When I slipped out of my last class, stretching my arms overhead like a cat finally released from its cage, Bella came barreling down the hallway like a bat out of hell. Her backpack was half sliding off one shoulder, her hair was flying, and the look on her face screamed emergency.
"Whoa!" I threw my hands up, catching her by the elbow before she bulldozed me into a locker. "Calm down before you knock me into another dimension. What happened? Did Mike ask you to date already? Because honestly, I thought he'd hold out until at least a week."
Bella's face was bright red not the 'I ran a marathon' kind of red, but the 'I would rather dig a hole and live in it forever' kind. She glanced around like she was about to confess a state secret, then leaned in closer.
"Do I… smell bad?" she whispered, dead serious.
I blinked at her. "That's… that's your emergency? Bella, you looked like you were running from a serial killer."
"Answer the question!" she hissed.
Suppressing a grin, I leaned in dramatically and sniffed her shoulder like a detective on a scent case. I even tapped my chin thoughtfully, humming like I was analyzing clues in a mystery novel. "Hmm. Let's see. Nope, no roadkill. No toxic fumes. Definitely not swamp monster levels. You smell like… shampoo, a hint of laundry detergent, and maybe the cafeteria pizza you sat near. Totally normal. Ten out of ten, would stand next to again."
Bella groaned, covering her face. "Ugh, Amara! I'm serious. Edward Cullen he looked like I was rotting or something. He literally covered his nose! And then he sat as far away as possible, like I had the plague."
I tried not to laugh, but the image was too good. "Maybe he was having stomach problems? Ate something funny at lunch? Or, you know, maybe the Cullens get random mood swings. Like vam..girls " I coughed into my hand, "I mean, like dramatic models in a bad perfume commercial."
She glared at me.
"Okay, okay," I said, still grinning. "Maybe he was having stomach problems. Too much mysterious Cullen salad at lunch? Or maybe he just remembered he left the stove on at home. Or and hear me out maybe Edward has a superpower where he randomly decides to brood harder than usual."
"Amara!" she whined, dragging her hands down her face.
Bella shot me her classic not amused look. "Ha-ha. Very funny."
I clutched my chest in mock sympathy. "Look, if it makes you feel better, I can go ask him directly. You know, walk up and say, 'Excuse me, Edward, did you glare at my cousin because she smells bad or because you're constipated?'"
Bella groaned louder. "I hate you."
I patted her shoulder cheerfully. "Nah, you love me. Otherwise you'd have let me get crushed by your hallway stampede."
She groaned again, muttered something about needing to go run somewhere, and stalked off.
I shook my head, smiling to myself. Forks High really had turned into a soap opera overnight. Between Bella sprinting down hallways like her shoes were on fire and Edward Cullen acting like he'd swallowed a lemon in biology, I was starting to wonder if I'd accidentally enrolled in a reality show.
That was when a burst of energy practically exploded behind me.
"Hi!"
I nearly jumped out of my skin. My soul briefly left my body. I whirled around, half-expecting to see a marching band or maybe a confetti cannon but instead, I found Alice Cullen beaming at me like we were long-lost sisters finally reunited on daytime television.
"Uh..hi?" I managed, still trying to force my heart rate back under control. "You know, a little warning next time would be nice. Maybe clap your hands, jingle some bells? Something less… near-death?"
Alice giggled, absolutely unbothered. "Noted! But honestly, sneaking is kind of my specialty."
"Great," I muttered. "And here I was hoping to make it through the week without a stealth attack."
Behind her, Jasper loitered like the world's most handsome bodyguard, quiet and watchful. He gave off strong 'mysterious cowboy' vibes minus the hat but I noticed something weird. His shoulders weren't stiff. His jaw wasn't clenched. His eyes weren't darting around like he was trying to block out every hormone-charged teenager within a fifty-foot radius.
Interesting.
"Jasper," he said softly, offering me a little half-smile that was… surprisingly warm. His voice was calm, even pleasant, like honey over gravel.
