My Paper Heart

Chapter 1

So bottle up old love, throw it out to sea
Watch it away as you cry
A year has passed
The seasons go

~All American Rejects

"I'm going to miss you so much Bella." My mom hugged me at the check in counter of the airport.

"I'm going to miss you and Phil more, this past year has been healing." I took a deep breath.

"You've been through more than any 16 year old should ever have to have been through this past year." She squeezed my hands.

"Tell me about it. The only good thing is I'll be going back as a senior, that'll surprise a lot of people and piss off a few too." I shrugged.

"You just go back there with your head held high baby. Don't worry about Edward and Jessica. Hopefully your brother has gotten his head out of his ass as well, although it doesn't sound promising from what your dad said the other day. He's mad because you're getting a car when you get home." She shook her head.

"He doesn't realize I worked for half that car?" I asked.

"I guess your dad didn't think it was any of his business, especially since he was being such a jerk about it." My mom smiled.

"Ugh, maybe I should just stay here and take care of the house, then you don't have to sell." I hinted.

"Aw baby. It'll be OK. You're strong. You can do this. Alice is waiting with your dad at the airport and you KNOW she is excited to see you. Besides dad and me, she's the only one who knows what happened, right? So at least you've got someone to talk to if you need to." She hugged me one more time.

"Thanks mom, I love you. You too Phil." He gave me a big hug.

"Bella, I've opened an account with the money you earned and a little extra, don't argue or be proud, got it. Use it. Get a good safe car and have a great senior year and know that we're proud of you and we'll help with any college needs as well, no jobs while in school this year." He looked at me sternly.

"Yes sir." I smiled and hugged them both one more time before heading for my gate.

A few hours later I was landing at Sea Tac airport and looking for my dad, not seeing him, but I saw a huge sign saying "Welcome Home Bella" which was being held by no other than my best friend Alice.

I walked up and pulled the sign away and she screamed.

"BELLA!" she screeched, anyone in close proximity probably has bleeding ears.

"Alice!" I squeezed her tight and we stood there crying until a throat cleared.

I looked up and glared, Jasper Whitlock. One of my brothers best friends and Alice's cousin.

"What do you want Whitlock." I snapped.

"Nice to see you too Bella." He said rather nicely.

"Bella, no need to be rude." Alice slapped my arm.

"Sorry, I'm very… Nervous about being back." I sighed.

"I should have text you and told you of the change, but it was very last minute. You dad got called into work and asked if I had someone else who could bring me." She sighed.

"Because my own brother wouldn't come get me." My traitor tears started.

"I sorry." She hugged me tight.

"He'll change his mind now that you're back, just talk to him." Jasper offered.

"Thanks for the advice. But he hasn't talked to me once in the year I've been gone, except to tell me what a selfish bitch I was to leave his friend and embarrass him over something so trivial. If only he knew what his friend said and did to me. But he didn't want to hear that, he told me I was overreacting and needed to grow up. He doesn't know how much I had to grow up this past year because of everything that Edward did to me and all the pain and hurt he caused me. And Edward never once called to try and apologize for cheating, so I know he never really cared, it was all about sleeping with me." I wiped away my tears and started walking to baggage claim.

"Bella!" Jasper called out.

I stopped and took a deep breath.

"Look, I don't know what all happened, but whatever it was Edward was obviously the asshole in the situation and Emmett is not much better. I know Alice has been miserable this past year, the only time she was happy was when she went to visit you, but she came back twice as sad. I don't know what happened, but she walked up the following Monday on school and slapped Edward across the face, leaving him stunned and her and Jessica getting into a knock down drag out in the cafeteria that day because Alice left a nice handprint on Edward's face." Jasper smiled.

"She never told me that." I smiled.

"Yeah, it was pretty epic." Jasper hugged his cousin.

"Hey, I was standing up for my best friend." Alice smiled.

"Thanks Pixie." I smiled.

We got my bags, my boxes were due to arrive tomorrow, we didn't want them to arrive without me there, and no telling what Emmett would do to them.

"Are you girl's hungry?" Jasper asked.

"Famished. I couldn't eat before I left." I shrugged.

"Alright I know the perfect place." He smiled.

We made small talk as we drove.

"So, why are you talking to me Jasper? You're one of Emmett's and Edward's friends." I wondered.

"I know when my cousin is hurting and I believe her. They maybe my friends on the field, but out of school, we don't really hang that much anymore. It's usually Alice and I." he shrugged.

"You're not friends with Rose? On the cheer squad?" I asked.

"Nope." She popped the "p".

