CHAPTER 5

RENESMEE'S POV

It was about time. After a week of excuses, I was finally going to Forks High. Last week was supposed to be my first day, but things never quite go according to plan. Kira imprinting on Mom's cousin Eugene had thrown everyone off, and the vampire attacks—growing more frequent and far too close for comfort—had kept me glued to Jacob's side. The official story was that I had the flu, which made me laugh a little inside. The flu. Right.

Now, I sat beside Jacob in his pickup truck, our hands laced together as he drove. His warm, calloused palm pressed into mine, and it made everything feel grounded, no matter how chaotic things were around us. He was chuckling softly, remembering something from Brazil.

"Emmett's face when that giant anaconda tried to wrap him up," Jacob started, shaking his head, eyes on the road.

I couldn't help but smile. "It did manage to bite him, though," I added.

"Yeah, but it shattered its fangs trying," Jacob shot back, his laugh infectious.

The memory made me laugh, too, but my thoughts soon wandered, slipping away from Emmett and the jungle. Today wasn't about that. Today was about Eugene. He was going to know everything before the day was over. I'd been thinking about it all morning—the fact that soon, we wouldn't have to hide anymore. And maybe that wasn't such a bad thing. It would mean seeing more of Charlie, too. Grandpa still tried to ignore what was right in front of him, but I always knew he understood more than he let on.

At least with Eugene, there would be no pretending. No more hiding the truth behind awkward silences or half-baked excuses. I figured I should meet him before Mom and Kira dropped the bomb on him. Give him a chance to absorb things a little. Besides, I liked the idea of having him in on everything. He was Charlie's nephew, after all. Charlie and Sue had been staying close to home, keeping an eye on him. And from what Grandpa had said during his visit a few days ago, Eugene was doing… okay. Probably because of Kira.

Jacob pulled into the school parking lot, breaking through my thoughts. "We're here," he said, his voice easy, calm, like always.

I turned to look at him, a grin tugging at my lips. It was hard to stay serious when Jacob was around. I giggled when he kissed my forehead, his warm lips leaving a familiar imprint there.

"Don't forget to pick me up," I reminded him.

He smiled that crooked, heart-stopping smile that never failed to make my stomach flip. "I'll be right here," he promised.

"Oh, and it's Kira's birthday today," I added, as I opened the door. "We should get her a cat."

Jacob burst out laughing, the sound rumbling through his chest. The thought of a werewolf and a cat together was pretty ridiculous. I could still remember the time one scratched him for trying to pet it. Classic Jake.

I slipped out of the truck, closing the door behind me, and threw a quick kiss in his direction before turning toward the building. My senses were sharper than any human's—thanks to being half-vampire—so I spotted Eugene's car immediately, and next to it, Kira's Harley. Perfect. I had time to introduce myself before lunch.

I could feel the eyes on me as I walked through the school entrance. Forks High was a small place, and my sudden appearance last week had caused a stir. I'd only managed to sit through one class before Kira's situation pulled me away. But today? Today was different. I smirked to myself, straightening my shoulders as I walked confidently to my first class.

This was going to be interesting.

EUGENE'S POV

I spent the whole morning looking for her—every classroom, every hallway, even the gym. I hadn't seen Kira anywhere, but I knew she was around. I'd parked next to her motorcycle that morning. She had to be here. I was just starting to wonder if she was avoiding me on purpose when I sat down with Brandon and Tina. I tried to hide my disappointment as I let out a sigh, reaching for a water bottle. Lunch was all but forgotten; I didn't feel like eating.

Across from me, Brandon and Tina were caught up in their own world, practically glowing as they fed each other fries and whispered. I cracked the cap on my water bottle and took a slow sip, trying to ignore the flutter of nerves in my stomach. Bella was supposed to come over that evening—or at least, I hoped she was. Maybe I'd finally get some answers for all the weird things she'd been hinting at. I was beginning to feel more like a conspiracy theorist than a teenager.

Just then, Tina's giggle pulled me out of my thoughts. "Uh oh, Eugene," she grinned, nudging Brandon with her elbow. "Here comes your Quileute hottie."

My head snapped up, following Tina's gaze. There was Kira, walking toward us. The bad mood I'd been wrapped up in only moments ago vanished. She nodded politely at Brandon and Tina, then looked at me with that mischievous smile I was starting to like way more than I should.

