Okay! So, it's been, like, 10 months? Don't hate me! I've been focused so much on school and One Direction and my ever changing boyfriends to remember this site. BUT I DID! It may be shitty, but my new boyfriend (just celebrated our one month- I know its not much, but I'm 17!) just left for South Carolina for 6 days June 25. For you who don't know, I live in Michigan, FOREVER AWAYS FROM SC! But he's going to see his brother graduate from military boot camp and I have to let him go, even if I don't want to miss him. ANYWAY, back to the story! ENJOY!

Warning: This chapter is mainly fluff, a way for Jazz to get Bella's mind off of Jacob and show her that he cares about her.

Previously:

The nurse, an elderly woman named Mrs. Fredman, looked up from her novel to see us walk in. Her face fell as she took him in. "Who did this?" she asked. I growled. "Jacob Black," I answered. She sighed and stared at me. "Honey, stop dating. I think it's cute how you want to find love, but he won't let you. I'm afraid he'll hurt anyone you try to be with," she advised. Almost everyone in this school knew Jake and I were dating and I tried to leave him. They knew he started fighting. They didn't know he abused me, too. I smiled at Jasper. "Told you," I said smugly. He rolled his eyes at me. "Be nice. I'm injured," he jested. I laughed. "I told you not to get involved with me. Technically, this is self induced," I retorted. Mrs. Fredman smiled. "Why couldn't you find him before Mr. Black?" she sighed. I shrugged. "I wasn't crazy then," I answered. She cocked her head and Jazz laughed. "You aren't crazy," he insisted. I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, try to convince your mother that and I'll be cool," I replied. He smiled. "Maybe she doesn't think your crazy. I don't know. She only hides the files on crazy people and she is really keeping yours from me," he said. I swapped his arm, then sat him down for the nurse.

I did end up going back to my classes after English, but only after Jasper complaining in my ear how he was going to have his perfect record ruined by a girl. I sighed and eventually gave un, unhappily, but it was worth it to see that beautifully perfect smile on his face. Before we returned, though, he pulled me aside and smiled at me.

"What is it, Jazz? Do I look bad? Did Jake do more damage than I thought?" I asked vainly. He chuckled lowly. "No," he responded, "I just had a question," he said, smile on his lips while fear and nervousness danced in his eyes. "Shoot," I approved, fearful. Immediately, his gaze fell to the ground, the gravel on the tar becoming very interesting as he spoke. "Well, um.. There's this festival in Port Angeles that I'm sure you know about. It's partially a carnival and partially an expo for local businesses. I was kind of wondering if... Well, if you weren't too terribly busy after school today, I was hoping you'd be willing to.. To go with me," he stammered, causing me to giggle. "You know, I usually don't go on dates with boys who develop a stutter when they talk to me, but I'll make an exception for you. I'd love to go. Meet me at my house after school so I can drop off my stuff, okay? I'll see you in class," I accepted with a quick hug before running off.

School dragged on in a blur, the only highlights were the classes with Jasper. Eventually, the final bell rang and I ran from my History class out to my truck, completely forgetting my locker. Running as fast as her heels would let her, Jess made it to my truck before I pulled out. "What the hell, Swan? First, you take the hottest guy at school, then you bail without dishing details? What kind of friend are you?" she asked, sadness in her voice. I sighed. "I don't have time right now, okay, Jess? I'll call you tonight and explain and you tell Lauren. That's it. Tell her that she cannot tell a soul or I will never speak to her again. But for now, I really gotta fly. Later," I called, starting my engine.

The fact that everything was right off of the highway made it easy to get home quickly. Without skipping a beat, I killed the engine and jumped out of the cab, my books in my arms. I ran to my room and threw my books down onto my bed, careful not to hir the guitar I still hadn't moved. A glance in the mirror told me that I should change before our date. I quickly discarded the leather jacket and the skinny jeans, but deciding to keep the tank top. I pulled out a pair of dark jeans that defined my curves and put a blue and green plaid button down shirt on over my tank top. I brushed out the rings in my hair and restraightened it, opting to curl my bangs out of my face and pinning them back. I spared a second to touch up my makeup. As a knock sounded on the front door, I pulled on my black ankle boots, grabbed my mildly used purse, and left my room.

As I descended the stairs, I saw Jasper on the chair, talking to Renee. I sighed, causing both of them to look up at me. Renee stood. "Oh, honey, look at you! You look utterly gorgeous! And isn't this the shirt I bought that you said you'd never wear? I knew you liked it! Oh, come here!" she gushed before pulling me into a hug. Help me, I mouthed to Jasper. He shook with silent laughter, then mouthed back, You're on your own. I gave him a scowl and pulled away from my mother. "Mom, I would love to stay and chat, but we have a prior engagement we must attend to. If we'll excuse us," I said, grabbing Jasper's hand and slipping out the front door.

We walked to the Mercedes in silence and he opened the passenger side door for me when we reached it. Wordlessly, he walked around the car and climbed in. He reached to start the car and I noticed his hand was shaking. I smiled. "Nervous?" I asked. He turned his head to look at me. "Well, yeah. It's my first date with a really pretty girl. Mainly, I'm afraid that I'll say something wrong and you'll laugh or something like that. It's stupid, I know," he said, face turning the faintest shade of pink. I giggled, something he had got me doing recently. "Jasper, Jasper, Jasper. What am I going to do with you? Obviously, if I'm in the car with you, I like you enough to endanger you to Jake. You can't scare me off. With what Jacob's done to me, it'll require a little work. Now, come on. I'd like to get to Port Angeles before we need to turn around and come home. It's an hour away," I informed. He smiled and shook his head at himself, but started the car and we went on our merry way.

