Sleep is out of the question after that nightmare. Even with my body weighed down by exhaustion, my mind won't let me rest.

I flip the notebook open again, gripping the pen like it's a lifeline. If I'm really here—inside this story, inside this world—I need a plan. And I need to stop thinking like "Bella" and start thinking like me.

For the rest of the night, I strategize. I list out every event I remember from the books, every decision "canon" Bella made, and I start figuring out how to twist them. How to take control of my own story.

By the time the sun rises, my plan is set. Step one: I'm not going to sit around and be some damsel.

Over the next week, people start noticing that I don't stick to a set routine. I make a point to move between different groups at lunch, keeping things interesting. It throws people off, but I don't mind.

Mike still avoids me, which is a welcome relief. Eric and Tyler try their luck, but I shut them down before they can get too comfortable. Instead, I focus on Angela and Ben—the only two who seem genuinely decent. I put in the effort to actually build a friendship rather than just letting them exist in my orbit.

At lunch, I switch things up constantly, never staying at one table for too long. It keeps people guessing. It keeps me entertained. And, most importantly, it makes it impossible for Edward Cullen to predict my movements when he finally decides to stop hiding in Alaska.

But the biggest shift? The Cullens and Hales.

Since Edward isn't here—off sulking in Alaska or whatever—I take the chance to get closer to the rest of them. Instead of gawking from afar, I actually introduce myself.

Alice is the easiest. The moment I approach her in the hallway, she lights up like I just handed her a winning lottery ticket.

"I knew you'd come talk to me," she says, practically bouncing on the balls of her feet.

I blink. "You did?"

She grins, tilting her head. "Mhm. I have a good sense for these things." Her golden eyes sparkle with something unreadable, and before I can even react, she loops her arm through mine. "Come on, sit with us at lunch today. It'll be fun."

That's how I find myself at the Cullen table, sitting across from Jasper. He's quiet, his gaze calculating but not unkind. I meet his stare head-on, waiting for him to say something first.

"You're different," he finally says, voice slow and deliberate, like he's still piecing something together.

I smirk. "Yeah? What gave it away?"

His lips twitch slightly, but he doesn't answer. Alice just hums in amusement beside me, like she knows something I don't.

Emmett, on the other hand, has no problem speaking his mind.

"You're ballsy," he says with a laugh, shaking his head. "Most people are too scared to even look at us, and here you are, just plopping down like you own the place."

I shrug. "Should I be scared?"

His grin widens. "Maybe."

Rosalie, though, is a different story. She doesn't say a word. She just stares at me, her expression unreadable, like she's trying to figure out what exactly I am.

Finally, I sigh and meet her gaze directly. "You can just ask whatever's on your mind, you know."

She arches a perfect blonde brow. "What makes you think I have a question?"

I smirk. "Because you look at me like I'm a puzzle missing half the pieces."

For a moment, she doesn't react. Then, just barely, the corner of her mouth twitches—like she's amused despite herself. But she doesn't respond.

That's fine. I can be patient.

When Edward finally returns, I can tell I've already thrown him off before we even speak.

The second he steps into the cafeteria, his entire body goes rigid. His golden eyes lock onto me, narrowing slightly, like I'm some kind of unsolved equation that refuses to balance.

I smirk. Good.

Turning away, I focus on my conversation with Alice, pretending I don't notice him staring. He's not the only one who can play mind games.

"So," Alice says, her tone light but amused, "how's your first couple of weeks at Forks High treating you?"

I hum thoughtfully, tapping a finger against my chin. "Well, the weather sucks, but the company is… entertaining."

Emmett snorts. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"It was one."

Jasper, who's been mostly quiet, gives me a curious glance. "You don't seem particularly… surprised by us."

I shrug. "Why would I be?"

Before he can press further, Edward finally moves. I feel the shift in the air before I see him. He stalks toward the table with controlled precision, dropping into his usual seat with a smoothness that looks almost unnatural.

For a second, he just stares at me.

I raise an eyebrow. "Can I help you?"

His jaw tightens. "You're different."

I lean forward, resting my chin in my palm. "So I've heard."

Alice giggles beside me, and I can tell she's enjoying this. Edward, on the other hand, doesn't look amused. He looks… frustrated. Like I've upended something he thought was set in stone.

