Chapter 13

Disclaimer: Do not own Twilight, Stephenie Meyer does. Chapter title is from Dear Maria, Count Me In by All Time Low.

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"Alice, I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me. I was foolish and stupid," Jasper recited in the mirror. He shook his head, feeling utterly pathetic. It had been only several hours since... Well, he couldn't even bear to think about his previous action. The anguish he felt was ready to just his whole body he felt. Never did he feel these emotions since the battle field; was it really affecting him that strongly?

The reflection of his tortured face told him yes, yes it could.

There was the strong urge to just throw and destroy everything inside this room. However, Jasper refused; doing so would make everything worse.

"Please forgive me," he began again. "What I did to you was unacceptable. I'll leave, I'll take myself out of your life so you won't have to deal with all the distress I've caused you. I'm sorry." He was even more aggravated at another lame attempt. "Damn it," he swore loudly, clenching his fists. Once again, the urge to smash his foot into the wall was hard to resist.

"The only thing I want from you is redemption. And then you'll never have-"

His useless ramblings were interupted as a bell like voice spoke.

"You know, Jasper, most people don't talk to themselves in the mirror, over and over. Some even call it insanity," Alice said. The tone of amusement was obvious in her voice.

Jasper's head whipped and leaning against his door frame was the miniature vampire, grinning.

But funny was the last thing Jasper felt at the moment. His nostrils flared because of the anger and hate he pounded upon himself.

"How come you don't hate me? How can you not? After what I did to you!" He demanded, his face contorted with pain and fury.

Alice sighed, grimacing. "I have no reason to be mad at you," she simply stated, walking towards him. What came out of her mouth made him question her sanity.

Jasper turned way from her, unable to face the innocent and pure demeanor she held. Before he knew it, a soft hand cupped his cheek and turned his head to stare at the tin yet beautiful woman next to him.

"I hurt you," he spat. "Why can't you just hate me for doing so?"

"You've done enough self-loathing from the both of us," she replied. "You've really got to learn how to let go. We've had this conversation one too many times."

"No! You don't understand!" Jasper snarled, disgusted at himself. He shoved the sleeves up his arms, showing all the moon-like scars to Alice. "Do you see these? Do you realize how many vampires and people I've murdered?"

Even at the point, she remained calm and hopeful as her hand ran up his arms, delicately touching his arms. Although, a hint of irritation appeared on her features.

"I've lost control, too, you know," she said quietly, still distracted by the blemishes that adorned his skin. "But what matters now is we're both okay, that I've already forgiven you."

One again, Jasper refused to look at Alice, glaring at the door. Her hands held his face, turning it once more so her honey eyes bore into his.

"Jazz," she said, using the nickname he hadn't heard in a long time. "I know what you're feeling. I want you to realize that-"

Whatever she was going to say, he never found out for Alice's eyes suddenly blanked. She hissed, trembling slightly.

Immediately, Jasper grabbed her shoulders and shook her lightly.

"Alice," he said urgently. "Alice!" He began to panic, clueless to what was happening. "What's going on?"

He lifted her from the ground and raised her so they were eye-level. The dazed look in her eyes made her seem like she was somewhere else, off in a distant world...

Her visions.

"What do you see?" Jasper demanded. "Please speak," he begged, shaking her again.

Finally, Alice spoke. Her eyes were still unfocused as fear and dread seeped throughout her body.

"Maria," she choked.

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AN: Dun, dun, DUN!