STEPHENIE MEYER OWNS THE TWILIGHT UNIVERSE AND ALL OF THE CHARACTERS.
Unfortunately for Edward, the final period of the day—which he also happened to share with Bella in AP Psychology—was not going to be as enjoyable as his last two classes with her.
The teacher, a strict and no-nonsense woman, barely acknowledged his arrival. She simply handed him a syllabus without even glancing up and curtly instructed him to find an empty seat. That alone set the tone for the period.
While he wasn't lucky enough to sit directly beside Bella, he did manage to secure a seat at the table to her left. However, the universe must have had a sense of humor, because the seat next to him was occupied by none other than Mike Newton. The very same Mike Newton whose pride Edward had crushed during their gym class basketball game.
Edward could practically feel the resentment radiating off of Mike. Every time Edward so much as glanced in Bella's direction, he was bombarded by a barrage of angry, spiteful thoughts from the boy beside him. The internal monologue was intense and profanity-laced, all directed at Edward for "showing him up" and "stealing Bella's attention."
Being a telepath had its perks, but dealing with the over-emotional and unfiltered minds of teenagers was not one of them.
By the time the bell finally rang, signaling the end of class, Edward released a subtle sigh of relief. He hadn't paid much attention to the lecture, something about "Just World Theory" and other psychological concepts he already had a firm grasp of—or had tuned out entirely. Being the new kid granted him a brief reprieve from being called on, a fact he intended to take full advantage of for as long as possible.
"Something tells me psychology isn't your thing," Bella said with a soft smile as she walked over to his table, juggling her bag and the enormous psychology textbook.
Edward took the hefty book from her without a word and gently helped slide it into her backpack.
"Thanks," she said gratefully.
"I'm not a huge fan of psychology," Edward replied with a casual shrug. It was the truth. With the ability to read minds—human or otherwise—he didn't feel the need to study why people did what they did. He already knew.
"I think it's kind of cool," Bella offered with a shy shrug of her own, clearly trying to defend her interest. "I don't know… learning about why we do the things we do, sometimes even accidentally or subconsciously. But I guess it can be boring too."
"Well, I wouldn't say it's boring," Edward said, quickly trying to reassure her. The last thing he wanted was for Bella to feel self-conscious about something that interested her. "I just… tend to have a good read on people most of the time."
"You'd be surprised how alike people usually think."
"That's oddly cryptic," Bella teased, raising an eyebrow.
"I've just come to realize humans are usually all the same on the inside," Edward said softly as he guided them both toward the hallway.
"You say the word 'human' like you aren't one," Bella pointed out, her tone light but observant.
Edward faltered for just the briefest of moments, a fraction of a second, before recovering his pace.
"Well, you know… in a broad, philosophical sense," he said smoothly, flashing her a small smile. "Of course, you're not like everyone else I've met."
"I bet you tell all the girls that, Masen," Bella rolled her eyes, but there was a slight tremor in her voice that hinted at how much his words affected her.
"Only to pretty brunettes with a knack for tripping over thin air," Edward replied, grinning.
Bella blushed deeply. "Well, I'm sorry I wasn't gifted with perfect coordination like you clearly were."
Edward simply shrugged, letting the silence speak for itself. In truth, he was technically gifted with perfect coordination, but he wouldn't exactly call it a blessing. Becoming a vampire hadn't felt like a gift—but he couldn't honestly call it a curse anymore either. After all, it was the reason he had lived long enough to meet Bella Swan. As strange and sudden as it felt, placing her at the center of his world already felt natural, inevitable.
He would endure every awkward human interaction, every forced high school routine, every boring psychology lecture—if it meant he could stay in her life.
They walked in a peaceful silence, the kind that didn't demand to be filled. It stretched comfortably between them until Bella's familiar red truck came into view.
"Please don't tell me…" Edward trailed off slowly, narrowing his eyes as he registered the truck.
"What?" Bella asked, looking genuinely offended. "She has personality."
