The night was spent with a lot of laughter, suppressed laughter on my end, but laughter nonetheless. Alice was a joy and had a knack for making people feel safe. Contrary to her brother. I was on edge the whole night until Esme and Jasper left in their respective vehicles, leaving Alice there for the night. We waved them off and delved deep into a story of Alice's first year in Forks, but no matter how engaging Alice was and how worried I was about my mother, at the edge of my mind, I still wondered what the hell I was doing letting Jasper get close to me. Hell, I didn't know the guy. I knew he was brilliant, the whole family was, anyone could tell you that, just like how they were all beautiful, but there was something nagging me about the whole scenario. There was no reason for me to feel an instant attraction - and so strong an attraction at that - all of a sudden. It was like a switch was flicked on the minute I saw him. I was absolutely, resolutely captivated by Jasper Hale. And I loathed to admit it.

"Daniela, you're being rude," I heard my mother say. I nodded vaguely and shuffled back into the couch, curling into myself. Between the ringing in my ears and the nausea, I was catatonic at the moment. "Daniela," my mom repeated. I didn't have it in me to respond.

"Maria, how about we go to sleep? It's pretty late and you two have had it rough," Alice suggested. "Dani and I can go do our homework for a while and then turn in. You, though, ma'am, should go to bed already."

"Carlisle said not to sleep, darling." My mother smiled, and I could see the exhaustion in her eyes.

Alice winked. "But he didn't say anything against staying up and planning designs."

Looking thankfully at the Cullen, my mom nodded and with a groan stood up from the couch. I quietly bid my mom goodnight, to which she responded by patting my head. I stretched out onto the entirety of the couch now that my mom had gone upstairs. Alice still sat primly opposite me on the other seat with her legs crossed at her ankles.

I turned my head to lay my cheek on the cushion and looked at her full on. She was tiny and yet carried herself with so much charisma. It wasn't like Edward or Jasper, they commanded attention with their height alone. Alice was different. She had the aura of a mastermind. She may have been energetic with my mom, but now that she was gone, her shoulders had loosened and her legs were more relaxed too. It made me wonder if she put up a facade at school as well.

"Alice."

She turned her head from where it was staring out the window to look at me. "Yes?" She asked, smiling.

I pushed myself up onto my elbows, focusing on her eyes. "Why do you all have golden eyes?"

If I had a dollar every time I was surrounded by silence in the presence of a Cullen, I had no doubt I would be as rich as them soon enough. Alice kept eye contact. Even when I wanted to break it, I couldn't find myself able to. It was the pull I felt near Jasper, but different. It was like I lost all motor ability, all my functions. I was trapped.

Alice finally smiled softly and said, "We just all wear contacts, silly. Keeps up the family appearance, you know?" She stood and brushed down her skirt. "Do you want to do our homework now?"

I nodded dumbly. What else could I say to that? To each their own. Each family had its thing. Mine consisted of a serial cheater, a traumatized artist, and a kid with serious mental health issues, go figure.

The night went fine, if you consider the feeling of wanting to vomit mixed with the consumption of a few energy drinks on my end and Alice staying up perfectly fine, only yawning occasionally, fine. It baffled me how she could stay up without anything to keep her up. I offered her everything from coffee to tea to a Red Bull - God knows why my mom had that in the fridge. Regardless, we did our English homework without a hitch. Alice had the funniest takes on The Crucible and some of the most insightful points I'd ever heard too. One second we were making fun of the way Abigail was a brat and the next Alice was making me feel guilty for her. It was almost like she could have been there herself and argued for Abigail. Not that that could ever be true, but it was fun to imagine. Alice did have the goth image going for her if she wanted to play the part of the witch.

I laughed at the image of Alice in a pointed hat and a cloak, it didn't seem too farfetched.

Alice glanced my way from across the kitchen table. She flicked a balled up paper my way. "What's so funny, hm? Don't like my analyses, ma'am?"

I waved a hand at the accusation. "No way, that's not even close."

She sat back in her seat and laid one hand over the other. "Then pray tell, what has you laughing while I'm analyzing our homework that's due tomorrow?"

I took one look at her and only the image of the pointy hat and cloak came to mind and I bust out laughing again. I tried ignoring the pounding in my head as I watched Alice be unamused. Through giggles, I told her, "Think you could pull off a witch's hat and a cloak?"

Alice scoffed. "A witch's hat is outdated - veils are back in. And I'll have you know cloaks are a perfectly good accessory for the winter."

I grinned and leaned back in my chair. "Oh, I'm sure. Along with what else, do tell?"

