I was a fool to ever leave your side
Me minus you is such a lonely ride
The breakup we had has made me lonesome and sad
I realize I love you 'cause I want you bad, hey, hey

Reunited and it feels so good
Reunited 'cause we understood
There's one perfect fit
And, sugar, this one is it
We both are so excited 'cause we're reunited, hey, hey

Peaches – Reunited

The first day of school brought a rainy, awful day.

Alec and I were sitting in his car in the parking lot, getting courage to make a mad dash to the school entrance.

"On three." He winked.

"I'm not ready," I muttered. He said we wouldn't need an umbrella, because the drizzle wouldn't get worse until we reached the school. It got a hell of a lot worse.

"Three!" He sprang out of the car, running toward the building.

Asshole.

I followed close behind, my muscles seizing up from the sprint in the cold rain. Since I was holding the school bag over my head, I couldn't see where I was walking, so it shouldn't have been a surprise when I collided with something…a hard something.

As I picked myself off the asphalt, I realized, to my utter disbelief, I had run into a car. It was funny, since it was me running into it and not the other way round. Thank God. Though, the sad part was that I knew the car—oh, so well.

What felt like seconds later, familiar hands were on my shoulders. I hadn't seen Jasper since that fateful day my dad put him in the hospital.

"Shit. Did I hurt you?"

"Hi." I tried not to laugh at the ridiculous situation.

"Did you hit your head?" Jasper asked, cupping my cheek after helping me up.

"I kinda ran into you, which is funny as hell."

"You're lucky I was parked. Jesus Christ, Pretty Boy. Way to give me a heart attack."

"Sorry." I smiled shyly.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes. You?" I held his eyes, trying to decipher his emotions.

"Alright." He lifted one shoulder. "I need to go—prepare for today. See you around."

Then he was gone.

When I joined Alec at the front doors, he was chuckling behind his hand. "What a coincidence!"

"Why didn't you come to rescue me? Fuck. I look like a drown rat." I shrugged off my jacket, and squeezed water out of it.

"Exactly my point. I didn't want to ruin the new jacket Auntie Jane gave me." He seemed to be enjoying this situation a little too much.

"You inconsiderate asshole!" I teased, bumping my shoulder into his.

"You had it under control." He bumped back, winking.

"Me—yeah. Jasper—not so much. He was freaking out."

"You'll have plenty to discuss in therapy."

"It's counseling. Besides, it was so odd…the way we interacted, as if we hadn't been separated at all."

"That's love," Alec said. "You can run, but you can't hide."

"Alec!" I groaned, walking ahead to my locker. Not again with the love thing.

With our schedules for the semester, we'd been handed a brochure about counseling and how every student had to visit Dr. Whitlock by the end of October.

"I say we take our time," Bella declared during lunch. "See how many go to him, and decide when it's the right time."

"Like you have something to hide. He knows of my past. He'll ask unwanted questions," Alec whined, picking at his salad.

"I could go first, and tell him to take it easy on you," I offered, covering his hand.

"And there's patient confidentiality!" Bella narrowed her eyes. "Besides, I have plenty of things that bug me."

"Yeah, me." I laughed, making her stick her tongue out at me.

Alec wasn't amused by our banter. "Do you have serious traumas?" he asked Bella.

I groaned, leaning on the back legs of the chair while Bella delved into a long, pathetic story about that time when we were kids and she brought home a puppy, only to have her parents immediately take it to the adoption center, not approving of pets. She'd been upset for weeks.

I tuned her out, looking around the cafeteria at all the new faces. I spotted a guy across the room—he was definitely a fag if my gay-radar wasn't broken, wearing tight clothes and lots of gel in his hair. I never got these people who put gel in their hair, but then again mine was a mess by its own standards.

After the eventful summer I had, I decided to not give a fuck anymore about what I did, who I did; taking a leaf out of Jasper's book. I had yet to act on my decision, and this seemed like a great opportunity. The new guy was probably a virgin and afraid of his strange feelings for guys, not out yet.

