Disclaimer: I don't own. We all know this. If I did that scene in Eclipse with Jasper telling Bella of his past on the cliff edge would have been so different. In my version he'd of shoved Alice off and Bella would have offered her a Zippo to light her way down.

In the memories Bella is already 16 and Jasper is still 15.

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October 11, 1995

Leaning against Bella's truck I watch the double doors of the school building, waiting for her to come through them. Our shared History class was third period this year instead of seventh and I hated it. I hated waiting two hours to see her again after lunch, especially how I felt about her now. Hopefully though if this year worked out like we wanted and I did what I needed to we'd share every class next year. Bella was helping me get my shit together so I could change to all advanced courses. I'd have to take a test for each over the summer and if I passed them I could switch. That was our goal and one I was going to accomplish because I hated waiting.

I checked my watch for the third time and wondered where the hell she was. It usually took her only five minutes, having to go by her locker first, but I'd been waiting 15.

Pushing myself away from the hood I start for the building only for Bella to come flying out of the office's side door.

"Sorry, sorry." She said as she stopped next to me.

"What happened? Did you get in trouble?"

"No," She scowled and rolled her eyes at me. "I had to check something out."

"What?"

"I'll tell you when we get to my house."

"Bells." I groaned. I hated when she did that shit.

"Jazz." She mocked, unlocking her truck door.

I narrowed my eyes at her, but all it did was cause her to grin at me. "Get in the truck or you're walking and you won't find out what I know."

I had only one option. I got in the truck. I honestly didn't think she'd leave me to walk, but I really wanted to know what she did.

We rode in silence to her house and once inside we headed straight for the kitchen. We did the same thing every day whether we were here or at my house. Book bags got dropped beside our chairs, she went to the cabinets to get snacks while I went to the fridge to get drinks, we'd settle in our chairs and pull out our homework, and then we'd spend the next hour working through it.

Once I was settled back at the table I reached to pull my notebook and math book out of my bag. As I went to set them in front of me a thin white sheet of paper slid in front of me. Looking up at Bella I found her smiling. She nodded her head at the paper and I looked back to it.

It was the typical paper you'd find tacked to a cork board or telephone pole. Along the bottom were three blackened out clip art silhouettes-a person singing, a ballet dancer, and a violin. Above those were a stage with pulled back curtains and the words Forks High Talent Show. Stars and firework looking things decorated the rest.

When I finished looking over it I glanced back up at Bella and asked, "So what is this about?"

"I think you should sign up to do it." She answered and bit her lip.

"And why in the hell would I want to do that?"

"Because I think you'd win hands down."

"I don't know about that."

"Whatever. You are amazing with a guitar and you know it. Add your singing into it and you're golden."

"You know I don't play in front of anybody."

"That's not true. You play for me, your mom, and my dad all the time."

"That's different."

"I know, but seriously Jazz I think you'd have it in the bag. Mrs. Cope said only two people had signed up so far. It's Lauren and Jessica. Do you seriously see them being good at anything other than gossiping?"

I chuckled because she was right and then sat for a few minutes thinking about what she wanted me to do. Not that I really needed to think about it. I would do it only because she asked me to. If it had been anyone else, even my own mother, I would have said a big resounding NO.

Finally and with a small lie I said, "I'm not agreeing yet, but give me the details."

She grinned because she knew I was lying. "Well, Mrs. Cope, Coach Clapp, and the drama teacher, Ms. Morrow are the judges. It's a week from Friday and starts at 6:30 that night. When you win..." She said emphasizing the when. "...you get a hundred dollars as the prize and I know you've been saving your money lately for a car. And I thought you could sing Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd." I raised an eyebrow in question and she shrugged. "It's my favorite that you do. When I hear it I can picture Maria sitting you down and saying the same thing."

I laugh quietly because Bella just showed how much she knows not only me but my mom. She has sat me down and said while not the exact words they were ones along the same lines as the song. It's why I learned to play it.

"Okay Bells. I'll do it for you and I'll sing that song."

She squealed and shot out of her chair, rushing around the table to hug me. "You are so going to kick ass." She whispered as she squeezed tight.

I laughed and reluctantly pulled away from her. Seeing the smile plastered across her beautiful face showed me how much she believed in me and it just made me want her more.

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Present Day

From the next night up until the night of the talent show I'd practiced every chance I had. Bella had been an avid audience, praising me every time I finished running through the song; no matter how many times she'd heard it that day.

