Yes, we do love Jasper and Alice.  What is not to love?  Jasper's protective stance of Alice and his family is so gallant.  The mention of Bree and her fear was quite touching.  And I loved that Alice asked his opinon of which item of clothing would be best.  Gotta love the little bit of comedy among the the darker theme.

Sandra

cc of review at FF.net

I absolutely love the relationship between Bella and Jasper. It was so cool for Bella to give Jasper locks of her hair. And when Alice punches Rosalie I could not help but shout out a hurrah of sorts. The whole Jasper/Alice thing is so sweet. I do hope Bella won't become jealous but rather look at it is an expansion of kindred souls.

Edward is in a bit of a quandary. Has he f*cked up too bad for Bella to let him in? I look forward to how well he can grovel as he worms his way in to her life.

And the pictures! I am real excited to see were this part of the story line is going to go.

Sandra

For whatever reason I did not review this chapter.  Hmpfh.

This is a great first chapter.  You've introduced your main character and they are all so very believeable.

I loved Renee.  I am sorry she is gone but I loved her.  If she were a real person I would have liked her.  She would have been my friend.  The way she brought Jazz into their lives showed she was loving and caring but it was her free spirit that drew me to her the most.  It is sad she died as she did.  The continuing need to be free spirit lives on in Bella and Jazz and I find their quirky charms to be endearing. 

Charlie doesn't know what has hit him.  I love that Bella stood her ground and he realizes that she and JAsper are a package deal.  Having read forward a couple of chapter I can't help but wonder if we will hear more from him.

Edward's POV in this chapter has me very excited.  We get the general idea that he is a player but what does he have to play with.  Certainly nothing fun or exciting.  Hell he isn't even overly joyed about a blow job and that just is not typical of a teenage boy.  His world is about to be turned on it's ear. 

Esme is Tanya Denali?!!!!  That is too wonderful!  This means Tanya will not be the cause of angst between Edward and Bella, thank you, thank you.  What I like most her is her relationship with her sons...what you write could be what I have with my own sons.  She is so filled with love and, well, she too is a free spirit of sorts.

Once this review is submitted I will favorite this story.   Do you two have a posting schedule?  

Sandra

This story.  What can I say.  It is fresh.  It is charming.  It makes me laugh.  I LOVE IT!

Where do I begin with this chapter review?  Esme.  I'll say a few words about her.  I have sons...two of them...three years apart.   Esme's relationship with her sons mirrors mine on many levels.  So naturally I love her.  But most of all I love her open mind and love of life.

Yes.  More Bella/Jazz interaction.  They are so much fun together and make me smile.  I wondered how you would bring Alice into the story and in all honesty I don't know that I have ever felt more giddy with and introduction.  Looks like there is another pea for the pod.  But Leah?  Just how she will be drawn in further is a curiosity for me.  And of course you mentioned "The Rez" so Jake should be forthcoming.

The lunchroom incident was highly entertaining.  Way to go Bella!  I found her mad skillz and commentary with the camera quite amusing....As did one Edward Cullen.  Emmett must have seen it too as he did not hesitate to help Edward cover his tracks when all eyes were on him.   His hesitancy to break away from the "crowd" at this time tells us he is not ready for Bella yet.  

Rosalie is coniving.  She sees Edwards infatuation and she is going to use it to her advantage.  I could be wrong.  A part of me hopes that I am.  If anyone can hold their own against the slut patrol it will be Bella.  If not I hope that Edward will come to her defense.  Will he be able to do that yet?  Yes, well I am sure Emmett will have no trouble with it should a back up plan be necessary.

The inuendos, the snark, Edward's occassional thoughts ... everything about the playful interaction in English class was so true to life.  The invitation has been extended and the phone numbers exchanged.  We've met the key characters of the story so the party is the next logica step and I for one plan to be there.

Bella and Jazz - The Stepfords - Gothic Gert - Pixie Adams - The Moldy Peaches.  The two of you have blended so well to create this world of fresh ideas and I am so happy to be a part of the experience.  Do you have a thread for your story?  Would you like one? 

Sandra

This story is goint to be great.  The Bella/Jazz relationship is wonderful.   First impressions are lasting aren't they?

Charlie's was classic.   He may enforce the law but it is pretty obvious that nothing has prepared him for two teenagers who's free spirits have been nurtured while growing up.  This can turn out very bad or very good depending on how open he can become.  Actually I think they have started out pretty good considering they are virtual strangers and total opposites.

I love the free spirit of this Bella and Jasper.  They flow with the life at hand but do not compromise their quirky individuality.  

I am excited to experience this story as it unfolds as they adjust to life in Forks.  But with a smile I can't help but wonder if the people of Forks are ready for them?

Sandra

From the moment Edward saw Bella across the room I knew I wasn't in Kansas anymore.  Nope.  I was transported into a fairytale.  And not just any fairy tale but Cinderella.  I stayed there throughout the chapter and had to giggle when you mentioned said story.

Everything about this chapter was perfection.  So descriptive, so thorough.  I still marvel at the sight of the candy cigarette in the holder.  lol.  That was way too cool and so Bella.