"You're sitting with me today," she announced, reaching out and taking my hand.

I barely managed a wave goodbye to Brandon and Tina as Kira tugged me across the cafeteria. She didn't say a word as we wove between the tables, heading straight toward her own. That's when I realized who she'd been sitting with. There was her friend, Lila, who looked engrossed in her phone, and then…there was her.

Bella's daughter, Renesmee.

She looked…stunning. Like she'd stepped right out of a painting or a dream. The resemblance to Bella was eerie—she had the same chestnut-brown hair, just a shade lighter, and delicate, almost doll-like features. Her skin was pale, though not as ghostly as Bella's. She had these piercing green eyes that looked straight through you.

The entire cafeteria had noticed her, too. Almost everyone was staring, though no one seemed brave enough to approach. Everyone except me, who was being dragged right up to her table by Kira.

As we reached them, her green eyes shifted, and then they landed on me. Kira slid into her seat, and I did the same. I watched her gaze flick to Kira, then to me again before she extended her hand. "Hi, you must be Eugene. I'm Renesmee, Bella's kid."

I reached out to shake her hand, startled by the warmness of her skin. I remembered when I'd first shaken Bella's hand; it had been like touching snow. Kira, by contrast, radiated heat, her hand nearly scorching every time she touched me. For some reason, I'd expected Renesmee to be cold skinned too.

"Hi, Eugene," Lila greeted, waving at me from across the table. I gave her a quick wave back.

"Heard you got the flu last week," I said, trying to make some kind of small talk. "How are you doing now?"

Renesmee's lips curled into a half-smile, as if she was holding in a joke I didn't understand. Kira and Lila exchanged amused looks. "I'm doing great, thanks for asking," she replied, her voice soft but clear.

"So, what're you up to after school?" Kira asked, propping her chin on her hand and looking up at me with curious eyes.

I tried to focus, though it was hard with Renesmee's quiet stare on me. "Actually, Bella was supposed to come pick me up," I replied.

The three of them nodded in unison, as if they'd expected it. I didn't have time to dwell on that because the lunch period was ending, and the cafeteria was starting to empty as everyone headed to class. Kira glanced at the table in front of me, where my lone water bottle sat.

"Aren't you hungry?" she asked.

"Not really." I shrugged, glancing away. I couldn't exactly admit that my nerves had killed my appetite.

Renesmee and Lila stood, gathering their things. "It's gym class now," Lila said, sighing. "We better get going, or Mr. Pinhead's going to make us run extra laps."

Kira laughed, and I joined in, but inside, I felt a strange mix of excitement and anxiety. Gym class was my weakest subject, but I'd do whatever it took not to embarrass myself in front of them.

RENESMEE'S POV

The first day at Forks High had already felt like walking through a gauntlet. Every hallway, every classroom—eyes followed me, whispers trailed after me. I'd expected that. Blending in wasn't exactly an option. But when the PA system crackled and announced, "Renesmee Cullen, please report to the principal's office," a new wave of anxiety twisted in my stomach.

I entered the office, and there he was—Principal Harrison, seated behind his desk, looking up from his paperwork with a polite, yet oddly tense smile.

"Ah, Renesmee Cullen," he greeted, his gaze sharper than his smile let on. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Please, have a seat."

I slipped into the chair across from him, keeping my expression neutral despite the unease prickling at the back of my mind. He began with the usual questions about my background and how I was adjusting to Forks. But then, his questions started to shift, becoming more pointed, his gaze somehow expectant.

"You must have had a unique childhood, Renesmee. So many adventures, especially in… Brazil, wasn't it?" he asked, his head tilted, his eyes keenly fixed on my face.

I felt my pulse skip. Forcing a small smile, I replied carefully, "Yes… it was a great experience."

But he only leaned in closer, his expression intent. "And how are you finding Forks so far? Must be a big adjustment, given… well, the life you've led."

My smile felt brittle. "It's different," I said, keeping it vague. But I couldn't shake the feeling that he was scrutinizing every word, every flicker of emotion.

Then, he asked, "How old are you, Renesmee?"

"Seventeen," I answered easily, a practiced response.

