Paper Faces - 50. Surreal

We're at an impasse. We could keep talking in circles, but finally I have to know. "So if you hate me…" I'm surprised by how soft my voice is. I'm afraid that speaking louder would make the words real. "Why did you want to see me today?"

He studies me, his eyes fixing me in place before he runs his fingers through his hair. His hand settles on the table so close to mine that I can feel his heat. "It was hard enough for other men to compete with a fantasy of you, Jasper. It's impossible with a memory."

Paper Faces - 36. Recount

"Wait. You knew him in high school?" Peter interrupts.

"No." My annoyance is clear in the tightness of my voice. Now that I'm talking, I want to keep going. I want to talk and talk and let my words lead me through this dense, impenetrable forest to some higher plane of understanding.

Peter knows me. He sits back, sipping his coffee amid the soft click of laptop keyboards all around us as I try to make him comprehend something I'm not close to understanding myself.

"So this was… what? His revenge?" Peter asks when I wind down.

"I don't know."

Paper Faces - 35. Tell

A shower erases only so much, but it leaves me feeling more human. I mix a Bloody Mary and lounge on my couch.

The pounding in my head is somewhat dulled when I dial Peter's number. A brief exchange of greetings and then I say, "Hey, sorry I ditched you last night. I…"

I trail off, unwilling to continue.

He laughs. "Yeah, we know. Charlotte saw you going upstairs."

I have no answer. The memories of upstairs are too fresh, too raw to explore.

"Cullen? What were you thinking, Jazz?"

"You know him?"

"You don't?"

"No… I guess I don't."

Happy Birthday, OnTheTurningAway!

A/N: My dearest OnTheTurningAway, you have been a fantastic friend and reviewer. I am thrilled to be able to give you a tiny gift for your birthday, and I hope you enjoy these boys half as much as I enjoy knowing you and hearing your thoughts. You are awesome - I wish you the happiest of birthdays (and as much boysmut as you can handle ;))!

Much love and many hugs,

SorceressCirce

Thanks to naelany for providing the one- word prompts and pre-reading.

I don't own the Twilight characters, but these two boys sure do own me.

Frantic

My fingers twitch, aching to reach across the flickering campfire for the Droid stuffed into the bottom of my backpack.

I want it. Need it.

Paper Faces - 34. Linger

The scent of Edward permeates my car. It's everywhere. My clothes, my hair, my fingertips. I can't escape him.

Worse, I don't really want to.

The twenty-minute drive across town has never seemed so long. Tangible memories of last night torment me, bringing the feel of his lips, the firm grip of his fingers on my thighs, the way he filled me as no one else has.

My anger is fitful, flaring and fleeting, and I wonder why I can't hold onto it. I have never been so dismissed… disregarded. Disrespected.

So why do I feel more hurt than indignation?

Paper Faces - 33. Chocolate

Dressed in last night's costume, I reread the note. The slash of the angular, precise letters grates on me. I crumple the card and drop it, not caring where it lands.

Downstairs, a voice calls, "Good morning."

I consider walking out the door, but a masochistic curiosity turns my feet toward the sound.

Warm brown eyes set into a heart-shaped face glance at me with professional detachment. It is the woman he whispered to last night, and with a sick certainty, I know her function.

"Can I get you anything?" she asks.

"No, I think I have everything I need."

Paper Faces - 32. Terse

I snatch the envelope up, feeling thick, textured paper. I gape at the Mr. Hale written in a neat hand.

"Pompous ass," I mutter under my breath, a feeling I'm sure I don't like settling in my chest.

An impatient ripping reveals a plain white card. I flick it open with my thumb and find a short message that makes my jaw clench.

I trust you slept well. My assistant Bella is downstairs waiting for you. She will provide you with anything you need.

Please forget last night. It was a mistake I don't intend to make again.

Edward Cullen