This fanfic is a work of fiction inspired by the characters and universe created by Stephenie Meyer. All recognizable characters, settings, and other elements from the "Twilight" series belong to her. This story is created purely for entertainment purposes, and no copyright infringement is intended.
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Chapter 5
I woke up the next morning with a slight headache, my cheek pressed against Edward's cold, hard chest. His fingers trailed lightly down my spine, a soothing rhythm that started to pull me out of my groggy state. The familiar scent of him—a blend of honey, lilac, and the forest after rain—wrapped around me like a comforting blanket. Before I could even open my eyes, he shifted slightly, indicating he knew I was awake.
"Good morning, love," he murmured, his voice a gentle caress, deep and velvety. "How are you feeling?"
I groaned softly, my head throbbing with a dull ache that seemed to pulse in time with my heartbeat. "Like I've been hit by a truck," I muttered, squinting up at him. "What was in that drink Emmett gave me?"
Edward chuckled, the sound vibrating through his chest beneath my cheek. It was a warm, rich sound that contrasted with the cold marble of his body. "A bit more rum than I would have liked," he admitted, a hint of reproach in his tone. "Here, I brought you some orange juice and Tylenol."
I sat up slowly, the world tilting slightly as I moved. The cool morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over Edward's perfect features. His golden eyes watched me with a mixture of amusement and concern as I accepted the glass of orange juice and the pills he offered. "Thanks," I muttered, swallowing the pills with a grimace. "I suppose this is what a hangover feels like."
"First time for everything," Edward said, his tone teasing as he pushed a stray lock of hair behind my ear. "You handled it better than most would."
I gave him a weak glare, still too tired to muster much annoyance. "How can you be so chipper in the morning?" I asked, a touch of envy in my voice.
He smiled, a perfect curve of his lips that made my heart flutter despite the headache. "Vampire senses, remember? I don't sleep, so I've had plenty of time to think."
Edward's expression turned serious, his brow furrowing slightly as he traced the line of my jaw with his fingertips. "Bella, about last night. I didn't mean to sound dismissive about what you saw. I've spent most of the night thinking about it. Not sleeping has its advantages."
I sighed, appreciating his concern but also feeling the weight of my own doubts. "I know, Edward. And I get it. If there had been another vampire at that party, you, Alice, and Emmett would have noticed. Maybe I'm just so used to being in danger that my mind is making up problems."
Edward nodded thoughtfully, his fingers continuing their soothing path along my spine. "It's possible. But I want you to know that I take everything you say seriously. If you're ever worried, I'll always listen."
I gave him a small, grateful smile. "Thank you. I just need to remember that not everything is a threat."
Edward glanced out the window, his expression shifting to one of mild disappointment. "It's sunny today."
I followed his gaze, my heart sinking a little. "So, I'll be going to college alone."
He nodded, his jaw tightening slightly in frustration. "Unfortunately, yes. Your sparkly husband can't exactly blend in today."
I couldn't help the playful glint that came into my eyes as I shifted closer to him. "Well, in that case, maybe we should both just stay home." I leaned up to kiss him, my hand trailing down his muscular chest before straddling him. The feel of his cool skin under my fingers sent a shiver of anticipation through me. "We could make the most of our time together."
Edward laughed, a deep, warm sound that sent a thrill down my spine. For a moment, the hard length against my center made me think he might give in. But, of course, he didn't. He nuzzled my ear, his breath cool against my skin, his restraint infuriating and endearing all at once.
"Bella," he murmured, his voice a mix of amusement and restraint. "You have classes to attend. You can't avoid them just because it's sunny."
I pouted, trying to look as irresistible as possible. "But I could. Just this once."
He smiled, shaking his head in that infuriatingly perfect way of his. "As tempting as that sounds, you need to go. You're here to get an education, remember?"
I huffed, knowing he was right but not wanting to admit it. "Fine. But I don't have to like it."
He kissed me deeply, his hands framing my face, pulling me closer until I was almost lost in him again. "I promise, we'll make up for it later."
With a reluctant sigh, I slid off him and started getting ready for my classes. Edward watched me, his eyes following my every move with that intense, adoring look that always made my heart skip a beat.
God, he makes leaving so difficult with his bare chest showing off his perfect abs, those sculpted arms, and the memory of the sounds he makes when he comes inside me. As I step into my walk-in closet, I hear him curse softly. He must scent my arousal because his voice reaches me, strained with desire.
"You're killing me, Bella. Get to class before I pull you back into bed and stop being the responsible one."
I almost gave in, the temptation to stay wrapped in his arms nearly overwhelming. But it was my first week in college, and I couldn't start skipping classes for sex… at least not yet. With a determined shake of my head, I finished dressing and headed out, blowing Edward a kiss as I walked out the door.
