Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight; all respective characters belong to SMeyer

My limbs feel like jello, completely useless as I lie on my bed. I can't stop staring at the dark ceiling even though my eyes feel so heavy. My lips are still buzzing from tonight, the phantom feeling of Edward's mouth against mine causing uncontrollable smiles.

It was a good night. We pulled off two more performances, each time seemingly better. Except the kiss. As much as I can't stop thinking about his lips on mine, I know that the end of the play was sorely lacking compared to that first night. I was too aware of things to let myself be fully pulled under by the moment. As a result the kiss was lack-luster. The audience didn't know the difference, but I sure did and so did Edward.

I had wondered if he was looking forward to that moment the second time-around as much as I secretly had been, and got my answer when the moment happened. Just before we parted to take our bows, before the lights came back up his expression, just inches from my face, was a lingering question. Disappointment.

One thing I promised myself was that I wouldn't get lost, I couldn't afford to for Edward's sake. I knew that brick was a warning from Jasper and his face that first night - that cold menacing aura he gave off was another. I had no doubt he was in the audience the next two performances. I need to try and talk to him again, reason with him. There is no cause for him to act in this way. If nothing else I need answers.

My phone rings causing me to jump, my heart hammering against my ribs. It's Jess. She and a lot of other kids from the one acts are supposed to be at the Diner celebrating with milkshakes and greasy food. Edward is there. I sigh. I couldn't go; I'd high-tailed it out of the school as soon as I was cleared by Jess to leave, supplying some half-assed excuse about my Dad waiting for me.

"Hello?"

"Bella!" Jess trills, excitement in her voice. She's still riding the high of tonight. I'd come crashing down the moment I got in my car.

"Hey."

"So… guess what?"

"Wha-"

"Gil kissed me!" She all but screams like a giddy twelve-year-old.

My jaw hits my chest, jealousy immediately filling me. "What! How? When?"

"After we were done eating he walked me to my car, which Edward offered to do first by the way - I'm beginning to like that boy Bella, he's a lot different than I assumed, but anyway." At her mention of Edward my stomach flops nervously, an automatic response.

"So Gil offers and he walks me out and he wouldn't stop talking about my play and how amazing it was and I was DYING Bella. Oh my god, I mean the things he was saying were literally swoon worthy. So I'm totally trying not to dry hump the poor guy's leg as he waxes all poetic about my work-"

"Jess, rambling. Get to the kiss," I laugh.

"Oh, right, sorry. So, we say our goodbyes and I go in for a hug, telling him again that I liked his play and he just kind of held me there."

"Aww," I mew without thinking.

"I know right? So then I pull back slowly because - duh - I totally didn't want to pull away, but how awkward would that have been to just hold each other in the parking lot of the diner all night-"

"Rambling!"

"Gah, okay, okay. So I pull back and our cheeks kind of like, I don't know, brushed all slowly and our eyes met and I could just feel that he was gonna do it and then he did! Holy moly Bella, his lips are soft."

"Holy moly?" I laugh at her.

"Yeah, I'll be as sappy, girly as I want right now thankyouverymuch."

"I'm so happy for you Jess, really. I knew you had a thing for 'ol Gil," I stress his name.

"I don't know," she gushes. "It's kinda come out of nowhere, but - I think I do."

Rolling my eyes at her obliviousness, I can't help smiling. Happy news is happy, and I'm so very glad for my friend. "Well, how was the rest of your time? Anything juicy happen?" Not that I really cared, but she always loved to spill, and I know she's in one of those moods, so I'll humor her.

"Not really, I wish you had come Bella, everyone was asking about you. People are literally blown away by your performance." I don't miss the air of 'I told you so' in her voice.

"That's okay, I'm better in the literal spotlight, I don't need the after effects, thanks."

"Oh! And the best part, Jasper was there - him and his goons. But you should have seen the bitch face I leveled him. I swear he was shakin in his boots. I'm pretty sure he knows I know the truth." The blood drains from my face when she says this. That's not good, oh shit oh shit.

"And then there was Rosalie and her flock. You should have seen her Bella, she was all over Edward."

My body snaps forward, all concern over Jasper instantly dissolving. "What do you mean all over him?"

"Well, who wasn't? I mean, did you see his performance? He's definitely not my type, so don't get me wrong, but I don't think there was a dry eye in the house, not to mention panties. Mr. Cullen's got himself quite the fan base now."

When Jess said Gill kissed her and I felt jealous it had nothing to do with either of them personally. It had everything to do with the fact that she was able to have such a normal moment and be excited about it. It wasn't really jealousy, not like the fiery feeling licking at my veins now.

"So…" I begin slowly, trying my damnedest not to give myself away. "Rosalie was all over him?"

"Yeah, it was almost comical though. He didn't give her the time of day even though she was practically sitting in his lap. I'm telling you Bella, he's totally different than I thought. You should jump on that since he is obviously in love with you."

My head reels from those four simple words. "Jess," I bark out in a laugh that is too loud. "That's ridiculous."

"Think what you want but I see the way he looks at you… on and off stage. And he kept asking me if you were coming tonight, you should have seen his puppy dog expression, it was heart breaking," she muses whimsically.

