I don't own anything except the Lockhart family.

Chapter Thirteen: Balancing

I looked down at my phone to see Bella begging me to come over. I raised my eyebrows before texting her back that I would be there in ten minutes. I slipped my coat on before grabbing my keys to the Jeep.

It didn't take long for me to get to Bella's house. When I did, I felt my brows pull together in wonder as I looked at the unknown car in the driveway. I grabbed my keys from the ignition before running into Bella's house, trying to get away from the rain coming down.

I opened the front door and put my coat on the rook before following the multiple voices coming from the living room. Charlie looked over the couch to see who was coming in, and smiled when he saw it was just me, "Hey, Chelsea- this is my friend Billy Black. You know his son, right?"

I looked over at the man, named Billy, that was sitting on a wheelchair before noticing the familiarity. This had to be Jacob's father. "Yeah, Jacob, right?"

"That's right." Billy nodded his head and I held out my hand to shake his hand lightly.

"Chelsea just moved here the same time that Bella did. Massachusetts, right?" I nodded my head at Charlie's question.

"That's a big move." Billy commented and I tried smiling normally at him.

"Needed a change." I bite the inside of my cheek trying to keep my smile on my face, but I'm sure it looked fake after a while.

"Chelsea, you're here." Bella smiled coming out of the kitchen and I almost sighed in relief. I did not want to sit here and listen to their questions. "Come on, Jacob and I are making grilled cheese, you hungry?"

"I can go for a grilled cheese." I said smiling back at her. I looked down at my phone to see a text message from my mom asking where I was. "I forgot that my mom was getting off early from work."

"Invite her over." Bella offered, hiding her smirk probably remembering the last time my mom and her dad were together.

I gave her a snort before nodding my head, "I think I will. Make that two grilled cheese then." I messaged my mom saying that we were all gonna watch the game at Bella's and she was invited. It took a little convincing and a phone call from Bella to finally get her to agree and that she wasn't imposing. I shook my head at my mom's antics before going back to helping Bella with sandwiches.

"So, Jacob, how have you been?" I asked cooking up some bacon to put on the sandwiches.

"Pretty good, I'd have to say." He said smiling at me from the table.

"Did you finish your car?" Bella asked. She was cutting the tomatoes.

"No." Jacob frowned lightly, and I couldn't help but think that frowning didn't fit his face. "I still need parts. We borrowed that one." He said pointing over his shoulder, meaning the mystery car in the parking lot.

"Sorry, I haven't seen any," Bella paused. "What was it you were looking for?"

I snorted as Jacob answered with a smile back on his face, "Master Cylinder."

I placed the cooked bacon on a plate as there was a knock on the front door. I smirked over at Bella as Charlie questioned out loud who was at the door. Bella and I were quietly listening to what was happening in the living room before it got quiet. We shared a look before walking over to the entrance.

"Bella said that it was okay that I come over, I brought chips." My mom was holding up three bags of chips and I laughed at her slight blush.

"Of course, come in." Billy said smiling up at my mom while Charlie was staring at Bella with his eyebrows raised. She shrugged her shoulders lightly before retreating back into the kitchen.

"Mom, that's Billy Black; Jacob's father. I told you about Jacob, right?" I said introducing the two.

"I think you mentioned him once or twice." My mom said before shaking Billy's hand.

"I can see the resemblance between you two." Billy said looking between my mom and me. I didn't react to his comment anymore but my mom got a kick out of it- always making joke saying that we were actually twins or she was a lot younger than 42.

I let the adults talk as I made my way back into the kitchen.

It was a long night.

I watched as Bella kept on watching the adults, but I wasn't sure why. Along with the fact that I wasn't sure why Bella wanted me to come over, but I could only guess it had something to do with Billy.

"Are you and your friends coming back to the beach soon?" Jacob asked looking over at Bella and I as all walked out of the house.

I shared a look with Bella followed by a small shrug as Bella said, "I'm not sure."

"That was fun." Billy smiled looking at Charlie and my mom.

"I agree." My mom smiled. "It's nice to get out of the house sometimes."

"Come up for the next game," Charlie mentioned. "Both of you." I bit my cheek when I saw my mom's cheeks turn color.

"I think I will." My mom nodded her head before looking at me, "I'll see you at home." I nodded my head. "It was nice to meet you, Billy." My mom shook his hand shortly.

"Nice to meet you both." Billy looked over at me with a knowing look and I bit my lip softly. "Have a good night." He turned his eyes to look at Bella next to me, "You take care, Bella."

