STEPHENIE MEYER OWNS THE TWILIGHT UNIVERSE AND ALL OF THE CHARACTERS.

"Bella, are you alright?" Angela placed a gentle hand on Bella's shoulder as they walked down the hallway. Her voice was laced with concern. "You've been out of it since lunch."

"You mean since she saw the new guy?" Jessica leaned in closer, scrutinizing Bella's face as if trying to uncover something from it. "Yeah, she's still dazed from it."

"I am not!" Bella huffed, quickening her pace in an attempt to escape their knowing looks. "I was just thinking about what's going to be on the AP Biology test next week."

"Ugh." Jessica made a dramatic face of disgust. "I don't know why you took AP classes this year. I mean, colleges only look at your junior-year grades and stuff, right?"

"It doesn't hurt to get the college credits, Jess," Bella retorted with an exasperated eye roll.

"Plus, it's not that bad," Angela chimed in. "At least, compared to AP Calc."

That one sent a shudder down Bella's spine. She despised math with a passion. Even regular calculus had been a nightmare, and AP Calculus was proving to be an entirely new level of suffering.

"Well, anyway, I'll see you guys at gym," Jessica said with a wave before turning the corner to head to her class.

Angela and Bella waved back before resuming their walk. "Hopefully, Mr. Banner is in a good mood today," Angela mused.

As they stepped into the classroom, the usual routine commenced—students shuffling to their assigned seats, idle chatter filling the space while Mr. Banner took attendance. Angela settled in beside Mike, who wasted no time in attempting to make conversation with her. Bella, on the other hand, sat alone at her lab station, as always.

Mike had made it painfully clear over the past year that he wanted to be her partner, but unfortunately for him, Mr. Banner insisted on assigned seating, which meant he couldn't conveniently place himself next to her. Not that it stopped him from trying to get her attention.

After a few minutes, Mr. Banner cleared his throat and addressed the class. "Alright, everyone, settle down. I have an announcement."

Mike, as usual, saw an opportunity to be the class clown. "Are you gonna announce your retirement?" he called out with a smirk.

The room went awkwardly silent. Apparently, Mike had misjudged his comedic timing.

Mr. Banner's unimpressed stare was accompanied by a dry smile. "You know, Mr. Newton, you should really be more concerned about your grade in this class rather than my retirement." His remark earned a few chuckles from the students, while Mike sank lower in his chair, looking embarrassed.

"But no," Mr. Banner continued, "that is not my announcement. I'd like to introduce a new student who will be joining our class."

Bella's heart rate spiked. She already knew exactly who it was before the words even left his mouth.

Her palms grew slightly clammy, and she frowned at herself. Why was she suddenly nervous? She had already met him. She had spoken to him, shared an entire conversation with him—one that had left her feeling something she still hadn't quite been able to name. But for some reason, this moment felt… different. More official. As if this were their true introduction, and everything before had just been a fleeting dream.

And then he walked in.

Edward Masen entered the room with an effortless grace, his presence commanding attention without him even trying. It was unfair how absurdly good-looking he was. His bronze hair, somehow tousled just perfectly, caught the light in a way that almost made it seem like it was moving, despite the fact that there was no wind in the room. His sharp, symmetrical features held an air of quiet intensity, and even though his green eyes scanned the classroom with mild disinterest, there was an unmistakable magnetism to him.

How were his teeth that white? How did he look like he belonged on the cover of a fashion magazine when everyone else looked like… high school students?

"Alright, class," Mr. Banner announced, motioning for Edward to step forward. "Let me introduce you to Edward Masen."

Edward took a few casual steps toward the center of the room, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his sweater. He tilted his head slightly, his lips curving into an amused smirk. "Is it a tradition in Forks to make new students do an icebreaker?" he asked, his tone laced with dry humor.

Mr. Banner chuckled. "Well, Mr. Masen, we don't get many transfers around here, so I like to make sure everyone gets to know each other. It helps you adjust to your new peers."

"Right…" Edward drawled, glancing around the room until his gaze landed on Bella.