When I noticed him giving the football team appreciative looks, but looking away scared when they caught his eye, it was time to act.

"Be back soon," I told my friends, who ignored me, immersed in discussing Bella's childhood.

On my way to the twink, someone blocked my path. Jasper. He looked amused, but I could see a serious look in his eyes.

He shook his finger at me, before pulling me out of the cafeteria by the hem of my shirt.

"What the hell?" I hissed, annoyed.

"You don't want to do that." His blue eyes were boring into me.

"And what exactly are you talking about?"

"Edward, don't fuck around." He ran a hand through his hair. "For fuck's sake, you should stick to Alec. You're not the…man-whore type."

"Calling yourself names?"

Jasper looked around and realized we weren't exactly alone, as people were coming and going into the cafeteria. "Come to my office," he whispered, nodding down the hallway.

Scowling at him, I followed. We needed to talk after everything that happened.

His office at school didn't look much different than the one at the clinic.

Jasper threw himself in his leather chair, loosening his tie. I sat on the couch, not taking my eyes off him.

I linked my hands between my spread knees, licking my lips. "Did you find out who hit your car?"

Jasper lifted an eyebrow, before shaking his head. "No. Why do you ask?"

"I know." I bit my lip nervously, unsure if it was wise to tell him.

"You do?"

I nodded seriously. "My father."

He relaxed, stifling a smile, obviously not believing me. "Do you hear yourself, Edward?"

"Clearly!" I snapped, narrowing my eyes. "If I were you, I wouldn't vote for him."

A look of disbelief appeared on his face. "You're not joking."

"No, I'm not. Look, Jasper, I get it. You don't want me, but I still care about you."

He held a hand up, penetrating me with his intense blue eyes. "I never said I don't want you. Pretty Boy, where are you staying? Are you safe?"

I opened my mouth, then closed it, processing his question. "What?" I managed to say.

"I went to your house a few days after my birthday. Your mom told me you were gone, and she had no idea where you were. How could you leave like that?"

"If she was that worried, she'd have gone to the police, but I bet they didn't want Dad's campaign spoiled with the runaway son. She probably thought I was at Bella's or Alec's, which is true. I'm staying at Alec's. Also, I changed my phone number."

He looked incredulous. "How do you plan to pay for school?"

"I have to pay?" I had no idea my parents were paying for the public school. I thought that happened only in private education.

"You didn't know? It just shows how immature you are. You should go home, Edward."

"Don't tell me what to do! Dad pretty much told me he wanted me dead—so, no way in hell I'm going back there!"

Jasper sighed loudly, rolling his sleeves up to his elbows. "I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but you need money to survive in this world—money you don't have."

"I do. Pittsburgh Opera paid me. I'm going to play there again."

"That's great, but you're still a minor in the eyes of the law."

"I'm eighteen!"

"Hooray! Eighteen going on eight, or what?"

"Don't fucking patronize me, Jasper! I know what I'm doing." I went to his desk, my fists balled at my sides.

"No, you don't," he said calmly.

"Yes, I do!" I slammed my fists on his desk, making his pen cup shake. "You're not my father!"

"Thank God for that. Incest isn't my thing," he drawled, eyeing me coolly.

"I really want to punch you right now," I said through clenched teeth.

"Do it." He opened his arms, as if inviting me to hit him.

I restrained himself, breathing harshly. I could never hurt him, no matter how angry I was.

"Sit down, Edward. Breathe. Take a mint." He gestured to the chair across from him, pushing a small metal box toward me.

I obeyed, falling in the chair. I was hyperventilating.

"Jesus, Pretty Boy." Jasper walked around his desk and knelt in front of me. "It's okay. Shh." He rubbed the side of my leg.

I let myself fall into his arms, a sob erupting from my chest. He knew exactly how to make me lose control, and not always in a good way.

I'd been keeping everything bottled up inside, and he read through my tough façade. It was his job, after all.