I watched with Bella as all the adults plus Jacob split up and drove down the road. "I'm gonna go to bed, goodnight all." I smiled at Charlie as he went back into the house before looking back at Bella.

"Billy definitely knows." Bella said once she knew that her dad was away from hearing range.

"Knows that their vampires?" Bella nodded her head at my question and I ran my hand through my hair lightly. "Do you think he'll say anything?"

"I don't think so. My dad chewed him out when Billy spoke bad about the Cullens once. I don't think Billy will say anything to Charlie." She paused before continuing, "I'd watch for your mom, though."

"I will."

I woke up groggy the next morning, not really wanting to go to school. It was Friday though. That meant it was only one more day before I had the whole day with Jasper- and his family. I still wasn't fully prepared to meet his whole family, but Jasper said that'd like me, so I'll just have to believe him.

I grabbed my phone once it started ringing on my bedside table before answering it, "Hello?"

"You sound happy." My heart beat sped up once I heard Jasper's voice talk to me on the other end.

"Ha, ha." I sat up in my bed glancing over at the time to see that I had about 20 minutes to get ready for school. "Is there a reason you bothered my morning ritual of wallowing in self-pity?" I joked lightly.

"Wallowing in self-pity, huh?" I heard him chuckle before continuing, "Yes. I called to tell you that you'll need to drive today. I would drive you but I'm leaving lunch early to go hunting with Edward and Alice."

"Okay, that's fine. I'll see you at school?"

"See you at school."

I sighed as I hung up the phone before getting ready for the day. I was a little disappointed that I wouldn't see Jasper in History later on in the day, but I understood that he needed to go hunting tonight to hang out with me tomorrow.

I quickly dressed before grabbing my keys and hurrying out the door. I had 5 minutes to get the school and I couldn't help but wish that I had Jasper's speedy driving right now.

I pulled into the spot next Edward's Volvo after noticing that the Mercedes wasn't in the school lot. Jasper probably drove with Edward today. I grabbed my backpack from the passenger side as my door open. I look over my shoulder quickly before relaxing when I saw that it was just Jasper. "Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you."

I shook my head at his smirk before getting out of my Jeep with his help. "Sure, you didn't." He gave me a small chuckle in response.

"How was your night?" He asked as I settled my bag onto my back.

"Restless." I shrugged my shoulders lightly, it wasn't anything that was new to me. "What about yours?"

"I would have to say mine was the same." Jasper joked making me laugh up at him.

"Nothing exciting?" I asked as we started walking towards the school.

His lips twitched before he answered, "Nothing worth mentioning."

I narrowed my eyes not believing him, but that just made him laugh at me again. "Any further questions today?"

"We haven't even started." He smirked down at me.

He continued in his interrogation throughout the day, but this time I was able to ask some back. I was shocked when he started asking about past relationship and friendships from my old school.

"I didn't really have many friends," I shrugged my shoulders as I payed from my lunch. I refused to have him pay for me anymore, even though he told me he didn't mind. "And Mark never let me have any boyfriends. I managed to get a couple but they never lasted because I couldn't get close."

Jasper pursed his lips before nodding, "Understandable."

"What about you? Any friends or past relationships?" I could tell that he was surprised I asked, but I was curious.

"Nothing from my human life that I remember. I do have a couple friends outside of my family. Peter and Charlotte. They're mates and they helped me for a couple years before I split off. I still keep in touch here and there." He explained as I nodded my head at his answer. "Would you mind at all if you drove Bella home after school?"

I looked over at Edward and Bella before shaking my head, "I don't mind at all. What happened to her truck?"

"Edward drove her."

I nodded my head at his answer, "That's fine. Are you leaving soon?"

"At the end of lunch, yes." Jasper nodded as we sat down at our table. I could feel my mood decrease- I didn't want Jasper to leave so soon, but I knew that I was going to see him tomorrow, all day.

"What time are you coming by tomorrow?"

"I thought we agreed on 10 o'clock, no?" Jasper asked as I took a bite out of my lunch.

"Just making sure." I gave him a small smile and he chuckled lightly under his breath. "Are you hunting for anything specific?"

Jasper's lips twitched upwards at how casual I was about his outside activities, "We're not going far. Just whatever we can find close by- deer, most likely."

"Is deer good?" I knew that the meat of venison was delicious but I couldn't picture how the blood would taste.

Jasper shrugged his shoulders, "It holds you off, but you need to drink more of deer than you would a bear, or a mountain lion."

"Or human." I added trying to keep the conversation easy. I wanted to be able to talk about this stuff with Jasper.

