Hey, everyone. I've been a horrible liar, saying this chapter would be up much sooner than it truly was. But, there's a preview of chapter 4 available for anyone who reviews (obviously not if you are an anonymous reviewer). However, I do welcome anonymous reviews.

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Chapter Three: Close to Home

3rd Person POV

Bella was feeling better the next day, and she, along with Edward, accompanied Jasper on the ride to school the next day. Edward had forgotten his conversation with Jasper from the day before, and though Jasper pretended it was nothing, he desperately wished to demand what had happened, why Alice had run.

But even if Jasper were mean enough to order Alice to answer him, he couldn't have. Alice wasn't in school the next day, and Jasper relied on the fact that each teacher called her name during the roll call to be sure that Alice wasn't merely a figment of his imagination. Where was Alice? Jasper wondered. Hiding from him? Alice didn't seem the type. Then again, they'd known each other for only hours. Though he wanted to pretend he knew who Alice was, how could he know for sure?

"Brush it off, man!" Edward chuckled as he scratched a pen through Jasper's notebook. Jasper's gaze followed the pen. On the notebook, Jasper had written Alice's name. He hadn't even realised he'd done it. Blush on his cheeks, Jasper pushed Edward's pen off the notebook, and he himself scribbled over the girl's name.

"I don't know why, Edward, but I can't get her off my mind!" I ran my hand through my hair, a nasty habit I had picked up from Edward, and sighed.

"It's called love, Jazz. Just find her. She'll come back to school. Just chill," Edward was still smiling.

"I guess. I don't know it's just weird. I really like her." With that, the bell rang, and Emmett and I walked our separate ways.

**

Alice told him that she was going to school. She had lied to his face, and she had done it convincingly. She wanted so badly to have it be the truth. She wanted to go to school. She wanted to see Jasper, and draw hearts around his name on the inside of her math folder. She wanted more than that to hug him tightly, but that was out of the question. She didn't want to hurt him anymore than she had.

Jasper had left Alice an adorable note, straightforward, but nice all the same. Alice wanted to slip a note back to him. Oh JW, I like you too! Love, AB. Wouldn't that be so romantic, passing notes? Yes it would, but it was only a romantic fantasy. Jasper would soon be forced to forget about her, because nothing could happen between them. It simply couldn't.

Alice took a deep breath and pushed the revolving door to the Forks hospital open. She counted her steps as she walked up to the receptionist.

"How can I help you – OH DEAR!" She had been looking down, but screamed in fright when she saw Alice. "My dear child, you'll need to get to a hospital room. What happened, hon? Are your parents coming?" The receptionist, Addie, had started looking around frantically.

"No, I fell on my walk to school, and I figured it would be easier to come right here." The young girl looked up at Addie, her warm eyes tearing.

"Okay, sweetie. I'll take you to see Dr. Cullen." She quickly called for a friend to cover her spot at the desk.

CPOV

I was sitting at my desk, reviewing the records of a patient that had just come in. No previous issues, no trips to the ER before today. That's always a good thing. It's too bad he had to start now. Dan Goodie, aged 17, had gone to a party with his friends and they got too carried away with the beer. I sighed. If only kids realised the consequences of their actions.

"Carlisle!" It was Addie's voice. Addie liked to attempt flirting with me, but of course I've been happily married for years. But today Addie wasn't using her 'I'm single' voice. "Carlisle!" She sounded worried or rushed.

"Addie?" I responded. I didn't have to continue the question when she walked it, with a young girl, about my Edward's age. "Who is this?" I asked, looking at the young teen.

"I'm Alice." That was all the young girl would offer.

"Do you have a last name?" She only shook her head, indicating a no. What had happened to this girl? A bully? There was a gash in the side of her head, and it was bleeding. Her shoulders were bruised. This wasn't something that just happened on the way to school. I helped her to clean off the cuts before running some tests on her. She had a concussion, as I had suspected. But there didn't appear to be any damage that would affect her life.

"Hon, I'll give you some ice to apply to the head, and some Tylenol for any discomfort you may be feeling. Skip school for a while. Just go home and rest." Little Alice nodded, and I smiled at her as she walked out the door. You don't know what happened Carlisle. Stop jumping to outrageous conclusions. I was scolding myself for thinking this was anything more than an accident.

APOV

I smiled as I walked out of the hospital door and rushed to a pay phone, dialing my school's number. "Hello? Alice Brandon will not be in until further notice. There has been a family emergency." I faked my mother's voice.

"Okay, we won't call to see why she isn't in school in that case. I hope all is well." The lady from my school hung up the phone. I didn't want to cry. I knew that would give me more of a headache. I started to walk until I came across a cute neighborhood. I walked in, searching for somewhere to sleep. I certainly wasn't going home. At the end of the street was a big Victorian house, one that didn't fit in with the rest in the street. They had an open garage, so I decided to try my luck inside it. There was no where to hide, but the house did have a shed. I leaned against it, and watched the house, silently, praying that even if these people did notice me, they wouldn't make me leave.

Preview: 'Dad! Dad, help me! There's someone unconcious outside.' I was looking from the edge of my driveway. I knew that face.

Extended preview to all who review!

3 Rose