Have A Purpose
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Twilight characters or anything Twilight related.
Outtake 7 – Chapter 21, 22, 23 & 24
April 11th 2026
Elena's POV
Months has passed and with a few weeks left of school, seniors have been more focused in class than others. I have many students to be proud of but the person I am proud of most is Jalen. He may not look like it but Jalen has been doing well in his classes being on top. He must have got the brains from his parents. Although Jalen has been doing well in school, he's not sure what to do after he graduates. When that happened, I offered to help him while being open with him so that Jalen can remember me. As you probably can tell, he still hasn't. I guess I will tell him at graduation.
It is nighttime now and I just got out of the bathroom in my nightgown letting my hair lose as I got ready for bed. As I did, I saw my husband sitting on our bed against the head board and I noticed his expression of concentration.
"Is everything okay Asher?" I asked as I climbed into bed.
"I don't think so, but I was curious… and maybe concerned." Asher said.
"About what?"
" The Cullens, what are the kids' names again?" Asher asked turning to me.
"Well, you know Jalen and Lucina," I said. "Then there's Emmett, his brother Edward and his sisters Alice and Renesmee I think it's pronounced, Jasper and his twin sister Rosalie, Bella, Lucas, Krystal and Tiffany who is teaching kindergarten and is Lucina's sister and apparently Jalen's wife."
"What was Bella's last name?" Asher asked.
"Swan. Why?"
"Because one of my workers is chief of police and his last name is Swan." Asher answered.
"Isn't that just a coincidence?" I asked.
"No because… didn't you say Dr. and Mrs. Cullen became Bella's guardians while her parents are away in France or something?" He asked.
"Where are you going with this?" I asked.
" Charlie told me he has a daughter who is named Isabella Swan but prefers to be called Bella." Asher said. Wait what!
"Bella's father lives here?" I asked receiving a nod from Asher.
Okay now I'm even more confused at what's going on. First, Jalen comes to school posing as senior and as the age he looks, then I found out that Jalen's older step sister is actually his wife and now I hear that Bella's story is false? If that part of the story is a lie then something else about the Cullens is wrong, but maybe they have a good reason for it. Jalen is on the run still for what he's been accused of and he wants to finish his education if he wants to have a future with his wife.
"I'm sure the Cullens have a good reason to make up such a story." I said to Asher.
"I know and I understand but that's not what concerns me." Asher said.
"Then what is?" I asked.
"If that story is false and so is everything else about the Cullens, this could lead to suspicion that might lead to Jalen." Asher said as I felt everything drop inside me.
"You don't think someone would find out the truth about the Cullens and Jalen, do you?" I asked.
"We live in the smallest city in the state." Asher said. "We don't know how long the Cullens can keep up their story before someone catches on."
I sure hope not. If someone finds out something's up about the Cullens before I can get Jalen to remember me, it could be the end for them, for me and for Jalen but who would be so obsessed to find out the truth about the Cullens?
April 22nd 2026
It's the middle of the week and school is nearing its end. I don't know why but I couldn't help but feel worried about the Cullens and Jalen. After what Asher said, there's no telling when the secret's out. Apparently, it's now.
I was walking down the hallways from the office after school and I just turned the corner when suddenly,
"You tell me, Mr. Jalen Kaiser Long, most wanted man of Washington." I froze right where I was. I must have misheard that. I did not hear someone saying they know who Jalen is but that's not what worries me. What worries me is that it's Orion that I heard. I looked around to hear the conversation in a room and I was able to hear the words.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about; I know all about you, your actual age, where you're from, your family's company, the foster home you ran away from and I know about the crime you committed for beating up your foster dad to shut him up when he caught you raping your foster sister!" Orion said.
"I did not rape her!" That was Jalen. This can't be good.
"Yeah and where's your proof?" Orion said. The proof is right here Orion. I would go in there and tell them myself but Jalen still doesn't remember me and it'll make things really awkward if I tell them now. Orion might laugh and Jalen would… Jalen will be embarrassed and will be mad at me for that. Jalen's got nothing to prove his innocence.
"Yeah I thought so." Orion said. "You got nothing except your words against your foster parents who confessed what they saw you did." Unbelievable! How could our foster parents deny what happened? Why were they given the position of foster parents in the first place?
