Disclaimer: I don't own anything Twilight related. Please don't remind me.

An: Wow. Again with the favorites but lack in reviews. It's okay. I knew writing this story would be risky, and the reviews would be low. Just please review. I'm perfectly fine with reviews about anything. I would love criticism, lots of it. Also, I'm a daddy's girl (and a mommy's girl... okay, so I'm a of little both) and always feel the unnecessary need to add some... trivial charliexbella bonding moments. And this is where I drift from Twilight... you'll see what I mean.

An 2: Sorry about lack of updates. Biology and English are just killing me, and I've just... I don't know... haven't been in the mood? Sorry for the inconvenience. I actually should be studying Japanese (newest class) but I don't want to memorize any more Hiragana. So yeah. Sorry. Review

Much to my surprise, when I arrived home Charlie was not there to greet me, badger me about my day or simply watch the game that might or might not have been on. The cruiser was gone, the other half of the drive empty, and no sign of life. The blinds to the windows of the house were all closed shut, the old paint chipped away with the pounding rain and the mail gathering in surprisingly large stacks. Once I had parked my car, I quickly unbuckled my seatbelt, rushed to grab the mail and after I was inside, I threw all of my bags down by the door and walked quickly into the silent dinning room. The only noise evident that I was possibly alive, was the beating of my fast-paced heart that soon -if not later- was going to beat out of my chest. My body was still, the front of my body resting against the dinning room chair.

Finally, I settled myself to the couch, enjoying the silence, and my thoughts of Jasper Hale.

Some part of me, I'm not sure which part that was, was fully engaged with the idea of Jasper Hale and the other part of me, whatever wasn't apart of the earlier group, wondered if I should have began my biology homework instead lingering my thoughts over an impossible to talk to human being.

It might not have been the greatest of ideas to fawn of Japer Hale and his odd God-like exterior, but something, unknown to me of course, coursed through my veins. I felt defenseless and in some odd sick. I had already settled for the fact that his sister truly believed she hated me and that Jasper, while being charming, was not interested in me in any way to say the least. Realizing this fact was harmful, as if creating a hole in my heart.

Some part of my heart was missing, or some part of me finally realized that it was missing and I desperately wanted to reach out and pick it up, where ever it chose to fall and lay hidden from my own hands. But how? I was obviously in no position to go searching for my lost body-part; having just moved here and in with Charlie and not yet finishing this hell-like high school, I was not prepared for the real world, or the place I belonged to.

Where ever that might be.

Charlie was finally home an hour later. He jumped on the opportunity to drag me to dinner, since I had not yet began to prepare the meal for dinner. In some way I felt bad, like I was a child being scolded, in a less obvious manner. I was treating dinner with Charlie like it was a punishment, and suddenly a wave of guilt flooded my body. I instantly picked up my chin, fixed my shoulders and threw on my favorite hoodie, and grabbed my wallet incase. I tried to answer as excited as possible, and I think I got Charlie to believe me. Luckily it wasn't pouring, but only drizzling as we made our way to the cruiser and I was able to throw my hood up quickly, to keep from my hair getting wet.

Once we had both sat down in the cruiser, Charlie gruffly asked, "How was your first day of school?"

I grimaced at the thought of Jasper Hale and his family (his sister out of most), but smiled at Charlie and answered, "Fine. A bit awkward at the end of the day but all together- fine." A bit? I hadn't been able to wrap my head around the question just right.

"Were the kids nice?" Charlie turned the corner of the street, heading down a street that I soon figured to be Fork's main street. I answered Charlie, letting him know that almost everyone had been nice to me, while others had been ...colder, while hiding the feelings of feeling like I had just started kindergarten all over again with how Charlie was talking to me. I had to remind myself he had never been really good at this kind of small talk and that he was at least trying. We drove past a local market and soon we were parked in front of a diner. We swept quickly through the door and to a booth in the corner, where we pleasantly made small talk over the weather and his job, looked over our menus for a few moments, before being greeted by a waitress with locks of curly red hair. Possibly in her mid-thirties, with gorgeous blue eyes and perfectly paled skin. She was the height of Charlie almost and had a perfectly skinny waist. The uniform she wore made her body look like a rectangle, doing her obvious curves no justice. This woman could have been a super model with that body..."How've you been, Charlie." The waitress smiled.

Charlie returned the favor, and folded his hands onto of the table. "Good, good. And yourself?"

"Oh, me? Never been better," she and Charlie laughed, as if it were some inside joke and she snapped her gum, and giggled. She looked down at her feet quickly, fighting another glance toward Charlie and reached for her pen. "The regular I would imagine?" So he comes here often...

"Of course! And Bella," Charlie looked up at me, "what would you like?"

