Bella yawned as she sat in the bleachers with the throng of students assembling for a mandatory attendance this morning. From here, she could see the school's principal going on and on about the importance of respecting students and faculty from the middle of the gym. There was also the everlasting conversation of bullying being thrown in the mix.

Bella wanted to believe this had nothing to do with what happened with Mallory, though something told her that wasn't the case. She supposed she should be grateful no one had mentioned her...yet. If she's lucky, no one will mention her at all before the assembly was over. She found herself yawning into her hand once more, tears involuntarily blurring her vision.

A shoulder brushed against hers as someone sat down beside her. A zing of energy ran through her body instantly then, and she knew who it was that sat next to her without looking away from Principal Greene giving a passionate speech. Bella knew it in the way her heart jolted as if being sparked back to life by his presence alone. It made her shift in her seat, a burst of excitement and nervous energy flooding her next. Bella didn't want to look at him, knowing a sweet grin would make its way over his lips as he most definitely felt her emotions. A mix of embarrassment and excitement swirling in her belly. In her chest, where her heart was skipping about.

Jasper Whitlock stretched out his long legs before him as he leaned back to whisper in her ear, his voice husky, "Falling asleep there, darlin'?"

Bella ran a hand through her hair, "I can't believe I woke up at five in the morning to come to this thing. It could have been mentioned through an email or something." True, but Principal Greene was old school and preferred to have official assemblies throughout the year.

Emmett leaned in from behind her, taking the seats before Mike Newton and his buddies could with a cheeky grin that said 'try going near my little sister and I'll bite your heads off.' Mike and his friends didn't linger after that. The only reason Bella knew what Emmett intended by that gesture was because Alice told her, giggling about it as she did. All in all, it was nice being with them like this. Bella could only imagine the sort of hell she'd be in if the Cullens had left her behind...like he did.

Emmett teased, "Cheer up, kid. At least you're not down there giving the speech yourself. Having to imagine everyone in the gym was naked just to get through it." He chuckled.

"Believe me, if anyone was keeping their clothes on in that scenario it would be you."

Emmett leaned closer, throwing his arm over Bella's shoulders and jostling her playfully. Jasper grinned, shaking his head as she rolled her eyes, unable to fight off the smile invading her lips too.

"You wound me, Bella. I know at least a hand full of girls would jump at the fact to see me naked—"

A smack to the back of Emmett's head shut his mouth right up. Rosalie hissed a second later, "Finish that sentence and die."

Bella turned to give the couple a sidelong glance, still smiling while Emmett rubbed the back of his head, muttering an apology to let his mate know he was completely joking. Rosalie settled back in her seat with her arms crossed over her silk blue blouse. Her dark amber eyes twinkled as she looked at Bella and shrugged.

Emmett grimaced, "Why'd you hit me, babe? Bella's the one who started it."

"You were the one who mentioned the entire student body being naked." Alice added from beside Rosalie, eyes dancing with amusement.

Bella shook her head at the vampire she's always seen as an older brother and quipped, "You poked the bear. Now you gotta sit with her."

Rosalie fought a smile as Emmett's lips parted in surprise before he released a bellowing laugh which earned them several glances from the students sitting around them, some curious and others annoyed, mostly because they needed to go to class after this lengthy assembly. Much like Bella.

"You really went there huh?" Emmett asked as he pretended to wipe away a tear from his eye, "Aiming for my weaknesses, Swan."

"If I recall, your preferred meal is bear. I'd say it's not so much your weakness anymore," Bella murmured low enough that only the Cullens would hear. She turned her attention back to Principal Greene who appeared to move on to other topics such as parking in the handicap zone and the consequences of those who abuse the parking laws. When Bella's shoulder brushed up against Jasper's, she tried not to look at him, really she did.

But there was no such thing. She couldn't resist. Glancing up, she felt the world melt away when she noticed Jasper was already looking at her. Eyes warm and inviting like honey met her brown ones the color of coffee.

Stupid heart stop skittering.

"There you are. Not hiding anymore?" He whispered, inching a little closer until his leg brushed against her own. And when he playfully nudged her with his elbow, Bella bit her lip to hold back a smile. She failed miserably.

"Yeah, here I am."


After Jasper dropped her off at home, he promised he'd return to keep an eye out for her in case Edward decided to come back as soon as he went for a quick hunt in the forest near the property.

