I sat in English class, my MP3 playing softly in my ears as I tried to tune out the teacher's droning lecture. One thing I couldn't help but notice was that McKayla didn't take her usual seat next to me. Eli wasted no time in reminding me that I had upset her by declining her invitation to the dance.

As we walked together later, I noticed a change in McKayla's demeanor. She seemed to have bounced back to her usual self, her enthusiasm returning as she chatted about the weekend weather forecast. Apparently, the rain was expected to briefly let up, giving her the opportunity to go to the beach. I had previously used taking care of Gabe as an excuse not to go, but she assured me that her mom could watch over him for me.

Now, personally, the idea of going to the beach in temperatures below fifty degrees didn't sound appealing at all. However, I found myself agreeing to it in the end. I knew I would have to discuss it with Gabe when I got home.

The rest of the morning seemed to pass by in a haze. It was hard to shake the feeling that I wasn't imagining things—that Edythe's words and the look in her eyes had been real. A part of me was filled with worry. What if she somehow found out about my secret? Would she keep it to herself or share it with others? What actions would I have to take? Would I be forced to do the unthinkable? Eli's voice echoed in my mind, insisting that there was only one possible outcome.

I walked into the cafeteria, listening to Jeremy's chatter in the background. McKayla had apparently asked him to the dance, and they were going with a few other couples—Allen and Erica, Logan and Taylor. As I navigated through my thoughts, Edythe's image popped up. I wondered if there would be any indication that our earlier conversation had actually taken place. My eyes involuntarily flicked over to her usual table, but to my surprise, she wasn't there among the four seated.

"Oh man..." I thought to myself as I grabbed a water bottle from the counter, a mix of curiosity and trepidation swirling within me.

"Edythe Cullen is staring at you again," Jeremy remarked. The mention of her name made me freeze. "I wonder why she's sitting alone today."

I slowly turned my head in her direction. Indeed, Edythe was seated at an empty table across the cafeteria, a mischievous glint in her eye as our gazes met. She raised her hand, index finger extended, motioning for me to come over. I stared, almost in disbelief, as she winked at me.

"Does she mean you?" Jeremy's tone held a mix of surprise and mockery, but I was beyond being bothered by it.

"I think she does," I replied, my heart racing in my chest. Could she possibly have figured something out?

"Oh, this is going to be interesting," Eli's voice chimed in, adding to the whirlwind of thoughts swirling in my head.

"Why don't you sit with me today?" she suggested, her smile wide and inviting.

I sat down, a mixture of curiosity and caution swirling within me. Her constant smile didn't falter, and strangely, I found myself less bothered by it. There was a game at play here, and I was determined to figure out the rules.

"I'm going to be completely honest, I was not expecting this," I finally managed to say.

"Well," she responded, pausing for a moment before continuing, the words rushing out in a blur. "I decided as long as I was going to hell, I might as well do it thoroughly."

I waited for an explanation, but none came. The silence stretched on, becoming increasingly uncomfortable.

"You know I don't understand what you mean, right?" I asked, feeling a mix of frustration and intrigue.

"I'm counting on it," she replied, her attention momentarily shifting behind me. "I think your friends are upset that I've stolen you."

The weight of their stares bore into my back, but for once, I couldn't bring myself to care.

"They'll live," I retorted.

Her grin widened. "I may not give you back, though."

"I don't mind."

"You look worried," she noted.

"Look, let's get straight to it. What's this about?"

"I told you—I'm tired of trying to stay away from you. So I'm giving up," her smile faded, her eyes growing serious.

"Giving up?" I repeated, confusion tingeing my tone.

"Yes, giving up trying to be good. I'm just going to do what I want now, and let the chips fall where they may," her voice took on a hard edge.

"So whatever happens, happens?" I repeated, my voice carrying a hint of skepticism.

"So, have you figured out what I am yet?" Edythe asked me.

"I mean, I have a ridiculous guess." I told her

Edythe leaned forward slightly, her eyes dancing with a mix of amusement and something else I couldn't quite place. "Alright, Robbie, hit me with your wildest guess. I promise I won't hold it against you."

I leaned back in my chair, adopting an exaggerated air of seriousness. "Alright, here it goes. You're an... alien from a different planet."

Edythe just blinked at me before letting out a snicker. Well, I can scratch that one off the list.

"Not even close." She said, trying to contain herself. "An alien? I can't say I was expecting that one."

"It's all I've got!" I threw up my hands in defeat.