"Or human." Jasper nodded his head agreeing. "Deer isn't the most appetizing, though. It's almost a dirt flavoring since they are herbivores."

"Carnivores taste better than." I assumed.

Jasper nodded his head, "Much better."

"Are you just going with Alice and Edward?"

"They are both the most understanding." Jasper replied. I cocked my eyebrow at him asking him to explain further. "The rest of the family is a little wary on how I can't seem to stay away from you."

"Almost confused?"

"In some ways." Jasper shrugged. "I'd say mostly concerned."

"Because of how you were brought up, right?" I guessed even though I didn't know how he was brought up.

Jasper sighed, "Yeah."

"They should have more faith in you." I smiled up at him lightly, "I know I do."

Jasper gave me a tight lipped smiled before looking over his shoulder, "Alice."

I turned around to see Alice standing over my shoulder. I was shocked at how attractive she was up close. Her golden-brown eyes stood out nicely with her pale skin and short black hair. She wasn't as short as I originally thought that she was, but she was still petite. 'Pixie' was definitely the right word to describe Alice Cullen.

"Jasper." Alice smiled lightly before looking down at me, "You must be Chelsea."

I nodded my head, "I must be."

"It's so nice to finally meet you." Alice smiled brightly before leaning down and grabbing me in a tight hug. I raised my eyebrows at the awkward hug, but I patted Alice's back anyways.

"Alice." Jasper's voice was tight while his eyes were narrowed looking at his sister.

Alice stood up with a pout on her lips and I shrugged it off, "It's alright. I just wasn't expecting it."

"We're gonna be great friends." Alice smiled back to her perky self. I gave Alice a smile back, hoping that it didn't look too awkward. Her smile didn't falter so I could only hope that my smile was convincing. "Are you ready to go?"

"I'll meet you and Edward outside." Jasper answered nodding at his sister.

She nodded her head before turning back to me, "I'll see you tomorrow?"

"See you tomorrow." I waved her off as she went and walked over to Edward and Bella's table.

"I'm sorry about her. I tried telling her to wait to meet you tomorrow-"

I shook Jasper's worries off with a smile, "It's fine. She's nice, I like her."

"She likes you, too. She's been waiting to meet you for a while."

"What do you mean?" I asked looking over my shoulder at the bouncing Cullen.

Jasper laughed lightly, "She saw you before we even moved to Forks."

"She knew I was coming."

"Yes."

I bit my lip as I turned back to Jasper. "Do you have to go?"

Jasper's lips twitched into a smile, "If I plan to spend the whole day with you tomorrow, yes."

I felt my lips twitch downwards into a frown as I sighed, "Should I say 'have fun' or is that morbid?"

"'Have fun' works." Jasper laughed as he stood up from the table. I followed his lead, knowing the lunch bell was going to ring soon anyways.

"Well, have fun then."

"And you- stay safe for me?" Jasper looked down at my hands reminding me of my freshly healed scratches from La Push beach.

"I think I can handle that until morning." I smiled at him, making him smile back.

"I'll see you tomorrow morning." Jasper raised his hand up and rested it gently against my cheek. I leaned my head towards his hand as his cool touch electrified my skin. "Bright and early."

"I'll see you then."

He smiled before leaning down and kissing my cheek lightly, just on the corner of my lips. I closed my eyes lightly before I felt his hand drop from my face. I opened my eyes and watched him as he walked out of the cafeteria.

The rest of the day was long as I got more and more excited about tomorrow. History was almost unbearable without Jasper. I tried to concentrate mostly on the lesson on the board, but the empty seat next to me kept making me think of Jasper. It was almost scary how close I was getting with him.

Not because he could potentially be life threatening- as he likes to put it- but because I've never really gotten this close to a guy before. I knew that I could trust Jasper, though. He wouldn't hurt me.

Finally the bell ending school rang and I couldn't get out of my seat fast enough. I didn't really know why I was rushing to go home, I didn't really have anything to distract myself from the agonizing wait for tomorrow to come.

I reached the parking lot and was almost surprised to see Bella waiting by my Jeep. I almost forgot that I was giving her a ride home. I was too distracted from thinking about Jasper. It was almost getting bad.

"Ready?" I asked as I got closer to my vehicle. I unlocked the door as she nodded her head.

We both piled into the Jeep before taking off out of the school parking lot. "Can I go to your house for a bit?" I heard Bella ask.

I looked over at her with a smile, "Sure."

"I can't believe you're not nervous for tomorrow." Bella muttered as we walked into my room.

