Elena and I shared countless classes, always accompanied by Bonnie and Caroline.

As we sat together, exchanging laughter and notes, I saw how different she was from Katherine.

While Elena radiated compassion and selflessness, the stark contrast in her demeanor became evident.

Katherine's lack of empathy highlighted the warmth that Elena effortlessly brought to our friendship.

Caroline's voice sliced through my swirling thoughts of Katherine, returning my attention to the present.

"So, where did you live before coming to Mystic Falls?"

"All over, really," I replied, my gaze fixed on Elena, who seemed engrossed in her lunch. "I've lived in Phoenix, various places in California, Forks, and Port Angeles."

"Port Angeles?" Elena echoed, her interest piqued like a cat spotting a mouse. "Where is that?"

"It's in Washington," I responded.

"You mentioned Forks," Bonnie interjected, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Did you ever meet a girl named Isabella Swan?"

Elena rolled her eyes in annoyance, her expression shifting as Isabella's distinctive scent wafted through the air, overpowering all other aromas in the room. I watched Isabella move clumsily through the cafeteria, carefully selecting her lunch.

"Uh, I don't think I've met her," I said, my curiosity piqued despite my attempt at nonchalance. I would have remembered a scent like that. 'Who is she? The name sounds captivating."

"What about Port Angeles?" Elena pressed, her curiosity intensifying. "Tell us more about it."

"Well," I said, momentarily distracted by Isabella as she scanned the room, her expression lost until she finally spotted our table. "It's about an hour's drive from Forks, but it's not nearly as dreary. Isabella tightened her grip on her lunch tray, taking a tentative step toward us. "It's an intriguing place—quiet yet steeped in mystery."

"When did you leave Forks?" Elena asked, her eyes gleaming with interest.

'Hey, Bella!' A voice called, causing her to jump and flick Elena in the back of the head.

Isabella rushed to the girl, apologizing; Bonnie took hold of Elena, who rubbed her head as Caroline suppressed a giggle.

'What hit me?'

'It doesn't matter.' Bonnie told her.

'You still look beautiful.' I assured.

Elena giggled as I heard Tyler Lockwood mutter, 'It's okay, freshman, the new guy saved your ass.'

'Little Miss. Goody shoes deserve it after she broke my brother's heart.' the girl, Vicky Donovan, growled.

'Vick, come on.' Her brother Matt groaned.

'You're-'

'Bella.'

'Why did you leave Forks?' Bonnie challenged.

She eyed me skeptically; it wouldn't surprise me if she confronted me with concerns.

'Too wet.'

'Just the name, Forks. I bet it's depressing and snarky, just like-' Caroline muttered, glancing at the Isabella in question. 'Oh, she's sitting with Matt.'

I felt Elena shift uncomfortably. 'She's probably just doing it to mess with me.'

Caroline turned to her. 'Why would she want to mess with you?'

Elena turned to Caroline. 'You know she hates me.'

'Hates you?' Bonnie echoed in shock.

'Elena,' Caroline scoffed, 'I wouldn't go that far.'

'And when you become such an expert on Bella Swan?'

'What? No, I just think you're obsessing over nothing.' Caroline winced, surprised by Elena's abrupt anger. 'That girl was probably annoyed with the movers and took it out on us.'

'Ladies, ladies,' I said as Isabella sat behind Matt. 'Let's just calm down.' Elena threw a glare in Isabella's direction, then looked at me. 'I doubt that this Isabella hates you.'

'Even if she does, Bella doesn't seem the type to go out of her way to make someone's life a living hell for something so petty.' Bonnie threw the girl a sympathetic glance. 'She seems sweet, a little dorky, but sweet.'

'Totally.' Caroline agreed, 'minus the sweet part.'

'I'm Tyler. Tyler Lockwood.' Tyler whispered.

I noticed Vicky glaring at Tyler as Elena huffed.

'Nice to meet you.'

'What if I play peacemaker?' I offered.

'What do you mean?' Elena turned to me.

'How angry does Elena look?' Bella's quiet voice asked.

'She's too busy drooling over Salvatore to care.' Tyler scoffed.

I saw Isabella eyeing Elena and me, reaching for Elena's hand.

'What I convinced her to apologize?'

'What?' Elena replied.

'Who is he?' Isabella asked.

