Chapter 9

Even as Jacob felt the weight of Edward's intense gaze leave, a chill seemed to creep through his veins, freezing him in place for a fleeting moment. It felt as though a cold wind had swept over him, leaving a residue of tension... and something else he could not yet put words to.

Summoning every ounce of willpower, he forced himself to move. Each step felt like a conscious effort, like he was breaking free from an invisible force that sought to hold him captive.

As he settled into his chair, the lingering sensation of being scrutinized lingered. The classroom, with its ordinary occupants unaware of the exchange between them, talked about the upcoming dance.

Despite the icy residue that clung to him, Jacob seemed to maintain composure. He opened his History textbook and began taking notes, only to look busy. His mind was preoccupied with Edward's momentary appraisal of him.

'Keep an eye on the Cullens, but don't let their presence consume you.' Sam's advice from yesterday echoed in his head.

Jacob scolded himself for letting thoughts of Edward distract him. His mission was to protect Bella.

Mr. Tarwin addressed the students as he stood at the front of the classroom with a box in his hands. "Today, we're going to mix things up a bit. Inside this box, I have slips of paper, each containing a different historical subject. Your task is to choose one, and whoever picks the matching subject will be your project partner for our upcoming assignment."

He began circulating the box around the room, allowing each student to draw a slip of paper. Jacob reached into the box and selected a slip. The room held a collective breath as students unfolded their papers one by one, revealing the historical subjects that would guide their projects.

Jacob unfolded the slip of paper he had drawn from the box. His eyes scanned the words, The Underground Railroad.

As the papers were unveiled, exclamations of excitement, disappointment, and curiosity filled the air.

"Who else has got the Cold War?" A boy announced to no one in particular.

"I do!" A short girl responded.

"I have American Revolution!" Another student exclaimed.

The matching pairs began to form, each student finding their project partner based on the historical subject they had selected.

"Do you have The Great Depression?" A girl asked him hopefully.

"No, I have the Underground Railroad." Jacob answered warmly.

"Oh." Her eyes fell, disappointed.

"I guess that makes us partners." A high-pitched, tinkling voice came from his left. At that very moment, Alice, with her fluid grace, approached him, holding her own slip of paper.

A casual smile played on Alice's lips as she revealed the subject she had drawn. The air around them seemed to crackle with an unexpected tension, but as he observed her, he realized it was one-sided.

Her demeanor didn't betray any disdain or unease regarding his werewolf nature. Instead, she approached him with casual enthusiasm.

Her casual cheerfulness surprised him, as their kinds were natural enemies, and he couldn't think of a reason she would seem even remotely excited. It must be an act.

Jacob's eyes narrowed at her. "The underground railroad?" He confirmed skeptically.

"Yup! It looks like we're in this together," Alice remarked, her eyes sparkling with a twinkle of excitement and a touch of something unreadable.

Jacob, still processing the twist of fate that had brought Alice and him together as project partners, managed a nod. The pairing of a werewolf and a vampire for a school project felt like the universe was playing a joke on him.

"Guess we better make the best of it," Jacob replied, a hint of a wry smile touching his lips.

"Oh, yes." She smiled sweetly at him as she pulled up a chair.

Jacob could see how this vampire would draw in Bella. She exuded a beauty that transcends the ordinary, much like Edward. Her features were delicately sculpted—high cheekbones, a perfectly proportioned nose, and lips that carried a subtle hint of a knowing smile. Her hair, styled with precision, framed her face in a cascade of sleek, black kinks. It added a contrasting touch to her fair complexion, creating a visual allure that captivated those who encountered her. An intentional elegance in her appearance hinted at a keen fashion sense, further enhancing her overall beauty. No human stood a chance, gay or straight...

Alice wasted no time and jumped into her role. "I think we should create an interactive map highlighting key routes, safe houses, and notable figures involved in the Underground Railroad." She said cheerfully in her high soprano voice.

"Sure, sure." Jacob said, still watching her warily.

"And then we can narrate the stories of escaped slaves who successfully made their way through it." She continued.

Alice cocked her head to the side, waiting for feedback or some response.