But he didn't react the way I expected. Instead, he narrowed his eyes, studying me as if searching for cracks. "Seventeen…" he repeated slowly, his lips curling slightly. "You don't look seventeen."

There was something calculated in his gaze, something too knowing in the way he said it. I forced a polite smile, trying not to let him see the unease creeping through me.

Finally, he leaned back, clasping his hands with that same strange, fixed smile. "Well, if there's anything you need, Renesmee, you can always come to me. I make it a point to keep a close eye on students like you."

Something heavy hung in the air as he said it, an unspoken weight in his words that left my skin crawling. "Thank you, sir," I managed, standing up quickly.

But as I left his office, a chill settled over me that I couldn't shake. Why did he seem so interested in my age—or my family? Principal Harrison was giving off a wierd vibe. I didn't trust him at all.

EUGENE'S POV

I hadn't thought much about the principal when Renesmee asked, "Have you guys noticed anything weird about the principal?" We were walking to the parking lot after gym class, and all I could think about was how thankful I was that we were done with laps. I was still catching my breath, replaying Coach's drill-sergeant commands in my head. A week ago, the principal had also summoned me to his office, but I hadn't noticed anything odd about it. Just the usual "welcome to Forks High" talk.

Kira glanced at Renesmee, eyebrows raised. "No, why, what happened?"

Renesmee hesitated. "Nothing. He just seems… a little too curious," she said, her words careful.

Curious? I frowned. What was there to be curious about? Sure, she had that unique, ethereal look—Cullen features that made her stand out even more than she knew. But that was all. Just a girl, right?

I caught a glance between Kira and her cousin Lila, something unreadable passing between them. We kept walking, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw Brandon and Tina on the other side of the quad. I waved at them. Tina squeaked, her hand flying up to her mouth in mock surprise, and mouthed, Oh my God! Kira Harlan! Brandon nudged her, both of them laughing.

Rolling my eyes, I turned back, and we slipped through the crowd and out of Building 3, finally making it to the parking lot. I noticed a red Ford pickup parked near the cafeteria with a tall guy leaning against it. He had the same deep, russet skin tone as Kira and Lila, and even from a distance, I could tell he was definitely Quileute.

Renesmee's pace quickened, and she waved us a quick goodbye, gracefully weaving through students toward him. She moved with a natural ease that left me staring, barely blinking. She reached the guy, and he pulled her into a hug, one of those hugs that held some kind of history. It felt almost private. I glanced away, suddenly feeling like I was intruding.

I saw him nod in our direction, a subtle acknowledgment. Kira raised her hand in a small, mock salute, and Lila waved back before drifting off toward her own car. That left Kira and me, and we made our way over to our vehicles—her motorcycle parked right next to my car.

"Who's that guy?" I asked, watching Renesmee and him walk to the truck.

Kira tilted her head, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Jacob Black. Don't you know him? His dad was Billy Black."

The name sounded familiar. I'd never met Jacob Black, but Charlie had mentioned his family before. "He's huge," I muttered. He would tower over me, easy.

Kira's smile widened, a glint in her eyes. "He's… well, you could say he's Renesmee's boyfriend, though 'boyfriend' doesn't quite cover it."

I glanced back at Renesmee and Jacob, watching them get into the truck, and somehow the way he looked at her made that word boyfriend seem laughably inadequate. There was something deeper there, something that was… different.

Kira and I finally stopped by our vehicles. It was always tough, saying goodbye to her, even if it was just until tomorrow. Somehow, each day felt longer the moment we separated.

"Will I see you tomorrow?" I asked, hoping I sounded casual, even though I knew I was far from it.

Her smile grew, and she leaned against her motorcycle, ignoring the drizzle that had just started up. "You most definitely will."

Then she did something that made my heart stumble. She leaned over and brushed her lips against my cheek. Heat flooded my face instantly, and I felt myself blush so deeply that even the drizzle couldn't cool it down. She chuckled at my reaction, her dark eyes flashing with amusement.

I turned, fumbling to open the door to my car, sliding in and trying to look normal as I turned the key in the ignition. But the engine only sputtered and died. Perfect. Just my luck. I tried again—nothing. I could feel Kira's gaze on me, and I finally looked up, already dreading her reaction.

She smirked, patting the seat behind her on the bike, her look unmistakable. Want a ride?