The waitress laughed, before I could answer, gasping in surprise before letting out another laugh. "Wow! I hadn't seen her there, tucked away in the corner! Marly's the name by the way." I smiled and gave a shy wave. Marly smiled and waved and speedily twisted on the heel of her shoe to speak to Charlie. "Defiantly yours, Charlie. No mistaking that." She laughed and threw her head back in this action.

"I never doubted it," Charlie chuckled, flashing a quick almost apologetic look towards me. I sighed in relief, as if Charlie was saying that this would be cut short, until next time of course. "So, Bells, what sounds good to you?"

I selected the first thing that sounded good. "Uh, the BLT with fries sounds delicious, actually."

Marly laughed, throwing her head back. "How cute, you both ordered the same thing without knowing it!"

Charlie chuckled from across the way and caught my eye, he shook his head and smiled at Marly who was containing her loud laughter by biting her lip, as her face turned into a soft and envious shade of rose. Not tomato. She settled herself and crossed her right leg over her left, before looking from Charlie to me. "I take it you'll both have a diet coke?"

Charlie and I both nodded our heads and this time I couldn't help it, and laughed quickly with the two of them. Marly shook her head and stuffed the notepad back into her apron, her legs untwisted and she took both of our menus. "I'll just get Harry to cook these up, and than you two can enjoy a nice meal in silence. Heaven forbid if Charlie spoke a single world while stuffing his face with his regular!" This sentence seemed to catch the ears of the other people sitting around us and while some joined in on the group laughter and others ignore the comment and turned back to their families, friends and hot meals. Charlie turned slightly red, hunching up over the table as if he were embarrassed. He looked up at me, his large, chocolate brown eyes looking as innocent as ever, sparkling with embarrassment and amusement.

As soon as Marly left the table, Charlie sat straight up, leaning back against the seat. "I'm not always quiet," he muttered, crossing his arms and catching my eye. He looked like a five year old who had just been sent to the corner. "And I do not stuff my face."

Dinner was eaten slowly. Charlie seemed to want to make it a point that he did not eat his food extremely fast and that he was capable of talking during his favorite meal. I watched as Marly would snicker each time she passed, joking with Charlie when she came to take my clean plate and Charlie's was still half-full. "You like your teachers?" Charlie wiped his lip with the back of his hand before picking up another fry and only eating half.

"Yeah. They're nice." Tell your father I say hello. "The lady that works in the office, with the large red hair, wanted me to tell you hello...so hello... yep. That's it."

Charlie laughed and shook his head, bringing his palm to his forehead. "That woman will be the death of me." Was all he said before breaking off into laughter again.

I asked Charlie to explain this story to me; obviously there had to be something behind this. "I danced with her one time at your cousin's wedding a few years ago and since then..." He nodded his head, and rolled his eyes. I snickered behind my teeth, and when Charlie finally finished his meal, Marly skipped her way over to the table and smiled down at Charlie with her bright, white teeth. "That it? Or are you gonna slowly enjoy some cheese cake?"

Charlie patted his stomach, outstretching his arms. "I'm fine." Charlie looked at me. "Bells?"

I looked up at Marly, and answered without thought, "I'm fine, thank you."

She sweetly smiled at me, then at Charlie and tossed him the check. "I just knew."

As she walked away, I swore I heard her say, like father, like daughter. And I didn't doubt it.

The next day was better. It had not been raining as it had been the previous night, but the sky was still dark and ominous-looking. I shuffled out of bed early, knowing I would never be able to sleep with the idea of this next school day. I began my morning by taking a shower and serving Charlie a breakfast of eggs and toast with jam, which he greatly appreciated. I had made it to school not knowing what to expect from the Cullens' who I had honestly forgotten about the day previous to this. My mind began to wonder as I parked near an old worn out car, although nothing compared to my own, would Jasper still depend upon his bipolar disorder to hide from me and my questioning demeanor, or hide around his welcoming blonde sister?

So I had begin to dread the idea of going to lunch and of actually seeing the wonderful creatures, but mostly of seeing Jasper Hale with his deliciously pale skin, and mysterious personality. It was the thing on my mind for hours.

But when I walked into the cafeteria with Jessica -trying to keep my eyes from sweeping the place for him, and failing miserably- I saw that three out of the five family members sat the table. Both of the blonds were missing. My heart jumped into my throat, but I continued to follow Mike, who steered us into the direction of our table. I awaited, uncomfortable and sick, the moment he would arrive. I simply hoped he would ignore my questioning stares, and prove me wrong...of something.

But he never came, and as lunch slowly flew by I grew more and more tense.

I walked to biology, not eager to rush to class, but more confident than I had been before lunch. The gorgeous Jasper Hale had never arrived, and neither had his sister. And the day passed by, slowly, like any other day in Forks. I arrived home later than usual, by ten minutes, and saw that Charlie was home, with him, Marly. She wore a pair of dark cut-off jeans and a Forks appropriate jacket. Her red hair was up in a tight pony tail and she seemed to be dropping off some food for Charlie, she laughed as she waved goodbye and jogged to her car, and quickly left.

