Forks, Washington
2000/6/16
I found Leah waiting at the park, leaning against the swings with her arms crossed. The afternoon sun cast a warm glow, and for a moment, she caught my eyes. She looked every bit as confident as I'd heard—a quiet kind of strength.
"Hey, Jaxon," she greeted, her voice casual but curious.
"Hey, Leah," I replied, taking a seat on the swing next to her. "Thanks for meeting me. I know it's kinda random."
"It is," she admitted, her eyes focused on me. "But I'm here. So, what's up?"
I swung lightly, letting the chains creak under my weight. "Honestly? I just wanted to get to know you. We've never really hung out before."
She shrugged, a small smile playing at her lips. "Well, you've never exactly tried."
"Touché," I laughed, feeling more at ease. "Guess I was too busy trying to figure things out, you know? But after today, winning the contest and all, it kinda made me realize—I've been missing out on... well, on people."
Leah nodded, her expression softening a bit. "It's good that you noticed now. Better late than never, right?"
"Yeah, exactly," I said, my voice picking up. "And I've always noticed you around—always so confident. It's cool. I admire that."
"Thanks," she replied, a bit of pride in her tone. "But you didn't call me here just to say that, did you?"
I shook my head. "No, but it's part of it. I guess I've just been thinking about how people get so caught up in their own worlds, and we miss connections. Like, you've got your stuff, I've got mine, but who knows what we could learn from each other, right?"
She raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You really thought this through."
"Yeah, I did," I admitted. "But enough about me. What about you? What's your take on... well, everything?"
Leah tilted her head, studying me. "You're a little different from what I expected. In a good way."
"Good different is what I aim for," I said with a grin. "So, what do you usually do after school? Anything you're into that's not just... well, school?"
"I hang out with my friends, do sports sometimes," she replied. "Just normal stuff, I guess."
"Sports, huh? That's cool. I'm more of a music guy, obviously," I chuckled, gesturing vaguely as if my earlier performance was proof enough. "But I like hearing what other people are into. Keeps things interesting."
"You're not like the other guys here," Leah said, her voice thoughtful. "Most of them just try to show off."
I shrugged, leaning back on the swing. "I'm not trying to impress anyone. I just... want to get to know people better. Connect, you know?"
"Yeah," she nodded, her smile genuine this time. "I get it."
The conversation flowed easily after that, with me doing most of the talking while Leah listened, occasionally chiming in with her thoughts. It was nice—comfortable, even—and for the first time in a long while, I felt like I was finally starting to understand the people around me.
Time Skip: Two Years Later
It's 2001, and I can hardly believe how much has changed. Leah and I have grown so close over the past two years. We started dating when I was 14 and she was 16. At first, she hesitated because of the age difference, but I was determined to show her I was serious. After a bit of persistence, she finally said yes, and I'm so grateful she did.
Our time together has been amazing. Leah's passion for sports has pulled me in. We jog together in the mornings, pushing each other to run faster and farther. Those early runs have become some of my favorite moments, filled with laughter and friendly competition. In the evenings, we study together, making learning feel more like a game than a chore.
Three months into our relationship, Leah decided it was time for me to meet her family. I still remember that day vividly. As we walked up to her house, my nerves kicked in. Her dad, tall and intimidating, scrutinized me with a piercing gaze that made my stomach drop. But Leah's mom was warm and welcoming, giving me a smile that eased my tension.
"What are your plans with my daughter?" her dad asked, crossing his arms.
"Just to support her and be there for her, sir," I replied, trying to sound as respectful as possible. Leah shot me an encouraging look, which helped calm my nerves.
Then came the big moment. A few months later, I felt it was time to reveal my true heritage. One evening, as we lay on the grass under a blanket of stars, I knew I had to tell her.
"Leah, there's something I need to share," I said, my heart racing. "I'm a god."
She laughed, thinking I was joking. But then I got up and floated a few inches off the ground, pointing to the sky where lightning flashed and thunder rumbled. Her laughter quickly turned into shock.
"Wait, you're serious?" she asked, her eyes wide.
"Completely." then i pointed at a tree where the lightning struck. "You don't have to worry about me outliving you," I reassured her. "I can grant you everlasting life, but I don't want to impose that on you so early in our relationship."
She blushed, clearly trying to process everything. "Okay, that's... a lot. So, like, does that mean We can just... go off into the sunset or something?"
"Of course," I replied, grinning.
---
Michigan Stadium
2002/7/28
Fast forward to now. I'm performing at Michigan Stadium, and the energy in the air is electric. Leah and her family are in the VIP booth, her brother giving me a thumbs-up. I catch Leah's gaze, her excitement radiating through the crowd as I step up to the mic.
"Hey everyone! Thanks again for being here tonight. This is the last song and it's called 'Alienated.'"
As the music starts, I dive into the lyrics, pouring my heart into every note.
"Stand beside you, but just far enough away
Last night we were drinking
Tried to think away the pain
Made that age-old mistake
Tried to disconnect my body
From my soul, from my soul
See, I feel alright already on my own
Can you let me be
Intoxicated on my own?"
The crowd sways, and I feel the energy lift me higher. I scan the audience, soaking in their reactions, and I can see Leah's eyes locked on me, her pride lighting up her face. I continue, feeling the connection grow stronger.
"Do I need to answer
Or right my wrongs?
Am I home if I don't know this place?
And I've been feeling alienated
On my spaceship alone…"
I let the emotion wash over me, the lyrics resonating with so many.
"Say goodbye to the past
Leave it all with a laugh
'Cause you always was right all along
Know my reasons for the pain
But if you brought it in front of me
I know I'd do it all again…"
The crowd's energy builds, and I can sense their engagement:
"Call them beer can gains
I know from all the years
That my feelings never change
Can you let me be
Intoxicated on my own?"
The chorus comes around again, and I pour everything into it, feeling like I'm connected to each person in the audience.
"Do I need to answer
Or right my wrongs?
Am I home if I don't know this place?
And I've been feeling alienated
On my spaceship alone…"
The final lines echo in the stadium, and I can see Leah's smile grow wider.
"Did the winds make the noise of change?
Can the wings on your skin help you fly away?
'Cause it's always raining
And the clouds always grey when you're away…"
As I finish, the last note hangs in the air, and the audience erupts into applause, their cheers washing over me like a warm tide. I spot Leah jumping up and down, her excitement infectious. I can't help but smile, knowing how far we've come together.