AN: Look, here is the confession. I write sappy fanfiction, but in my real life I'm described most often as an angry feminist. So, I was bound to have some issues with stupid Mike Newton and the way he just like doesn't answer Jessica's dance invitation until he has heard from Bella. Like, just say no my dude. What a dick. Any who, I don't like making every other girl in the story a villain, but please, enjoy a chapter of Mike bashing. I couldn't help myself. Oops. I really did try to keep it light still.

Chapter 7

On Monday morning I was pleased to see not the Volvo with Alice, Edward, and Jasper waiting out front for me, but the SUV. Edward was behind the wheel, and Alice, Rosalie, and Emmett were all inside. Jasper was leaning casually against the side of the car as always. I couldn't contain the joy I felt when I saw all of them there, and Jasper's face lit up with a grin as soon as he felt my emotions. Apparently, Rosalie really had decided to accept me.

Jasper got the door for me as I slid into the backseat.

"Hey, Rosalie. Hey, Emmett," I said brightly.

Rosalie smiled a little hesitantly, but Emmett grinned widely and without reservation.

"Bella, when are you staying over next? We didn't get to be a part of the festivities last time," he said.

"And you won't get to be this time," Alice said, turning in the front seat to face us. "Rose can, but my sleepovers are strictly no boys allowed."

"Unfair," Emmett said, pouting a little. "You let Edward and Jasper join the movie last time."

Rosalie laughed. "You're like the shiny new toy around here," she said to me.

I grinned shyly. "That's exactly how I felt at the high school when I first started. I keep thinking they'll get bored of me eventually. I never had that many friends back in Phoenix."

Edward laughed a little. I looked up at him.

"Sorry," he said, "I think it might take a bit more than you think for some of those boys to get bored of you."

Jasper scowled a little at that. I couldn't help but feel pleased at his reaction. It was petty of me. I didn't care.

When we got to the school, Alice and I broke off to head to our English class. She was carrying a cup of coffee for Jess. She had brought her one every day since the first time.

"Mmmm, thank you," Jessica said, humming happily as she accepted the coffee from Alice. "So, are you guys excited for the dance this weekend?"

"Dance?" I asked.

Jessica looked at me like I was crazy, shaking her head.

"It always shocks me that you don't know these things. You're like my sweet, little recluse. It's adorable. There have been posters all over the school. It's the spring fling. It's ladies' choice. I was going to catch Mike after school today and ask him. You're going to ask Jasper, right?"

I blushed deeply.

"Oh trust me," Jessica said, waving her hand dismissively, "Alice already knows."

Alice was trying her hardest to look innocent beside Jessica. I wondered if they had planned this.

"I'm not sure," I said evasively. "I'm not a big dance person."

"Ughh, you have to go. Angela already isn't going. I need someone there to make sure I don't make a fool of myself in front of Mike."

"I'll think about it. I promise," I said.

Class started then, so she wasn't able to protest further. I doubted I was the best choice for a double date option if she was planning on taking Mike, but I hated to let Jess down. I wasn't sure it mattered much anyway. I doubted Jasper would want to go with me. That seemed like something he would definitely put in the too dangerous column. I hated that column.

At lunch that day I stood in line with Jess and Angela for our food.

"Where's Lauren?" I asked, looking around.

"She's decided to eat with Tyler now," Jess said with a sly smile.

"Doesn't Tyler eat with us?" I asked confused.

"I think the point was for some one-on-one time," Angela said. She gestured over to a table where Lauren and Tyler sat closely together, talking contentedly to one another. I knew they had gotten close at the beach this weekend, but this made me happy to see.

"Oh," I said, "good for her."

We walked with our trays toward our usual table.

"You know, Bella, you could always sit with the Cullen's. You know, if you want to. We wouldn't mind," Jess said, glancing over to where the Cullen's all sat at their usual table, not touching the food in front of them as usual. When I looked over, Jasper was looking up at me grinning again. This time I knew it was because he could hear us talking.