"Jess," another awkward laugh. I'm on the brink of either laughing hysterically or crying until I can't breathe, my insides a torrent of mixed emotions.

"What? Don't mind me, I just think you two would be good together - I don't know, I think you guys fit. But I won't say anything else about it."

Fit. We fit. Edward's warm hands around mine instantly come to mind.

"But, you know - you'd have to break up with Jasper first," she dead pans.

Fuck me. "Shut up, that's not cool."

"Well? What is going on with that? Why do I still hear that you two are together?"

"Um…I don't know." I can't think quickly enough.

"Bella, this is ridiculous. This clown has no power over you. Just tell people the truth and tell Jasper to fuck off. Enough games."

Tears pierce the corners of my eyes, stinging. "I know Jess, but…" My voice gives me away with a whimper.

"Bella? Are you crying? What is it?"

"I-I can't Jess, please." Full-on tears.

"I'm on my way over," she says sternly before the line goes dead.

A piece of me feels tremendous relief. Although Jess knows most of what is going on, the thought of confiding in her the rest takes a weight off of my shoulders. The rest of me feels terrified, not just of the possibility that Jasper could threaten Jess as well, but for her to know the truth and just how serious matters have gotten. Admitting it will be a sharp slap of reality I'm not sure I'm ready to have.

True to her word, she practically barrels through my door five minutes later. Her face softens as soon as she takes in the pathetic lump that is me huddled under my covers.

"That was fast," I drone lifelessly.

She frowns. "I wasn't home yet, your house is on the way." She closes the door behind her with a light click, pushing my shoulder so that I'll make room for her. "So, what's going on?"

The fact that she knows me so well is a blessing and a curse. A blessing, because in moments like these she knows the drill. She lies by my side, eyes straight up so I don't feel pressured, voice gentle and patient. A curse because if I wanted to, there is no way I could lie or deceive her - she'd see right through me in an instant.

Pulling in a large breath I decide my only option is the truth. "Jasper threatened Edward." She doesn't respond though I can feel her body tense next to mine.

"When I tried to … I went to talk to him the day I wore his jacket. He said that because I tried to get back at him publicly I had to … um, pretend that we are dating and if I didn't he'd hurt Edward."

Her lip sneers into an awkward scoff. "What's he going to do spread rumors about him too? Edward doesn't strike me as the type to give a shit Bella. And why Edward?"

I swallow hard. "No, not rumors physically harm him." A tear glides along my cheekbone and into my hair. "He said his dad is a defense attorney and knows a lot of bad people who owe him favors."

"Bella," she begins softly.

"There's something I need to tell you," I whimper.

"Bella, he didn't … when you went to Jasper's house he didn't touch you did he?"

"No! God, no." I shiver at the thought, just now realizing how much of a possibility that could have been. "I just … it's Edward."

She breaks a silent rule, craning her neck to look me in the eyes. "Don't tell me he's threatened you too," she sounds livid.

I shake my head no. "I … I think I like him," I mumble through more stupid tears. "A lot."

She smiles knowingly. "Oh hon I knew that."

"You what?"

"It's so obvious the way you two look at each other. When you're together you always like … gravitate - a look, a lingering touch- it's disgustingly cute by the way."

My heart leaps into my throat, my cheeks blister with heat. I yank the pillow out from under my head to burry my face in it. "Oh God."

"I know you don't want to hear this, because you're a smart girl and you've obviously thought of it already, but you need to tell your dad."

My head shakes furiously, jostling the pillow. "I can't," I said solidly. "Out of the question."

"Why not? Do you really think Jasper is serious, or if he is that he could honestly pull something like that off? He's not in the mafia Bella, Jesus."

"He is completely serious," I groan, pulling the pillow from my face and sitting up. "That brick on opening night? I'm positive that was Jasper."

Her eyes go wide, she sits up, mimicking my posture. "Are you sure? It could have totally been a coincidence."

Shaking my head no again I rake my fingers through my hair frustrated. "No, he told me that day that Edward was going to Port Angeles. He knew somehow that Edward was going to be there. Why would he have said that if not to illustrate a point?"

She gnaws the inside of her lip, considering. "What a fucking coward," she rumbles. "Bella, you have to tell someone. Tell Edward - he deserves to know at the very least."

"I can't do that Jess, I shouldn't even be telling you. I hate this!"

"So what then? You go along pretending to be his … girlfriend? People are going to catch on that you never talk. I just don't get what the hell it is he wants."

"Control, some sick sadistic control over someone he sees as weaker."

She gives me a sympathetic look, rubbing my arm. "You're not weak Bella. Don't let him do that to you."

"I… I don't really have a choice."

The energy in the room is electric with Jess' anger, I can feel it radiating from her. I'm afraid for what she might do. "Promise me you won't do anything?"

"Bella," she hums weakly, a tear breaking through her lashes. "I can't do that. I can't just sit by and watch-"

"You have to," I cut her off too loudly. "Please, just …. I don't know, give me more time. Let me talk to him again. If nothing changes I'll … I'll tell someone."

"When?"

I swallow back another onslaught of tears. My insides feel raw. "Soon."

A/N: Sorry for the short chapter but I wanted to get this up today. Review, let me know your thoughts - I'm no mind reader. :D xx