"I bet she does," Edward muttered. "And probably half a dozen mechanical issues."
"No way," Bella huffed defensively. "A family friend rebuilt her. She's as sturdy as it gets."
"You drive a death trap," Edward said flatly.
"She's reliable and hasn't let me down yet," Bella countered, stuffing her bag into the passenger seat with a bit more force than necessary.
"Dropping the subject of the truck…" Edward drawled with a dramatic sigh, "Get home safe."
"You know I've managed to stay alive for eighteen years on my own, right?" Bella quipped, smirking slightly.
"Well, considering I met you on a night where you almost died, I think I'm entitled to worry about your safety," Edward replied, arching a brow and waiting for a rebuttal.
Bella opened her mouth to argue but found nothing suitable to say. "Fine," she finally muttered. "I'll try to get home safe."
"Was that so hard?" Edward teased, his voice full of amusement.
Bella rolled her eyes, but there was a warmth to her expression. "Sorry, okay? It's just… people don't usually do stuff like this for me."
"Hope you get home safe?" Edward looked genuinely surprised.
"No, just… the little stuff," Bella said quietly. "Like making sure I don't trip all the time, or helping me up when I do actually trip over air. Or just helping me put my books in my bag. The little things." Her voice grew softer at the end.
Edward's brow furrowed, and he gently reached for her hand, taking it in his cool fingers.
"Well, that's going to change now," he said sincerely. He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a soft kiss to her knuckles. "I'll be happy to do the little and big things for you, Miss Swan."
The sensation of his cold lips against her skin sent an electric jolt through her hand and up her entire body. Her breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, she was entirely frozen, her heart hammering in her chest like a war drum.
Before she could respond, a familiar pixie-like figure appeared beside Edward, her sudden arrival startling them both.
"Well, sorry to interrupt, but it's time to get home," Alice chirped, casting a knowing smile between the two of them.
"I brought my own car…" Edward said slowly, narrowing his eyes. "I can leave whenever I choose."
"But Carlisle and Esme want us all home for something right now," Alice answered sweetly, her tone making it clear she wasn't taking no for an answer. "So come on—chop, chop!"
Edward groaned but his irritation melted when he turned back to Bella, his expression softening instantly. "I'll see you tomorrow?"
Bella, still a bit flushed and light-headed from the kiss to her hand, nodded quickly and smiled, also offering a quick goodbye to Alice.
The pixie-like girl gave a pleased nod, and with that, the Cullens were off.
Bella stood there for a moment longer, heart still fluttering, and then a thought came to her.
What would a kiss on the lips from him feel like?
Edward ignored the cluster of gawking teenagers who stared at his sleek Aston Martin as he pulled out of the school parking lot. Their wide eyes and open mouths did not escape his notice, but he paid them no mind. Still, he made a mental note that if this prolonged stay in Forks truly became a long-term situation, he might need to consider downgrading to something a little more... inconspicuous. A Volvo, perhaps. He wasn't above practicality.
He was many things—a vampire, a mind reader, now a high school student—but a hypocrite was not one of them. He couldn't criticize Rosalie for flaunting her BMW at school while doing the exact same thing with a luxury sports car.
By the time all the Cullens had pulled into the long driveway of their forest-enshrouded home, Edward was still stewing in annoyance. The irritation simmered beneath the surface, largely directed at the petite seer currently skipping toward the front steps.
"Did you really have to interrupt us?" Edward asked sharply the moment Alice came into view.
Alice gave him a knowing look. "Things are moving really quickly between you two," she said, unbothered by his tone, "and with what we're going to have to deal with soon, I didn't want your mood crashing from a hundred to zero in one swoop."
Edward narrowed his eyes. "You managed that either way," he said, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "And what thing are we even supposed to be dealing with now?"
"Yes, please," Rosalie muttered icily as she slid out of her vehicle, brushing her golden hair behind her ear. "Do tell us what we're all supposed to be worrying about now because of Edward's utterly useless presence in Forks."
