Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight which belongs to Stephenie Meyer. I do own Ravenelle and the music box. No copyright infringement is intended.

My Time to Shine!

~3~

'Confusion'

Bella and I went our separate ways after lunch. Bella would be wondering why Edward was acting the way he was; he would be trying not to kill her. When I got to Chemistry I saw the black topped lab tables and the three feet high stools with a back to it, I'm going to have a difficult time getting on them. When I gave my sign sheet to Mr. Brosher I saw the only seat left was next to the one and only, Jasper Hale.

When I got the sheet back I went to the desk, I saw that the stool was shoved all the way to the end. Stepping on the ledge that connected to all the legs I sat down and peaked at Jasper. He was gripping the edge of the desk so hard that I knew there were indents being created. His eyes were coal black and looking down at his stomach, he was not breathing. I was doing this to him.

The hair on the back of my neck and my arms stood on end. Every instinct I ever had was never as strong as this, it told me to run, as fast, as hard, and as long as I could. I had to fight myself from doing so. My back was tense as I was ready for anything, but I could not outrun a vampire, I could not fight him off, and I felt that if I left the room he would take the chance to follow me, having no witnesses. The class was the only chance I had at survival, I leaned as far away from him as possible careful not to blow any of my sent his way, hardly breathing.

I was doing this to him, I was hurting him so much, and I was challenging everything that he worked for. I don't think the humane side of him was going to win. I listened to nothing the teacher was saying; all my senses were alert and on him, like if you looked away from the predator to run he would jump, that's how it felt. Everything about his body said I was going to die. His jaw clenched visibly.

Its felt like it's been years. My whole body was sore from being tense but I dared not relax. I think showering this morning was a good idea, if I hadn't I don't think I would still be alive. I remembered Bella asked Edward if she didn't shower, that it would make it easier on him and he said it would just smell stronger.

I looked a Jaspers hands. There inching closer! I'm going to die! All that I've been through, just seeing the Cullen's, and it was going to be by my favorite young Cullen/Hale vampire (by young I mean as in age they were frozen in, so not including Carlisle and Esme). Though, that actually made me feel, better and worse. Better because it was by Jasper, worse because after all those years of fighting it, me coming here, who isn't supposed to exist, in this thirty five minute class, it would be ruined.

He would even have to kill the whole class just to get away with it, then move away, the family following, making Edward never be with Bella. As Esteban from 'The Suite Life of Zack and Cody' says, "THIS IS A DISASTOR!" I feel so bad, it's my entire fault.

Then it happened, the droning bell rung, Jasper was out the door before it even stopped. Breathing a huge sigh of relief I sucked in air, I was light headed from holding my breath most of the time. My head fell on the black top and I relaxed my limbs limply hanging.

"Are you ok Ms. Swan?" Mr. Banner asked making me fall out of the stool him catching me before I hit the ground. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." He smiled at me apologetically.

"I'm fine," I lied as I pushing away from him steadying myself. "Just a bad daydream."

He let me go off to my next class watching me leave. I was still alive. Jasper didn't kill me, I could tell from the pain in my whole being. Bella didn't have this hard of a time, though Jasper had a harder time controlling himself so I had to give him some credit. But why was this happening?

That whole experience was terrifying, I've never been so scared in my life, but I wanted to be closer to him. I sound like a masochist, that's what I am, a masochist. That was the only reasoning I could come up with.

Through all of this I found myself at the gym, it was a descent size to hold a dance. Coach Clapp got me a uniform which would be a little baggy. Bella came a minute later with Mike Newton following behind her like a loyal golden retriever. He was cute in a puppy way, he had blonde hair gelled into spikes, blue eyes, and a baby round face. Bella said 'ado' to Mike and came and sat by me, we didn't have to participate today, it was volleyball, and tomorrow they would wish we wouldn't have too.

We didn't talk to each other; I was thinking about what happened in my last class. Did I screw everything up for Bella and Edward just because I was here? No, Jasper didn't kill me but would they leave anyway.

Jasper wasn't like Edward; I don't think he would go off for a week, come back and make googly eyes at me. He's more of the person who would eliminate what threatened his family. Was I going to have to sleep with one eye open to know when I was going to die, It's not like I could stop it, and if I die what happens? Do I just go back to my universe, safe and sound, only knowing what it felt like to die or do I really die?

