You GUYS! Seriously, these comments have me DYING! I'm in love, you all are super stars!

Hope you enjoy this chapter!

12. THEORY

I spent the first half of my day wallowing in abject horror. It started off horribly when I stumbled into first period, English, hopelessly late with Mister Mason threatening detention if it ever happened again. I ignored the probing looks I received from students as I hustled toward my seat and dropped down next to Bella in the back of the class. She stared at me questioningly, trying to get me to look at her, but I already had my text book out in front of me, content with staring right through its thick lacquered pages until the end of class.

Second period was worse, or maybe it was better, but I wasn't sure. At least I wasn't late, but it only put me closer to Spanish class. And then lunch.

When I finally made it to Spanish, I was numb. I could hardly tell if I was shaking from excitement or dread. As I slumped into my seat, I was partially glad I was getting a tutor, since there was no way I'd be able to focus in class now, thanks to Jasper Hale. But maybe it didn't help that Jasper Hale was also my tutor.

I realized either way I was doomed.

Jessica Stanley pounced on me as soon as she walked in the door. She sat at the desk in front of me, which didn't belong to her, and she stared at me. "Oh. My. God," she said. "I've been dying to talk to you all day. What the hell is going on between you and Jasper Hale?"

I don't know! I wanted to wail the phrase, but somehow I remained neutral. Or maybe I was just still in shock. I blinked at her. "Uh… nothing?"

She smiled deviously. "Liar. I totally saw you guys this morning, the whole school did. I can't believe he carried your bag for you, that's seriously so adorable. Are you going to ask him to the dance –?"

"He doesn't do dances," I said, relieved I was able to get a few words in edgewise.

It only spurred her on. "He doesn't – Well, that kind of sucks, but you had other plans anyway, right? Bella said you were going to Seattle with her? Are you sure you can't push that back? It would've been fun for us all to go together."

As much fun as a dance sounded, going to Seattle with Bella and Jasper Hale sounded infinitely more appealing. But Jessica didn't have to know that. Usually, I could handle her pushiness, but today I was rattled, unfocused –

"Bella!" Jessica called, flagging down my best friend as soon as she stepped in the classroom. "Blaire refuses to give me the details, but you can! What's going on with her and Jasper?"

"I… didn't really know anything was going on," Bella said as she awkwardly stood beside my desk. "Was that why you were late to first period?"

Oh God. My eyes widened and I was positive my face was turning beet red at the accusation. "What? No! Bella –"

"What?" Bella quickly backtracked. "Oh! No, I didn't mean it like that –"

"Blaire!" Jessica's eyes got impossibly wide. "You were late to first period because of Jasper Hale –"

"Nothing happened!" I cried.

But it was too late. The damage had been done and now I had a scandal to worry about, if I went by Jessica's Cheshire-grin. Before I could shut any ideas down, the bell rang. It forced Jessica and Bella in their assigned seats across the room. I groaned.

Spanish passed by sluggishly and I didn't remember a single word of the lecture. Instead I found myself watching the clock, waiting for the bell to ring, wondering how I was going to actually survive lunch. I debated on whether or not to call the whole thing off. Honestly, the last thing I needed was some boy trying to get in my head when I had soccer, school, and most importantly convincing my mom to stay in Forks to worry about.

The bell rang too soon.

More dread settled in my stomach and stayed there like a lead weight.

I slowly gathered my belongings, faintly hearing the ringing in my ears as my heart raced. Jessica hopped in front of my desk with a brilliant grin. Bella stumbled behind her, worry etched on her face. "I'm so sorry –" she started out.

"So, what happened before first period?" Jessica asked as I stood up and slung my backpack over one shoulder.

"Nothing," I said sharply, grabbing my Spanish book off the desk. "He walked me to my gym locker, we had a conversation, he offered to tutor me in Spanish during lunch today, that's it –"

"What?"

Even Bella's eyes were wide at that one.

Oh crap.

"Look, I really don't know what's going on," I said. "I don't think anything is. He sits in front of me during history and we've only had a handful of conversations. He helped me with my gym bag because he saw I was tripping over it in the parking lot – you know how awkward that thing is to carry – just… please chill out? I've got enough on my plate as it is."

She frowned. "I'm sorry, Blaire, I didn't even think about it. When my parents divorced, I was a wreck too."

I frowned. "Oh man, Jess, I'm so sorry. I had no idea –"

She shrugged. "It's not a big deal anymore," she said. "It gets better."

I smiled. "I hope so. Thanks."