The moment their eyes met, he smiled.

It was brief—just the faintest upturn of his lips—but it sent a strange warmth through Bella's chest.

"Well," Edward finally said, dragging his eyes away from her, "my name is Edward Masen. I'm from Chicago, and I like to play the piano." His tone was clipped, like he was only offering the bare minimum. He turned to Mr. Banner with an expression that read, Was that good enough?

"Any questions for Edward?" Mr. Banner asked the class.

Lauren's hand shot up before anyone else could speak. "Do you have a girlfriend?"

A few students laughed, but most of the girls—excluding Angela—seemed to be leaning forward slightly, waiting for his answer with bated breath.

Edward offered Lauren a polite but tight-lipped smile. "No, I don't have a girlfriend right now."

Bella didn't miss the way his eyes flickered toward her as he said it.

Mike, who had been sulking ever since his joke backfired, suddenly perked up. "Why are you staying with the Cullens?" he asked, his tone laced with mild suspicion.

Edward's expression shifted slightly—just a small change, but Bella caught it. The humor in his eyes dimmed, replaced by something almost somber.

"I'm Alice's cousin," he explained, his voice softer now. "I'm here to finish out the year with them since I don't have family elsewhere."

The room fell silent.

His words, though simple, carried an underlying weight that seemed to settle over the students. Even Mike, who had asked the question, looked like he regretted it.

"Well," Edward said after a moment, shifting his weight, "if that's all, may I sit down now?"

Mr. Banner nodded and glanced at the seating chart. "There's an open seat next to Bella. She's the one—"

"Oh, I know Bella," Edward interrupted smoothly, his tone light but amused.

Mr. Banner blinked, clearly caught off guard.

Edward, however, paid no attention to the stares that followed him as he made his way toward her. The moment he slid into the seat beside Bella, the atmosphere in the room seemed to shift.

Lauren and a handful of other girls were staring daggers at Bella, as if they were personally offended by the seating arrangement.

Edward, for his part, merely smiled at her before turning his attention to the front of the class, where Mr. Banner had begun discussing their upcoming assignment.

Bella, however, was still stuck on the fact that Edward Masen was now sitting next to her.

Her logical side told her that this was normal—he was a new student, and there was an empty seat beside her. Nothing strange about it.

But another part of her, the part that had been caught in the intensity of his gaze and the way he had spoken to her with such familiarity, whispered something else.

Was this real?

Or had she somehow fallen into a dream?

"Bella?"

His voice, smooth and laced with curiosity, pulled her from her trance. She turned sharply, meeting his gaze—deep, piercing eyes filled with an expression she wasn't sure how to place. Was it concern? Amusement? Either way, the look didn't suit him.

"Are you alright?" Edward's brows furrowed slightly, the crease in his forehead making his otherwise flawless features appear genuinely troubled.

Bella swallowed, suddenly hyper-aware of every inch of space between them. "Yeah… yeah, I'm alright." She nodded, a bit too quickly. Her hands curled around the edge of the desk as if grounding herself.

He didn't seem convinced, but he let it slide. Instead, he gestured toward the sheet of paper sitting untouched in front of her. "What's going on?" she asked, belatedly realizing she had no idea what was happening in class.

"Mr. Banner gave us an assignment," Edward explained with a smirk, twirling the pencil between his fingers with effortless grace. "We're supposed to work with our partners."

"Oh." It was all she could manage, her brain scrambling to catch up. She probably sounded like an idiot.

Edward chuckled softly, a knowing gleam in his eyes. "You know…" He began filling in the first answer, his handwriting neat and precise. "You seemed to talk a lot more the last time we met."

Bella's lips parted, but nothing came out at first. "Sorry, it's just…" She exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "I can't believe you're really here."

He tilted his head slightly, intrigued. "Well didn't Alice mention me at all?"

"I mean, Alice and I don't really talk that often, so we're not that close and—" She stopped mid-sentence as realization struck her.

Alice had mentioned it.