"Amara," I introduced myself, tilting my head at him. "Nice to meet you both. Though, Alice you might want to install a warning bell before you sneak up on people. Maybe a car horn? Or, I don't know, a neon sign?"
Alice's grin only grew wider, like I'd just complimented her. "You're funny. I like you already!"
"Thanks," I said dryly. "I like still having a pulse, so let's not make this a habit."
Alice bounced on her heels, clasping her hands together. "So I was thinking you should come over sometime. To our house!"
I blinked. Straightforward, huh? No small talk, no warm-up, just bam, vampire sleepover invitation.
In my head, alarms went off. Danger, danger, sparkly vampires ahead. My inner monologue immediately turned into a bad infomercial: Warning! Do not accept mysterious invitations from supernatural strangers you barely know!
Still, her big brown eyes were practically sparkling with hope. What excuse could I pull that didn't sound like, Sorry, I prefer to keep my jugular vein intact?
"Uh…" I drew the word out, stalling. "I'd have to check with Charlie first," I said finally, pasting on my best sweet-niece smile. "You know, responsible household representative and all that."
Alice clapped her hands like I'd just agreed to marry into the family. "Perfect! Ask him tonight. I'll wait for your answer tomorrow."
Wait for my oh no, she was planning this like it was already happening.
Meanwhile, Jasper kept studying me curiously, his expression unreadable but not unfriendly. Almost like he couldn't figure out why he felt… good. Comfortable. Relaxed. Like standing near me was giving him a free spa day.
Which, honestly? I'd take as a compliment.
Before I could even process how serious she sounded, she leaned forward with that megawatt smile and added, "You're going to love it we'll have so much fun!"
"Fun," I echoed weakly, already picturing myself sitting in a living room surrounded by sparkly vampires pretending not to notice my pulse. "Right. Can't wait."
Alice beamed like I'd just promised her the moon. Jasper, quieter but polite, gave a little nod. "See you around, Amara."
And just like that, the dynamic duo turned and floated off down the hallway Alice practically skipping, Jasper strolling like he was tethered to her orbit.
I exhaled, running a hand through my glossy hair. Being that hyper and that beautiful at the same time? Exhausting. Just watching her made me want to take a nap. And if Alice Cullen was exhausting to observe, I couldn't imagine what it'd be like to actually live with her.
Answer: terminal energy drain.
The school day wound down, and soon enough I was sliding behind the wheel of my Audi. Bella's truck coughed to life behind me, the sound so loud it made half the parking lot flinch. Poor thing sounded like it was gargling nails and diesel.
Pulling out, I couldn't help but replay Alice's bright-eyed invitation. Dinner at Casa Cullen. Fantastic. Nothing like a casual hangout with a family of vampires. Totally normal teenage life.
But then my thoughts drifted to something Jessica had mentioned. Doctor Cullen also has a brother.
A brother? That wasn't in the movies. No deleted scenes. No extended edition. Definitely not in my memory. My stomach twisted as I gripped the steering wheel tighter. Did that mean… another vampire?
My mind flashed back to that night in the forest the eye I'd seen glinting through the shadows. A shiver crawled up my spine. What if that wasn't just my imagination? What if that was him?
I shook my head quickly, scolding myself. "Nope. Can't be. Maybe Rob just added some random character for the drama. Happens all the time. Writers can't help themselves."
Bella's truck let out a wheezy roar behind me, as if protesting my inner monologue. I glanced at it in the mirror. "Seriously, girl, calm down," I muttered at the truck. "We're not racing Nascar."
The drive itself was beautiful mist curling through the trees, damp earth glistening from the morning drizzle. Peaceful. Almost normal. Except, of course, for the occasional bang and wheeze of Bella's truck, which sounded like it was either trying to breathe fire or collapse in on itself.
By the time we turned onto our street, I decided to shove the Cullen-brother mystery into a mental box labeled "Too Weird, Do Later." Right now, surviving Bella's truck's next cough felt like enough of a challenge.
Hey guys 👋
✨ If you enjoy my story and want to support me, you can leave a tip here 👉https://
Streamelements . Com / z1ref/tip
Your support means a lot and keeps me motivated 💖