Edythe's laughter was infectious, and I couldn't help but join in. Her amusement was a welcome change from the tense moments we'd shared before.

"Well, Robbie, I appreciate your creativity, even if the guess was a bit out there," she said between giggles.

I grinned back at her. "Hey, you asked for it. But seriously, you've got me stumped. I can't even begin to guess what you might be.

Her laughter subsided, and she regarded me with an enigmatic smile.

"Have you figured out what I am?" I asked her, and she looked at me as though she was examining a puzzle.

"I've got a hunch," she replied. "From the way your eyes glow to the fire that came from you. And that unusual scent."

"Scent?" I queried.

"In the hospital's emergency room, I noticed it when I approached you. It was sulphur."

"Sulphur? Doesn't sound all that remarkable."

"Maybe so, but if you dig auttle deeper, you'll find that sulphur has another name, one that's more familiar from the Bible." She leaned forward, a confident smile gracing her lips. "Brimstone."

I stared at her, taken aback by her revelation. Brimstone? It was hard to fathom that something as ordinary as that could hold any significance, let alone be connected to something supernatural.

"Brimstone?" I repeated, furrowing my brow in confusion. "How does that tie into any of this?"

Edythe's mysterious smile lingered, a blend of intrigue and amusement. "Brimstone is often associated with hellfire and damnation. It's a symbol of the infernal. Robbie, your scent, the fire, your eyes—they all seem to be pointing towards something extraordinary, something beyond the realm of the human."

I leaned back in my chair, trying to process what she was telling me.

"I think you're a demon," Edythe said, her voice steady and her eyes locked onto mine.

I inhaled sharply before shaking my head.

"No, I'm not. But good guess though." My attempt at a light tone came out more strained than I intended.

Edythe's lips curled into a half-smile, and she leaned back as well. "Like I said, I'm counting on your confusion."

I sighed, a mixture of relief and frustration bubbling within me. "So, you're not going to give me a straight answer."

She shrugged, her expression enigmatic. "Not yet, at least. There's more to discover, more to learn."

"Oh, this is fun. She thinks you're a demon. She's on the right track to figuring you out. Go on, give her a hint." Said Eli.

As I sat there, considering Eli's suggestion, I realised that dropping subtle hints could be a way to keep Edythe intrigued without revealing everything. I leaned forward slightly, meeting her gaze with a playful glint in my eyes.

"You're getting warmer with your guesses," I said, a small smirk playing on my lips.

Edythe's eyebrows quirked up, and a curious smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Warmer, you say?"

I nodded, enjoying the newfound mystery between us. "Let's just say that I've had some experiences that are... otherworldly."

She leaned in, her eyes locking onto mine. "Otherworldly? Care to share any details?"

I chuckled softly, deciding to weave in some more enigmatic details. "There's a certain element of fire to these experiences, a blaze that can't be tamed. It's like I'm caught between two worlds, connected to something ancient and powerful."

Her lips parted slightly, and I could see the gears turning in her mind. "Ancient and powerful," she murmured, more to herself than to me.

I leaned back, giving her a sly smile. "Just something to ponder."

Edythe's eyes held a mixture of intrigue and speculation as she regarded me. "I will certainly give it some thought."

I looked away from her and noticed that we were the only two left in the class.

I pushed my chair back from the table, and she raised her gaze to meet mine. Her expression held a mixture of sadness and resignation, as if my reaction was something she had anticipated.

"We're going to be late," I stated, urgency lacing my words as I hurried to my feet.

She appeared surprised for a brief moment before the familiar glint of amusement returned to her eyes.

"I'm not attending class today." Her fingers spun the lid of her water bottle so swiftly that it blurred into a rapid movement.

"Why not?"

A smile curved her lips, but there was a hint of vulnerability in her eyes, an emotion she couldn't completely mask.

"Skipping class every now and then is good for you," she replied.

"Oh, well see you later, I guess?" I questioned tentatively, wondering if there was another choice I should consider. While skipping class wasn't my usual style, if Edythe was suggesting it, I felt a tug of intrigue.

Eli's voice echoed in my mind again. "Well played, Robbie. Let's see where this leads."

I shook my head. I can't believe I just did that.

She refocused her attention on her improvised spinning top. "I'll catch up with you later, then."

