Disclaimer: All recognizable characters are the property of SM.

/!\ Some parts of the story aren't suitable for a young audience. I'm responsible for what I write, not for what you read. Let's not focus on the original timeline of the books. I'm not gonna put a specific date.

Beta-reader is @cerealgoblin

"Curiosity is a great quality, but it can also become a poison when it intrudes into the lives of others."

Jean-Paul Sartre

Chapter 4

Despite trying to refocus on the conversation at her table, Bella couldn't shake the lingering feeling that there was something more about Rosalie and Emmett, something that went beyond just their striking appearance; way Rosalie had looked at her—it felt personal, almost intimate..

And, Emmett's expression gave the same energy ; his open, easy smile—it was strange, too intimate, too full of a knowledge that Bella didn't yet have a grasp on. Bella couldn't explain why, but something about their brief interaction with them had sparked a curiosity in her, leaving Bella with more questions than answers.

As she absentmindedly took a bite of her fish, she caught snippets of the conversation between Jessica and Angela. They were still talking about the Cullens.

"I mean, Jasper's really the one people mainly talk about anymore," Jessica was saying in her gossipy, high pitched tone, although her voice was lowered a bit more than usual since she was talking about people who go to this school.

"He's the only one who's single, but no one's ever seen him date. He just keeps to himself most of the time. People say he's impossibly picky." She grumbled, annoyed that she hadn't been piked, it seemed.

"Jessica, please. He's allowed to be single without it being a big mystery." Angela said, rolling her eyes playfully.

Jessica shrugged, not ready to let go of her gossip.

"I'm just saying. It's weird. All of them are paired up—Alice and Edward, Rosalie and Emmett. They're practically married. But Jasper? He's like... untouchable." Jessica added, continuing to gossip.

Bella absorbed this new information, her gaze flicking once more to the empty table where Rosalie and Emmett had been. She thought about what Jessica had said—their family was like a perfectly composed puzzle, with all the pieces fitting neatly together.

Except, for Jasper. That intrigued her, though she wasn't quite sure why. Perhaps it was because she felt like an outsider herself. In this new town, with its unfamiliar faces and small social circles, Bella felt out of place, just like Jasper apparently did.

Untouchable, she thought, rolling the word around in her mind. There was something about the Cullens, something enigmatic that pulled at her. Bella wasn't the type to get caught up in highschool gossip or scandal, but there was an undeniable air of mystery surrounding the Cullens that piqued her curiosity.

Bella glanced back at Jessica, who was now recounting an old story about how she had tried to approach Jasper once, only for him to only brush her off with cool indifference. She told the story as if she was the victim in it. I sighed. She knew nothing about being a victim. I was a victim.

"He didn't even say anything," Jessica continued, sounding a bit miffed. "Just gave me this weird, polite smile and walked off. It was like I wasn't even there— like I didn't even exist to him!"

"Maybe he's just shy," Angela suggested.

"Maybe. Or maybe he's just not interested in anyone here," Jessica said, crossing her arms. "Which is pretty ridiculous, right? I mean, who wouldn't be interested? There are plenty of cute girls at this school."

Bella resisted the urge to roll her eyes at Jessica's indignation, though she was curious now about the whole Cullen family dynamic. Angela had said they were nice enough, just distant, but Bella wondered if there was more to it than that.

She wondered if they were deliberately keeping to themselves for some reason, something deeper than just being private.

As she mused over this, Bella felt a pang of surprise at how invested she was becoming in the mystery of the Cullens. She had never been one for gossip or scandal, but something about them, about Rosalie in particular, gnawed at her thoughts.

The look that Rosalie had given her, felt like more than a fleeting glance—it was recognition; the look I give someone when we're two halves of the same coin, it was as if we both shared an understanding for something deep down, within ourselves, about something we don't keep on the surface..

———

As the lunch period came to a close, Bella gathered her things and the chatter of her new friends faded into the background. She had enjoyed the meal more than she expected to, the combination of food and company proved to be a welcome distraction from her inner musings.

She felt a sense of relief wash over her as she realized she had made it halfway through her first day of school, and a small smile crept onto her face. The cafeteria clanged with the sound of metal trays being stacked and the echoes of students hurrying to their next classes.

The bell rang, sharp and demanding, cutting through the noise like a knife. Jessica and Angela stood, brushing off crumbs and tidying their trays.

