"In my bones, even in my soul, something feels off. I can't explain it well but I just know it."

- Johanna's journal entry

Johanna returned to school and never told her parents about the incident at Billy's house. They would just worry more and then never let her leave the house out of fear. She didn't want that. What Johanna wanted was answers. She knew something was wrong with her but she had a strong feeling it wasn't anything normal.

Alice tried to keep the thought of Johanna being a Remover out of her mind. She didn't want her emotions to be affected and risk having Jasper notice. She was surprised Edward hadn't gone through her thoughts and seen it. Maybe he had and chose not to say anything. Either way, she still had the goal of getting Johanna and Jasper together.

"So, are you going to talk to her today?" Alice asked Jasper, changing to a positive mood.

"I'm not sure, why?" He responded, walking up the steps to the entrance of the school.

At hearing this, Alice became almost aggressive. "What do you mean you're not sure?!"

Jasper was somewhat shocked at Alice's response. "I don't know," He added. "I don't even think she has any interest in me."

Jasper couldn't deny it. He had intense feelings for Johanna, feelings that he tried to hide though. He didn't want to become vulnerable because of her, but that's what he was. A girl he barely knew had the capability to make him feel human. Around her his chest would tighten, he would feel like his heart was pounding, and he felt like he was running out of air as he spoke to her. She put butterflies in a stomach that didn't even exist. Jasper didn't want to admit that to himself or anyone else, especially if Johanna didn't feel the same way.

"You don't know that for certain. What if you're wrong?" Alice suggested.

"Am I?" Jasper asked bluntly. He wanted to know what the future held for him. Most importantly, he wanted to know if Johanna was in it.

"I can't say." That was Alice's only response.

Telling Jasper his future could possibly alter it and maybe in a negative way. He hadn't asked a question regarding Alice's visions of him in years though. It meant he finally cared about what his future held and Alice wanted to desperately give him an answer. He had to be developing genuine feelings for Johanna if he cared about his future at all. Before, Jasper just continued living as though there was no excitement in life anymore. As if there was no reason to continue. Now, as much as he couldn't stand to admit it, he had a reason. The only problem was: what if Johanna didn't feel the same? What if she was never going to?

"Of course, I don't know what else I expected from you," Jasper scoffed and stormed off.

Alice knew he didn't mean such harsh words. After all, how else would he react? The more emotions he was showing were good though. He was finally opening his heart up to the idea of love.

...

In Literature, Johanna and Jasper didn't speak to each other. Not because they didn't want to, they just couldn't. A class discussion on the chapters they read had taken up all the time they had in there.

The next class they had together was Creative Writing. It was a new lesson today and the teacher seemed incredibly excited.

"Alright, today we began a new lesson. It focuses on setting. Through this lesson, each of you will create a world that is entirely yours. And then you will write a piece centered around that setting." The teacher instructed.

Johanna pulled out her notepad and a pencil. She didn't sit next to Jasper in this class. She sat behind him instead. Somehow he was still a sight from the back.

"We'll begin with land. Is your setting a grassland, a swamp, wide open plains, or something else? It can be anything," The teacher continued.

Johanna was immediately inspired by Jasper, well more so by his accent. All she could imagine was somewhere in the South, but not too far South either. She wrote down 'rural, wide open space, hills and grassland, fertile soil.'

"Now, are there any people? Is it a large city population or a small village? Maybe these people aren't human. Or maybe there's no life at all."

Johanna wrote 'humans, perfect in every way.' She hadn't realized it but, her people were like Jasper. If only he could have seen it. Jasper on the other hand was basing his setting on his current emotions. He also had no capacity to be creative right now. His mind was filled with more important things than this assignment, but he still tried to come up with a cohesive story. His land was 'dark, constantly cloudy, no plant life, rocky terrain.' His land had no people or life whatsoever.

"Your protagonist has to either affect your setting or have the setting affect them. Now would be the time to decide on who or what your protagonist is."

Johanna's protagonist was 'the first imperfect human they've ever seen.' Jasper's was 'a really good gardener' for lack of better words. Johanna was her own protagonist and the setting had affected her. Johanna was also Jasper's protagonist.