Charlie would kill me if he knew, but right now, the thought of sitting so close to her, her warmth cutting through the rain, was all that mattered. Without a second thought, I stepped out of my car and climbed on the bike behind her.

The rain picked up, misting around us as she revved the engine, and we took off, the road blurring around us as we rode. And, just for a moment, nothing else mattered but the feeling of being here, with her, the rain on my face and her heartbeat steady beneath my hands.

The rain was coming down in torrents by the time we pulled up. I climbed off Kira's motorcycle slowly, bracing myself for how I'd explain to Charlie why I left his car at school. Something about it refusing to start didn't sound convincing enough in my head. Still, I invited Kira inside and offered to help her move the bike up onto the porch. But to my surprise, she handled it like it weighed nothing at all, lifting it up and settling it neatly under the awning before joining me at the door.

"Is Sue home?" Kira asked, looking around the quiet house as we stepped inside. The light was dim, and I flipped on a lamp in the living room.

I shook my head. "Nope. She went to La Push first thing this morning. Seth's graduation party is this weekend." I felt silly saying it—Kira was from the reservation too, so of course, she probably already knew about Seth's party.

She just gave me a small smile and let me lead her over to the couch. With a sigh, she sank down into the cushions and patted them like she was inspecting a piece of furniture she'd never seen before. "Nice couch," she said, her lips curving into a faint smile.

I chuckled nervously and sat down beside her, trying to ignore the rapid beat of my heart. Kira leaned into me, resting her head on my shoulder, and I couldn't help but slide my hand over hers. Her skin was warm, warmer than I'd ever felt on anyone else, but I didn't dare ask about it. I'd learned to leave certain things unsaid with Kira—she'd tell me when she was ready.

Still, I had one question that was eating at me. Earlier today, before lunch, I'd overheard Jason and his friends talking. They hadn't exactly been subtle about it, either, making sure I heard every word. They'd been talking about Kira and… her troublemaking reputation. One part of their conversation had stuck with me—Jason claimed she'd been expelled from her school on the reservation. And Sue had mentioned something about that last week, too.

I cleared my throat, hesitating before speaking. "Can I ask you something?"

"Mmm?" Kira murmured, her head shifting onto my chest. My heart hammered louder now, and for a second, I completely blanked on what I'd wanted to ask. But then, I managed to gather my thoughts.

"Why… why were you expelled from the reservation school?" I asked carefully, hoping it wasn't too personal or that it wouldn't upset her.

She sighed, not pulling away but lifting her head to look at me. Her fingers remained intertwined with mine, but her gaze shifted as if she was trying to decide how much to reveal.

"I, um…" She looked down, a hint of embarrassment flickering across her face. "I kinda punched the principal," she admitted softly.

I blinked, completely thrown off. "You… punched the principal?" I repeated, spacing each word for emphasis. She nodded, looking down with the slightest blush on her cheeks. I'd never seen her blush before.

"And… probably broke his nose in the process," she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.

I gawked at her, unsure whether to laugh or stay silent. After a beat, the hilarity of it all hit me, and I burst out laughing, unable to hold it back. Kira stared at me, wide-eyed, her mouth opening in shock.

"Eugene Swan, that is so not funny," she scolded, but I could see her lips twitching, fighting a smile.

"Sure, sure…" I managed to get out between laughs. She folded her arms, but her amusement was clear.

"Yeah, well, they made me attend anger management classes for a whole month before they let me into Forks High," she said, sounding almost proud but definitely trying not to laugh herself.

I forced myself to calm down, wiping the grin from my face. "Well, for what it's worth, I'm glad you got expelled and ended up here. Otherwise… I would've never met you."

Kira's eyes softened, and she smirked, a knowing look in her gaze. "You really think that would've stopped me? Whether it was in a classroom, on the road, or somewhere else… I would've found you eventually."

I swallowed, pondering her words, wondering how they could feel so right, even though they sounded surreal. "But… why me, though? I mean, I'm just… me," I mumbled, feeling suddenly self-conscious. I wasn't unattractive, but I wasn't exactly the kind of guy who stood out, either.

Her eyes locked onto mine, fierce and unwavering. "That's just it. You're you, Eugene. The moment I saw you, you pulled me in."