"I am nervous; I just don't show it." I swung my bag off my shoulder and onto my floor next to my desk. A white piece of paper on my desk caught my eye. I walked over to it and picked it up as Bella continued talking behind me on my bed. I felt the smile reach my lips as I looked down at the message on the paper:

Be careful for me.

"Chelsea?" I slipped the paper back onto the desk before turning back to Bella.

"Sorry, Bells, I was spacing out. Wanna repeat that?"

Bella didn't stay too long.

I did drive her home for dinner- she claimed that she had to make dinner for Charlie before he burnt the house down. I didn't doubt her for a second.

Since it was only 8 o'clock, I decided to put on a movie to try and get my mind off a certain person. I choose the movie at random, but couldn't help but laugh as 30 Days of Night started playing on my TV. It was almost crazy how they portrayed vampires in such a graphic way. Little did they actually know that vampires were the most attractive species on the planet, and didn't actually have fangs. The differences from this movie to the couple vampires that I have met so far are mind-blowing.

Even though I knew that the vampires from the movie were totally fake, it didn't mean that I didn't jump at the right parts in the movie. It also didn't mean that I didn't jump when I heard a noise coming from the hallway.

I quickly grabbed the closest weapon that I could find- which happened to be a pair of scissors on my desk- before proceeding out into the hallway. I peaked around the corner and looked into the living room/kitchen. I gripped the scissors tighter as I saw a silhouette walking around the kitchen.

I turned on the living room light as I let out a battle-cry scream.

The other person screamed as well, as they turned on the lights to the kitchen. I loosened the grip on my weapon as I came face to face with my mom. "Damn it, Chelsea, you just about gave me a heart attack." My mom held her hand over her heart.

"I wasn't expecting you home until late, I thought you were some kind of burglar." I dropped the pair of scissors onto the counter before giving a small laugh.

"Do you even know what time it is?" My mom asked still leaning against the kitchen counter.

"Uh..."

"It's almost midnight."

"Well, in that case, I'm going to bed." I leaned over and gave my mom a kiss on the cheek.

"Chelsea?" I looked over my shoulder as my mom called my name. "What were you going to do with a pair of scissors?"

I shrugged my shoulders as I laughed with her, "I wasn't too sure at the time. I was going for what my gut told me."

"You gut told you to give off a battle-cry?" My mom teased.

"Goodnight." I sang before turning the corner, shaking my head as I heard my mom continue laughing.

The next morning was hectic, to say the least. I couldn't figure out anything to wear, and I was almost tempted to text Bella for her opinion- almost. I didn't want to be cliche and wear a dress to meet Jasper's family, but I also didn't want to under-dress. I needed the perfect median between too dressy and under-dressed. Finally, I found an outfit that would work for the occasion. I straighten my hair and put on minimal makeup.

I quickly ate breakfast as the clock ticked closer and closer to 10 o'clock. I looked up when my mom came into the kitchen in her regular morning robe. "You know that Jasper will be here soon, right?"

My mom rolled her eyes at me, "If he plans on sticking around, he should plan on getting used to this."

I snorted a laugh at her as she pour coffee into a cup. "Is that something I should tell Charlie?"

"Oh, you-"

I barely dodged the flying rag as I quickly ran into the living room when the doorbell went off. I opened the door laughing as I heard my mom's grumbling words before turning to look at Jasper. My heart sped up as I took him in. He was wearing a regular black v-neck with a nice pair of jeans, making me feel ridiculously overdressed. His long blond waves were perfect as usual, and his famous smirk was placed on his lips making my heart skip a beat. "Ready to go?"

I nodded my head grinning at him, "Mom, I'm leaving." I said turning my head towards the kitchen.

My mom came out of the kitchen and leaned against the kitchen entryway, "Good morning, Jasper."

"Good morning, Ma'am." Jasper bowed his head lightly and I bit my lip as he put his southern charm.

"Have fun, be safe." My mom smiled at the both of us.

"I'll keep her safe." Jasper promised making me blush lightly.

"I'll be back later." I waved at my mom before following Jasper out the door.

Jasper and I walked towards his car that was parked patiently in the driveway. Once we both settled into the seats and started driving to wherever he was taking me, did I begin to talk.

"Are we heading straight for your house?" I asked looking out at the passing trees.

"No, I wanted to show you something first." Jasper smiled over at me lightly, "And I promised I'd tell you about my past." His smile faded.

"You did." I nodded my head. "Are you going to your house after that?"

"Yes." Jasper nodded his head.