As I arrived in the hallway leading to my first class, I spotted Aurelia speaking with a guy who looked eerily similar to the blond man I had seen at the party. My pulse quickened. He's real. I didn't imagine him. The guy glanced at me briefly before saying something to Aurelia and leaving quickly. So, I wasn't hallucinating last night. Aurelia just spoke to him, so clearly, I'm not crazy… right?
Aurelia saw me and tried to move past me, her expression a mix of annoyance and disinterest. There was something in the way she looked at me, like I was an inconvenience in her carefully ordered world. As much as I would have liked to avoid her, I needed to know who this man was. She's the one who flirted with my husband; she has no reason to be rude to me. But I still don't like someone disliking me without reason. I stepped into her path, determined to get some answers.
"Hey, Aurelia," I began, keeping my tone as neutral as possible. "Who was that guy you were just talking to?"
She looked at me with an impatient scowl, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Why do you care? You've already got a gorgeous husband. What's it to you?"
Her insinuation made my blood boil, but I forced myself to stay calm. "I saw him at the party last night. He seemed… familiar. I just wanted to know who he is."
Aurelia's eyes narrowed further, her lips curling into a mocking smile. "Oh, I see. Are you sure you're not looking for some extracurricular activities? Maybe you and your husband have an open marriage thing going on? If that's the case, I'd love some time with Edward."
I grit my teeth, fighting the urge to retaliate. I needed information, not a catfight. "No, that's not it. I just want to know who he is."
She rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed. "Fine. He's just some guy I met last night. He wanted to grab coffee with me. There, happy?"
Before I could ask more questions, she rudely cut me off, her voice dripping with condescension. "You're really intense, you know that? You need to chill."
With that, she brushed past me, her shoulder bumping mine deliberately as she made her way into the classroom. I stood there for a moment, trying to process the encounter. So, the guy was real, and Aurelia had talked to him. But why did she seem so dismissive, almost like she was hiding something? And why was she so intent on getting under my skin?
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to focus as I followed her into the Sociology class. The last thing I needed was to let her get the better of me. But as I sat down in the lecture hall, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, that there was more to Aurelia and this mysterious blond man than she was letting on.
I took a seat near the back of the lecture hall, trying to shake off the unsettling encounter with Aurelia. The room was filling up quickly, students filing in and chatting quietly as they prepared for class. I tried to focus on getting my notebook out of my bag, but my thoughts kept drifting back to the man I had seen and Aurelia's cryptic behavior. What was she hiding?
Aurelia entered the room with a confident stride, her head held high as if she owned the place. She made a point of walking past me, her eyes flicking over me with a mix of disdain and something else I couldn't quite place. She dropped into a seat a few rows ahead of me, her long auburn hair flipping over her shoulder in a practiced gesture that seemed designed to draw attention.
I tried to ignore her, focusing instead on the front of the room where the professor was setting up his materials. But it was hard to concentrate with Aurelia so close, her presence like an annoying itch that I couldn't scratch. I could feel her eyes on me every few minutes, like she was checking to see if I was still watching her. She was trying to get under my skin, and it was working.
The lecture began, but I barely heard a word of it. My mind was racing, trying to piece together what had happened at the party and what it could mean. Why was Aurelia so intent on dismissing my concerns? And why did she seem so eager to provoke me?
About halfway through the class, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see a girl I recognized from another class handing me a piece of folded paper. Confused, I took it and unfolded it under my desk, keeping it hidden from the professor's view.
"Hey Becca, saw you looking lost. Maybe you should stick to what you know—being the pretty little wife. Don't worry, I'm sure your husband can help you keep up. ;) –A"
My grip tightened on the note as I read it, my blood boiling. Becca. She was deliberately calling me by the wrong name, using it like a weapon to undermine me. And that little dig about Edward—it was all too clear what she was trying to imply. My hands shook with anger, but I forced myself to take a deep breath. I couldn't let her get to me, not when she was obviously trying so hard.
The rest of the class passed in a blur, with me scribbling notes furiously just to keep my mind off the rage simmering inside me. I avoided looking at Aurelia, not wanting to give her the satisfaction of knowing she had gotten under my skin. But as the lecture finally ended, I couldn't help the overwhelming urge to get out of there as quickly as possible.
I shoved my things into my bag and headed for the exit, but of course, Aurelia was already there, leaning casually against the doorframe as if she had all the time in the world. She looked up as I approached, a smirk playing on her lips.
"See you around, Becca," she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Try not to get lost on your way home."
I glared at her, my patience wearing thin. "It's Bella. And I'm perfectly capable of finding my way around, thank you very much."
