Bella POV

The first thing I noticed was I was far more comfortable than I should be. This was not my bed. My bed, while comfortable, was not this soft, or big. I shifted my position. The bed may have been soft but there was something hard on my left. It was like I was pressed up against the wall.

"Bella." I recognized that voice. Rosalie.

Then it hit me. Everything that had happened the night before. Port Angeles. Edward trying to kill me and Rosalie saving me. Rosalie's confession…

I was her mate. Even though she explained it I still didn't understand what it meant for me. She said it was up to me. I wasn't sure I liked that. Would she suffer if I turned her down? I didn't want her to suffer especially not because of me. At the same time, I wasn't sure if I loved her, or if I could love her. I take that back. I could love her. I'm sure I could.

"Bella," Rosalie said again. "I know you're awake."

I opened my eyes. Rosalie was lying beside me. "What time is it?" I asked.

"5:30am," Rosalie responded. Crap. I was going to be late. "You're not going to be late." I stared at Rosalie. "Alice saw you worrying about being late to school."

I sat up. "I can't tell if Alice's gift is useful or just plain frustrating," I grumbled.

Rosalie laughed. "We all feel the same. Alice grabbed some clothes for you. They're in the bathroom if you want to shower." She pointed out the shower. "There's a towel and washcloth on the counter."

I took longer in the shower than I intended. It was the nicest shower I had ever seen. It had glass walls and multiple shower heads on the top and side of the shower. It was expensive. Probably more expensive than Charlies' house but I didn't want to think about that.

Instead I enjoyed the feel of the hot water. The hot water massaged my skin. I never spent much time in the shower. Just long enough to get clean. But now… now I didn't want to get out.

By the time I did get out of the shower Rosalie's bedroom was empty. The clock in the room said it was 6am. I was in the shower for thirty minutes. I'm surprised Rosalie didn't come and check on me. Maybe Alice told her I was fine.

"Good morning Bella," Esme greeted when I got downstairs.

"Morning," I said. I could smell food.

"Sit, I made breakfast for you," Esme said leading me to the kitchen table. She gently pushed me into the chair.

"Where are the others?" I asked. I was surprised I wasn't bombarded with vampires staring at me while I ate.

"Carlisle got called into work, Rose and Emmett are hunting, and Alice and Jasper, I'm not entirely sure what they are doing," Esme answered. I don't think I want to know what they are doing. "I figured you could use some peace while you ate so I sent them away. Rosalie was reluctant but Emmett convinced her to hunt. She will be back before you have to go to school."

Esme sat the plate of food in front of me. She grabbed herself a cup of coffee and sat at the table with me. "Can you drink coffee?" I asked curious. I knew they didn't eat. But could they drink?

"I can," Esme confirmed. "It doesn't taste great. I like to use the coffee to warm up my hands, so I'm not as cold to humans."

I nodded in understanding and dug into my food. "This is amazing," I told Esme. I was a little jealous that a vampire could cook so well. She couldn't even taste the food she was making yet it was perfect every time.

"Thank you dear," Esme said with a smile.

"You know, don't you?" There was no way she didn't know.

"I do," Esme confirmed. "You know I wasn't much younger than you when I first met Carlisle. I was human and fell out of a tree and broke my leg. I was drawn to Carlisle, even then. It wasn't until I was turned that I really understood what those feelings were. Being involved with a vampire when you are human isn't easy."

"I don't want to hurt her," I said softly.

Esme grabbed my hand. "Bella, I appreciate your concern for Rosalie but you need to focus on what's best for you. Rosalie will understand and support any choice you make."

"What happens if a vampire gets rejected by their mate?" I asked curious. I got the feeling I didn't want to know the answer.

Esme frowned. "Honestly, I don't know. It's never happened before. When a vampire mates with a vampire they both feel the pull. As far as I know a vampire has never mated to a human." That didn't answer my question. Esme sighed. "I can't say for sure but I imagine it wouldn't go well for the vampire."

