BPOV

"Okay, so the other night I went over there and he winked at me…he fucking winked AT ME!" Alice exclaimed as she became increasingly giddy.

I watched her pace my room in her teal polo and khaki shorts; I had just painted her toes to match her shirt. She dropped her Goth look without a second thought. For the past two months, Alice had also split up her time between here and Rosalie's house. It kind of weirded me out, but since Alice started hanging out with me, Rose seemed to accept that I lived on earth and wasn't going anywhere.

"That's great," I nodded, trying to be encouraging.

Because of Alice, I probably knew more about Jasper Hale than some of his closes friends, though I still hadn't met him. He was this declared war hero of Forks since he returned from his tour in Iraq. Alice wasn't the only girl trying to catch his eye though. Jessica and Lauren were also in Jasper's groupie-fan club. That only made Alice's crusade even more ridiculous than it needed to be.

"Yeah," she started, but was cut off when Edward walked into my room and moved her out of his way.

I was sitting on the edge of the bed and he sort of picked me up until my legs were wrapped around his waist.

"Hey," he smiled, kissing my lips.

"Hi."

I suddenly became lost in the green of his eyes. I swear they became brighter when he looked at me.

"Uh-uh it's my Bella time, Romeo," Alice chirped as she poked Edward's shoulder.

He turned his head to look over his shoulder before rolling his eyes back at me. He couldn't hear her, but he knew.

"Alice, Jasper isn't interested. Now leave Bella alone," he said, looking at me again.

"Bella's my friend too," she added.

"And you're conforming to society's expectations of you," his muffled voice carried in the room.

I tried to shimmy out of his arms and unwrap my legs, but Edward's hand remained under my ass, holding me up.

"I don't want to let you go," he sighed.

"Well I want down," I told him as I gave him a quick kiss.

"See, this is what I want with Jasper," she frowned, waving her hand at us.

Edward dropped me down on the bed, only to sit next to me. He carefully looked at Alice and then to me.

"You would do all of this," he gestured to her with his hand, "for a guy?"

She looked back at him very contemplative. I knew she acted like she didn't care what Rose and Edward thought, but the truth was she did care. Edward was the nicer out of the two though and he was kind of surprising me with his gruffness toward the situation.

"I love him."

"So do Stanley and Mallory. You don't have a chance; they have bigger tits."

"Edward," I smacked his arm, not believing he just said that.

"No, it's okay Bella," Alice interrupted my scolding. "Since guys only care about big tits, why are you with Bella?"

My jaw dropped. Here I was trying to protect her and now she was attacking me for my lack of assets. Really?

"You've crossed a line," Edward just about roared as he stood to his full height.

"You did too," she huffed, now on her tippy-toes so she could match Edward.

It was ridiculous because he was about a foot and a half taller than she was, but I had to say she was trying her best to be as intimidating.

"I love Bella and you can't say shit like that."

"Well, I love Jasper," she insisted.

"Do you know how ridiculous you sound?"

"Maybe you both should just calm down and maybe I'll let the small boob comment slide, Alice," I supplied my two cents.

"Butt out, Bella," she gritted.

I stuck my hands up in defense, sitting Indian style while I watched the show. I had never seen them exhibit so much hostility towards each other. They were usually so laid back, but that could also have something to do with the weed. Alice still smoked and even though Edward didn't talk about it, I knew he would do it every now and then too. It was baby steps with him, especially since Lizzie hadn't been seen or heard from in months. Right now, we could only move forward and be there for him.

"You are going to get hurt, Alice. I am only trying to look out for you."

"I'm a big girl, Edward."

"That's the thing, you aren't. You are sixteen years old and have no clue about love. This is just some stupid crush."

"It isn't, I love him. Bella's sixteen and she loves your fucked up ass. Just because you're older than us doesn't mean you know shit," she spat and I could tell Edward was having a hard time understanding her.

"He was fucking Mallory's sister Maria last night when I was over at the house," Edward boomed, his eyes growing wide.

He didn't mean for it to slip out and I could see the remorse in his eyes as he looked at Alice's stunned face. I got up off the bed to wrap an arm around her.

"He's lying…you're lying, Edward," she sniffled before hiding her face in my neck and sobbing.

Edward hung his head down looking so upset and this was exactly what he didn't want to happen. He was trying to dissuade Alice from getting hurt, but he of all people should know the heart wants what that heart wants.

"I'm sorry," he said.

I nodded knowing he was, but Alice wasn't listening to him; she was too busy crying her heart out against my neck as someone knocked softly on the door.