"I knew I was right about you. I knew you were hiding something. But that's not the only thing I found." Orion said. No, surely he didn't. "While I had Falkner help me find the dirt on you, he did some research on your family." Oh no, this can't be happening.
"Quite an interesting family you guys are including that Jacob Black friend of yours," Orion said. "It's nice to see how they all agreed to keep your where about a secret from the police. I am curious to know why your family graduated many times including college especially how you all look similar yet you're different, way different and how you, Jalen look like some eighteen or twenty year old instead of the age you are." Okay, I'll ask about the Cullen kids graduating multiple times later but first,
"Listen to me –" Jalen said.
"No, you listen to me. I know there's something different about you and your family and I knew something was up about you." Orion said. "Did you all think you could show up at our school being a big deal?"
"No but it's not like we cared." Jalen said.
"Of course not," Orion said. "That's why you all have been lying about it, isn't it? Hiding it from everyone in this school. Now I don't know what it is about you guys exactly but I will find out."
"What do you want Orion?" Jalen asked. Yeah, because Orion wouldn't just tell Jalen that he knows.
"Well, I hate to see what everyone would think if this fall in the wrong hands." Orion said.
"What do you want Orion?" Jalen asked.
"You know what I want; I want Lucina. I want your sister to be mine," Orion said. Why doesn't that surprised me? "And I think I'll start off by asking her out to the prom that's coming up next Saturday."
"Like hell she'd go with you. Not when she's with Bryce." Jalen said.
"Well that's where you come in." Orion said. "You are gonna break up those two so that I could ask her out." No, he wouldn't.
"And if I don't?" Jalen asked.
"Well then, since your family loves the attention, I'm sure they don't mind answering questions to the press while being taking away in jail if I tell them about these files. And that goes the same way if you tell your family and anyone about this." Orion said. No, if Orion turns the Cullens in, then they along with Jalen will be in prison.
"How much time do I have?" Jalen asked and I can tell he is gritting his teeth..
"I'll give you until Friday. You do that and my friends and I will keep your little secret. Don't worry; they won't say a thing. Ariel and Sierra may love to gossip but they can keep this one a secret. I'll even throw this folder away, and no one will be the wiser." Orion said. "If I don't have Lucina in my arms by the end of that day, well, you know what will happen. Nice talking to you." I quickly back away from the room and hid myself behind some lockers when I heard Orion coming out. I took a peek to see him with a pleasing smirk on his face. As soon as Orion was gone, I peeked into the room to see Jalen just standing there feeling like all hope is lost. Oh Jalen.
What's Jalen gonna do? What will Jalen do? Surely, he wouldn't break up Bryce and Lucina just to protect the Cullens because Orion wants her. Why is he so obsessed it's her? What does he have against the Cullens so badly? So Orion had a downfall since they came here, so what? And what does being different makes it a big deal? I will never understand him, no one will.
"Hey E." Asher greeted when I came inside but he soon went to concern when he saw my expression. "What's wrong?" He asked coming up to me.
"Jalen's in trouble." I said.
"What happened?" Asher asked.
"Orion knows who Jalen really is."
"Stupid kid. He has to be so nosy." Asher commented. "Please don't tell me that's not the only bad news you got."
"It gets worst," I said. "Orion knows something's up with the Cullens, something different."
"What's the worst part?" He asked in fear.
"Orion wants Jalen to break up Bryce and Lucina or else he'll tell the press about them, the same thing if he tells anyone else about it," I said.
"And that means they'll end up in jail before you get a chance to prove Jalen's innocence. Damn him!" Asher said. "I gotta stop that kid."
"Asher, no!" I said grabbing his arm.
"Why? We're running out of time! They might sentence Jalen life in prison without bail. You'll never get to reunite with him for sure." Asher said.
"But if we get involved, Orion will assume Jalen told me and that will jeopardize him and the Cullens life even more." I said as tears started coming out of my eyes.
"Then what do you suggest we do, because you getting Jalen to remember you isn't getting anywhere in case you haven't noticed." Asher said.