"Along with the F you're going to get if you don't start listening to my analyses."

I faked hurt as I put a hand over my chest. "Ouch, that burned, Alice."

Alice smiled, content. "Now, if you're quite done, it's nearly six am, and Jasper should be coming to pick me up soon to get ready for school," she relayed, packing away her books and materials in her tote.

I raised an eyebrow at that. "What sane teenage boy is awake at this godforsaken hour?"

"My brother, fortunately," she replied.

I nodded along and stifled a yawn. "Well, I don't know how you did it, Alice. I'm dead tired." I had to cover a yawn again. "Are you sure, Carlisle wasn't just kidding about me having a concussion?"

Alice laughed and shook her head. She continued cleaning up until we heard a knock at the door. I was glad Jasper didn't beep just in case my mom had finally gotten some sleep. I'm sure Esme wouldn't be calling her in today. I was still mad I had to go to school, though. Seriously, minor concussion or not, it was concussion! The minute I felt bad I was heading home… except that meant my mom would have to pick me up, so maybe not.

We walked to the front door together and upon opening it, there stood Jasper. I couldn't help the flush traveling up to my ears as I looked at him. He had changed, and now had a dark blue button down on with a larger coat. That blue should be illegal. His hair was slicked back today and I could clearly see his eyes. I thought back to what Alice said yesterday, how they all wore contacts. I had let the topic go, but it still struck me as odd that they'd choose such a strange color for their eye color. It wasn't normal, then again, neither were the Cullens. Hell, two of them were openly dating according to Jessica and Angela. And…

It struck me then that they had mentioned something about Alice and Jasper being closer to each other than the others and suddenly, I felt like a fool. This was all just a trick, probaby. They were probably together and just taking the piss out of me. I didn't want to let on that I knew anything and act poorly, not after Alice stayed up all night with me. Besides, she didn't do anything. Jasper was the one pulling moves. God. Whatever.

Jasper grinned when his eyes landed on us. "Morning, ladies. I take it the night went well?"

Alice flounced down the front steps and grabbed on to his arm, her tote hanging off the other. "Without a hitch. Maria should be asleep upstairs by now, it's been long enough."

I didn't miss Jasper flinching at my mother's name. I wonder what Maria screwed him over hard enough to make him flinch like that at the name alone.

He schooled his expression quickly and straightened out. "Good," he said plainly. He then turned to look at me head on. "We'll see you in a bit to pick you up, then?"

While I probably looked like a gaping fish, Alice seemed at ease answering for me. "Of course! She doesn't have her licence anyway, she wouldn't be able to go to school."

"Wait, how do you know I don't have a licence? And when was this agreed on?" I exclaimed.

"When you were too busy moping on the couch. You're mom asked if one of us could take you," she said easily.

I pursed my lips and crossed my arms. "So the solution was to have Jasper come back and forth a bunch of times?"

The siblings glanced at each other and shrugged. "Yes, ma'am," Jasper said.

I rolled my eyes. "So, I have no choice?"

"No, ma'am."

My eyebrow twitched at the "ma'am." "Excuse you, sir, but I'm not old and I'm not a ma'am."

He grinned and slid his arm out of Alice's hold and scratched the back of his neck with it. "Sorry, ma'am. Meant no disrespect."

If this was a movie, I would've swooned and had him catch me. Alas, this wasn't - this was real life. I blushed and moved my hair aside from where the curls had fallen loose from its ponytail. "I guess," I muttered. I sighed and leaned against the doorframe. "So I'll be ready in a little?"

Jasper and grinned even wider and nodded, tugging Alice along to the Volvo I noticed was typically driven by Edward.

I watched them drive away, speeding down the street. I shook my head at the way Jasper drove, having backed up in the blink of an eye and swerving onto the street again. It was a sight to see. But the sight of the Volvo reminded me I'd actually be going to school with them. It was social suicide. I'd be the talk of the school. I groaned too loudly for six am and walked back in.

I dragged my feet behind me and up the stairs, coming to a stop in front of my room. I could just hear the faint snoring coming from my mom's room. She deserved the rest. I hadn't gotten to ask her what she'd seen that made her crash, but I could leave that for another day. She needed time too.

I got ready for the day, dressing in slightly better clothes, if only so I didn't make a fool of myself in front of the whole school. I sat on my bed and stared out the window, reminiscing about the past few days. It had been hell on earth. I had come to Forks, excited to see my mother, desperate to get away from my father, and as if the world had a grudge against me, threw me for loops. I never expected a break in to happen, much less for… that. I still hadn't mentioned what I actually saw to anyone, and I doubt I ever would - they'd lock me up for sure for seeing things. I have enough of a history with mental health to add hallucinations to the list. Delusions I could handle, but not hallucinations. Maybe what I thought Jasper thought of me was just a delusion of mine. It would check out.