Back then I hadn't noticed the subtle signs that she wanted more than friendship from me. I'd missed the flashes of love in her eyes. I'd missed the quiet sighs when I'd sing a certain part of the song. And I'd missed the real meaning behind the small smile that would play across her lips. I'd thought it had to do with her thinking the song was perfect. However I'd found out, after our feelings had come out, that it wasn't the song she thought was perfect; it was me.

Thankfully my inept ability to notice those things hadn't stopped the inevitable change our relationship took the night of the talent show.

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October 20, 1995

Fuck I was nervous. I'd already bitten my nails to nubs on one hand and I was working my way through the other, waiting my turn to go on stage. I hadn't wanted to go first and thankfully I got my wish, but being last also wasn't working out well. Having to wait was driving me crazy.

Granted I wasn't having to wait to long since only eight of us had signed up for this thing, but knowing that it was almost time for me to get out there wasn't helping much either. I could only hope I didn't suck as bad as the rest of them. I had to hide a smile behind my hand as I thought back on the talents or lack thereof that had gone before me.

A very out of tune rendition of Any Man of Mine from Lauren Mallory opened the show. It had been like nails on a chalkboard listening to that shit and I had at the time thought nothing could ever sound worse.

I was wrong. Jessica Stanley went next and her attempt at TLC's Waterfalls was just sad. I don't even think she got half the words right.

Things did not improve.

If Mike Newton, Tyler Crowley, and Eric Yorkie didn't get beat up in the parking lot after this thing was over or on Monday I will be very surprised. I mean seriously thinking that a dance to New Kids on the Block and a Star Wars light saber battle skit was a good idea, was just asking for an ass whoopin'.

Then Jacob Black had to just add to the train wreck before us when he knocked himself out trying to break a board with his head in his karate routine. I seriously think I heard Bella laugh at that point and while I couldn't see her with the lights shining in my eyes from my position back stage, I could picture Charlie and mom trying to keep her quiet. Oh hell who was I kidding they were all probably trying to keep themselves quiet.

Angela Webber was going now though and I guess she was my only competition. She was playing the hell out of that violin and was doing a damn good job. The soothing sound was actually helping me to calm a little. I'd stopped trying to eat my fingers right now at least.

All too soon she was finished though and Principal Sawyer was walking back on stage. Fuck!

I stepped from behind the curtain a little and shielded my eyes with my hand hoping to find Bella in the audience. I really needed to see her once more before I went out there.

It didn't take me long to locate Charlie and mom in the front row right in line to where I would be sitting on a stool. However Bella wasn't with them and my nerves cranked right back up. Where was she?

"Jazz."

I turned quickly and breathed out a sigh of relief, seeing Bella walking toward me.

Her eyes searched my face as she came closer and I knew she could see that I was on the verge of freaking out.

When she got to me she reached up, taking my face in between her hands and said, "You are going to be amazing."

"What if I not? I've never played in front of this many people before. What if I'm just as bad as every one else?"

"I don't think you even need to remotely worry about that last part happening." She said with a smile. "As for the other don't sing to all of those people out there. Sing to me. It's just another day in your living room and we're hanging out. "

"Alright." I said.

She smiled wide and patted my cheek. "Good boy."

We heard Principal Sawyer call my name and Bella dropped her hands before tiptoeing up and placing a kiss on my cheek. She lingered for a moment and whispered, "Good luck."

I nodded in thanks and waited for her to step away. Once she had I turned to walk on stage only to spin around when she said my name.

"Remember only me." She said backing up and keeping her eyes on me.

"Always," I breathed without thought and meaning something completely different than what I was about to do.

Her eyes widened, picking up on the difference. She walked back over to me slowly and stared up at me in wonder. "Bella I..."

Principal Sawyer called my name interrupting me. "Go," She said. "I'll be here after. We'll talk then."

I looked over my shoulder and then back at Bella. Leaning forward I did something I never thought I would get the chance to do. I pressed my lips to her briefly and whispered, "After."

As I step away her hand comes up to touch her mouth and I know I haven't made a mistake. Giving her a smile I leave her standing there as I walk out onto the stage.

I get myself settled on the stool and adjust the microphone before I twist my guitar around to my front. Taking one more glance over at Bella I receive a smile and then I start playing.

I only think about Bella as I sing and before I know it I'm strumming the last chord of the song. I give a small wave as the audience starts clapping, and I quickly leave the stage to go back to Bella.

She jumps at me as soon as I'm close enough and squeezes my neck tight in a hug. "You were awesome."

My arms automatically wrap around her waist, lifting her up off the floor. We hug for a few more seconds before I pull back and set her back on her feet.