"We've got physics now," Angela said, her tone bright with the thrill of the challenge ahead. "You'll be fine, right? Just head to biology, and it's straight down the hall."

"Yeah, I'll be fine," Bella replied, though the reassurance felt more for her own benefit than theirs.

"Okay, here, let's exchange numbers so we can keep in touch!" Jessica fumbled with her phone, tapping in her digits. "Just in case you want to hang out later."

Bella took her phone and added her number in it, feeling a warmth spread through her at their kindness. It was small, but it felt significant—a thread of connection to pull her through this unfamiliar world.

They quickly exchanged numbers, and as they finished, Bella took a deep breath, preparing herself to head to her next class.

"Thanks, guys! See you later!" she called as they walked away, their laughter ringing out behind her.

She glanced down the hallway, spotting the direction she needed to head. Just one more class, and then she could go home. One more hour of biology, and then—she was relieved to remember—she wouldn't even have to sit through English, since her teacher was absent. A good first day, she thought, smiling slightly at the thought of curling up at home with a book.

With her mind wandering, Bella approached the biology classroom. The door was slightly ajar, and she stepped inside, scanning the rows of desks for an open spot. The room was brightly lit, with posters of cell structures and various diagrams plastered on the walls. Students shuffled in, the low hum of chatter echoing around her.

She felt a knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach as she realized there was only one seat left—right next to a boy with bronze hair that draped messily, with abundant curls. He wore clothes that perfectly fit his build; designer would be Bella's best guess.

He sat slouched in his chair, shoulders hunched, and as she drew closer, Bella could sense a strange energy radiating from him. There was something magnetizing about him, a pull she couldn't quite understand, but it was laced with something unsettling.

Just sit down, she urged herself, pushing the door open wider and making her way toward the seat. The boy's head snapped up, his gaze locking onto hers with an intensity that made her breath hitch. His eyes were a strange mix of gold and green, and they seemed to pierce right through her, scrutinizing her every move.

Bella felt a wave of self-consciousness wash over her. Was it just her imagination, or did his expression shift to one of disgust? One of his hands covered his mouth and nose, and she couldn't tell if it was in reaction to her presence or something else entirely. The juxtaposition of his striking beauty and the repulsion she thought she saw left her feeling dizzy.

Do I smell bad? The thought flitted through her mind uninvited, and she felt a surge of embarrassment heat her cheeks. She'd taken a shower that morning; she was sure of it. But what if something had happened? What if the fish she had eaten for lunch was lingering on her breath? Bella glanced down at her clothes, the same hoodie and jeans she'd worn from Phoenix. Were they too wrinkled?

The class began to fill up, and Bella tried to push the worry away, focusing instead on the teacher, who was now talking about the syllabus. Yet, her attention kept drifting back to the boy beside her. He was watching her closely, his gaze almost unfathomable.

At first, it seemed curious, but gradually, as the seconds ticked by, it morphed into something darker—something fierce. It was a bizarre mixture of fascination and anger, and she couldn't fathom what could provoke such emotions in him.

As the teacher droned on about cellular structures and the wonders of photosynthesis, Bella's mind wandered in circles. She stole glances at her desk partner, and each time their eyes met, she felt a strange flutter in her chest. There was something hypnotic about him, something that pulled her in much like Rosalie Hale and Emmett Cullen had done. But unlike the warmth she had felt in their presence, this was more chaotic, a swirling storm of emotions she couldn't decipher, but left her entranced.

She wondered why he was looking at her like that. Bella frowned slightly, in confusion. She thought maybe he perhaps knew her from somewhere, already had a preceived notion, view on her to hate or dislike her; but where could they have met— Bella knew she would've remembered seeing someone who looked like him before.

So, that thought was ludicrous, but the more she stared, the more she felt like he was piecing together some puzzle that she couldn't physically see, some sort of mental riddle, a hidden message.

She shifted in her seat, trying to focus on the lesson, but the atmosphere around her felt charged. His breathing was shallow, almost as if he were holding back, and there was an odd intensity in the air.

It was oppressive, and she wondered if the entire class could sense it too. They were all seated, faces attentive or bored, but somehow, it felt like they were all outsiders to this strange interaction, strange dance of emotions she was involved in.

Minutes crawled by, and Bella's mind raced. She thought about Rosalie's commanding presence and Emmett's friendly demeanor, how they had seemed effortlessly at ease while the boy beside her appeared caught in a constant state of conflict.

