Disclaimer:My license still says Misty so I guess you all know what that means.

A big thanks to my pre-reader Kim Rathbone. Go check out her story One Stormy Night. You get a sweet and hot human Jasper.

Link to the banner made by christag_banner on my profile.

An even bigger thanks to ceara1888 who has allowed me to adopt this story from her. I read it while she wrote it and hated to see her give it up. I only hope I don't disappoint with the way I go with it.

WARNING: PHYSICAL ABUSE THIS CHAPTER. IF IT IS A TRIGGER DON'T READ. IT'S NOT MUCH, BUT IT'S THERE AT THE BOTTOM.

-O-

Jasper

My eyes trailed over the many annoying students Forks High had to offer as I sought out the one I needed to see. My mate. My Isabella.

If I had been told just a few short months ago that I would find the other half of my soul in a human; I would have thought they were losing their mind.

I would have had to apologize though because the moment I saw Isabella I was a goner. She was beautiful with her dark hair and eyes, her small heart-shaped face, and petite body. She was very quiet and shy, something that I found endearing.

She did miss school at least once a week though and I had no clue what was wrong. I hated not knowing.

One small fortunate morsel was that we knew none of the rumors that circulated the school were true. Carlisle had seen her a few times for stitches and had never said anything.

It didn't help that none of the gifts my family and I possessed worked on her either. Edward couldn't read her mind, Alice couldn't see her future or anything to do with her, and I couldn't feel her emotions. It was the first time anything like that had ever happened and we were at a loss on how to explain it. After going around and around about the possible reasons we put it to the back of our mind and focused on other things.

I couldn't even go by her house to check on her as often as I would like. The only time was late in the night and she was sleeping. Every other time there was always people in the woods surrounding her house, since she lived close to the mill where her father worked.

I was supposed to keep her safe at all times. I was supposed to be there for her when she needed me. How could I do that though when I couldn't even find out what was wrong?

I wanted to just take her away. I wanted to tell her what my family and I were everyday. I couldn't do it though. Not yet anyway. Eventually I would have to, since the mating pull would become too much for me to bear. Already my chest ached when she wasn't around, but when she was near...God it was the best feeling in the world.

I watched her constantly just for a small chance of having her eyes fall on me. She would always look away quickly, but the small pleasure I received from just that little bit was enough to almost sustain me until the next time.

I wish she could feel the pull too. It would make life so much easier. However, humans weren't equipped to deal with that much emotion at once. The adrenaline and other emotions would more than likely cause their hearts to explode.

I obviously didn't want that to happen with her so I had to deal with the way things were right now. Once I was sure she wouldn't run away screaming or trying to have me locked up in a loony bin I would tell her what I was.

The first step would be becoming a part of her life; as a friend first. She would need to see I cared about her. I just needed to figure out how to become that without scaring her off from the start. And I had a very small feeling that with as quiet as she was, it was going to to be easier said than done.

"Jazz..." I snapped out of my thoughts and looked over to Rosalie as she placed her hand on my shoulder. "...the bell rang. We need to go in."

"Did I miss her?" I asked glancing around as the students rushed toward the building.

"No."

I felt the sympathy pouring out of my siblings as I nodded. They didn't really understand how I felt though. After all, they'd already found their mates. Edward and Alice had both been vampires when they'd found each other; Emmett had been changed less than an hour after Rose had found him, dying from a bear attack. So,they'd all felt the pull immediately.

Esme had been human also, but just like with Emmett she was dying when Carlisle had found and changed her.

"Jasper." Rose said again and I knew if Isabella wasn't here yet she wasn't coming.

I took one more glance toward the entrance of the parking lot before following behind my family. As I stepped through the double doors, I told myself that I would figure out what was going on with my mate and I would figure it out soon. Today though all I could do was hope like hell she was all right.

-O-

Bella

My mind was splitting in two with the what I needed right now. On one hand, I didn't want dad to come home. When he did I knew I was in for a world of hurt. Not only did I miss school to which another excuse would have to be made, but his dinner wasn't on the table. It wouldn't matter to him that in his drunken stupor he'd forgotten to untie me. This would never be his fault. It would always be mine.

Last time I didn't have his dinner ready I almost ended up in the hospital. He'd gone crazy and I still carried scars from just that one night. It had been the only time he'd ever hit me in the face too. He was always so careful about that. After all, he couldn't leave behind something that I couldn't cover up. I'd gotten the flu that week.

On the other hand, I wanted him home because I really needed to use the bathroom. If my stomach hadn't been so empty I would have already gone on myself. That was one humiliation I'd yet to experience. I also really didn't want to see his reaction. I had a feeling that would kill me.

I moved my head slightly so I could see out of the window. It was nailed shut and covered in blinds, but a little light managed to make its way through.

As I tried to gauge how much longer I'd have to wait I heard the front door open, my body tensing as his words reach my ears.

"BELLA, where the fuck are you? BELLA?"

"D-Dad, I'm up here. C-can you let me up?" I called, hating how weak my voice sounded.

I cringed with each stomp his boots make on the stairs.

"You are such a worthless piece of shit." He said as he slammed my door open.

His eyes fell on me immediately, causing him to hiss in anger. "Why didn't you remind me when I left this morning?"

"I'm sorry. I must have fallen asleep." More accurately I passed out, but saying that would only bring me more pain.

"You fell asleep? Really?" I didn't have time to think before my hair was wrapped around his hand as he jerked my head back.

"The school called too. I had to tell them that you were sick again. And to top it off my dinner isn't even on the table. I swear Bella-"

I knew it was a risk cutting him off, but I needed to placate him some how.

"I'm so sorry, Dad. It won't happen again. I promise I'll remember next time. Please, if you let me up I'll get dinner on the table as quickly as I can."

"Oh you will, will you. Well, guess what I don't want your fucking dinner? I'm going to the bar to meet some friends. Before I go though you need a little reminder not to forget important shit again."

The rope around my wrists was ripped off, leaving angry red welts behind.

The pain is nothing compared to the hold he has on my hair still and it only gets worse as I'm dragged off my bed and thrown to the floor.

"Put your arms in front of your face you little bitch."

I immediately do what he says and feel the first of many kicks hit my body. I tried to curl up in as small a ball as possible, protecting what I can with my legs.

However, one particular kick to my ribs and a stomp on my arm as I moved it down to clutch my side sends pain rocking through me. I lost count of how many times his foot connected with me before the pain gets to be too much and I finally welcomed the thing that is my only friend in this messed up world...

Mind-numbing darkness.

-O-

Okay, who needs a hug? Whose still with me? It will get better for Bella, but not for a while. I hope you guys hang with me.