My hands slide out from around her and drop to my side. Bella pulls her bottom lip into her mouth and chews on it like it's going out of style. I know I need to say something about that kiss, but I really don't know where to start.

Finally I just decide to go for it since I can't go back and change things now. "Bella about that kiss..."

Her face falls stopping me from saying anything further. "You didn't mean it right?"

"What? No. I mean yes." I stop and scrub my hand over my face. I'm just messing this up. Taking a deep breath I try and succeed in getting out what I want to tell her. "Bella I meant to kiss you. I don't want to be just friends anymore. I haven't for awhile now and I didn't want to say anything in case it messed up our friendship. I'll understand if you don't want the same and I promise nothing will change with us if you don't. I'll always be your best friend no matter what."

I go back to biting my nails as she stares at me, that damn bottom lip in between her teeth again.

Before she can say or not say anything else Principal Sawyer announces the winner of the talent show. I'm too focused on Bella to realize he's said my name until she pushes me toward the stage. "You won, go."

I really don't want to leave her until I know how she feels, but Mr. Sawyer is calling my name and everyone is clapping. With a small growl I turn to walk back out to him.

"Oh and Jazz I don't want to be just friends anymore either."

I stop and look over my shoulder to see her grinning up a storm. She gives me a wink and says, "I'll be here after."

I make my way out to center stage then smiling like an idiot. I get a handshake, my prize money, and give a wave to the audience again before rushing back off stage to Bella, sweeping her up in an immediate hug and twirling her around in a circle.

"Seriously?" I ask as I pull back.

"Yeah." She answers.

I keep my eyes locked with hers as I move my head forward. When I'm inches from her mouth her eyes close and I eliminate the distance, pressing our lips together. We open at the same time and it's fucking heaven as our tongues rub against each other.

The clearing of a throat finally breaks us apart and we glance over to find my amused mother and a not so amused Charlie. Oh shit.

Bella slides slowly down to the floor and we turn to face the two of them.

I really want to put my arm around her, but Charlie is right there and I don't think he'd appreciate it at the moment.

"Um...hey dad. Maria."

"Hey Bella." My mom says back as Charlie grunts. My mom is awesome and tries to divert the attention for the moment by turning to me.. "Congratulations honey."

"Thanks mom."

"So are you going to add the prize money to your car fund?"

I almost lie and say yes, but after a quick smile from Bella I change my mind. "No, I think I'm going to use it and take my new girlfriend on a first date."

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Present Day

I chuckle as that last part runs through my head. Bella's face at that moment was priceless and a look I won't ever forget. Her smile had been so bright and her arm had slid around my waist. Of course that sentence and her movement had brought the situation back to the forefront of Charlie's mind and he'd suggested we all go out to dinner. It hadn't been so much as dinner as an establishment of rules. While we could still hang out after school, there was no more being alone in the bedroom unless one of the adults was home. We also couldn't have sleepovers anymore. It wasn't something we'd done often only if we fell asleep while watching a movie or something, but those were scraped.

Bella and I had understood where they were coming from and had agreed to both. I mean it's not like we came away with nothing. We could kiss and hold hands now so it was fine by us to compromise.

That night had been the start of us as a couple.

The rest of that year Bella and I became even more inseparable, dates taking up each weekend and spending every free moment up until curfew together.

I'd told her I loved her the day after Christmas and she'd said it back.

We spent all of that summer together on the beach. Junior year came and went with me signing up for the talent show again and winning. Bella picked up painting and photography along with keeping her drawing up. We had all the same classes since I managed to pass all my advanced placement tests and we went on even more dates.

Summer before senior year we went to Texas for two weeks and Bella got a small tan working on my aunt's farm. We were so happy and looking forward to our last year of high school.

We didn't realize when we started that last year that once again changes were coming and they would be what ultimately led to our downfall.

It started with Principal Sawyer informing us that some of our events through the year would be combined with a small school in Port Angeles, mainly the talent show and prom. When I beat out everyone from both schools it started me thinking seriously about trying to make a career out of singing and playing.

And then there was prom.

I set down the flier still clutched in my hand and pulled out the prom program that was on the table in the hotel ballroom. Taking a long drink from my tequila bottle I lean back against my couch and close my eyes, remembering the night that to this day is still one of my biggest regrets.

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How was it?

I know some may wonder about the last few sentences. All will be explained about why the regret for prom night next chapter.

Also if you listen to Simple Man then it might give some insight into later chapters, since it's kind of foreshadowing the way things go.