"I believe that was a tad bit unnecessary," Edward deadpanned, barely glancing in her direction.
"Oh, but I meant every word," Rosalie replied sweetly, her smile razor sharp. "Especially the useless part."
"Come on, babe, we just got out of school," Emmett groaned, slinging an arm around her shoulders. "Do you really have to start picking another fight with Eddie?"
"It's Edward. Not Eddie," Edward hissed, glaring.
"Yeah, yeah," Emmett said with a dismissive wave. "I wonder if you'd let Bella call you Eddie…"
Edward's mouth opened to respond, but before the two could descend into a bickering match, Carlisle and Esme stepped gracefully out of the house. Their presence had a naturally calming effect.
"I presume school was eventful," Carlisle said with a soft, amused smile.
"Could've gone worse," Edward muttered, looking away.
"Oh, it was a complete success," Jasper said with a rare smirk. "You should've seen him. Almost got recruited for the basketball team."
Esme's brow furrowed in concern. "You drew attention to yourself in gym?"
"'Attention' is putting it lightly," Emmett laughed. "He looked like a future NBA star out there."
Edward grimaced, bracing himself as Carlisle's expression turned stern. His mouth pressed into a tight, thin line.
"Edward…" Carlisle began, disappointment evident in his tone.
"I shut down the coach's ridiculous invitation," Edward interrupted irritably. "I didn't try to show off—I just wanted to have a little fun, alright?"
"He meant he wanted to show off for his little human," Rosalie sneered, folding her arms. "She wouldn't be impressed if she knew what you really were. She'd probably scream and run for the hills."
A deep, low growl rumbled from Edward's chest, his eyes narrowing. Emmett quickly stepped between them before things could escalate.
"Enough," Carlisle said firmly, his voice strained with exasperation. "We have more important matters to discuss."
"Like what?" Edward asked, reigning in his temper. "What's for dinner?" he added with a sarcastic drawl.
Carlisle ignored the snide remark. "The Quileute wolves have informed us that a new scent has been picked up near our territory."
"That would be… me?" Edward said slowly, piecing the implications together.
Carlisle nodded. "Precisely. We'll need to arrange a meeting with them, to formally notify them of your return to Forks and reaffirm that you pose no danger."
"But that's not allowed!" Rosalie snapped. "The treaty clearly states we can't add any new vampires to our coven."
Edward shrugged and gave her a smug look. "I was there when the treaty was made. One of the first Cullens, remember? By the treaty's terms, I'm more of a Cullen than Alice or Jasper."
Rosalie's eyes narrowed into slits, but she said nothing further.
"Then we'll go as a family to the treaty line," Esme said calmly, ever the peacemaker. "We'll explain that the new scent belongs to someone who is not a threat. It shouldn't cause an issue."
"Let's just get this over with," Edward muttered with a sigh. "I hope they don't smell as bad as I remember."
"Worse," Rosalie added with a sneer. For once, she and Edward shared a look of mutual distaste—their contempt for the shape-shifting wolves momentarily aligning them.
They were much larger than he remembered, Edward thought as he observed the hulking forms of the Quileute wolves from across the treaty line.
They hadn't always been so massive, had they? When he had first encountered a shape-shifter decades ago, the creature had been formidable, yes—larger than the average wolf by a considerable margin—but these new wolves? They were monstrous, nearly the size of a Shire horse. It was both impressive and unsettling, though Edward felt no true fear.
Shape-shifters, despite their new bulk and snarling bravado, posed little threat to vampires like the Cullens, especially in the numbers they possessed. To a newly turned vampire or one lacking knowledge of their kind, perhaps the wolves were dangerous—but not to him. The wolves thrived on their pack mentality, strength in numbers, but in a one-on-one encounter? They wouldn't last a minute against any of them.
"Greetings," Carlisle called out with his characteristic calm, standing just behind the invisible line that demarcated the Quileute land from theirs.