I sighed. I did that more often here in Forks than I ever did in Miami. Miami meant constant noise and no time to think. It meant I didn't have to worry about racing thoughts because as long as I was busy I was distracted and distracted was good. Miami was sunny, loud. I missed it, I wouldn't lie. I didn't miss the friends, though. The friends were falsified excuses of people. Falsified lives, experiences, they didn't grow up. They were stunted. Focused on Miami and only Miami. And me? I needed to grow out of there. I didn't know where, but Forks seemed like a good place to try, even if I thought too much here.

A honk brought me out of my reverie. I grabbed my backpack and headed down to the front door. I expected Jasper and Alice, and I guess I expected Edward because it was his car, but I didn't expect Jasper to show up alone on his motorcycle. I was stock still, watching as he swung a leg over the bike. He made his way to the front door again carrying a helmet. He offered to me with a smirk and walked back to the bike, no conversation transpired. I shook my head and gripped the helmet tight before shoving it on my head, mirroring Jasper. I tugged up my bag and walked over to the motorcycle hesitantly.

Jasper noticed my unsure nature. "What happened to that feisty personality from yesterday, hm?" Shocked he brought it up and embarrassed he even thought to mention it to my face, I sneered at him and threw a leg over the motorcycle. He tilted his head back to look at me. "You're going to want to hold on, darling."

He didn't give me any time to process the pet name or even the fact I was this close to him again. He kicked up the stand, revved the engine, and skirted the curb as he raced down the street. I screamed and wrapped my arms around Jasper's middle.

The roar of the bike was loud in my ears even with the helmet on. I was yelling out curses and Jasper's name so often I was surprised he didn't drop me for being annoying.

"Jasper!" I yelled over the revving engine. "Why the fuck couldn't you bring a car?"

His body shook with laughter and I tucked myself in tighter to his back. "I can't hear you," he shouted back.

We got to the school eventually and the shock was evident on everyone's face as we came racing in. We pulled into a parking space next to the Volvo. I was much closer to all the Cullen siblings than I'd ever been before, and I was fucking nervous. Jasper got off first and hung the helmet on one of the handlebars. I still hadn't gotten up, mostly because I was scared my legs would crumple under me. I shakily pulled off the helmet while I made eye contact with Jasper, ignoring the converging group of people.

He smiled and reached out to grab the helmet from me. "Why so scared now?" He ignored his siblings and looked only at me. "We don't bite."

I heard his siblings either scoff or snort. I smirked at his quip and got off with a little more confidence. "You may not, but I do." I pushed the helmet to his chest and strode off. Halfway across the parking lot, I turned around and called back, "Thanks again! See you in Spanish?" Everyone in the lot by now was staring at the new girl who seemed to be closer to the elusive siblings than anyone had ever been.
I saw his lips move but couldn't catch what he said. I smiled nonetheless, letting myself revel in the close contact we had. It felt like betrayal to Alice, but I couldn't help myself.

I turned back around and kept walking away, passing the van I knew Bella and the rest of them were huddled around. I flashed them a smile and walked on. Before I knew it, I could hear rapid footsteps behind me trying to catch up. Wondering who it was, and mildly hoping it wasn't to ask about the Cullens, I turned around, again. It was - Bella? I stopped near the front door of the school building and waited for her. She was huffing by the time she came up to me and wasted no time in bombarding me with questions.

"Since when are you so close to the Cullens?" She frowned as she looked at me inquiringly. "You just got here too. I - I don't get it." I couldn't put my finger on it, but something about her seemed off.

"Bella, are you okay? Like, I know I don't know you like that, but you just… are you okay?" She glanced behind her towards the Cullens quickly, so I did too and caught Jasper's eye. I smiled as he didn't break eye contact. It was then I finally noticed there was a sibling missing: Edward. She didn't seem to notice and yet an understanding hit me. "This has to do with a certain bronze-haired boy, huh?" I smiled at her with a knowing look. "Listen, that boy is something else, sure, that whole family is, but chill. It's fine."

"No, you don't get it," she emphasized. "He…" she trailed off. "He wouldn't even look at me the first day in Biology. He - he looked at me like I smelled bad," she mumbled. I couldn't help but laugh at that, it was funny! She gave me a stern look and I schooled my expression. "He couldn't even sit next to me, he moved all the way to the end. And then the second the bell rang, he ran out of there. And then he even tried switching classes to get out of Bio. Who does that?"

