*Jasper*

I heard Jemima walk slowly down the stairs, she was still embarrassed...and then she was calm. I still couldn't understand how she controlled her emotions so well.

Rosalie smiled at her when she came in, as did Emmett, be it a little more childish. Jemima smiled back, and sat next to me once more.

"Jemima?" Her mother said a little too loud. I could smell the alcohol in her blood.

I saw Jemima grit her teeth a little before she answered, "Yes?"

"Do you...do you have make up on?"

"Mum, I always wear make up. You know that."

"Really? You must look awful without any on then,"

Everybody froze.

Jemima's beautiful, deep blue eyes widened,

"...Thanks mum."

"No I'm just saying, you look different."

Rosalie sat forward a little, a smile beginning to form on her lips.

"You look..." her mother continued squinting at her daughter, "...like a prostitute."

Rosalie drew a sharp intake of breath, as if she was readying herself to defend both her and Jemima's pride. Jemima glanced at Rosalie worriedly. Rose looked at her. Emmett looked at her. Carlisle looked at her. Esme looked at her. I looked at her. She looked at me. I had no idea what her mother was looking at. Jemima's cheeks turned at deep red.

"Hey, Mum...maybe you should...give the alcohol a rest, okay?" She finished the last bit in a rushed whisper. She stood up quickly, and took the glass of red wine off of her mother.

Protesting, she followed her daughter into the kitchen.

The room was silent. Carlisle was still trying to keep a polite expression on his face. Esme was looking at where the two humans had disappeared through a door, her motherly face concerned. Even Emmett looked shocked. We all pretended we couldn't hear.

Rose looked at me as if it were my fault. Her beautiful face was livid.

No one could ignore the sound of a slap. I stood up, my teeth bared. Emmett stood up too, but rather than help me, he stood between me and the kitchen.

"What are you doing, bro?"

I felt Carlisle put a restraining hand on my shoulder,

"Peace, son."

Slowly, I returned to my normal self.

"Maybe we should go..." Carlisle whispered.

He insisted on waiting for the mother to come back. When she came, Jemima wasn't with her.

"I'm sorry about that, Carlisle. She can be a little...hormonal sometimes."

I had an urge to attack the human, but Emmett's heavy hand touched my shoulder warningly.

"I'm sure she'll be fine." Carlisle (unnecessarily) assured her, standing up. Esme followed his lead, as did we.

"You're leaving?" The mother asked,

"I'm afraid we have to be home soon. I'm expecting a very important phone call. My apologies. Maybe you and your daughter could visit us sometime?"

"Of course, I'd love to."

Carlisle nodded, and led us out. I think we all looked up at Jemima's lit window. I could hear her, as my family probably could, wiping the tears from her cheeks.

"Maybe you should go and make her feel better," Emmett suggested, but this time he wasn't being crude. Carlisle nodded at me, and nodding back, I sent a wave of happy feelings up to her.

"Let's go." Carlisle said, ushering us to the two cars. Rosalie climbed into Emmett's massive four-wheeler, and Carlisle let Esme into his sleek black model. I remembered borrowing that car for school yesterday. I couldn't believe that I'd only known Jemima for two days. It felt like I'd known her forever.

Carlisle turned to me, his car door open ready, "Are you coming, son?"

"I think I'm going to run."

Carlisle looked as if he might protest, but I guessed he remembered I was his most uncontrollable son.

"I'll see you at the house. And Jasper," he added, before I turned, "be careful."

I nodded quickly, and turned towards the woods.

...

Just want to say a big old thank you to all of the Story Alert people and Author Alert and whatnot, it means a lot! Every review is appreciated greatly!