Disclaimer: I hereby, once and for all, declare that I own no part of Twilight and write fan fiction because (a) I'm a fan, and (b) I like to write, not because Twilight is mine.

A/N Sorry the last chapter took so long. Christmas in an Italian family=not very much free time. Please R&R. I know it's annoying when people say this (or at least it annoys me), I will get things out faster if you do review. Thanks to everyone who's reviewed so far. It makes me very happy.

"You will go shopping with me today, right?" Alice demanded the moment she saw me.

"Alice," Jasper hissed warningly. Today he didn't look like he was in pain—he looked like he was in agony.

"Well, you will right?" Alice said, ignoring Jasper except to squeeze his hand.

"Sure. That'll be fun." To tell the truth, I was excited. I couldn't remember shopping, but it seemed like it was something a girl was supposed to enjoy. We were the first people into the class, and as we walked in, another teacher came out, saying.

". . . Try to get that note down to Rachel."

"I'll get one of my students to take it down—oh, will one of you take this note to Mrs. Moore, in building three?" Jasper and Alice looked at each other, and suddenly Alice's face went blank. A split second later she nodded, and Jasper took the note from the teacher's hand and bolted.

Twenty minutes through the class, I realized that Jasper still hadn't returned. Alice didn't seem worried though, until fifteen minutes later, when her hand shot up, her eyes frightened—no, panicked. "Sir, I think Jasper wasn't feeling well when you sent him, can I go down to the nurse to see if he's there?"

"Miss Cullen, if he's at the nurse, I'm sure he's being taken care of." I thought she was going to protest, but then she groaned and muttered a curse under her breath. At that moment, a message came over the loudspeaker: Everyone, remain in your classrooms until further notice.

The class began to buzz.

"Alright, everyone stay calm. I'm going to try to find out what's happening." The loudspeaker spoke again: Will the following students please come to the office immediately: Alice Cullen, Edward Cullen, Emmett Cullen, Isabella Hale, and Rosalie Hale. Do not remain outside." Alice was out the door before I could even look at her. Fifteen minutes later: I regret to inform you that two students have been killed in an animal attack. If you come by bus, please gather in the common room of your building. Teachers will escort you to your buses as they arrive. If you come by car, please remain in your classroom. I got up with about half the class and followed one of the teachers down to the common room, where I met Jason and Heather, both of whom rode my bus. Suddenly I realized something. "Oh, no."

"What?"

"Jasper. He must have. . .Alice is gonna be devastated, and Esme." My phone rang. Alice.

"Hey, Nessie, it's okay, Jasper's fine." I sighed in relief.

"How did you know what I was thinking? And why did they call you'll? And do you know what happened?"

"Jasper found them when he was walking back." Her voice was shaky. "He hadn't been feeling well, so he walked just along the edge of the woods, when he heard someone scream. When he got to them, he saw an animal running away. B-but they were both dead. Jasper's a mess. I've gotta go."

"Wait-Alice-where are you?"

"With Carlisle at the hospital. Jake and Esme are here too."

"K. Bye, Alice."

"Bye. Sorry about not being able to shop."

"It's okay. Bye."

I walked nervously toward Carlisle's office, where the secretary, with a barely suppressed giggle when I said Carlisle's name, had told me the Cullen's had gathered. I was beginning to have misgivings about coming. I mean, Jasper had just seen two other teenagers get mauled by an animal—he probably didn't want someone he barely knew sitting there. But I wanted to see them. I had had a lot of fun earlier in the day, with Heather and Jason at my house, but somehow, the Cullens drew me to them.

Two pictures—one of Carlisle and Esme, the other of the whole clan—were stuck in the frame of the narrow window in the door of his office. I had to grin. Carlisle had his shield against infatuated hospital staff. I raised my hand to knock, but Edward had the door open already, flanked by Bella and Jacob—my own personal bodyguard. Jasper was huddled in Alice's arms, his head leaning against her shoulder. He was wearing sunglasses, so I couldn't see if he had been crying, but he looked miserable. Wait. Sunglasses? I shrugged it off. Carlisle and Esme were sitting on either side of them, and Emmett and Rosalie stood behind them. Bella gave me a quick hug, and Edward led me to a chair, with Jacob following like a devoted puppy.

"I don't need to stay," I said quickly, "I just wanted to stop in and see . . . if everything was alright."

"No, Nessie, we're glad your here," Edward said gently. Then he grinned mischievously "Actually Jake wanted to talk to you." He turned and glared meaningfully at Jake, who looked like a deer in headlights.

"Now?" he asked, coloring.

"Now, Jacob Black." Jake turned awkwardly to me.

"Um, d'you, ya know, wanna go outside?" I leapt up, heart pounding, and he looked slightly encouraged. We walked silently down the hall together.

"Well?"

"I hope this doesn't sound weird, Ness, I know you've only known me for like a day, but, well—" he stopped.

"Well?"

"I hope this doesn't sound weird—"

"You said that already. Spit it out, Jake."

"The winter formal's this Saturday. I-I wanted to ask you first." He hunched over, hands shoved in his pockets. He glanced over at me. "So . . . will you go with me? It can be, y'know, just as friends."

"Yeah—yes!" I gasped out. He looked as stunned at my answer as I felt at his question.

"Really?"

"Of course really!" He grinned and suddenly picked me up and swung me around. Edward appeared at the head of the hall.

"Okay, Jake. You've talked to her. Come inside now."

The next chapter may be a while. I have to figure out how school dances work (I was homeschooled, so I've never been to one.)

R&R? Por favor?