The drive was silent, on Jasper's part. I, on the other hand, had my iPod connected to the radio and was rocking out to every song. On occasion, Jazz would look at me like I'd sprouted a third eye because of my music choice, but kept his mouth shut. Yet, as soon as Alan Jackson's and Martina McBride's song Never Loved Before came on, a rich deep voice accompanied mine. Immediately, I shut up and let Jasper sing Alan's part while I took Martina's, Somewhere in the middle of the song, Jasper grabbed my hand and held it in his. I felt my face heat up and I stared out the window into the greenery until it faded away with the music.

When it ended, I turned back to Jazz. "I didn't know that you liked country," I said. He laughed. "Darlin', I might have been born here, but I lived down in Texas most of my life with my sister and her boyfriend. Rose needed a change of scenery after her boyfriend left her, so we came home. Maybe I'll introduce you two," he offered, causing me to shrug my shoulders. He stopped the car and put it in park. Confused, I took in my surroundings and noticed a giant Ferris wheel on the boardwalk. Absentmindedly, I squealed and rushed to take off my seat belt. Jasper laughed and rushed to my side, opening the door in a hurry. Excited, I jumped into his arms and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you so much, Jazz! Jacob never wanted to take me out. He much preferred to stay inside. C'mon! I wanna go! Let's go!" I shouted, grabbing his hand and dragging him to the ticket booth. "What can I help you with today?" asked the bored teen inside the booth. "Can I get a wristband?" I asked, turning to Jazz. He smiled and nodded, withdrawing $40 from his wallet and handing it to the short girl inside. Quickly, I inserted my arm into the slot and ran a few feet ahead while Jazz got his done. After a moment, I realized that it was taking much too long for just getting a wristband. I jogged back and stood beside the booth.

"C'mon, one day," I heard the girl say. Jasper gave an annoyed sigh. "Look here, okay? That girl I'm with? She means a lot to me and I think I'm beginning to get her to believe that she can escape her ex with my help. I really like her and frankly, I'm not willing to lose her because you wanted to 'flirt' with me. So, goodbye, and have a lovely day at work," Jasper responded curtly. I snickered and Jazz peered around the corner at me, one eyebrow lifted. I shook my head and grabbed his hand. "So, what do you want to do first, rides or art show?" he asked. I thought it over and smiled. "Art show. There's bound to be something good there," I answered. "Your wish is my command," he said, pulling me towards the stands.

There was a booth for every small business in the area. Handcrafted candles, jewelry, mirrors, toys, decor, everything littered the streets as people of all sizes, shapes, backgrounds, races, and colors flooded the street to get a good look at what was offered. We passed many booths and we pointed out things that were cool or interesting or that were so ridiculous that we couldn't help but laugh. But as we came past a booth for Ten Thousand Villages, I froze in my tracks. There I saw a gorgeous necklace with a barely bloomed flower bud. As if I lost control of my body, I hadn't noticed I had walked over to the counter and grabbed the necklace until the operator came over to us.

"I see you've taken an interest in that necklace?" he asked. I glanced up at him. He was an older man, probably in his late 70s, pursuing his dream as a jewelry maker. He was short, maybe around my height at 5'4". I smiled back down at the necklace. "Yes, it's amazing. Did you make this?" I asked, again looking at the tiny old man. His face lit up. "Why, yes, I did. The flower you see is a jasmine bud. It's not quite in season,so it hasn't fully opened, but I believe that's when it's most beautiful, most overlooked. It's on a 24 inch chain, which you can choose to change. It's all silver.(Link on profile) Normally, I would run this particular necklace for around $80, but you seem like a sweet girl, so I'll give it to you for, say, 20?" he asked. I looked down at the necklace, my chest aching. "I'm sorry, I haven't got-" I was cut off by Jasper emerging to my side. "Do you like the necklace, Bella?" he asked. "Of course. It's beautiful," I replied. Jasper reached out and handed the clerk a single bill. "Here. I hope you'll take 20 for it, like you told her," he said. Easily, the clerk took the money and smiled at me. "Of course, child. I'm a man of my word. I wouldn't lie to the young lady. And you, dear, have the sweetest boyfriend I've seen today. Many girls have had their hearts broken by this necklace because they couldn't afford it," he said, giving me a smile. "Give it a good home," he called as we walked away. Jasper stopped me to help me put it on, causing my face to burn red. A moment later, he took my hand and led me through the fair.

The night passed quick, and before I knew it, we pulled into my driveway. Quickly, Jasper was at my door, pulling it open for me. Again, for the millionth time, my cheeks were stained crimson. I took hi hand that he had outstretched to me and stepped out of the car. He walked me to my door, slowly and silently, enjoying the moment. With a sigh, he turned to me. "Bella, I had a great night with you," he said, a nervous smile pulled on his lips before he leaned down and gently kissed my lips.

Fireworks erupts behind my eyelids anod his arms find my waist. My hands placed themselves on either side of his neck as the kiss slowly deepened. But after a moment, my senses returned, and apparently so did his, because, wordlessly, he pulled away and detatched himself from me. With a small smile, he pivoted and walked back to his car and drove off.