I felt the heat rise in my face, and for a moment, the world outside faded, leaving only us. I could hardly believe it; it felt almost… impossible. But the pull was undeniable—I'd felt it too, from the very first day.

The rain was slowing down now, pattering lightly against the window. Kira sighed, breaking our eye contact and glancing outside. "I should get going… Bella's probably on her way," she murmured.

I groaned in protest. "But you were here first!" She turned back to me with a mischievous smirk, and I couldn't resist pushing further. "It's your birthday. Bella can come tomorrow. We can make a cake, just you and me."

She hesitated, an internal struggle playing across her face, but finally, she sighed. "I really have to get home. It's… important."

Just then, her head whipped toward the door, and her posture went rigid. I felt a sudden tension, thick and heavy in the room.

"Kira?" I asked, concern creeping into my voice. "What's wrong?"

She shook her head, taking a deep breath as her hands trembled slightly. "Nothing," she muttered, more to herself than to me. "I just… I haven't gotten used to them yet… like I have with Renesmee."

"Used to who?" I asked, thoroughly confused now.

She shook her head again and turned back to me, forcing a tight smile. "Don't worry about it, Eugene. Your cousin's here. I should get going. I'll see you… as soon as I can."

She lingered, her eyes meeting mine in a gaze that was so full of… something I couldn't quite name. Affection, maybe. Something deeper.

"Bye, Eugene," she whispered, her voice soft, reluctant. She stood and walked toward the door, and I just watched her leave, feeling a strange pang in my chest.

And then she was gone, leaving me alone with only the fading echo of her warmth and the steady patter of the rain.

Kira was right. Barely a minute after she'd left, I heard the hum of Bella's Bentley pulling into the driveway. My heart jumped a little—I didn't even realize I'd started moving until I was already at the door, opening it before she even knocked.

And there she was, standing on the porch, that familiar smile on her face. For a second, I was ten years old again, in Forks for the first time at her wedding. I'd thought she was the most beautiful person I'd ever seen. She still was—almost painfully beautiful—but different now. Back then, her eyes had been a warm brown. Now, they were… golden. Her smile was there, but there was something colder in it, just like the rest of her.

"Hey, cuz!" she greeted me, that enthusiasm unchanged. I couldn't help but smile back.

"Let me grab my jacket," I said, and sprinted up the stairs. As I came back down, tugging it on, I saw Bella sitting on the couch, legs folded, scrolling through her phone. She glanced up when I reached the bottom of the stairs.

"Is Sue still over at La Push?" she asked.

"Yeah," I nodded. "Leah and Seth don't come by much, so she wanted to see them." It wasn't news to her, but she still listened, just like she had last week at dinner. I thought of how Sue had married Charlie years after losing her first husband, Harry, and how Charlie had supported her through that loss. Now they were just… solid. No need for more kids—they already had Bella, Leah, and Seth.

Bella was spinning her car keys around her finger as she rose from the couch, her movements so smooth they almost looked like something out of a movie. "Let's go."

I followed her out onto the porch, noticing the rain had calmed to a drizzle. And then there was the Bentley, gleaming on the wet driveway. I'd seen it before, but every time, it still hit me—this was one of the things about the Cullens. Stinking rich.

"Wanna drive?" Bella's grin was wide, daring me.

I hesitated, looking at the car. After the accident, the thought of driving still twisted something cold in my stomach. I'd gotten used to the old Rabbit Charlie gave me, but even with that, I rarely went above 50 km/h.

"Come on, you'll be fine," she said, pressing the keys into my palm. Before I could argue, she nudged me towards the car. I took a breath and got into the driver's seat, feeling the plush leather wrap around me as I settled in. Slowly, I turned the car on, feeling its power rumble beneath me.

"Where to?" I asked.

She gave me a wide smile. "Ever been to the Cullen house?"

I felt my face go pale, my hands gripping the steering wheel a little tighter.

Bella chuckled at my reaction, the sound as clear and bright as church bells. "They won't bite," she teased, her grin widening. "I did promise you an explanation about the weird stuff I showed you last week, didn't I?"

I hesitated, but memories of that wolf—huge, unmistakably real, yet somehow otherworldly—came rushing back. "Okay, okay," I sighed, easing into the idea. I'd never told anyone about it. They'd think I was crazy. With a deep breath, I slowly reversed the Bentley, letting Bella guide me toward the Cullen house. The car handled like a dream, even as I kept the speed low. Bella didn't mind.