She smiled kindly followed me out of class. "But, just so you know, this doesn't get you out of telling me what you and Jasper Hale are doing," she said as I stepped through the threshold of the classroom. I turned to laugh at her, already feeling lighter about the situation. "Because if you guys are getting hot and heavy in the locker room, you totally can't keep that to yourself –"

"Shut up!" Bella hissed. Jessica stopped talking and she turned a shade paler before her cheeks burst into small red patches. I slowly turned around and the weight in my stomach returned.

Jasper Hale leaned against the wall across my Spanish class. He was smirking at me.

I suddenly had a violent urge to spin around and shake Jessica Stanley. I wanted to scream, "TRAITOR! HOW COULD YOU NOT SEE HIM?!" too. Instead, I plastered on a fake smile and hoped against hope that he didn't hear what she said.

"Uh, hey!" I said as I walked toward him. "Do you still want to do this… uh, thing?"

Wow. I was so smooth.

It only seemed to make Jasper's smirk grow wider. "Absolutely," he said. He reached out and pulled my thin Spanish book and spiral notebook out of my hands before tucking them under one of his muscled arms. Arms I was definitely not checking out or anything. "We should hurry so you can have something to tell Jessica in gym."

Jessica spluttered behind us. I couldn't stop the laughter bubbling out of me. I reached out to try and shove him with one hand, but he didn't even budge. Weird, but then again, Jasper Hale was built from something a little tougher than the other boys at Forks High, it seemed. "Please don't encourage her," I said before waving off Jessica and Bella. "I'll see you guys in gym."

Jasper already started walking toward the library, leaving me to catch up. "You know, I can carry my own books," I said, frowning at the way he held my belongings like he owned them. Why was he carrying all of my stuff to begin with?

"I know," he said. "But like I said earlier, I'm trying to make up for the… what did Bella call it? The traffic jam yesterday."

"I thought the gym bag thing made up for it," I said.

"For a normal person, I'm sure it would have," he replied, smirking at me. "But you have an exceptional temper and an even more exceptional capacity to hold a grudge. I just want to cover all my bases."

I gaped at him. "I do not –"

Jasper chuckled, cutting me off. "You do. Truly, it's almost impressive."

I frowned at him. Sexy Spanish? Obviously that didn't outweigh the fact that he could be a jerk. "Maybe it also doesn't help that you're bad at apologizing."

"Maybe," he agreed. "I haven't had much practice."

I scoffed. "So what? Does that mean you don't say sorry to people?"

"I've never found the need."

Now that I could believe. I always knew the kind of attractiveness the Cullens and Hales had was sure to come with its own cockiness, but it turned out Jasper Hale had something more than that. He had pure confidence – a sort of self-assuredness that I didn't think could exist in a typical high school student. I saw it in every stride he took, every action he made, in every word he spoke. He did everything with intent.

For the first time in my life, I was actually kind of intimidated by another person.

But he didn't need to know that. I tightened the straps on my backpack and tried to ignore the stares of the other students. Jasper pushed the door leading out of the building and let me out first. Cold air hit both of us in a gust, stirring up my hair and my unzipped jacket. I bundled it closer to me and turned to head down the walkway that would take us to the library.

"Don't you want something to eat?" Jasper asked.

Ha! Me, eat alone, in front of Jasper Hale? Yeah right.

"I'm, uh, not that hungry," I lied. "I can just meet you at the library if you want anything."

Jasper rolled his eyes. "You have practice today, Blaire. You need something."

How did he even know what days I had practice? How did he even know this much about me to begin with? Why did he always have to have a point?

I said nothing, I didn't even have to look at Jasper to know he was smiling when I rolled my eyes and walked toward the cafeteria. Walking through the lunch line was awkward because I was more concerned with the hyper-awareness that came from Jasper Hale standing only a few inches behind me than actual food. I picked up an apple and a bottle of water, deciding that was going to be satisfying enough, especially since my stomach was doing the weird flipping-flopping thing all over again that only ever happened when a certain blond boy was on my radar.

"I think your friends are upset with my brother and I," Jasper suddenly said, his voice low and soft next to my ear. I gasped when I felt his cool breath fan past my ear and across my cheek, smelling like sharp spearmint. I jumped and the apple slipped out of my hands, before turning around to face Jasper.

He leaned over me, his face insanely close to mine, closer than I think he'd ever been before. I frowned at the sudden proximity, but he was straightening up before I could question it. As he did, I saw my apple in his hand, holding it out to me. Huh, good reflexes. I snatched it away from him. "What makes you say that?" I asked.

Jasper shrugged, then jerked his head toward the tables in the cafeteria. "I'm stealing you away for a tutoring session, Edward has stolen Bella away for lunch –"

"What?" I whipped around, following his nod, my eyes widening in surprise when sure enough, Edward Cullen and Bella Swan were sitting at their very own table. They almost looked like they were in their own little world. I frowned. "Oh, great."

