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LIKE MOST TEENAGE GIRLS, Rory had never been in love before. Yes, she had dated—too many bad choices and one was literally so fucking evil Rory still saw red whenever she thought of her ex boyfriend—and she had to admit she was no Virgin Mary, but whatever she felt for whoever before was incomparable to how she felt about Jasper now and for the rest of her life.
Sometimes her heart swelled so much around him that it hurt, but it was a good hurt to be so in love with him. And it didn't help that Jasper didn't know she was in love with him—admitting to herself that she in love was one thing, but verbally telling Jasper was a whole other thing; especially since they hadn't exactly DTR'd*. She also just didn't have the courage to utter the sealing words despite him being the only person she completely trusted and felt safe with.
However, around Jasper, Rory was an open book, they just meshed so well together that conversation flowed easily, spanning hours and every topic imaginable. Secrets were hard to keep around Jasper. So, she just kept her mouth busy with his instead.
Unsurprisingly and a bit frustratingly, Jasper was a very good kisser; his vampire physicality didn't even hinder the experience the littlest bit. He was, however, very, very, very careful.
As in, he never allowed them to get too far or else 'he would lose control'. It seemed all vampires had a breaking point.
Even Bella was a little dissolved by Edward's carefulness. Ah, the woes of teen romance.
It was the first morning a few days after that Bella and Rory had a chance to talk about everything.
"I feel like it's been weeks since we've spoken, but it's only been like three days," Rory said with a shake of her head as Bella drove them to school. Both of their vampire acquaintances were coming to school late that day for unbeknownst reasons—Rory had a feeling it had something to do with the rogue nomads that had killed Waylon Forge.
"Crazy how time flies when you're in love," Bella murmured with a small distant look in her eyes.
"Who said I was in love with Jasper?" Rory was suddenly very entertained by a loose thread on her shirt.
"Oh, please," Bella shook her head, "You've loved him since you painted him all from memory—actually, probably before."
Rory raised her brow. "And you're in love with Edward?"
"Yeah, he...loves me too," Bella said shyly as if she was in awe of the fact and still couldn't believe it.
Rory recoiled, in surprise at Bella's admission. "You told him?" She was braver than Rory thought.