"She did!" Bella suddenly exclaimed, her voice a notch too loud. A few students glanced in their direction, some with mild irritation. She shrank in her seat, clearing her throat before speaking again, softer this time. "She did… but I didn't think you'd be coming to stay."

Edward regarded her with a teasing glint. "Would you rather I leave?" His tone was light, but there was a shadow of something deeper behind the words.

"No!" Bella said, a little too quickly. She could feel her face heating up. "No, I don't want that."

His expression softened, the smirk easing into something more genuine. "Well, I'm glad, because I'm here to stay." He turned back to the paper and resumed writing.

Bella, desperate to regain control of herself, leaned over and snatched the pencil from his fingers. "Hey, don't do all the work. This is a team assignment." She shot him a mock glare.

Edward leaned back slightly, a lopsided grin playing on his lips. "Of course. I just thought it'd be easier if I finished it quickly."

Bella narrowed her eyes. "You don't think I'm smart enough to do it?"

Edward chuckled. "That's not it at all," he assured her smoothly. "I'd just rather spend this time talking to you instead of pretending we need to discuss the answers."

Bella bit her lip, her heart giving an erratic thump at his words. She had no response, so she dropped her gaze to the worksheet, focusing intently as she jotted down an answer.

A comfortable silence settled between them before she finally broke it. "So… how are you liking Forks?" She glanced at him, noting how his expression shifted slightly, as if weighing his response.

"It's… wet," Edward said after a pause. "And very green."

Bella laughed softly. "That's Forks in a nutshell. But hey, you're from Chicago, right? It shouldn't be too much of a culture shock."

Edward shrugged. "In some ways, it is. The people here make it feel like an entirely different country." He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's like being part of a museum exhibit."

Bella winced. "Yeah… I don't miss those days."

Edward's brows lifted slightly. "They did the same to you?"

She nodded, a bitter edge creeping into her smile. "Well, I am the Chief's daughter. The one whose mother ran off and left him. People were always going to stare." Her fingers tapped absentmindedly against the desk. "You, though… being with the Cullens? That's got to be a whole different level of scrutiny."

Edward smiled, but there was no real amusement in it. "I imagine it's worse."

Bella huffed, rolling her eyes playfully. "I mean, can you blame them?" She gestured vaguely, as if to prove her point. "You guys are like supermodels compared to the rest of us normal people."

Edward's smirk deepened, and he leaned in just slightly, his voice dropping into something softer, more teasing. "So, you think I'm that good-looking? I'm truly honored."

Bella felt her face heat instantly, her pulse skipping a beat. She shook her head, attempting to brush off her flustered reaction. "Don't act like you don't already know the effect you have on people," she muttered, trying to sound unimpressed but failing miserably.

Edward chuckled but leaned back a fraction, allowing her a sliver of space. "But what about you?"

Bella blinked, caught off guard. "What about me?"

Edward's eyes flickered with something unreadable—something intense. He chuckled softly before leaning in again, this time closing the distance so that his breath tickled her ear. "You don't see yourself clearly," he murmured. "I, for one, think you're the supermodel between the two of us."

Bella's breath caught in her throat. Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure he could hear it. His proximity was doing something funny to her, and the longer he stayed that close, the more difficult it became to focus on anything other than the space—or lack thereof—between them.

"Breathe, Bella," Edward said, amusement lacing his tone.

That snapped her out of it. She turned away sharply, her expression shifting as something unreadable crossed her features. "Stop joking like that," she muttered, her voice quieter now.

Edward immediately straightened, his amusement vanishing. A flicker of concern passed over his face. "What are you talking about?"

Bella swallowed hard, still refusing to meet his gaze. "Don't say things you don't mean."

Edward's frown deepened, confusion evident in the way his brows pulled together. "But I do mean it," he said, his voice softer now. "Every word."

She shook her head. "You live in the same house as Alice, Rosalie, and Esme." Her fingers curled into the hem of her sleeve. "I think we both know that my appearance is scoff-worthy compared to them."