It wasn't necessary for him to be here, she knew that. Her fears were wholly unreasonable, or so she told herself. But with the knowledge that Jasper would be in her room within the blink of an eye should anything happen, Bella had slept easily last night for the first time in days. She made a quick dinner for herself and placed the leftovers in the fridge for Charlie to eat when he came home. It was only after she finished cleaning up around the kitchen that she got a text from him.

Charlie: Got caught up at work. Looks like I'll be late for dinner, sorry kid. Make sure to lock the doors and windows tonight while I'm gone.

Bella sighed, feeling somewhat disappointed that her father wouldn't be home before she went to bed. Things had gotten better with Charlie despite the nightmares and depression following her around like a shadow. He was there for her, always. No matter what it was or what she didn't tell him. Charlie never once hovered, but he also let her know he was here whenever she needed her dad. It warmed her heart. More than he would every truly know.

She typed back a quick reply.

Bella: Got it. Be safe. Love you.

Charlie: You know me. Nothing can get to your ol' man. I love you too, kid.

She smiled at the message as she headed upstairs to take a quick shower, being sure to wash her hair with the lavender shampoo she bought not too long ago after a long day at school. She stood under the shower-head for a while, letting the hot water turn her pale skin bright pink while trying to let the weight of the days fall off her shoulders. She was about to place the bottle back down on the shelf when it slipped from her grasp and tumbled loudly onto the floor. Bella sighed as she bent down to pick it up. That was when she heard it.

The creak of the floorboards coming from behind the bathroom door Loud in the silence of the house she had all to herself.

Bella stilled, shutting out the sound of the falling water trickling over her shoulders to strain her ears again. Listening. Had she imagined that noise?

No.

The second time she heard it, Bella quickly shut the water off and pulled the shower curtain aside before reaching for her towel. There it was again. The creaking of the floorboards. A faint click, click, click getting louder with every breath she took.

Bella's heart stuttered in her chest as new sounds followed. Sounds that resembled footsteps walking across the hall. An irregular beat.

Her hands trembled as her thoughts went to Edward, to him standing on the other side of the door, waiting.

She barely registered the pool of water gathering around her wet feet as she stood motionless, waiting to hear more and when nothing else came, she couldn't do anything other than blindly reach for her phone she'd luckily taken with her, having left it on the counter. Water dripped down her long hair, making her shiver.

The clicking sound continued followed by more creaking. Tears sprang in her eyes as she slowly stepped back and sunk onto the floor to lean against the bathtub. The sound was getting closer. And with every new sound she heard, the more her panic started to take over.

Somehow she'd managed to call Jasper without truly looking at her cellphone, unable to look away from the shadows dancing beneath the gap between the door and floor.

Someone was here.

"Hey I was about to call you—"

Bella pulled in a shaky breath and whispered as low as she could, "Someone's here."

"What?"

"I think," the clicking made her flinch as her other hand clutched the wrapped towel closer to her chest. "Someone's in the house with me."

The sound of wind rushing across the other line told her Jasper was already running. Running faster than any human ever could.

"Where are you?" He asked, a growl in his voice.

"Bathroom." Was all she could managed as a tear rolled down her cheek. Bella felt sick to her stomach in a way she hadn't before. Dread burned through every agonizing second that passed. If Edward was back, if he was waiting in her room—

A gentle knock in the door made her jump but she was otherwise rendered useless as she remained on the floor, legs tucked up to her chest. The trembling got worse as she waited for the door to burst open when Jasper said into the phone, "It's just me. I'm here, Bella."

She let out a sound that was a mix of a sigh of relief and a sob as she dropped the phone to the tile floor with a clatter.

Bella cupped her face with her hands as tears rolled down her cheeks.

It was just Jasper.

Not Edward, not him.

The door opened slowly and two cold hands cupped her shoulders seconds later, making her flinch. She hadn't realized she failed to lock the door when she went in to take her shower. It hadn't even occurred to her to do so.

"Bella," Jasper murmured as she forced herself to look up into his pleading eyes.

Her bottom lip trembled, "I thought he was...I heard things."

"I know. It's okay," Jasper said, squeezing her bare flesh as though to prove it. "No one else is here with us. I checked. It was just the wind outside pushing the branches against the window down the hall."