"Don't worry about me, Jess. I don't plan on leaving you girls anytime soon," I said as we slid into our seats.

"I'm just saying, if I had the choice to eat lunch with a guy as dreamy as Jasper Hale, I'd take it," Jess said.

I laughed. "And I would never judge you for it, but I like my girl time. What are you, getting sick of me already?"

"Don't be silly, Bella," Eric said quickly. "We're not getting sick of you."

"That's right. Our table is way better to eat at than with the Cullen's anyway," Mike added sounding a little grumpy.

I wished they hadn't jumped in. I preferred just spending time with Jess and Angela.

The next morning in English class Jessica looked glum. I sat next to her. Alice gently deposited the coffee cup onto her desk. Jess didn't even reach for it.

"Hey Jess, you okay?" I asked quietly, not wanting to be overheard by the other students.

"I asked Mike to the dance yesterday," she said morosely. Oh no. That couldn't be good. "He said he'd 'get back to me'. What does that fucking mean?"

I met Alice's eyes. She grimaced slightly. I rested my hand on Jessica's back.

"I don't know, Jess. That was shitty of him. He shouldn't have done that," I said.

"Do you think he's waiting for someone else to ask him?"

"If he is, he's an idiot. There isn't a girl in this whole damn state who can hold a candle to you."

She smiled weakly at me. "Thanks, Bella. Did you ask Jasper yet?"

"Not yet," I said evasively.

That day after school before I could make it to the SUV where Jasper and his siblings were waiting for me, Eric stopped me in the parking lot.

"Bella," he called. I stopped to wait for him to catch up, wondering if he needed notes from class.

"What's up, Eric?"

He looked nervous.

"I, uhh, well you know the dance this Saturday?"

Horror began to drip down my spine. I nodded.

"Well, I know it's ladies' choice, but I heard you hadn't asked anyone yet. And I thought, maybe you were nervous since you're new and all, so I figured, what the hell, right?" He was rambling.

My horror was spreading. This could not be happening. I had never in my life had to reject someone before. I wasn't sure how to do it. He took a deep, steadying breath.

"What I mean is, would you like to go to the dance with me?"

"Eric, I- I'm so sorry. I can't. Thank you though."

I didn't give him time to respond. It was probably mean of me, but I fled the scene. Like a hit and run. I turned and dashed to the waiting SUV. Jasper was standing outside of it wearing an amused expression, holding the door open for me.

"Not a fucking word," I said, pointing at him warningly as I climbed into the car. He only smiled widely at that, getting in the car next to me.

"Just one word?" he asked innocently.

I huffed, turning to look at him.

"Heartbreaker," he said overdramatically, still smiling widely.

Emmett burst into laughter.

"I hate you all," I grumbled, sinking lower into my seat.

The rest of the week, Jessica's mood was no better. Mike had apparently not given her an answer still. Angela and I tried to convince her to ask someone else to the dance, but she insisted on waiting for Mike's answer. I was enraged. I had no idea why he was leaving her on the hook like this. I got my answer as I walked to Biology class on Friday.

Usually, I walked with Mike and Angela, but Mike pulled me aside after Angela walked through the door.

"Bella, I was hoping we could talk about the dance tomorrow," he said.

I eyed him warily. "Yeah. I heard Jessica asked you," I said, trying not to sound as annoyed as I felt.

He seemed embarrassed. "Oh, you heard about that?"

I rolled my eyes. "Of course I heard about that. Jess is my best friend."

"Right," he said as though just realizing that. Boys. They were useless. The whole lot of them. "Well, I haven't answered her yet."

"I know," I said, now clearly annoyed. "I wish you would. You're being really cruel to her."

"I was sort of hoping you were going to ask me," he said.

"You were hoping that someone else, her best friend, was going to ask you. So instead of saying no, you left her hanging. Why? So that you had a fucking backup plan?"

I was past annoyed. I was livid. Maybe Renee was right. I did feel things too strongly.

Mike seemed ashamed now.