When Gym was over we went to the office to give Mrs. Cope our sheets and I completely forgot that Edward would be there. We stayed were we were listening to him argue with her about getting into a different class. The door opened again and a girl with dark blonde, not quite a light brown, hair and dark brown eyes walked through the door, put a note in a wire basket that was next to a flower pot and walk back out.

Edward's back stiffened and he slowly but surely turned to us glaring, his eyes full of hate. Now what did I ever do to him? He turned back to the red headed woman.

"Never mind, then," he said quickly, wanting to leave. "I can see that it's impossible. Thank you so much for your help." He turned and walked out the door without looking at us.

"Well isn't he nice and gentlemanly." I said sarcasm dripping from every word as I tilted my head every once in a while. Knowing that he heard me I walked up to the desk and we handed her are slip.

"How did your first day go, dears?" Mrs. Cope asked in a motherly voice.

"Spectacular." I said dully not even trying to be convincing.

"Fine," Bella said in a meek voice looking like a ghost. I grabbed her hand comfortingly and lead her out of the office to the truck, talking about my day, leaving out the Jasper part, on the way home as she listened all the while thinking about how I was to survive through the night. When we got to Charlie's Bella looked better than she had and I was grateful that I didn't think about what happened in Chemistry until it was time to go to bed. I didn't sleep very well that night but I wasn't killed.

For the rest of the week I went to school and neither Jasper nor Edward was there, but luckily the others were, so no leaving Cullen's, at least not now. The day after the accident after class I went to the other side of my lab table and felt the indents that felt like they went halfway up the table. I got to know Mike Newton and Eric Yorkie, and Angela Webber and Jessica Stanley, I know Jessica wasn't really very nice but she was a good actress. Lauren Mallory wasn't very nice to us, sticking to her character to the book nicely. I got to know Tyler Crowley, who was particularly kind to us.

At home Bella always cooked, I sometimes helped when I had nothing to do. On the weekend, Charlie was never home, I did homework, drew in a book I got from the local store, and talked to Bella, even helped clean the house with her. On Sunday I looked at my book and saw there were twenty two pages filled, my encounter with Jasper was written in great detail making me have flashback, in turn, shivering. I realized how truly lucky I was to still be alive, but I couldn't help but yearn to see him, to be next to him; I'm such a masochist.

On Monday Edward was present lunch time, still no Jasper though. They were playing in the snow, the two girls were as far from Emmett as they could get when Edward threw a slush ball at him and he shook his head like a dog, getting it out, it was all for show. I don't get why Bella didn't get it then, she knew Edward was different then. I rolled my eyes and shook my head, they need acting lessons from Jessica.

"What are you staring at?" Jessica stole my attention, as well as Bella's; I saw when I turned to her. Edward's eyes snapped to us and Bella dropped her head. This girl needs to grow some gahones.

Edward's stare moved from Bella and to me more than once. I don't think he understood why I never looked away. He looked at me again and I grinned and waved, his lips twitched trying to hold back a smile, I turned around giving my attention to Bella.

The rest of the day went by quickly but I felt abandoned. I wonder why. I thought sarcastically my mind once again for the millionth time drifted to Jasper.

When it was time to leave I waited for Bella sitting in the truck on the passenger's side. Three cars down was the silver Volvo. Bella got in the truck looked around and suddenly snapped her head back. I smiled too Edward who was leaning against his car and waved, he in turn smiled back. I turned my head back around and waited for the sudden jolt of the breaks and tried not to brace myself. When it came I looked to Edward and saw him laughing at my sister's act of clumsiness and then we were home free.

The next day was clear but not sunny clear, Bella was in a hurry to get to school to see Edward. When we got there I saw her look at the tires and saw her tear up and I patted her shoulder. Then I knew I made a very crucial mistake. I forgot. It all came rushing back as I heard the screeching; the crash. It all happened so slowly, I saw Edward appear out of nowhere grabbing Bella pulling her down and I flung myself to the back of the truck, I was closer to the corner then Bella. I heard the crunching, glass falling harmlessly around me and whipped around seeing Bella from under the car looking at Edward suspiciously.

Bella's lips moved and I crawled under the car towards her. She then sat up quickly looking around frantically calling my name.

