The Swans Major

9

Alex POV

I let Jasper lead me around until finally, he stopped outside the hospital by the woods. 

“What are we doing out here?” I ask as I look around at the trees.

“I wanted to go somewhere more private because I have a few questions.” I nodded for him to continue, “When you said time slowed down, what exactly did you mean?”

I moved to sit down on a log behind Jasper and sighed, “Exactly as it sounds. I mean, one minute, I was teasing Bella. The next, the van was coming toward us and everything slowed, and everything was like really slow. And I also couldn't hear anything.”

Jasper had now moved to sit beside me and was looking at the ground,
“What about Edward and I running? You said you could see us?”

I nodded, “Yeah, thats what was confusing me. Because everything else was moving so slow, but you two were moving normally. BUt then, when it sped up again, you were right there.”
I looked at him, “How did you get over to us so fast? I mean, you were all the way over by your car on the other side of the lot.”

He sighed as he stood, “I'm sorry, I cant tell you just yet,” he turned and got down on his knees in front of me,
“But I promise I will tell you soon.” 

I feel my face heat up when he grabs my hand and kisses it before he gets up and walks away, leaving me sitting on the log behind the hospital.

~~

The ride home in dad's cruiser was quiet. I could tell Bella was upset by something because she was slouched in her seat with her arms crossed, but I was too tired and confused to care right now.

When we got home, I went straight to my room, mumbling a quiet ‘goodnight’ to my sister and father.
When I got up there, I quickly changed into my pajamas and went to lay down.

As I moved toward my bed, I noticed a small package on it. Inside was a leather bracelet with a kind of crest on it.
It looked like a lion with a hand above it, and trefoil below it. It seemed very familiar, but I couldn't place exactly where I had seen it.

I looked for a note or a sign of who gave it to me, but I found none. I slipped it on as I laid down, and slid my fingers over the crest. 

I laid in bed for a while going over the day, before finally drifting off to sleep.

The next morning, Bella and I found ourselves outside of her truck, by the same spot as yesterday, waiting for our biology teacher, Mr. Molina, to give us directions about the field trip.

We were both reading and listening to music until Mike and Jessica walked up to us, “Look! You're alive!”

Bella awkwardly chuckled, “Yeah, false alarm.” 

Jessica looks at me, “Haha, yeah. Its great that you guys are ok! Um, Alex, could I talk to you please?”

I raise an eyebrow, “Sure?” I follow her as she leads my over to the front of the bus, where I can see the Cullen's standing not that far from.

“I have a question,” I looked back at Jessica who was now twirling her hair, looking nervous,  “Will you go to prom with me? I mean since Mike is taking Bella, I thought we could go together.”

I looked at her in shock for a moment, before clearing my throat, “Look, Jess, I um.” I take a deep breath, “You're a great friend and all, but I'm sorry, I cant go to prom with you.”

She visibly deflates, “It's not your fault! Trust me, its not your fault. I cant go with you because I'm gay, and I couldn't do that to you. Besides, Bella and I are going to be out of town that weekend. WHy don't you ask Mike to go, since Bella cant?”