Jasper chuckled as we made our way through the rest of the line. "You don't like him," he said as we walked to the library. It wasn't a question, but somehow I felt like I needed to answer it.

"I don't like the way he's treating my best friend," I said. "Bella's a good person – too good. She doesn't deserve to be jerked around."

"I agree," Jasper said, once again holding the library door open for me. "And so does Edward. He's just…"

"Just what?" I asked as we walked inside. The library smelled like old books and rain, the air was thick and quiet. It was a nice change from the constant clamor of the cafeteria.

Once we settled at a table, I finally looked at Jasper. He smiled ruefully at me before gracefully sinking into his chair. I sat across from him. "He's complicated," he said. "Edward worries befriending Bella won't lead to anything good. And it won't. In fact, it's dangerous –"

"Dangerous?"

Jasper opened my Spanish book to the current chapter my class was working on – how he knew what that was, I had no idea. "Yes," he admitted, quietly. His voice was soft but dark. The singular word sounded like a threat wrapped up in silk.

It didn't exactly surprise me. From the minute I laid eyes on them, I knew the Cullen family was different. I knew there was something off about them. It was their beauty and the brilliance of Doctor Cullen that made them a paradox, made me question why they would ever live in such a small, drab town. The fact that Jasper said himself associating with the family was dangerous only enhanced my theory.

On instinct, my muscles tensed, just like they used to whenever I greeted Jasper in history. But I wasn't afraid. If anything, for some reason, I almost felt ready to face the complicated emotions I felt for Jasper Hale head on. I was excited.

When Jasper looked up at me, I didn't look away, even as he pinned me with one of his calculating looks. This time, it didn't seem to lead to anything disappointing. If anything, it led to something that… troubled him. He frowned and looked back down at the text book. "I worry much the same," he said.

"Why?" I asked quietly. "What's so dangerous about you and your family?"

"I'm almost surprised you haven't figured it out yet," he said.

I licked my lips, staring at him even if he wasn't looking at me. "I have a theory," I admitted. "But… I'm afraid of being right."

His eyes slowly turned upward. "Why don't we test it, then?"

Was he serious? The question was immediately answered when I saw the steadiness of his gaze.

I took a deep breath and glanced around the library. It was entirely empty except for a woman working at the desk near the front of the room. Resigning myself to my fate, I leaned closer to Jasper, finding him doing much the same.

"Witness protection," I said.

The wicked smirk working its way across Jasper Hale's face let me know I was dead wrong. We both leaned back almost at the same time. "What a rational guess," he said, almost as if he were surprised.

I shrugged. "That was my theory and I'm not going to pry anymore. Now, were you serious about being my Spanish tutor? Because I really do need to focus on that."

Jasper smirked. "Entonces comencemos," he said. Oh crap, sexy Spanish was definitely better than English. "Prometo no dejar que mis emociones sacan lo mejor de mí esta vez."

This boy would probably be the death of me.

V

Being tutored in Spanish by Jasper Hale was actually the world's most frustrating and helpful experience at the same time. Helpful because I actually learned something within the span of thirty minutes, and beyond frustrating because I actually learned something within the span of thirty minutes. I may or may not have actually wanted to give Jessica Stanley something to talk about in gym.

I was relieved when it was over, but I still had to survive the walk to history with Jasper at my side, still carrying my books. We still got stares from the other students, but they weren't as bad as earlier this morning. As always, Jasper didn't seem to care. In fact, it didn't even seem like he noticed the attention. I really didn't know how he could do that.

It didn't help that everyone in our history class openly ogled us either. As I shrank into my seat, Jasper set my books on my desk before he sat down as well, still looking perfectly indifferent.

Mister Apell droned on shortly after that. His words were monotonous in their detail to the end of World War I.

"Like every end to a section, we're going to end with an essay," Mister Apell said. "But since I know most of you are struggling with finishing the year strong, I'm going to throw you a buoy by letting you partner up on this particular assignment."

Relieved sighs came from all around.

"Don't get too excited," Mister Apell said with a wry smirk on his face. "I'll be choosing your partners."

The class fell silent again. The teacher started rattling off names in the class, starting with the people whose last names started with A and moving down the list. I felt myself vibrating in my seat with anticipation, wondering, hoping against hope –

"Hale and Holcomb."

I fought the excitement down as best I could, but by the time class ended and Jasper turned around in his seat to face me, my stomach erupted into butterflies. He had one of his signature small smiles on his face. I smiled back.

"I promise I know my history better than Spanish," I said. "This essay's going to be a piece of cake."

"Oh good," he said as we stood up and walked out of the classroom. "I was worried I would have to carry the team."