I looked up at the clouds to see them thinning out, "I wonder if the sun will come out today."

"It's supposed to." Jasper answered.

"Alice?" I asked thinking that she told him what the weather was going to be like.

"Channel 5, actually."

"Oh." I blushed lightly at his laugh.

It became silent between Jasper and I as we drove down the road. It really didn't take that long, but I did notice that we were just on the outskirts of town. "I hope you're up for some hiking." Jasper joked as he pulled over onto the side of the road where a couple trails lead into the woods.

I looked down at my white shoes but I shrugged my shoulders anyways, "Just don't let me get lost."

"Never."

We both got out of the car and I made sure to keep up with Jasper. I wasn't as uncoordinated like Bella so I was able to keep up just fine at his speed- even though I could tell he was going slow for me.

"So what is this place?" I asked trying to remember the trail that we were taking- it wasn't one of the man-made trails.

"It's a place I like to go to think." Jasper answered honestly.

I nodded my head at his answer. Unfortunately, I didn't see the root coming out of the ground until my foot caught on the tip of it. I felt myself falling forward before I stopped midair. I sighed thankfully as I felt Jasper's hand on my upper arm, holding me from falling flat on my face. "Thanks." I quickly regained my footing.

"I thought you weren't clumsy." He joked lightly.

"Only around you." I instantly bit my lip as a blush resided onto my cheeks at my confession. Jasper pursed his lips before nodding his head at me.

"Come on, we have a little ways to go."

I sighed as he didn't comment on my slip before quickly following after him, careful to watch for roots this time.

Jasper would graciously help me if we had to go over fallen trees, or if the forest suddenly got dense. A couple times he lifted me up carefully before jumping over trees, just to make the hike faster. I couldn't help but miss his touch every time he let go of me though. I wanted nothing more to reach over and grab his hand to hold, but I didn't know what boundaries were up right now.

I was glad that I wore a light jacket over my outfit today. It was starting to get a little warm out, and I wasn't completely sure if it was just warm for Forks or it was warm because of the hike. I couldn't see the sky through the trees most of the time, so I couldn't answer my silent question.

A couple times I've caught myself staring at Jasper's perfection. He just seemed so at peace in the woods, and I couldn't help but smile softly at him. He didn't seem hesitant or somehow in pain like he was in school sometimes. He was relaxed, moving naturally, without having to hide that fact of what he was to watching eyes. He was in his natural habitat.

After a couple miles or so, I got tired of the silence. I started asking him more questions about his past life. Anything that he remembered from when he was human. What the time period was like when he was growing up. Some questions I asked, he told me that he would explained once he told me how he became a vampire. I didn't see the connection, but I let it go. He asked me some questions back- even though I find it hard to believe he had anymore questions to ask from the past two days. But Jasper always seems to amaze me.

He asked about past holidays, if I saw much of my family, past pets that I had. The questions definitely helped the hike became more bearable.

"How close are we?" I asked trying to see any break in the trees.

"Nearly there." Jasper answered lightly.

"I'm starting to think you brought me out here to kill me." I joked poking him in the arm. He rolled his eyes at me.

"Not funny."

"Thought it was pretty funny." I muttered stepping around a bush accidentally knocking into Jasper's shoulder. He slipped his arm around my back to prevent me from falling back from the impact and I smiled my thanks at him.

Finally after what seemed like forever, I could see daylight breaking from the trees. I smiled as I started getting more excited about what Jasper's special place looked like. "Is that it?"

I watched Jasper nodded his head before I skipped with excitement. I could barely contain myself as we got closer to the edge of the trees. I started moving faster than Jasper as he followed me, smiling at my radiating excitement.

I broke through the trees and gasped at the pretty sight. The river was flowing freely from the small waterfall on my right. The sun was shining brightly through the cracks of the trees making the water almost shimmer. The forest surrounding the river was all green. It truly was a peaceful spot. "This is amazing." I laughed as I looked over my shoulder at Jasper.

I noticed that he was still hanging in the shadows of the trees. I was about to ask him what he was doing, but I remembered that he was going to show me what happens when he steps into the sunlight. I watched as he seemed almost hesitant in moving. I smiled encouraging him that it was okay, "I'm not scared."

"But you should be." Jasper sighed. I didn't comment I just let him make the move first. I knew he would when he was ready.

After what seemed like 5 minutes, Jasper took a step further towards me. He took a deep breath before stepping into the mild glow of the sun over head.

Sorry about the cliffhanger, but you'll get the next chapter soon!

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Let me know how you think about this chapter,

Love, Cheyenne.