My head peaked out from under the truck. "Yes?" Startling her as she jumped in place, she pulled me into a tight hug. I looked at Edward who was looking at me with wide eyes. Yea that's right, you forgot about me which could have got me killed. Right then I wished he could have heard me.

"Are you ok?" Bella was frantic searching me for bodily harm. She saw that my pants were ripped but nothing else was wrong, that was probably the luckiest thing that's ever happened to me. Seeing I was alright she turned to Edward. "Will you promise me to explain everything to me later?" Remembering about her previous argument, she confronted Edward.

"Fine," He snapped suddenly angry.

"Fine," Bella said back angry as well.

"Fine," I chirped in feeling left out making them soften up and smile slightly.

Bella was put in a neck brace when Edward told on Bella, probably still angry with her and I said that I was fine other than a few scrapes. The school watched as Bella was loaded in the ambulance, me having to ride in the back so they could check-up on me even if I was said to be fine, also I was the sister so that gave me another reason to leave school. Edward rode up front.

I hummed, grinning as Bella scowled lying in the hospital bed. Tyler, who was in the next bed, was groveling to us. She closed her eyes ignoring Tyler not wanting to deal with him anymore.

Edward came gliding through the doors and stopped at the foot of Bella's bed, looking at me expectantly.

"Is she sleeping?" He was smirking when Bella eyes snapped open. Tyler started apologizing to Edward who interrupted him mid sentence. "No blood, no foul," My mouth copied which I closed shut when his gaze shifted to me. I tuned away from him looking at Bella. "So what's the verdict?"

I spaced off thinking about what would have happened if I didn't think as fast as I did and then glared at Edward remembering his act of heroism that didn't include me. I could have died.

I heard footsteps and turned my head seeing a young, blonde, very handsome doctor, had all of the vampire aspects. I kept my jaw from falling as Bella's did, who would blame her, I would have to if I wasn't prepared for it. He was more handsome then anyone I'd seen, other than Jasper. My mind whispered to me. I scowled to myself, I need to stop thinking about him, think about Alice. I love Alice.

I tuned in listening to what was being said. "Lucky Edward was standing next to me," Bella looked as Edward with hard eyes.

"No help to me." I grumbled under my breath, they heard and Edwards's eyes fell. I would let him stay guilty for a while. "Glad I have a quick witted brain, I am." His eyes turned frustrated as I smiled to Bella who agreed, really I was smiling to Edward's frustration, I got pleasure from my payback. I think I may be pushing it a bit, I might slip, but I was better at acting then them.

After awhile Bella and Edward walked out to the hallway, I followed after some time.

"You promised." I heard Bella confront weakly as I leaned against the wall around the corner.

"Bella, you hit your head, you don't know what you're talking about." He cut through her.

"There's nothing wrong with my head." Bella's voice was stronger, angrier.

"What do you want from me, Bella?" I could hear the glaring in his words.

"I want to know the truth, I want to know why I'm lying for you." Well I guess Bella can stand up for herself, I was starting to worry.

"What do you think happened?"

"All I know is that you weren't anywhere near me. Tyler didn't see you, either, and if I asked Ravenelle I bet she would say so too, so don't tell me I hit my head to hard. That van was going to crush us both, and it didn't, and your hands left dents in the side of it, and the van should have smashed my legs, but you were holding it up…" Bella trailed off, she may have sounded crazy but she was on the right track.

"You think I lifted a van off you?" He said with what sounded to be dull humor. "Nobody will believe that, you know."

"I'm not going to tell anybody."

"Then why does it matter?"

"It matters to me, I don't like to lie, I can't even get away with it with Rae – so there'd better be a good reason why I'm doing it."

"Can't you just thank me and get over it?"

"Thank you." She said quickly, waiting for Edward to speak again.

"You're not going to let it go, are you?"

"No."

"In that case… I hope you enjoy disappointment." There was silence and then Bella asked sounding as if she was about to cry, to someone else it would have sounded as if she was being cautious.

"Why did you even bother?"

I didn't care if he was my future brother in law and father of my niece; he wasn't going to get away with making her sad.

"I don't know."

I heard him walk toward me and he turned stopping when he saw me. I pushed of the wall and glared at him.

"If you ever make her cry, I'll make sure you pay." I brushed past him, not hearing him move from his spot I glanced back and saw him frozen, looking ahead.