The way he studied her felt personal, but it also felt like a judgment, as though he were weighing her worth against something she didn't even understand.

Bella wondered what it was about her that made her so disgusting to her seat partner. She could've sat anywhere, yet of course, with her luck she'd sat next to the only person in the class who seemed to have an extreme distaste for her smell.

The teacher's voice faded into a background hum, and she caught herself glancing again at the boy, who was now frowning, a crease forming between his brows. She felt her stomach twist with anxiety. Was he upset? Bella wondered if it was because of her.

Suddenly, he shifted in his seat, and she could see the muscles in his jaw tense. He didn't break eye contact, but the intensity shifted into something more frigid, a storm brewing just beneath the surface. Was he angry? Or was he just… confused?

It seemed like he was straining to keep control, as if he could break any moment— kind of how ai felt all the time since my attack. Strength recognizes strength—perhaps that was it, that's why their energy seemed to be so chaotically emotionally clashing, perhaps they were just so similar.

As she sat there, the rest of the classroom faded away, leaving only the two of them suspended in a bubble of tension. It was fascinating, in a way. He was beautiful, in a wild, untamed sort of manner, and there was a rawness about him that intrigued her despite the unsettling feelings swirling in her chest.

Before she could fully comprehend what had just happened, the clanging of the bell signaling the end of the class rang, jolting Bella out of her thoughts. The sudden noise shattered the chaotic silence that had enveloped her. The boy beside her shot up from his seat, his movements abrupt and almost predatory. He was out of his chair before the first notes of the bell had even faded, striding toward the door with an intensity that left Bella momentarily stunned in her seat.

What just happened? Bella thought, watching him disappear into the corridor. It was bizarre. The classroom had erupted into noise as students packed up their things, but her mind was still stuck, replaying his reaction to her presnce, which wildly differed from the rest of the student populous's reactions to her arrival to the school.

Was she relief or amusement that she felt to her seat partner's reaction? His reaction to her had ventured so vastly different from everyone else's reaction to her to the point where it was honeslty refreshing, in a strange way, to see someone break the mold of the typical student behaviour to her presence.

It felt like she had barely scratched the surface of understanding him, and yet he had left without so much as a word, leaving her to grapple with a whirlwind of emotions. Bella found herself rising from her desk, as her heart raced with a mix of curiosity and bewilderment.

What is it with these people she wondered, glancing back at the door that her seat partnerhad exited through. There was a strange energy surrounding Forks, and it was drawing her in, compelling her to unravel the mysteries behind them. She felt the same magnetic pull with this boy as she had with Rosalie and Emmett, but with her seat partner, the pull was layered with complexities that made her want to learn more; not just learn and observe, but she felt like she wanted to delve into whatever world—scene they lived in, outside of the highschool atmosphere.

As the classroom emptied, Bella took a deep breath and tried to shake off the remnants of her weird interaction with her seat partner. Then she stood up, grabbed her bag and left the classroom, smiling as she realized she'd soon be escaping these school walls to the comforting confines of her home; her new home.

———

As Bella sat in her car, her fingers drumming lightly on the steering wheel, she felt a quiet sense of relief wash over her. The first day at Forks High had been a whirlwind of emotions, and now, with the sun beginning its slow descent behind the trees, she was ready to return to the comfort of home. But, just as she was about to pull out of the school parking lot, something caught her eye.

A few yards away, Rosalie Hale and Emmett Cullen were engaged in a serious conversation with the boy Bella had sat next to during her biology class, the boy with the bronze, curly hair. Rosalie's expression was stoic, and unreadable, her usually bright demeanor was replaced with something darker. The way her lips pressed together suggested annoyance or impatience.

Emmett, so far a gentle giant or so far appeared as such,to me, seemed to be trying to diffuse the tension in the three's silent, heated argument. Emmett's massive frame was leaning slightly toward the boy who I'd just sat next to in biology. It was as if Emmett was attempting to calm down the situation that seemed on the brink of escalation—perhaps on the brink of explosion.

But, it was Bella's seat partner's face that intrigued Bella most. He looked angry; his brows furrowed, muscles rigid, fists clenched and his jaw was set tight. It was as if he was just barely restraining himself—or his strength from something dark, deep, untethered.

There was a fire in her seat partner's gaze that made Bella's stomach twist uncomfortably. She had never seen anyone so intensely invested in a conversation and the energy radiating from them felt charged, as if the air itself was thick with unspoken words, perhaps it was, or perhaps she just couldn't hear their confrontation from inside of her vehicle.

