JASPER

History was a blow off. I actually wished to be in Bella's class learning about a war I had been in. Instead, I get to learn about the Black Plague. Too bad they didn't know that it was really a Vampire and not a disease. I wonder what they would've called it. When class was over, I walked to my truck to wait for Bella. I smelled him before I could see him.

Werewolf.

I turned the corner and saw that mongrel leaning against Bella's truck. He had his arms folded and a scowl on his face. I walked up to him. "What do you want, dog?"

He stood up, trying to be intimidating I guess. He just didn't know who he was dealing with. "I need to talk to Bells." I really hated this guy.

"Why? Come to hurt her some more. I know she still has that bruise." I knew that with certain. I saw her flinch when Emmett nudged her this morning.

"Like I would be the one to hurt her. You gonna eat her, bloodsucker?"

"Listen here, you oversized chew toy. I am not ever going to hurt her. If she want to change eventually, than we'll cross that bridge. I can't hurt her without hurting myself more. That is surely something you can't seem to comprehend." We stood and stared silently at one another, waiting patiently. For what I don't know. I just couldn't let my guard down.

"Move..." I heard her and knew she was trying to get to me. I couldn't shake the dog. I didn't want my back turned, so I stayed. "Ow...Jake, move." I watched as he moved and saw the beauty before me rubbing her head. "What are you doing here, Jake?" She asked as she once again put herself between us. She stared at him and waited for him to answer. I took my hand and put it in her as I stepped up beside her. He noticed that and started shaking.

"Bella, you need to get back." I whispered. She listened to me and got behind just enough so she could still see him. It took him some time, but he actually calmed down and didn't phase. I might have helped a little, but only because of the humans that were standing around us waiting for a fight.

"He's going to hurt you, Bells." I could feel the growl deep in my throat. I felt as the girl behind me pulled my face to look at her.

"Calm down, Jazz. He's not worth this trouble and I can handle him."

After I calmed down I heard her tell Jacob to leave. She than grabbed my hand and pulled me to my truck. I helped her as soon as I noticed that Emmett had taken her truck. The ride home was silent. I didn't want to come between her and her friend. I hated it, really. "I'm sorry." I whispered as we pulled into the driveway.

She looked at me, confusion coming off her. "About what?"

"The way I acted. It was childish. I don't want you to feel like you have to choose between us, Bella." I couldn't look at her as I said this. I didn't want to see her reaction. I could already feel the determination and a little hurt. I didn't need to see it as well.

"Look at me, Jazz." I turned my head to look into the eyes I've seen millions of times. "I want you. I can't explain it, but just know it. I feel some sort of connection with you that I've never felt with him. He's like my brother. I know you won't hurt me. You're my soldier."

"Thank you." And, truly, it helped. She somehow knew the best way to calm me down, to stop me from becoming the angsty monster that was hidden, but there.

She smiled and jumped from the truck to go work with Emmett. Rose caught me as I was going to the door and asked if I could hunt with her since Bella was occupied. I nodded and followed her to her favorite part of the woods. We spent most of the afternoon out there in those woods. She told me that she actually liked Bella and was glad that I was becoming happier Jasper.

I told her I was just lucky. I did have some insecurity about it. We talked about those. How delicate she is, how I feel around her, what I feel when I'm not with her. She told me that she felt that way about Emmett. She also told me that what I felt for Bella was probably love, but to give the human a little time to figure it out. I thought about that on the run back to the house. Could I love her already? Did I want her because she looked like someone I used to know or because of whom she was now? I needed to figure those out before I gave in to everything I ever wanted.

As I got inside, I saw my family talking with Bella as if she had been here her whole life, sitting with us. I smiled and leaned against the archway. I knew she sensed me before she looked up and smiled. Her smile was one of the things I loved most about her. I knew right than that it was her and not Evelyn. I was in love with Bella Swan.

I watch her as she tells everyone she has to get home to her dad. I walk her to her truck and open the door for her. We stare at each other for a moment. I really wanted to kiss her. Feeling her want didn't really help either. I could feel myself lean toward her, not able to stop it. She met me half way as our lips met. The thoughts in my head were all over the place. I only kissed one other person and she didn't really count. It didn't compare to this one. This girl. I pulled back as I could feel her emotion quickly turn to lust. I had to keep control as long as I could. I really didn't want to hurt her.

She opened her eyes and looked at me. "Will you stay with me? Just in the room, after Charlie goes to sleep. I feel so hollow when I'm not with you."

I nodded. As if I could resist her. "Of course, darlin'. As soon as he starts snoring. Keep the window open." She smiled and shut her door. I watched as she drove out of sight and than decided to go in and wait till I would get to go back to her house and watch as my Bella slept.