"Do you have an update for us?" replied the man in front—Sam Uley, their leader. He was the only one among them still in human form, acting as the mouthpiece for the wolves who flanked him. They were bristling and tense, surrounding him protectively in their massive, feral forms.
"So much for pleasantries," Edward muttered under his breath, rolling his eyes. His voice, though low, was sharp enough to draw the attention of several wolves, their eyes now fixed on him.
"Edward," Carlisle said in a quiet but firm tone of reprimand.
"I see you have a new vampire in your… family," Sam said, his tone thick with disdain. He practically spat the last word.
"He's not new," Carlisle explained patiently. "He's the one whose scent you've picked up recently in the area."
"The treaty states that no new additions can be made to your coven," Sam replied coldly, eyes narrowing.
"I was there when the original treaty was signed," Edward said coolly, as if correcting a child. His arms were crossed and his posture languid, but the fire in his tone betrayed his irritation.
"Don't play games with us," Sam growled, voice deep and warning.
"You've got a copy of the treaty, don't you?" Edward shot back, a sharp edge in his voice. "Unless you people aren't educated enough to read it properly. Just look until you see the name Edward Cullen."
A chorus of growls erupted from the wolves surrounding Sam, their fur bristling, lips curling back to bare white teeth. The insult hadn't gone unnoticed.
"He meant no malice by it," Carlisle interjected quickly, ever the peacemaker. "This is his first time seeing you since the treaty was made. He didn't mean offense."
"We'll let it slide…" Sam said, his voice carefully controlled though his body remained taut with tension. "If what he's claiming is true, then we'll overlook this—once. But should it prove otherwise…"
"We understand," Carlisle nodded, his expression unreadable.
Sam gave a curt nod in return, and with that, the two groups turned and began walking—vampires in silence, wolves melting into the trees like smoke.
"Dude, were you actually trying to start a brawl?" Emmett asked as they broke into a run back toward the house. His voice was amused, not chastising. "Not that I'd complain. Man, those guys are irritating."
"And they reek," Alice grimaced, fanning her hand in front of her nose with exaggerated disgust.
"At least you guys don't have to feel the full force of their hatred every time we're around them," Jasper muttered, rubbing at his temples as if to chase away the emotional residue.
"I don't get why you always roll over for them," Edward said, shaking his head in annoyance. "You all know they couldn't take us in a real fight, right?"
"Yes, but that's not the point," Carlisle said, slowing to a walk as they neared the driveway of their house. "We're not here to dominate or instigate. We've worked hard to live in peace. If we break that peace now, what does that make us?"
"That's why I'm here," Edward said, voice low but resolute. "I'm not above doing what has to be done."
He caught Rosalie's sharp scoff but chose to ignore it.
"Violence should never be our first option," Esme added gently, her gaze calm but insistent. "We've come too far to throw it away."
"Whatever," Edward muttered, clearly uninterested in another moral debate. "I'm heading to a town over. Going to grab a meal, if you catch my drift."
Carlisle and Esme exchanged a look of quiet disappointment but said nothing, turning to go inside the house instead.
"You really are a tool," Rosalie sneered as she brushed past him. "Gloating about draining some hopeless human like it's noble."
"Well, unlike the rest of you," Edward replied coolly, "I don't wring my hands wondering if some junkie or gang member has a sob story waiting to unfold. I know who's done wrong. And when I feed, the world loses someone who was just going to hurt others anyway."
"It shouldn't be your decision to make!" Rosalie snapped, turning on him with eyes blazing.
"You're one to talk," Edward said sharply. "We both know what you did to Royce and his friends."
Rosalie recoiled as if struck, but recovered swiftly, her voice laced with anger. "That was different, and you know it!"
"It was," Edward agreed, his tone softening only slightly. "I helped you get your revenge. I would do it again a thousand times. But don't pretend you don't understand me. Deep down, you know I'm not doing anything worse than what you already did."
Rosalie glared at him, lips tight, but she turned away without another word and stormed into the house, her silence an admission of reluctant agreement.