"Rose and Jessica are BFF's now. I don't know. And it's going to suck, you're all senior's next year, I'll still be a junior." She sighed.

"I'm sorry. I had to do something with my time." I smiled sadly and had to stop myself from my old habit.

"I know. No worries, I almost feel worse for you. You'll have classes with all of them." She shivered.

"None with Emmett or Jessica, thank goodness. Maybe Rose and I know ALL with Edward, he's in all AP classes." I sighed.

"I am too Bella. I'll look out for you." He smiled and Alice beamed and bounced.

"T-Thanks." I looked down at my food like it was the best stuff in the world.

"Can I say something without sounding crazy?" Jasper asked.

"I guess." I shrugged.

"Well, I don't know what you did in Florida. But it worked for you. You look great, healthier.

You're not the skinny, stick girl who left. You look more… I don't know, womanly." He laughed. "I don't know how to put it, but better, just… maybe it's your mom's cooking?" he asked, and I laughed.

"Jasper, my mom couldn't cook if her life depended on it. I still cooked." I smiled.

"I started working out though, so maybe because I have muscle now?" I asked.

"That's it." He smiled.

I had to I thought to myself, I couldn't come back here looking the way I did, that's for sure.

"And your hair… it's great too. I love that you let it get so long." He blushed and looked down.

Shit! He's flirting with me. I looked up to Alice with huge eyes and she's all smiles. And I'm making a cutting motion across my neck and she's shaking her head.

She laughs and the tension is broken.

"Sorry about that, I tend to just come out and say what I mean. Um, if you need a work out partner, I go to a great gym and it's not overly crowded…" he left it hanging.

"That'd actually be great. I hadn't thought about where I was going to go once I got back home." I smiled.

"Good. Let's exchange numbers?" he asked.

"I'll be right back." Alice smiled.

We both nodded as Alice went to the bathroom.

A few seconds later I hear the voice I'd been dreading for over a year.

"Whoa! Whitlock's finally got himself a date? Someone caught your attention after Maria dumped your ass." Edward asked.

"Looks like you kept the trash after I dumped you." I stood up and faced him, I knew it was now or never and the rage on his face proved I'd been successful.

"What the fuck Whitlock. Taking my sloppy seconds?" Edward snapped.

Jasper stood up to defend me, but I stopped him.

"Really Edward? You're dating Jessica who's been with EVERYONE and you're calling ME a sloppy second? Better than dipping it in the ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFETT." I smirked and walked into Jasper's side, he wrapped his arm around my waist and wow it felt amazing we locked eyes and smiled.

"Emmett will not be happy with you Whitlock." He spat.

"And I'm not asking his permission." He stared him down. "All that matters is that Bella is happy and safe." He smiled.

"I think I will be." I wrapped my arm around him and raised an eyebrow at Edward who stormed out of the restaurant.

"What the hell did I miss?" Alice asked. "Hello?"

She snapped her fingers to get our attention, we were still staring at each other.

We told her and she was laughing.

"So are you two like a couple now?" She's smiling and bouncing as we eat, I'm now sitting beside Jasper.

"I don't know?" I look at Jasper. "It's kind of fast. I don't even know you, really." I shrugged.

"Well, we'll get to know one another." He grabbed my hand placing a kiss on it. "I feel the need to protect you. Please say yes." He smiled.

"Yes." I kissed his cheek and Alice shrieked again.

"I need to call my dad, I'll be right back." Jasper squeezed my hand and I walked right outside the door.

"Forks PD Chief Swan how can I help you?" my dad.

"Hey daddy!" I smiled.

"Bells! How was your flight? I'm so sorry I couldn't get there. Did Alice get there?" he asked worried.

"Yes, Jasper brought her." I smiled.

"Is he being nice to you?" he demanded.

"Yes, he's not on the Edward boat. We actually just had a run in with him." I told my dad everything.

"Are you sure you're ready? After everything?" he asked.

"I do. I've been alone for over a year. And I know he was recently hurt too. I don't think Alice would be excited of she thought he was going to hurt me. He's also going to take me to his gym." I smiled at that.

"Good. I know you've enjoyed that. It's helped you more than therapy." I smiled into the phone.

"Yeah it really did." My voice cracking.

"Do you think you'd tell him?" he was serious.

"I do. But not right away. It'd have to be serious. You know?" I wiped away a tear.

"Of course, because it'll affect your future. In big ways." He sighed.

"Yes." I agreed.

"OK. Get back to your friends. Did Phil give your bank information?" he asked.

