Disclaimer – I don't own Twilight or the characters used in this story

It had been a week since Jasper and I had been caught. One week filled with hateful glances and a cold cruel attitude from Rosalie, Edward and Emmett that my parents didn't understand. One week in which my only contact with Jasper was a short phone call in which I broke off my arrangement with Jasper and he accepted it with his usual calm demeanour.

I had a date with one of Emmett's football buddies in less than an hour and I was determined that it go well. My dates' name was James and I had seen him around school before without ever speaking to him, he was usually accompanied by a skanky looking redhead who was, according to Edward, his best friend and not his girlfriend.

James was handsome in a bland sort of a way, although he shared Jasper's hair and eye colour; his cropped blond hair was nothing like Jasper curly locks and James' blue eyes somehow always looked cold and dull. There was no way that James could ever compare to Jasper's earthy appeal.

I shook my head trying to clear my traitorous thoughts, I had to stop thinking about Jasper in a positive way; it would only cause me heartache. As I had explained to him on the phone, we were two very different people and had the situation been different I still don't think it would have worked out.

Since my phone call to Jasper I had seen him in the hallways at school, his arm wrapped snugly around Maria's waist and I couldn't help but feel the sharp spasm of jealousy the sight caused me. The worst thing was that it was nobodies fault but my own. I was the one who instigated my physical relationship with Jasper and I was the one who chose to hide. The fact that there was no one else to blame somehow made me unhappier still and I was desperate for my date with James to work, if for no other reason than it would take my mind off of my feelings.

The doorbell rang, shaking me out of my thoughts once again and I surveyed myself in the mirror. My dress was knee length and modest, the white contrasting nicely with my dark hair and my make-up was light and natural. I looked carefree and pretty, nothing at all like the emotional and hormonal mess that I truly was.

I sighed and headed toward the living room where I caught sight of James chatting politely with Carlisle and Emmett, his eyes lit up when they caught sight of me. "You look hot" he grinned and I forced my smile not to waver. There was something lecherous about the way James had spoken and the way he was smiling at me now. Emmett obviously didn't notice because his beaming grin remained fixed on his face however Carlisle's small smile had disappeared and a frown took its place.

I said my goodbyes to Carlisle and Emmett as James led me out the front door and toward a beaten up Volkswagen, again I couldn't help the comparison to Jasper's well maintained and cared for cars. I smiled at James as he opened my car door for me and motioned for me to take a seat.

The drive to the restaurant was awkward to say the least and it was almost a relief when James slid a CD into the player and the car filled with ear shattering noise. That was until the song lyrics became clear over the overbearing bass. I'm not exactly prudish and I can enjoy a good song as much as any other person, sexist lyrics or not. However the lyrics to the song that James was happily singing along to were, to put it bluntly; degrading, disgusting and humiliating. I was amazed that music like this even existed, let alone the fact that James saw no problem with blaring it in his car whilst on a date.

After what seemed like hours but was probably closer to twenty minutes we stopped in front of a classy looking restaurant and I smiled, maybe this evening would be salvageable after all. I continued smiling as James held open my door for me and greeted the hostess politely. We were led to a cosy table in the corner and James pulled my chair out for me before taking his own seat across the table. We chatted about everything from music to school and football and even though James was extremely arrogant he was also funny, even if he did seem a little like he was trying too hard, and I found myself beginning to enjoy the night.

That was until our waiter came to take our orders, James turned to the man and with an annoyed lilt in his voice said "can't you see that we're talking" "James" I reprimanded him "he's just doing his job and besides that I'm hungry" James apologised to me before turning to the man once more and saying "I'll have your seafood special and my girl here will have your soup of the day and a salad". I frowned at him before interrupting "actually, I'll have the ribs thank you"

James' eyes narrowed and I resisted the urge to sneer at him before rewarding our waiter with a kind smile as he hurried away. James' face relaxed and he smiled at me, although it looked rather forced "It was presumptuous of me to order for you" he smiled and I noticed that although it had sounded like an apology he hadn't actually apologised. Somehow I got the feeling that James had never said the words "I'm sorry" in his entire life.

Nonetheless I returned his smile and changed the topic back to football. James was entering his thirtieth minute of boasting about his football victories when our waiter returned with our meals and I beamed, grateful for the interruption. James' obviously misconstrued my smile as he turned to me and said "Wow you sure are happy that the food is here, I'm not surprised you look like you've never eaten a real meal your entire life" I managed a weak thank you even though I wasn't sure that was a compliment.

Eventually James smiled at me and stood up "I should get you home, wouldn't want your brothers to get worried now would I?" I nodded dutifully and followed him out to his car, strapping myself into my seatbelt I prepared for another barrage of music however James turned the CD player off as soon as it came on and reached across to grab my hand, using his other to steer. "I had a great time Alice, I hope you did too" he looked almost shy when he spoke and I squeezed his hand before replying "I had a lot of fun James, we'll have to do it again sometimes"

We drove in silence until we reached my house and James lent over and pecked me on the mouth before pulling away, I smiled at him amazed at the change from the cocky, self-centred man in the restaurant and the shy young man who was flushing at me now. "Bye Alice, I'll see you at school?" I nodded brightly before skipping toward my front door and into the house.

All in all my date with James wasn't bad, and if it fixed my situation at home, helping everyone to forgive me then I was pretty sure that I could learn to love him.
I would have to.