A/N
sorry for the long wait everyone but exams meant i couldn't continue writing this story as fast as I wanted to. hopefully the next chapter should be up soon though as I have already started writing it. enjoy.

Disclaimer: i do not own any of the characters of twilight. no copyright infringement was intended.

Chapter 2

EPOV

"Nice to meet you Jasper," I said grinning.

I felt a small thrill as his name rolled over my tongue so easily. I liked it – Jasper – it seemed quirky and but fit him well.

"Why did you move out of London Jasper?" I said feeling I should get a conversation going to make him feel more comfortable. I also wanted to have the chance to say his name again - become familiar with it.

"My parents grew tired of the city life and they wanted to experience traditional, English rural life," he said smirking as if the idea seemed amusing to him, "They believe that our lives will magically become peaceful just because we can see loads of hills outside our window and there's loads of fresh air about."

I noticed the sarcastic tone of his voice but what attracted my attention more was the realisation that he had a subtle American accent.

"Believe me the countryside isn't all that great. There isn't anything to do around here unless you have the money to travel into the city. But then that would defeat the purpose of moving away."

"Exactly what I said to my parents, but no, they didn't care about my opinion. All they care about is themselves and trying to sort out their sham of a marriage."

Jasper looked up at me suddenly as if only just noticing how incredibly open he was being with a stranger. I saw a small blush tint his cheeks and I immediately promised that I would do whatever it takes to make him do that again as it was the cutest thing I had ever seen.

"So…" I said attempting to change topic, "Do you come from America originally? Only I noticed the accent."

"Oh yeah, I was born in raised in Texas. But we moved here when I was eight. I don't really remember it that well – it seems a long time ago. My most clear memory is of the manic packing we had to do for weeks on end before we shipped everything off here."

"Wow! I've lived in the town of Petersons all my life. I've never even been to Wales before let alone abroad. I feel so unworldly compared to you."

"Oh well apart from the moving I haven't really travelled. My parents' jobs don't allow them to have long breaks. But I'd love to travel the world when I am older."

"Me too. I'd never be brave enough to travel around on my own though. I'd be scared of getting mugged or saying the wrong thing in another language."

"Well I guess you'll have to find a nice, protective travelling companion then won't you?"

"I guess I will."

He grinned at me and I couldn't help grinning back. His happy, flirty mood was infectious and we were still grinning at each other stupidly when the train pulled into our stop. I blinked and jumped up to retrieve my bag and get off the train. I got my ticket out of my blazer pocket and joined the cue of commuters trying to get out of the station.

When I was finally through I looked around sheepishly hoping to see Jasper appear. When I had been there a few minutes I realised he had obviously left and I looked like a complete douche bag standing around waiting for nobody.

I abruptly turned on my heel and stalked out the station doors feeling angry at myself for acting so desperate. I heard someone call my name and I glanced back inside the station to see Jasper running towards me.

"Hey Edward! Wait up!"

I stopped in my tracks and waited for him to catch up with me.

"I couldn't find my ticket in my bag and started panicking and didn't know what to do when I remembered my mum told me she had put it in my blazer pocket and so I finally managed to get out and….yeah…I'll stop babbling now," he said as, to my delight, he blushed profusely.

"Sorry I left - I thought you had started making your own way."

"Oh no, of course not."

We stood there staring at each other again

"I guess we better get going," he said and I laughed.

"Yes of course."

We turned and began walking together in companionable silence glancing at each other every now and again.

"So what subjects do you take?" I asked and we easily fell into another conversation.

It turned out we were very different. I took Physics, Maths and Biology whereas he took English literature, French and History. We both took Chemistry though and I secretly hoped that he would be in the same class as me.

When we reached the school gates I began to head to my form room when I realised he probably didn't know where he was going.

"Err…do you know what form you're in?"

"No not yet. I am meant to go the main office, I think.

"Oh I'll show you there."

"Thanks."

As we walked though the throngs of people in the corridors I saw his knuckles turn white as he gripped the strap of his school bag and his eyes flicker side to side.

"Hey – are you alright Jasper?"

"Yeah I'm just not a great fan of crowds. A bit enochlophobic – it's stupid really."