Good. Let him squirm.

Then comes the day of the car accident.

This time, though, I'm nowhere near the danger.

I'm standing off to the side of the school parking lot, fumbling with my bag, when I hear the screech of tires on ice. My head snaps up just in time to see Tyler's van spinning out of control—heading straight for me.

Before I can react, something slams into me from the side. One moment, I'm on solid ground; the next, I'm flat on my back, staring up at Edward Cullen. His arm is braced against the pavement beside me, his breath coming fast, golden eyes wild.

The van crashes where I had been standing only seconds before.

Everything is a blur after that. The shouting, the crowd gathering, the distant wail of sirens. Edward is gone before anyone can question how he moved so fast.

I still end up in the hospital—more for observation than anything. That's where I meet Dr. Cullen for the first time. He's exactly as described in the books: impossibly young, strikingly handsome, and calm in a way that seems almost unnatural.

"Isabella Swan," he greets, glancing at the chart in his hands before looking at me with a polite, unreadable expression. "I heard you had a bit of a scare."

I shrug. "Not really. Edward pulled me out of the way."

His golden eyes flick to mine, sharp and assessing. "Still, it's good to be thorough." He checks my vitals with practiced ease, but there's something in his gaze that lingers, like he's studying a puzzle he can't quite solve.

I just give him a polite smile, pretending not to notice.

Edward, on the other hand, goes back to trying to avoid me. Which, honestly, is hilarious because I refuse to let it slide. Any time he tries to slip away, I make sure to cross paths with him. I sit next to him at lunch, ask him innocent but pointed questions, act completely unbothered by his cold demeanor.

It drives him crazy.

One afternoon, I plop down in the empty seat beside him and open my lunch with exaggerated ease. "You know, for someone with so interested in avoiding me, you're really bad at it."

Edward stiffens, his hand frozen around the bottle he was pretending to drink from. "I wasn't—"

I arch a brow. "You were."

His jaw tightens, and for a second, I swear I see the corner of his mouth twitch, like he's fighting a smirk. "You're very persistent," he finally mutters.

I grin. "You have no idea."

Then comes the whole Spring Dance situation.

Eric catches me in the hallway, shifting nervously from foot to foot. "So, uh… Isabella, I was wondering—would you maybe want to go to the dance with me?"

I offer him a small, apologetic smile. "Sorry, Eric, but I'm not really interested in going with anyone."

He looks disappointed but nods quickly. "Oh! Yeah, totally. No problem." He forces a grin. "See you in class."

Tyler, however, is a different story. He corners me in the parking lot, all confidence and charm. "Come on, Isabella. You and me, Spring Dance. What do you say?"

I let out a short laugh, shaking my head. "Not a chance."

His smile falters. "Wait, seriously?"

"Dead serious." I step around him, still grinning. "But hey, good luck with your backup plan."

Mike? He doesn't even try—not after the verbal smackdown I gave him gym class.

That night, Edward sneaks into my room.

He probably thinks he's going to do the whole brooding, mysterious vampire thing, but he immediately turns around and leaves.

Why?

Because I'm sleeping in a way that's apparently too "indecent" for his old-fashioned sensibilities.

Honestly? I wish I could've seen the look on his face.

The next day, I make a point to sit with him at lunch again, pushing his buttons just for fun. But my smugness vanishes when I glance at the Biology syllabus and realize what's coming.

Blood typing.

This is supposed to be the part where I nearly pass out from the sight of blood. But when the test starts, something feels off.

The scent of blood doesn't make me nauseous.

It makes my mouth water.

A wave of horror crashes over me as my stomach twists in a way it never has before. My fingers tremble as I grip the edge of the table. This isn't how it's supposed to go.

The sharp, metallic scent of blood lingers in the air, but instead of making me nauseous like it should, it does the opposite. My breathing turns shallow, my heartbeat erratic. My skin feels too tight, too warm. I barely hear the teacher explaining the blood-typing procedure, my focus narrowing to the crimson droplets on the slides.

No, no, no—this isn't right. Bella was supposed to faint at the sight of blood, not—

A shudder rolls through me, and I squeeze my eyes shut, willing the sensation away.

"Bella?" Mike's voice cuts through the panic, his hand brushing against my arm. "You okay? You're, like, super pale."