"Branches?" Bella shut her eyes, shaking her head, "I don't know what's wrong with me. God, I'm so—"

"You're scared," he cut her off, his gentle yet firm words making more tears run down her face. He didn't say it to belittle her or guilt her for exaggerating. "It's okay, I know why you panicked."

His thumbs were there to wipe all her tears away before he pulled her into his chest. They both sat on the floor for a long time, Jasper holding her while she cried and cried, feeling guilty and stupid for reacting so strongly to whatever noise she'd heard.

Jasper pressed his lips against her temple, "It's okay. I got you. No one will ever hurt you again, Bella. I swear it. I know I keep saying that but there's not a day I won't keep saying it if only to remind you that you're not alone, you'll never be alone again."

Despite the constant fear pricking at the back of her neck constantly—especially when she was alone—Bella felt safe again, with Jasper holding her like this. As if he was home; a warm and secluded place that belonged only to the two of them.

When the tears subsided and her fear disappeared thanks to his gift and the calming effect Jasper has on her, Bella became highly aware of what she was wearing. Nothing more than a towel wrapped around her naked body. And she was sitting on Jasper's lap, practically naked.

Heat washed over her face and she gingerly unwrapped her arms around his neck, sliding off his lap. Almost instantly missing his touch.

"I'm sorry," she said while keeping her eyes averted. Hoping Jasper didn't notice the bright pink blush on her cheeks. "I should probably get dressed."

The air between them grew heavy, Bella's heartbeat pounding in the silence. She bit her lip as she gazed up hesitantly after he didn't say anything more. To find Jasper's eyes had darkened, nearly onyx as he looked at her. At her blushing cheeks, the pink tint on the corner of her ears and neck. At the exposed skin of her chest. She noticed the way his jaw clenched, only proving to highlight his chiseled features and it created a surge of heat inside her.

Jasper stood before reaching a hand down for her. She took it and he helped her stand on trembling legs, though didn't let go right away. She bit her lip, unable to look away from him. Wanting...wanting more. Wanting him to...touch her more. That was absurd. For many reasons. Right?

Jasper cleared his throat but his voice was hoarse as he murmured, "You're killing me, darlin'."

"What? How?" She blinked.

"I can feel you," his words were dark and seductive, strained as if he was fighting off some urge Bella could barely understand from her side. "You're intoxicating. Your emotions. Your scent. Everything."

As if unable to resist, his lips curled up slightly as he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek, making her shudder in pleasure as his touch did more torturous things to her. His hand cupped her cheek and she found herself leaning into his touch, into his lips that hovered over her flushed skin.

Her hand gripped his shirt to steady herself, breaths shallow and heart racing.

"Jasper."

She could have sworn she heard a low growl then, resonating in his chest. Jasper kissed her cheek again, slow and deliberate. Cold lips, oddly soft and gentle caressing her cheek like she was the most delicate jewel while his hands which cupped her face were strong and authoritative. Making her feel safe once more.

Bella bit her bottom lip as Jasper moved farther down, kissing her jawline next before finally pulling away. Far enough to stare into her eyes, both of them breathing heavily with their chests rising and falling faster the usual. Close enough that she could feel his lips a mere inch away from hers.

Bella looked at him for a long time, eyes heavy-lidded and dazed as she couldn't bring herself to look away. Jasper's own eyes were as dark as chocolate, sweet and sinful as he looked at her flushed face and rising chest.

He cleared his throat, finally looking away, "I'll wait in the hall until you've finished getting changed." And then he was striding out of the bathroom, leaving her utterly speechless. Leaving her...wanting more than she could ever possibly tell him.

Because there were no words to describe just how much she liked Jasper. How much she yearned for him in more ways than one. But maybe, he already knew exactly how she felt. Bella had to fight the need to slap her face with both her hands and sink to the tile floor for a whole other reason.

What was worse? That he knew how she truly felt about him or that a part of her didn't mind that he knew at all?


Thanks for reading x

Long time no see, I'm so sorry for the hiatus! It's been a wild time with school (I'm in my senior year of uni yay) and job hunting hasn't been too easy so I needed to take a break. Funny note, someone literally added my story to a library titled "bitches who don't update", it made me laugh.

Anyway, here we are again back at it ;)

I'd love to hear what you all have to say about Bella and Jasper's moment in this chapter!