STEPHENIE MEYER OWNS THE TWILIGHT UNIVERSE AND ALL OF THE CHARACTERS.
Bella had the strangest dreams that night.
In the haze of sleep, she found herself transported—back in time, somehow certain without a doubt that she was standing in the year 1918. The air in the dream felt heavier, thick with the scent of antiseptic and despair, and the faces around her wore the same desperation she'd read about in history books.
But the strangest part wasn't the place. It was her.
She wasn't Bella Swan in this dream. She was Isabella Marie—wearing the same modest, early twentieth-century dress from the photograph Edward had shown her. Her hands, though her own, were adorned with simple gloves, and her hair was pinned up in the same old-fashioned style.
Across from her sat Elizabeth Masen—Edward's mother. She looked just as she had in the photo: radiant despite the pallor of illness creeping into her features. The woman smiled warmly at Bella, speaking softly as if they had known each other for years.
The dream was peaceful at first, comforting even.
But then it turned.
The soft glow of the hospital room shifted into something darker. Bella could feel herself sinking into a nightmare as the scene changed. She stood frozen, helpless, as she watched Edward—pale, frail, and human—lying in a hospital bed. His chest struggled to rise and fall, his breaths shallow, rattling with the sickness of influenza.
His green eyes were dull with fever, barely able to focus on her.
No matter how hard she screamed or how desperately she tried to reach him, her voice wouldn't come. Her feet wouldn't move. She was trapped, forced to watch as life slipped from his body. The agony of it—the helplessness—felt so real that it brought tears to her eyes, even in sleep.
When she jolted awake, her skin was slick with sweat, hair clinging to her forehead in damp strands. Her breath came in quick, panicked gasps as if she had been the one fighting for air in that hospital bed.
It had just been a dream, she told herself—but somehow, it didn't feel like just a dream. It felt like she had lived it, as though she had truly been seeing the world through the eyes of the Isabella Marie from Edward's past.
Her heart ached as she wiped the sweat from her brow, taking a few moments to steady herself before finally climbing out of bed to start her morning routine.
When she pulled back the curtains, she felt a small wave of relief. It was cloudy—thick gray clouds blanketing the sky, the sun safely tucked away for the day.
Good. That meant he would be at school.
After a quick shower, Bella made her way downstairs, her thoughts still foggy from the dream. But she was pulled from her head the moment she spotted Charlie standing by the living room window, awkwardly peeking through the blinds like a detective on a stakeout.
"Dad… what exactly are you doing?" Bella asked, raising an eyebrow as she crossed her arms.
"Huh?" Charlie flinched, quickly stepping away from the blinds like a kid caught red-handed. "I, uh… was just curious about that boy outside. The one leaning on a car, right across the street."
Bella's curiosity peaked immediately, and she moved beside him, nudging him gently out of the way so she could see for herself. Sure enough, there he was—Edward. Leaning casually against the silver Volvo, hands tucked into the pockets of his jacket, wearing that charming crooked smile that always managed to make her heart stumble. His gaze met hers through the window, and he winked.
Bella felt the heat rush to her cheeks but tried her best to play it cool. "That's just Edward," she said as nonchalantly as possible, turning away from the window and heading into the kitchen.
Charlie, of course, wasn't about to let it go so easily. "I don't know any Edward living here in Forks," he called after her, following as she grabbed a Pop-Tart from the box.
"He's, um… with the Cullens," Bella replied, trying not to sound like she was rushing. She busied herself by pouring a glass of orange juice, hoping the mention of Carlisle's name might pacify her dad's interest.
Sure enough, Charlie's shoulders relaxed a little at the mention. "Ah. Well… the Cullens are a good family. Great, actually. Even if Billy's always on my case about them, I've never had a reason to believe they're anything but good for Forks."
He paused, scratching the back of his neck. "That boy must be the cousin, right? Alice's cousin? Heard about him from the diner gossip mill."
"Yeah," Bella nodded stiffly, taking a sip of her juice. "Edward's Alice's cousin."
Charlie narrowed his eyes. "So… why's he parked outside my house this early?"
Bella mumbled something unintelligible into her cup.
"What was that?"
She sighed, bracing herself for the conversation she really didn't want to have before school. "We're… sort of dating."
Charlie blinked. "Sort of?"
"Okay. We're dating," Bella admitted, cringing slightly as she forced the words out.
