Author's Note: Are we finally going to have a conversation here? I think yes! Hope this makes sense; I tried to keep it short, but Jasper was too nervous and talked a bit more than usual. You'll see what I mean. Plus, you get some Esme. She's incredible. Enjoy.

~Tay

DISCLAIMER: Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight. If I owned it, I'd have worked the contracts out so that all the boys - and Carlisle - would have to be at my beck and call, twenty-four/seven...topless. (and maybe bottomless too)

I take a few deep breaths as I walk over to Bella. The crowd is thickest over here by the keg, but I don't get bumped around too much.

As I get closer, I notice Kachiri and Sasha are already gone. I want to be pissed that they abandoned their friend again, but the less people around the better. This girl has me too caught up and I don't need witnesses if I end up looking like a joker.

Garrett starts to leads Kate away, talking about showing her something in the house. I hate Kate a little bit when she invites Bella along. To Kate's credit, she's being a better friend than Sasha and Kachiri for not just leaving Bella here alone, but that's not the point. I finally want to talk to her and Kate's fucking up my plans.

Garrett saves the day though. "I just want to talk to you alone for a bit." He says it real low in her ear and Kate blushes.

Bella hears it too and looks away to give them some privacy. Even in the dimness of the night I can see her blush. It makes her look cuter, if that's even possible.

Garrett winks at me as they depart. Good luck.

I nod back. Thanks, man.

Kate looks too glassy eyed to even notice me and Bella's still fighting to tame her blush.

I take Garrett's place behind the keg and start to pump myself a new drink. I know what I'm doing, but I take my time and keep my head down. When my cup's half way full, I steal myself to finally talk to her and look up.

She's staring at me. It catches me off guard.

I don't want to fuck this up so I opt to do the simple guy thing. "Hey."

"Hey." Her voice is a lot softer than it is in school. I'm sure it's because we're in a vast open yard, but I want it to be because she's just as nervous as I am. I'm not stupid enough to believe the latter though.

The problem with my simple greeting is that it doesn't leave room for more conversation.

I'm totally fucked.

I twist my neck to get my dark blond bangs out of my face. I know girls like my hair for whatever reason. It's kind of long in a shaggy way and even though I thought about cutting it for the new school year, I'm glad I didn't because I use the head flick motion to scan the yard for help.

Alec and Ben are still bullshitting about something or other, but I see Ben making eyes at one of the girls Esme brought from The Port. These fucking females are making us crazy.

Thankfully Carlisle tips back the rest of his drink and sees me by the keg.

I tilt my chin up. Come here.

He furrows his brows for a second. What's up?

I shake my head slightly. Just get over here, man.

His arm wraps around Esme's waist. Can I bring my girl?

I look down and shrug as small as possible. Whatever. It'll probably be good to have another girl here as a buffer. Girls always feel more comfortable with their own kind.

Carlisle gets to us quickly and I try not to sigh in relief.

"Hey, Bella, how's it going?" Carlisle's always been easy going. I'm completely envious.

She smiles softly at him. "I'm doing well, and I can see that you are too." She pointedly looks at the grinning Esme by his side.

I'm surprised his face doesn't crack, he smiles so hard. "Bella, this is my girl, Esme." He immediately stiffens. I don't think he meant to say she was his girl out loud.

Esme's smile rivals his though and she sticks out her hand. "Nice to meet you, Bella. I'm Esme Platt. I go to East Bay High over in The Port."

Bella shakes Esme's hand, but then shakes a fist in the air in mock indignation. "East Bay, huh? Damn you Loggers and you're victory last night. I'm embarrassed to let you know that I'm a Spartan, after the butt kicking your football team handed us."

Carlisle quirks an eyebrow at me and I do the same back to him. I know what he means; I had no idea she followed our sorry ass team.

Both the girls laugh and the sound goes straight to my groin. Carlisle tightens his grip on Esme and I take a step closer to Bella; I don't want him to think I'm making plays at his girl.

Bella notices the step and stops laughing. She drops her head down, but I can't tell if she's doing it to hide a blush. It's surprisingly harder to watch her from this close.

Carlisle looks at Bella and clears his throat. "Esme's school is having a victory picnic tomorrow afternoon. You should come." It's meant for both Bella and I, but he looks at me when he says the last part.

I nod. If she's going then I'll totally be there. I think Esme catches me because she looks between me and Carlisle while Bella's head is still down.

Bella looks up and she's chewing her bottom lip. I know that means she's actually thinking about going. "I wouldn't want to ruin your date or anything."

Esme quickly assures her. "Oh, no! It's more of a hang out. There'll be games and food and music." She looks at me then continues. "A few of Carlisle's friends will be there and my whole school will probably show up so…" She trails off looking at Bella again.

