The next day at school started like any other. Edward and I walked into the cafeteria, the familiar chaos greeting us as we made our way to our usual table. The buzz about the new student had died down a bit, but there was still lingering curiosity in the air.

None of us had seen the new girl yet, and I had almost forgotten about it until Alice brought it up again. "I can't believe we still haven't seen her," Alice said, her eyes scanning the room with a mix of frustration and curiosity. "She must be hiding somewhere."

Edward shrugged, his attention more focused on my hand in his than on Alice's musing. "She'll show up eventually," he said, his tone indifferent. "No need to get worked up about it."

Just as he said that the cafeteria doors opened, and a hush fell over the room. All eyes turned to the entrance, and there she was- the new girl. Bella Swan.

She walked in with an air of uncertainty, her eyes wide as she took in the sea of unfamiliar faces. I noticed Edward's posture stiffen beside me, his eyes locked on her. A sinking feeling settled in my stomach as I watched him. His gaze was intense, almost hungry, and I felt a pang of something unfamiliar- jealousy.

Bella's eyes scanned the room nervously until they met Edward's. Her steps faltered for a moment, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink. She seemed almost mesmerized, her gaze locked onto Edward as if drawn by an invisible force. I could see the admiration in her eyes, and it only made the knot in my stomach tighten.

Alice, sensing the shift, looked at Edward and then at me. "Edward, what's going on?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

Edward didn't answer, his eyes still glued to Bella. I felt like there was an immense pressure on my chest, a mix of anger and sadness bubbling up inside me. Why was he staring at her like that?

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "Edward," I said quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. "What is it?"

He finally tore his gaze away from Bella and looked at me, his expression unreadable. "I don't know," he admitted, his voice filled with confusion. "There's something… different about her."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Different? What did that even mean? I felt a hot flash of jealousy and hurt rise in me. "Different how?" I asked, trying to seem more curious than hurt.

Edward shook his head, as if trying to clear his thoughts. "I can't explain it," he said, his voice softening. "But it's nothing for you to worry about."

I wanted to believe him, but the look in his eyes when he stared at Bella was something I couldn't ignore. It was as if she had some kind of hold on him, and it made me feel insecure in a way I hadn't felt in a long time.

Lunch passed by in a blur, with Edward's attention split between me and Bella, and the rest of the Cullens noticing the tension. I couldn't help but feel a little concerned and vulnerable, despite Edward's reassurances.

After lunch, Edward and I walked together to biology class, the weight of the cafeteria encounter still lingering in the air between us. The chatter of students and the clatter of lockers created a familiar background noise, but it did little to ease my unease. As we entered the classroom, I noticed the usual empty at the back was still available, and we settled in side by side.

Moments later, Bella walked in, looking slightly lost. Her eyes scanned the room until they landed on the only available seat, directly in front of us. She hesitated for a moment before making her way over and sitting down. I glanced at Edward, who was already staring intently at her, his expression tense but captivated.

Mr. Banner began the lecture on cellular respiration, but I could tell Edward's mind was elsewhere. His eyes never left Bella, and I could see the intensity in his gaze. It was as if he was trying to decipher a complex puzzle, and it made my heart ache with a mix of worry and jealousy.

I leaned closer to him, whispering, "Edward, what's wrong?" But he didn't respond. His focus remained solely on Bella, and it was as if she hadn't even heard me. Frustration welled up inside me, but I tried to push it down, reminding myself that Edward and I had always shared a deep connection. Yet, his silence now felt like a wall between us.

Throughout the entire class, Edward's attention never wavered. He watched Bella's every move, his eyes following her as she took notes and occasionally glanced back at him with a curious expression. It was clear she had noticed his intense stare, and I could see a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

I tried once more to get his attention, gently touching his arm. "Edward, please, talk to me." But again, he didn't respond. The worry and jealousy gnawed at me, making it hard to concentrate on the lesson.

As the bell rang, signaling the end of class, Bella quickly gathered her things and left the room. Edward remained seated, his eyes still fixed on the spot where she had been. I turned to him, feeling a mix of desperation and frustration. "Edward, what's going on?"

He finally looked at me, his expression troubled. "I don't know, Casandra. There's something about her… I can't explain it." His voice was soft, almost haunted, and it only deepened the knot of anxiety in my chest.

We left the classroom in silence, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted between us. The arrival of Bella Swan had stirred something in Edward, something that made me feel uncertain and vulnerable. As we walked through the crowded halls, I couldn't help but wonder what this new development meant for us and the stability of our world.

The tension from Biology class lingered as Edward and I made our way through the rest of school today. I was angry, hurt, and confused, and those feelings grew stronger with each passing hour. Edward's distant behavior only made it worse, and by the time we reached home, I would be on the verge of tears if I could be.

As we entered the house, the familiar warmth of our home provided little comfort. Carlisle and Esme were in the living room, their expressions immediately turning to concern when they saw us.

"Casandra, what's wrong?" Esme asked, her voice gentle and soothing. I could see the worry etched on her face, but I couldn't bring myself to answer. The emotions swirling inside me were too raw, too jumbled to put into words.

Edward glanced at me, his face a mixture of confusion and guilt. "It's nothing, Esme," he said, his voice flat. "Just a long day at school."

Carlisle stepped forward, his brow furrowed. "It doesn't look like nothing, Edward. We can tell something's bothering both of you."

I turned away from them, not wanting to face their concerned gaze. My anger and hurt were too overwhelming, and I couldn't find the words to explain what I was feeling. Instead, I headed upstairs to my room, shutting the door behind me. The familiar space felt like a refuge, and I sank onto the bed, trying to make sense of everything.

Downstairs, I could hear the voices of my family. Edward was trying to explain, but his words were halting and unsure. "There's a new student," he began, his voice barely audible. "Bella Swan."

Alice chimed in; her voice filled with confusion. "Edward's been acting strange since he saw her. We don't know why, though."

Emmett's voice was pragmatic. "Maybe it's just the novelty of a new face. High school can get pretty boring after a while."

Jasper's voice was calm and measured, as always. "There's more to it than that, Emmett. Edward's reaction was… intense."

I could hear Carlisle and Esme trying to piece together what little information they had, but their efforts only highlighted how little anyone really understood what was going on. It wasn't just about Bella; it was about the sudden shift in our world, the uncertainty that her arrival had brought.

Edward eventually came upstairs, his footsteps quiet as he approached our door. He knocked softly. "Casandra, can I come in?"

I hesitated for a moment before opening the door, my eyes meeting his. Without a word, I stepped aside to let him in. Edward walked in slowly, his eyes searching my face for any sign of how I was feeling.

He started to speak, his voice gentle. "Casandra, I know something's bothering you. Can we talk about it?"

I shook my head, a tight smile on my lips. "There's nothing to talk about, Edward. Let's just.. Let's just focus on something else. How was the rest of your day?"

Edward frowned, clearly not convinced but respecting my wish to avoid the topic. "The rest of the day was fine," he said, though I could sense the tension in his voice. "Are you sure you don't want to talk about it?"

I turned away, pretending to busy myself with arranging the books on my desk. "I'm sure," I replied, my voice firmer this time. "Why don't you tell me about that book you were reading last night? It sounded interesting."

Edward sighed softly, clearly wanting to press the issue but knowing I wasn't ready. "It's a classic," he began, his tone hesitant. "The themes are timeless, really. It's about…"

He continued talking, and I tried to lose myself in his words, but my mind kept drifting back to the cafeteria and the intense look in his eyes as he started at Bella. Despite my efforts to change the subject, the gnawing feeling of insecurity wouldn't leave me.