"No, that's not what I meant to do. I just, I really like you, Bella," he said pleadingly.

He could plead all he wanted. I was pretty sure I was going to slap him in the hallway. He deserved it.

"This isn't going the way I meant it to," he said.

"And how exactly did you mean for this to go?" I asked.

"Bella, would you go to the dance with me this Saturday?" he asked. Somehow that boy had the nerve on him to look hopeful.

"Unfortunately, Mike, she's already going to the dance with me," Jasper said, appearing at my side from inside the Biology classroom and wrapping an arm around my waist. I could feel him calming me down, using his power on me. Damn him. I didn't want to be calm. I wanted to castrate Mike in front of the whole school.

Mike looked crestfallen. That made me feel a little better. I hoped he felt as shitty as I knew Jess was going to. Hell, I hoped he felt a million times worse. Had he just turned her down, I may have forgiven him. Mike looked at Jasper's arm around me.

"Oh," he said meekly. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize."

With that, he shuffled into the Biology classroom. I rounded on Jasper.

"What was that?" I whispered fiercely.

"Bella, you were mad enough to take that boy's head off. Someone needed to intervene."

"He didn't deserve any help," I grumbled.

Jasper put his hands up in surrender. "Oh, I agree, but I think you might regret becoming a murderer."

He was grinning at me. I couldn't help smiling back.

"You used your power on me," I said as quietly as I could, eyes darting around the hallway to be sure no one was listening.

"I did," he said. "Can you forgive me?"

He gave what must have been his best attempt at puppy dog eyes. Mostly it just made him look even hotter. Damn him. I chuckled softly, smiling at him.

"As long as you aren't trying to change or influence my actions, I don't mind. Just make sure you stop if I ever tell you to."

He smiled. "Yes, ma'am. Does this mean you forgive me enough to go to the dance with me?"

The question thrilled me, even though I knew it was just a cover after the conversation with Mike. Which was why I hated that I already knew the answer. I shook my head.

"I'm sorry, Jasper. I've got to catch Jess. If she doesn't hate me, then I owe her the most epic girls' night imaginable. Something to take her mind off of this crummy situation."

He seemed disappointed, but he nodded. We walked into Biology together. I noticed that Jasper wrapped his arm around my waist again as we entered the room. That seemed to make Mike sad. It probably made me a bad person that I was a little happy about that. I leaned in closer to Jasper as we walked. He grinned down at me.

After school, I ran to catch Jess by her locker.

"We have to talk, now," I said, slamming her locker shut and dragging her behind me into the girls' bathroom.

"Ow, Bella, what's you're damage?" she asked, rubbing her arm. "I have to go. Mike texted me and asked me to meet him after school."

I practically growled. "I'm sure he did, that little weasel."

Jessica looked at me confused.

"What's going on, Bella?"

I let out a frustrated sigh, running my hands over my face and through my hair.

"Don't be mad," I said. "Mike pulled me aside before Biology and asked me to the dance. I promise, I told him in no uncertain terms, and with a bit of profanity, that that was absolutely not going to happen. I laid into him pretty good for the way he was treating you."

Jessica looked stunned, there were tears in her eyes.

"Please don't hate me," I said desperately.

"I don't hate you, Bella. You didn't do anything. I just, I can't believe he would do something like that. I thought I knew him," she said.

I was so relieved Jess wasn't mad at me that I threw my arms around her. She hugged me back tightly for a long moment.

"I'm not sure what I should say to him," she said eventually, pulling back.

"Am I being too petty if I say, don't go meet up with him? Leave him there waiting. He left you waiting all week."

She smiled a little.

"No. You aren't being petty. You're being a good friend, but I think I should be the bigger person here. I'll go turn him down. This weekend is going to suck."

"It doesn't have to," I said. "I figured the only way to solve this is an epic girls' night. Plans TBD, but I'll make them good."

"Okay, but I'm going to warn you now, I might be a buzzkill."

"You're never a buzzkill, Jess. Text me later to tell me how it went, okay?"