"Your assignment is a piece centered around the setting you've created. It is due by the end of the week and on Monday, I'll have chosen the pieces that are going to be presented to the class."

The rest of the class consisted of Johanna brainstorming. Jasper was so fueled by his emotions that he immediately began on a rough draft. It was going to be a poem.

...

Lunch had been uneventful for both of them. Jasper was still upset with Alice and chose not to speak to her. Alice decided Jasper needed space so she didn't speak to him either. He spent all of lunch writing his poem for Creative Writing. Alice had wanted to read it but went against that decision. She didn't want to stir up his emotions any more than they already were.

Johanna had been anticipating her next class because it was with Jasper, and she sat closer to him there. Close enough so that if the teacher told them to partner up she would be able to get to him.

Eventually, everyone gathered in the World History classroom. Jasper's eyes had met Johanna's as he walked in. She smiled and Jasper did the same. In fact, Jasper smiled again when he got to his seat. Johanna smiling at him already makes him so much happier. Despite his mood all day, she can alleviate the darkness. It was amazing.

Just as Johanna had hoped, the teacher told them to find partners.

"Jasper," She called.

As he turned, Johanna realized she had called his name too quickly and too eagerly. A blush of embarrassment rose on her cheeks. Jasper had taken notice of it and honestly thought it was cute that she would even react that way to him. Maybe Johanna was more interested in him than he previously believed.

He gathered his things and moved over to her desk. As he pulled a chair over, Johanna went to work finding the page with the questions they were to answer. She flipped to the page and Jasper suggested that he would write the answers for them both.

"Sure, that works," Johanna answered, but there was a slight hitch in her voice. It was unexpected and followed by an odd feeling of danger.

The feeling of danger reminded her of when she had heard that noise with Paul and went into a panic. This was like a buildup to it. She tried to suppress it so as not to embarrass herself in front of Jasper. It was to no avail though, her panic began to increase. Her hands became sweaty and shaky.

"Johanna?" Jasper called out, looking right into her eyes. He had been repeating her name but Johanna only noticed it now.

"Yeah?" She tried to pass off her lack of attention.

"What's the first question?" He asked.

Jasper could feel the building panic in Johanna. He just didn't understand why it was happening at all. It only started when he came over to her but nothing was wrong now. Then again it could be that he just didn't know the reason for it himself. Jasper had tried to read Johanna's emotions at other times and got nothing so to feel it now was confusing. It was as if she had an immunity to Jasper unless it was extreme emotions.

Johanna rushed to find the question but she couldn't focus. Her fingers simply rested on the top edge of the page, still shaking. Her heart raced and the air around her felt hot. She made the mistake of looking at Jasper. His eyes were warm and golden brown but it had the complete opposite effect on Johanna. It increased the panic and feeling of danger so much so that Jasper began to worry incredibly.

"Johanna, is everything alright—?" Jasper began and reached for her hand.

They made contact for a split second and Johanna tore her hand away. Not that she didn't want Jasper to help her but he had somehow made it worse. Jasper felt her panic grow and now he was becoming panicked too. Johanna's blood had suddenly developed a stronger scent and it was filling all the air around him. The smell was so inviting but painful. He could feel the burning trail it left as it traveled through his nose. It could have been her sweat making her scent more known but no, Jasper would know the difference. He had to hold himself back before this quickly got out of control. Through all this, the question of what was the explanation of all of it still ran in his head.

Johanna's breath was running short. Her sweat was increasing. She felt like running away yet she also felt like fighting. It was a cyclone of emotions with no end in sight. And then suddenly, it happened. It was a simple and very human event for everyone else but, not for Jasper. It was his worst nightmare.

The first drop fell on her textbook, quickly followed by a second. The red drops quickly absorbed and spread on the paper. She put her hand under her nose and snapped back into reality. Johanna knew she needed to get out of the classroom not only to control the nosebleed but also to calm down. Johanna rushed to grab a tissue and headed to the restroom. The teacher called after her but she continued on.