I walked through the waiting room ignoring my schoolmates and hoped in the back of the cruiser then waved wildly out the window, smiling. When we got to the house I immediately when to my room and got my book. Thirty six pages filled. I set it back and got into my comfy yellow ducky pants and my matching tee and slipped into bed dreaming about what happened today, only Jasper saved me.

When I woke up I angrily stopped to the shower doing my routine getting dressed and then flopped into one of the un-matching chairs. Bella sat across from me absently eating her cereal and then when she finished we went to school. Classes to lunch went by quickly and lunch was uneventful other than being crowded by students who were concerned about yesterday. I looked at the table and they were exactly like they were the first day, with the exception of Jasper who wasn't there. I wondered if he dropped out.

Chemistry was boring and Gym was clumsy filled. Then it was off to Charlie's to do homework, read, draw, or talk to Bella who, she told me, was being ignored by Edward. That's how the rest of the week and the week after that went.

On Monday after all of my classes I went to lunch and waited with Bella and the others in the line to get food. I got a chicken sandwich, salad, and a soda and sat down at our usual table. I glanced at the Cullen table like I usually did, stuck on a routine, went to eat the salad on my fork and then froze. Dropping the fork back on the tray I looked back over my shoulder and sucked in my breath, five were at the table. I squealed loudly in my head.

He didn't drop out, he came back. Jaspers eyes were a bright golden color. Turning my head around, I quickly finished my food and when I finished I froze. What was I doing, remember Alice. I dropped my head and sullenly grabbed my bag when it was time to go to classes and walked slowly to the building. When I was in front of the door I thought that I might as well get it over with, it's not like he was going to talk to me.

Going to my desk which was usually empty was now sitting Jasper. I hopped up on the stool like I usually did, put my elbow on the black top and set my chin in my palm, looking forward.

"Hello." Hearing his voice for the first time made my heart stop, it was magnificent, the southern drawl was easily heard and it was smooth and alluring. That wasn't the only reason my heart stopped, I wasn't expecting it at all and almost fell out of my chair.

Turning my head toward him I looked at him from under my long dark lashes. "Hello." I repeated back not able to think about another welcoming.

"My name is Jasper Hale." He looked back at me with eyes that were darker than they were in the cafeteria, but still light. "I apologize for not introducing myself before. I wasn't feeling well."

"'S ok." I puttered out and then kicked myself mentally for not being able to think of something more intelligible. "My name's Ravenelle Swan."

He smiled. "Nice to me you," It was very charming the way he talked.

When class started I looked forward trying to focus on the teacher and failing. Every once in a while I would peak at Jasper and he was staring at me the whole time. It's like all that I knew about Jasper went down the drain. The teacher was done lecturing before class ended which was like a dream come true. I turned my head to see Jasper still staring.

"Why?" I questioned and surprise lit up in his eyes.

"Why, what, may I ask?" He looked at me waiting for me to continue.

"Why were you gone?" It was almost like I was expecting him to come out and say it.

"Like I said, I was ill." He reminded me.

"For four weeks?" I interrogated. "What kind of sickness last that long? It was me wasn't it?"

He again was surprised. "What makes you say that?"

I laughed with no humor. "Well first of all you were sitting away from me as far as you could, gripping the desk when I sat by you with hate radiating from you like a nuclear bomb does radiation." I nodded and continued with my reasoning. "Then you were out of the class faster than I could blink."

"It wasn't you." He said as convincingly as he could. I almost believed him, but I knew better.

I looked at him concerned. "Are you ok now?" I wanted to ask if I was hurting him, but wouldn't that go well.

"Better then I was."

I smiled at him, happy about talking to him, not wanting class to end. I started laughing.

Eyes twinkling he looked at me in wonder. "What?"

"I keep expecting you to call me ma'am." We were both laughing; his laugh was the most amazing thing I've ever heard. It was strong yet sounded like bells, and his smile, it made me light headed.

The bell rang while we were laughing and I was considerably happier leaving the room then when I entered it, who would have thought. I did notice him tense sometimes but all in all it was comfortable. He walked me half way to the gym with light chatter and then we went separate ways.

When I got to gym; I had danced the rest of the way and while I was getting changed, and when I saw Bella I flew over the roof, jumping on her making us to fall down laughing. My weeks just got a lot more interesting.

~Shreba