Charlie's face shifted between surprise and mild panic. "Since when? And since when do you even like any of the boys around here?"
"Well… technically, he's from Chicago," Bella pointed out, trying to stall.
"The boy's been here what—a week? And you're already calling it dating?" Charlie leaned against the counter, baffled. "Isn't that a little quick?"
"Look, Dad, it just… happened, okay?" Bella defended, straightening up. "You know I wouldn't rush into something if I didn't mean it."
Charlie stared at her for a long moment, his mustache twitching in that way it did when he was trying to keep himself from saying too much. Finally, he sighed and nodded, though his lips were pursed. "You're smart, Bells. I know that. Still doesn't mean I won't worry."
Bella offered a small smile, knowing this was about as close to approval as she was going to get from him.
She grabbed her bag off the floor and headed toward the door, but Charlie wasn't done yet.
"Wait," he called out. Bella stopped mid-stride and turned back.
"When do I get to meet him?"
Bella groaned audibly, leaning against the doorframe. "Dad, we've been dating for like… two days. You really want to meet him already?"
Charlie gave her that same expectant dad look—the one that said, you're not getting out of this conversation.
"Well, yeah," he shrugged. "What kind of father would I be if I didn't at least meet the guy my daughter is spending her time with?"
Bella narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "You're gonna try and scare him off, aren't you?"
"Me?!" Charlie tried to look innocent.
Bella crossed her arms. "Don't play dumb. You're definitely going to be cleaning your shotgun when he walks in."
Charlie lifted his hands in mock surrender. "Okay, okay. No shotgun. I'll… stick to the pistols."
Bella rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips. "I guess that's the best deal I'm going to get."
Charlie gave a small smirk of victory. "In case you need it," he added casually, "there's a pepper spray in your backpack."
Bella groaned, rummaging through the front pocket until she found it. "Seriously, Dad?"
"You can never be too careful, Bells."
She sighed, but tucked it back in. She knew this was just his awkward, overprotective way of showing that he cared.
Father and daughter walked out the door together, parting ways at the driveway—Charlie heading toward his cruiser, and Bella heading toward the silver Volvo where Edward waited, still grinning like he'd been thoroughly entertained by the whole exchange.
"Good morning," Edward greeted, his smile softening the moment his eyes met hers. The intensity in his gaze made Bella feel like she was the only person in the world he saw.
Bella smiled back, tilting her head slightly. "Good morning. I didn't expect you here so early."
Edward, with the grace that seemed embedded into every movement he made, stepped away from the driver's side and smoothly opened the passenger door for her, gesturing like a gentleman from another era. "Life back at the Cullen's… let's just say it isn't exactly sunshine and rainbows right now," he muttered, his expression souring as he climbed back into the driver's seat.
Bella slid into the car, raising an eyebrow as she buckled her seatbelt. "I'm guessing they're not thrilled about you telling me the truth."
Edward's jaw tightened, his hands steady but visibly tense on the steering wheel. "Well… it's really just Rosalie making the biggest deal out of it." His sigh was heavy, his voice dipping into frustration as he pulled onto the road. "But technically… she's not entirely wrong. Humans aren't supposed to know about our kind. And when a vampire breaks that rule, it usually doesn't end well."
Bella's brow furrowed. "You mean… like, there are rules? An actual vampire rulebook?"
Edward nodded. "The Volturi," he said quietly, the name rolling off his tongue with the weight of something ancient. "They're the closest thing we have to rulers. They enforce the laws that keep our existence hidden from the human world."
Bella's throat felt suddenly dry. "And… what exactly are these 'consequences' Rosalie's worried about?"
Edward's lips pressed into a thin line. His green eyes darkened, though he kept them on the road. "The Volturi would consider my telling you a direct violation of those laws. Normally… they'd execute the vampire who spilled the secret—and any who helped cover it up. But before that…" His jaw clenched hard. "They'd kill you first. No loose ends."
Bella swallowed hard, her heartbeat quickening. "Oh," was all she managed for a moment, blinking at the sheer brutality of what he'd just admitted. "Well… I guess Rosalie's anger isn't entirely misplaced then."
Edward's expression softened just slightly as he glanced at her, one hand loosening its grip on the steering wheel to reach across the console and gently squeeze her hand. "I'm not worried," he said firmly. "No one's going to find out. I'd never let that happen to you."
Bella nodded slowly but couldn't hide the anxious knot forming in her chest. She hated the idea of anyone hurting him—or herself—over something as innocent as falling in love.