Edward's jaw tensed slightly, his expression darkening at her words. "Rosalie?" he repeated, his voice edged with something like disdain. "Bella, trust me—Rosalie's looks are all she has." His lips pressed into a thin line. "I've known her long enough to say that you're worth ten of her."

Bella's eyebrows lifted slightly at that. "Wow," she mused, tilting her head. "You really don't like her, huh?" Her lips curved into something that was almost a smirk, trying to ease the tension.

Edward huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "Me and Rosalie just…" He sighed. "It's like water and oil."

"Yikes," Bella winced. "I mean, everyone here sort of calls her the Ice Queen, so I guess that adds up."

Edward let out a low chuckle. "More like Ice Tyrant if you ask me."

Bella giggled at that, covering her mouth slightly as she laughed. The sound sent a strange warmth through Edward's chest, and for a moment, he just watched her—her eyes alight with amusement, her shoulders relaxed. He liked the way she looked when she was happy.

Before either of them could say more, the sharp ring of the bell cut through the moment, signaling the end of class.

Edward glanced up briefly before exhaling through his nose. "I suppose it's true what they say."

Bella slung her bag over her shoulder, raising an eyebrow. "And what do they say?"

Edward turned his attention back to her, and that signature lopsided grin made a reappearance. "Time moves a lot faster when you're having fun."

Bella felt warmth creep up her neck but rolled her eyes, shaking her head as she stuffed her books into her bag. "So," she said, hesitating only briefly before asking, "what class do you have next?"

Edward reached into his pocket and unfolded his schedule, showing it to her. "Gym," he answered simply.

Bella's eyes flicked down to the paper before she grinned. "Well, look at that. We both have gym next."

Edward's smirk returned. "Lucky me."

Bella chuckled, then shot him a teasing look. "You know, usually the guy is supposed to do the whole walking the girl to class thing." She slung her bag over her shoulder dramatically before glancing up at him. "But in this instance, I think I should walk you to gym."

Edward let out a soft laugh and motioned toward the door with an elegant sweep of his hand. "Lead the way, Mrs. Swan."

As they walked slowly toward the gym, Bella glanced up at Edward with curiosity. "So, what's it like being with the Cullens?" she asked, her voice casual but laced with genuine interest.

Edward let out a dry chuckle, shrugging one shoulder. "Personally? I find it rather annoying. Emmett's always trying to wrestle me or drag me into playing some ridiculous video game. Alice is forever attempting to alter my wardrobe, and then there's Rosalie, stomping around the house like I personally offended her just by existing in the same space."

Bella laughed, shaking her head at his exasperation. "But isn't it at least a little fun? You know, living with a big family?"

Edward's expression shifted slightly, his amusement fading. He shook his head. "I wouldn't say so. I'm not particularly fond of the lack of privacy. I never had a big family to begin with, so adjusting to constant company has been... challenging."

Bella gave him a thoughtful look. "Well, then having Esme and Carlisle as your guardians must be nice at least, right?"

Edward's jaw tightened ever so slightly, and he averted his gaze. "Quite the opposite," he muttered under his breath.

Bella frowned, caught off guard by the unexpected response. "Really? But Esme was so kind when I met her."

Edward exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable. "That's the problem." He hesitated, as if debating whether or not to continue. Finally, he sighed, his voice quieter now. "I don't want replacements in that department specifically." His carefully composed demeanor faltered for just a moment, the mere thought of Esme unintentionally taking his mother's place enough to deepen the frown lines on his face.

Bella didn't think; she simply reacted, reaching out to grab his hand. She barely registered the cool temperature of his skin as she squeezed it gently. "Hey, it's okay," she said softly. "You miss her. That's fine. That's normal."

Edward looked down at their joined hands for a long moment before shaking his head and offering her a small, almost apologetic smile. "Don't worry about me," he said, his voice warmer now. "I'm just being overly sensitive."

Bella wanted to argue that there was nothing wrong with caring about his mother, but before she could, they reached the hallway where the boys' and girls' locker rooms were located.

"Well, we're here," Edward announced, nodding toward the entrance. "You should go get changed. We're already a little late."

