Bella

"You didn't answer my question." I said as I sat down on my bed. Jasper smiled and released my wrist so I could relax. He gripped a little too tight, but he was pretty good at unwinding his strength. I wiggled my wrist, checking for damage. It was fine.

"Hmmm…?" He asked, his honey eyes looking around. He strolled casually in my room, almost like he was used to being here and completely at ease. But, I could see the way his throat swallowed uncomfortably when he passed some of my clothes.

"Why are you here?" I questioned again.

He turned his eyes on me and rubbed a hand under his chin, like he was pondering it, "I don't know." He stated. "I needed a break from the family and before I realized it, I was here."

I didn't know if I should be flattered or horrified. He had tried to kill me and probably came to succeed or he really did miss me and felt the need to come. It upsetted me.

"Does anyone know you are here?" I asked carefully, raising a brow. He stared at me with a sense of calmness. A few moments passed before he answered.

"Probably Alice. And if Alice knows, she'll either keep it to herself or immediately tell Eddie." He shrugged, a calm smirk on his full lips.

A little anger flared inside me from my ex-boyfriend's name, but I quickly dissipated it. No need for harshness, "He probably doesn't. If he knew, he would already be calling you or be here."

He chuckled and shoved his hands in his skinny jeans. He looked more teenager than man or vampire at that moment. An innocent pose for an innocent teen, "I hope not. I don't want to have to kill him."

Even though I didn't like him, I didn't want him dead. I changed the subject, "Where's Alice?"

He always took awhile to answer. As if he was making sure his words were the truth and careful, "She's in Paris. I haven't seen her in a few months. She decided to take a break." I could hear the thickness behind the subject.

"I'm sorry." I tucked my hair behind my ear and bit my lip. He watched me quietly then let out a long sigh, "What about the rest?"

"Carlisle and Esme are still in Alaska. Edward went off on his own. Rosalie and Emmett went on a trip. We didn't stay together long." He shrugged again.

I felt tears brim my eyes. If I never had that party, the family would still be here, I would be with Edward, and Alice with Jasper. Jasper was in front of me in a flash and I gasped at the closeness. His eyes darkened and I didn't know if it was from my tears or his thirst.

"Crying doesn't change anything, Bella. All they do is clean your eyes." He stated softly, an edge to his tone.

I glared at him, but wiped them away. He was right, but he didn't have to say that way, "Shut up."

His nose was almost touching mine and he flinched away, his eyes darkening even more. He stood in a blur and hissed, "I should go hunt." He headed towards the window.

"Wait!" I called after him, "Will I see you again?"

He turned to me, his smirk cocky, "Ask yourself that question." And then he was gone.

I sat there, staring at where his golden eyes used to be. Just then, Lucy jumped on my lap with a soft meow. I glowered at her, put petted her bumpy spine. She purred.

"You're a bitch, Luce."

…

The eggs started to stick together so I stirred more before flopping them on a plate. It was early and Charlie must've spent the night at Billy's, probably on the couch. He would like breakfast when he got here. My phone suddenly rang as I placed some bacon on the plate, next to toast. I sighed and put the dish in the oven and grabbed the ringing technology off the hook.

"Hello?" I greeted softly.

"Hey, Bells." I could detect Jacob's big grin.

It formed my own as I paced around the hook, "Hey, is Charlie there?"

"Nah, he just left. I wanted to tell you."

"Thanks," I paused, tapping my fingers on the counter, "Jake?"

"Yeah?"

"You know the Cullen's?" I asked, almost a whisper.

He was quiet for awhile, "Yeah…?"

"So…you know Jasper?"

"Yeah, the one who tried to eat you…" He urged me on.

"He was…um, here last night."

"Agghh!" His scream of agony made me jump.

"Jeez, it isn't that bad!" I crowed.

"No, no! I just spilled a bunch of hot coffee all over my crotch!" There was another pause before he spoke again, "What'cha say?"

I swallowed, "Jasper was here."

"Agghh!" I jumped again.

"Coffee?"

"No! Why the hell was he at your house?" He shouted.

I felt cool breath on the back of my neck and I hopped one foot in the air when I heard his greeting, "Hey, Bella."

"Agh!" I screamed, turning in place to see that smirk on his handsome face and golden hair in his butterscotch eyes.

"Bella! Was it the coffee?" Jacob yelled in my ear.

"No, no! I'll talk to you later." I hung up and I heard his muted protest before it hit the receiver, "Jeez, Jasper, you scared me." His lips were pinker and his face looked a little flushed. His eyes were the brightest I had ever seen them.

He chuckled and scratched the back of his head, "Sorry about that."

I watched him warily then turned, putting up the eggs and milk, "It's fine."

"So, you're friends with a dog." He stated, crossing his lean arm. I rolled my eyes and reeled back around to face him.

"No, he's a werewolf. And they're fine." I shrugged my stiff shoulders. I heard a soft purr and looked down to see Lucy rubbing on the vampire's legs. Traitor.

Jasper chuckled again, deep and throaty and rich, "It seems she likes me now."

I glowered at her then him, "It appears so."

He reached down to scoop her in his wiry arms and petted her small head, "She's cute. What's her name?" I turned back around to put up the extra dishes.

"Lucy." I replied stiffly. It was quiet for awhile, "Jasper?"

"Hmmm?" He hummed lowly.

"Do you…like me?" I asked hesitantly. I was glad that my back was to him. I didn't want to see his expression. It was another pause of tense air.

"No." He answered quietly. So quiet, I almost didn't hear him. I whirled around, my face light pink.

"Why?" I cried. I couldn't help but feel offended. Why the hell was he here?

He was nuzzling his nose with the cat's, her hind legs hanging limply in the air as he held her under the arms, "You're not supposed to play with your food. You don't show emotion to your food and I definitely don't like my food."

I stared at him, slightly bewilder, "Did you just call me food?"

He was in front of my face so fast I barely had enough time to blink. His eyes locked with mine and his arms trapped me between him and the counter, "That's what you are, Bella. You are a food source for me and my kind. My family may be different, but that's all your human race is. Food." He backed away and continued, scooping back up the cat, "Though, my family sees you as one of our own, so I couldn't practically call you that, but to me you are. That's what all humans are."

I sputtered, "S-So you want to e-eat me?"

His lips quirked to a smirk, "Immensely. I want to watch the life fade from your eyes; I want to hear you scream for it. Yes, I want to drink your blood, but also, I retain myself and keep distance. You're Eddie's after all." He shrugged causally, like we were talking about the weather.

My mouth was hung open before I registered his last words. Anger flared, "I'm not Edward's. I'm far from his. I'm as free as a bird."

He eyed me up and down with those honey eyes, "Are you?"

"Yep." I was proud to confirm it. I wasn't freaked out about Jasper wanting to eat me for some reason. I didn't find it weird. I found it…normal. I mean, it was Jasper.

"Good. You were too good for him." He stated, placing my cat on the floor and giving her one more good pet before vanishing from my eyes. I gasped and searched for him until the door burst open, revealing my father.

"Hey, Bells. Smells great." He smiled and gave me quick hug.

"Y-Yeah." I replied shortly, frozen in spot.