"Yes. And the house keys you sent. I've also got cash to buy stuff for my room, thanks for painting it and putting a lock on my room, it's sad I can't trust my brother. I'm going to go get a few things before we head home and we're going car shopping this weekend, right?" I asked.

"Yes baby girl, Jake is coming with us. He missed you." My dad smiled and I groaned.

"Dad." I whined.

"As the mechanic." He defended himself.

"It's going to be a brand new car." I sighed.

"Well then for companionship." He chuckled and I groaned.

"Love you Bells." He laughed and hung up.

I walked back in just as Jasper was paying.

"I was supposed to pay, you came to get me." I whined.

"I'm a gentleman. A woman never pays." I rolled my eyes.

"Seriously Bella, he won't even let me buy gum." Alice laughed.

"Do you feel like shopping? I have to buy stuff for my bedroom. Dad got it repainted, but I want all new bedding, you know?" I looked at them.

"We understand. When Maria moved, I burnt all my sheets and every shirt she ever gave me." He shrugged.

Alice and I looked at each other.

"What? I was hurt!" he defended himself. "She didn't move with her parents she moved with her boyfriend. She divorced her parents, they were never around and said it was neglect, so her new 30 year old boyfriend said he could care for her." He shrugged.

I rubbed his back.

"I'm sorry." I had no idea.

"It's OK. I found out she'd been cheating on me for a few months, I made sure I got tested, even though I always used protection, you never know." He shivered.

"That I do know. You never know." I smiled sadly.

He squeezed my hand.

"Let's go shopping." Alice smiled.

We hit the Port Angeles mall and we weren't even there for half an hour and we see Jessica and Lauren.

"Oh my! Edward was telling the truth, you are back." She snarled.

"Yes I am Jessica." I smiled.

"You're fat now." She laughed.

"Oh am I? I thought this was called muscle? Jasper?" I asked.

"Yes babe. It is muscle." He ran his hand down my arm.

"Whatever." She mumbled.

"Come on, let's finish shopping girls." Jasper pulled Alice and I along.

We walked off and laughed, they were left standing there stunned.

After 3 hours of shopping we had my new bedroom stuff and a few new outfits.

Plus plans for me to go to Alice and Jasper's family cookout this weekend.

"What kind of car do you plan on getting tomorrow?" Jasper asked.

"I'm thinking of a small SUV. I think it'll be the best, safest here." I smiled.

"I agree. Do you have a price limit?" he asked.

"If it were up to my mom and Phil, they'd buy me a Volvo or Mercedes." I laughed. "But I wouldn't let them, I'm using half the money I earned while I worked in Florida." I smiled.

"That's cool." Jasper swung our entwined hands between us.

We headed home and the closer we got the more nervous I got.

"Hey, it'll be OK. We can stay with you. No worries." Alice squeezed my shoulder.

"Thanks." I sighed.

We pulled up and luckily Emmett's Jeep wasn't there.

"I've got the bags, you go unlock the house." Jasper told us.

Alice and I went together, she knew how nervous I was.

I turned on the lights and breathed a sigh of relief, everything was the same, except the new TV.

I'm sure the gift certificate Phil and mom and sent him for Christmas had been put to good use, I'd have to let mom know.

Jasper came in with his hands full and followed us up the stairs.

I unlocked my room and was surprised at the sight.

It was a blank canvas, I loved my dad.

My desk, bed and rocking chair were there, but devoid of any and all reminders, I noticed he'd also gave me an addition that he didn't tell me about, I now had my own bathroom.

I walked inside, slid to the floor and cried.

I placed my hand on my stomach, a reflex from this past year and cried.

Alice comes in and wraps herself around me, crying with me.

"Are you OK?" Jasper came in and sat in front of me, wiping my tears.

"Yes, no." I cried.

"I'll put your bed together." Alice untangled herself and left us there.

"Thanks Alice." Jasper whispered.

"Do you want to talk?" he asked.

"Not really. It's still too raw." I shook my head.

"OK, I won't push. Just know I'm here if you ever want too." He held my hands.
"Thanks." I smiled.

"I take it you didn't know about the bathroom?" he asked.

"No, I had no idea. This is a surprise." I laughed. "My dad." I shook my head.

"I'm finished." Alice popped her head in.

Jasper pulled me up and Alice had my bed made and the pictures we'd chosen hung as well.

"Thanks Alice." I gave her a hug.

"Y'all want some pizza?" Jasper asked. "I'm starving." He patted his stomach.

"Yeah, sounds good. I'll order and pay." I demanded.

"Bella." Jasper tried to argue.

