This took a long time, I'm really sorry. I got hit by writer's block, once again, but I'm nearly halfway through the next chapter, and the drama is going to be starting in either that or the next, so stay tuned :) In the meantime, enjoy this one. And, thanks for all of the great reviews 33

BPOV

As students trickled into the room before class was to start, I zoned out on thoughts of what had just happened mere minutes before. I hadn't pegged Jasper for the type to be comfortable with PDA – especially now that I knew his family's secret. From what I understood, they strove to fade into the background as best as they could and not draw undue attention to themselves. Because I was so busy woolgathering though, I didn't notice when Mike Newton slid into the desk next to me. "Hey Bella."

"Hey Mike, what's up?" I asked. I knew what was coming, but at the same time, I thought that maybe he'd just be willing to let it go.

No such luck. "So, Jasper Hale, huh?"

I shrugged. "What about Jasper?"

"Guess you're settled, then," he said icily.

"Excuse me?" I asked.

"C'mon, Bella. You told me just the other day that you didn't want to date anybody and now you're sucking face with Hale in the hallway?"

My cheeks burned, and I cursed my reflexive blushing. Damn it, why couldn't he have done this in a class that I had other friends in? He probably planned this in advance. "Well Mike, I don't see why that is any of your business anyway," I managed to get out, relieved that my voice sounded strong and steady.

"Forget it," he said dismissively. I suspected that he actually didn't have anything better to say, and I sighed in relief when the teacher called the class to order.

***

After class, I walked out of the room and ran straight into Jasper, who looked furious. "Where is he?" he asked.

"No Jasper just let it go. Anyway, how would you know what happened?"

"It doesn't matter Isabella. It was wrong."

"Please?" I asked. "It's not worth it." I bit my lip and looked up at him nervously.

His features softened. "All right. But next time I'm not going to let it slide."

"Not going to let what slide?" I looked up startled to see Mike Newton coming over towards Jasper.

JPOV

I looked at Bella, who was staring at me like a deer in the headlights. The usual crowd had begun to gather, and I could feel how nervous she was. I was also – after all, if he tried to pick a fight, even if I didn't lay a finger on him he could break his hand trying to hit me, and how was I supposed to explain that? I figured I could try to keep a safe distance between the two of us and hope for the best.

I shot Bella an apologetic glance and said quietly, "I happened to hear that you were disrespectful towards Bella. Would you care to explain?"

Mike's features contorted in rage and had I not sent an extremely concentrated dose of calm his way, my fears might have come true. While a second ago he looked as if he were about to lunge at me, his muscles relaxed almost instantly. "No…it was wrong of me," he said with a sigh. "I'm sorry Bella."

"It's okay," she said, blushing. I could tell she really hated having an audience.

"All right, Mike. I'm sure it won't happen again, right?" I asked him, making him feel only the slightest hint of fear.

He shook his head. "No, no it won't," he said quietly. "I gotta go." He took off down the hall at a steady clip and Bella glared at me.

"Was that necessary?' she asked.

"I apologize as well, Bella, I should have just walked away," I conceded. "Forgive me?"

"I suppose," she said, a small smile on her face.

BPOV

I was happy that the next period was lunch, because it would be nice to just sit there and relax. I was especially pleased that I wouldn't be sitting at the same table as Mike Newton, though I could imagine the things he would be saying about me wouldn't be very nice.

I was regarding the unidentifiable substance on the tray in front of me when Rosalie slid into the seat next to me. "Hey Bella."

"Hi Rose," I said, picking the apple up off the tray and pushing the rest away. There was no way I was going to eat that.

"I heard about what Newton said to you," she said. "He's a total creep."

"I gathered," I replied. "I thought he was nice, I hung out with him and his friends once, but I can't believe that a nice person would say that to me. It was just so unnecessary."

"Last year, he decided that he was going to make a play for me," she said. "It was comical really, because we didn't have any classes together, and I'm a grade ahead of him – he didn't even know me personally. Something has given him some kind of ridiculous confidence though. He was calling the house and everything. Emmett had to corner him in the locker room and suggest that he leave me alone."

"Poor kid about pissed his pants!" Emmett said gleefully.

"Jasper wanted to say something but I didn't want him to. Then, of course, Mike overheard what we were saying and tried to confront him. I didn't mind being his friend, but it seems as if he never really wanted my friendship."

"I'm no mind reader, but according to Edward, his thoughts are revolting…like, more so than the average teenaged boy." She wrinkled her nose. "I cannot imagine."

"You wouldn't want to," Edward interjected. "It's disgusting."

"Should I be worried?"

Rosalie shook her head. "He's just a little creep, that's all. I don't know why these human girls all flock to him. I'm willing to bet that they wouldn't if they were able to read his mind."

I sighed. "I always seem to attract the weirdos."

"Hey, I'm right here," Jasper protested, a grin on his face.

"He's saying some pretty awful things over there," Rosalie frowned. "Someone ought to teach him some manners." She smirked. "Now he's staring at you."

Jasper suddenly wrapped his arms around me and planted a huge kiss on my lips. "Bet he didn't like that one bit, either."

"Not in the slightest," Edward agreed. "He's thinking of all sorts of ways that he can get you alone so that he can beat the crap out of you."

"You can't let that happen, Jasper," I protested. "It'll expose you. Just stay away from him."

Jasper gave my shoulders a gentle squeeze. "Don't you worry, Darlin', I'm not gonna do anything."

"Hey Bella," Rosalie piped up. "Would you like to go shopping with me later on?"

"Sure, Rose, that'd be great," I replied. I needed some new clothes anyway.

"We'll get you something really hot to wear to school so Newton really feels his loss!" Rose grinned, and I smiled back at her. I could tell that we were going to be great friends.

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