Bella

Six Months Later

I hung out with Jasper than anybody else. I still would spend time with my family, even then, they were all teasing me about 'my new boyfriend.' I would just roll my eyes and tell them that Jasper and I were just friends.

As for the Cullens, I would help Esme redecorate, learn about medicine from Carlisle, arm wrestle with Emmett (something I always won at), and pass Rosalie the tools when she was working on the cars. Occasionally, I would talk with Alice about fashion or Edward about piano. This only happened occasionally, though; something about those two rubbed me the wrong way.

According to Jasper, the Cullens teased him, too. He and I would usually talk on our tree by the creek. No one ever went there, anyway.

I had learned about Jasper's time in Texas a little while after our trip to Portland. He was shocked that I didn't mind the scars that patterned his chest and back, though he was obviously very relieved.

Jasper had been acting strange lately. He often had a small, content smile on his face, and if not, a look of yearning. When I would try to question him about it, he would often brush the question away or avoid it altogether. Not to mention I had caught him staring at me on more than one occasion.

I asked Rose about it one day while she tinkered with Carlisle's car, trying to make it go faster. Jasper was out hunting with Edward and Alice.

"Rose?"

"Yeah, Bells?" She replied. I heard a loud clanking noise from under the car and she cursed loudly, which caused Esme to gently scold her from the living room.

"Is Jasper okay?" I asked. The concern in my voice was tangible.

"He's fine, why? Hand me that wrench over there."

"He's been acting a little weird lately." I chose my words carefully as Rosalie waved her fingers for the wrench. I hastily gave it to her.

"How so?" She asked.

"I caught him staring at me this morning, during language arts."

Another loud clang came from underneath the car.

Rosalie rolled out from under the car so quickly the wheels on the creeper gave an echoing screech. Her golden eyes were wide as saucers and her mouth was upturned in a mischievous grin. Her eyebrows were raised eagerly. The wrench I had given her was in her hand, but now had finger-shaped imprints on the sides. Her other hand touched her forehead gingerly, where she had hit it against the car. It quickly grasped the wrench, as well, though.

"What? Really?" She asked hungrily.

"Yeah. Do you know why?"

Rosalie only giggled and rolled back under the car.

"Nope! Jasper'll tell you soon, though!" She said in a sing-song voice, which was uncharacteristic. This only made me even more suspicious.

When Rosalie had failed to get me the answers I wanted, I went to Emmett, who was busy playing video games. Going to him probably wasn't the best choice. Emmett was no help either. I told him the same part of the conversation I had told Rosalie, but his reaction was different. Instead, he had given a whoop and fist pumped.

"Finally! Although I suppose this means I owe Rose a hundred dollars..."

I went to Carlisle and Esme instead, who were in the living room. Carlisle had a copy of Anna Karenina in his hands, while Esme's chin rested on his shoulder as she read along. When they asked what I needed, I asked them the same questions I had asked Rosalie and Emmett. They shared a knowing glance.

"It's nothing you need to worry yourself about, Bella." Carlisle said. Esme nodded her agreement.

"Jasper will tell you when he's ready."

By now I was getting frustrated with the Cullens. Carlisle said I didn't need to worry, Emmett had made a bet with Rose, and Rose had said the same thing Esme had. Was Jasper hiding something important?

After Jasper came back from hunting, Carlisle, Esme, Rosalie, and Emmett took their turns hunting. I didn't want to ask Edward or Alice, so I grudgingly decided to leave it be for now.

I stayed at Jasper's house until four, then I bade the Cullen family goodbye and went home.

Jasper

As soon as Bella was far enough away that we couldn't hear her, Emmett and Rosalie were having a mini party in the living room. Nobody missed Emmett slip the hundred dollar bill into Rose's hand. Emmett pointed a finger in my face and gave me the evil eye.

"She's onto you."

"What?"

"She's onto you," Emmett repeated, a grin growing on his face.

"What did I do?"

"You love Bella," Rosalie teased, extending the word 'love' more than she needed to. I was glad I couldn't blush. They were right, of course. I panicked internally, wondering what to say.

"It's alright, Jasper." Esme said with a smile. "Just tell her how you feel. What if she feels the same way? The worst she can say is no."

Esme was right, as usual. There was a possibility that Bella could reciprocate my feelings.

I was running towards our clearing with my family cheering me on before I had even made up my mind.