Charlie waved me in, and smiled. It turns out Marly had only been dropping off a few meals for Charlie, seeing as he was a regular and she obviously knew what he liked on a daily basis, she left us with some fish, sandwiches and two plates of dessert. We ate in front of the television, left watching a sitcom that we both enjoyed. But even with the television on, they still lingered in my mind, and when commercials finally approached, I asked, "Do you know the Cullen Family?"

"Dr. Cullen's kids? Sure. Good bunch. Why?"

"His kids are a little...different. They don't seem very welcoming." I hesitated.

Charlie shook his head and shrugged. "They really are a good bunch. Forks has never had a problem with any one of those kids. What is it? Five kids?"

"Yeah," I answered quickly. Charlie's crossed his arms.

"Dr. Cullen is a great man, and a brilliant surgeon. We're lucky to have him working here, for all of us, when he could be making much more money in some other city. We cherish him here, we really do. I had my doubts at first, with all those kids, and so did much the community, but they're all very mature- no trouble whatsoever. But when compared with others..." Charlie grimaced, and rolled his eyes. He looked annoyed. "They're a good bunch, really."

We lapsed back into silence as we finished the show and later into the evening I excused myself, washed the dishes and rushed to the bathroom and started the shower.

The warm water was a relief for all of my muscles and I ended up spending an extra, unnecessary, ten minutes in the shower.

When I was finished with that, I took my book bag to my room. Before stating my homework, I changed into a pair of dry sweats, pulled my damp hair up into a pony tail, and checked my e-mail for the first time. I had a few messages. All most likely from mom.

"Bella," my mom had wrote...

Write me as soon as you get it. Tell me how your flight was. Is it raining? I miss you already. I'm almost finished packing for Florida, but I can't find my pink blouse. Do you know where I put it? Phil says hi. Mom

I exhaled and went to the next one. Mom had questioned me on why I had yet to answer her.

The next message was from this morning

Isabella. If I haven't heard from you, I will call Charlie.

I looked up at the clock at the corner of the screen. 7:12. Mom would be calling anytime...

Mom,

Everything is fine. Of course it's raining. I was wating for something to write about. School isn't bad, just a little repetitive. I met some nice kids who sit with me at lunch. Your blouse is at the dry cleaners- you were suppose to pick it Friday. Charlie bought me a truck, can you believe it? I love it. It's old, but really sturdy, which is good, you know, for me. I miss you, too. I'll write you again soon, but I'm not going to check my e-mail every five minutes. Relax. Breathe. I love you. Bella.

In the morning, I fell out of bed, stumbled to my dresser and found my favorite navy-blue v-neck and slipped that on over a plain white tank-top, laced at the bottom, I threw on a random pair of jeans and my black flats. Attempting to make my hair nice was a failure. I combed through it a few times and gathered all of my school work. Charlie waited for me downstairs, dressed in uniform, bags collected under his eyes. "I'm gonna be a little late tonight."

I looked up from the toaster and nodded my head. "Dinner will be ready when you get home, then."

"You don't have to, kiddo."

If I don't, who will? "I enjoy it. Don't worry."

Charlie took another bite of his toast and when it was time for him to leave, he said goodbye and left to the crusier. I left shortly after him.

When I got to school, the parking lot was occupied with chatting teens. I went off to class and impatiently did the work, thinking about the obvious. Would he be here today? Nothing eventful happened for the first few periods and when lunch came a around, I was hesitant.

When we finally reached the lunchroom, Jessica tugging on my arm as I walked particularly slow down the halls. "Come on, Bella," Jessica turned back to look at me, and began walking backwards. "I'm hungary." She tilted her head to the side, attempting a weak puppy-eyes. For her attempt, I sped up and walked at her speed. "Thanks!" She bounded forward and nearly yelled out as we approached the doors of the cafeteria.

My breathing slowed as she rushed to the doors, dragging me with her, and pulled me in. Without thinking I casted my glance to where the table of angles sat the day before and blushed in absolute shock. Five people sat at the table. One in particular looking this way.

Jasper Hale. I could practically see everyone of his features from where I stood, frozen. "Bella?" I could feel Jessica's hands shake my shoulders. "Are you okay?"

I shook my head, and looked away from the gaze of Jasper Hale. I could see from the corner of my eye, his head turn away violently and his fingers tearing apart a sandwich. "Yeah. I'm fine."

Jessica laughed and turned back around. I let out a longing sigh, for the unknown reason, and smiled sickly to Mike, who jumped to my side. "You feelin' okay?" I shook my head and walked into the lunch line, Mike trailing behind. "I saw your little run in with Jessica, and noted you're pale...er." He shrugged and plucked a roll from the tray. "Had to ask."

