Chapter Twenty Three

Bella

By the next morning I had convinced myself I'd dreamed it all so I was amazed when I pulled in at school to see Jasper sitting on the low wall waiting for me. He smiled when he saw my expression and walked over to open my door and take my books which I was about to drop into a large puddle I'd parked next to.

"Hello beautiful. You look surprised to see me."

"I guess I am."

His smile got bigger and took my breath away then draped his arm around my shoulder and walked me to my first class which was with Alice.

"I'll see you at lunchtime."

He brushed my hair with his lips then walked away oblivious of the stares of my classmates, Angela was staring and Jessica's eyes were almost popping out of her head but Alice pulled me down to sit beside her.

"Jazz tells me he's taking you out at the weekend."

"Yes. Are you coming too?"

"Bella it wouldn't be much of a date if I came now would it? Besides I have a date of my own, I have to go to Seattle to meet an old friend. I see your friends all desperate to quiz you, what will you tell them?"

"There's nothing to tell them yet is there?"

"I guess not, Still here's Mr Holmes so I guess we'd better pay attention. I'm glad Jazz asked you, he looks happy and he hasn't been happy in a long while."

"Really? Then I hope I can keep making him happy."

"Oh you will."

Angela quizzed me in Geography but I couldn't tell her much,

"He asked you out and you said yes? Wow, I don't think I could manage a word if he'd asked me out, he is gorgeous."

"I know what you mean, it wasn't easy."

"Oh I'm sure it wasn't Bella. I wouldn't get your hopes up though, it's just the novelty of the new girl."

We both turned to look at the speaker who was smiling maliciously,

"Thanks for that Lauren."

As we came out of class there he was leaning against the wall with a smile for me as I walked over.

"Ready for lunch beautiful?"

I nodded and he put his arm around me and walked me through stunned students to the cafeteria.

"Bella I'd like you to sit with the family but Rose is still likely to be hostile. I can't tell you why except that its nothing personal. If you'd prefer we can sit alone though."

I didn't care as long as we were together. The feeling when I'd seen him waiting for me in the corridor was one I couldn't explain except as contentment, I was home with the person I belonged with.

"Did you tell your dad about the weekend?"

"Yes he's going to make my apologies. What time are you calling for me?"

"Well I'd like to make a day of it so would nine be too early?"

"No, that will be fine. I'm looking forward to it."

As we approached the Cullen table I saw Rose's head snap up and she glared at me but Jasper pulled me closer and whispered in my ear,

"Don't worry I won't let her bite you."

Emmett burst out laughing although no one had said anything and I wondered if he'd heard Jasper although I thought his whisper had been too quiet for that.

He pulled out a chair for me and I sat down as Alice smiled reassuringly,

"Hi there Bells, thought you'd join the elite did you?"

"Nah Emmett, I thought I'd slum it for a change."

That made him laugh again but Rosalie's lips got even thinner,

"So Bella Swan, how are you liking Forks?"

I looked at her as she tossed her silvery hair back,

"Well its been a long time since I was here but its OK and I'm glad I could come and look after my dad."

"Yes that was a nasty attack. Bear they say."

She said it as if she didn't believe for one second that he had been attacked by a bear,

"Well there are bears in the woods around here. Or at least there were when I was a child. I saw one."

"Really and lived to tell the tale? Didn't he like the scent of human girl."

"No I was just lucky I guess."

I wasn't going to tell her about my guardian angel she would only pour scorn on it like Jake had and it was too precious a memory to allow that. From the corner of my eye I saw Jasper and Alice exchange a glance as if they knew I wasn't telling Rosalie everything but how could they know?

"I guess you found it very different from Alaska."

She smiled a twisted strange smile and shrugged,

"Rain instead of snow, new faces, old faces."

Then after that enigmatic statement she got up,

"Come on Emmett I need some fresh air."

He got up a little ruefully,

"See you again soon Bells."

Only my dad and Jake called me that but it seemed really natural coming from Emmett whereas it grated when Jake used it.

The afternoon dragged, I hated PE and as usual I managed to not only trip over my own feet but trip my team mates up too causing us to lose the game which went down particularly badly with Lauren but I tried to ignore her spiteful little remarks. I was getting used to them now. She wasn't quite so vocal when we walked out of the gym to find Jasper waiting once more and this time he pushed off the wall and came over to put his arm around me and kiss the top of my head as he had once before. She almost choked on her vicious tongue and Angela couldn't contain a giggle.

"Will you give me a lift Bella?"

I looked at him inquiringly, he always travelled with Emmett and the girls,

"Sure. Do you want me to drive you home?"

"I thought we might get coffee and do our homework together if that's OK with you?"

I nodded only too pleased to have more time with him and we walked out to the car park arm in arm. Emmett, Rose and Alice were standing beside Emmett's huge truck and as we passed he and Alice smiled but Rose just turned away with a grunt.

"I don't think Rose likes me. Why is she so hostile? Did I do something to upset her?"

"No she's just scared that you might. Come on, do you want me to drive?"

I gave him the keys absently trying to work out what he meant but then he asked where to and I forgot his words. We decided to have coffee at my place so Charlie could see that he wasn't stopping me from concentrating on my school work and meet him properly. Charlie was impressed as he saw us pouring over our books and I didn't think I'd have much trouble with regard to Jasper.

When Jasper he left me with a kiss on the cheek Charlie dropped the bombshell,

"Renee rang a while ago and I told her you had found yourself a boyfriend. She wants you to ring her with all the details."

I groaned, the thought of telling Renee about Jasper left me cold but I knew there was no getting around it so after dinner I went to make the call while Charlie rested in front of the TV. He still got tired really easy.

"Bella about time. Why did I have to hear about your boyfriend from Charlie? Tell me all about him, what's his name? Is he a jock?"

"His name is Jasper Hale, he's a year older than me and no he's not a jock."

"Do I know the family?"

That was the question I was dreading!

"You met his father when you were here."

"I did?...Oh...don't tell me he's one of Dr Cullens boys, see I told you. Is he as good-looking as his dad?"

"Younger."

"Is he dark, light, what colour are his eyes? Is he tall? Muscular? Come on Bella give me something."

"He has blond hair, gold coloured eyes, he's tall and yes he has muscles, they stop him falling over."

"Bella, sarcasm is only for the dim-witted so please don't use it, especially with me. Now, golden eyes? Is it a genetic disorder or something?"

"Mum I only just started going out with him and I'm hardly likely to ask him why his eyes are the colour they are am I? Anyway I think his eyes are beautiful."

"Well I expect a photograph soon or at least more information. Charlie told me you are going out for the day Saturday, anywhere special?"

"I think we're going to take the ferry to Victoria and then a trip to the gardens."

"So he has money?"

"I have no idea mum and I'm not asking him that either. Now I have homework to finish so I have to go."

She didn't like being cut off so abruptly but she couldn't say much when homework was the reason. She wasn't to know I was ahead with my school work, it was just a convenient excuse.