The evening light in Forks was the kind of golden that never lasted. It spilled through the curtains in Amara's room, brushing across the floorboards and making the stacks of books and loose notes look almost magical. The desk lamp added a steady warmth, cocooning the room in a soft glow.
Amara sat cross-legged on her chair, pencil in hand, while Bella had claimed a corner of the bed, half-leaning against the pillows with her notebook balanced on her knees. The sound of scratching pencils, page flips, and the occasional sigh filled the space. It was peaceful the kind of peace MC had once only read about, but now lived in.
Bella broke the quiet first, speaking casually while erasing a line of notes.
"You know, I was thinking… this Saturday, do you want to come with me for grocery shopping? Charlie says we're running low on just about everything."
Amara's pencil stilled.
Saturday. Oh no. The devil's coffee date. Lucien. Of all the days in all the weeks, he had to pick Saturday?
She leaned a little closer to Bella, whispering quickly, hoping to slip it past her.
"Ican'tgothatdayIhavetogotocoffeewithLucien."
Bella's head tilted. Her brow furrowed.
"Wait. What? Did you just say… coffee? Lucien? What was that?"
Amara's heart jumped. Great. Just great. Of course she caught it. Why wouldn't she?
She sat straighter, flipping her notebook open like she was suddenly deeply invested in algebra."I said…" she cleared her throat, voice careful but not daring to meet Bella's eyes, "I can't go with you because I… have to meet Lucien. For coffee."
Bella stared at her for a beat. Then her lips curled into a grin that was far too knowing.
"Ohhh. Coffee with Lucien." She dragged the words out like caramel. "So… you're going on a date with him?"
Amara whipped her head around, scandalized."What? No! It's not a date! It's just...just two civilized human beings..well, one fabulous human being and one question mark of a man having coffee. It's nothing."
Bella crossed her arms and leaned back with a smug look.
"Mhm. That's how all epic romances start, you know. First coffee, then candlelit dinners, then.."
"Bella!" Amara groaned, tossing her pencil at her cousin. "It's not like that. He's… he's just..." she paused, biting her lip. The most dangerous, infuriating, charming nightmare of a person I've ever met. She coughed lightly and finished lamely, "..a guy who likes caffeine."
Bella chuckled, shaking her head.
"Yeah, sure. Just caffeine. Totally believable. You whispered his name like it was classified information."
Amara slapped her notebook closed, pressing her forehead against it.
"Why are you like this? Why can't you just let me drink my coffee in peace without making it sound like a rom-com setup?"
"Because," Bella said matter-of-factly, "it's fun to watch you squirm."
Amara peeked up, glaring half-heartedly.
"You're evil."
"Maybe." Bella smirked. "But I'm not the one whispering about secret coffees with mysterious men."
If only you knew, Amara thought, lips twitching despite herself. If only you knew that "mysterious man" might actually be closer to devil in disguise. Who agrees to coffee with a vampire who doesn't drink coffee like it's a casual thing when his eyes look like they've seen centuries? Who talks like the world's an inside joke only he gets? Who...
She shook her head quickly, shoving the thoughts down.
No. She wasn't going to let Lucien rent space in her brain right now. She had homework, thank you very much.
Bella stretched, setting her notebook aside for a moment. Her eyes wandered across the room until they landed on the bed. She pressed her hand against the comforter and gave an appreciative hum.
"You know… your bed is ridiculously comfortable. Like unfairly so. Mine feels like a rock compared to this."
Amara perked up, smugness returning instantly.
"Of course it is. I picked it myself. Priorities, Bella. Life is too short for bad mattresses."
Bella laughed.
"Only you would make a philosophy out of mattress shopping."
"Hey," Amara said, tapping her pencil against the desk like a judge's gavel, "a good bed is the difference between surviving high school and becoming a zombie. This..." she gestured dramatically at her bed.."is the secret to my flawless skin and cheerful mornings."
Bella rolled her eyes but grinned.
"Cheerful mornings? You literally hummed a tune while brushing your teeth today. Who does that?"
Amara smirked.
"Flawless people."
Bella groaned, throwing a pillow at her.
"You're impossible."
"And yet you love me." Amara winked.
The two laughed, the sound bouncing easily around the room. It was soft, familiar, the kind of laughter that made the world outside feel less gray.
After another hour of scribbles, teasing comments, and Bella pretending not to fall asleep on the bed she claimed wasn't hers, their stomachs finally protested.
Amara closed her book with a snap.
"Alright. Homework can wait. My brain deserves food."
Bella stretched, standing with a sleepy groan.
"I second that. Preferably something edible."
Together, they made their way downstairs, only to find Charlie already home earlier than usual. He was standing in the kitchen, shrugging off his jacket and setting down a takeout bag on the counter.
"Look who decided to grace us with his presence before midnight," Amara teased, grinning as she leaned on the doorway.
Charlie gave her a flat look, but his lips twitched at the corners.
"Don't get used to it. The station was quiet tonight. Figured I'd bring home food before you two starved yourselves on cereal again."
Amara lifted a brow, amused. "You mean before Bella starved us."
"Hey!" Bella gasped in mock offense. "I make excellent toast, thank you very much."
"That's not food, that's a fire hazard," Amara shot back, and even Charlie chuckled at that.
They gathered at the table, spreading out the takeout fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and a few sides that instantly filled the house with warm, savory scents. The three of them dug in, and the evening unfolded like something out of a snapshot ordinary, but golden in its simplicity.
Amara, as always, carried the conversation with ease. She recounted a funny moment from class, mimicked one of her teachers with dramatic hand gestures, and managed to get Bella to crack a real laugh. Charlie, who usually ate quietly, ended up chuckling more than once, shaking his head at Amara's antics.
"You talk more than both of us put together," Charlie said, trying to sound stern but failing when Amara raised her brow.
"Of course I do," Amara replied proudly. "Someone has to keep this family from turning into a pair of broody statues."
Bella snorted into her drink, and Charlie muttered something about "backtalk" but didn't hide his smile.
For once, the kitchen wasn't silent. It was filled with warmthlaughter, teasing, and the kind of conversations that made a house feel like a home.
As the plates emptied and the laughter softened into comfortable quiet, Anara leaned back, watching her cousin and uncle with a small, almost secret smile.
Maybe life doesn't need to be extraordinary all the time, she thought. Sometimes, it's enough to just… be. Homework, teasing, food. A family.
And yet, at the back of her mind, the thought lingered like a stubborn spark
Saturday. Coffee. With Lucien.
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