

"Trying to see you!" he huffed, swinging a long leg haphazardly over a thick branch.

"You're crazy," I said, muffling a smile. "If you fall and break your neck, I'll laugh."

He reached my window, shuffling over until his fingers gripped my window sill. "Now, that's a lie," He said, his voice lower than it was before. And God damn how delicious that accent made "lie" sound coming out of his mouth. I shivered and backed up enough to let him crawl inside. He brushed off his jacket before stalking towards me. I grinned and backed up as he stepped forward, step for step, until the back of my knees knocked into the bed.

I bit my lip to keep from sighing as he reached out and placed his hands on my bare shoulders.

"This is what you wear to bed?" he asked lightly, tracing the straps of my thin tank top.

"Usually," I purred, entwining his fingers with mine before laying down on the bed. He effortlessly lowered himself on top of me, still gazing at me with soft and eager eyes. Gently removing his hands from mine, he gripped my waist and rolled us over so that I was straddling him. With a cheeky smile, he put his hands behind his head, looking like the epitome of relaxation.

"Sometimes, I don't wear anything," I said, desperate to break his calm façade. His face betrayed him by briefly showing a flash of lust. I smiled at him before running one hand slowly down my neck, circling my collarbone before lightly tracing one breast. His smile was gone as his eyes fervently followed my hands' progress. I reached down and traced idle patterns on his thin tshirt with my free hand. He took a slow breath.

"And why…" Was it me, or did he just say "why" with more of an accent than usual? Manipulative jackass. He moved his arms from behind his head and placing them both so firmly on my hips that I could feel the heat of them through my cotton boyshorts. "Would you do that?" His voice was lower every second, husky and dark.

"Well…" I sighed dramatically, watching his eyes dilate as my wandering hand traced my navel before meeting his hand on my right hip, "Sometimes I hope my boyfriend will come over, so I just lay here naked. I feel so sexy when I do. But he ends up disappointing me and not showing up, so then I usually…" I trailed off, glancing at the ceiling as if deep in thought. His fingers digging into my hips tightened. Take that, you sexy accent-y bastard.

"What?" he croaked. I gave him a faux-bashful smile before leaning down and brushing my lips lightly against his.

I whispered against his lips, "I usually end up touching myself."

He groaned, wiggling under me. I laughed, throwing my head back in unrestrained joy. He made me feel… giddy. What was that line from "Natural Born Killers"? You make every day feel like kindergarten. That fit him and me.

I gave a startled yelp as he flipped us over yet again, this time much closer, lying flush to my body. He grasped my wrists tightly, almost tight enough to hurt, pinning them to the mattress. My breath came quickly as he effortlessly took both of my wrists in one hand, leaving the other free to touch my cheek.

"You need to be quiet, darlin'."

Okay, now I knew he was doing it on purpose.

"Hmmph," I scoffed, playfully nipping my teeth at his fingers as they touched my lips. "Charlie's over at Tanya's. Even if he was here, a freight train could pass through and it wouldn't wake him." I eyed him suspiciously, "You've been over here enough. You know that."

"Maybe I do." He smiled at me and I felt like dying. In a good way. Guh, the boy was just gorgeous. I could spend hours looking into his eyes, trying to find a name for their color. In regular lights like in my room, they seemed a dark, ocean blue. In school, under the obscenely unflattering flourescents, they were more of a light indigo. It was only in the daylight that the gray was easy to spot.

"While this S&M thing is kinda hot, I really need to finish a few things before our cuddlefest," I said matter-of-factly. He chuckled, releasing my wrists but still keeping his hand on my cheek, drawing his thumb lightly across my face. I looked down, willing the traitorous blush I felt coming on to go away.

We'd only been dating for three weeks, but we already had a set routine. Most nights Jasper would just walk in the front door and stay until after Charlie left for work, if Charlie was even home. If he was feeling particularly dramatic, he would climb the tree by my window. He said it was romantic. I said that there was something wrong with his brain, but I liked him and it anyway.

This was all still very foreign to me. Being in a relationship. A real, honest, stable one.

It was weird, but I liked it.

Physically, I felt like I was lost at sea without a paddle. I had no idea how to proceed. I'd asked Rosalie, Alice and Laurent all their opinions on what my limits should be. I wasn't a virgin, and I knew he wasn't, but I knew I was in unfamiliar territory. The old Bella was impulsive- if I wanted a kiss, I would either take it or ask for it. The same for sex. I was pretty sure that real relationships aren't built on hot, impulsive sex. But wouldn't it be great if they were?

Everyone had different advice. Rosalie, who was much more relaxed courtesy of Emmett's influence, had given me a hippie response: "Bella, I swear, chill out. Just go with the flow. If it feels right, do it!"

