𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 | 𝐉𝐀𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐄

𝟓 | 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐖𝐎𝐍'𝐓 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍 𝐒𝐀𝐘 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐎

MR. MOLINA AND A TOUR GUIDE LEAD SEVERAL DOZEN KIDS THROUGH THE GREENHOUSE. While I kept an eye on Jasper, Bella kept an eye on Edward who's up ahead with Edward, Jasper, Zane, and Alice. Mr. Molina demonstrates the compost machine as the students mess around.

Me and Bella walked side by side through the greenhouse, the air thick with humidity and the scent of damp earth.

"So? Edward, huh?" I teased, nudging her with a grin.

Bella shot me a smirk. "So? Jasper, huh?"

"Whatever," I laughed, rolling my eyes.

Mr. Molina's voice cut through the chatter. "C'mon, Eric...stuff that compost down deep... that's it..." The machine gurgled and spun as he turned toward another student. "Now, Tyler, take a big steaming cup of compost tea! This is recycling at its most basic level...hey, don't drink that!"

Bella's attention shifted when she noticed Edward standing alone by an ancient staghorn fern, the light filtering down around him like something out of a dream. She took a breath for courage and gave me a small nod before striding toward him.

That was my cue. Jasper was off by the flower tables, studying the blooms with quiet focus. I walked over and stopped beside him, pretending to be interested in the petals he was examining.

"These are dahlias," he said softly, glancing at me with those golden eyes.

I looked at the blossoms. They really were beautiful.

"Pretty, huh?" he asked, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

"Very," I admitted.

"Dahlia pinnata," he said, his Southern accent wrapping around the words like honey. "National flower of Mexico. They first recorded it there in sixteen-fifteen."

"Really?" I asked, smiling despite myself.

"Mhm."

Silence settled between us, warm and heavy.

"How did you get to me so fast earlier?" I finally asked.

He hesitated, his jaw tightening. "I wanna tell you the truth, I really do...but I can't, darlin'. I'm sorry."

I scoffed, turning to storm off, but his hand caught my waist, gentle yet firm. My breath hitched as I looked up into his eyes.

"Please, Delilah," he said quietly, his Southern drawl soft and pleading.

My heart skipped.

"Look," he continued, "I know I've been... on and off with you. But it's for the best, Delilah. You gotta trust me."

I stared at him, trying to make sense of the words, but before I could respond, Bella and Jessica rushed over.

"Guess who just asked me to prom!" Jessica squealed.

Bella smiled.

"I totally thought Mike was gonna ask you, Delilah," Jessica said, eyes wide. "Is that gonna be weird?"

"No way. Zero weirdness," I said, distracted, still searching the crowd for Jasper. "You guys are great together."

"I know, right?" Jessica giggled, rushing off to tell Angela.

Me and Bella headed toward the door where a group of students crowded around the "worm box," laughing and grossing each other out. We were backing away when Jasper and Edward stepped up beside us.

Jasper's hand found the small of my back, guiding me gently away from them.

"Jasper," I whispered, glancing up at him.

"Delilah, listen to me," he said, voice low and earnest. "I really do like you. I do."

"Now you tell me?" I asked, my voice cracking.

"Delilah, please..."

He stopped when Edward and Bella approached.

"The bus is leaving," Alice called out nearby. "You two riding with us?"

"No," Edward said calmly. "Our bus is full."

Jasper's hand never left my back as he guided me toward his bus, helping me up the steps before we found our seats together.