Footsteps came closer to my room.

"Alice, sweetheart?" Esme put head around the door, "What's wrong?"

Usually I'd want to defend Jasper, but I was half-mad at him, and half-worried that we'd keep having moments like this. I wanted Esme's help.

I began to write everything down. What he'd said, how left I felt. Esme looked at my note, a little taken aback at the unusual length of my writing. She pulled me close and sighed.

"Poor girl," she whispered, "I'll talk to him, alright? I know how much you enjoy his company. I hate seeing you unhappy."

I nodded and thanked her silently, and then crept to my doorway as she went to Jasper's room.

"I didn't mean to get angry," Jasper said defensively the moment Esme entered the room.

"I know, honey," she sat on the bed, "I know. But, Jasper, you shouldn't have talked about her like that. You know how much she looks up to you? You were one of the first of us she began to trust properly. Imagine how it felt for her to hear you talk about her like that."

"I didn't realise I sounded offensive. I hadn't intended that," Jasper said dismissively.

"Alright," Esme sighed, "But, please, for Alice, make sure you spend time with her too. Please. Don't just spend all your time on the phone to Maria or out with Maria."

"I'll organise my time how I like!" Jasper snapped, "Maybe you should explain to Alice that now I have a girlfriend she should learn to sleep in her own bed."

I first felt annoyed at his first comment, but it was quickly replaced with mortification. Jasper had promised not to tell anyone about that. I'd got better at sleeping alone anyway.

"She sleeps in your bed?" Esme sighed.

"She didn't want me to tell you, she just didn't like being alone, I guess. She's alright now, she doesn't do it so much," Jasper shrugged, his voice softer, "But what if she tries to come into my bed when Maria's here?"

Esme raised an eyebrow, "Firstly, Maria's not going to sleep in your bed. And second, I'll talk to Alice about it now."

I darted into my room before Esme saw me, diving under the covers in a panic. I didn't want to talk about it then. I didn't want to talk about it at all, but I preferred to put it off rather than face it straight away.

"Alice?" Esme murmured softly, kneeling beside my bed. I focused hard so I didn't flinch. I wasn't very good at acting, but luckily I managed to pull off a believable performance. Esme gave up and left me alone without trying to wake me.

When I woke the next morning, Esme had gone grocery shopping. Jasper and the rest of the family were home for the weekend. I went downstairs and found Emmett watching the football on TV. He looked up at me and grinned.

"Come to watch the football?" he grinned. I giggled and sat beside him, allowing him to pull me onto his knee.

"I heard about what Jasper said to you," Emmett sighed, "That bitch of a girlfriend changed him."

I started to giggle again, relieved that I wasn't the only one thinking so badly of Maria.

"Don't talk about Maria like that," Jasper snapped from the doorway, and I cut my laughter short, my eyes wide in bewilderment, "It's none of your business about me and her."

"It is if it means you're leaving Alice out all the time," Emmett glared, "It is if you talk to Alice like she's nothing but a kid. I've seen her waiting for you."

"Then why didn't you go and see her then? She doesn't have to always be with me, you could make an effort too," Jasper's words left Emmett speechless, and he continued, "I was just going to apologise to Alice."

I stared at the floor and didn't say a word. I didn't like getting involved in arguments.

"Maybe she doesn't want you right now," Emmett stood up and took my hand, "Come on, Alice."

I followed Emmett from the room and glanced quickly at Jasper before going upstairs. Carlisle came out of his office as we passed it, and he gently took my shoulder.

"Ah, Alice," he smiled softly, "Would you come talk to me a moment?"

I widened my eyes of my own accord and clung to Emmett's hand.

You're not in trouble," Carlisle murmured, and Emmett gently let go of my hand.

"I'll be in my room," he pinched my cheek affectionately, leaving Carlisle and I alone. I unwillingly walked into his office.

"Jasper said last night that sometimes you go into his bed at night," he said quietly.

I used to do it a lot. But I try not to now. I'm sorry.

"We're not angry at you, sweetheart," Carlisle could sense I was fighting tears, "We're just worried about you."

I had nightmares about my mom. I don't get them much anymore.

Carlisle nodded, "Alright. Well if you do find Esme and I. We won't mind."

I nodded.

Thanks

Carlisle studied my face for a while, "Are you alright?" he asked softly, and just as I was about to nod, my eyes betrayed me.

"Hey," Carlisle sighed and moved to sit beside me, gently wiping away a tear, "I know what happened with Jasper too."

I nodded and leaned on him, closing my eyes tight as he hugged me gently.

"He'll come around. I know how much you mean to him, Alice."

I thanked him and left to go and find Emmett once I'd calmed down. To my despair, I heard a familiar, unwanted giggle. I ran to Emmett's room instantly, trying to get as far away from Maria as I could manage.