"Help me," I mumbled into his neck.

"Oh, I plan to do just that. You really need help, but we'll do it off the record." He grabbed my chin, tilting my head so we were at eye-level.

"Because I don't have the money to pay you?" I felt sick.

"Because you're a complex case and it will require extra hours, home visits, late nights…"

I pulled away, staring at him in shock. Jasper admitted he wanted to see me again, to be with me again…in his own fucked up way.

"You mean it?" I whispered.

"Every word. I want you back. I miss you."

"You miss me, or my ass?"

"All of you, Edward. I've been worried sick about you."

I gazed at him for a long time, debating whether I was ready or not to subject myself to a relationship with him. If he broke my heart again, I had no idea how I'd react. I'd probably choose to never talk to or see him ever again, even though it gutted me.

The bell rang, making both of us jump.

"Saved by the bell," I said in a shaky voice.

"Think about my proposal."

"I will."

OoO

That was the first and last time I talked to Jasper until I had to be there for the evaluation thing. I'd waited until the last possible moment.

After telling Bella and Alec about what happened on that first day of school, they both advised me to stay away. Even Jane asked me to use the head on my shoulders.

I fooled myself into believing not seeing Jasper would make me forget him. It was best for both of us. If we got caught, he risked his career.

It was the day before Halloween, and also the Homecoming dance, since my school was celebrating both events at the same time.

Gathering all my courage, I knocked on the door of Jasper's office at school. I hoped he was still in there, considering it was past seven in the evening.

"Hold on!"

After some shuffling from the other side of the door and a few words exchanged, the door opened, and I came face to face with the library guy.

I wanted to retch.

Really, Jasper? Seriously.

He could do a lot better than that fucker…he could do me.

Jasper eyed me up and down with a look of surprise. "Oh, hello." He plastered a fake smile on his face. "About time you decided to grace me with your presence."

I grunted and slipped into his office, bumping into his shoulder on the way in.

He bid goodbye to Walter, the library guy, before closing the door.

"I'm aware we have our differences, Edward, but this is my job."

"I'm not here for you to fuck me. Obviously, you just did that, anyway."

He narrowed his eyes. "I meant, your evaluation. Everyone came to me in the first month. I was beginning to wonder if you were going to come at all."

"Slipped my mind." I shrugged, biting my tongue not to comment on his choice of words.

Jasper sighed heavily, walking to his desk, and sunk into his leather chair. He pulled some files in front of him, before glancing at me.

I lounged on the couch, kicking my legs up on the arm rest. I had a feeling it was going to be a long evening.

"Alright. Full name."

"Are you shitting me?"

"Language. I'm part of the faculty."

"If I'd agreed to be your boy toy, you wouldn't have been part of the faculty."

"Edward!"

I picked his lighter from the table next to the couch, flipping it on and off. "Edward Anthony Cullen—C-U-L-L-E-N."

He scribbled on the paper. "Birth date?"

"June 20th, 1996."

I saw him cringe—it made my blood boil, but I kept my mouth shut. Why did my age have to be so important?

"Taurus are ambitious people. Riley is a Taurus."

"I'm Gemini," I said dryly, playing with his Zippo.

He smirked, nodding. "I see. Moving on... Parents?"

"Won't it be easier if I filled that in, or do you like my voice?"

"I have to write this. Your voice is nice."

I rolled my eyes. "Sweet. So to answer you, Esme and Carlisle."

"Jobs?"

You know the answer! I wanted to shout. "Is this really necessary? Why is this so important?"

"Answer me, Edward. It's Friday night. I want to get to Rainbow before it closes."

"Walter wasn't satisfying enough for your needs?"

"Walter?"

"They guy you just fucked."

Jasper snorted. "I didn't."

"Yeah, he blew you. Big difference. Whatever. Mom's an interior designer, also helps Dad with his campaign. Dad is an asshole." My eyes widened when I realized he wanted to write what I said. "Whoa! Stop."