A small thrill went through me at the thought of Jasper and I being a team, but he didn't need to know that. I smacked him with my Spanish book.

"Blaire, Jazz!" I frowned at the light, tinkling voice that shot clearly over the chatter of the other students. Jasper and I paused to turn around.

Alice Cullen wove her way through the crowd, looking vibrant amongst the other students at Forks High in a bright yellow sundress accented with black stockings and black pointed flats. She wore an olive green shrug over her shoulders that accented her tiny waist. Her short hair was slicked down in a style that reminded me of 1920s flapper girls. She smiled brightly when we looked at her.

"Hey, Alice," Jasper said when she walked up to us.

"Hello," she returned cheerily, but her gaze was fixed on me. "So, first of all, I'm sorry I never gave you that list of stores. Someone thought I was moving too fast."

"What?" I looked up at Jasper and frowned, a little bewildered. "Seriously?"

Jasper already looked exasperated. "It's not what –"

"It's not what?" I asked. "Why are you telling your sister she can't talk to me? What does he mean by too fast?"

Alice shrugged. "Beats me," she said innocently. "Jazz, care to enlighten us?"

"Yeah, Jazz," I said, turning back to him. "Care to share?"

Jasper had taken a step backwards, which literally put his back against the wall behind him. His eyes flickered between us and I could tell a smile threatened to break across his stunning features. "God help me," he said. "Why don't we change the subject –?"

"Great, I'll start," I said before looking back at Alice. "I don't want a list anymore because I want to go shopping with you."

Alice looked like I made the announcement of the century. "You're my favorite," she said.

"You're going to regret that," Jasper said before I could ask what she meant by the strange comment. "Alice treats shopping like an Olympic event. Anyway, what was it that you needed to tell us?"

"Well, it was mainly to tell Blaire Edward had to take Bella home early from school," Alice said, snapping out of her daze. "Apparently she fainted in biology. Something about blood testing?"

"Oh great," I said, running a hand through my hair. "That sounds about right – Bella is so queasy it's almost hilarious. She threw up once because I scraped my knee when we were ten. Is she okay?"

"Yes," she replied. "She just didn't think she could make it through gym class, so Edward offered to take her home."

"That was nice of him. She can't survive gym on an average day, her being sick wouldn't make things any better – oh shit, wait. I have soccer practice today. She was supposed to pick me up. My mom had to go see her class in Seattle and my uncle is back in Mason County and they won't be home until late."

My thoughts were frantic. I didn't know if I could find anyone who would be able to pick me up after practice. I doubted I would be able to find a ride home, period, since a lot of the students Bella and I associated with didn't live very close to the school, and it wasn't like I could just skip practice. I could call Waylon to see if he could leave work and pick me up, but that wouldn't be fair, he was under so much stress lately. I could always just walk home –

A sharp gasp came from Alice. Her eyes were wide – I was startled by how terrified she actually looked. "No!"

I frowned. "What's wrong? Are you okay –"

"I can take you," Jasper said, but he wasn't even looking at me. His gaze was trained on Alice. That cold, calculating look was back in his eyes, icing over his features. All traces of humor were gone.

"Wait, what?" I asked. "No. I couldn't ask you to do that. Practice takes, like, two hours –"

"That's fine," he said before he slowly looked back at me. "Edward still has to come back to pick us up. That gives me plenty of time to get home and come right back. If anything, we can start talking about the essay –"

"Yes!" Alice said, making me jump. "That's a perfect idea!"

I glanced at Jasper, but his expression was unreadable when he looked at me. "It really isn't a problem," he said.

"But you really don't have to…" I said as he took a step towards me. He reached behind me and pulled my phone out of my back pocket, making me jump.

"But I want to," he said, flipping my phone open before he started pressing buttons. "I'm giving you my phone number. Text or call me when you wrap up. Alice, you have that essay to turn into Miss Campbell, don't you?"

She didn't look happy. "Yes."

Jasper finally smiled again, but it didn't hold any warmth. "Great," he said, accenting the singular word by snapping my phone shut. He handed it back to me. "I actually have to talk to her anyway so I'll walk with you. I'll see you after practice, Blaire."

"Um, that – that works?"

As quickly as it all began, it ended. Jasper pulled Alice in the opposite direction. He was speaking to her, his lips moving fast, but he was so quiet I couldn't even hear what he was saying. It left me behind, confused and buzzing.

I just got Jasper Hale's phone number.

V

Ayyy, look at are girl, Blaire! She just got a hot guy's phone number! Score! Now, I wonder how this ride home is going to work? Questions, questions...

Let me know how you liked this chapter! As always, I appreciate you guys adding this story to your favs, alerts, as well as reviewing! Thank you so much for supporting this story!