Alice was much more specific: "Okay, two weeks at least for fingering. At least a month for oral. Two months or a declaration of love for intercourse, whichever comes first." As much as I appreciated her calendar-oriented strategy, it all seemed a little too strict for me.

Laurent, bless him, was blunt as always. "No one will tell you what you want to hear, Bells. You want to hear that he'll respect you no matter what you do. I don't fucking know, and neither does anyone else. You just gotta figure it out on your own." He'd left me with a kiss on the forehead after making me promise to call him with updates ("And I'll come back in a flash and kick his blondie ass if he acts up, just say the word!")

School was almost the same as it was before, except Jasper and I were obviously a couple. We held hands in the hallways. He made faces at me in bio when the teacher wasn't looking, trying to make me laugh. He almost always picked me up every morning for school. When he didn't, it was because Alice had thrown her weekly tantrum, bemoaning the fact that every time I rode the bike, my hair would be a disaster by the time I got to school.

On those days, she and Rosalie would show up and escort me to school in the car, where I was safe from my hair being disheveled. God forbid I would drive myself… at least Jasper and the girls seemed to agree on that point. No one trusted my poor truck.

Everything was going so well that it scared me. Well, with Jasper, at least. Edward was even being decent. Or as decent as a deprecating, self-righteous asshole could be. He didn't speak to me, and I was content with that. He and Jasper hadn't had any fights or arguments about me at all. It made me a little suspicious, but I couldn't very well confront Jasper about his best friend not starting fights.

The one major thorn in my metaphorical paw was James. I could tell I'd hurt his feelings at Alice's party by disappearing with Jasper. He didn't speak to me for a few days after that night, and it bothered me. I knew that kissing him had been a mistake. I probably would've gone for more if Jasper wasn't in the picture. He'd been warming up to me again, though, which made me really happy. I found myself able to talk to him about things that I didn't feel right discussing with Jasper or the girls. For instance, only he could share my humiliation at what our parents were doing together.

He didn't frown or look like a kicked puppy when I held hands with or kissed Jasper anymore. Still, I'd catch those looks on his face sometimes when he thought I wasn't looking. I was going to have to make sure he knew that even though I had a boyfriend, we could still be close and hang out. Jasper wasn't too fond of this idea, but he kept his mouth shut. The perfect boyfriend.

We'd been having heavy make-out sessions for the past week or so. Tonight I was hoping to knock off one if not two more base(s). I was ready, and my want for him was getting to frustrating levels.

I was sure he wouldn't object.

What straight, rational man would?

I brushed my teeth and preened in the mirror before changing into the silky robe hanging up on the hook over the door. Showtime.

I entered my bedroom again, dramatically posing with one hand on the door frame. He whistled low, his eyes perusing me before reaching my eyes. I walked leisurely to the bed, sitting down on the edge. I smiled nervously as I felt his breath from behind me.

"This is… new." He murmured, pressing his lips lightly to my neck.

"Uh… hummm…" I stuttered, leaning into his touch.

'Cause I'll never be,
More than I expect from me
The whole of me dedicated to your misery,
You're a whore, I'm a hero

I groaned and flopped down on the bed as Jasper scrambled for his cell phone. He squeezed my hand apologetically before flipping open the phone.

"Hey man. Yeah, great new ring tone. Not sure I want to know when you put that on there." He said, sounding a little frustrated.

I scowled before a cunning smile took over my features. I straddled his lap, letting my robe fall open below my breasts. Jasper's jaw dropped as he listened to the other end, watching as I slowly wound my legs around his waist. I rested my elbows on his shoulders, letting my fingers play with his hair as I leaned in and brushed my lips around his neck and collarbone.

"Uh…" he squeaked, "Are you sure?" His free hand skimmed down the side of my robe, bunching the fabric in his fingers. He sighed before reluctantly letting go, and pushing on me to get off of him. My mouth wide open in astonishment and anger, I dismounted the only boy in a 50 mile radius who would dare turn me down. For a phone call. I clutched my robe tightly to me as I stomped off to the bathroom to change back into my top and shorts.

My dignity slightly more intact, I walked into my room. Jasper's face was somber and apologetic. "Bella, I'm sorry. He's at a party and the Volvo won't start." I bit back a laugh, turning my back to him as I thumbed through my dresser for something less slutty to wear. Do I even own flannel?

"Who is 'he'?" I asked, unable to keep my tone neutral. I grasped the sweatpants I'd discovered, putting them on.

"You know who I'm talking about," he sighed. "Edward."

I snorted. "And there's no one else that can help jumpstart his car? Right."

"Bella," he said reproachfully. "Edward's been great these past weeks. C'mon, cut him some slack. I am his best friend."

