Jasper looked at me, breaking away from Edward's glance, and said quietly, "Would you like me to walk you to class?" He said it so quietly that no one else would have known he spoke.

"Yes," I whispered, wishing to be anywhere but there at that point.

As soon was we started moving, everyone began going on with their business again. Jasper and I were surely going to be what the gossip was all about for today.

Jasper and I didn't talk as he walked me to English. We stopped in front of the door to the classroom.

"I'm sorry about all that back there," he said, ducking his head and not meeting my eyes.

As he was talking, the people that were entering the room were looking at us, jaws dropped.

"It's not your fault at all," I said, trying to meet his gaze. He wouldn't meet my eyes.

I started to get impatient. I was usually the one that avoided looking into other people's eyes. "What's wrong, Jasper?" I asked.

He finally looked at me and sighed. "I've been thinking, Bella."

"You're always thinking," I replied.

He ignored my comment and continued. "I can't do this alone. I can't stick to this diet alone. I can't stay in this town alone. I can't do half the stuff alone that I could before I was part of a family. I've become dependent on others for my survival."

I nodded, not quite knowing where he was going with it. Was he leaving?

The bell rang but he kept talking. "What I'm saying is, I need your help. Without you, I don't know where I'll end up." His eyes were searching mine for some kind of answer. "I need you, Bella." He finished. There was a pleading note in his voice that I'd never heard out of him before.

"I'll be there for you," I croaked. He smiled faintly and told me he'd be here to meet me after class was over.

I walked into English dazed. I couldn't believe that Jasper had actually told me that he needed me, that I would keep him from doing something he'd regret.

"Nice of you to join us, Miss Swan," said my English teacher.

"Sorry," I murmured, taking my seat. I looked up from my notes only a few times. People were staring at me, stunned, whenever I looked up.

It was one of the longest classes I'd ever had to sit through.

When the bell rang I bolted out of my seat and got to the door before anyone else. I stepped out of the room and saw Jasper leaning against the wall.

"How was class?" he asked as we started walking.

"Long," I replied, rolling my eyes.

He nodded. "I know what you mean."

When we got to one of the most crowded spots at school I felt his hand resting on the small of my back, guiding me through the throngs of people. It seemed that even more were jammed into school that day.

I looked at Jasper and he smiled down at me. I faced forward again, grinning. It'd be better to be looking ahead anyway.

I couldn't get rid of the warm feeling inside me. I'd enjoy being Jasper's lifeline, no matter what the consequences were.