"I know but… let's wait and see what Jalen's gonna do. Maybe he will tell the Cullens about what happened, see if they know what to do." I said giving my husband a pleading look. Asher took a while to think it through until he said,
"Alright, we'll do it your way but if something happens, please let me know so that I know what to do." He said.
"Thank you." I said earning a kiss from Asher.
Night has fallen and I was looking out the window of our room waiting for my husband who is in the bathroom. I know Jalen for as long as I can remember. I know he's not comfortable with his sister dating his friend but he knows better than to break them up to protect the Cullens. I just hope he makes the right choice.
Suddenly, I saw something out in the street. I couldn't make it out even by the street lamps since it was all in a blur but I thought I saw… no. I was just so worried about him and that caused me to see things. I did not see Jalen running in anger.
Nothing happened on the next day so it was all good but I saw Jalen that day and he looked really stressed. I guess he didn't tell the Cullens about what happened between him and Orion. I was worried about Friday to see if Jalen has found a way out of the trouble. He did, but not in a good way.
On Friday morning, my class was doing their work but I was more focused on Jalen. He's sitting with Lucas and he's nervous, like he's about to commit a crime. I quickly looked down on my notes when Jalen got up from his seat and walked over to me.
"Mrs. Pennington, can I go to the bathroom?" He asked as I looked up.
"Um yes, but don't be long." I said.
"Thank you." Jalen said and grabbed the pass as he made out of the classroom.
"I'll be right back real quick, everyone." I told my class as I got up from my seat and fast walked my way out the door. I looked around just in time to see Jalen walking away when I called him.
"Jalen," He turned to see me with a very worried expression. "You know I'm here for you if you need anything, I mean anything." I said.
Jalen just looked at me in such confusion. Please Jalen, remember me. I'm here for you like you were for me. Don't do this.
"I know." Jalen said. "Look, I have to go." And with that, he took off turning to the next corner.
"Hurry back." I called him.
I came back into the classroom keeping a straight face so that people wouldn't notice. When I got back to my seat, I thought I saw Lucas staring at me in confusion. More like examining me but I didn't have time for that. I just hope Jalen reconsiders what he's doing.
My worst fear came when Jalen came back a few minutes and I saw the look on his face telling me that he did the deed. I saw the proof when Bryce didn't show up for class. I saw it in the cafeteria when Lucina was crying and her friends she was sitting with were comforting her. I saw, well heard it when I came back from the cafeteria and stopped at the boy's bathroom when I heard Bryce crying. Everything right there makes me wanna cry. Jalen, I know you better than that. You would never let anyone tell you what to do. Why?
School ended that day and again I just came back from the office walking down the halls when I stopped to see Jalen by the lockers, but they weren't his. Judging by his stance, he's listening on a conversation. Soon Jalen disappeared into the corner and I quietly took his place and listened closely.
"I hope you're happy." Jalen said bitterly.
"Oh I'm beyond happy." Orion said happily. I should've known; Orion got to ask Lucina to the prom since she and Bryce have broken up. "I'm amazed at how you were able to manage all of it."
"It wasn't easy." Jalen said. "So it's official, right?"
"Hey, I'm a man of my word. You did your half of the bargain and I'll do mine." Orion said. "My friends and I will never reveal you and your family's secret. Look," I then heard the sounds of parchments being ripped it in half, then fourths and then eighths and then being tossed in the trash can. He must have destroyed the files about Jalen and the Cullens.. "You believe me now?"
"I'm watching you Orion. You do anything to hurt Lucina and I swear I will make you regret it." Jalen said and I heard him walking away out the door. I took a peek to see only Orion here with his back facing me. However I did saw a smirk on his face. That doesn't look right. I thought as I watched Orion leaving the building.
As soon as he was gone, I don't know why but I walked over to the trash can I saw and looked in it. Orion threw everything in here. If I could recover them, Asher can use these to show what Orion did to Jalen blackmailing him and the Cullens. There's still a chance.
However, when I carefully picked up the torn up files, they weren't really files. What makes you think I know? Well, I recognized these as Orion's graded papers from my class. That means he lied to Jalen and he got what he wanted but the question is, why though? And what is Orion up to? All I know is that it can't be good.
Surprised to hear that Elena was there throughout those chapters? I guess Jalen didn't pay attention. Please review.