Okay…concentrate…

………………………………………………………………………………………………

"Hi, I'm Ricky Kymbol. I know Mia from school, and I was just bringing her homework." Ricky said.

"Oh, how nice! Come on in, Ricky." Mom said. "Mia! Someone's here to see you!"

I walked down the steps.

"Hello." Ricky said with a sick look in his eyes.

……………………………………………………………………………………………….

Oh my God, no! He can not come here. No, not happening. I've got to talk to Mom.

Okay…walkin' down the stairs…Umm….

"Hey…Mom?" I said, trying my hardest to sound weak.

"Yeah, honey?" she asked.

"I'm going to sleep all day. I feel really sick." I lied. I feel kinda bad for lying so much lately, but I have to do it. "So, if anyone comes, can you tell them I'm sleeping?"

"Umm…Sure, honey. Sleep well." She said.

"Thanks, Mom. G'night." I said.

Now, I have to wait. Wait until school ends. Wait until Ricky shows up.

You know, I am a little tired. Maybe I'll just put my head down for a few minutes…

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"Hi, I'm Ricky Kymbol. I know Mia from school, and I was just bringing her homework." Ricky said.

Oh, jeez, he's here!

"Oh, how nice of you, Ricky! I'll be sure to tell Mia you dropped by." Mom said.

"I can't see her?" Ricky asked. Oh, no, he's getting mad.

"I'm afraid not. She asked me to let her sleep today. She was in the ER last night." Mom said.

"Oh, c'mon, it's 4:00. She's gotta be up." I heard Ricky complain.

Mom 'hmph'd'.

"Young man, Mia is very sick. She went to the hospital yesterday. You will see her when she goes back to school." Mom said firmly.

Whoa, go Mom!

"Fine, whatever." Ricky said, slamming the door.

Mom sighed. "Teenagers can be so rude these days."

I got up and went to my window to see Ricky kicking one of the old trees next to my driveway. Shivering, I went back to lie in my bed.

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"Oh my gosh, Mia, I heard you were sick and went to the ER!" Torell said to me. It's 10:53 and I'm back to school. Double Earth Science just fried my brain.

"I'm fine, really." I said. There's Bella. "Hey, I'll talk to you later, okay?"

"Um, okay?" Torell said as I walked away from her.

"Hey, Bella." I said.

"Hey! I've heard about everything. I'm sorry I haven't been around. Nessie had to go on a 'camping trip'." Bella said.

"Oh, it's fine." I said.

Ricky's coming toward us. Great.

"I'll…Um…See you in lunch, alright?" I said to Bella quickly.

"Okay, see ya." She said, heading down the stairs.

Ricky looks angry. Umm, teachers. I need a teacher…Damn, they're all in a meeting.

"Jeffris." Ricky said.

"…What?" I asked.

He cornered me.

"Go away, Ricky." I said, now getting worried.

"Did you tell your Mommy on me, Jeffris? She wasn't too nice to me yesterday. But, of course, I know you were listening. After I left I saw your face in your bedroom window." he said, keeping me cornered.

Okay…I'll run away….NOW!

He grabbed my arm and roughly held me close to him. "Oh no you don't, Jeffris. You're not getting away from me this time." He snarled.

I tried screaming for help but I couldn't scream.

Right as he was about to punch me, someone caught his fist. Jasper.

"Get. Away." He said fiercely.

"Back off, Hale. This is none of your business." Ricky said.

"Mia's safety is my business." He said.

Lightly shoving Ricky, he snarled. Ricky flew backward, skidding down the hall. Instantly, Jasper was at his side, teeth bared.

"Jasper, stop!" I screamed, running to his side. "This isn't right."

"He tried to hurt you." Jasper said, struggling. His eyes were black. He's thirsty.

"But he didn't. I don't think he'll be bothering me again." I said. "Will you?"

"N-No. Just let me go. Please." Ricky whimpered, cowering away from Jasper and I.

"I promised I'd make it up to you, Mia." Jasper said.

"Jasper, you have. Now, let Ricky go, okay? It'll be fine. And I'm sure he won't tell anyone that this ever happened." I assured. "But, if he ever does anything else out of line…"

"I won't! Just let me go!" Ricky cried out.

"You'd better not." Jasper said, letting Ricky go. Ricky, getting up, ran away as fast as he could, tripping along the way.

"Jasper, thank you so much." I said.

He sent calming waves to me. He must've felt my fear. Either that or my racing heart.

"You're welcome" he said.

"Jasper, where's Alice?" I asked him.

He paused.

"Probably 'eating' lunch."

"Oh." I said.

"Yeah." He replied.

"…Let's…go to lunch then." I said.

"No, I've got to go…'camping'…you know." He said.

"Oh…Okay. Bye." I said.

"Bye." He replied.

I feel like there's something he's not telling me. Why hadn't Alice come to help? She must've seen it coming, right?

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"Alice, can I ask you something?" I asked.

"Sure." She said.

Why is everyone so quiet today?!?!

"Did you see the confrontation with Ricky coming?" I asked. "And don't lie."

"Well…Yes. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you in time. And I wanted to help! But Jazz….." she trailed off.

"What about Jazz?" I asked. Now we're getting somewhere!

"He…told me to stay away. He told all of us to stay away." She said.

Why is that such a big deal?

"He's never been this protective before." Edward said.

"Not even with me…" Alice said.

Oh…..

"Alice, no." I said.

I looked around the table. No one would look me in the eyes. Not even Bella.

"Guys, come on! I'm not interested in Jasper!" I Said.

"The feelings don't always have to be mutual for them to exist." Rosalie said, suddenly. "Good job, you've succeeded again. Are you having fun messing up our lives?"

"Rose…" Emmett said, soothingly.

"This is exactly like last time…" Rosalie whispered to him.

"Honey, just calm down." Emmett replied.

Alice is spaced out. Edward is brooding. Rosalie is spazzing. Emmett's trying to calm her down. Bella's shaking her head and looking at her hands in her lap. Jasper's gone.

How can this be happening? They really think I'd try to 'steal' Jasper from Alice? Sitting at this table is overwhelming….

"Enough." I said, finally.

They all looked at me.

"I'm done here."

Standing up, I left the cafeteria.