"Hey, where's your Rabbit?" she asked after a moment. "I didn't see it."

"It broke down at school," I said, flashing back to earlier, how Kira had taken me home on her motorcycle, her hands resting on mine over her waist. My face felt a little too warm.

"Don't worry, I'll get my husband to fix it. It'll be waiting for you before school tomorrow," Bella said confidently.

"Oh, no, really, I can just walk," I started, but Bella scoffed.

"I'm not letting you walk to school. That's what cousins are for." I knew there was no point arguing—she'd get her way either way. The road slipped by in silence for a while, and I began to get more comfortable, gradually pressing a bit harder on the gas. I still didn't know what to expect when we reached the Cullens'.

"So… the Cullens," I finally asked, my curiosity winning out, "what are they like?"

Bella smiled, settling back into her seat. "They're the best. Carlisle is the father of the family; we all look up to him. His wife, Esme, is the mother—kind to everyone she meets. Then there's Emmett and Rosalie. Emmett's the big one, remember him? He carried you once at my wedding." I did remember him—towering and intimidating.

"Then there's Jasper and Alice. Alice is my best friend," Bella continued. "And Edward…" Her voice softened as she said his name, a warmth beneath it that was deeper than anything I'd ever heard. "Then there's my daughter, Renesmee." I heard the same affection when she mentioned Renesmee, the kind of love you can't mistake.

"You love them a lot, don't you?" I murmured, eyes on the road.

"More than my own existence," she said, her words gentle yet certain. "Existence." She hadn't said "life." I didn't miss that. We drove in silence until Bella pointed to a narrow, nearly hidden road branching off to the left. I barely caught it in time and turned in, following the path for another minute before the Cullen house appeared through the trees.

It was massive, sleek, and blended right into the forest around it. I stared up at it, feeling my heartbeat stutter. Here we go, I thought.

"You ready?" Bella asked. I just nodded, even though I felt anything but ready. Bella climbed out, and I followed, noticing the soft sound of a river flowing nearby. I stood there for a moment, waiting for her to circle the car. She moved gracefully, nodding toward the house.

I swallowed hard and trailed after her, my feet feeling like lead.

The moment I stepped inside, I was taken aback. Dr. Cullen, Carlisle, was already waiting, standing by the door before Bella and I even made it to the entrance. He had an easy, warm smile, the kind that set me at ease, but his presence—it held a calm authority. As he extended his hand to shake mine, I couldn't ignore the odd, familiar chill in his skin, like Bella's. A small detail, but something about it lingered in the back of my mind, refusing to blend into the background.

"Hello, you must be Eugene. It's nice to finally meet you," he greeted with genuine warmth, and though his voice was friendly, I caught a brief flicker of curiosity in his gaze.

"Please, come in," he invited, stepping aside to let us in. And with that, I crossed the threshold into the Cullens' home, completely unprepared for what I'd see.

Inside, the house was even more incredible than I'd expected. It wasn't just a house; it felt like an entirely different world. The living room opened up in a way that made me feel like I was stepping into a massive sanctuary. Walls of glass extended from floor to ceiling, revealing the lush, emerald forest outside and drawing the light in. Everything here was sleek, modern, and so clean it felt untouched. Minimal, almost as if only what mattered remained.

And then my gaze fell on him. Edward, sitting at a grand piano in the middle of the room, his back to me as he played. I watched, mesmerized by how his bronze hair caught the gentle sunlight, giving it a warm, copper glow that seemed to shift with every movement. His fingers moved across the keys with an effortless grace, his body relaxed yet somehow intensely focused, as if he was part of the music itself.

I barely had time to process it all before Bella drifted toward him. Edward seemed to sense her approach, though he didn't look back; he simply rose, turned, and gathered her into his arms. There was something so intimate in the way he held her that I couldn't help but look away. I was a guest here, after all—just an observer. This, whatever it was, was beyond me.

"Eugene." The sound of my name, spoken in a delighted, lilting voice, pulled my gaze back to the room. A petite woman with soft features and a warm, welcoming expression was moving toward me, her eyes bright with recognition.

