Love to Hate You, Hate to Love You

Jasper POV

Biology changed everything, for all of us. I was sitting in Spanish with Alice when I heard her gasp and get a blank look on her face. I knew she was seeing something, something not good. When she came out of it, she just shook her head and seemed to calm a little, but maybe that is because I was sending calm vibes her way.

"What is it, Alice?" I ask her at a volume only vampires can hear.

"It's Edward. The new girl, Bella, she is his singer."

I felt myself suddenly stiffen. No. It couldn't be. Not her. People whose blood called out to vampires did not usually meet with happy ends. What had this girl done to deserve this? Alice must have felt the worry and fear and anger rolling off of me, because she finally said something.

"I think it's ok, Jazz. He's not going to do anything. Edward has amazing control. He would never intentionally hurt someone, especially not here and expose us all."

So that is why she thought I was worried. Exposure. Was that why I was worried? Why did I feel the need to protect this girl I just met. Maybe it was because she looked so lost, alone. I have felt that way for most of my life, mortal and vampire. Until I met Alice. Sweet Alice, who even now was trying to comfort me.

The bell rang and Alice said she saw Edward bolting from class, a little too quickly, but no one could blame him for wanting to get out of there as soon as possible. We went to meet him in the parking lot.

Edward POV

What was I thinking?! I almost KILLED her. I could have so easily. It would have been over before she or anyone else knew it. When that fan wafted her scent to me I temporarily lost control. I had never experienced a burn like that. What was going on? As if in answer to my silent question, Alice and Jasper came running, well human pace running, into the parking lot. She must have seen Rose and Emmett in the hallway, because they were not far behind.

"Edward? Are you ok?" Alice asked, looking concerned.

"Yeah. I am fine. I just don't know what came over me. I'm usually so careful. I lost control...I could have..."

"Don't you see, Edward? She is your singer. I am surprised you were able to make it out of there at all." Alice said, a sad, sympathetic smile on her face.

She is my singer? Bella Swan is my singer. What am I going to do? I am not sure I can deal with this, not sure I can go through another Biology class sitting so close to her, feeling her warmth, smelling her hair...STOP IT, EDWARD!Pull yourself together, man. I just feel so worried, so angry. What was happening to me? Then it occurred to me, I was not the only one feeling those emotions. They were rippling of Jasper, making us all feel fear and rage. I looked over at my silent brother and he was just staring into the ground, thinking only "They can't know", holding onto Alice's hand. Of course. He was worried I was going to slip and expose us all. I would try my hardest to make sure that didn't happen. Even if I have to go far away and wait for Bella Swan to leave Forks.

Bella POV

Just great. First days of school and already someone hates me. I haven't the slightest idea why though. As soon as I sat down in class, Edward Cullen looked at me with such hatred and contempt. Like he wanted to kill me. His brother, Jasper, had been so nice to me. The first person who seemed to want to be nice just because I needed a friend. To everyone else, I was some kind of contest. See who can get the new girl to join their clique first. See who can date the new girl first.

It had been three days since that fateful bio class, and no sign of Edward Cullen. None of the other students I talked to knew where he was. It was strange, everyone couldn't help but notice the Cullens but simultaneously did not pay much attention to them since they kept to themselves so often. I noticed them, though. I also noticed his absence. I hated him right back for hating me without a reason, but I couldn't help but be curious about him. He was, after all, very attractive. Wonderful, Bella. Get a crush on the one guy in the school who hates you.

I was walking to my truck when I saw Jasper's bouncy blonde curls in the distance. He was sitting perfectly still on the concrete steps leading from the back exit of the school. He was alone. This was probably my only chance to get to the bottom of this, so I'd better take it. I swallowed hard and forced my feet to start walking in his direction.

Jasper POV

Edward was far away, staying with our cousins in Alaska so I had spent the past few days being lost in my thoughts while I could. Alice said our futures were all changing, and that if Edward came back soon that would set a chain of events into motion that we would all be powerless to stop, especially Edward. What did that mean, exactly? And did it have anything to do with Bella? Alice said it was still too fuzzy to tell, his mind still too undecided.

As if on cue, a slight, shy, barely audible voice said, "Hi Jasper."

Bella was able to sneak up on me, which is practically unheard of since I was a vampire. She was definitely full of surprises.

"Oh, hello, Bella." I said, standing up. "How are you?"

"I'm doing ok. I wanted to ask you something."

To the point. I liked that. My life is so often shrouded in mystery and secrets that is was refreshing to not have someone beat around the bush.

"Sure, Bella. What is it?"

"Did I do something wrong? I mean...your brother, Edward...he just....did I? Why does he hate me...already?"

Of course. I didn't think about how Edward's sudden departure must be affecting her. She is an observant girl and it would not have skipped her notice that after the incident with her, he is suddenly gone for days. The question is, what do I tell her? I can't really be completely honest with her, although that is strangely what I want to do right now more than anything. Do I pretend not to know what she is talking about? No. I won't do that. I won't make her feel like her concerns are unfounded.

"You didn't do anything, Bella. Edward's just...well...you just need to get to know him better. He was just going through a rough time."

"Oh..ok."

She knew I was lying. Well, not lying exactly but definitely holding back. What could I say? Oh yeah, about that, Bella. My brother thinks you smell really great and he just happens to be a vampire like the rest of us, and he would really really like to kill you and drink your blood.

"Well, I hope he is okay." Bella said in response to my lack of a explanation. She must have seen the way he looked at her and treated her, and she was still worried that something was wrong with him. Kind could be added to the list of Bella's traits I was compiling in my head.

"Yeah. I am sure he will be fine."

"Will he be coming back, soon?" That's when I felt it, her hope. Her curiosity. Her attraction. Despite everything, she felt attracted to Edward. I felt my still heart plummet. Why?

"I'm not sure. He just needed some time away."

"Yeah. Ok. Well, I guess I better get home. See you, Jasper."

"Bye, Bella."

By the way, Bella. Try harder not to like my brother. Its best to date people that have no desire to kill you. Find a nice boy who you don't smell delectable to. Find someone who would never ever harm you. Someone like....me.

Oh crap.