Chapter 7

After the arcade and smoothies that contain no Jasper, he takes me home.

"I'll be close by and you have my number." He tells me.

"I know, don't worry. Are you still going to pick me up in the morning for school?"

"Yes. Be prepared of the curious humans asking questions. Their brains are like little sponges. They want to know everything but will forget it in a week." He laughs.

"Yeah, I know..." silence... "You know Jasper; you really didn't have to walk me to the door."

"But, I did though." He grins. "I am a proper gentleman and besides, I am sending calming waves to Charlie. He's curious and agitated right now. I assume he wants you inside."

I roll my eyes and give Jasper a big hug. "Remember, we can and we will get through this."

"I know" he leans down and kisses my cheek. "See you tomorrow, Bella."

My cheek tingles where he kissed me.

Inside Charlie is watching some game on TV so I head up to my room not wanting to disturb him but before I can he stops me. I walk over and sit on the couch next to him.

"How was it over at the Cullen's? And who is that boy who drove you home? Where's Edward?" he asks.

"Geez, dad, I'm not a criminal so what's with the interrogations as soon as I walk in the door?" I joke.

He chuckles and then waits for me to continue.

"Fine" I sigh. "The Cullen's were always entertaining as usual, Jasper, Edwards's brother drove me home because me and Edward broke up."

"What?! Broke up?"

"Yeah, don't worry it was mutual. I am okay though. Jasper helped me out a lot over the weekend and... It's going to be okay. Look, I really want to get to sleep so..." I start to get up and he nods at me and looks back over to the TV. Good ol Charlie. He was never good with this emotional crap and to tell you the truth, neither am I.

I lie on my bed and think about what had happened. It was odd, at the arcade I didn't even think about Edward and he only left yesterday. I feel this strange sensation whenever im near Jasper.

How come I never noticed it before? I know Jasper and I were never close but how come I never felt it? Edward never let me get close to Jasper because he said Jasper had very little self control and I smelled too good. Maybe Edward wanted me for himself? No don't think like that. I shudder at the thought.

And to top it all off, how come im so easily to forget Edward when I am around his brother and why is this damn connection so strong between him and me? We never spent any time together before and why is everything is just so sudden? It makes no sense.

Well, I won't get any answers tonight. I close my eyes and drift to sleep but after a few minutes I hear the usual window sliding open and I panic. Has he come back?! I hope not! I will give him a piece of mind.

"Relax, Bella" the beautiful honey voice soothes. I would know it anywhere. I turn on my side and look at him.

"What are you doing here? Not that im not happy to see you its just..."

"I know I said I would see you tomorrow but I couldn't wait." He smiles and gestures for me to scoot over. He lies beside me and slides an arm under my head.

"I really am okay, Jasper." I whisper.

"Maybe... but I'm not."

"I know it's hard. You and Alice were together for what seemed like forever."

"Yes, but... I didn't expect to... how you say it... I am not over Alice, not completely anyway but I don't feel as much as I used to. It's hard to explain." He confesses as he twirls a piece of my hair.

"It takes time. Everything does, but I know how you feel. It's like I know I love Edward, but now that he's been gone, I can breathe. I never knew I could feel like this. You make everything better Jasper. Does that sound right?"

"To me it does" he says just as softly.

"I know that even only after one day... that I want to be with you. Is that so wrong? And if you don't feel the same way I understand, it's just that... It just feels so right." I can't believe I said that but is true. No going back now. He needed to know.

"No, darlin' it isn't wrong to feel that way. I feel it too."

My heart rate increases and I know he can hear it.

"But, we need to adjust. I have been with Alice for many years. It won't be easy to bounce back."

"Isn't that what is happening already? We are bouncing back."

"I don't know Bella, but I do want to be with you too."

"So, what now?"

"I think we both need time to take things slow. I know I can't just jump right in. I need the time to bounce back a little like I said but we can eventually be together. I want it just as much as you do." He smiles warmly at me and I can't help but smile back.

"It's a weird feeling isn't it; to care for someone other than Alice or Edward?" I ask him.

"Indeed"

"I really am okay, I think." I softly say while he brushes the bangs away from my eyes. "I mean I cried and cried but what if he really wasn't my soul mate? Clearly he isn't because if he was, don't you think he would have stayed faithful?"

"I don't know" he murmurs. "That's a good question, but if he isn't, then that means I still have to find my mate, too. I always knew that there was a downside to Alice. Maybe if I meet my true mate, everything will be perfect and I'll just know."

"What if you meet your mate while with me?" I truly didn't want the answer but I had to ask anyway.

"I really don't think that will happen. Don't you feel our connection? Its so strong. What if you were my mate?"

"What if I'm not, Jasper?"

"Well, we won't know anything until we try darlin'".

"Agreed.... you know it's so weird because I thought he was the love of my life and I need something to help me move on. I need something to give me a fresh start. I need.... unless...."

"Did you just have an epiphany?" he laughs. "You're emotions are all over the place."

"I think I did!" smiling brightly I grab his face in between my hands, mouths almost touching, "Jasper, you have to change me!"