"You've grown so much since we last saw you," she said, wrapping me in a gentle hug. She pulled back, studying me with a motherly affection that felt both surprising and oddly comforting. "I'm Esme."

I laughed, a little nervous but pleased. "Hi, Esme," I managed, feeling a bit self-conscious under her kind scrutiny.

Two others approached next, holding hands. One was a short, energetic woman with spiky black hair, practically bouncing with excitement, and the other was a tall, lean blond man. The woman gave Esme a knowing grin, almost mischievous.

"See, I told you Bella would bring him here," she whispered conspiratorially, though her whisper was perfectly audible.

Esme shot her a playful but cautioning look, but it didn't seem to dim her enthusiasm. She skipped forward, still holding onto the blond man's hand, and wrapped me in a quick, enthusiastic hug.

"Hi! It's so nice to finally meet you. I'm Alice," she said brightly, and I found myself smiling, unable to resist her energy.

"Hello, Alice," I replied, a little more at ease now. The blond man beside her inclined his head, offering a polite smile.

"I'm Jasper," he said, his voice calm, with a hint of warmth that matched the steady look in his eyes. "Nice to meet you, Eugene."

I nodded, returning the gesture just as two more figures entered. One of them was a tall, muscled guy with a familiar, infectious grin that immediately took me back seven years—to Bella's wedding, where I had perched on his shoulders, wide-eyed at the whirlwind of it all.

"Well, look who's all grown up," he said, and before I could say a word, I found myself wrapped in a bear hug that was both comical and slightly alarming.

"Emmett…" Esme's gentle warning made him ease up, and he set me down with a sheepish grin.

Then my gaze drifted to the last of them. She was breathtaking in a way that made it hard to breathe for a moment. I already knew her name—Rosalie—but seeing her up close, I understood why her beauty was nearly mythical.

"Hello, Eugene," she said, her voice cool and self-assured.

"Hi there," I replied, probably too quietly, but words seemed to fail me in that moment.

Just then, Bella approached, her arm looped through Edward's as they walked over to join the group. My heart picked up a bit, the weight of everything settling in. Here I was, surrounded by this strange, beautiful family, all of them oddly familiar yet completely enigmatic. And there was something I couldn't shake—a feeling that there was more, so much more, beneath the surface. I just didn't know what.

"Hello, Eugene," Edward greeted me last.

"Hi, you must be Edward." I said, reaching out to shake his hand, trying not to flinch at how cold it felt in mine. I was painfully aware of the curious eyes of the others, watching from a polite distance behind me. Bella was still holding Edward's hand, her fingers entwined with his as she gave me a reassuring grin.

"Where's Renesmee?" I asked, realizing their daughter wasn't around.

"She's probably with Jacob," Edward said with a faint smile. "They'll be here soon."

Esme stepped forward then, her gentle voice breaking the tension. "I'm sure you've got plenty of questions for Bella," she said. "We'll go make dinner while you talk." And just like that, they all began to disperse, as if by some unspoken signal. I noticed the blond guy named Jasper lingered nearby, though, while the others drifted away.

Bella nodded toward the door. "Let's go for a walk," she suggested, her tone casual. I swallowed hard, feeling a strange mix of nerves and curiosity. This was it—the moment I'd been waiting for all week, the moment I'd finally get answers to all the strange things I'd seen. But then, just as suddenly as it came, the nervousness faded, like someone had flipped a switch. I didn't know why, but I felt calm, almost… peaceful.

I nodded, and Bella and Edward led the way. I followed closely, with Jasper trailing just behind me. We walked through the trees toward the sound of running water. Eventually, we reached a clearing by the river, and I noticed a massive boulder at the bank. It looked oddly out of place, as if it had just been moved there—no moss or anything growing on it.

Bella gestured for me to sit, so I did, the solid rock surprisingly smooth beneath me. Edward and Bella stayed standing, watching me with a look I couldn't quite read. Jasper stayed a few steps back, watching too, but in a way that felt more like he was studying me than judging me. Edward and Bella exchanged a glance, as if silently deciding who would speak first.

Then Edward looked back at me, his face calm but serious. "Eugene, what do you know about vampires?"

Hey guys. Hope you enjoy. Don't forget to tell me what you think, i could definitely use some ideas at this point.