Jacob just nodded.

"What would you like to do?" Alice asked him.

He contemplated how to approach Alice, and a sense of caution and mindfulness crept into his thoughts. Aware of the tensions between vampires and werewolves, he knew that communication needed to be handled with care. This was more than just a history subject, this was about Bella and the supernatural battle at Forks High School. "There are myths about the use of quilts as coded messages in the Underground Railroad. Perhaps we can add a presentation showcasing the alleged quilt codes and their meanings." He suggested in a casual voice.

Alice beamed, "Great idea!"

She wrote down some notes on the subject before looking back up at Jacob.

"I'm not so familiar with the quilt codes they used, though."

"It's nothing a little research couldn't find out."

She nodded, "I think you're right."

Choosing his words carefully, Jacob seized the opportunity to inquire about the relationship between Alice and Bella. As they discussed the project details, Jacob subtly steered the conversation toward more personal matters.

"So, Alice," he began, his tone casual but purposeful, "I've noticed you and Bella seem pretty close. How did you two become friends?"

The question lingered in the air, laden with curiosity about the dynamics between a vampire and a human, especially considering the longstanding tensions between their respective species. Jacob's gaze met Alice's, searching for any subtle cues or insights that might shed light on the nature of their bond.

Alice, her golden eyes reflecting a thoughtful expression, responded with a measured tone, "Bella and I have an interesting connection. I saw her future, and well, it drew me to her. We've been close ever since."

The cryptic nature of Alice's answer left room for interpretation, and Jacob sensed that there was more to the story. The intricacies of their supernatural existence added layers of complexity to the relationships formed within their small community.

"What do you mean, saw her future?" He asked in a whisper.

Jacob had heard from the elders that there were some vampires that had extra abilities, but he had always hoped that was just a myth.

"Oh, it's just something that's part of me, seeing visions of the future." Alice's response was also very quiet, and the only reason he heard it was because of his sensitive werewolf hearing. Alice winked at him.

His surprise registered on his face. The revelation added a layer of complexity to their conversation, and he couldn't help but feel both curiosity and fear.

"Wait, you can see the future?" He inquired, his tone a blend of disbelief and fascination.

Alice nodded with a small, knowing smile, her golden eyes reflecting the depth of her supernatural gift. "Yes, I have visions of the future. It's part of what makes me... unique, wolf."

The realization that Alice possessed an additional ability beyond the typical attributes of a shook the prospects of his mission. Jacob's mind raced with questions about the extent of her visions and how they might impact his mission to protect Bella.

"Does that mean you know what's going to happen all the time?" He asked, a hint of curiosity coloring his voice.

Alice's response carried a certain weight, "I see possibilities, not certainties. The future is constantly shifting based on the choices people make. It's like looking through a foggy window—some things are clearer than others."

"And can you see how this conversation is going to end?" He asked with genuine curiosity.

But Alice's expression changed, becoming slightly less excited. Her gold eyes looked away and focused on the window. She shrugged and attempted to maintain her casual, cheerful air. "It's not that simple."

"I see." He knew he struck a nerve, somehow. He didn't need to see the future to predict that the window for gathering information from Alice was quickly closing, so he dug deeper.

Making his voice too low for human hearing, he probed, "And you're okay with... you know, being friends with a human?"

Her voice held a subtle mix of amusement and sincerity, "Bella is not just any human. She's special. Our friendship defies the usual boundaries because she's a part of our world in more ways than one."

Jacob considered Alice's words, a growing fear in the pit stomach threatened to leak out. He struggled to keep his voice quiet. "What do you mean, a part of your world?"

But when Alice turned his gaze back on him, her gold eyes were cold. And then she smiled, revealing an intriguing blend of warmth and mystery that momentarily stunned him, despite his werewolf blood. "Well, that's the bell." She chimed.

"What—" Jacob exclaimed, but the loud school bell cut off his voice.

"Guess I talk to you later." She winked at him again.

Jacob rose to stop her, but Alice was already moving.

With swift and graceful movement like a dancer, Alice rose from her seat and followed her brother out of the classroom.