A/N: This is probably the only chapter this will happen in but the first portion of the chapter is in Third Person to get the perspective of Jasper and the Cullens.

Enjoy!

~Luckily there were no Cullens in my morning classes, or so I had thought until I stepped into art and nearly tripped as my eyes locked onto bright gold.~

CHAPTER THREE - PARANOID

Alice had been nothing but annoying to her family for the last three months. Even Edward knew nothing of what could have been putting their already hyper sibling in such a mood, she had kept repeating songs over and over to simply keep him away from her thoughts. Rosalie was fleeing to hunt far more often than ever before to escape the overbearing Alice, despite the two usually getting along well. But now everyone was home for once, Carlisle and Esme simply basking in each other's presence somewhere in the house, Rosalie laying across Emmett's lap as he played something on the PlayStation, Jasper was lounging in his room reading a book, Edward was sat at the piano, and Alice was skipping around the house nonstop.

"What could it be, Alice? You're driving us all insane!" Emmett whined as he turned his attention away from the game console.

Even Rosalie glanced at her sister, also curious and tired of the same thing happening the last few months with no answers. But Alice simply beamed at them, "Oh! You guys are going to be so happy!"

Rosalie glared, "That's not an answer."

Alice just giggled before singing happily, "It's finally happening~."

Carlisle made his way down the stairs reminding them, "It's almost time for school." He quickly grabbed his briefcase before wishing them a goodbye and heading to the hospital.

It didn't take long for the group to file out of the house and into Emmett's Jeep or Edward's Volvo. Jasper had prepared himself as they parked, easily shifting to not breath in so much of the humans around them. He didn't think he'd attack irrationally but his control wasn't perfect, made harder by the fact he felt all of his siblings bloodlust. They all split up as they made their way to their own classes, Jasper catching Alice's eye and nearly pausing as a suspicious sparkle gleamed in the golden irises but he continued on, shaking it off as Alice being Alice.

He should've known that sparkle meant something and who would've thought it would mean this? His darkening eyes followed a small figure clad in a short rust orange skirt and seventies patterned long sleeve. Her scent was like no other. Notes of ginger, rose, and jasmine blended together divinely float toward him. It made him hungry. His throat burned but so did his very soul. As if it cried out for her.

Her dark hair fell in waves as she navigated a map held in her petite hands, nails polished black. He could see everyone else's eyes on her, he couldn't blame them, really. But it didn't make him happy. He wanted to rip their heads off. He could feel the lust rolling off the teenage boys in waves and he had to get out. Or he would actually start resorting to violence.

He skipped the first few periods and lunch, too nervous to go back into the school where she was. Could he control himself? He honestly didn't know. It's not as if he'd ever had to encounter something like this before and the last thing he wanted was to hurt her. But Alice had come out and urged him to go back in. She said he'd be fine. She just knew. But of course she did because she was Alice.

He relented and shuffled back into the school, though far more cautious now. He was sitting in history with Emmett behind him when he sensed her. He knew she was nearby and his eyes were focused, watching the doorway like a predator causing Emmett to ask if he was okay. He simply nodded, not wanting to get hauled out of the classroom and miss seeing her again.

He didn't wait long as she sauntered in, her dark eyes scanning the room before locking onto his and if he could breath he was certain the air would've been knocked from him. It was as if he was tethered to her. A pull to her soul from his. He could feel some of her emotions and they were all over the place. Anxiety, surprise, fear, joy, lust, it was a never ending circle before embarrassment quickly took over as the teacher broke their stare down. Jasper watched as her olive cheeks remained flushed the entire way to her seat beside him, and he thanked whatever luck he had that it was the only seat left. He felt Emmett place a hand on his shoulder but paid it no mind as he introduced himself.

Jasper had never thought himself to be ugly and their kind were naturally attractive to humans. But knowing she was so affected by him nearly made him purr. Vega. Vega Swan. He had her now and he'd never let her go. He spent the entirety of class wondering how to go about courting the beautiful Vega. He wondered if she could feel it too—the raw connection they shared. He knew she could feel something but to what degree he had no idea and it was only now he was jealous of Edward's gift. If only he could read her mind. When the bell rang he panicked, he didn't want to let her out of his sight after finally finding her.

Jasper and I didn't speak the rest of class, not that I expected us to. I hadn't even had time to process that we held a conversation. The bell rang as the other students hurried out of the room, I sluggishly stood up, not eager to attend gym. A hand, one that was cold even through my long sleeve top, clasped my arm. The cloudiness and pressure returned like a lightning bolt and I bit down on my tongue behind closed lips forcing the feeling away. I glanced at the obscenely pale hand and followed it up to Jasper's face. His gaze was intense—in a way that made me feel something—as he held my eyes, "May I walk you to your next class?"