Bella felt an instinctive pull to look away, to avoid intruding, spying, invading on their private conversation, but before she could turn her gaze back to the road in front of her, Rosalie's head snapped in her direction. When their eyes met though, Rosalie's expression softened substantially, transforming into a warm smile that lit up Rosalies whole face, and instinctively Bella smiled aswell, mirroring Rosalies expression, from the sheer warmth her smile let out in Bella's direction

It was a jarring contrast to the seriousness of her earlier discussion, which seemed close to a confrontation and, for a fleeting second, it felt as though the rest of the world faded away as Bella became mesmerized by the blonde's broad, friendly smile and warm, maternal energy that radiated from her.

Feeling heat rise to her cheeks, Bella offered a shy wave, with a smile. In that moment, Rosalie's warmth enveloped her, an invitation that made her heart flutter. Emmett, noticing the shift in Rosalie's demeanour, turned to look as well. His smile was genuine and welcoming, a stark contrast to the hostile glare he had just worn.

It was as if Emmett was acknowledging Bella in a way that made her feel included—as if she'd been inserted into their private conversation, despite that not being the case. Meanwhile, Bella's seat partner from biology's piercing gaze sent a shiver down her spine, making her acutely aware of the tension still hanging in the air.

The moment stretched, and Bella felt a sense of vulnerability wash over her. She didn't want to be the subject of anyone's scrutiny, especially not his. With the heat of embarrassment coloring her cheeks, Bella decided it was best to leave this chaotic, messy, tangible atmosphere that kept leaving her more confused than full of understanding. She shifted her car into gear, pulling away from the scene that suddenly felt very heavy with a deep unspoken tension.

As she drove the familiar route back home, to Charlie's, her mind wandered once again, swirling with thoughts of the incident in the parking lot. The vivid scene replayed in her head, each moment etched in her mind with intense, confusing, unexplainable detail.

Bella couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered from watching Rosalie, Emmet and her seat partner's intense discussion and the weirdest part was that as soon as they saw Bella, their expressions changed dramatically..

Bella wondered what their heated, almost hostile discussion entailed. What could they have been discussing that warranted such a serious atmosphere? Bella frowned, her fingers tightening around the steering wheel as she drove. Was it possible that she had misread the entire situation entirely? Was she just much too perceptive for her own good? Bella sighed as she drove.

Rosalie had seemed to genuinely acknowledge her, yet her seat partner's glare left her feeling unsettled. It was frustrating how quickly she had become wrapped up in the dynamics of people she hardly knew. Bella's emotions seemed to be just as uncoordinated as her limbs and get entangled just where they shouldn't belong. She was just trying to navigate her new life in Forks, and yet the intensity of her curiosity about the Cullens, especially about Rosalie and the boy who had sat beside her in biology, was becoming hastily, increasingly, vigorously all-consuming.

Bella felt slightly ridiculous that she cared so much about things that really, didn't apply to her.. It was just high school, it shouldn't matter to her who got along with whom and yet, here she was, feeling strangely tethered to the Cullen's interactions as if their emotions and feelings were bouncing off her own. The allure of their world was undeniable, and she found herself wanting to understand more, even if it meant diving into the ether, the unknown; distant, uncharted waters—alone.

As Bella pulled into the driveway at Charlie's house, Bella parked her car and then hopped out, the cool air greeting her with a refreshing embrace. She walked towards the front door, her heart still racing from her shared smile, encounter with Rosalie. The house was quiet, a stark contrast to the noise of the school and the chaos of the cafeteria. Charlie was still at work, and the muted, hushed ambiance of her house wrapped around her like a comforting blanket.

Bella made her way to her room, her sanctuary. She closed her bedroom door behind her, leaned against it for a moment and let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding in.

The walls of her room, adorned with the few personal touches she had managed to add, felt safe and secure to her, protecting her from the outside elements that haunted her. It was a place where she could sort through her thoughts without the prying eyes and hands of others.

What is it about the Cullens, Bella wondered as she settled onto her bed in a comforting, cross-legged fashion. The image of Rosalie's striking beauty danced in her mind, contrasting sharply with her seat partner's brooding intensity. It felt like those two were two sides of the same coin, magnets that pulled at her curiosity and her unease and she felt like she was going to combust if she didn't get answers soon, despite not being owed any.