"It's okay." I was tempted to tell him otherwise and to proceed with my day. "Thanks...for the concern."

Soon after me and Mike's short conversation, Jessica joined us with a tray full of food and we made our way down the line. I settled with a turkey sandwich, an apple and an orange soda. I then followed them to a table I easily recognized as the one we sat at yesterday.

I still thought of Jasper Hale.

Before any attempt at a bite of my food, his name would flash violently into my mind, as if reminding me of the thing I could never have. I threw my sandwich down and peaked over my shoulder. "Are you sure you're okay, Bella?" Lauren finally spoke up. A few people joined in on asking about my feelings. Mike carefully rubbed circles into my back, and Jessica glared at the two of us. I shifted uncomfortably.

"I think I just need some fresh air. Alone," I added, as Mike opened his mouth to either ask to join or invite himself. I was in no mood for his hopeless antics.

Jasper Hale. Jasper Hale. Jasper Hale. Jasper Hale. Get out of my mind! I stood up quickly and nearly ran for the doors. I pushed my way past a few girls and took a deep breath of fresh air. My insides twisted violently and I felt mentally and physically sick. Why me? Why Jasper Hale and not Mike, or Tyler? I fought the urge to kick the wall behind me.

I turned around, my back facing the wall and tumbled backwards. My back slammed against the wall of the cafeteria. I grimaced, but, although in a small amount of plain, began to slowly slide down the cool wall. I took a few more breaths, analyzing whatever moment I was having to myself. My eyes fell shut and my head rested against my knees.

Why now? Why did this have to happen in Forks, of all places? Why the place I hate? "Couldn't it be worse?" A voice spoke up. I didn't even look up to meet the perfect structure of Jasper Hale. I didn't answer yet; I didn't want to.

"If only you knew," I grumbled. I could feel myself pouting. I felt semi- pathetic pouting near or around Jasper Hale.

Jasper chuckled. I could hear the soles of his shoes shuffling against the concrete sidewalk. "If only you knew."

What's that suppose to mean?

But without hesitance, I answered, "If only." I had no idea what was truly going on in my own mind. All it had been this past day were thoughts of Jasper, thoughts of Jasper Hale and me and thoughts of my small Jasper Hale obsession. This was beyond odd.

Jasper laughed in response to my answer. I lifted my head, tempted and willing to see his smiling face. I had a feeling it would make my day, no matter what. And I was right. I felt my heart swell for Jasper Hale's smile, another perfection of his. His eyes widened in surprise at my quick turn to spot him, and almost in a flash, returned to normal. Today, his eyes were a softer shade of topaz.

Soft pelts of rain began to fall, quickly interrupting our almost golden silence. "What are you feeling?" Jasper suddenly asked, staring back at the rain. I could see his gaze flash towards me and flash back to a direct spot on the ground beneath his black tennis shoes. His beautiful topaz eyes, looked back up at me from beneath thick black lashes.

My heart raced against my chest. The thought of him actually caring for me flashed in my mind. Did he or was this another mind trick, something to distract me from the bigger image? "Confused, upset, tired." It all came out in a sudden rush. My head pounded against my skull.

"Upset with whom?" Jasper took a step closer to where I sat. His nose scrunched up, as if he were smelling something terrible and he quickly took a step back and his face turned back to normal.

You and your family. Me. Mostly you. "Myself." I grimaced to myself; I couldn't lie.

Jasper tilted his head to the right. "Do you regret moving up here?"

"I don't...regret moving here. As much I would like to think that this is what I'm feeling." I looked up at him, and caught his gaze. "It's not." He looked down at me, and it was obvious he was asking me to continue. "It's complicated," I began.

Jasper chuckled and replied, "I think I can handle it." I had the feeling there was another meaning under his words.

"My mother got remarried last September," I said, before I could even think.

"And you don't like him?"

"No, Phil's not bad, maybe too young, but he's good for her." I paused and took another breath before continuing, "He plays baseball, and mom was basically stuck with me while he was training. I could see she was missing him. She didn't need me. So, I called Charlie and...set this up. I sent myself." My voice was monotone by the time I had finished.

His eyebrows knitted together. "And now you're upset?"

"Yes," curiosity filled my voice. What would he say next? What words would flow from his flawless lips?

Jasper crossed his legs, and looked down at me. "That's very...nice of you."

"Thanks?" I grimaced at him, resisting the urge to ask anymore questions, and looked away. It was silent for a few seconds, and when I turned to look at Jasper and to ask what was happening, he was gone. And I was alone.

More later, for now, I need to sleep. I'm about to go and see Paranormal Activity with some friends and just chill out. I've had a crazy week. Also, I just published a one-shot, Take Me Home. Anyone willing to read/review/favorite?