"Of course it isn't. You know I have to keep it on the down low so I don't get beaten up. But if there are any creepy crawlies around I scream like a girl and run away."

He grinned at me and I was pleased to see the hands on his bag loosen slightly.

He finally relaxed completely when I turned left into the empty main office area.

"Hi Mrs B," I called to the receptionist – my mum's best friend coincidentally.

"Hello Edward how are you doing today?" she asked with her normal sympathetic tone, "You're looking pretty cheerful"

I felt my good mood disappear slightly as I realised that since meeting Jasper I hadn't thought of my dad at all. I felt a wave of guilt wash over me and yet at the same time I felt a small thrill that there was someone at this school who didn't know about my dad and therefore didn't treat me any differently.

"I'm OK. Just met Jasper here on the train and thought I'd bring him here. He's the new boy."

"Oh yes, hello Jasper dear. I've got some letters here with all the information you need. Now you've made friends with Edward though I am sure you won't have any trouble. He's one of our best students you know."

"Don't flatter me Mrs B," I said blushing at her comment.

"I am sure she speaks the truth," Jasper said taking the forms from her and grinning at me.

"Oh I always do Jasper. Now for the younger years we normally assign a buddy to new pupils to show them around and introduce them to everyone but I assume you don't want me to do that for you - especially as you've got Edward here to show you the ropes."

"Oh I'm sure I'll be fine as long as Edward doesn't mind showing me where my rooms are."

"Sure, no problem – lets have a look at your timetable."

He handed it to me and I lead him out the office calling out goodbye to Mrs B.

"Thanks for your help," Jasper said.

"No problem, see you boys later," she replied.

I was relieved to see the corridors were empty as form had already started and the relief on Jasper's face showed - he was obviously pleased too.

"Well, you're in the same form as me so that's easy," I said grinning as I noticed he was in my chemistry class too, "and we'd better head over the there now as we're a bit late."

"Oh great I'm late on my first day. What a good impression."

"Don't worry. You can blame everything on me."

"I'll remember that for the future."

I laughed at him as I opened the door to our form room and walked in.

"Good afternoon, nice of you to join us," Mr Evans looked up and when he saw me his annoyed expression softened, "Oh sorry Edward, didn't realise it was you, do come in. I haven't taken the register yet so don't worry about being marked late."

I frowned at him. I hadn't realised how differently everyone treated me until I had spent some time with someone like Jasper who knew nothing about my dad.

"Hi Mr Evans, Sorry I'm late - I was helping Jasper get his timetable from the office."

"No Problem Edward – I'm just glad to see a smile on your face. And yes of course we have a new student in our form."

Jasper stepped forward beside me and I noticed the whole class look him up and down - obviously judging to see if he was worthy enough to join their group of friends. It didn't matter what they decided though - because I had got in there first.

"Everyone, this is Jasper Whitlock. Now I could make you introduce yourself to the whole class right now but I'm not that cruel. I'll just let you do that in your own time."

"Thanks," he said and followed me as I made my way to the back of the classroom to my normal table.

I pulled up an extra chair for Jasper and then sat down next to Bella.

"Morning," I said smiling at her.

She stared back at me looking shocked and I realised that I hadn't spoken to her for weeks.

"Morning," she said having obviously found her voice, "Do you know Jasper already?"

"Well not that well," I said grinning at him, "We only met on the train this morning."

"Oh right. You seem quite perky today."

"Do you normally walk around looking moody Edward? Only everyone seems to be surprised by your good mood."

"Oh well of course Edward hasn't exactly been very happy lately be-"

I cut Bella off with a glare, "I've not been happy lately as I have been forced to get up earlier now we've moved further away from school and I am not a morning person."

"Really? I love the morning. I used to get up and go for a run before school at my old place."

"What? Why would you take away precious sleeping hours just for running?"

Out of the corner of my eye I notice Bella frown down at the table but then she looked up at Jasper and smiled and I hoped that she had got the message that I wanted to keep my dad's death a secret – for now. If only to prolong the easy conversations I had with Jasper that weren't full of pity and sympathy. It gave me hope that maybe I could finally be released from the difficulties of the past few months and start to enjoy my life again.

to be continued...