Bella closed her eyes, recalling the way Rosalie had looked at her during that brief moment. Their connection had felt so genuine, shared; full of mutual understanding that Bella had yet to exactly identify, but she felt it deep within her. It was as if Rosalie had seen her for more than just the new girl in town, but more as well, something they must have in common.

Strength recognizes strength, and Rosalie radiated strength, like the sun. And then there was that boy, Bella's seat partner in biology. He kept creeping back into Bella's thoughts like a drug she couldn't get enough of. She wanted to think about him, she craved it;his gaze had been penetrating, full of a mix of emotion that left her unsettled. She wondered minutely if he was that intense with everyone, or was she just different.

Feeling restless, Bella rose from her bed and paced the small space of her room. Her thoughts were spiralling, from simple musings to wanting to understand deep, complexities that she held no answers for. Bella wondered what it was like within the mysterious, alluring Cullen family, what it was like to be a part of their world. Bella wondered if the Cullens felt the same weight of isolation she, herself often carried or were they too untouchable, living in a bubble that she could only get a glimpse from a distance.

Despite Bella's reservations, she found herself yearning for a connection—to help her dynamic, complex mind understand the dynamics that made up the Cullen's lives. The way they interacted with one another, the subtle exchanges that seemed to carry more meaning than mere words—Bella wanted to be a part of that. But how could she, when she always felt like such an outsider—always peering in, never let in.

———

Sinking back onto her bed, she allowed her thoughts to drift back to her seat partner, whose presence felt like a drug she wanted more of. Her encounter with him had unsettled her, but it had also ignited a flicker of excitement within her, that she hadn't felt anything like in a long time, or perhaps ever. Bella couldn't stop thinking about what had happened at school today, the energy that was palpable between her and her seat partner in biology. The events from that class played on a loop in her mind.

Her biology seat partner was strange. Why had he reacted that way to her presence? hadn't even greeted her, not a word, not a hint of a smile, just that look—burning, hostile, intense and at the brink of being fully untethered.

There was something magnetic about him. Bella didn't know his name, but she couldn't get him out of her thoughts. She'd pull her thoughts away from him, yet images of him would just keep infiltrating her head. He had left a strange, almost visceral sensation in the air between them. It was a palpable tension, a coldness that contrasted sharply with the warmth she had felt from Rosalie and Emmett. And yet, Bella yearned for more of it.

Their energies mixing felt so palpable, Bella could have sworn and they formed such a strange relation, almost unreal, but this dynamic intrigued her—the feeling from it consumed her. She had overheard snatches of conversation in the cafeteria: Alice and Edward were apparently a couple, as were Rosalie and Emmett. Were they not a family, alongside Jasper?

According to the rumors, Jasper seemed to be the most enigmatic of them all; solitary and distant. Strangely, Bella felt like she might know what that life felt like, to always feel alone, isolated, different.

Bella ran a hand through her hair, replaying the day in her mind. She realized then that she had barely taken any notes in class. Her mind had been consumed by everything around her, by her conversations with Jessica and Angela, and by the persistent unease that had settled over her in biology. She sighed in frustration.

She grabbed her phone, hesitated for a moment, then sent Jessica a message to let her know she had already gone home.

Hey, I'm already home, sorry. Volleyball isn't really my thing and sport in general. LOL

Bella had been using lots of excuses all day but this wasn't just an excuse; she had never been very sporty, active and physically fit and the thought of standing around watching a volleyball practice exhausted Bella, just from the meer thought of sitting in a sweaty gym. Jessica's response to Bella's text came quickly.

No worries! You can always come watch another time if you like.

Bella smiled, touched by Jessica's kindness despite her obvious penchant for gossip, and inability to tell that Bella should not be around sports. Bella hesitated before typing another message. Since biology class, her seat partner hadn't left her thoughts.

By the way, do you know the guy in biology, bronze-colored hair, hazel eyes, I think?

She waited, her heart beating a little faster at the thought of asking. Why was she so eager to know who he was? He had barely looked at her, and yet she couldn't stop herself from wanting to understand why that was and why he was so peculiar.

Jessica's reply came almost immediately.

Oh, that must be Edward Cullen. He's with Alice, you know, the one who's always with him. Well, she's not here right now, but they're inseparable. Edward is, let's say in a nice way,he's just pretty peculiar.

