(APOV)

So today is going to be totally awkward. After my spectacular exit from the lunch room yesterday I am not looking forward to the curious stares of my classmates. And I'm really not looking forward to seeing Jasper…even from a distance. I've admitted to myself and Rosalie and Bella that I'm attracted to Jasper, but I'm not okay with it. And I guess I understand why he messed with my feelings, but I don't know if I can trust him not to do it again. Especially now that I know he can make an entire room of people feel anything he wants. And upon further reflection, I'd decided that the incident yesterday was accidental, which is even scarier.

I got of my car and walked swiftly into the school. I avoided looking at anyone and had almost made it successfully to my locker when someone stepped in front of me. I looked up and into the eyes of a girl with long brunette hair and purple highlights. Mmmhmm. Purple. She was just as petite as I was, and her lip was pierced. I wish I could have a piercing. No fair this stupid vampire skin. She looked totally rock star and I wished again that I could pull off that look. I just looked like a little girl playing dress up when I tried it.

"Alice, right?" she said, sticking out her hand for me to shake.

"Yes, and you're…" I screwed up my face, trying to remember her name. I knew she was in my art class.

"Marlane" she provided helpfully. That's right.

"What can I do for you Marlane?" I asked her, smiling brightly. No sense in taking out my frustrations on this innocent bystander.

"My friend Kate and I were wondering if you wanted to sit with us at lunch today. You were all by yourself yesterday, and we felt bad. We know what it's like to break up with someone," she smiled gently. People thought Jasper and I were dating? Oh no.

"We weren't dating," I said shortly, pissed. Marlane looked taken aback and I instantly felt bad. "Sorry…it's not your fault," I muttered, "I'd love to join you for lunch."

"Ok, well, see you then," Marlane replied hesitantly, turning and walking back to her friend down the hall. Great. Someone in this tiny school finally wants to be my friend, despite my family's rep, and I act like a total bitch-freak.

I looked back down the hallway but Marlane and Kate had disappeared. Jasper, however, was heading my way. He was shuffling his feet and he looked like he was in pain. Our eyes met for eons and yet it was over in a flash. I felt a twinge of sympathy, but I squashed it and headed into my first class.

Lunch came all too soon, and I was nervous. What could I possibly say to these girls? And why did they want to sit with me anyway? I took an unnecessarily long time at my locker, but I knew I had to go to lunch. It would be rude to ignore their invitation.

I entered the cafeteria, glancing around me apprehensively. Marlane was waving at me enthusiastically from the other side of the room. I sauntered over toward them, hoping with all my might that I looked confident, and not at all nervous.

I slid into a seat at Marlane and Kate's table, placing myself across from them as if in an interrogation.

"Hey!" I said as brightly as I could muster.

"Alice, we are so glad you could join us," Marlane said. "This is Kate," she added, gesturing to the red-head.

"I gathered," I smiled, "so…" I trailed off, at a loss for words. This never happens to me.

"We were wondering…" Kate started.

"How are Seduceward and Damsella?" Marlane finished.

"Excuse me?" I choked out.

"Mmm, sorry," Kate blushed a little, "That's what we call Edward and Bella." The both looked at me sheepishly. I looked from one to the other, and then burst out laughing. That is amazing. The best nicknames ever. They both looked relieved that I wasn't pissed.

"How did you come up with those names?" I asked them when I had calmed down a bit.

"Well, Edward was all, you know, broody and hot, dare I say seductive," Kate started explaining.

"And Bella was always so clumsy and needing to be rescued all the time," Marlane finished.

So strange the way these two finished each others thoughts.

"Its perfect," I told them. And that was all it took. From that point forward the rest of lunch was relaxed and fun. We talked about music mostly, because Marlane and Kate were trying to start a band. Marlane played drums and Kate played the guitar. I volunteered my services as a pianist, after all, you can't spend decades with Edward (excuse me, Seduceward) and not learn how to play.

When the bell rang all three of us started in surprise. Time had flown by. We exchanged numbers and emails and agreed to eat lunch together every day.

I couldn't keep the silly grin off my face as I left the cafeteria. I had friends! Not because they were vampires and new additions to the family, and not because they had the hots for my brother, but because they thought I was friend material. This is so exciting!

I was so happy about my new friends that I didn't think about Jasper again until I got home from school. I got online to add Marlane and Kate to my address book and saw a new email from Bella.

She was writing because she'd spoken to Rosalie and was worried she should come home.