The dance with she shared with Emmett was a favorite part and I do hope we will hear more from his perspective when he and Edward talk later.  Curiousity just about has the best of me wondering what impact this may have on the Edward/Rosalie/Bella dynamic.  Not that I give a shit what Rosalie thinks but that is one queen bee that  rules acceptance at FHS.  Like I said curiosity.

The best thing about this whole chapter is how far Edward has come.  He has finally broken free of the dictations of society as he knows it.  He spread his wings and learned to fly.  He lived in the moment.  He openly professed his feelings for Bella in the presence of his peers.  And I will add that I feel a little bad for Lauren.  Too bad she is not familiar with karma.  Anyway.  I was sad when Bella fled the dance but that soon passed when Edward took out too.

Now we await the fallout.  Bella altered her universe to attend the dance.  Will she see that he altered his to be with her at the dance.  And my blood squisher is fluttery and I smile.

Sandra

Had I been paying attention I would have noticed a second chapter when I read last time.  Perhaps it's the myrtle. 

Okay.   Edward seems to have made a little progress with Bella in this chapter.  She is quite taken with him and I hope he finds the grand gesture that will work for her.   I did laugh at how Mike and Tyler seemed to notice her too and by that I mean they did not refer to her as a freak when they said it.  It was a rather damned if you do damned if you don't situation because either way would have resulted in Edward being p/o'd.

Looking forward to the homework assignment and how great it will be.

Sandra

Well hell, why did I not take notes as I read this most wonderful chapter.

Gotta love the big man Emmett.  Somehow I don't think he meant for Edward agree to take Lauren to the dance to please Rosalie.  Now I do not know how you plan to get him out of it but I beg of you please, for the love of all things orange, get him out of it.

This was the best Edward/Bella chapter ever.  When she showed him the pictures of Renee I could not help but cry but mostly I cried for herbecause she could not cry for herself.

Then when she went on to explain tingles to him and tell him she was the other half of her soul I damn near swooned right out of my chair.  I mean isn't that how it is supposed to be when you find someone special?

But I think my favorite part was when she told him she altered her universe for him by destroying the pictures of E/J.  That was huge.  Well that and how she was able to help him make sense and accept the direction or lack of in his life.

And who knows what could have been had Chief Swan not come home.

Sandra

It's me again.   I just want to make sure that my last review did not sound like a flame for I truly loved the chapter.  Not many writers get me psyched up to believe one thing and spring another on me.  Actually myrt and I thought it was pretty brilliant.

Love this chapter!

It is all so new for him and she is so good for him too.  Having sons I can relate to how Esme feels as we only want the best for our babies and what will make them happy.  Well the cockblocking did not make him happy but hey that shit happens.

Now Carlisle on the other hand????  Hmmph.  That man needs to get the stick out of his ass.   All things considered, despite how Edward felt, dinner went quite well.  Bella held her own and I was so proud of her.

Loved all of Edward's inner dialogue.  The whole girlfriend concept is so new to him that I can hardly contain my giggles.  When Bella told him ~

"I'd give him the what's what, but ultimately, it wouldn't matter much 'cause you are all that matters."

~ my heart did a little fluttery thing.  It's words like this that make me love your Bella so much.  She may live her live her life in her own universe but she is so honest in everything she says.  The world needs people like her even if she is a fictional character.

Sandra

PS ~ I am workin on the words.

You've shared a really good story idea with us.  I do not imagine you will,  as you so eloquently put it, "screw it up"!  I have already put you on alert on FF and will do so here soon as I am done with this note.

Enjoy your family and holidays.  

Looking forward to the whole story!

Sandra 

I'm afraid I'd be throwing myself into a pose yelling out shamelessly something stupid like paint me, paint me.

You said he looked a few years older than Bella, 22, 23, 24?  He seemed a bit cocky at first but then kinda slipped into an ease with her.   I would imagine woman want to be painted by him and then through themselves at him.  At this point it really is neither here nor there as he seems to have a genuine interest in our fair maiden.

Sandra

He may be a bit of a cad but he is, well he just is.  Would I trust him with my 17 year old daughter - no way.  But that wouldn't stop me from shamelessly throwing myself at him.  And I cannot believe I just admitted that.  It is just that the man has IT.  The thing that does bother me is that Bella is a virginal 17 year old girl that is very impressionable and I don't know that she is fully prepared to take on a grown man that has been around.  Please don't get me wrong because I can see where she is coming from.

When she went to her room to "prepare" I had to snicker although it is better that she came up with the thought on her own.  I won't lie, I was afraid he would eventually suggest it.  We have always been led to believe artists are very passionate so it did not surprise me that he would kiss her as he did.   We can see the struggle he has with himself on crossing the line.  I get the feeling that he really is drawn to her and does not want to take advantage kind of like the "original Edward" that eventually breaks all the rules knowing he is going to hell anyway.  I am curious how things are going to change in two weeks when she turns 18.

Another question I have that is certain to be answered is will he be called to paint Angela too?  If he be as forward and ask to paint her nude as well?

Sandra