Edward Cullen. The name echoed in Bella's mind like a missing piece of a puzzle finally falling into place. A clear song illustrates him in her head —"Usurper" by NXCRE. Jessica didn't say much more, but the tone of her message suggested that there was more to discover about Edward.

And this Alice—who was she? What did she look like ? Bella didn't remember seeing her today, but she was curious about the dynamic between them. A couple, according to Jessica. But then, what was that distant, almost, icy look that he seemed to be directing at her all day? Bella sighed in defeat, she would never uncover all of the complexities that made up that family.

As she mulled over all of this, another message came in from Jessica, without Bella even asking.

Hey, check your inbox, Angela and I put together all the notes from the beginning of the year, just in case you want to catch up on the program. :)

Bless their hearts, because Bella hadn't even taken today's notes. Gratitude washed over her body and she raised her eyebrows, pleasantly surprised by the gesture. She immediately opened her inbox and found sent documents for every subject: Math, Biology, English, History, and Spanish, all neatly organized into easy-to-read, easily accessible folders, and Bella felt incredibly grateful. Angela and Jessica were sweet girls. She hadn't expected such a thoughtful gesture from them, yet they'd been more than generous all day.

Thank you so much, Jess! That's really nice of you.

Bella replied, a smile spreading across her face. She also sent a thank-you message to Angela, who replied right away, saying it was not a big deal. Bella settled at her desk, flipping through the documents Jessica had sent her.

No problem! I'm off to practice. Talk later! Jessica added.

Bella set her phone down and let out a light laugh. Jessica was a whirlwind, but Bella already felt more at ease with her. She hoped to nurture this friendship. Angela, calmer, had also left a great impression on her; Bella had felt instantly comfortable in her presence, which was rare. It was nice to know that she already had two people that she could count on in this new school, even though Forks still felt foreign, at least Angela and Jessica didn't. They've shown Bella who they are, how they act, how they treat people all day and Bella felt as if she was beginning to really know them.

The next few hours passed quickly. Bella immersed herself in her studies, carefully reviewing the notes the girls had sent her. There was so much material to catch up on, but she found herself surprisingly enjoying the studious routine. It gave her purpose, a welcome distraction from her troubled thoughts about her traumas and her new obsession with the mysterious Cullen family.

Around seven o'clock, Bella heard the front door open and close with a soft click. She straightened up, her heart light, at ease, tranquil in her personal bubble and within the safety and confines of her bedroom. Charlie was finally home. Bella headed down to the living room, where Charlie was taking off his work boots and hanging up his police coat.

"Hey, Bells. How was your day?" he asked in his usual, gruff but caring tone, as he set his keys down on the little entry table.

"Fine," she replied, as usual, not going into detail.

She wasn't in the mood to talk about everything. Charlie nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer. He wasn't the type to push, and Bella appreciated that about him. They both settled in the living room, Charlie taking his usual spot in his armchair while Bella sat on the couch. Silence engulfed the atmosphere around them, but not a confining silence, a comfortable silence.

"Wanna order pizza tonight?" Charlie suggested to Bella.

Bella nodded, a hint of a smile on her lips. It had become a little tradition between them. They enjoyed sharing a simple meal while watching a baseball game or some other show on television. That evening, Charlie put the television on a sports channel while they waited for the arrival of their pizza from a delivery person.

When the baseball game started, Bella felt oddly at peace. She liked the normalcy, the routine that her and Charlie had started. She didn't need to talk much; Charlie's mere presence was enough to give her a sense of calm. The familiar sounds of the television and the enthusiastic commentary from the announcer filled the room, creating a comforting background for Bella, while she sat with her dad, enjoying his company.

When the pizzas arrived, the two of them quietly in front of the screen, occasionally exchanging a few words about the game, but mostly in silence. It was comfortable, a brief pause in the chaos of her first day at Forks High School.

As the game went on, Bella felt more and more relaxed. The mystery of the Cullens temporarily faded from her thoughts, drowned by her exhaustion and the game on the television, and her thoughts had been replaced by the simple satisfaction of sharing a moment with her father.

It was a feeling that Bella hadn't experienced in a long time, and she clung to it. For now, it was all that she needed to feel tranquility.

Hello, this is user-arabella.

Thanks you so much for the support. That means a lot for me. Just a reminder that I'm not a english speaker. I am French and I can make a lot of grammatical mistakes, I'm sorry in advance. I have a Beta-reader but we're all humans. Errors can be made. Thanks y'all.