Jasper's agitation was beyond anything he had ever felt. Johanna's blood had never smelled so divine before. It reminded him of when he first met Bella except this was worse. He could hold back from Bella but now, he was mere seconds from losing control. The first thing he did was shut Johanna's textbook and focus on the emotions of the students around him. Any distraction was necessary right now. Although his mind kept going to how he couldn't help Johanna, no matter how much he wanted to.

Johanna passed two classrooms on her way. One of which Alice was in. Even she had caught the scent of Johanna's blood, it was unmistakable. Alice knew she had to be heading to the restroom and she quickly raised her hand to go as well.

Her head was spinning. The nosebleed was beginning to lighten up but none of the other symptoms were. Johanna held tightly to the edge of the sink for balance. She raised her head and looked at herself in the mirror. Perspiration was gathering down her temples. Fear was in her eyes.

Alice walked in and didn't say a word. She walked down the line of stalls and made sure each one was empty. Johanna put her head down. She didn't want anyone asking questions.

What could Alice say to Johanna? That she knew why she was acting like this. That it only gets worse for her from here. That it was taking every fiber of her being not to dry Johanna of her blood. Alice had to say something though.

She finally settled on, "Johanna, do you need anything?"

"No." Johanna was being unexpectedly hostile. "Do you need something? What was with checking the stalls?"

"Um—I—That was nothing." Alice lied right through her teeth. It didn't take much for Johanna to notice even in her current terrible state.

"Whatever, why don't you just leave me alone and—" Before Johanna could finish her sentence, she lost her grip on the sink and almost collapsed to the ground. Alice caught her before she fell.

Johanna could barely get herself back up and her panic started increasing again. The one thing she did notice, her panic only increased when Alice touched her. As she pushed herself away from Alice, she realized the same had happened with Jasper as well. Johanna didn't lift her eyes from the new sink she was holding onto. Her knuckles were turning white from gripping so tightly. Alice just stood there. Her brows furrowed slightly in confusion, hands at her side.

A drop of blood fell onto Johanna's hand. She used her free hand to wipe under her nose. Alice quickly grabbed a few paper towels and handed them to Johanna. Her other hand was in a tight fist. She was doing anything to hold herself back. Johanna took the paper towels and muttered a small thanks to Alice. Alice was using her full strength to control herself. The scent was so strong in the classroom but, now this close to the source, it was almost hypnotizing. She knew the rest of her family would catch the scent too and wonder what was happening.

Johanna studied Alice. She had the inclination that Alice knew something important. Johanna felt as if it would be almost too bold to ask her. But what was happening to her was already bold, so what did it matter?

"Why are you here?" Johanna asked bluntly. "It's obviously not to use the restroom."

"I was already walking over here. You looked like you needed help, so I'm helping you."

Johanna just looked at her. How could she still be lying? "I don't need your help if you're just going to lie to me."

Alice said nothing more. In fact, she was now more frustrated than anything. Johanna just wanted answers and no one was giving them to her. If she knew about Cold Ones then all of this would make sense to her. How had the Quileutes not told her anything yet? Alice couldn't be the one to tell her. Johanna's nosebleed had stopped again. Alice took immediate notice and let that be her reason to leave. Alice wouldn't let this conversation with Johanna affect their relationship.

Alice's departure left Johanna frustrated yet calmer. Alice had an answer and for whatever reason she wasn't telling it.

Johanna took a few more minutes in the restroom before returning to class. She took her seat back and saw Jasper doing the work. He was over halfway done with the questions. Jasper felt Johanna's eyes burning into him. Instead of fear, they were filled with frustration and anger. But then they quickly changed and became more relaxed. Johanna had the idea that Jasper knew whatever Alice knew due to how close they were. Maybe that's why he had just sat there when her nose began to bleed. She couldn't think about that now. She had to calm down and give herself a break.

"Are you feeling any better?" Jasper asked, looking away from the work in front of him. "I can do the rest of the work if you're not feeling well enough."

"No, you don't need to do that. I can still help." She said as though nothing odd had even happened.

...

