I stood by my window, staring out into the Forks night like I was auditioning for a low-budget horror movie. The trees swayed ominously, the shadows stretched across the lawn like they had a personal vendetta, and the drizzle hitting the glass was giving me "final girl about to die in act one" vibes. All I could think was, what if Lucien decided to make me his midnight snack?
Nope. Not on my watch.
I slammed the window shut so hard the frame rattled, twisted the lock like I was sealing a vault, and then because paranoia was basically my new religion checked it again. And again. And again. Three times total, just to be sure. Honestly, I would've gone for four, but I didn't want to look too crazy in case Bella barged in and caught me mid-inspection.
Not satisfied, I yanked the curtains shut like I was cutting off contact with the outside world forever. If Lucien was lurking out there with his sparkly stalker eyes, he'd have to enjoy the view of polyester fabric instead of my face.
I even considered barricading the window with a chair, maybe even duct taping it shut for good measure but then I realized I'd need to open it again eventually, and explaining that to Charlie would be harder than explaining why I had a vampire problem in the first place.
Still, if anyone was breaking in tonight, it wasn't going to be through this window. Over my dead body. Well… hopefully not literally.
That night, sleep and I weren't even acquaintances. Forget "counting sheep"every time I shut my eyes, I replayed the whole truck that stopped on its own disaster, Lucien's stare like he was trying to scan my soul, and the very public spat we'd had afterward.
Not exactly lullaby material.
My brain had one setting: chaotic rerun mode.
I flopped onto my back, groaning into the ceiling. "Great. Wonderful. Exactly how I wanted to spend my evening reliving my near-death experience while fighting with Forks' resident broody vampire wannabe in my head. Perfect."
Buzz. Buzz.
My phone lit up on the nightstand. The name glared at me like a neon sign.
Lucien.
I sat up, grabbed the phone, and smacked decline like it owed me money. "Nope. Not tonight, Dracula Junior. This sitcom doesn't need another episode."
Blanket burrito mode: engaged. I rolled myself up and was about to force my brain into fake-sleep when...
Knock. Knock.
"It's open!" I called, muffled through the blanket.
Bella peeked in, already in flannel pajamas, hair loose, looking like a nervous raccoon. "Hey… um… you okay?"
I peeled back the blanket just enough to breathe. "Totally. Fine. Fantastic. Just tired. And definitely not thinking about how I almost got pancaked in the school parking lot, thank you for asking."
Bella frowned, stepping inside like she was entering enemy territory. "Edward was..."
"Stop." I shot upright and held out a hand like a traffic cop. "Don't. Say. It. If his name comes out of your mouth one more time, I'm charging you a dollar per mention. I'll be rich by Friday, Bella. Rich."
She blinked, caught between guilt and confusion. "…Okay. Sorry."
Buzz. Buzz.
My phone went off again.
Lucien.
Same timing. Same persistence. Same cosmic-level stubbornness.
Decline.
Bella tilted her head, curiosity practically glowing. "Who keeps calling you?"
"Nobody," I said way too fast. "Just… spam. Probably one of those glitter-lamp scams. You know, 'extend your sparkle warranty today, press one for a lifetime supply of body glitter, press two to shine like a disco approved floor lamp.'"
Bella snorted but gave me a side eye. "You're terrible at lying.
"Thank you, I take pride in it," I muttered.
She hesitated, then chewed her lip. "Can I… sleep here tonight?"
I froze mid-eye-roll. "Why? You literally have a bed. A bed that exists for this exact purpose. Revolutionary invention, you should try it."
She shrugged, awkward. "It just feels weird after today. Safer here."
For a second, I considered the logistics. Two humans in one room… maybe better odds. If Lucien (or anyone with super-speed and sharp teeth) decided to bust in, at least Bella would be a witness. Useless, but still witnesses matter.
I sighed, dramatic as possible. "Fine. But only if you pinky promise not to mention Edward, Carlisle, Rosalie, Jasper, or anyone else with suspicious cheekbones."
Bella's lips twitched. "Deal."
She climbed into my bed like it was her master plan all along, tugging half the blanket away. "Your mattress is way more comfortable than mine."
"Don't get used to it," I muttered, glaring at her blanket theft.
Buzz. Buzz.
Phone again.
Lucien.
Bella glanced at the screen, eyebrows shooting up. "That doesn't look like spam."
I groaned so loud it could've been mistaken for a dying walrus. Slammed decline. Again.
Then, with all the solemnity of a queen passing judgment, I opened settings. "That's it. I'm done. Officially done. Congratulations, Lucien, you are now blocked. Exiled. Banned from the kingdom of Me. Consider this your royal decree."
Block. Confirmed.
Bella snorted, half-buried under the blanket already. "You're so weird."
"Thank you, I prefer the term limited edition." I shoved the phone onto the nightstand like it was cursed. "Now go to sleep before I revoke your sleepover contract."
And for the first time that night, with Bella's steady breathing beside me and my phone blessedly silent, my brain finally hit pause.
Lucien: 0.
Me: 1.
Game over at least for tonight.
I yawned so hard my jaw cracked, tugged the blanket tighter around me like it was armor, and let the patter of rain against the roof sink into my bones. The sound was steady, hypnotic like Forks itself was trying to sing me a lullaby. Even the occasional creak of the old house felt oddly comforting, like the place was sighing right along with me.
For once, my thoughts didn't spiral into what-if-Lucien-kills-me scenarios or Bella's endless Edward rambling. Instead, they fuzzed at the edges, dissolving into something softer. My eyelids felt heavy, the kind of heavy you can't fight no matter how stubborn you are.
I shifted, shoulder brushing against Bella's as she curled deeper into her side of the bed. Warmth pooled between us, and I realized that despite the chaos, the drama, and the supernatural nonsense I apparently couldn't escape I didn't feel so alone.
Finally, with one last sigh, the world slipped away.
And just like that, I was asleep.
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 💖