I think Bella peeks at me from under her lashes. "Sure, sounds like fun." I try to look as bored as possible.

"Cool." Carlisle's better at this than I am. "Give me your number so we can get a ride situation figured out."

I see red. I want to see his body bled and broken.

Esme saves Carlisle from the beating of a lifetime. "Your phone is in my purse in the coat room, Carlisle." She's staring at him funny. I think she's trying to tell him something. A peek at Bella lets me know that I'm on to something here. Carlisle looks at her like she's crazy, but she continues talking looking between Bella and I. "Why don't you take her number, Jasper." It's not a question. "Carlisle's coming early to hang out so you three can ride together, right?" Esme looks so hopeful. I think she bats her lashes at Bella. She's good.

"Um…" Bella's looking up at me and she's biting her lower lip again. I hope that it means what I think it means. "S-sure." She nods, determined. "Yea, that's cool."

I want to do a happy dance. I sip my beer and nod instead. I also try again to look as bored as possible.

"That's word." I pull my phone out and hand it to her so she can plug in her number. I make sure my hand touches hers during the exchange. Her skin is soft and warm.

My dick goes from six to midnight. I retract my hand and shove it deep in my pocket.

While Bella's busy plugging her number into my phone, I look at Esme. She winks at me. I smile really small. Carlisle catches my eye and I bob my head a few times while drinking my beer. She's cool. Congrats, man.

He tightens his grip around her waist and kisses her temple with his eyes closed. Yea.

Bella sighs when she's finished and hands me my phone. "What time will you call me tomorrow?" She's staring straight at me. Her eyes are as big as a doe's.

I want to say I'll call her as soon as she'll let me.

I want to say I'll call her tonight.

I want to say that I've wanted to call her since she moved here last year.

I want to say everything, plus more.

I'm a coward though, so I just shrug instead.

Esme interjects. "Well, the picnic starts at two, so Carlisle's coming to my house around twelve so we can hang out before. Is that cool?" She looks at all three of us questioningly, but I don't think she's really asking.

Carlisle and I nod while Bella says, "Cool."

"Alright then! I guess I'll see you guys tomorrow!" Esme leans into Carlisle's side and he nods before they leave, throwing a "later" over his shoulder. I never got him his refill, but they disappear into the house anyway.

I keep staring at the empty space long after they've gone. The silence between Bella and I is deafening.

"So, are you picking me up on the way to Carlisle's?" She sounds so bold. I look at her to see if anything's changed in the last two minutes.

She looks the same – beautiful as ever. "Yea." Shit! These simple answers don't do anything to keep the conversation going, but I swear my voice will crack if I keep talking. I risk it anyway. "I'll come by your house, say ten thirty?" My voice stays even.

She's biting her lip again and she nods. "Y-yea, I'll be ready."

I want to know why she's stuttering. She only does it if she's really embarrassed. What am I doing to make her uncomfortable?

Kachiri approaches. "Hey B, we're getting out of here soon to grab some grub. You game?" She looks between me and Bella before settling her gaze onto her friend. Bella immediately drops her head.

"Um, y-yea. T-that's cool, I guess." They leave with Kachiri whispering in Bella's ear. Both girls look back at me over their shoulders.

Bella does it twice.

I try to look as bored as possible, but it's tough as shit while I'm smiling on the inside. She agreed to spend an hour in a car with me tomorrow – with Carlisle present, but I'm overlooking that for now. Plus, she's letting me pick her up to drive the fifteen minutes to his house. I hope it's a good sign. I'm fucking giddy either way.

I wonder if I could get away with calling her to confirm.

I wonder if texting her would be too bold.

I wonder if she's as excited as I am.

I wonder what she'll wear tomorrow.

A/N: There's a lot of blushing and stammering in there! What does it mean! I wonder what Bella will wear tomorrow as well! Hmmm, we'll see. I'm definitely going to keep to the weekly updates, I think. I feel like if I do this correctly, I may even get to post some teasers somewhere. And not only would that be fun, but it'll keep me writing so I won't leave you hanging. Oh, and BTW, this is Romance AND Drama, so I can promise you, it won't be super angsty, but this shit isn't going to be all sunshine and rainbows either. You've been warned.

Do you like my pushy Esme? I think I like her a lot actually. Blue review buttons give bitch-brows.

~Tay

P.s. - I don't usually rec things, but check out "We Were Here" by sweetlolapop. It's here on FFn and it's only a few chapters in as well, but she's incredible. It's a B&E story, but it's great. Popular turned social pariah Bella gets with reclusive and mysterious Edward. He lives in a world of graffiti, arrest records, few friends and fewer words. Edward's brilliant and deep and I like her Esme too, but I'll give nothing away! Just go read it.