Her words had an air of finality, and I couldn't deny that a part of me welcomed the chance to step away from our enigmatic conversation. There were too many thoughts whirling in my head, and they seemed to intensify whenever I was around her. The first bell chimed, breaking the silence, and I hastened to the door. Just before exiting, I stole a quick glance in her direction. She remained rooted in place, the lid of her water bottle continuing its relentless spin, as if caught in an eternal loop.

As I navigated my way towards the biology classroom, my mind was still trying to process the strange encounter with Edythe. There was a strange mix of intrigue and unease that I couldn't shake off. Just as I was about to enter the classroom, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw an incoming call from Gabe's school.

I quickly answered the call, curious as to why I was being called, "Hello?"

"Hi, is this Robbie?" A concerned voice on the other end asked.

"Yes, it's me. What's going on?"

"I'm calling from the school nurse's office. Gabe isn't feeling well. He's running a fever and seems quite unwell. We think it's best if you come pick him up."

My heart sank, and a rush of concern flooded over me. "Of course, I'll be right there as soon as I can."

"We'll make sure he's comfortable. Just come as soon as you can."

I hung up the phone, my mind racing with worry for Gabe. I figured it would be best if I told Mrs. banner first before I did anything.

I entered the classroom to find Mrs. Banner hadn't arrived yet, so I sat down and waited. Mrs. Banner walked in, getting the class settled as she balanced a stack of cardboard boxes. She casually dropped them onto McKayla's desk, instructing her to distribute them among the students. I walked up to her and told her ab

"Very well, Mr. Reyes, you may leave. Let me know if you need any assignments or materials to catch up on."

"Thank you, Mrs. Banner," I said, appreciating her understanding. "I'll make sure to catch up on everything as soon as I can."

With that, I left the classroom and headed to the school's entrance, ready to pick up Gabe and ensure he got the care he needed.

"Leaving already?" I spun around to find Edythe casually leaning against the entryway, a smile playing on her lips.

I shrugged nonchalantly, trying to appear unfazed by her presence. "Just had to take care of something."

She stepped closer, her eyes glinting with curiosity. "Something important?"

I nodded, still not quite meeting her gaze. "Yeah, my brother's not feeling well. Gotta pick him up from school."

Edythe's smile softened, and her tone carried genuine concern. "Oh, I hope he's okay."

"Yeah, me too," I replied, feeling a strange mixture of discomfort and relief under her scrutiny.

"Mind if I tag along to your car?" she asked, her tone casual.

As I walked towards the exit, I was surprised to see Edythe falling into step beside me. There was an air of curiosity about her that I couldn't quite ignore, and I found myself both intrigued and cautious.

"Mind if I tag along to your car?" she asked with a faint smile.

I shrugged, attempting to appear nonchalant. "Sure, why not?"

We strolled down the corridors in silence, an unspoken energy passing between us. Eventually, Edythe's gaze shifted towards the parking lot, where my uncle's sinister-looking 1969 Dodge Charger was parked.

"That's an interesting choice of wheels," she commented, eyeing the vintage car with an amused expression. "A bit unconventional."

I glanced at the Charger, a complicated mix of emotions washing over me. "It's a family thing."

Edythe's eyebrow arched inquisitively. "A family heirloom, I assume?"

"Something like that," I replied, feeling her genuine curiosity pulling me in.

She leaned against the Charger, her fingers tracing the contours of the car's surface. "Impressive. I must say, I prefer Volvos myself."

I raised an eyebrow, surprised by her admission. "Volvos, huh? Practical choice."

A ghost of a smile played on her lips. "Practicality has its own charm."

I started the Charger's engine, its deep rumble filling the air. Edythe's attention remained fixed on the car, and I couldn't help but feel a strange connection forming.

"It's got a history," I said, glancing at her.

She looked at me, her eyes glinting with curiosity. "I'm sure it does. A history that shapes who you are."

I revved the engine briefly, feeling its power resonate through me. "You could say that."

Edythe's laughter was soft, carrying a hint of mystery. "I can almost hear its stories."

As I maneuvered the car, I realised I had to pick up my brother, Gabe, from school. "I've got to get going."

"Of course," she said, stepping away from the Charger. "Hope Gabe feels better soon."

"Thanks," I replied, a mixture of reluctance and fascination tugging at me. "See you around, Edythe."

Her enigmatic smile seemed to hold a promise as she said, "Our paths will cross again, Robbie."

Driving away, the Charger's engine purring beneath me, I couldn't shake the feeling that Edythe's presence and her connection to the ordinary and the extraordinary had ignited something unexplainable within me.