That class was the biggest waste of time with Jasper. Johanna couldn't recover from an event like that. She worried that it would be engraved in his mind now. It'd be a shame to be remembered like that.

The rest of the day, Johanna spent analyzing what happened to her and who could possibly have answers. It was difficult though. Other noises and conversations were constantly distracting her. The heightened sense of hearing. It reminded her again of the event with Paul. That's when she fell upon her answer. Billy spoke with Paul about whatever was going on with her. If anyone knew something, it was Paul. He had to know and he was the one person who couldn't lie to her.

Johanna rushed to her car as soon as the bell rang. She was going to Paul's house. She decided to call him as soon as she began driving there.

"Hey, what's going on?" Paul said over the phone.

"I'm coming over, we need to talk." Johanna had no time to waste.

"Is something wrong?" Paul's tone immediately changed.

"No, we just need to talk. I called to see if you were home."

"Uh, yeah, I'm at home. What do you need to talk about—?"

Johanna didn't want him to be able to come up with a lie before she got there so she cut him off before he asked the question. "I can't talk on the phone anymore because I'm driving. I'll talk to you when I get there."

"Oh, alright, bye then," Paul knew something was very wrong.

"Bye." She said quickly and hung up.

...

Johanna's knock was harsh and Paul was there within seconds.

"Okay, now can you tell—?" Paul began but Johanna pushed past him to the kitchen. "Johanna!" He called out.

She grabbed a glass and placed it under the sink faucet and began to fill it with water. The glass was over halfway filled when she stopped it. Paul watched as Johanna drank the entire glass of water with no break.

"School went pretty bad," Johanna started and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "And I think you might know why."

"How would I know?" Paul was genuinely confused.

"You remember when we were leaving Billy Black's house, and I basically freaked out but didn't know why?"

Paul nodded and then began to catch on to what Johanna was going to ask. He began to create excuses to change the subject in his head.

"Well, the same thing happened today but it was worse. Terrible in fact. I didn't understand what was going on or what to do. I don't think I've ever been so terrified in my life. And I think you know what's going on with me and why I would feel like that,"

"Johanna," Paul stopped her. He saw that she was getting upset and he didn't want her to. He wanted this to go smoothly.

"No, don't--because now I know you were hiding something from me." Trying to calm Johanna down had the opposite effect. "Just tell me the truth. Right now,"

"It's too much, Johanna. It would be better to just forget about it."

"I need to know what happened. I can't just forget about something like that. Tell me."

"It isn't that easy, Johanna. It involves more people than you think—"

"Is this happening to anyone else?!" She shouted. Johanna was becoming angry. Not only about the fact that Paul wouldn't tell her but that he was so calm.

"No, but things won't be the same after I tell you. Which is why I don't want to say anything." Paul didn't want to keep the truth from Johanna but telling her the truth would reveal an entirely new world to her.

"Are you being serious, Paul?!" Johanna went right up to his face. "What kind of friend are you?!"

Normally, Paul would be fuming but this was Johanna. He couldn't get mad at her, especially for this. He did worry that it would be too much for her. He worried that it would do more damage than anything, and how could he do that to his best friend?

Johanna took his silence as an answer and walked out. She stormed off to her car and sat inside for a minute, trying to calm down. Who else was she going to go to? The person she trusted most couldn't even tell her. It must be a horrible truth if even Paul couldn't say it. She put her head on the steering wheel and sighed. What was she going to do? What else was there even left to do?

The passenger door was suddenly opened and someone sat down. Johanna raised her head. It was Paul. Neither of them said anything for a moment. Paul just looked at Johanna and saw the pure exhaustion in her expression. That's what made him give in. He had seen that exact expression only a few times during all their time together. When Johanna finally couldn't ignore her emotions any longer and the weight of them fell on her, he could see it in her face. So he couldn't just leave Johanna like this, no matter how much he worried about what would change between them.

"I'll tell you," Paul said.

"You're not going to lie to me, right?" Johanna asked cautiously.

"No, but it's a lot," He sighed but pushed himself to continue. "It's easy to get lost in so I'm going to try my best,"

"Go on."