"It's okay, Edward. That's the way you see him."

"He's a Senator, I think."

"You think?"

"I don't pay attention to politics. I don't care."

"Alright, next part of the questionnaire."

"Shoe size?"

"Jerk."

I poked my tongue out at him, but he turned serious, determined to finish with the questions.

"Favorite color."

I gave him an incredulous look, but answered. His twenty-one questions continued with favorite food, movie, music, book, season, clothes, animal, then we moved on to comparisons—seaside or mountain, oranges or apples, and so fucking on.

At some point, I suspected he wanted the answer for himself, but I didn't comment.

"What's your greatest desire at the moment?"

To get the fuck out of here. "I want a car." It was the truth.

Jasper stared at me for a few moments, before writing the information.

"What do you want to do once you finish high school?"

"Play music, continue my studies…" I shrugged.

"Any plans for the near future?"

"Get a stable job."

"Have you asked your parents for help? I'm sure they'll pay for your education."

"Is that a real question? Like, written there?"

"No. I was curious."

"Curiosity killed the cat. Are we done? God forbid keeping you away from Rainbow."

"Almost. Sit back down," he demanded when I got up, ready to go.

"Hurry, will you? This is boring."

He tapped his pen to the desk. "Are you struggling in school?"

"No."

"What's your relationship with the other students?"

He held my eyes, and I couldn't look away, or lie. "We get along."

"Anyone mean to you? Have you been bullied?"

I closed my eyes, images of Emmett constantly harassing me the previous year, flashing under my lids. "Not recently."

Jasper let out a sigh of relief. "What's your relationship with your parents?"

"Strained."

"The problem?"

I watched as he stayed bent over the paper, waiting for my answer.

"I'm queer," I said quietly.

He glanced at me, the corner of his mouth lifting up. "Do your friends know? Do they accept you?"

"Yes, they're supportive." He knew the answers to most of his stupid questions.

"Are you seeing anyone?"

"No?" That was an odd thing to ask.

Silence fell around us, as he wrote something at the bottom of the last page. I was dazed after the influx of questions—mostly personal questions.

"Do you still love me?" Jasper asked, looking up from his papers.

"Yes. Wait. What?"

Jasper came to the couch, pulling me to my feet. "I meant what I said last month. I want you back."

"But…you're…well, you."

"I won't fuck around behind your back," he promised, looking sincere.

"I know. You'll do it in a room down the hall from me."

"You can join me."

"I'd rather skip."

"Edward, I'll try to change and be a better man—for you. I realized everyone else was a meaningless fuck—you're the whole deal."

"How hard can it be to say the words?" I exploded.

"It's all you get for now. Me—all of me. I need time to learn how to trust and…love again."

Tears sprung into my eyes, realizing what an idiot I was. He had trust issues.

"What about your job?" I smoothed his tie, staring into his eyes.

"We need to be extra careful. Can you do that?"

"I like the thrill." I winked, snuggling closer to him. It was like a breath of fresh air being back in his arms, engulfed by his scent.

"Also," Jasper tilted my head with a finger under my chin. "I want to pay for your school."

"I'll ask Mom. I don't need a sugar daddy."

He snorted. "Good. Talk to her. She's worried."

We stood there grinning like two idiots, before he leaned closer, pressing his forehead to mine. His nose nudged mine making me laugh, before he caught my lips in a hot kiss, making my insides turn into goo.

"Want to join me at Rainbow?" he asked against my mouth.

I had plans to study for an upcoming test with Bella and Alec, but they'd understand Jasper was more important.

"Why not? Maybe afterwards, you can show me your bedroom ceiling."

"There's nothing fabulous about it, or so I've been told."

I laughed, throwing my arms around his neck, unable to contain my giddiness. "I'm sorry," I pressed my lips to his ear.

"Forgiven, though I should be the one apologizing." He kissed the top of my head. "Pretty Boy," he said into my hair, holding me close.

Forgiven too fast? I don't think so. :)