Chapter Two

Bella

Arriving at college with Renee who had insisted on driving all the way to Forks to collect me so the two of us could have one last road trip alone was quite something. I was excited to think this was it, the beginning of my own life as an adult. I think my mother was torn between pride that her daughter was going to college to study and sadness at saying goodbye to her little girl even though I had never been a little girl so much as a friend to my rather scatty but loveable mother.

She helped me with my bags finding my room which I was to share with another freshman and then handing me the keys to the car we'd driven down in.

"Its not much but Phil won some money and wanted you to have your own transport. He's bought a new one for us. Now promise me you'll keep in touch, I want to know about your roommate, your professors, your courses and of course, the low down on all the hot boys but please take care and don't get too involved, you've made it here now make the most of the opportunity, do better than your father and I."

The room was large enough that two of us could live without being underneath each others feet but I was still nervous at the idea of sharing, what if I didn't like my roomie? What if we hated each other? Of course I needn't have worried because when she turned up just after I finally persuaded Renee to leave promising to ring her in a couple of days she was nervous and slightly clumsy dropping a box of books that scattered over the floor. I helped her pick them up and that seemed to break the ice. Clarissa was from a small town near Houston and we would be studying English, my second subject, together. We soon found we had quite a bit in common, both from broken homes, both with unorthodox parents and both glad to be here.

We spent a day familiarizing ourselves with the huge campus, registering for all our classes, and finding a convenient bookstore with a coffee shop. First day of classes we parted with mutual wishes of good luck and I made my way self consciously to my first lecture. The rooms were much bigger than I was used to and the number of students bigger too, more like my schools before I moved to Forks.

I found a space near the back and set my notebook on my lap and waited pleased to see I wasn't the only one who looked nervous and a little daunted by it all.

The professor arrived just as a latecomer slid into the seat behind me and I sat up ready to listen and take notes. By the end of class my hand was aching from all the scribbling and I decided to find a kind of shorthand I could understand or I'd be swamped by the end of the week. Having said that I found myself drawn into the subject and eager to hear more. Clarissa and I met up for lunch and it was a relief to see a familiar face once more.

By the end of the week I had started to feel more comfortable, my hand didn't ache so much and I had made some new friends Toni and Lee who sat beside me in class. I had yet to see many of the others, too busy concentrating on what was being said to glance around much but Toni was far more observant.

"Well Bells, there are only about three guys worth looking at in class BUT one is definitely an A plus!"

I hadn't seen anyone remotely in that category and decided to look around next class. Lee just laughed,

"You girls are all the same. a pretty face grabs your attention every time."

"Well, we befriended you so that blows your theory out of the water buster."

I couldn't help laughing, Lee wasn't ugly but with red hair that stuck out in all directions and thick glasses he certainly wasn't my idea of an A plus.

That weekend there was a get together in the student bar so the freshmen could meet each other socially and Lee and Toni persuaded me to tag along.

"Come on, it'll be fun. You might even find someone who appeals."

"I really don't want anyone Toni, I'd rather stay single and concentrate on my classes."

Toni pulled a face but Lee stood up for me so we found ourselves a table in one corner and sat watching the others, trying to put names to faces and point out the man eaters and the guys on the look out for an easy lay.

It wasn't difficult, they were the same types as in school and I vowed to stay well away from a couple in my classes. There was Anton who thought he was God's gift and expected every girl to swoon over him and Phillip who WAS God's gift looks wise, but had the character of pond slime!

Lee went to grab some drinks and I was thinking about my essay due in the following Friday when Toni nudged me in the ribs,

"A plus heading this way."

I snorted, sure she meant Phillip or Anton but I looked up anyway. She was right, my heart skipped a beat and my stomach rolled over twice. The guy headed our way before stopping to take a seat alone by one of the windows was probably an A triple plus if such a thing were possible.

He wasn't just good looking, he was drop dead gorgeous, with slightly long untidy blond hair and a face that although very pale looked full of character.

"Who is he?"

"That my dear Bella is the million dollar question and we have to find out the answer before he gets snapped up by Big Boobs! We had given the rather unkind although apt nickname to a girl called Tracy in our English classes. How she got into college was a mystery, she could hardly tie her shoelaces without instructions but here she was although for how long we had no idea.

Toni got up and I grabbed her,

"Where are you going?"

"Well it's obvious he's not going to approach us so I thought I should go speak to him."

"Are you mad?"

She grinned at me,

"Of course, I told you that. Anyway here comes Clarissa so don't panic you won't be alone."

I heaved a sigh of relief as my room mate joined me watching Toni approach the guy.

"He won't be interested."

I looked at her,

"Do you know who he is?"

"Sure Jasper Whitlock, he's in one of my classes. Gorgeous but doesn't seem to notice anyone around him. She'll get a polite brush off you wait and see."

We watched as Toni spoke to him, Lee coming back with the drinks and saying Hi to Clarissa.

"Where's Toni?"

We gestured and he looked over laughing slightly,

"She stands more chance getting a date with Elvis."

"You think?"

"I know, every girl in his classes has tried and no one even got to first base."

So the mystery hunk was playing it cool, well I didn't blame him, besides looking like that he probably had a girlfriend waiting at home.

So when the guy looked over and smiled then got up and followed her back we were all flabbergasted. Toni was grinning in triumph as she introduced us to her new friend,

"Jasper these are my friends Lee, Clarissa, and Bella."

He nodded to each of us before speaking and the soft Texan drawl had my knees trembling!

"Howdy folks. Toni said I should join you."

"Of course take a seat Jasper."

Lee offered his seat but Jasper pulled out the empty one between Clarissa and myself seating himself and turning to her.

"We've already met haven't we?"

She nodded stumbling over her words,

"Yeah we have some classes together."

While he sat talking to my room mate I studied him more closely and I have to say I was impressed.