I woke up from my nap and felt new and refreshed. I hoped out of bed because I knew that I could go play chess with Jasper! Even though it was under Edward's supervision at least I would be able to see and talk to Jasper and that made me happy.

"You're finally up," Edward joked walking over and kissing me gently.

"Yea I was really tired sorry about that."

"Well Jasper has been downstairs waiting for you. He has the chess board all set up if you want to play," Edward added.

"Oh yea I forgot about that. Are you going to help me win?" I teased.

He laughed slightly "if you wish," he agreed.

"Okay then let's play," I said hoping out of bed. I tried not to rush down the stairs but I was just so excited to see Jasper. When I arrived down stares the glass chess set was ready to go and Jasper was sitting in a chair waiting.

"Ready to get creamed?" he joked.

"I think the question is are you ready?" I sat down across from him and was suddenly nervous because I was actually not that great at board games.

"You cannot use Edward as a tool," Jasper noted.

"I do not remember that being part of the deal I can use whatever resources I have and that included Edward," I said looking at Edward and smiling. He winked and nodded.

Jasper playfully rolled his eyes bit agreed. "Your move," he said allowing e to start the game. I made the first move and then the game became very serious. I knew Jasper was letting me stay in the game just so I wouldn't lose and leave with Edward and for that I was grateful. Every so often Edward would whisper the move I should make and it always worked. Eventually however the game did have to end.

"Check mate," Jasper announced.

"Oh dang it!" I said no seeing the move coming.

"Sorry my dear but this is man's game," he said turning his voice southern. I couldn't help but blush I loved his accent.

"Well played Bella," Carlisle said from behind. I had not even known he was standing there.

"Thank you Carlisle it was one of my better games and of course Edward kept me alive quite a few times."

"Would you mind if Edward and I played?" he asked looking at me than Edward. Edward smiled and agreed.

"Yes of course," I encouraged. I stood up and so did Jasper he put out his hand and we shook. The spark I felt when our skin touched was so electrifying.

"Well played my dear," he said still southern. Edward glanced up and me and I let go of Jaspers hand and focused on the new game about to be played.

What I was not ready for was how long vampire chess took. They were both so intelligent that the game took hours after the first hour I decided I was hungry. "I am going to go make something to eat," I said to Edward. He was so focused I doubted he knew I had spoken. I walked into the kitchen and looked through the cabinets. All the food was untouched and there were no perishables; lots of pasta and cereal, along with every flavor of soup and boxes of deserts. Jasper tapped my shoulder and I almost screamed I was scared so badly.

"I hate when you sneak up on me!" I said hitting his shoulder.

"Maybe you should get your ears checked then," he joked.

"How is the chess game going?" I asked. Talking about insignificant events killed me. All I wanted to do was jump into Jasper's arms and run far, far away.

"Pretty good, but it is almost impossible to beat Edward," Jasper laughed.

"And why is that?" I asked.

"Because he cheats with the whole mind reading thing, I mean it is not really his fault but still."

"Maybe I should play him then, no cheating could occur then," I joked. Jasper placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. He slowly ran fingers down my arm. I tingled under his touch. I grabbed his hand and could not let go. I wanted to start crying because of how messed up things had become.

"Yea you should play him that would be a great" he said squeezing my hand.

"So are you going to help me find something to eat or what?" my voice was shaky but I tried to seem normal.

"I can try but cooking it not my best extracurricular activity," he joked.

"Can you just point in the direction of where I can find sandwich type food?" I asked

"Of course," he smiled. Our hands stayed intertwined. I was worried that someone in his family might walk in and see us but I figured he would hear them come in and to be truthful there was no way I could release him. After assembling my food Jasper was forced to let go of my hand. A tear rolled down my cheek and Jasper looked at me painfully.

I wiped my face and took a bite of my food to try and pull myself together. He mouthed I love you and I was close to losing it. I nodded and was about to start balling from the heartbreak in my chest. Just then I heard Edward laugh and I assumed the game was over. I got up and inhaled deeply. Jasper looked at me confused. I slid my arm across the counter's edge and a thin line of blood appeared.

"Ouch!" I said loudly and began letting my tears flow.

"Bella are you alright?" Edward said appearing by my side in a flash.

"Yea I just, cut my arm on the edge," I said between tears. Jasper looked at me with understanding. There was no way I could stop crying in time to talk to Edward so I needed an explanation for my tears. An injury was the most believable.

"Carlisle can you come look at Bella's arm," Edward called. "You should probably leave Jazz, you don't need to be around blood," Edward said. Jasper nodded and walked out the back door.

"What was he thinking?" I asked looking at Edward.

"He was just repeatedly calming himself down. I doubt anything would have occurred but there is no reason to risk it," Edward said.

Carlisle was examining my arm now. "The cut is not that deep, I don't understand why the pain is so bad," he said looking at me. It was mark to mask the tears and getting them to stop was even more difficult.

"I just think I scared me," I said trying to calm down. Suddenly I felt very calm. I looked up to see Jasper looking at me through the glass door; he winked and then stepped aside so his family couldn't see him.

"I'm feeling better actually," I said wiping away the last of the tears.

"Are you sure?" Carlisle asked.

"Yes, sorry for all the dramatics."

"Oh please Bella it is no troubles at all. Let me wrap your arm in gauze so the blood won't ruin your clothes," Carlisle said already wrapping layers of white gaze around my arm.

"Thank you dad," I joked.

"Are you sure you are alright love?" Edward asked still very worried.

"I promise it doesn't hurt at all now," I said trying to reassure him. He kissed my forehead and nodded.

"So who won the chess game?" I asked. They both laughed.

"I did, but it was a well played game," Edward said looking at Carlisle.

"Yes it was," he agreed.

"Have you ever lost?" I asked.

"Alice is the only one who ever beat me. Those were not very interesting games to watch though," Edward laughed.

"And why is that?"I asked.

"They played the games mostly in the heads. A few moves would be made and then Alice could tell the outcome in the future while Edward read her thoughts. It was a funny picture to see," Carlisle explained.

"I'm sure it was."

"There all done! You will be ship shape in no time," Carlisle announced proudly.

"Let's get out of here, some fresh air sounds good right about now," I said looking at Edward.

"I wouldn't agree more," he smiled.

Truthfully I was hoping to see Jasper when we walked out the glass door but he was nowhere to be found. The cool mountain air did clear my head but I still couldn't get Jasper out of my thoughts. I had never been so grateful that Edward couldn't read my thoughts. Things were slowly starting to spiral out of control. I needed to make a change or lose everyone I cared about.

SORRY IT HAS BEEN SO LONG, I HAVE BEEN BUSY TRAVELING, PLEASE REVIEW AND I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE CHAPTER!