I replied to her, saying that I was fine and everything was working itself out. Which was only a little lie, and besides, I am pretty sure it will work out.

I logged off and skipped back downstairs. I came up behind Esme and gave her a big hug.

"Wanna go hunting with me?" I asked her.

"Alice, we just went on Sunday," Esme turned to face me, confusion painted across her face.

"Not that kind of hunting," I giggled, "Clothes hunting! I joined a band today!"

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(JPOV)

It's time to talk to Alice. She needs to know that people think we were dating. Even if she gets mad at me. I headed into the school, stopping to try and sense where she was. I followed her sweet-apple scent down the hallway. I was coming up behind her when I saw a short chick stop her. She sent a glare my way, and then readjusted her face into a smile when Alice looked up. I walked quickly past her, noticing another girl, this one a red-head, glare at me as well. What is with these girls? They don't even know me. I rounded the corner and stopped short. I wanted to hear the conversation rock chick was having with Alice. I bent over and pretended to tie my shoe. I heard Marlane identify herself and then invite Alice to sit with her and her friend Kate at lunch. That must be the red head.

She also let Alice know that the whole school though we were dating. I could feel Alice's surprise at the invitation, and her anger at the thought that we might be dating.

Well geez. It wouldn't be that bad, would it? I mean, most of the girls here think I'm cute.

So obviously she isn't over what happened last weekend. Probably a good thing Marlane took care of letting her know the student body's general assumption. I'm fairly certain I dodged a bullet on that one. Still, I'm not stupid enough to deny that I like Alice at this point, and it hurts that she is so upset with me. I straightened up, and realized I had to walk back down that hallway to get to my first class. I sighed and steeled myself, preparing for my walk of doom. I trudged around the corner, limbs heavy, mind lost. I couldn't help but raise my gaze to hers, for the briefest moment we connected. I lowered my gaze and quickened my pace. I cannot wait for today to be over.

I thought about Alice all morning. The hours dragged by, and, try as I might, I could not get her out of my head. It didn't help that I seemed to suddenly run into short-stuff and red-head frequently in the hallway. It was almost like they knew I could sense emotion, they way they were throwing their anger and disapproval at me. I mean jeez, they're barely friends. Where did this loyalty come from?

I seriously considered skipping lunch, but I was fairly certain Joey was expecting me. I didn't want to let the big lug down.

I slid into the lunch room, surreptitiously scanning it for signs of Alice. She was nowhere to be found. I sat with the guys and attempted to engage them in normal conversation. It's times like these that I wish I had gone through high school before being turned. The one room school I'd attended before I left for the war was nothing like modern schooling. No matter how many times I do it, I always manage to feel awkward.

I was hyper-aware of Alice the minute she stepped into the room. I could feel her nervousness and anticipation. I tried to focus on the conversation around me, but I was drawn to what was happening at her table. Laughter, happiness, contentment. I was jealous. How had those two girls accomplished what I'd been unable to?

I grit my teeth until the bell rang. By then my jaw was clenched so tight I could barely get my goodbye out. I must have looked normal, because none of the guys commented on my mood or looked at me strangely.

I spent the rest of the day stewing about Alice. Clearly it is possible for her to be happy, so how do I get her forgiveness and keep her that way?

I stormed into the house after school and stomped up the stairs, slamming the door to my study. It was childish, but it felt good.

"Jasper, can you come downstairs?" I heard Charlotte call to me.

I paused for a moment, trying to judge her emotions, but all I felt was love and comfort.

I slunk back down the stairs, ashamed now of my adolescent behavior.

"I take it Alice still hasn't forgiven you?" Charlotte asked me softly, putting an arm around me and squeezing gently.

"Right," I moped, "and she has these new friends, and they can make her happy." I definitely sounded petulant now.

Charlotte stepped back and eyed me. "Isn't that what you wanted?" she pointed out.

"I wanted to be the one to do it," pouting so does not become me, but for some reason I cannot control it.

"Well get over it!" Char said smartly. I looked at her, shocked. "Just give her some time, and I don't mean a day, but like, a few weeks," she added.

"What am I supposed to do for three weeks?" I whined. Really Jasper?!

"Write a book, make friends of your own, play a sport, I don't care, just give the girl some space," and with that, Charlotte huffed and turned away from me, flouncing into the kitchen.

What is with this town and its women? Alice hates me, short-stuff and red-head hate me, Charlotte's pissed… It must be the water.