"Would it kill her?" I dropped my fork. I wasn't hungry anymore.

"I don't know Bella," Esme said. I looked up. "I think it might be possible. Carlisle will look into it. As long as you don't outright reject her, she should be fine."

Now I was worried. Didn't I already reject her by telling her I didn't know if I wanted to be with her? Did that count? Was she dead somewhere in the woods and no one knew about it?

"Bella, I can feel your worry from outside," Jasper said walking into the kitchen. "What's wrong?"

I shook my head. I couldn't say it. How do I tell him that I was selfish and because of that his sister may be dead?

"Bella," Rosalie said walking into the kitchen.

I stood up, with the intention of hugging her. I was so relieved she was okay. It didn't make it over to her. My legs gave out. I was in Rosalie's arms before I realized what was going on.

"I'm okay Bella," she whispered in my ear. "I'm okay." I could feel her holding me but for some reason I wasn't calming down. All I could think about was the fact that she was going to die and it would be my fault. "Jazz."

It was almost instant. The panic and fear I was feeling was suddenly replaced with calm. I was starting to relax in Rosalie's arms.

I pulled away from Rosalie. "What was that?"

"Me," Jasper answered. I had forgotten about his gift. "Your heart was beating too fast. So, I used my gift to calm you."

I looked at Esme. "How did they know?"

"Alice," Rosalie answered. "She saw the conversation between you and Esme and your breakdown afterwards. Do you want to talk about it?"

Rosalie gently set me back in the chair. "No, I'm fine," I lied, pushing the eggs across my plate.

"Bella, I can feel what you're feeling and I know you're lying," Jasper said softly. He turned to his family. "Can you guys give me and Bella a minute alone?"

Rosalie kissed my forehead and walked out of the room. Esme hesitated. "Eat up Bella," Esme urged before following Rosalie out of the kitchen.

"Esme's right. You should eat," Jasper encouraged. I slowly started eating again. "I could fear your fear and panic, just before I got here. Do you want to talk about it?" I didn't say anything.

"Esme and I were talking," I began. "I don't know how I feel about Rosalie and that scares me. I don't want her to die but she was unlucky enough to be mated with a human."

"Bella, Rosalie is fine," Jasper promised. "She does not expect you to love her now. Honestly, I don't think she expects you to ever love her. If she can be a part of your life, in any way, then she will be happy."

I shook my head. "That's not fair to her," I said stabbing a piece of watermelon.

"I don't think the universe has been cared about what's fair," Jasper pointed out. "But this isn't fair to you either. You do have a choice in all of this, even if it doesn't seem like it."

"My choice can kill someone," I reminded him.

"Our choices can kill someone too," Jasper said. "Are you really going to go through your entire life afraid to do anything? I know Rosalie doesn't want that for you."

"What do you suggest I do?" I asked him. I hated being told what to do but, in this moment, I wanted someone, anyone to tell me what to do.

"I can't tell you that," Jasper said sadly. "You need to figure out what you want on your own. But I will tell you this… focus on the present." I frowned. "You're so focused on what the future holds. You should be focusing on right now. Forget about the mating bond if needed. Get to know Rosalie."

"Jazz, sorry to interrupt but we need to get going or we are going to be late to school," Alice said coming into the kitchen. "You okay Bella?"

"I'm fine," I said automatically. Jasper raised an eyebrow at me but said nothing. "How are you explaining Edward's disappearance?"

"Esme called and said he has the flu," Alice answered. "It will work for the rest of the week. After that we will need a new excuse. Rosalie and Emmett already left. Rose wanted to give you some space. You'll be riding with me and Jazz."

Esme returned to the kitchen. She handed me twenty dollars. "For lunch," she said when I stared at the offered money. "I know Charlie usually pays but since you were here…"

I opened my mouth to tell her twenty dollars was far too much. Alice shook her head before I could say anything. "Don't try and argue. You won't succeed. Are you ready?"

