A/N: Thank you everyone! Hope you liked to hear from Jasper. He's a sweetheart, isn't he! And is that jealousy in his e-mail? Hmm... Let's get back to our friends here and check what happens, don't you think?

BTW - forgot this before: SM owns all things Twilight. All hail the great SM. I own nothing but my own imagination.

Chapter 4

Monday morning… I hate Mondays. I hate Mondays with a passion! But today, today is different. Today is the first day of my college career. At 10 AM I am going to my very first college class. At 1 PM I am going to my second college class. You get the picture…

I lay awake in my bed and its only 7 – I have three hours to get ready, but I can't sleep anymore, I'm so excited. As I lay here, my mind starts to drift. So much happened during the weekend, most of it good things.

First of all, Edward went with me to Forks to pick up the furniture, and what a trip that was! Nothing more than hand-holding happened, but it was filled with promises anyway. He kept looking at me like I was the most fascinating creature in the world and he smiled at me all the time. That adorable, crooked, dimply smile! The warm feeling returned to my belly at the thought of his crinkle cornered, jade colored, sparkling eyes. He was SO cute. And he appealed to me on so many levels beside the physical. His intelligence, his wit, his interests – he was the whole package, and I couldn't wait to see him again.

After braving my father's gruff manners in an impeccable way, he dragged my furniture down the narrow staircase; maneuvered through the hallway and loaded it into the bed of my truck. Then he proceeded to take of his t-shirt before downing a glass of iced tea. That left me breathless and speechless for a couple of minutes! Damn, the boy was built. He had perfect pectorals and abs; not too much and not too skinny – just perfect. His chest had a light dusting of hair; a little darker brown than on his head and on his abdomen there was a little happy trail, leading straight to the Promised Land – YUM!

The only other male ever capable of bringing that kind of reaction forth in me was Jasper – same lean swimmers build, same muscle definition, same height – only the color scheme was different. Where Jasper was blond and tan, Edward was dark-haired and pale. But that didn't make him any less appealing to me.

On the drive home, we mostly sat in companionable silence. A few comments were made about growing up with the chief of police for a father, and a scatterbrained kindergarten teacher for a mother. We also made plans for the weekend – we would meet for a walk around campus Friday afternoon, check out the library, the coffee places, and the bookstore and grab a bite to eat. Also, we would try to figure out the fastest routes to our classes and lecture halls, so we didn't look completely lost come Monday. Very casual plans, but that was all I felt ready to commit to.

By Saturday, we agreed to meet up again for lunch and spent the afternoon hanging out in his room, watching a few movies and eating popcorn. The cluster arrangement was very cozy, and the rest of the guys seemed nice, even if they did tease poor Edward about scoring a pretty girl already. We ordered pizza with the rest of the guys for dinner, and afterwards he walked me home to my dorm. He kissed my cheek chastely and hugged me goodbye at the door. Very gentlemanly indeed.

When I opened the door, Beck immediately attacked me with a barrage of questions - all about Edward. She acted like dating and boys were the most important thing to college, and asked me to introduce her to some 'prospects', as she called it. I reluctantly agreed, and soon retreated to my bed with my laptop.

Jasper had sent me a real, hand-written letter, and I wanted to reply, even if it was only by email. I loved to receive letters, but couldn't muster the energy to do the same right now. That would have to wait until things settled down more. I sent the email, quickly telling him about the recent events, but conveniently leaving out details about Edward, and booted off, settling down to get some sleep.

By Sunday morning, Jazz had replied. He seemed a little down. Like military life wasn't as great as he initially experienced it. I thought about his wording – both letters contained affectionate greetings and goodbyes – dearest, beautiful, lots of hugs and kisses – but that was not unusual for Jasper. He is a very affectionate guy. But the tone in his email – it sounded almost jealous? I wondered about that for a while. Naw, he's just a little disillusioned and missing me. As he said, he hated to miss out on being with me. We've been attached by the hip forever – I knew how hard it was to get used to being on my own.

Shortly after I read Jasper's mail, while I was still in bed, my phone buzzed with an incoming text. It was from Edward.

