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  FOR REASONS UNKNOWN, MAGNOLIA returned to the Cullen house that night. Well, she told herself as she knocked on their door that she didn't know why, but really, she couldn't stop thinking about what Jasper said to her. "I haven't lost you, not really," She got chills every time she thought about it.

She left Elton at Seth and Leah Clearwater's house for the night. She had been meaning to spend some time with them after Harry died, but hadn't got the chance. Ever since Leah became a wolf, there was this understanding between Magnolia and her, stronger than years of knowing each other had made.

Alice opened the door with a nervous smile. "Magnolia! Hi," She stepped aside, allowing the sorceress inside. "I thought you were spending the night at the reservation?"

"I am," Magnolia nodded. "I just wanted to come by," She looked Alice up and down, frowning. "Alice, don't feel bad for earlier."

"How can I not!" The vampire exclaimed dramatically. "It was so selfish of us to do that to you, Maggie. And I am incredibly sorry for putting you in that situation." She hugged Magnolia tightly.

She was tempted to say something about the lack of air reaching her lungs as Alice squeezed harder, but she decided not to. Alice felt bad and she was expressing that through the hug, so she allowed it. "I understand why you did it," Magnolia took a deep breath in when Alice let go of her. "But I don't like it. If you wanted us to talk, you could've just asked me."

"That's what I told her," Jasper's voice startled Magnolia slightly. She turned to see him leaning against a wall, looking slightly better than the last time she saw him. He was still pale — that never changed — but he wasn't as sickly as he had looked. There was more colour. His eyes are what really caught her attention, however. They were back to that honey yellow she adored.

"You ate," She smiled softly.

Jasper nodded. "I did," They went quiet. Magnolia suddenly felt nervous. Why did she come? This was a mistake, she cringed. "Would you like to...talk?" Jasper suggested.

Magnolia, glad he spoke first, nodded. "Yeah, I-I would."

He smiled sadly and turned. "We'll have privacy on the roof," Magnolia followed him silently until the reached the top of the house. "Be careful," He warned softly as she peeked over the edge. "We wouldn't want you falling."

Magnolia laughed quietly. They sat, feet hanging over the edge, swinging in the wind. A few minuets went by, both equally unsure of how to start the conversation. After a moment, Magnolia sighed deeply. "I guess I'll start," She looked up at the stars peeking through the canopy of trees. She didn't have the strength to look him in the eye just yet. "I think- no, I know, I still love you," Jasper's eyes widened and he froze. He knew she did, he could feel it every time he saw her, but hearing it was a whole other thing.

Magnolia was shaking. That was the first time she had said that out loud. She thought it many times to herself, but saying to him was terrifying. "And I don't know what to do with that," She laughed nervously, her voice cracking slightly. "I've never been great with my feelings and when you left, instead of facing my feelings for you, I buried them until I saw you in Italy. I thought what you did was unforgivable, the last memory I had of you was you nearly killing Bella and I wanted to help so badly, but you left and I was alone."

There was a pause as Jasper gathered his thoughts. "At the time...I felt what I did was good for you," Magnolia scoffed and he chuckled softly. "I know, I was stupid. I see now how much I hurt you and that was the opposite of what I wanted to do."

"What did you want to do, exactly?" Magnolia crossed her arms and faced him. Her moment of confidence was gone as her eyes met his. She faltered and quickly glanced down at her hands.

Jasper shrugged. "That's just the thing," He shook his head. "I can't think of a single good reason as to why I left you like I did — or why I left at all. All I can say is...I'm sorry, Magnolia. I deeply and truly am."

She took a deep breath in and looked up. If vampires could cry, she was sure Jasper would be. It didn't take his empathic abilities to know how he was feeling. "And I'm sorry for pushing you away. I know you want to continue from where we left off but I just don't know if I can do that just yet," She sighed and shook her head. "It's like some kind of mental block. I know you didn't mean any harm but..."

"It still hurts," Jasper finished for her. "I get it, Magnolia. There's no need to rush," He held out his hand cautiously and Magnolia sucked in sharp breath. Eyes flickering from his hand to his eyes, she hesitantly placed her hand within his. "I'll wait as long as I need to. When you're ready." He smiled and enclosed her hand between his.

The familiar cold feeling sent a wave of emotions at Magnolia, she could hardly breathe. They were so strong, even Jasper moved back slightly at their suddenness. She stared at their hands with a blank face, brain working a mile a minute to even think one thought.

The sound of a car pulling up on the gravel drive way snapped her head away. She was relieved to see Bella step out but became concerned as she saw her cradling her hand. Edward's eyes met with hers and she could tell they needed her. "Uh, good talk, Jazz," She pulled her hand out from his and rushed down to the main floor of the house.