She nodded, and we left the bathroom. I walked toward the parking lot, and she turned back to her locker to gather her things.

When I got to the parking lot and into the SUV, Alice turned around in the passenger seat to face me immediately.

"Edward told me what happened," she said.

I rolled my eyes lightly, growing used to the way news traveled in their family.

"I had an idea, Maroon 5 is playing in Seattle this weekend. I got tickets for us. Me, You, Jess, and Angela. If you guys want to go," she said brightly.

"You listen to Maroon 5?" I asked her.

She laughed lightly.

"Not really, but Jessica does, and Mike is a pretty big fan too. He'll be jealous."

I grinned at that. "I'm in," I said.

"Perfect. I thought we could get a hotel room and make a day of it. There are some shops that I've been wanting to take Jess to anyway."

"Alice that might be the most perfect suggestion."

"I know," she said beaming at me, "I've already seen it. She's going to have a great time."

I just laughed, pulling out my phone to text Jessica and Angela about our new weekend plans. Jess texted back that she was in immediately, and it all caps. Angela said she had to check with her parents first. I wasn't too worried. Alice would have told me if she had seen her not being able to come.

Sure enough, the next day Jess and Angela were out front of my house with me, overnight bags in hand, waiting for Alice to pick us up.

"I can't believe Alice did this," Jessica said. "It's so incredible."

Angela and I grinned at each other. "Yeah," I said teasingly, "just don't go replacing us with your fancy new friend."

Jessica laughed. "You girls are irreplaceable," she said, dropping her bag to throw her arms around us.

A shiny white compact SUV pulled up. I recognized it from the Cullen's garage. It was one of the Alpha Romeo's. I chuckled to myself. Edward had said Alice had an affinity for European sports cars.

"Oh my God," Angela said as she and I climbed in the back seat. We let Jessica sit up front. This was her weekend after all. "This is incredible. Is this your car, Alice?"

Alice turned back to beam at her as she started to drive off.

"Guilty as charged," she said. "We usually prefer to leave it in the garage because it's a little ostentatious to drive around Forks, but we'll fit right in in Seattle. You'll see."

It should have been a nearly four-hour drive. I was used to the way vampires drove by now, knowing that it probably had to do with their reflexes, and was sure it would take us less than that. I did notice that Alice was doing her best to drive slower than both Edward and Jasper always did, probably for the sake of the girls. While we drove, she and Jess talked about all the shops they were planning on hitting. Angela and I laughed merrily along with their good mood as the two of them planned outfits and shopping for us as well. At first, we tried to insist that we wouldn't possibly have the money to shop at all the stores, but Alice insisted that the whole weekend was her treat. I told Angela it was easier just to go along with it sometimes.

"Yes, Ange, you must simply go along with our master stylings. There may not have been any boy who tickled your fancy enough to ask to the dance this time around, but I'll be sure to have to ready for next time," Jessica said with a bright laugh.

Angela grimaced. I couldn't help but laugh as well. Eventually, she caved and joined our laughter.

When we got to Seattle, Alice dragged us to the shops first. "To have outfits for the concert," she explained. The bags we were carrying by the time we got back to the car were far more than enough to dress us for every concert we might even consider attending until we died.

In very Alice fashion, the hotel she pulled into was the Four Seasons. We climbed out of the car, and she handed her keys and what looked like a generous tip to the valet who was eying her appreciatively.

"Wow, Alice," Angela said in awe we walked into the large lobby of the building. "How much money exactly does your family have? This is way more than a small-town doctor can afford. I hope you didn't spend too much on us."

Alice just smiled. "Don't even worry about it. It's actually my mom, Esme. She comes from old money if you can believe it or not."

I did not. I had a pretty strong feeling that they had simply been able to save up money over the massive amount of time they had all collectively been alive. She checked us in at the desk. We were staying in one of the suites near the top floors. When we walked through the doors I think all of us humans must have collectively gasped, because Alice just grinned. The room was huge and nicer than anywhere I had ever stayed before in my life. But it was the views from the large floor-to-ceiling windows that stole the show. The room wrapped around a corner of the hotel so we had views of both downtown and the Sound. Alice tipped the bellhop who had helped us carry our bags up, and Jessica and Angela immediately ran to explore the suite.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out to read the text. It was from a number I didn't recognize.