I jerk away from his touch, swallowing hard. "I—I need to get out of here." My voice sounds distant, strained.

Mr. Banner barely glances up from his demonstration before waving a hand dismissively. "Mike, take her to the nurse."

Mike is all too eager to help, immediately grabbing my backpack and guiding me toward the door. I let him, too focused on keeping my breathing steady. Each step feels unsteady, like I'm walking on uneven ground. My fingers clench at my sides as I try to shove down the wrongness clawing up my spine.

As we step outside, the cool air helps, but not enough. My stomach still churns, my pulse still pounds in my ears. I focus on the mundane details around me—the scuffed tile floors, the dull chatter from nearby classrooms, the squeak of Mike's sneakers.

Then, as we near the nurse's office, I feel him.

Edward is sitting in his car across the parking lot, his posture unnaturally stiff. Even from here, I can see the way his fingers clench around the steering wheel, his golden eyes locked onto me with an intensity that makes my breath catch.

His expression is unreadable.

Before I can even try to play it off, my body betrays me—I sway on my feet, and the next thing I know, Edward is ushering me toward the nurse's office. Just like in the original story.

Only now?

I have no idea what the hell is happening to me.

The nurse barely glances up as Edward guides me into the office, her expression one of mild concern but mostly routine boredom.

"Another one?" she sighs, shaking her head. "Every year, at least one student faints during blood typing."

I try to focus on that—on how normal she makes it sound—but my skin still feels too tight, my throat still dry. I sink into the chair Edward leads me to, curling my fingers against my palms.

He crouches beside me, too close, too perceptive. "You're still shaking," he murmurs.

No kidding.

I nod stiffly, unable to meet his eyes. If I do, he'll see too much. "It's just… the blood." It's not a lie, not really.

The nurse hums knowingly. "Hemophobia. Some people have a more extreme reaction than others."

"Yeah," I whisper, forcing myself to play along. "That must be it."

Edward doesn't look convinced. His eyes scan my face, unreadable and far too observant. My pulse jumps when he tilts his head slightly, inhaling in that way he does when something about me catches his attention.

I clamp my jaw shut, locking everything down. Do not react.

The nurse pats my shoulder with the kind of detached sympathy only a school nurse could manage. "You'll be fine after a little rest, dear. Just take deep breaths."

Deep breaths won't help. Not when my entire world has tilted sideways.

Edward stands, his movements too fluid, too graceful. "I'll take her home," he announces, already deciding for me.

My panic spikes. I snap my head up. "No—" I start too quickly, too sharp. His brows furrow slightly.

I swallow hard, forcing my voice to steady. "I mean… it's fine. Mike can—"

"I already left Mike in the hall." His tone is casual, but there's something firm beneath it. "I don't mind."

The nurse waves a dismissive hand. "That's probably for the best. Charlie will be relieved to know she's getting a ride."

I force a nod, even as my mind screams at me. I can barely hold it together now. How am I supposed to survive a car ride with him?

Still, I don't have a choice.

Wordlessly, I let Edward help me up, my body still too unsteady. His touch is light but firm, and that alone sends another rush of unease through me. I need to get a grip before he notices just how off I am.

As we step outside, he slows his pace, glancing at me. "Are you sure you're okay?"

No. Not even close.

I force a breath and nod. "Yeah. Just… trying not to freak out."

His lips twitch slightly, like he wants to smirk but doesn't. "Well, you're doing a terrible job."

Despite everything, I huff a laugh. "Thanks."

His amusement fades, replaced by something quieter. "I can drive you to school from now on—so Charlie doesn't have to. That's if you're comfortable with that."

I blink, caught off guard. "You—what?"

He shrugs. "I've already proven I have faster reflexes than any vehicle, if you're concerned about a wreck."

I narrow my eyes. "That's not exactly comforting."

He smirks this time, a flash of something familiar in his expression. "Think about it."

Oh, I will. But not for the reason he thinks. Because the last thing I need right now is more time alone with Edward Cullen while I'm still trying to figure out what the hell is happening to me.

so... Im not really that happy with this chapter. However, I do have some more twist and turns to take yall through!

I got a new laptop so ill be able to write more often now, hopefully more consistently too!

also if youve got any ideas or tropes youd like to see in this story or questions either leave me a review or drop me a PM.