Hey Beautiful – thank you for yesterday. I had a great time! –E

Hey yourself – yeah, it was great! Did you want to compare schedules today? – B

Yes please. When are you free? –E

Give me half an hour to shower and dress, then I can meet you for breakfast. Is that okay? –B

That sounds fine. In front of the cafeteria? – E

Sure :-) See you then! –B

;-) –E

I hurried to get ready and met Edward for breakfast. We both brought our schedules, so we could compare. Turns out, we had 4 out of 5 classes together. What a relief – now I had a serious study partner who was also a great guy to be around. After breakfast, we hit the bookstore to buy the necessary bits and pieces. Books would come tomorrow, since the syllabus hadn't been publicized for our classes yet. But notebooks, pens and pencils, binders etc. were a must for me. I wrote my essays and assignments on my laptop, but for note taking I was much more comfortable to do it the old fashioned way, as was Edward.

After lunch, we hung out in my room, laying together on my small bed and watching a movie on my laptop. Unlike Edward, I had neither the money nor the room for a 40" plasma screen in my room, so it would have to make do. It started out very innocently, holding hands. Soon though, Edward started rubbing his pinky against my side in small circles. I was hyper-aware of the movement and it sent tingles up and down my spine in the most delicious way.

After a couple of minutes, he turned his head towards me and laid his cheek on the top of my head. "Bella," he said, taking a deep breath. Was he sniffing my hair? "How do you feel about me?"

I almost choked at the unexpected question. "Well, I like you a lot Edward. Why do you ask?"

"Just because I really want to kiss you right now, and I want us to be on the same page before I do something about it." He replied, in the sweetest whisper.

"We are, Edward – we are." I replied, tilting my head up to look him in the eyes. They were the most amazing shade of green, as usual. They were clear and bright, darkening as he took in my expression.

He lowered his head towards mine, closing those beautiful eyes a split-second before my eyelids fluttered closed. I felt his warm breath on my face, his unique scent, combined of sweet mint, old leather, sandalwood and just Edward. I felt his warm, soft, pouty lips meet mine with a gentle pressure, tentatively moving with mine, picking up on my cues. Oh God! It was the most delicious feeling. Our lips moved together, in sync, when suddenly I felt his part slightly, and his soft, wet tongue met the seam of my lips. Probing, softly licking, and asking for more. I willingly complied, opening my mouth to meet his tongue with mine. He tasted just as wonderful as his scent.

I could feel his hands at my waist. His large, elegant hands splayed around me, almost meeting on either side. While our mouths connected, they wandered tentatively upwards, ghosting my ribs, meeting the underside of my breasts.

My breath caught at the welcomed sensation, and I could feel my nipples hardening, almost painfully. It was such a turn-on. He was careful not to take it too far, keeping it sweet but passionate none the less. I was aching for more, while at the same time enjoying just feeling him. No rushing or fumbling, no pressure to take it further than I was comfortable with. And I was very comfortable with this. In fact, I could keep on kissing him all night.

Unfortunately for me, he soon broke the kiss, panting, placing small kisses on the corner of my mouth. He opened his eyes and smiled at me - again with the breathtaking, crooked smile. The corners of his eyes were crinkling adorably. I returned his smile with an equally happy one. In that moment, I felt truly happy, cared for, protected and adored. Edward was quickly weaseling his way into my heart, and for right now, that was exactly how I wanted it.

We stopped the make-out session there and watched the rest of the movie, though I'm sure he was paying it as little attention as I was. I was lost in thought, enjoying the emotions he brought out in me, and the attention I was getting from him. At the same time though, I had a gnawing ache in the back of my head. An ache called Jasper.

-LFAFL-

I am jolted out of my stupor at the sound of Beck's phone alarm going off. It's already 8 o'clock. I have to hurry now, since I most likely have to stand in queue for the bathroom forever! Damn! Oh well, since I am not a Barbie girl I am fast to get ready.

After a quick shower and grooming, I dash out the door, eager to meet up with Edward for breakfast. It is becoming a routine and I don't mind in the least. I have a happy smile on my face at the thought of being with him all day, even if it's for studying, and I really look forward to starting my education.

I see him, pacing as usual, in front of the cafeteria doors. Again, his eyes light up and he breaks out in a beautiful smile when he sees me. This time, there is no hesitation when we meet – we fall into each other's arms and hug for a long while.

"Missed you." He says sweetly, turning his head and catching my lips with his.

"Missed you too." I say after releasing his mouth. And it is true.