Hope you're having fun with the girls. But you know this means you owe me a dance.

I knew that I was blushing. I couldn't help it. Jasper had finally texted me. It made me happy to think that it meant he was probably missing me too. I quickly texted back.

Are you saying I'm not too fragile for dancing?

I could picture his answering chuckle. I grinned.

"Did my brother finally get the nerve to text you?" Alice asked from next to me, a teasing tone to her voice.

"How did you-?" I started, wondering if she had really had a vision of Jasper texting me. Alice just laughed.

"You always get this little smile on your face when you're talking to him," she said.

"I do not," I protested.

Jessica laughed from where she had been looking out the windows at the view.

"You so do, Bella. You get it when you think about him too. I can tell when I catch you daydreaming about him in class sometimes," she said grinning widely.

I blushed even deeper, covering my face with my hands. "Oh god. Is it that bad?"

"It's sweet, Bella," Angela said. I groaned.

"Don't worry. Jasper has a sappy Bella face too. Edward teases him for it all the time," Alice said. I peeked out from between my fingers.

"Does he really?" I asked. She nodded.

"All right, girls' night pact. You all have to help me find a man who looks at me the way Jasper looks at Bella," Jessica said. I rolled my eyes at her.

"Deal," I said, feeling a little better. My phone buzzed again.

I'm sure even a human could manage to live through one dance.

"There it is!" Jessica said delighted, pointing at my face. We all laughed.

It's not me I'd be worried about surviving. You have no idea what you're signing up for. I'm a disaster on the dance floor. – I texted back.

There was almost no time before his reply came in this time.

That's a risk I'm more than happy to take.

I knew I was smiling the silly little smile this time. I didn't care anymore.

The concert itself was crazy fun, even though I didn't know much of the music myself. I had only ever been to concerts with Renee before, so going with a group of friends was an entirely new experience. Plus, I found I rather enjoyed the music. On the way out we stopped to buy matching tour shirts, and I grabbed a cd as well. All in all, it was a good weekend. Jess's spirits seemed to be lifted, though I was sure it would be rough again back at school with Mike.

On Monday when Jasper and his family came to pick me up from school, he seemed tenser than normal as he leaned on the side of Esme's SUV.

"Is something wrong?" I asked as I approached him cautiously.

"No," he said, holding my door open for me. I wondered if he was mad at me for some reason. As I passed him to get in the car, I froze, staring at him.

"Your eyes!" I gasped. I heard Emmett laugh from inside the car. Jasper's eyes that had always been bright and golden, except for that first day, were darker today. Though not quite so dark as that first day in class when they had been black. Jasper grimaced.

"I haven't hunted since last weekend," he said stiffly.

Oh. That made sense. His eyes had been black that first day with thirst. They were getting darker the longer he went without hunting. Our eyes locked a moment longer before I slid into the car. I hated that I had caused him any discomfort. After all, I was the one who had suggested he go back to practicing restraint. It hadn't occurred to me that it would be this hard for him. I should have known.

He slid into the car next to me. He was tense, sitting nearly perfectly still, staring straight ahead. I wasn't even sure he was breathing. Edward kept shooting Jasper worried looks in the rearview mirror as he drove. That couldn't be a good sign. I didn't know what to do. I looked up at Jasper for a moment and then reached over to gently take his hand in mine. He somehow went even stiffer, sitting perfectly still for a few seconds. He may as well have been a statue. Then, he slowly relaxed. He took a deep breath, turned to meet my eyes, and then looked down at our hands. He carefully interlaced our fingers together, gently squeezing my hand, and then leaned back against the seat, closing his eyes. I saw Edward smile lightly in the driver's seat and turn his full attention back to the road. Good.