"We heard yelling. Your mom sent me up to investigate," Phil said, sticking his head into my room.

He frowned at Edward and then me while I held Alice. Edward's head was still down so he didn't know Phil was here.

"We're having a girl meltdown crisis," I explained.

"Should I take him downstairs with me?" he pointed at Edward.

"Um, maybe over to his house. I think Emmett drifted over there to watch the Mariners game with 'The Good Doctor'," I laughed, rolling my eyes. "I think we were boring him and you were busy with helping mom with the church social stuff."

"Sounds good," he smiled.

I touched Edward's shoulder and his head snapped up, eyes meeting mine. "Phil's going to watch the game at your house."

Edward's brow furrowed, but he nodded. He gave me a kiss and then kissed Alice's cheek, but she was too busy wailing to even notice.

"Is she going to be alright?" Phil asked skeptically, looking at the small crying girl in my arms.

"Should be," I shrugged, watching the two of them leave.

After about a half hour, Alice's sobs turned to sniffles as she removed herself from me. Her glassy eyes stared at me as she furiously wiped her tears away.

"You know what sucks?" she rasped.

"What?" I asked, brushing the hair out of her eyes.

"I know Edward was telling the truth, 'cause he never lies. Like ever," she sighed. "My heart hurts."

"I know," I murmured, giving her another hug. "It will be okay."

"All the guys at school are such duds," she whined. "Mike Newton has been following me around since I started dressing like this and he's just… yuck."

"No one says you have to be interested in guys in our grade. Maybe Emmett knows someone," I suggested.

"But I want Jasper," she sniffed as her bottom lip started to tremble.

"Girls, is everything okay in here? Phil told me to give you guys some space," Mom said, rolling her eyes.

"We're good Mrs. Swan," Alice croaked.

"Are you sure?" she asked, looking at me.

I am not a crier, so I knew Mom had no idea how to deal with a blubbering teenage girl. It was definitely a rarity for her.

"Yeah," I nodded slowly.

"Good, I was going to ask if you wanted to run an errand for me?"

"Errand?" Alice perked up a bit.

Mom held up her pointer finger with her keys hanging from it. "Since one of you has their license now, I thought maybe you ladies could go get groceries for me," she shrugged.

"Of course," Alice said, answering for me.

"I get to drive your car?" I asked feeling, slightly excited at the idea.

"I had you added to my insurance a couple days ago."

"Thank you!" I shrieked as I hugged her tight.

"You are my baby and a good driver, but please be careful," she whispered in my ear, squeezing me closer.

I pulled away, nodding and noticed the sad look in her eyes. Lately things had been getting better, but she still had her days. I still had my days too, when I couldn't stop myself from thinking about my dad. I had too many what ifs floating through my mind. Because I knew if the accident hadn't happened I wouldn't be in Forks right now. Would I have met Edward some day? Passed him on the street? Unfortunately, I didn't want to believe that things happened for a reason because I didn't want Charlie's death to be a reason.

"I'll be careful, I promise."

Mom went back downstairs and Alice looked a million times better than she did an hour ago. Who knew that was all it would take?

"C'mon Bella," Alice squealed, slipping her boat shoes on her feet.

"Let me switch pants," I laughed at her eagerness.

I changed my shorts and put on a black pair of Edward's sweat pants I had totally stolen from him. Looking down, I noticed even with the drawstring tied as tight as it would go, they still hung low on my hips. I left on my kids sized Mariner's shirt Emmett said I had to wear for the remainder of the day. Good juju for the team and all.

"It's sixty degrees outside and you're wearing those heavy pants?" Alice asked while she looked at me like I'd grown two heads.

"Washington sixty is freezing to me," I defended, grabbing my bag from my chair.

We headed downstairs with the keys to the Cherokee in my hand. Mom was back to work on her organization charts for the social. She handed me a hundred and fifty bucks and gave me her list.

"You can get some food for yourself too, okay?"

"Yeah," I grinned, biting my lip. "Love you."

I had to say it. We never left the house without saying it. It was important that I knew and she knew.

"I love you too, B."

I literally had to keep up with Alice as she raced to the passenger side door. Her foot tapped impatiently as I finally unlocked the car.

"You're so slow."

"Your insults today are hitting their max," I warned and pointed my finger at her.

"Sorry," she said climbing in.

"I guess you're forgiven. Okay, seatbelts," I announced, snapping mine into place.

"So I'm really the first person that gets to ride on this solo mission with you?"

"Yeah, I mean Edward has been in here while I was learning, but this is my first time without supervision."