"It's a party! There must be fifty sluts with SUV's there that are drooling to help him." I bit my lip, "Why does he need you to help him?"

"He asked, and I'm going. I'm sorry, okay? You know that I'd rather be here than anywhere else." He turned me to face him before kissing my lips with a tenderness that I didn't deserve. My anger melted away as quickly as it'd come, and all I could feel was longing.

"I know. It's just…" I struggled to find the right phrasing, treading lightly, "He's always calling you and doing all that cutesy shit, like your ringtone."

"That's his way of showing he's still my friend, baby." Jasper sounded a little upset. Jesus, I had to walk on eggshells around the topic of Edward.

"I know what friends are." I withdrew from his arms, feeling the loss as I sat down on my bed, "I just… I want you all to myself, I guess." He kissed my forehead before grasping my hand.

"It's mutual, believe me." He said, a smile on his face. I rolled my eyes at the cheesy wink he gave me before I waved him off.

"Go, save your damsel in distress." I said, smirking playfully. He sighed, kissing me again before walking out the door towards the stairs. "What, no climbing out my window?" I called out, amused.

"Using the door is just as romantic!" He called back right before I heard the front door close. I bit back a smile, lying down on my bed and stretching. Edward shouldn't even be in school. He was already trained for his perfect job: professional cockblocker.

Edward's POV

"That's weird that your battery died. Did you leave your lights on?" Jasper asked inquisitively as he got the cables out of his backpack.

I shrugged, "I don't think so. But I don't know." Jasper hooked the cables to my engine and to his mother's Durango that was always in his garage at home. He gunned the engine, yelling for me to start the Volvo. As it purred to life, my headlights turned on. Jasper laughed as I blushed slightly. Leaving both engines on, we met outside between the two cars.

"Alright, I'm an idiot." I admitted. He shrugged, an amused smile on his face. I titled my head and looked at him a little closer. He seemed so much more happy-go-lucky lately. Always in a good mood. Rationally, I knew that I had Bella to thank for this change in him. Just as that thought reached my head, my phone buzzed in my pocket. Jasper cocked an eyebrow.

"Hot date?" he grinned. I looked down at the screen and my stomach sank a little. Huh.

"Something like that." I said, struggling to keep a casual tone. He rolled his eyes at me as I walked about ten yards away to the left of our cars.

"Hello?" I answered, knowing full well who was calling.

"Hey," she said, sounding eager. "I know I said I'd call you when I got into town. I wanted to let you know I'll be by next week, probably on Thursday. You know where I could stay?"

"Yeah," he cleared his throat. "I'm… not sure if it's a good idea that you come by." What am I doing?!

There was silence for a few moments before she answered. "What are you talking about? I specifically changed my plans so I could visit Forks for a week or so."

"I'm sorry, I just… things have, um, changed a little since you've been gone."

"With Jasper?" She finally asked, her voice heavy, "Did you tell him I was coming and he freaked out or something?"

"No, I haven't told him. But Maria, he has a girlfriend."

The detail seemed inconsequential to her. "Whatever," she laughed, "Oh god, I thought you were going to say he had a kid or something! Jesus Edward, don't scare me like that!" Before I could respond, I heard some muffled voices on her end, "Ah, I gotta go. Expect me on Thursday. I'll call you. Bye!" The phone clicked, signaling her hanging up on me.

I'd managed to encourage her even more. My sudden, unexpected attack of conscience had only served to make her more determined to get Jasper back, if only for a few days.

I glanced over to my best friend, who was talking animatedly to Emmett. Since he was standing by a street light, I could clearly see the smile on his face. He only smiled like that when he was talking about her.

I reasoned with myself as I walked back towards him. This is what I wanted. And I undeniably wanted Bella, if only to get her out of my system. Jasper was better off without her, anyway. He'd find someone else to make him happy. It was the right thing to do. I repeated it to myself as I stood next to my best friend.

Why do I feel so wrong?

Chapter End Notes:

Song lyrics are "For Your Misery" by Face Down. Oh no, I foresee some conflict on the horizon! Review review review please!

Preview of Chapter 11:

"I can't see why I'd want to listen to anything you have to say, Edward."

"I didn't mean- look, just give me a minute-"

I cut him off as I looked beyond his absurdly messy hair to the cafeteria entrance. I cocked my head to the side, curious. She looked too pretty, too exotic to be trapped in here.

"Who is that?" I asked, forgetting for a moment who I was talking to. He looked from me to her, his face draining of any color. I narrowed my eyes, "Edward, who is that? I can see that you know."

"He sure does." Her voice was clear and high. I turned, surprised at her close proximity. "It's so wonderful to meet you." She said, clasping my right hand in both of hers, "And it'll be even nicer to watch your face when he's mine."