Aurelia's smile widened, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Of course, Becca. Whatever you say." She pushed past me, her shoulder brushing against mine more forcefully than necessary, leaving me fuming in her wake.
I needed to get out of there, away from her smug face and the anger that was threatening to boil over. My car was parked in the lot just outside the building, and all I could think about was getting home to Edward. I needed to talk to him, to figure out what the hell was going on. Maybe he could help me make sense of all this.
But when I reached my car, I was greeted with a frustratingly familiar sight: the luxurious black Mercedes Edward had insisted on getting me when we arrived at Dartmouth. It was sleek, expensive, and far more than I was used to driving. I had argued with him about it, telling him it was too much, but he had been insistent. Now, I was grateful for the comfort it provided, even if I was still getting used to the idea of driving something so extravagant.
I unlocked the car and slid into the driver's seat, slamming the door a little harder than necessary. The anger from my encounter with Aurelia still simmered beneath the surface, and all I wanted to do was get home and vent to Edward. I pushed the start button, waiting for the familiar hum of the engine.
Nothing happened.
I frowned, pushing the button again. Still nothing. The car's dashboard remained dark, the engine silent. My heart sank as I realized what was happening. This car, the brand-new, all-electric, and supposedly perfect car, wasn't starting.
"Great. Just great," I muttered to myself, frustration bubbling over. I tried the start button again, pressing it harder this time as if that would somehow make a difference. But the car remained stubbornly dead, not even a flicker of life on the dashboard.
I leaned back in the seat, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath to calm down. This was not what I needed right now. The anger I felt toward Aurelia had now shifted to the stupid, expensive car that refused to cooperate.
I grabbed my phone from my bag and quickly typed out a text to Edward.
Bella: "Car won't start. I'll be late."
I hit send and waited, tapping my fingers impatiently against the steering wheel. It didn't take long for his reply to come through.
Edward : "I'm sorry, love. I can't come get you—too sunny outside. Call a cab. I'll take a look at the car tomorrow."
Of course. I knew he wouldn't be able to come in broad daylight, but it didn't make me feel any less frustrated. I glanced around the parking lot, feeling a little helpless. The idea of calling a cab seemed ridiculous, especially when I was sitting in a car that should have been more than capable of getting me home.
I sighed deeply, the weight of the day pressing down on me. The idea of calling a cab felt like admitting defeat. I wasn't ready to do that just yet. Instead, I decided that a walk might clear my head. The weather was mild, with a cool breeze that promised some relief from the frustration that had been building up since this morning. A twenty-minute walk wasn't too bad, and maybe the fresh air would help me sort through the tangled mess of thoughts swirling in my mind.
I texted Edward to let him know I'd be walking home instead. His response came almost instantly, filled with concern, but I assured him I'd be fine and that I just needed some time to myself. I could almost feel his reluctance through the screen, but eventually, he agreed, though I knew he'd be anxious until I was safely back.
I slipped my phone into my pocket and began walking, my shoes clicking softly against the pavement as I made my way down the quiet streets. The campus was starting to empty as students headed home for the evening, and the setting sun cast long shadows across the sidewalks. I breathed in deeply, trying to focus on the calming sounds around me—the rustle of leaves in the trees, the distant hum of traffic, the occasional burst of laughter from a group of students walking ahead.
But even as I tried to relax, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Every time I glanced over my shoulder, it seemed like someone was watching me, following just out of sight. The sensation was unnerving, but every time I looked around, I only saw ordinary things—students walking home in pairs, a family with a crying child hurrying along the opposite sidewalk. Nothing out of the ordinary, nothing to suggest that I was being followed. Yet, the feeling persisted, gnawing at the edges of my awareness.
"Get a grip, Bella," I muttered to myself, trying to dismiss the unease as a leftover from the stress of the day. But the hairs on the back of my neck wouldn't settle, and my steps quickened, almost of their own accord.
I turned down a quieter street, hoping that the shortcut would get me home faster. The buildings here were older, with ivy crawling up the sides and windows darkened with age. The road was narrow, barely wide enough for two cars to pass each other comfortably, and the sidewalks were uneven, cracked in places where tree roots had pushed through the concrete.
That's when I heard it—the unmistakable sound of a car engine revving. My heart skipped a beat, and I instinctively moved closer to the edge of the sidewalk, my senses on high alert. The car appeared suddenly, swerving wildly as it barreled down the street toward me. My eyes widened in horror as I realized it was out of control, heading straight in my direction.
Time seemed to slow. My body reacted before my mind fully registered what was happening. I threw myself to the side, barely managing to avoid the car as it veered off course. The screeching of tires filled the air, followed by a sickening crunch as the car slammed into a tree right in front of me, its front end crumpling like a piece of paper.