Eager to push away the suffocating topic, she forced a smile and gestured toward the car's sleek interior. "Since when did you have this car?" she asked, eyeing the polished dashboard.
Edward let out a small laugh, happy to oblige the change in conversation. "Over the weekend. I figured driving an Aston Martin to school every day might not exactly scream 'low profile.'"
Bella snorted. "And this is your idea of blending in?" She glanced around the interior again—soft leather seats, pristine dashboard, a car that practically whispered luxury with every inch. "Have you seen the school parking lot?"
Edward shot her a playful smirk. "I'm carrying precious cargo. Only the best for you."
Bella rolled her eyes, but her blush gave away her amusement. "How flattering, Mr. Masen."
As they turned into the school parking lot, it was immediately obvious that Edward's attempt at 'low profile' had failed miserably. Nearly every head in the lot turned their way, students blatantly staring at the shining silver Volvo as if it had rolled straight out of a movie set.
Edward parked with the same casual ease as if no one were watching, killing the engine and resting his arm lazily on the steering wheel. "Well," he said, glancing around at the crowd of gawking teenagers, "the gossip's going to be insufferable today."
Bella groaned, already feeling the weight of the stares pressing in on her like heat. "Ugh, no kidding. And they're not gonna corner you for answers. They're going to ask me about everything."
Edward chuckled, unbuckling his seatbelt and stepping out of the car with that fluid, graceful motion that seemed almost too perfect to be human. In a blink, he was at her door, opening it for her and offering his hand.
Bella took it, allowing him to help her out of the car, though she gave him a playful shove as soon as she was upright. "You're really not helping my case here, you know."
He leaned in, lowering his voice just enough that only she could hear. "You'll survive, love."
The murmurs and whispers from the other students grew louder as they walked hand-in-hand toward the entrance. The air was thick with speculation, jaws dropping as the quiet, awkward Bella Swan strolled through the campus alongside Edward Masen.
It didn't help that Bella could see Jessica and Angela already gawking from across the quad, both of them frozen mid-conversation, mouths slightly open as if they'd completely forgotten how to speak.
"Why does it feel like we're walking down the red carpet?" Bella muttered under her breath, keeping her head down as they crossed the lot.
Edward's eyes glinted with amusement as he caught stray thoughts buzzing through the minds of the nearby students. "Because, to them, we basically are celebrities right now."
Bella groaned again. "Perfect. Just perfect."
"The rumors are going to be spectacular," Edward smirked, clearly enjoying the absurdity of the drama.
"Easy for you to say," Bella huffed. "No one's going to bug you about it. They're all too scared of you and the Cullens."
Edward gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "That's not entirely their fault," he admitted with a sheepish grin. "Humans, even if they don't realize it, can instinctively sense what we are. Their instincts tell them to keep their distance. They don't know why—they just know they should."
Bella's eyes widened slightly. "That… actually explains a lot."
Edward let out a soft laugh and, with a light bow of his head, held the door open for her as they stepped into the building together. "It's hard to find a gentleman like me these days, Miss Swan."
"Mmhm," Bella smirked. "Chivalry might be dead—but apparently, it rises again when the guy's over a century old."
Edward laughed again, that soft, melodic sound she was quickly becoming addicted to.
And even as the whispers followed them down the hallway like a trail of smoke, Bella couldn't stop herself from smiling—at least, not until they reached the inevitable part of the day where they had to separate and head to their own classes for the first half of school.
Bella never thought she'd be that girl.
The one who was all about her boyfriend, who counted the minutes between seeing him and suffered through every second apart. It wasn't like her at all. She'd always prided herself on being independent, uninterested in the drama of high school relationships, watching from the sidelines as other girls lost their heads over boys.
But here she was—hopelessly attached. Completely, utterly, and undeniably attached.
In her defense, she reasoned silently, this wasn't just any high school crush. This was Edward—beautiful, dangerous, otherworldly Edward. She was pretty sure being supernaturally drawn to someone gave her a pass on the cliché. Right? She'd have to ask him later if this level of obsession was… normal. Or at least normal for vampire-human relationships.
The thought of not seeing him again until lunch made her groan internally.
To make matters worse, Jessica seemed determined to fill every Edward-less moment with a barrage of questions about their relationship. It was like she'd turned into some pop culture talk show host, hungry for every juicy detail Bella didn't want to give.
