âââ Librarian's Assistant âââ
I woke up slowly, and forced myself to get out of bed so I wouldn't be late for school. I was not looking forward to telling Charlie that I had lost my truck, and even less so getting a ride to school in his police cruiser. I didn't even know what to do about it. That set was the only keys we had for it, and I lost them.
I threw on a deep green blouse and some pants with a hole in the left knee. I ran a brush through my hair, and brushed my teeth before taking the death march to my father. I took a deep breath, and walked into the living room. Charlie was watching a game on the television like usual.
"Uh.. dad, I have something I need to tell you." I whispered, and made an attempt to clear the lump from my throat.
"What's up?" Charlie asked, turning around to face me. His eyebrows furrowed together as he awaited my confession.
"Dad, I've lost my truck keys. My trucks on the side of the road, but I can't drive it back." I mumbled and bit my bottom lip. I waited for my father's disappointment, but it never came.
"Bells, your truck is outside. It must have been a dream." He said and shook his head. "You had me worried there for a second." He chuckled, and turned his attention back to his game.
My mouth hung open in shock. I hadn't dreamt it. I could vividly recall last night. I didn't come home in my truck. I lost my keys. I walked over to the window, still shocked by what Charlie had told me. To my surprise the truck was sitting there, like it hadn't ever been lost in the first place. It shined in the sunlight, the morning dew still on its bumper.
I rushed outside and hopped into my truck. On the dash sat my keys on top of a little white paper, a note of some kind. Then I noticed what the paper was; a flattened origami swan. On its wing there were nine neatly printed words.
Be more careful with these.
See you soon,
- Jasper
I picked up the little white swan between my fingers, and smiled. I carried it in the house, and put it snuggly in my bag's front pocket. I made some breakfast for me and Charlie. I felt like I had just dodged a massive bullet. I wondered what Charlie's reaction would have been if the truck keys were really missing. Thank God that Jasper had found them. Now I just wondered where I could find Jasper.
After breakfast I got into my truck and drove myself to school. I went to first period and sat down. I payed very little attention to the teacher's lecture, and replayed the previous day in my head.
The hours dragged on unusually slow. Each minute felt like an eternity. The bell rang for lunch, and I couldn't believe that the day was only half over. I sat down at the Cullen's old table, and waited for next period to start. I never ate any of the school food anymore. I couldn't eat anything here, not at his table, but I couldn't bring myself to sit anywhere else.
Lunch seemed to drag on. I watched all the other students in the lunchroom chat and tell jokes. Time seemed like it was frozen, like I was just observing time go on, not experiencing it for myself. Two girls walked past me giggling, one was holding the school newspaper. (Did people actually read those?) I was about to look past them when I caught what they were talking about, or part of it anyway.
"-see look. He's the new librarian assistant. It's good they are finally replacing that pervert, and you've always had a thing for him too." One giggled, elbowing the other in the ribs.
"Shut up!" The one getting elbowed snapped.
"Jasper Hale. Jasper Hale." The other teased in a sing-song tone.
"Shut up! Stop!" The one demanded flushing bright red. She pushed the other girl away from her so she could escape the one's relentless teasing. Her friend giggled and they continued to walk to their table. I got up and went on a search for a school newspaper.
I could vaguely recall seeing newspapers for sale in the office. I walked quickly to the school's office and stepped inside. I purchased a newspaper for a dollar, and sat down to read it. On the second page there was a small article that I glanced over. I caught the name Jasper Hale, and I started to read it.
The former student of Forks Highschool, Jasper Hale, will be returning for the position of Librarian Assistant. Please treat him with respect and give him a warm welcome.
The passage was so small, I wondered how the girls had managed to find it. It was a huge coincidence, and it almost felt like fate. I could only pray that it was real. I knew that the wolves had told me that Jasper was okay, but I had to see for myself.
I ripped out the second page, and folded it up into a tiny square. I stuffed the paper into my bag, next to the little white swan. It wasn't long before the bell rang signaling the start of fourth period.
I sat and stared at the whiteboard up front, lost in thought. I wondered why Jasper would get a job. The Cullens had an abundance of money, and I thought that Jasper would only stay for a short amount of time. His family was still in... well they weren't in Forks.
I wondered why Jasper hadn't approached me yet. He had drove my truck home. He had been at my house. Why hadn't he come to talk to me? Did he want to see me? Was he too scared of his blood lust? What was going on?
At least now I knew that he would be coming to Forks Highschool. It wouldn't be long before I saw him, I hoped.
I needed him to help me. I couldn't get my family back without him. I couldn't get Edward back without him.