"My dad won't let me get my license. He says I'm not worth the money," she admitted quietly.

"When we're eighteen maybe Phil or Carlisle can teach you," I suggested as I pulled out of the driveway.

"I'd definitely choose the hot doctor, though Phil is very easy on the eyes as well. Your mom has good taste," she added.

"Uh."

"What?"

"Phil and your mom are cute together," she said.

"There not together…my dad died in September, it's… too soon," I stammered as I felt my chest tighten.

"Okay," she said slowly. "I was wrong, sorry."

I nodded shakily, keeping complete focus on the road ahead. Now wasn't the time or place to be panicking about this. Mom and Phil were friends who were both grieving. They leaned on each other. Daddy wasn't replaceable. Never replaceable.

"Now you've gone all quiet. I said I was sorry for assuming," Alice insisted again.

"I heard you the first time and I accept your apology, but you don't really have to apologize. It's fine," I sighed, brushing off all feelings about the situation.

Pulling into the parking lot of ShopSmart, Alice finally dropped the conversation. To say I was ecstatic about that would be an understatement.

"Do you know how cool this is?" Alice perked up.

"What? This is just grocery shopping," I shrugged and reached for a cart, pulling it from its place.

"Yeah, but it's so grown up," she pointed out. "Why did your mom tell you to pick out your own stuff? My dad says we have to eat what he gets."

"Well, I'm a vegetarian, so I eat different things from my mom and Gram."

"Have you ever given Edward anything that you eat?"

"Um, last week I made him a veggie burger, but I didn't tell him what it was. I was eating mine and he wanted a bite. He love it and asked if there was anymore so I made him one," I explained.

"You do know if he knew what it was he would have probably spit it out," she sung.

"Oh, he definitely would have spit it out," I snorted as I started looking at the tomatoes.

I could go for a good juicy salad. I knew mom and Gram wouldn't touch the veggies I picked out, which was fine by me. As I started to move the cart, I felt Alice huddle closer to me, getting all quiet and twitchy.

"Are you okay?" I frowned.

"He's here," she mumbled through her closed lips.

"Who is he?"

"Al?" A roughly smooth voice asked.

"Jasper," Alice snipped.

And I totally understood now. I turned to see a tall guy in dark jeans and a loose white t-shirt. He was a little shorter than Edward was and kind of lean. Definitely the build of a soldier. His blonde curls were cropped short to his head, but it looked like he was letting his hair grow out.

"Jasper? What happened to Jazzy?" he frowned.

"Your name is Jasper, so you get called Jasper."

"Okay…" he said hesitantly. "Um, who's your friend?"

Alice, being too busy trying to ignore him, of course didn't answer.

"Hi, I'm Bella," I waved.

Alice fixed me with a glare before making her way further into the veggie section of the store. Jasper's blue eyes followed her sadly as she walked away.

"Is she mad at me?" he asked, casting a look at me.

"I don't know?" I paused. "I guess what I mean is she's never spoken of you," I lied and felt really bad about it, but Alice was my friend who was hurting so I had to come up with something.

"You mean she's never talked about me?" he asked disbelievingly.

"No, I'm sorry."

"Oh," he grunted. "Are you new to Forks?"

"I've been here since October." He nodded.

"Bella, Edward might like these," Alice smiled waving the veggie burger package in front of me.

"Edward?" Jasper asked.

"Yeah, Bella is Edward's girlfriend."

"Wow," he said more to himself. "I leave for awhile and everyone changes."

"We grew up," she shrugged.

"Apparently," he muttered. "Rose is still the same. Lost to the world."

Alice's face started to get a bit red and even I could tell her cool demeanor was at its breaking point.

"Rose isn't lost. She just has a different insight on the world," Al snapped, her chipper façade slowly cracking.

"She needs to get her act together; she's heading down a bad path."

"You're an asshole."

"I'm an asshole?"

"Yeah, you are. You leave to only come back and spew your self-righteous bullshit."

"Alice, she's a burn out," he insisted, shooting me a wary glance.

"And you're a fucking man whore," she screamed, grabbing my hand as she dragged me and the cart through the rest of the store.

"That wasn't dramatic or anything," I added dryly.

"I was proving a point," she huffed. "And he fucking broke my heart."

This was going to be a long shopping excursion…

A/N: A bit late, bit I wanted to have everything flowing. So we met Jasper and Alice is a heartbroken mess! Your thoughts are welcome. Chapter 18 was beta'd by the amazing Dolphin62598 and rainydays23!