'Who is who?' asked Vicky.

'What if I talked to her?' I said to Elena.

'Him, the guy with Elena, Steven?'

'Stefan Salvatore?'

'Yeah, who is he?'

'He just moved here.'

Elena took it and beamed as I glanced at Isabella as Tyler flared, 'What are you wearing?'

'You really would do that? Do that for me?'

'I like what I'm wearing.'

'Yes, I would.'

'Bella used to live here in Mystic Falls.' Vicky announced as Isabella perked up. 'Her parents left when she was 4.'

'Why?' Both Elena and Tyler asked.

'Mystic Falls is too dangerous.'

'Because you're worth it.'

'Too dangerous?' Tyler scoffed. 'The only dangerous thing in this place is boredom.'

'That's sweet; thank you.' Elena's grin widened.

'The only dangerous thing I can think of is those two people getting attacked by those animals.' Matt offered. 'That and...?'

'Tell us about more about Port Angeles.' Elena insisted.

'And?' I heard movement and saw Isabella looking at Matt.

'It's nice, quiet. Not as exciting as this place.'

'The bridge accident.'

'Bridge accident?'

'Four months ago, Elena and her parents were in a car crash. They went off Wickery Bridge; they died.'

'I didn't know.' Isabella peeked at Elena as I did, then looked at nothing or no one in particular. 'Wait a minute.' She swung around to Matt. 'Didn't you mention that Elena was in the car too? How did she manage to save herself?'

'She doesn't know how she managed to get herself out.'

'What is the most exciting place you've ever lived?' asked Caroline.

'Here.'

Elena nudged my arm as Isabella muttered, 'I was saved. Maybe she was too.'

'Who could have saved her?' Matt wondered aloud.

I felt Bonnie's eyes zero in on me as Isabella glanced my way.

The rest of the day passed in a haze of normalcy, yet my mind was preoccupied with thoughts of my parents and the reasons behind their departure from Mystic Falls. I also couldn't shake the images of Elena from my mind, nor could I dispel the memory of Stefan Salvatore.

Throughout the hours, his piercing eyes lingered in my consciousness, and now and then, a shiver raced down my spine as I imagined those striking emerald irises watching me from afar.

His unexpected arrival had synced perfectly with mine; it seemed too coincidental to dismiss.

Was it fate nudging us together?

And then there was Elena's miraculous survival.

Everything hinted that our paths crossing wasn't a mere chance.

Perhaps she and Stefan were also meant to find each other.

But if Stefan Salvatore saved Elena Gilbert, why was he keeping it a secret?

Elena radiated an aura that made her feel like the beloved patron saint of Mystic Falls. Indeed, if he had risked his life for her, the townsfolk would have heralded him as a hero, perhaps even knighted him.

If he really had saved her, it meant he had been in town for four months. But why would someone like him choose to stay hidden away in a small town?

How could someone move through this place without drawing everyone's attention?

Surely, someone would have noticed.

When the final bell rang, shaking me from my reverie, I made a beeline for the exit.

That's when I stumbled upon him—Stefan Salvatore, casually standing near Mr. Tanner's classroom door, his presence unexpected and magnetic.

Why was he waiting there?

As if sensing my approach, Stefan turned and locked his gaze on me.

His half-lidded eyes had a mesmerizing quality that caused me to freeze, my throat suddenly dry, and that innate impulse to flee left me.

Before I knew it, I tripped and fell right into his welcoming arms."I've gotcha," he said, his voice deep and smooth, banishing my nerves.

I nodded, grounding myself as his velvety tone washed over me like a warm breeze. His strong hands helped lift me upright, and I felt a gentle air push as he brushed a stray lock of hair from my face. His beauty captivated me—more breathtaking in person than I had imagined.

His complexion was pale yet radiant, his broad forehead and chiseled bone structure forming a perfect angular jawline. His deep-set, forest-green eyes sparkled with an intensity that stole my breath, and his straight nose complemented his perfectly shaped mouth. Short spikes of dark blond hair crowned his head, making his classically handsome features even more striking.

At that moment, he took my breath away.

"Don't worry; I've got you," he reassured me again, his voice like a soothing balm.

As I regained my balance, his fingers glided through my silky hair effortlessly. To dispel my awe, I desperately searched for my bag. "My bag, I can't find my bag," I stammered, feeling flustered.