For a moment, I couldn't move, couldn't breathe. My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might burst out of my chest. The car had missed me by inches—one second slower, and I would have been crushed.
Shaking, I forced myself to stand, my legs unsteady beneath me. The smell of burning rubber and the sharp tang of gasoline filled the air as I staggered toward the wreckage. The driver, a young woman, was slumped over the steering wheel, her face pale and eyes wide with shock. She seemed unharmed, at least as far as I could tell from the outside, but she was clearly shaken.
I hurried to the driver's side door, fumbling with the handle before managing to pull it open. "Are you okay?" I asked, my voice trembling as I reached out to her.
She blinked at me, her expression dazed. "I—I think so," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't see you… I don't know what happened. The car just… lost control."
I nodded, trying to keep my own panic at bay. "It's okay. You're going to be okay." My hands shook as I reached for my phone, but I managed to dial 911, my fingers trembling as I pressed the numbers.
"911, what's your emergency?" the operator's calm voice crackled through the phone.
"There's been an accident," I said, trying to steady my voice. "A car hit a tree, and the driver—she seems okay, but she's in shock. We're on Maple Street, near the old library."
The operator assured me that help was on the way, instructing me to stay with the driver until the ambulance arrived. I thanked her and hung up, turning my attention back to the young woman. Her hands were clutching the steering wheel so tightly that her knuckles were white, and tears were beginning to well up in her eyes.
"What's your name?" I asked gently, hoping to keep her calm until help arrived.
"Lydia," she whispered, her voice shaky.
"Lydia, I'm Bella. The ambulance is on its way, okay? Just stay with me. You're going to be fine." I reached out and gently pried her hands from the steering wheel, holding them in mine as I tried to offer some comfort. "Do you feel any pain anywhere? Anything that hurts?"
She shook her head slowly, her eyes still wide with fear. "I don't think so… I just—oh God, I could have hit you."
"But you didn't," I reassured her quickly, though the reality of how close it had been still made my heart race. "You didn't hit me, and that's what matters. You're safe, and help is coming."
As we waited for the ambulance, my phone began to ring incessantly in my pocket. I didn't need to look to know it was Edward, or maybe Alice, who must have seen the accident in a vision. But I couldn't deal with that right now. I silenced the phone, focusing instead on keeping Lydia calm.
The minutes felt like hours, but finally, I heard the wail of sirens approaching. The flashing lights of the ambulance and police cars illuminated the darkening street, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. The paramedics quickly took over, gently guiding Lydia out of the car and checking her for injuries, while I stepped back, feeling suddenly exhausted.
One of the police officers approached me, his expression serious but kind. "Are you okay, miss?" he asked, glancing from me to the car wreckage.
I nodded, though I still felt shaky. "I'm fine. I was just walking home when it happened. The car came out of nowhere."
He jotted down a few notes in his pad, nodding as he listened. "You're lucky you weren't hurt. We'll take care of everything from here, but if you need anything or remember anything else, don't hesitate to contact us."
I thanked him and stepped away, my legs feeling like jelly as the adrenaline started to wear off. I watched as they loaded Lydia onto a stretcher, her eyes wide and scared as they reassured her that she would be okay.
Finally, I allowed myself to look at my phone. There were several missed calls and messages from Edward, his worry practically palpable through the screen. I sighed, knowing I needed to call him back, to let him know I was okay. But as I stood there, watching the flashing lights and the chaos around me, I couldn't shake the feeling that something much larger was at play—something I didn't yet understand.
With a deep breath, I dialed Edward's number, bringing the phone to my ear as I started to walk away from the scene. The second he picked up, I heard the frantic concern in his voice.
"Bella! Are you okay? What happened?"
"I'm fine, Edward," I said, though my voice trembled slightly. "There was an accident, but I'm okay. I promise. I'll be home soon."
He didn't sound convinced, his voice tight with anxiety. "I'm coming to get you."
I shook my head, even though he couldn't see me. "You can't, Edward. It's still too sunny. I'll get a cab home, or I'll walk. I'm only a few minutes away now."
"Bella, please," he began, but I cut him off gently.
"I'm okay, Edward. I'll be home soon. Just… be there when I get back, okay?"
There was a pause on the other end, and I could imagine him running a hand through his hair, trying to keep himself calm. "Okay," he finally agreed, though his voice was still thick with worry. "But hurry."
"I will," I promised before hanging up. As I pocketed my phone, I couldn't help but glance over my shoulder one last time at the scene behind me. The car, the flashing lights, the chaotic swirl of activity—it all felt so surreal, like something out of a nightmare.
And as I continued my walk home, that unsettling feeling of being watched crept back in, stronger than ever.
