Teehee, I've been a bad girl and haven't updated in a long time. Maybe I should get Jackson to come and spank me. Teehee. Ok, this A/N could get VERY inappropriate. R&R - Alice xoxo

Chapter Three

I didn't go back to school afterwards. I just wandered around the cold, rainy streets of Forks, Washington as I waited for a safe time to go home, in case my parents got out early. Which happens a lot.

Anyway, I got home around 3:30, and my mom was there waiting there. Not a good sign.

"Where the hell where you all day, Mary Alice?" She asked. I didn't say anything, I just shifted the weight on my feet impatiently. "The school called and said you didn't show up, and don't fucking lie to me."

"I got a tattoo," I said all in one breath, so she wouldn't understand and let it go. But she heard what I said, unfortunately.

"A tattoo? Of what?" She said, disgusted. I knew I wasn't suppose to take the bandage off, but I really wasn't in the mood for talking, so I did anyway and held out my wrist for her to see. "Why? Why did you get one that just says why?"

"Because I want to know why my life fucking sucks!" I wasn't aloud to swear in front of my parents. That's probably why her hand came in contact with my cheek so forcefully, that I fell backwards. I hit my head against the wall and almost went unconscious.

"Don't give me that shit, Mary. You have a wonderful life. You should be happy that you have a place to live and food to eat. I could have gotten rid of you - should have gotten rid of you the day you turned eighteen."

I thought she was done yelling me, so I tired to get vertical, but she pushed me back again. "Fuck you," she spat at me before leaving me alone. I got to my feet one more time and ran back to my room at the top of the house and threw myself onto my bed where I started to cry really hard.

I looked at my wrist. Why? Why? Why? Out of the corner of my I saw something thin and shiny. Why was there a sewing needle on the floor of the attic? I didn't think about it for too long. I just picked it up and looked at it. I didn't care if it was clean or not, I just slid the pointy end across my wrist under the tattoo with enough pressure to break the skin. Some blood dripped out. I smiled at the pain as I watched a scab form.

It was the first time I had ever cut myself. It hurt, but I loved it

-

It had been a week since I had gotten my tattoo, and I kept thinking about that Jasper guy. He was really cute, and my heart stopped beating whenever I remembered the color of his eyes. Blue. But not like blue, blue. They where bright and…just so beautiful. I had to see him again. I just had to.

He told me that I could come back if I needed anything, but I really didn't.

Actually, yes I did need something. I needed him.

-

On the Wednesday after I got my tattoo, I went to the shop after school. When I pushed the door open, breathed in the smell of the place, and heard the sound of the music playing, I knew I was safe.

My breathing stopped when I saw that Jasper was working. He looked up, saw me, and smiled. "Hey, Darlin', what's up?" He asked.

I looked around and noticed how empty the place was. It was just me and Jasper, actually.

"Hi," I said in reply, "I just came by because I missed you." I walked over and sat on the counter next to him.

"Ya know, your really not suppose to sit up there," Jasper said as he came closer to me. He leaned against the counter.

"What are you going to do about it?" I tested, smiling.

"Tickle you until you pee yourself," he said jokingly. I really liked this guy. I could be my real self around him, and I've only seen him twice in my whole life. It's weird how that happens.

"You wouldn't," I said in a threatening voice. But he did. He started tickling me while I tried to pull away. "Stop," I tried to say, but couldn't because I was laughing so hard.

"I wont stop until you pee or you get off." I loved this guy. Wait. Love? No, no, no. I've known him for a week and a half.

"Ok, ok," I slid off the counter. "I'm off."

Jasper didn't say anything after that. Not really. "I'm going to close up soon. It's been so dead lately," he said, but more like he was talking to himself than to me. I just nodded. "Have you been taking care of your tattoo?" I held out my wrist for him to look at. "it looks good…but where did you get the scars?"

I felt the blood rush to my cheeks. I was caught… or was I? "I have a cat," I lied, "it scratched me."

He could tell I was lying. "Are you sure?" He asked. I nodded.

-

I stayed and kept Jasper company while he cleaned up and while he closed.

"Thanks for coming by and keeping me company," he said when we where leaving. "This place is pretty much dead all the time, and it was good to have someone to talk to."

"No problem," I said, "I can come tomorrow, if you want. I don't have anything to do ever. Hell, I could hang out with you all the time, if you want. I'll drop out of school and work with you if you want."

"No, I don't want you to drop out. I want you to graduate and go to a good college," he said seriously even though I was joking. "If you don't you'll end up with a fucking job at a tattoo shop that your parents own but don't even work there." Oh, it's him. "Alice, finish high school then go to college, please? For me?"

"Ok," I answered. "If I can," I added.

"What do you mean, if you can?"

Shit, I really didn't want to get into this, but I felt like I could tell him anything...everything. "I…uh…don't think my parents give a flying fuck about me going to college. I never asked if I could. They don't care about me…" My voice trailed off at the end. I was going to cry, I knew it.

"Hey," Jasper said, he took my hand and started stroking it, "they care about you. I'm sure of it. You are so sweet and beautiful, I'm sure they love you."

"Nope," was all I said. "No one likes me." I started walking forward towards my house again but Jasper grabbed my wrist to stop me. I turned around towards him.

"I do." Those two words…just two words…I started crying. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean for you to cry… I just…" His voice trailed off and I shook my head to say that it was ok.

I ran my hands over my cheek to dry the tears. "No, I'm sorry for crying like an annoying baby." I sniveled.

"It's ok, Darlin'," he said as he brushed at my cheeks like I just had. "There is nothing wrong with crying." He wrapped his arms around me into an embrace and rested his head on the top of mine. He pressed his lips to my hair but I could tell it wasn't a kiss.

"Thank you," I whispered when we pulled away. We where getting close to my house and I pointed it out. "I have to go. Will I see you tomorrow?"

"That's up to you, sweetheart. If you stop by after school, then yes you will see me. And, obviously if you don't then no you wont see me," he smiled.

"Alright. I'll stop by. I can't wait to see you." I said the last part seductively.

He laughed a little and then hugged me again. "I feel your pain, little Darlin'. I'll see you tomorrow," was the last things I heard him say to me before I went into my house.

My parents weren't home, to my relief. I sighed happily when I got into my house, leaned against the wall and slid down. I was feeling something I have never felt before. Ecstasy, bliss, elation, love…

I swear, I was falling in love.