When we got to the school and parked the car, Edward got an annoyed expression on his face. He turned and whispered something to Alice, who scoffed. Jasper's eyes shot open. He looked annoyed. I had no idea how he could have possibly heard what Edward had said. The only reason I had even known he had said anything at all was because I had seen his lips moving.

"What?" I asked, looking around the car full of vampires.

"Apparently Mike is waiting for you," Jasper said between clenched teeth.

"Why?" I asked.

"It seems when you didn't show up to the dance Saturday, he thought you must have stood Jasper up. He thinks it was because you were blowing Jasper off to date him instead," Edward said clearly amused.

"If he says one fucking word to me, I'll kill him," I said annoyed.

Emmett and Edward actually laughed at this. This was not the level of support I needed. Damn vampires. Someone needed to understand how deeply intimidating I was at this moment. After all, Mike was just a human. Humans could be backed over by trucks. I had one of those. I wonder if Charlie would be disappointed when he had to arrest me. I felt Jasper calming me down again.

"Damn it, this seems like a perfect time for me to be angry," I huffed at him.

"Maybe, but believe it or not, I'd actually prefer if you didn't kill him. I'm sure we could break you out of jail, but I don't know how much you'd enjoy life on the run," he said.

"I don't know. It's sounding like a good plan right about now," I grumbled.

He chuckled. "I think I have a better one," he said pulling me from the car still holding my hand.

We walked toward the school, passing Mike where he was standing as we did. As we walked past Mike, Jasper leaned down and pressed a light kiss to my temple. I saw Mike's eyes practically bug out of his skull. I might have laughed if I weren't so busy trying to control my own very flustered reaction that I knew Jasper could feel. Jess and Angela were walking a little further away and stopped to let us catch up. I noticed happily that they were both wearing their tour shirts from the concert as well. We matched. Jess was grinning from ear to ear when she saw Jasper and I approach holding hands.

"Did you girls have fun at the concert Saturday?" Jasper asked before Jessica could say anything else. His voice was a little louder than strictly necessary, something he didn't typically do, and I knew Mike must still be watching.

"It was amazing," Jess gushed. "Thanks for letting us steal Bella for the weekend. Alice told me you had wanted to take her to the dance."

Jasper chuckled. "I've lived with Alice long enough to know that girl time always comes first."

"God, he really is a keeper," Jess said to me in a stage whisper. I blushed, but Jasper just chuckled again.

"I'll see you in Biology, Bella," he said. He lifted my hand that was still laced with his and brushed a light kiss across my knuckles. My heart hammered in my chest. He smirked up at me through his eyelashes before dropping my hand, and turning back to glance Mike's direction for the briefest moment before walking toward his first class. Noticing he seemed far too pleased with himself, I stole a glance at Mike as well. He was watching me, nearly green with envy. Good. Serves him right. I looped my arm through Jessica's and we headed to English class.

"Oh my God, Bella!" she squealed as quietly as she could while we walked. It didn't matter. She could have been whispering and I was sure that Jasper would hear the conversation anyway. "When did that happen? Are you two of you finally dating?"

I shook my head sadly. "No. I don't know. He's so hard to read sometimes."

"That seems pretty hard to misinterpret, Bella."

"I think he likes me. I just- I don't think he dates," I said as we took our seats. Alice was there waiting with a coffee for Jess. I wondered if she had seen Jasper's little performance in front of the school.

"I think you need more confidence. That boy is wild about you. Right, Alice?"

Alice nodded, grinning at me. "Just ask Edward. He has to hear all about it."

"See? He talks about you! That's a good sign," Jess said.

I blushed and turned to face the teacher, knowing that Alice meant Edward had to listen to Jasper's thoughts about me. I felt grateful all over again that Edward couldn't hear my thoughts. I was sure he would find me insufferable around Jasper.

When I took my seat next to Jasper in Biology class that day, he still seemed uncomfortable. His eyes were still darker than I was used to.

"You know, thanks to your little display earlier, Jessica thinks we are dating now," I whispered, hoping to distract him.

