*Jemima*

I felt like crying. Or screaming. Or both. I swept a hand across my forehead, sticky with sweat. Feeling sick, I staggered to the bathroom. My legs were like jelly. I looked into the mirror above the sink. My face was a mess. My eyes were bloodshot and wide. My skin was even paler than usual, and shiny with sweat. I pushed the hair out of my face with a shaky hand. With little hesitation, I decided to take a quick shower; mum should have gone out to work the night shift at the hospital earlier, so I had plenty of time. She was at work for hours. I stood under the cool shower, hoping that it would wash my memories as well as my body. Of course, no such look. My legs were so weak I eventually had to sit down in the shower, just in case I collapsed. I covered my face in my hands, the water dripping around me. Jasper. The name that had once been so beautiful to me now scared me more than anything. But it never stopped thrilling me.

"Jasper," I whispered, staring blankly at the tiled wall in front of me.

Eventually, my thoughts had cleared enough for me to get out. My legs were still a little shaky, but I managed to pull on a bathrobe and wobble downstairs. Wearily, I made myself a cup of tea (very English, I know) and sipped it quietly on the couch. Once I'd finished, I absentmindedly played with my damp hair, and walked back into the kitchen. Leaning against the counter, I began to plait my hair. At least it would be wavy tomorrow. Tomorrow. The thought scared me, and made me want to be sick. Jasper would be there tomorrow. I knew that it was just a dream, but something was still wrong to me. Especially that afterimage. I'd been convinced that he was in my bedroom, but that was just ridiculous.

"Why?" I demanded, thrusting my cup into the sink. I leant forward on the sink shakily. I glared at my reflection in the window above the sink. It was too dark outside to see anything. Slowly, I pushed myself out of the kitchen and back upstairs. I stood at my open bedroom window, letting the slight breeze cool my warm skin. My mother had always scolded me for leaving my window open at night.

"Your practically encouraging mad axe-murderers to come and kill you in your sleep!" She'd always say.

I didn't believe her, of course. I didn't know much about Forks, but I doubted it was the sort of place to house cold-blooded murderers.

A twig snapped in the forest that crept within our garden's boundaries. I squinted into the dark shadows of the trees, but rolling my eyes, I dismissed it.

Man up, Jemima.

Shutting the window carefully, I turned and collapsed onto the bed. Lying on my back, I couldn't even be bothered changing out of my robe. Slowly, hesitantly, I slipped into sleep again.

I was too scared to be tired the next morning. I walked a little bit faster to school, the slightest sound causing me to jump. And the last thing I needed was Mike Newton. He came up to me in the car park, and his smile alone made me jump,

"Hey! Someone's a little jumpy today. You okay? Anyway, you have Chemistry first again right?"

I raised my eyebrows, hardly listening to him. He looked uncomfortable,

"Yeah, I...er...memorized your timetable."

"Right." I said, still not listening to him.

Mike half dragged me into school; I probably needed to be forcibly put there, or I probably wouldn't have gone in. I only noticed where we were when I recognized the corridor, "Whoa, whoa, whoa. I have Chemistry!"

Mike looked at me like I was a crazy person, "...Yeah."

"Oh God. I can't do this." I started to walk away, when I felt a hand on my shoulder, "Morning, Miss Cooper!"

I groaned quietly as Mr Peters directed me into class. Without looking at anyone, I scooted over to my seat. "Wait, Miss Cooper." I paused and turned back to Mr Peters, he smiled apologetically,

"Charlotte won't be in today, so you need another lab partner."

Oh. God. NO! I looked around desperately, but the only other person without a partner was...

"Mr Hale, you will be Miss Cooper's lab partner today. Jemima, please sit with Jasper. Don't worry, he won't bite."

I felt sick. Jasper was sat rigid in his seat. Not even looking at me. I took a deep breath, and walked over. Control yourself, Jemima, I told myself. Calmly, I pulled out my equipment, and dropped my bag on the floor. Calm, I thought. Chill. I felt Jasper glance at me, but I stared straight ahead. Jasper leant as far away from me as possible, his face almost contorted in a pained expression. He began to scratch at his mouth with a ferocity that unnerved me. However, I kept my eyes on the board.

..Jasper, I commanded myself. Every time I felt the fear creep back in, I forced myself to stay calm. I couldn't help noticing that Jasper seemed to get more and more agitated the more I did this. I rested my head in my hands, trying to relax in his presence.