His eyes were serious as he patiently waited for an answer and I wasn't going to rudely decline no matter how much I may have wanted to. So I agreed hesitantly, "Sure…I have gym." He gave a small, relaxed, smile. And I noticed how relaxed his posture became as there were no students left in the room except for us. Even Emmett had seemingly disappeared. Which was super weird because why would they leave the single vampire that had known issues with a new human? I forced the questions out of my head, questions meant curiosity and I couldn't afford to be curious. Maybe he was just hiding out of sight.

We received more than a few stares and open mouths as we walked next to each other down the hall. I could feel Jasper's eyes on my face, studying me before he asked, "What made you move to Forks?"

I pursed my lips slightly, "Well, my mom got remarried recently, his name is Phil, and he's a minor league baseball player so he travels for work. My sister, Bella, and I decided it would be best to give the newlyweds their own space so we packed up and moved in with our dad."

His dark eyes were still intense as he tried to get a read on me, "That does not seem like the full story…" he teased as his lips quirked up but I could pick up on the seriousness behind it. Why did he want to know more? Was I wrong? Could Edward really read my mind and now they're all in charge of watching over me? My heart beat erratically and I watched as Jasper's eyes pinched the tiniest bit, almost unnoticeable—to human eyes at least.

I forced myself to calm down and shrugged, "I'm eighteen. I could have stayed in Arizona by myself and finished my senior year out there…"

"But" he interjected, seeming genuinely interested.

"I didn't want Bella to move here alone. She's not weak but her and my dad are kind of awkward together. They're both on the same wavelength emotionally." I laughed a bit at the memory of them at the airport. "I want to be here for her." I let my eyes fall back on him, though it was a stretch for my neck with the height difference of more than a foot between us. I stopped before the changing room, blinking up at him as I tried not to be dazzled once more, "Looks like this is me. Thanks." I smiled before I turned to walk into the room.

I felt a presence lean down toward me as icy breath hit my ear and I heard him gently speak, "It was very nice talking with you, Vega." I almost felt my knees buckle from the sexual tension building in me from that action alone and had to beat the feeling down with a nail filled bat. When I turned, he was already making his way down the hallway, his broad shoulders rigid and his spine straight.

I couldn't focus during gym, replaying everything from the last hour in my mind. Unsure if I was still in reality or perhaps I had died again and was in a beautiful, sinful, dream. Alas, that was not it. Gym ended without much trouble, other than two guys trying to hit on me, easily being turned down as I made it clear I wasn't looking for anything. I had my free period last so I took my time exploring the school trying to find the library. I stopped by the office to hand over my class slips and I found the library after, quickly settling down at a table to pull a Victorian romance novel out of my bag. I was so immersed in the story that when the final bell of the day rang it caused me to jump and slam my knee into the table, hissing out a curse from what was sure to be a bruise later. I shoved my book back into my bag and swiftly made my way to the parking lot.

I didn't wait long for Bella but I knew something was wrong as soon as I saw her. Her face was tight and her eyes flickered with hurt. The years didn't help me remember the events of the books and movies, and as time moved forward I often forgot the small details—and sometimes even the larger ones. When I realized what was happening I wrote down what I could but by that point I had already forgotten a great deal. She was alive though so I suppose that is a good sign. "What's up?" I asked as I glanced around the parking lot.

"Do I smell?" She quipped before continuing, "You'd tell me if I did stink…right?"

I laughed loudly, "You do not stink, Bells. Of course I'd tell you if you did. What happened?"

She shook her head, her lips pulling into a small frown, "Nothing. Don't worry about it."

I raised an eyebrow and pressed, "Bells."

"You really don't have to worry. It's nothing. I promise. You know I'd tell you if it was serious." She swore.

I just nodded as I saw Bella look at a frantic Edward who practically ignores everyone and throws himself into his Volvo.

I glanced around once more, catching sight of all the Cullens, before hauling myself into the passenger side. My eyes caught Jasper's, a small smile was flashed at me and my traitorous stomach somersaulted. I very awkwardly smiled back before shoving myself in the seat and slamming the door closed. "Jerk." Bella grunts as she harshly closes her door too.

"What's up with that?" I question, bits and pieces of information floating back to me.

"In biology Edward acted like I had severely insulted him. Even going as far to cover his nose!" Her eyes wet with unshed tears.

"Oh, Bells. I'm sure it's fine. Let's just go home." I mumbled as I forced a smile, resting a comforting hand on her arm. She nods as we pull out from the parking lot.

Once we park in the driveway we make our way into the house, dropping our bags into our respective bedrooms before Bella plops herself on my bed. I raise an eyebrow as I open my laptop to read the three emails mom sent. All of course asking how Bella and I were and if school went okay and if there were any cute boys.