Bella nodded but, in her usual fashion, managed to misstep. She barely had time to brace herself before Edward caught her effortlessly, his hands steadying her before she could hit the floor.

"I genuinely don't understand how you manage to trip over thin air," Edward chuckled, helping her regain her balance.

Bella groaned, her face flushing. "Thanks," she mumbled before ducking into the locker room, thoroughly embarrassed.

As soon as she stepped inside, Jessica practically materialized in front of her. "Bella!" she gushed, her eyes shining with curiosity. "Word on the street is that you and the new guy Edward have been hitting it off!"

Bella blinked. "Oh, um... and who told you that?" she asked, already dreading the answer.

"Lauren, obviously," Jessica said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Bella rolled her eyes. "Why am I not surprised?" she muttered.

Jessica, undeterred, nudged her playfully. "Well, come on! What's he like?"

Bella hesitated before responding vaguely, "He's... nice." Then, before Jessica could press further, she quickly ducked into a stall to change.

"Come on, Bella! You can do better than that!" Jessica whined. "Don't make me go in there after you!"

Angela, who had been listening with mild amusement, sighed. "Gee, Jessica, leave the poor girl alone. Let her and the new mystery Cullen love it up."

"It's Masen," Bella corrected absentmindedly from inside the stall before she could stop herself. Her eyes widened as she realized what she had just said, and she instantly covered her mouth.

Jessica, of course, pounced on it. "Is it now?" she teased, her grin wide and knowing.

Before she could continue, the coach's voice rang out through the locker room. "Alright, girls! Enough gossiping. Get to the gym now!"

Bella let out a breath of relief, glad for the interruption. Once changed, she stepped into the gym, only to spot Edward standing off in a corner with Emmett and Alice. Even in the standard Forks High gym uniform—a gray t-shirt with the school logo and navy sweatpants—he somehow managed to make it look effortlessly stylish. It was unfair, really.

When he noticed her, he lifted a hand in greeting, then motioned for her to come over.

"Hi, guys," Bella greeted Alice and Emmett, feeling a little shy.

"Come on, Bella," Alice pouted. "I thought we were past the awkward greetings!" Before Bella could react, Alice pulled her into a quick hug, which she returned a bit hesitantly.

"Yeah," Emmett grinned, reaching over to ruffle Bella's hair. "You've been to our house. That's more than anyone else here can say."

Before Bella could respond, the coach called for attention.

"Alright, boys and girls," she announced. "We'd normally be starting volleyball today, but I'll let you have a free day to pick your own activities. Understood?"

A collective "yes" echoed through the gym as students dispersed.

Bella made a beeline for the bleachers, with Edward following close behind. "Why are you sitting down?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm a complete klutz," Bella said, shaking her head. "Sports and I don't mix."

Edward smirked. "Well, if you do fall, I'll catch you."

Bella smiled. "Flattering, but I don't want to be a burden. Go have fun. Shoo, shoo."

Edward crossed his arms, staying put. "I'd rather sit here with you."

Before Bella could respond, Mike Newton appeared, a smug grin on his face.

"Hey, Masen," Mike said, his tone full of challenge. "Want to play ball?"

Edward barely spared him a glance. "I'm in the middle of something."

"What, are you scared?" Mike taunted.

Edward scoffed. "Of you?" His smirk widened. "Please."

"Well then, prove it," Mike challenged, his smirk widening as he tossed the basketball to Edward with more force than necessary.

Edward caught it effortlessly, his fingers absorbing the impact as if it had been a gentle toss. He glanced down at the ball, then shifted his gaze to Bella, who was watching with quiet amusement.

"You know what?" Edward mused, his lips twitching into a slow, confident grin. "Why not? Yeah, I'll play."

"Good," Mike replied, turning sharply on his heel, his thoughts practically screaming with smug anticipation. I'll make sure to embarrass Masen in front of Bella. There's no way he's also good at sports!

Edward nearly laughed aloud. The boy's thoughts were painfully transparent, his confidence unwarranted. Did he genuinely believe he stood a chance?

