The morning light in Forks wasn't really light at all more like a stubborn shade of gray that filtered through my curtains with the enthusiasm of a lazy cat. Still, it was enough to make me blink awake.
For once, I felt good. Really good. Like my dreams had been swapped out for something soft and harmless. I stretched beneath the blankets, humming a little tune under my breath a song that technically didn't exist yet. Taylor Swift was years away from writing it, but in my head, it was already mine.
I shuffled to the bathroom, the tiles cold under my feet, and brushed my teeth, watching my reflection in the mirror. My hair fell perfectly into place with suspicious ease, my skin glowed like I'd just walked out of a skincare ad, and my pajamas somehow managed to look chic. Typical. The perks of being me in this strange new life: flawless, always. Honestly, it was starting to feel like a running joke the universe never got tired of telling.
By the time I tugged on my jeans and a soft sweater, slung my bag over my shoulder, and padded downstairs, I was already humming again. The house smelled faintly of coffee rich and comforting and I couldn't help but smile.
Charlie sat at the kitchen table, his mug in hand, looking like he'd been carved straight out of the concept of "dad." His uniform shirt was a little wrinkled, his expression somewhere between serious and sleepy. Bella was already there too, pouring cereal into a bowl like it was an Olympic sport.
"Morning," I greeted, sliding into the kitchen.
Charlie gave a small nod, holding up the pot. "Coffee?"
"Yes, please. You are a gift to mankind." I took the mug gratefully, inhaling the steam.
Bella gave me a look over her cereal, the kind of look that said of course, she looks like a walking fashion spread before eight a.m. I winked at her, shameless.
We ate quickly cereal for us, coffee for Charlie. The silence was broken only by the occasional clink of spoon against bowl. It was the kind of quiet that felt safe, lived-in. For a moment, I let myself just… exist in it.
Then Charlie cleared his throat. "Girls," he said, tone shifting into Sheriff-mode. "Don't go wandering into the woods. Not alone. We've had more cases lately. Wild animals." His brows pulled together, the kind of worried frown that seemed permanently etched into his face.
I sipped my coffee, nodding. Outwardly calm, inwardly snorting. Wild animals? Sure, Charlie. Try feral vampires. Team Rocket's alive and well in Forks.
Bella mumbled, "Yeah, okay."
I added quickly, "Don't worry, Charlie. I'll stay clear."
He gave us both a firm look, then went back to his mug.
Breakfast ended in that warm, slow rhythm of a house waking up. Bella rinsed her bowl, I grabbed my bag, and soon we were both slipping on jackets by the door.
Outside, the air was crisp, damp from last night's rain. My car gleamed in the driveway sleek, black, and a little smug about how pretty it looked. Bella's truck sat beside it like a retired war hero: noble, stubborn, and one pothole away from collapse.
I couldn't resist. "Your truck could belong in a museum."
Bella's lips curved in a small smile. "It's got character. You wouldn't understand."
"Maybe not," I teased, climbing into my car. "But I do understand antiques. You like your vehicles like you like your boyfriends Timeless"
She threw me a look. I grinned, satisfied, as we pulled out.
The drive to school was steady, unhurried. The forest blurred by, green and endless. For once, I wasn't obsessing over Lucien, or vampires, or the whole twisted fate thing. The hum of the radio, the weight of the steering wheel in my hands, the mist clinging to the trees it was all strangely grounding.
By the time I parked in the lot, the day felt almost normal.
"LA PUSH, BABY!"
Mike's voice cut across the parking lot the second Bella and I stepped out. He practically bounded toward us, arms spread wide like a cheesy TV host.
I forced a polite smile. "Morning to you too, Mike."
Jessica and Angela were already waiting, Angela waving warmly, Jessica grinning like she was holding in a whole library of gossip. Eric hovered at the edge, as usual, ready to provide commentary no one had asked for.
"La Push," Jessica announced, linking her arm through mine as if I had already agreed. "Beach trip. It's happening."
Bella frowned. "La Push?"
"Beach," Mike said proudly, like he'd invented it. "Best driftwood in the state. And fog. Lots of fog."
Angela added, "It's… very atmospheric. Romantic, even." She sighed.
I tilted my head. "So, a beach that looks like it moonlights in a horror movie. Fascinating."
Jessica laughed, looping her other arm through Bella's. "It'll be fun. You'll see."
We fell into step together, the easy chatter following us into the school building. The morning classes dragged in the way only high school could manage, but what surprised me was how… normal it felt. Like maybe, against all odds, I actually had friends here. Jessica with her gossip, Angela with her quiet warmth, even Mike and Eric with their ridiculous antics they weren't just background characters anymore. They treated me like I belonged.
And maybe I did.
By the time lunch rolled around, the cafeteria buzzed with its usual mix of noise and clatter. We grabbed our trays and found our table. Mike and Eric immediately launched into more La Push hype, Angela nodded along, Jessica chattered about fashion trends, and Bella hovered, awkward as ever.
I glanced toward the food line just in time to catch Bella's eyes darting toward Edward Cullen. Ah, yes. That scene.
When Bella finally sat down, I leaned in, voice low. "So… did you invite him?"
Her head jerked toward me, eyes wide. "No..I..."
I raised a brow.
She flailed. "Okay, maybe. But he said no."
My smirk spread slow and triumphant. "Rejected. Ouch."
Bella made a face at me, cheeks pink. I bit my lip, fighting a laugh.
Across the room, Alice spotted me and waved like she'd just had three espressos. I waved back. Jasper gave me one of his subtle, grounding smiles. Emmett grinned openly. Rosalie, of course, looked like the concept of fun personally offended her.
I made a silly face at Jasper. He cracked the faintest smile. Emmett laughed. Even Rosalie blinked at me like she couldn't decide whether to be annoyed or intrigued.
I turned back to Jessica, who was already deep into describing the merits of low-rise jeans and bedazzled flip-flops. Angela chimed in with a more practical opinion about flats. I teased them both, pretending to be very serious about the ethics of glitter.
And for a little while, sitting there in the cafeteria, laughing and talking about trends from 2004, the supernatural weight pressing on my shoulders didn't feel so heavy.
For once, it almost felt like I was just… a girl in high school.
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