"Don't take too long," Alice called after him, her voice light but serious underneath. "We've got school tomorrow."
"I can hardly wait," Edward said dryly.
"Oh, we know," Emmett added with a grin, jogging backwards toward the door. "And I bet Bella can't wait either."
Before Edward could retaliate, Emmett and Jasper disappeared inside, laughter echoing behind them.
Edward shook his head with a faint smile and turned toward the forest, breaking into a run towards the closest town next to Forks.
He couldn't do it.
He couldn't drain him.
The man trembled in his grasp, a pitiful excuse for a human being, reeking of chemicals and cheap alcohol. Fear radiated from him in waves, his heartbeat erratic, pulsing like a trapped rabbit's as he stared up at Edward with wide, panicked eyes. He knew what Edward was. He didn't have the words for it, but deep down, he knew.
And yet… Edward couldn't bring himself to finish it.
Every time he prepared to bite, every time he let his instincts swell and rise, all he saw was Bella's face.
Bella, with her soft eyes and gentle smile, whispering to him—not aloud, but in that maddening voice his mind had crafted for her—that he didn't have to do this. That he was better than this. That there was still a choice.
Against every instinct clawing at his throat, Edward let the man go.
The drug dealer stumbled backward, then took off down the alley, his uneven footsteps echoing against the damp brick walls as he disappeared into the night.
Edward remained where he was, frozen, seething—not with rage, but with confusion, with frustration. With thirst.
He had spent the last hour combing the city for someone who had truly earned their fate. He needed justification. He wasn't a monster. He had rules. And tonight, the man he found seemed to fit the bill—someone peddling drugs to teens, poisoning minds and bodies alike.
A perfect candidate.
Swift. Simple. Easy.
That's how it had always been. That's how it was supposed to be. Until Bella Swan came into his life and turned his world into something incomprehensible.
She was too good for a human, he often thought. Her soul shone too brightly, like some divine force had slipped her into this reality by mistake. She gave so much of herself to others. Always smiling, always listening. Her mother was flighty, careless, and rarely present in the ways that mattered. Her father was more invested in his TV and sports than in emotional connection, though at least he tried. And still, Bella remained kind, hopeful, and compassionate.
And she was human. Just like the man Edward had nearly drained.
There were good humans and bad ones. That much was indisputable. But now he was starting to wonder if Rosalie, of all people, had been right.
Did he really need to kill every flawed human he came across simply because they weren't perfect? Because they made mistakes? Who made him the judge, jury, and executioner of humanity's failings?
Didn't even the worst people deserve at least a chance to try and do better?
He shook his head, jaw clenched tight, and turned away from the alley. The wind howled slightly as he ran—not towards the Cullen house, but towards the modest little home that belonged to Bella Swan.
He slowed his pace as he approached, eventually coming to a silent stop beneath the towering tree outside her window. The bark was rough beneath his hand as he leaned into it, head bowed, eyes closed. Just being near her brought a strange peace to his tortured mind. He could almost forget the burn in his throat, the ache in his chest. Almost.
But not quite.
The thirst still gnawed at him, dull and relentless, made worse by his refusal to feed. He was weakening, and he knew it.
If he couldn't drain humans anymore—if Bella's quiet, unwavering morality had somehow been branded onto his own soul—then how was he supposed to survive?
He could try the animal diet again, like Carlisle. Like the rest of the family. But there was no pleasure in that, no thrill, no satisfaction. It was like surviving off tofu.
Still… he couldn't be near Bella if he couldn't control himself. And if she was the reason—subconscious or not—that he had hesitated tonight, then perhaps that was all the more proof he needed.
Another sacrifice, he supposed.
Another choice he'd have to make.
Edward sighed and looked up at her darkened window, the ghost of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I guess this is just another sacrifice I have to make to be near you," he whispered to himself, sealing the decision in his mind. He would try the animal diet once again.
The thought brought a grimace to his face.
But he would do it.
For her.