"Good luck," Bella said, her brown eyes glinting with warmth as she looked up at him. "I'm rooting for you, if you couldn't tell."

Edward leaned down slightly, lowering his voice just enough that it sent a quiet thrill down Bella's spine. "Well, now I have to win." His grin widened before he straightened and strolled toward the growing crowd of boys surrounding Mike.

Don't show off too much, Alice's voice chimed in his mind. Edward rolled his eyes subtly but nodded in acknowledgment. He'd keep it somewhat fair.

Not.

"Finally, took you long enough," Mike said as Edward reached them, his tone laced with false bravado. "We're playing three-on-three. I'll take Tyler and John on my team."

The only other two available players stepped toward Edward.

"I'm Eric Yorkie," the first introduced himself, shaking Edward's hand a little too enthusiastically.

"And I'm Ben Cheney," the second said, his expression apologetic. "Sorry to tell you this, man, but we can't play basketball to save our lives."

"Yeah," Eric added sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. "Sorry in advance."

Edward chuckled, shaking his head. "That's fine. Just pass me the ball and set up screens when I motion for you, alright?"

Ben nodded eagerly. "Yeah, no problem."

Eric, however, looked confused. "Uh, what's a screen?"

Edward resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose. This was going to be interesting. He began explaining the basic concept while simultaneously listening in on Mike's whispered conversation with his teammates.

"Remember," Mike muttered to Tyler and John, "If he gets to the paint, foul him. Put him on his ass."

"Are you sure about this, man?" Tyler asked skeptically. "The guy has got to be like 6'2 or something, and it's not like he's sticks and bones. He definitely knows how to play."

Mike scoffed. "There's no way he's going to win with Eric and Ben."

Tyler didn't look convinced but shrugged. "Whatever you say, man."

By the time Eric had a basic grasp on screening, Edward turned back to face Mike and the others.

"We're ready," he announced smoothly.

"To lose?" Mike shot back.

Edward arched a brow. "Really? That's your idea of trash talk?"

Mike ignored him. "Whatever. Just check the ball." He passed it to Edward. "Pass before you shoot."

Edward rolled his eyes but bounced the ball to Eric, who barely managed to keep from fumbling it. Panicking, Eric quickly passed it back, wanting nothing to do with the responsibility of being the ball handler. Edward took a single step back beyond the three-point line and launched the ball in a smooth arc. It sank through the net without touching the rim.

"That was luck," Mike scoffed, though his expression tightened.

Tyler, on the other hand, looked like his faith in Mike's plan was beginning to wane.

The next possession, Ben passed Edward the ball again. This time, Edward decided to toy with Mike. He kept the ball low, dribbling it between his legs, just out of Mike's reach. A hesitation crossover left Mike momentarily off-balance. With a quick burst of speed, Edward slipped past him.

The moment he entered the paint, Tyler and John closed in to foul him hard, but he anticipated their move. Using just the right amount of strength, he absorbed the contact and still managed to bank the shot in off the glass.

"And one," Edward said casually, tossing the ball back to Mike. "Check it."

"That doesn't count!" Mike snapped. "That was a foul."

Edward simply shrugged. "I didn't call it. The point on the board still." He motioned for Mike to pass the ball.

Mike grumbled but begrudgingly complied. Edward took the ball, passed it to Ben, and quickly motioned for Eric to set a screen. To his credit, Eric executed it correctly this time, giving Edward just enough space to rise up for a mid-range jumper. It swished cleanly through the hoop.

"Score's four-zero, right?" Edward grinned.

Mike's jaw clenched, his frustration evident.

Meanwhile, Bella watched from the sidelines, clapping enthusiastically each time Edward scored. She was entirely engrossed in the game, unaware of the growing crowd of girls who had also taken notice. Their wide-eyed, admiring stares were locked on Edward, and Bella felt a strange twinge in her chest.

She frowned, then shook her head at herself. You don't have a right to be jealous. He's not yours.

