CH 40

Mrs. Cullen allowed me to go back to my room for the rest of the day; saying she would tell the teachers that I was excused due to a personal problem. I took advantage of this free time by trying to find Jasper and Alice, but I couldn't find them. I checked the common rooms, knocked on both of their doors, and even went down to the secret hideout, but no one was there.

I had half a mind to call my parents and bitch them out, but I didn't want Mrs. Cullen to get in trouble for telling me. And depending on what I find out from Jasper is going to determine what I'll be doing next.

Making my way back to my room, I see a figure sitting on the floor and leaning against my door.

"Bella?"

I'm not surprised to see Edward waiting for me. We had a couples exam today, and with me not being in class, he was probably excused as well.

"What's going on?" he asks, standing up as I dig for my room key. "My mom came in saying you were excused for the rest of the day. You're not seriously that pissed off at me, are you?"

I can't help but laugh, but a part of me feels bad that he thought I was that upset with him. That I would go to his mom to get me out of class over a disagreement. I open my door and toss my bag inside.

"No, I'm not mad at you." I lean up and kiss him softly on the lips. "See, not mad."

"That's what I'm talking about." He wraps his arms around me and pins me to the door jam. "How about we pretend to be mad still and have some makeup sex? From what Emmett says it's the best kind."

As wonderful as his lips feel against my neck, I push him away.

"Rain check?" I ask. "I have something important to do."

Edward moves back and takes my hand, giving it a comforting squeeze.

"Is everything okay? Did something really happen?"

I look around and see that we're alone, but I'm still afraid to talk about this in the open.

"Can we go somewhere private?"

"We can go to the hideout." He suggests.

I look at my watch and see that we still have an hour before school lets out.

"Sure."

***SOM***

We're in one of the private rooms, in the back of the hideout, as I explain everything his mother told me. It's been a while since we've been in here, but that's mainly because Emmett and Rose always occupy one of them. At least she's nice to change the sheets when they're done.

"Wow," he mutters once I'm finished. "And you think Jasper knows something?"

"I don't know," I shrug. "But I hope so. I need to know what's going on. I can't explain why..."

"You don't need to," Edward says, taking my hand and kissing the back of it. "I'd want to know too."

"Thanks." I lean over and rest my head on his shoulder. "You have no idea how much it means to me to know you're on my side."

"Hey," he whispers, and I look up at him. "What other side would I be on? It's you and me, remember?" He leans down and kisses my lips. "I love you, and I'll always be here."

I bite my lip to hold back the tears that threaten to fall.

"I love you too," I whisper back, kissing him with every bit of love in my heart.

I don't know how long we had been sitting there, but we're suddenly interrupted by the bedroom door flying open and Emmett stepping inside.

"Oh, shit! My bad," he yelled covering his eyes. "Are you almost done, because I want to try this new shit we learned today on Rose."

"Emmett!" Rose yelled from somewhere behind him. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Em, relax. We're dressed and descent," Edward laughed.

Emmett moved his hand and smiled.

"Great, can you cuddle in the common room and let me fuck my girl now?"

"Damn you, Emmett."

I get up and straighten my skirt.

"Hey, Rose," I call out. "Have you seen Alice around?"

"Yeah," she replies, popping her head around Emmett. "She and Jasper are in the quad."

I look over at Edward and hold out my hand.

"Let's get some answers."

***SOM***

Sure enough Edward and I find Alice and Jasper sitting under one of the trees in the middle of the quad. It was pretty deserted, which was perfect for me. Alice noticed us making our way toward them first and stiffened up a little. Her reaction was noticed by Jasper who turned and looked at us.

"Hey, how's it going?" Edward asked once we got to them.

"We're good," Alice replied. "Just getting to know each other."

"That's cool," Edward said, giving my hand a squeeze before letting it go. "I actually need to talk to you for a minute, Alice. Do you mind?" He nodded his head to the side indicating he wanted to take a walk, and I really appreciated that he was taking her to the side so Jasper and I could talk in private.

"Um, sure," she said, looking over at Jasper. "I'll be right back."

I watch as Edward led Alice away and I take a seat on the grass across from Jasper.

"So how are you liking CVA so far?" I ask.

"The regular classes seem normal," he answered, looking over my shoulder in the direction of where Edward and Alice were walking.

"Alice is pretty awesome, isn't she?"

Now that got him looking at me.

"I've never met anyone like Alice before," Jasper says with a smile.

"Yeah, me neither." I laugh. "She's a really special girl. I hope you make her really happy. You both deserve it."

"You don't know me," he comes back quickly. "How would you know what I deserve?"

"I know you deserve better than having a grade A asshole for a father."

He straightened up a little with that comment.

"How do you know my father?"

I look over my shoulder and see that Edward and Alice are still deep in discussion, so I turn and answer.

"Your father and my mother were childhood friends. When they came to school here your father was hoping that they would be pared off together, but obviously that didn't happen. So for the last eighteen years your father has been trying to make my parents lives a living hell."

Jasper waves his hand in front of me to stop me.

"Wait a minute. Is your last name Swan?"

"Yeah," I answer with a nod. "Have you heard of my family?"

He looks off into space for a second before grabbing his bag and getting up.

"I gotta go," he rushes out, and heads for the dorms.

I get up quickly and race after him.

"Wait a minute, we need to finish this."

I grab his bag and pull him back, forcing him to stop. He wheels around and I'm about to say something when the look on his face stops me. He's angry. So angry that his face is bright red.

"Finish what?" he grits out through his teeth. "How about I tell you something, huh? How about I tell you that your family is the reason why mine is breaking apart. How about the fact that your family is the reason why I had to leave my mother alone, with my little brother, because I was forced to come here. Or that when my father was on one of his drunken benders we all had to hear how he got cheated out from having his angel, and stuck with a second best family."

I am floored.

"So you're blaming my parents for your dad being a piece of shit? How is that their fault? Apparently not only is your father a stalking, manipulating, all around jackass, but apparently a drunken failure of a husband and parent. Now unless my family put a gun to your father's head and told him to be this way, you need to back off. And news flash, Buddy, I'm here because of your dad. So you can go fuck yourself!"

Jasper blinked and dropped his bag on the floor.

"What do you mean you're here because of my dad?"

"You father is moving near my home to cause trouble for my parents," I tell him. "They made me come here because they felt I would be safe here."

"So you don't want to be here either?" Jasper asks.

"Not at first," I answer honestly. "Edward and the gang helped out a lot, and over time I've learned to be okay about it. But if I do need to be here I want to know the truth, and I think the only way we're going to find that out – for the both of us – is if we work together."

"What the hell can I do? I like Alice and all, she's really sweet and everything, but I still want to go home. I need to help my mom."

At that moment a crazy idea popped into my head.

"What would you say if I told you I could help you do that?"

Jasper looked over my shoulder and I turned around to see Edward and Alice making their way toward us. I looked back at Jasper who looked up at the sky and sighed before looking back at me.

"I say it better be good because I'm ready to book a ticket home."

"It'll be good, I promise, but you're going to have to trust me." I smile. "And not just me, but you're going to have to trust all of us."

"All of who?" Alice asks when she reaches us; moving her head back and forth, eyeing Jasper and then I. "What were you two talking about? Who does he need to trust?"

I look over at Edward, who is standing next to me, and I take his hand in mine. "The CVA family, or maybe I should say the alumni."

"Oh shit," Edward says with a chuckle.

Now I just need to convince Mrs. Cullen of my idea.

***SOM***

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