"I am. I just need to clean up." I went for the plate so I could clean up before we left. When I looked down it was already gone and Esme was putting it back into the cabinet. "I guess I'm ready."

"Wait until you see my car," Alice said with a grin.

Alice's car turned out to be a bright red Ferrari. Jasper held the passenger door open for me and then jumped into the back seat.

"Do you all have cars?" I wondered.

"Not all of us," Jasper answered. "Esme and I don't have a car but I'm thinking about getting a truck. I'm trying to convince Rosalie to restore one for me but haven't had much luck. If you want to put in a good word for me Bella, I would be grateful." He winked at me.

"Rosalie would do anything you asked if it made you happy," Alice explained.

It was hard to believe that there was someone would do anything for me. It was strange and kind of nice. It made me wonder exactly what she would do for me.

Alice pulled into the parking lot. Rosalie and Emmett were already there, leaning against Emmett's jeep, talking about something. Their eyes snapped up when Alice pulled into the parking spot.

Everyone stared at me as I climbed out of Alice's car. I couldn't hear what they were saying but I could imagine the gossip, especially since the Cullens rarely interacted with humans.

Rosalie and Emmett walked over to us. Emmett threw his arm around my shoulder. Rosalie glared at him and I swear I could hear her growling. "Emmett, you're an idiot," Jasper said from behind us.

Rosalie looked ready to rip his arm off. "Aww, Rosie, don't be mad," Emmett said.

"Idiot," Alice echoed. "You're lucky we're at school or Rosalie would rip your arm off."

I pulled away from Emmett. It seemed like a safe choice. I couldn't imagine what would happen to the humans nearby if Rosalie got angry enough.

Jasper grabbed my arm this time and led me to my locker. "You're overthinking again," he whispered in my ear. "No matter how angry Rosalie is she would never put us, and more importantly you, in danger."

I glanced back to where Rosalie was standing with Alice and Emmett. "Why isn't she glaring at you?"

Jasper let go of my arm so I could open my locker. "I'm already mated. I'm not a threat to her relationship with you. Plus, she knows I'm the only one who can calm you down." He winked at me.

I should have known spending so much time with the Cullens was going to catch up to me. I managed to avoid Jessica and Lauren for most of the morning. By fourth period I couldn't avoid them any longer.

"Bella," Jessica greeted.

"Jessica, Lauren," I said with a sigh.

"We heard you came to school with the Cullens," Lauren began. "And I saw you getting close to Jasper Hale earlier. Weren't you into Edward Cullen? Or are you making the rounds to all the Cullen boys? What's next, after the Cullens?"

"I don't know what they see in you," Jessica said looking me up and down.

"I guess it's a good thing you don't control their actions then," I retorted. The bell rang. I grabbed my stuff and stormed out of the classroom.

"Bella," Emmett called jogging over to me. He grabbed my arm and dragged me away from the cafeteria. "We need your help. Rosalie is about to rip Jessica and Lauren apart."

I let Emmett drag me to an empty classroom. Rosalie was struggling in Jasper's arms. "Bella, a little help," Alice said. She was standing in front of Rosalie, trying to reason with her but nothing was working.

"She won't hurt you," Emmett told me. "She's incapable of hurting you."

"What happened?" I asked walking toward the angry vampire.

"She overheard your conversation with Lauren and Jessica," Alice responded. "If we don't calm her down, she will kill them. I've seen it."

"What do I do?" I was standing in front of Rosalie yet she didn't seem aware of my presence.

"Touch her," Alice answered. "No matter how angry she is, or how scary she seems, she will calm down under your touch."

My hand shook as I moved it up to gently cup Rosalie's face. Black eyes moved from the door to me. The black was already starting to fade. "Rose," I said softly. I was pleased to hear that my voice was steady. "Come back to me."