Jasper was left stunned on the roof, the remnants of her warmth still on his hands. A smile slowly spread on us face as he got up to follow. Magnolia bounded down the stairs and followed the hushed voices of Edward and Carlisle. "Bella?" She called. Bella's eyes widened. "What happened?" She briefly glared up at Edward.

"Uh, I punched Jacob?" Bella said, still getting over the fact that Magnolia was there. "What-what are you doing here, Mags?"

Magnolia's face flushed a light pink and she shook her head. "Something to talk about without nosy vampires around."

"Hey!" Alice called from the living room. Magnolia chuckled.

"So, you punched Jacob in the face?" Magnolia sat down at a bar stool as Carlisle began wrapping Bella's hand softly. Bella nodded. "And that happened?" She pointed to the bruised hand.

"It's just a sprain," Carlisle informed as he finished up. He was he gentle yet quick. "It should heal rather quickly."

"Trying to walk and chew gum at the same time again, Bella?" Emmett had rounded the corner, Jasper behind him. Magnolia caught his eyes and smiled rather awkwardly. She didn't know what to do around him after that conversation.

Bella scoffed and chuckled. "Punched a werewolf in the face."

Emmett smirked. "Badass. You're gonna be one tough little newborn,"

Magnolia and Edward both visibly cringed. She was still getting used to the fact that Bella eventually was going to become a vampire — it's what she signed up for, being with Edward and all. "Tough enough to take you on," Bella smiled. She seemed happy about the subject.

Magnolia heard a ruffle from the couch. Rosalie had been sitting so quietly, she hadn't even noticed she was there. She slammed the news paper she was reading and stalked off, high heels clicking loudly. Everyone's eyes followed her as she walked out onto the porch. Bella looked back over at Emmett. "Don't worry about it," He told her.

Everyone fell silent. Edward looked over to where Jasper was patiently waiting. "Got any leads?" He asked.

Jasper was stoic in the presence of Bella. "No sign of the intruder. But Victoria continues to make appearances."

Bella had looked away and slowly got up and walked towards where Rosalie had gone. Magnolia decided to stay to talk about the intruder and leave the two women to their quarrels. "My parents will be back from Seattle in the morning. We hopefully should have more information about the army."

Carlisle nodded. "Good. Until then, we keep up the watch," He turned to Magnolia. "In the mean time, you should rest."

"Why?" Magnolia tilted her head. "We gotta make sure Bella is safe."

"And we will," Carlisle placed a caring hand on her shoulder. "But you have a big day tomorrow."

Magnolia felt so dumb. "Right, graduation," She laughed. "I totally forgot," She checked her watch and sighed. "I should be going. See you tomorrow?" She looked between Edward and Jasper.

"Yes," Jasper nodded, smiling softly.

"Elton, please reconsider this," Magnolia begged him as they sat in their seats, waiting for Jessica's speech. "Seattle isn't safe right now."

"If Ariana and Timothy went, I'm going," He sighed. "I need to get out of Forks as soon as I can and Seattle is the cheapest way so far. I'll only be gone a couple of days. You enjoy yourself here, with Jasper," He nudged her playfully. He had warmed up to the idea of Jasper after Magnolia told him about their conversation last night.

Magnolia didn't get to respond, as Jessica tapped the mic up on the stage and began her speech. "When we were five, they asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up. Our answers were things like astronaut, president, or in my case, a Princess," A few chuckles echoed around the room. "When we were ten, they asked again. We answered rock star, cowboy," Magnolia couldn't help but glance at Jasper. What she didn't expect was for him to be staring right back at her, a clear and big smile on his face. "Or in my case, a gold medalist."

More laughs. "But now that we've grown up, they want a serious answer. Well, how about this? Who the hell knows?" Magnolia laughed and shook her head while other students whooped and clapped. "This isn't the time to make hard and fast decisions. This is the time to make mistakes. Take the wrong train and get stuck somewhere. Fall in love...a lot," Again, Magnolia looked at Jasper and this time smiled back. "Major in philosophy because there's no way to make a career out of that. Change your mind and change it again, because nothings permanent. So, make as many mistakes as you can. That way, someday, when they ask you what we want to be, we won't have to guess...we'll know."

Magnolia clapped along with the other students and as much as she wanted to be happy at that moment, all she could think about was Elton and how if she let him go to Seattle, he could die.

She looked over at Jasper, whose happy smile changed to now matched her concerned one. She tried to push as much of her feelings towards him in hopes he would get her message. They needed to stop Elton.

AUTHORS NOTE
woohoo! another chapter! question of the day is your favourite twilight film and book?