Everyone was staring, and whispering, when we went through the lunch line and then sat down at a table. The outrageously beautiful blonde girl, and the huge guy, were already there.

Alice introduced, "Rosalie, Emmett, this is Bella."

Emmett smiled at me, "Hey."

Rosalie just glared at me, and I felt myself want to shiver. I lowered my eye and unscrewed the cap to my lemonade.

Emmett asked, "So, where's my baby brother today?"

Alice frowned, "Something he smelt triggered his allergies and he had to go home."

I was surprised when the heavy words made the atmosphere suddenly very thick. As if she had said something deeper then what I had heard.

Rosalie glanced at me and her voice was a little sharp, "Bella, did you meet any other people today?"

I shifted in my chair uncomfortably, "Yeah, a couple."

She looked me over critically and asked, "Don't you like any of them?"

She really couldn't be any more obvious.

She didn't want me here.

I swallowed and muttered, "If you want me to leave I wi-"

Jasper cut me off, "Wait!"

I glanced at him; he was glaring something slightly less then murder at Rosalie.

"Don't listen to my sister, Bella, she's not important. Of course we want you here."

Alice nodded and Rosalie snorted, standing up and stalking away. Emmett hurried after her and the air around me seemed to lighten at their absence.

Jasper scooted his chair fractionally closer to me and asked, "Your next classes, what are they?"

I glanced at my paper, "Biology, then Trig."

Alice chirped, "You'd be having Biology with Edward if he was here."

Jasper smirked, "My last class is right across from yours, do you want me to walk you to the car after school? Or would you rather just meet us outside?"

I decided, "You can walk with me, if that's what you want to do."

He smiled tensely, "Great. I'll see you then."

I watched him disappear and Alice grinned hugely at me.

I asked, "What?"

She shrugged and took a sip of water.

Suspicious.

Biology flew by.

Trigonometry flew by.

I excitedly went over to Jasper after class.

He stood a half of a foot away from me, and his eyes were more distant then earlier.

I asked sympathetically, "Hard time in class?"

After a second he glanced at me distractedly, "Uh, yeah."

Our walk continued in a comfortable silence the whole way to the parking lot.

We were almost to the Jaguar when I heard Alice speaking fiercely to Edward, "Today is a very good day for him, Edward, don't be like that."

Edward glowered at her, and she narrowed her eyes stubbornly.

After a second his head snapped to the side and he spotted us.

He frowned, "Well, Rose and Em are waiting for me to unlock the car. I'll see you at home."

He, for the third time today, was half way across the parking lot in the short time it took us to reach Alice.

Jasper opened the front door and smirked, "Bella."

I blushed and ducked my head as I walked past him and slipped into the car.

Did he honestly just open the door for me?

Wow!

He climbed into the back and Alice got behind the wheel, following the silver Volvo down the road.

She asked, "So, it's Thursday. What are you doing this weekend?"

I shook my head and she smiled, "Would you like to come to Seattle with me? We can go shopping!"

I did need some Forks-worthy clothes. Like a rain jacket, perhaps. Extra socks.

"Sure."

She chattered her plans happily as we drove, and before I realized it she had pulled into my driveway.

"We're going hiking with Edward, Rosalie, and Carlisle tomorrow; would you care if Emmett picked you up?"

I shook my head and she grinned, "Great! I'll see you on Saturday, though."

I opened the door, "Okay, bye Alice. Bye Jasper."

I glanced at him, but he didn't respond. His eyes were closed very tight and he was grimacing, his head leaning against the window.

Maybe he was sick.

I slipped out of the car and waved before I shut the door and went inside to start something for dinner.