"I've got it," he said lightly.

Turning to him, I saw him holding my bag delicately in his pale, beautiful hand—a stark contrast to the rugged leather of his jacket.

I hesitated momentarily, feeling a potent mix of gratitude and embarrassment, then dared to meet his gaze again. A heartwarming smile broke across his well-formed mouth, revealing straight, white teeth. He appeared athletic and fit, standing at around 5'11", clad in a dark blue t-shirt and jeans that hugged his frame just right, paired with stylish leather boots.

"Thank you," I managed to say.

As I reached for the bag, an entirely unrelated thought struck me—a Bible verse, Genesis 2:17.

"But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die," I found myself murmuring.

Adam and Eve.

Or perhaps Eve and the serpent?

The captivating young man gave me a bemused look, and a clicking sound grabbed my attention. I glanced past Stefan's shoulder to see Elena, Bonnie, and Caroline approaching us.

"What? I'm sorry?" he stammered.

"Nothing, it's nothing," I replied, trying to shake off the weirdness of my distraction.

"Are you alright?" Stefan asked concern etched on his face.

"I'm fine, I'm fine," I assured him.

"My name is Stefan, Stefan Salvatore. I just moved back here," he said, tilting his head slightly.

"Just moved back?" I echoed, my curiosity piqued. 'From where?'

"Yeah, all over. Army brat," he replied, his demeanor casual yet intriguing. "And you?"

"Forks, Washington," I responded, feeling pride and nostalgia.

"I lived in Forks once," he said, his tone reminiscing. "Nice place. Has it stopped raining?"

I couldn't help but chuckle. "No."

"Oh, well—"

"When did you live in Forks?" I asked, suddenly alert, to draw more from this enigmatic boy.

"When I was—"

"Stefan!" called Bonnie, interrupting him.

Bonnie wore a vibrant green t-shirt that highlighted her eyes, paired with a soft gray knit sweater and denim jeans, complemented by chic gray suede ankle boots. She stopped short when she noticed us while Caroline sauntered right up, confidence radiating from her.

"What's going on here?" Caroline's voice dripped with suspicion like a detective sniffing out a mystery.

"I fell," I interjected, trying to downplay the situation.

"Are you—"

"What are you wearing?" Caroline interrupted, scrutinizing my outfit.

"Forks is a rainy, cloudy place," I explained defensively, shifting awkwardly under her gaze. "Despite hating the constant downpour and chilly air, I've gotten used to it."

"Does everyone dress like this?" she retorted, disbelief coloring her tone.

"Caroline!" Bonnie interjected.

"I didn't say anything!" Caroline shot back.

"No, no one is quite an anomaly like me," I quipped, lightening the mood.

"Are you alright, Bella?" Bonnie asked, her attention shifting back to me. "Hey, where did he go?" she gasped, looking around.

I turned, and to my surprise, Stefan Salvatore had disappeared.

"What's going on?" Mr. Tanner, my teacher, opened his door, offering me an escape from the awkwardness.

"I have a question," I stammered as I ducked into his classroom, my heart racing.

That was weird—more than just odd, it was downright strange.

"Miss Swan, what's wrong?!"

"Nothing, sir, I just—"

"I didn't know you were biblical," he remarked, eyebrows raised in curiosity.

"What?" I asked, confused.

"I could have sworn I heard you reciting a Bible verse," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Oh, yeah. Neither did I," I replied sheepishly.

"Well, what did you need help with?"

My shoulders sagged in defeat as I stared down at the floor. He caught my gaze and then glanced at the door, shaking his head slightly.

'Nothing, it's nothing. Just my anxiety.'

'Are you taking your anxiety medication?'

'I take half a pill.'

'Why only half?'

'I don't want to get hooked on it.'

'Wise choice. What triggered your anxiety?'

'All those people...'

'Is it bullying?'

'No, sir.'

"Would you tell me if it was?'"

'Probably not.'

'You can't run away from your problems, Miss Swan," he replied, his voice weary with experience. "Especially in a town as small as this one."

"I know," I admitted, feeling the weight of his words.

He sighed, the sound heavy with understanding. "Do you know your home phone number? I can call your grandmother."

"Sure," I replied.