I slowly responded back to the emails, waiting for Bella to vent. She always did this when she had an issue, we were practically each other's confidants—well about certain things anyway. After five minutes of silence other than the clacking of my keys, she finally told me everything—in detail—of what happened with Edward Cullen. I did not share my experience with Jasper as I felt it would only make her more upset and frankly I was still extremely confused, and if I'm honest a little scared, so instead I comforted her before glancing at the clock and gently reminding that we had to meet dad for dinner at the local diner.

Twenty-five minutes later Bella, dad, and I sat in awkward silence at a table. We were patiently waiting for the waitress to come take our order. We don't wait long as a nice woman in her thirties writes down the orders before saying she'd be back to catch up. It somehow made Bella and I even more uncomfortable considering we didn't remember the woman at all. The food doesn't take long to arrive, all of us thanking the waitress, Cora. She's all smiles as she glances between Bella and I, "Gosh, I just can't believe how grown up you girls are. And so gorgeous."

Bella nervously glances at dad for help, but he's already digging into his steak, clearly not paying any mind to the events around him. When she realizes she won't receive any help from him she stares at me. I inwardly sigh, plastering a smile on before informing, "I think that table over there is flagging you down. We'll catch up later!"

I seemed to come off nice enough as she looked at the table of older men waving her over, she laughed before taking off towards them, promising she'd bring our favorite dessert back later, berry cobbler. I didn't have the heart to say that it was not my favorite dessert. The three of us ate in silence before Bella got the balls to speak first, "So…do you eat here every night?"

I almost cringed as dad shrugged, "It's easier than washing dishes."

"Well, Bella and I can alternate cooking dinner from now on, dad. Just let us know if you have any preferences." I volunteer, refusing to have the man spend money on our food everyday when it can easily be made at home. Also, I do not want to come to a diner for dinner every single night.

Bella nods, "We shared the cooking back in Arizona. Mom's not great in the kitchen."

I almost snorted, "Not great is putting it mildly."

"I remember…" dad said in a haunting, joking tone. We all laugh at the misfortune of moms cooking skills. He then looks between us, "How was school?"

Bella's eyes tighten but she shrugs as she hides her feelings, "It was okay."

"Better than I thought it would be if I'm honest." I responded easily, my potential death avoided—for now.

"Meet anyone?" He asks nonchalantly.

"Yeah, a few people. Do you know the Cullens?" Bella asks directly, always one to get to the point.

Dad looks up from his food to stare at us, his face hardened, "Are people talking about them again?"

"Honestly, I don't think people in this town ever stopped talking about them." I grumbled as Bella looked uncomfortable.

Dad sighed angrily as he started to rant, "Just 'cause they're newcomers in town. We're lucky to have a surgeon like Dr. Cullen at our small hospital! Luckily his wife wanted to live in a small town and luckier his kids aren't like the rest of the hell-raisers around here."

Bella's eyes were wide as she mumbled, "Okay…"

"Wow you feel really passionate about that, huh?" I joke to lighten the mood.

Dad gives me a soft look as he apologizes, "Sorry. I just don't like the narrow-mindedness of this town."

I nod, "No, that's understandable. You don't need to apologize, dad. I feel the same way."

Dad looks proud and a little relieved that Bella and I weren't falling into the meaningless gossip of the town. We ate in silence and dad said goodbye saying he'd meet us at home.

As we made our way into the house the exhaustion of the day hit me full force. Meeting the Cullen family had taken all my courage and the reality was that I had to do it all over again tomorrow. I still couldn't understand why Jasper had spoken to me and it made me anxious and a bit fearful. I had no desire to acquaint myself with their family, no matter how lovely they might be. Not when I know the only choices are death. Because having to be a vampire would be equivalent to dying. I rubbed my neck, glancing at Bella before wishing her a goodnight and climbing the stairs to my room.

My paranoia had me flipping on every light in the room and checking every spot a human body could possibly hide. Not that I think the Cullen's would spy on me, but I haven't forgotten that Edward sneaks into Bella's room! Not seeing anything out of place I change into a casual T-shirt for bed and snuggle under the covers, praying for once that nightmares don't await me.

The next morning Bella gripped the wheel so hard her knuckles were turning white as she drove us to school. I nervously glanced at her, unsure if it was safe for her to be behind the wheel of a car in her current emotional state. She hadn't really spoken all morning and I wasn't going to press her by invading further into her business but this could be my life on the line!

As soon as we parked I hopped out, quickly telling Bella I'd see her at lunch before making my way to the first period and sitting down. I read my novel, the same trashy Victorian romance from yesterday, as I waited for the bell to ring. We arrived early enough that I should have been making decent progress but my thoughts kept flying all over the place, unable to stay focused on the words in front of me. Luckily there were no Cullens in my morning classes, or so I had thought until I stepped into art and nearly tripped as my eyes locked onto bright gold.