Collarbones || J.W.H.

Chapter Two

January 25th, 2005

Jasper had stood there for a moment, mind cluttered with thoughts as he tried to make sense of what he had just seen. He had been there completely by chance. Everything had happened so quickly yet almost in slow motion. He had heard the van speeding down the road. Had seen Alice's face as the vision had played throughout her mind. Had heard Edward yell out in anguish as he saw what Alice had seen as she was seeing it. Next thing he knew, they were in the hospital, trying to warn Carlisle of what had happened.

In truth, he was a bit angry with Edward. Not as much as Rosalie, but still angry non the less. He understood that it would've been bad for everyone in that situation if the van would've crushed her. The blood itself would've been a huge issue for himself. But Edward saved her and in turn had exposed them all to the girl. In the end, he hoped Edward wouldn't come to regret his actions. He hoped that they wouldn't have to give up this life that they had built for themselves in Forks prematurely.

The whole group had been caught up in hushed conversation with Carlisle that he hadn't even noticed her until the door had shut behind her. Then, all of a sudden, she was there, standing just outside of Carlisle's office, looking like a deer caught in the headlights. Anxiety radiated from her as she quickly turned, averting her gaze and walked down the hall away from the group. Clearly he had seen something that she hadn't wanted him to, but what, he wasn't sure.

He had a clue of what it could be, but he needed to make sure before he jumped to any conclusions. He needed to talk to Edward, but he knew he would have to wait. He also would have to leave the hospital soon. His concentration was beginning to waver, and as much as he tried to stay as far away from the patient rooms, he could still smell the fresh blood. Alice could see this in his face, so she grabbed his hand and drug his stiff body back out into the parking lot, deciding that the rest of the family would have to find their own way home.

Alice sat in the driver's seat weaving and winding down the long road that lead to their home. "Are you going to stay silent the whole ride?" She asked, trying the break the tension.

Jasper let out a huff of air. "Do you know?" He asked, referring to the situation with Camila. It was eating him alive, not knowing. He hadn't been so stressed in years, and the possibilities running through his mind were burning their way through his brain.

She nodded hesitantly. "I've seen it. After she came out of Carlisle's office I had a vision of it." She said.

He looked out of his window to the trees rushing past. He knew from the look on Alice's face that he was right in his suspicions, and his heart ached with this realization. "She's sick." He said simply. Not a question, but a statement. It made sense. This was why she was in Carlisle's office. That alone meant that it was bad. Most likely terminal.

Alice let out a heavy sigh, knowing that it would be of little use to hide the rest from him now "Leukemia." She stated simply. It hurt her to see her brother in pain, but this pain was inevitable. She had seen everything play out, and there was no going back now.

The word had stabbed him right in the heart. Suddenly, every little detail made sense. The scent of her blood, the bruises on her arms, her confusing emotions. His head fell into his hands. "Fuck." He said, mind reeling. Sure, he barely knew the girl, but knowing she was dying hurt, and he was vaguely aware that it shouldn't hurt as much as it did.

Yes, he knew that she was only human, and even if she wanted to be friends, in the end she would leave and he would be left alone. But knowing she was dying was like he had been shot in the chest. He knew that there was no physical aliment that was causing it, but the pain in his heart felt so real in that moment.