My feelings towards Bella had started after she had tackled me. A respect for her, even as she had me pinned up against a tree, started and began to grow from there. She cared about her siblings so much, and now I realized I wanted her to care for me the same way. Although I certainly wasn't a romantic, I constantly found myself hoping I would be good enough and wouldn't disappoint. Emmett had teased me about being like a lovesick puppy, while Esme had compared me to a boy doing everything he could to impress that one girl. It was a little embarrassing how my family knew, but it was the truth.

I made it to the clearing and paced nervously. Finally, I could smell the familiar sweetness of strawberries and cream, and I turned. I smiled softly.

"Bella."

Bella

I looked over at Jasper. He seemed nervous about something. I felt a little guilty that I was about to force him to tell me everything he knew.

I took of my shoes, and dipped my feet in the water without a word. I sat down on a rock by the riverbank. Jasper followed suit. Every now and then, he would glance at me shyly. I ignored it and prodded at some fish with my toes. He was about to say something, but we spoke at the same time.

"Bella, I won't stall—"

"You and I should—"

We looked at each other. He raised his eyebrow while I grinned.

"What were you going to say?" I asked amusedly.

"You can go ahead; I get the feeling what I'm about to say will take up a lot of time." He replied. I nodded.

"You and I should go another place this weekend. We've already gone to the mall, the park, and the zoo, so maybe we could go to the movies or something."

Jasper grimaced.

"Actually Bella, that's what I wanted to talk to you about."

"Why? Do the movies feel too much like a date? We could go to a bookstore or something."

"No, it's not that—"

"Although I've pretty much read all the books out there..." I started, becoming lost in my own thoughts.

"I just wanted to say—" By now Jasper was starting to get frustrated.

"I've got it! How about dancing?"

"Bella, please listen—"

"Alright, fine. You can choose what to do this time. Just don't be surprised if—" This time, I was the one to be interrupted.

"I love you."

"Cool, now—" I stopped as I backpedaled and registered what he had just said. "Wait, what?"

He stared at me in a way that could only be described as adoration.

"I love you. I have for a while now, I've just been trying to work up the courage to tell you. I think— I know we're mates, Bella."

Well, shoot. How can you delicately get yourself out of this one, Bella, without hurting his feelings?

"No. Not interested!" I said, and it came out much more harshly than I intended. Delicately. Yeah, right.

Jasper's small, hopeful smile faded and he stood up. He looked at me in disbelief.

"You're not even going to give me a chance?" His time living in Texas started to make itself known through his voice.

I shook my head, not wanting to sugarcoat anything.

"Really."

"Yes, really."

"You can't feel the mating pull?"

I shrugged. Honestly, I didn't know anything about what the mating pull felt like, so even if I did feel it, I wouldn't be able to tell. Jasper's mood deflated faster than a popped balloon.

"Bella... Please, just give me a chance..."

I felt like a horrible person, but I couldn't lead the poor guy on. I sighed.

"I'm sorry, Jasper."

With that, I turned. Jasper's voice caught my attention, though.

"I'm not going to give up, you know."

I turned back, startled. His eyes were full of determination; there was a fire in them that I hadn't seen there before. He started speaking again, much more confidently this time.

"I'm not going to give up. I know you can love me if you just accept me, and I'll do everything I can to make sure you do just that."

I bit my lip nervously and took a hesitant step backwards, then turned and ran as fast as I could back to the house.

When I was halfway there, a frustrated roar that was so full of anguish and heartbreak made me stop dead in my tracks. I closed my eyes and let out a quick sob.

And like the coward I was, I didn't turn back. I didn't run to the clearing and hug my best friend, comfort him and tell him I was sorry.

Instead, I continued running.

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(0_0)
((iii) (iii) —Trix Rabbit fail

Silly Jasper! Love at first sight is for kids! You've obviously gotta win over the girl if you want her to love you (A.K.A. If the author wants to have a storyline).

No, seriously. I'm not about to just hand Tinkerbell over to you. Where would the fun in that be?

I hope you all don't hate me for this. :) But really, Jasper having to actually fight for Bella is all I've got for the plot right now, other than... other stuff which would mess up the story if I told you. Besides, it's more 'romantic' if the guy has to chase after the girl (thanks, jasper29forever!). Maybe I could turn this into a love triangle? Hmm...

Well, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Please give me some feedback in the reviews: too quick? Too OOC? As long as it doesn't turn into a flame, I will take constructive criticism to heart. :)

~Kit~