I sympathized with her, I did. I just didn't know what to say to that. I just nodded and reached out a hand to put on her shoulder in comfort. "Hey, listen. I don't know him like that and I can't tell you what he'll do next, but I'm sure he probably just had a bad day. Give him some time. Besides, I think he's doing it for you - I don't think he came to school today."

She turned around, without any shame might I add, and checked to see if I was right. She exhaled the moment she saw there were four siblings instead of five gathered around the Volvo and the motorcycle. If relief was embodied, it would be Bella in that moment. But she kind of looked… sad?

"Come on, what's up now?" I furrowed my brows.

"You wouldn't get it," she said, walking inside the building.

I watched her leave before looking back one last time. Jasper was laughing at something Emmett said and in that moment, I knew I understood Bella. I'd feel the same if Jasper had acted that way.

The day passed without fail, except maybe Bella getting hit in the face with a volleyball. Jessica thought it was the funniest thing to have ever happened, which was why I snorted when at lunch she asked Bella how she was doing, bruised eye and all.

"I'm sorry, did I say something funny?" she asked, turning up her nose when I leaned back in my chair at the lunch table.

I laughed and said, "Well, I just think it's funny you're asking since you were the one to do it in the first place." I smirked at her shocked expression.

She was spluttering and searching for words. "I did not!" She turned to Angela for back up, which backfired.
"It really isn't funny, she could've gotten seriously hurt," Angela said, looking at Bella with pity.

"Yeah, Bella isn't the most coordinated person, you know," I reminded them. "Remember the first day when she hit Mike on the head?" There was a moment of silence as we all thought back to that first incident in PE. I doubt Mike minded much since it was love at first sight when he saw Bella, anyone could've seen that. "Besides, Bella, what do you think?"

Bella squirmed under all the attention, and I felt a little bad for putting her in that position. "Well, yeah, it does kind of hurt," was all she said before going back to eating her salad.

I sighed and went back to eating my own lunch. The rest of the table started talking about what they had planned for the rest of the day. I tuned in when I heard plans of going shopping later next week. I considered it for a minute, but ultimately decided going with Jessica was not the move, even if Angela and Bella would be there. Eating my lunch slowly, I let my eyes drift off to the table the Cullens were sitting at. It was odd seeing Edward missing there after their big entrance the first day of school with Jessica introducing them through the gossip mill. In this moment, I realized how easily I was falling into the rhythm of Forks, Washington. The crash aside, the town was simple, the actions simple, and yet here I was thrown into the middle of it. I have never been a simple person, my brain was never wired for that. Then here come the Cullens, extraordinary in all their glory, just like Carlisle said. I scoffed at the idea of them being that originally when he told me so in the hospital, but just like that they proved me wrong. I was letting myself fall into their web and I was being played like putty in their hands. And I didn't find myself minding much.

As if I had called him, Jasper's eyes found mine and I found myself shrinking in my seat. I was still thinking about how he and Alice may actually be an item and I was just getting caught in the middle like some stupid game. I furrowed my brows and let myself sink to Jessica's level.

"Hey, Jessica?"

She bit her lip as she finished saying something to Erik about History and looked over at me. "Yeah?" She rolled her eyes for dramatic effect.

I breathed out calmly, telling myself this was for a good reason. "Remember when you were telling Bella and I about the Cullens? Did you mean it when you said they were all together, except for Edward?"

Jessica seemed to light up at the chance to gossip. "Oh, duh! Of course. Haven't you seen them together? They practically fall into each other's arms!" She suddenly smirked. "Why? Don't tell me Miss Cool Girl has a crush on one of them."

I felt my face flush as the whole table erupted in snickers and laughter. I scoffed derisively. "As if, it was just a question."

I refrained from looking over to the table again for my own sanity. If that was true, I needed to stop myself, starting now. And how great was it that Spanish was my next class?

I sat silently, waiting for the warning bell to ring. Bella was across the table and to the right and appeared to be in deep thought too. It didn't take a mind reader to know she had to be thinking about a certain Cullen. That, or the pounding headache she must have. I rubbed my own head as I felt the beginnings of my own headache. I had gone to the nurse's office earlier to just lie down, but I had forgotten to grab pain meds before leaving the house. Having a hot boy come pick you up in a hot motorcycle will do that to you. I sighed as the bell finally rang and packed up everything as fast as I could. I wanted to beat Jasper to class to avoid the same awkward interaction as yesterday.

