Alice's POV

I nodded. His eyes were neither angry, nor hurt, but rather empty. He looked as though something had taken a blunt object to his head. I let out all sorts of feelings of guilt that I have held in for the past month.

He stood up and grabbed my arm dragging me out the cafeteria doors into the hallway. I didn't dare object to him.

Johnny, a boy in my English Lit class came up to us as we trudged through the hallway.

"Get your hands off of her," he said in a stern voice. "Alice, are you alright?" He looked at me. I nodded. I understood. From a human's perspective the kind of hold Jasper had on me looked abusive, but I knew he wouldn't harm me. I saw that all he wanted to do was talk and was trying to find a quiet place to do so.

Jasper growled and shoved Johnny away. He slammed into the lockers.

"Jasper," I hissed. "Please don't hurt anyone."

He turned to growl at me but stopped when he saw my desperate eyes.

"Johnny, you can leave now. I can handle things." I spoke to him making sure he wasn't too badly injured.

"Are you sure?" His eyes narrowed at Jasper who growled low.

"Yes, tell Mr. Hamil that I won't be making it to English class. We have a family emergency." He nodded and walked away with his nose in the air. No one was going to question the mysterious Cullen family, renowned for their hilltop mansion outside of town, fancy cars, and designer clothes.

He continued to drag me until me were in an abandoned corridor. We would be alone for 27 and ½ minutes. I counted down mentally.

He leaned his arm on the wall, his back turned to me. I stood there playing with the hem of my skirt. I wanted to explain things to him but for once I was at lost for words. I checked in on Edward again, he was driving to what looked the dock. I hoped he didn't plan on leaving Alaska. I refocused my eyes on my beloved. I imagined how hurt he must be. I walked to him and wrapped my arms around his waist burying my face in his back.

"I'm so sorry, Jasper," I whispered. I could hear my voice cracking.

He started to turn around. I immediately let go and stepped back.

"How long have you known?" He grimaced.

"About a month." I was going to be completely honest with him. He deserved as much.

"A month?" He yelled. "Why in the hell didn't you say anything?"

"I wanted to. I really did, please believe that." I reached out to touch his hand but pulled away. "I thought maybe he was confused about his feelings. He's never been this close to a woman before, besides Esme. One can hardly call Rose a sister. I figured he needed time to work through this and he would eventually realize his mistake. He's seemed normal these past few weeks. I figured it was over until your reaction on the dance floor and then what you just told me now. I'm so sorry. I had no intention on hurting you. I would never keep anything from you, I would never –"

He interrupted me by pulling me into a tight hug. I buried my face into his chest whispering how sorry I was repeatedly.

"Shhh, it's alright, love." He sent me waves of calm and love.

"Thank you," I cried tearlessly as my breathing returned to normal.

"You don't understand, Alice. I thought you would be angry with me for keeping this from you," He said. Angry with him? Impossible.

"How long have you known?" I asked snapping out of my distress with my infamous curiosity.

"Since Rose's wedding. When you two were dancing, I felt his love for you. It was not mere displacement of feelings, but a committed love, Alice. It reminded me of how I feel for you. But there was a difference. His was a longing for you, similar to envy. Mine is a need. You are everything to me. I couldn't live life without you in it. Before you, Alice, there was nothing but a hollow shell of a man, a monster. But when you stepped into my life I felt hope for the first time. You were like the North Star, guiding me through my ways. Your gentle touch has brought me back from the dead and gave me new life. Edward cannot comprehend such feelings."

If I could cry, I would at such beauty behind his words. I looked up at him and gave him a chaste kiss. He leaned in closer begging for more but I pulled back.

"Why didn't you tell me then?" I wondered silently cursing that I ended the kiss.

"Honestly Alice. I was and still am not confident in my ability to keep you. What am I? A bloodlust monster. You deserve a better man, someone with kept control. You deserve perfection. Maybe Edward is that man. I didn't tell you because I wanted to keep you for as long as I could, because once you left me, I would have no other reason to live."

I was furious. How could he think that? A better man? How could he not see that he was the perfect man for me? I was not complete until I met Jasper.

"How could you be so blind? You are my entire being. I have loved you even before we met, before we started our new life, and I plan to love you forever. No man could compare to you. I love Edward like a brother, nothing more."

"Alice, I have felt your emotions firsthand. I know something else is there. You care deeply about him. I understand. You two have so much in common; your love for music, your gifts, and the two of you have a connection that you and I will never have." He collapsed to the floor on his knees.

I kneeled down with him and placed my hands on his face.

"Edward and I may have a lot in common, but there is one thing he doesn't have. He's not you. Loving you is beyond words. In simple terms, it's destiny. You have the power of empathy. How could you not feel my love for you? Don't be clouded by your own self worth. I belong to you, every piece of me. We were made for each other. We understand each other. When you're not around, I feel like a hole has been cut through my un-beating heart. No one could ever take your place, nor do I intend on having anyone try. Please don't say any of this again."

He buried his face in my hair. I tried my best to wrap my short arms around him.

"I love you with my entire existence, Alice."

"And I love you more than you could ever feel." I smiled and kissed him with such pure love that I almost felt a tear slide down my cheek.