The game continued in much the same fashion. Edward dominated every possession, keeping the ball in his team's hands while Mike grew increasingly frustrated. By the time Edward hit the final three-pointer, bringing the score to twenty-one to zero, Mike's patience had completely snapped.

Without a word, he stormed off the court, taking the ball with him.

"Well, that wasn't very sportsmanlike," Edward remarked with a smirk, high-fiving Eric and Ben.

"Us?" Ben said incredulously. "You scored every point!"

"And they never even got the ball once!" Eric added, still in disbelief.

Edward merely patted them both on the back. "Couldn't have done it without teammates like you."

With that, he turned and made his way toward Bella, whose heart was still racing—and not just from the game.

"Was I good?" Edward asked as he lowered himself onto the bench beside Bella, his eyes glinting with amusement.

"Good?" Bella repeated, turning to face him fully. Her expression was a mixture of disbelief and admiration. "You must have played on a team back in Chicago or something!"

Edward shook his head. "Oh, stop it," he said, feigning humility. "That was nothing special."

Bella scoffed. "Modesty isn't a good look on you, Edward Masen," she teased, nudging him playfully.

Before Edward could respond, a booming voice interrupted their exchange. "Masen!"

Edward stiffened, his head snapping up to see the gym coach striding toward him with an incredulous expression.

"What was that?" the coach demanded, stopping just short of Edward.

Edward grimaced, already anticipating where this conversation was heading. "A basketball game?" he answered hesitantly.

The coach let out a short, incredulous laugh. "I call that raw talent! How about joining the basketball team?" His grin was wide, expectant.

Edward winced as Alice's thoughts rang through his mind. This is why I told you not to show off too much! The volume of her mental voice was almost painful, and he had to resist the urge to rub his temples.

Forcing an apologetic smile, Edward turned back to the coach. "Well, Coach, as much as I appreciate the opportunity, I just don't have an interest in joining the basketball team," he said smoothly.

"What?!" The coach looked utterly dumbfounded, his hands gesturing wildly. "Kid, you could be our star guard! You could make it big playing like that! You have to play!"

Edward sighed, running a hand through his tousled bronze hair. "I technically don't have to play," he pointed out. "I just don't want to play basketball for the school."

The coach still looked utterly lost, as if unable to comprehend why anyone would turn down such an offer. Before he could attempt another plea, the sharp sound of the bell ringing echoed through the gymnasium.

"Well, looks like class is over," Edward said swiftly, rising to his feet. "Let's go, Bella." Without hesitation, he took her hand in his and led her toward the exit, leaving the flustered coach behind.

As they stepped outside, Edward exhaled in mild exasperation. "Something tells me the coach isn't going to let that go anytime soon," he muttered.

Bella chuckled, glancing up at him. "I mean, if you saw yourself play, I don't think you'd want your talent to go to waste either," she pointed out.

Edward shook his head. "It was fun, but I don't want to play sports for the school," he said simply. His gaze softened as it settled on her. "I'm more interested in other things."

Bella felt her cheeks flush under the intensity of his stare. She bit her lip, but unlike before, she didn't shy away. The more time she spent with Edward, the more natural it felt to be close to him—as if she belonged there, by his side.

"Alright, lovebirds, break it up," a familiar, teasing voice called out.

They turned simultaneously to see Emmett sauntering toward them with a grin. "You two are sweet enough to give me a cavity."

Both Edward and Bella rolled their eyes, instinctively stepping slightly apart.

Edward shot his brother an unimpressed look. "Your timing is impeccable," he said dryly.

"Thank you," Emmett replied, looking pleased with himself. "I try my best."

"And congrats on the performance," Alice chimed in as she glided up beside Emmett. She smirked knowingly at Edward. "Coach is gonna be on your butt the entire season now." With a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, she twirled on her heel and disappeared into the girls' locker room before Edward could retort.

He sighed heavily, shaking his head. "She's a nuisance," he grumbled before heading toward the boys' locker room with Emmett.

Bella remained where she was, watching him go with a soft smile playing on her lips. Maybe—just maybe—senior year was going to be better than she had ever expected.

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