I did not. Jasper was faster than I gave him credit for because by the time I got to class he was already sitting down and had his notebook and textbook out ready for class to start, not that he'd need the book. I held back a groan as I stood in the door and decided to fuck it, I'd ignore him all the same. I slid into my seat just as Mr. Davis began to lecture, sending me a warning glare.

Jasper waited until we had gotten further into lecture before leaning over and whispering, "Howdy, ma'am."

I tried so hard to hold back a grin. It wasn't right. So I just ignored, ignored, ignored. He kept trying to make small comments on anything, the teacher's accent, the way I was barely writing notes, anything he could notice to try to get me to say something back. But nothing. I wasn't going to do that to Alice, and I was not about to draw myself into family drama; I had my own to deal with.

Near the end of class, my headache started getting worse, it was so bad I was having trouble concentrating on whatever the hell this man was talking about. I felt a cold hand on my knee and jumped in my seat. I whipped my head to the side, and instantly regretted it. I closed my eyes and clutched at my head, fumbling to grasp the edge of the desk.

"What's wrong, Daniela?" I heard Jasper ask. "Is it your concussion?"

I didn't have to say anything for Jasper to raise his hand and interrupt Mr. Davis. "Señor, Daniela tiene una concusión. ¿Podría acompañar a la enfermera?"

Mr. Davis looked skeptical, and I couldn't blame him after yesterday's incident, but he waved us away and that was all Jasper needed to help me pack up. He didn't let me do anything as he tossed everything into my bag and guided me out of the chair. I was, once again, at the center of attention, and it was all because of Jasper. It was too much to handle when I had a pounding headache to worry about, so I ignored the whispers from everyone around me. The bright fluorescents of the classroom and hallway hurt so much I didn't want to open my eyes, but I was surprised when I felt the same cold hand hold onto mine with the utmost care. Jasper guided me to the nurse that way: me holding a hand up to cover my eyes and the other hand wrapped in his larger one, warning me when there were steps or corners.

Once we were in the office, the nurse led me to a bed at the back and said I was free to lie down til the end of class. She also thanked Jasper for bringing me here, calling him a gentleman and whatnot - I couldn't disagree. The nurse left to attend to another student and Jasper helped himself to a seat next to the bed.

I frowned as he did, choosing to now hold a pillow over my face to block out the light. I could still clearly see him from my peripheral, and felt so guilty he was here, even if it was as a friend, if he was even one.

The quiet was deafening. I didn't know if speaking would be better or worse for us or my headache, so I settled for the silence. Jasper didn't get the memo.

"Daniela, did I do anything to you?"

The way his voice carried so much confidence and worry at the same time broke my heart. Here was this boy who probably just wanted to be friends and I was treating him like shit. I pushed the pillow harder down on my face.

"You didn't do anything, Jasper," I muttered, though I doubt he could hear me past the pillow.

And just like that, he tugged the pillow up a little and leaned on the bed with his elbows carrying his weight. "Say that again?"

I blushed at the closeness again, but I stayed resolute. "I said, you didn't do anything," I whispered, hoping the nurse wouldn't walk back here for a while.

"So…" he let the sentence trail off as he stared at me concerned.

I had to ask him. "Jasper. Is there anything going on between you and Alice?" I was praying to a God I didn't believe in at that moment, hoping for anything but "yes."

He sat back in his chair and gave me a strange look. We didn't say anything for awhile, just listening to the nurse treat another student who was bleeding from PE, so we had some time. I swallowed with difficulty; the more time that passed the stupider I felt and the more I wanted to walk out and not look back. But more than anything, I was frustrated he had this effect on me.

Just as I was settling for him to leave without saying anything, he cleared his throat.

"Alice is my sister, but she's more than that." I felt my heart drop to my stomach. "When Carlisle brought Alice to the family, it was like a breath of fresh air. Rosalie and I are close, yes, we all are, but what Alice and I have is different. She… she calms me, you could say."

"Wait, so then - then you two aren't going out?" I'm sure I looked the part of the hopeful fool well enough because he cracked a smile.

"No, we aren't. Why? Is there something else you wanted to ask?" He raised an eyebrow.

"No!" I exclaimed, cringing at the loud volume of my own voice. "No," I said quieter. "It was just a question, Jessica was talking the first day and made it out to seem like that."

He hummed in acknowledgement. "Most people seem to think that. They see Emmett and Rosalie and they assume the rest."

"Yeah," I said lamely.

We fell into a comfortable silence. I was still reeling from the news, but Jasper was evidently fine with revealing this information. I just didn't know what to do now. What did I do now?