"Nope, no way. You've done too much already. MY treat." I demanded.

"Fine. This time only." He smiled.

We sat at the table laughing and eat pizza, garlic knots and I'd baked cookies while we were waiting so we were munching on those too when we heard keys in the door and I stiffened.

"Whitlock! I heard you've got the hots for my sister. You've got a thing for girls who runaway." Emmett laughs and Jasper stands up.

"My life is none of your concern. And as for your sister leaving, I'm sure she had a good reason, if you were any type of big brother, you would've found out. You wouldn't have abandoned her." Jasper told him.

"You don't know shit Jasper, so don't act like you do." Emmett got in his face.

"I know that whatever she's been through, she's still hurting. So don't fuck with her, because then you're going to have to deal with me." Jasper threatened.

"Edward told me that you liked her, how long have you wanted her? It must have been for a while for you to be this protective." Emmett laughed.

"No, I can just tell she's been deeply hurt by Edward. If you can't see that in her eyes, than you're a shitty big brother." Jasper sat back down.

Emmett stomped upstairs and slammed his door.

"Sorry guys. You shouldn't have to deal with Emmett and Edward too." I shook my head.

"Hey, we're your friends. That's what friends do, help each other." Alice squeezed my hand.

"Do you need us to stay a little longer?" Jasper asked.

"No, I'm actually really tired. I think I'm going to shower and sleep. My dad will be home in about an hour. I know Emmett won't try anything, dad will have his ass." I smiled. "Plus my bedroom door locks." I smiled.

"You're beautiful and smart." Jasper kissed the top of my head. "Call me tomorrow after you're done car shopping?" he asked.

"Of course. Although I believe we'll be at the Rez for dinner." I smiled.

"The Rez?" he asked.

"Yeah, you know we're friends with the Blacks. Jake and I have always been friends." I shrugged.

"Will you let him know that you're taken? I know he's always had a thing for you." Jasper blushed as he asked.

I smiled. "Of course." I squeezed his hand.

They left and I practically ran to my room to try and avoid a confrontation with Emmett, which didn't work.

"So you just think you're going to come back here and once school starts you're going to accepted again?" he asked, arms folded across his chest.

"I don't care if I'm accepted or not Emmett. I've got Alice and Jasper. I don't need anyone else." I told him truthfully.

"And what if Jasper wouldn't have wanted you?" he challenged.

"Then I'd still have Alice." I shrugged.

"She's just a junior, you're going to hang out with a junior all year?" he laughed.

"I don't care. She's my best friend. I'm only a senior because I was homeschooled in Florida." I snapped.

"Oh were you too good for the schools there?" he asked sarcastically.

"No, I was really sick while I was in Florida. You know nothing of what I went through while I was there, so don't pretend too." I snapped and started walking towards my room.

Emmett grabbed my arm and turned me around.

"If you'd fucking talk to me I might!" he yelled.

"Why? All you believe is the shit Edward spews! He matters more to you than your own fucking sister! You think I left because he cheated? Please! Let his dick fall off from her diseases. There's so much more you don't know." I whispered the last part and slid to the floor crying, hands on my stomach.

My dad chose that moment to come home, running upstairs.

"What the hell Emmett? She's not home one day and you're fucking bullying her!" my dad yelled.

"You're grounded. Besides sports, nothing. Hand over your phone." My dad snatched it and put it in his pocket and picked me up, carrying me into my room.

"I'm so sorry." He sat me on my bed. We heard Emmett slam his door.

"I just want to shower dad and sleep. I think I'll need one of my pills tonight though. It was a rough day." I sighed.

"OK. I'm going to talk to your brother. Get some rest." He kissed my temple and walked out.

I showered, took my pill and climbed in bed.

I heard my dad and Emmett arguing, I couldn't take it any longer.

"STOP!" I yelled and they both looked at me in shock. "If I brought all this about, then I'm calling mom and working something out. I can't stay here with this. I just can't." I walked back to my room and cried myself to sleep.

This was not how I expected my first day back to be.

AN:

OK… I know I've got like a bunch of stories going on and I was supposed to

Start another one before this one… BUT this one started screaming at me and they

Just WON'T be quiet… As you can tell with the 3000+ words… Don't expect that from every chapter,

It just depends on how they talk…

And NO… Emmett doesn't hate his sister forever… For all my Emmett lovers…

And lastly…

I'm dedicating this story to my friend Laurie… She's been great over the last few months, bouncing ideas and venting… She's a Jasper and Garrett freak… So this Jasper is for her!

Love ya Laurie! 3

MUAH!

Reviews=Love