He smiled at me, throwing an arm around the back of my chair and leaning in close to whisper back.

"Yes, but so does Mike, and trust me, if you could feel how jealous he is, it would satisfy your need for revenge."

It shouldn't have made me feel as pleased as it did. I had never had close friends before. What I had learned over this last week was that I was not a fan of people hurting them.

"He's going to notice we aren't actually dating eventually," I said.

Mr. Banner stood up to start his lesson.

"Not if I can help it," Jasper whispered quietly back.

The next day when I left my house, the whole family wasn't there to pick me up. It was just Jasper.

"Where is everyone else?" I asked when I was in the SUV.

"They drove with Edward this morning. They'll drive you home. I'm going to leave a little early today."

"Why?" I asked feeling disappointed.

"Alice had a vision. Mr. Banner is going to have us do blood typing in Biology today. He just decided this morning. That would have been nearly unbearable on a good day, but I still haven't hunted."

I felt a little lightheaded and queasy just at the thought of blood.

"Blood typing?" I asked.

Jasper looked over at me, clearly confused by my reaction.

"Yeah. Everyone has to prick their fingers to find their blood type. Are you okay?"

It already felt a little like the car was spinning.

"I'm fine," I lied. "I just don't do blood."

Jasper actually laughed out loud.

"Isabella Swan, do you get vasovagal syncope?"

"I'm sorry, what?"

"That's what it's called when you faint at the sight of blood. It happens to some humans. I've never actually met one…"

"Right, well now you have," I grumbled, a little annoyed at his amusement.

He laughed again. "And somehow you ended up friends with vampires?"

"Yes. I'm sure it's all very ironic."

We pulled into the school parking lot and he watched me for a moment longer, still unable to contain his wide grin of amusement.

"Well then, would you like to leave early with me?" he asked.

"You want me to ditch class?"

"Ditching can be fun. Live a little, Bella."

"Are you going to keep making fun of me?"

I saw him try and fight his grin down into a straight face, mostly failing.

"I won't keep making fun of you. Cross my unbeating heart."

"Your heart doesn't beat?!" I asked in shock.

He just laughed and climbed out of the car, walking around to open my door for me.

I told Angela and Jess at lunch that I was leaving for the last half of the day. Angela looked as though she didn't quite approve. Jess, however, was thrilled.

"Oh my God, Bella. He's definitely going to make his move," she practically squealed. "You have to tell us everything."

I laughed. "I really doubt it, Jess, but I promise to give you a play-by-play regardless."

I grabbed my backpack and headed out to the parking lot where Jasper was already waiting in the SUV.

"A play-by-play, huh?" he asked me as I climbed into the passenger seat and he started driving. I blushed.

"I knew you listened to my conversations," I said.

He shrugged a little. "I try not to. My curiosity usually gets the better of me. I've never been jealous of Edward's gift before, but I catch myself wishing I knew what you were thinking all the time."

I smiled. "But Edward can't read my mind, remember?"

"I suppose that's true."

"You on the other hand can read me like a book while remaining completely cryptic yourself. It's wildly embarrassing."

"I don't mean to be cryptic."

I wanted to protest. He was the very definition of cryptic. He told me it was too dangerous for him to be around me, that I was fragile, and then ran around getting my hopes up again. However, before I could do any protesting, I noticed where we were driving to. I hadn't thought to ask. I had just assumed we would be going to his house, but Jasper had just turned onto my street.

"Why are we here?" I asked in surprise.

"I showed you my room. It's only fair I get to see yours," he said giving me that cocky smile of his.

"We both know you've already seen it," I said. He looked at me confused. "The helmet," I clarified.

Jasper laughed. "You think I broke into your room when we barely knew each other, and you've just been okay with that this whole time?"

"In fairness, you did save my life immediately after. There is a certain amount I am willing to forgive in the act of life-saving"

"I'll keep that in mind," he said with a grin. "But I would never break into your room without permission."

"How did you get the helmet back then?"

He shrugged. "Alice handed it to me that day. She said she had a feeling I was going to need it."

"Of course she did," I said laughing lightly. "Well then, I guess I can give you the significantly less grand than your house tour."

"Trust me, I'm sure it's better than anywhere I lived before meeting my family."

That made me sad. I hated to think that any part of his long existence had been spent less than happy. I got out of the car and led Jasper inside. Charlie wasn't home yet, and with the other vampires out of earshot at the school, it was one of the only times we had been truly alone together.

Charlie's house was small. The downstairs was just a kitchen with a small dining area that was connected to a living room. Upstairs were our two bedrooms and the single bathroom we shared.

"My room's up this way," I said suddenly self-conscious, as I gestured to the narrow staircase. Jasper simply held his hand out in an 'after you' gesture. I swallowed a lump in my throat and led the way up the stairs and into my small room. Jasper followed me in and quietly began looking around the room. The only men who had ever been in any bedrooms of mine had been Charlie and Phil. I suddenly found I didn't know what to do with myself. My whole body felt awkward like I suddenly didn't know where to put my limbs. Jasper looked back at me with a smirk. I knew he could tell how awkward I felt.

He slowly walked around the room, looking at my things; the homework strewn across my desk, the titles on my bookshelf, the photographs I had hanging on my wall. I had made the room a little more me in the few weeks I had been in Forks. There were now pictures of me with Jess, Angela, and Lauren mixed in with the ones I had brought from Phoenix. Jasper paused in front of one of me and Renee.

"Is this your mom?" he asked softly, looking at the picture. The two of us were tanned from the desert sun, wearing matching smiles for the camera.

"Yeah," I said sadly.

He turned to look at me, sensing my sadness. "Do you miss her?"

"Every day. We were inseparable, like the Gilmore Girls."

He walked toward me, closing the distance between us in the small room in two strides.

"I'm sorry you had to leave her," he said, gently brushing my hair from my face.

"That's okay. We still talk all the time. And Phil makes her so happy. She deserves that."

"You deserve to be happy too," he whispered, leaning down to press his forehead to mine.

"I am happy," I said. He was so close to me. If I lifted on my toes just a little I could kiss him. His hands were on my arms. He leaned down closer. I could feel his cold breath on my lips. I think I may have stopped breathing myself though.

"Bella," he sighed. My stomach did a flip.

Just when I felt the ghost of his lips against mine, he pulled back though, groaning in frustration. He took a large step back from me and ran his hands through his hair. I'd never seen him look so anxious.

"What?" I asked trying to contain how simultaneously wound up and disappointed I felt. "Is it because you haven't been hunting? I'm sorry. It must be hard to be around me right now. I should have thought-"

Jasper laughed a little shakily. "Bella, don't apologize, please. Trust me, it's not your blood I want from you right now."

Well fuck. That was doing absolutely nothing for how wound up I felt right now.

"So what?" I demanded feeling frustrated. "I'm not that fragile, Jasper. You're the one who's practically an antique here."

He laughed again at that. I took that as a good sign and took a step toward him. He quickly stepped back.

"Bella, you don't understand. Alice's vision-"

"That's what you're worried about? I thought I already told you I don't want to be a vampire."

"You don't get it," he groaned in frustration. "I've known Alice for over 50 years. I've never seen her be wrong before. I can't take that risk. I won't be the one to take your life from you."

Look, there was more swearing in this one than I anticipated. Sorry for any readers who are bothered by that. Also, you have no idea how long I spent picking a stupid band for them to see. Because this story isn't strictly set in 2005. If it were, I wouldn't be able to write it without it being filled with anachronisms. But I also have tried very hard not to mention any specific time frame that it is taking place in, in case it's important to anyone that it be in 2005. My biggest slip so far is references to binging shows on Netflix. So I was stuck here, trying to find a band that would be popular with teens both back in 2005 and now. And I just don't listen to enough music to pull that off. I did manage to feel very old looking up music from 2005 though. So that was fun.