And then there was Mike, who somehow managed to one-up Jessica in the world of awkward, casually dropping the most cringe-worthy line of the morning by suggesting that Edward only looked at her like she was "something to eat."
Bella had nearly snorted out loud at that one. If only he knew how ironically accurate that was. The mental image of a tiger dating a deer wasn't too far off the mark.
Thankfully, the only one who wasn't relentlessly obnoxious about the whole thing was Angela—sweet, patient Angela, who, bless her, seemed perfectly content to not press for details Bella wasn't offering.
But all of that irritation, all the questions, the stares, the stupid comments—none of it mattered the second Bella spotted Edward leaning casually against her locker, that familiar crooked grin waiting just for her.
"I've got to give it to Mike," Edward greeted smoothly as he pulled her into a gentle hug, "he has a real talent for making conversations with you awkward."
Bella narrowed her eyes at him, though she couldn't fight the smile tugging at her lips. "Have you been spying on me through other people's thoughts?"
Edward gave a little shrug, completely unapologetic. "Believe it or not, it's more entertaining than rereading The Crucible."
"Ugh, I wasn't a big fan of that one either," Bella groaned. "Death and self-righteous paranoia. Fun."
"Charming, isn't it?" Edward smirked, then straightened. "Anyway, I remember you had… oh, about a hundred questions for me? I figured today we could answer a few of those."
"Wait, really?" Bella perked up, curious. "I thought you were going to make me drag those answers out of you one at a time."
"Well," Edward grinned, "I could tell you. Or… I could show you."
Bella narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "And how exactly are you planning to do that?"
"You'll see," he said, that infuriating smirk still playing on his lips. He reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Promise it'll be harmless."
"I'd hope so," Bella muttered, eyeing him warily as he led her through the hallway and toward the school's back entrance.
They stepped out into the overcast afternoon, crossing the lawn until they reached the line of trees that bordered the school grounds. Edward kept walking, leading her deeper into the forest.
"This is how horror movies start, you know," Bella pointed out, glancing around at the towering trees.
"You're dating a vampire, love," Edward chuckled. "We're well into the horror genre already."
When they were a good distance into the woods, where no one from school could see or overhear them, Edward stopped and turned toward her. "Get on my back."
Bella blinked, folding her arms across her chest. "Excuse me?"
"C'mon," he grinned, gesturing with a tilt of his head. "Don't you want to see how fast I can really run?"
She stared at him like he'd lost his mind. "You're telling me… you're going to run through the woods. With me. On your back."
"That's the plan." He smirked again, that maddening, confident smirk. "Unless, of course, you're too scared."
Bella scoffed, narrowing her eyes. "Don't even try the reverse psychology bit on me, Edward. It won't work."
Edward only raised an eyebrow, waiting.
"…Are you sure this is safe?" she asked, eyeing him skeptically.
"Would I ever put you in harm's way?" His expression softened, and Bella could tell he meant it.
With a reluctant sigh and a shake of her head, she stepped forward and climbed onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck, her legs securely around his waist.
"Hold on tight," Edward warned, shifting his stance. "And… I'd recommend keeping your eyes closed."
Bella pouted against the back of his neck. "What's the point of this if I can't even see where we're going?"
"Oh, trust me," Edward said, laughter in his voice, "you'll feel it."
Bella rolled her eyes but obeyed, squeezing her eyes shut and holding on tightly.
The next moment felt like launching out of a cannon.
Wind roared past her ears, sharp and stinging as it slapped against her skin. She pressed her face instinctively into the curve of his neck, clinging harder as the sheer force of the air threatened to rip her away. It was like riding a motorcycle with no helmet, no windshield—except somehow worse, because it wasn't just fast. It was impossibly, inhumanly fast.
Then, just as suddenly, the sensation changed.
Bella felt the rhythm of his body shift beneath her as the world tilted—and when curiosity finally got the better of her, she cracked her eyes open.
Her breath caught in her throat.
Edward was climbing effortlessly up the side of a massive tree, moving vertically as if gravity were nothing but a suggestion. His feet landed softly, confidently on each branch as he carried her upward, not even straining beneath her weight.
It was surreal. Beautiful. Like something out of a dream.
Or maybe a nightmare—if she hadn't already been so in love with the person carrying her.
And strangely, as wild as it should have felt… Bella realized she wasn't scared.
If anything, she felt safer in that moment than she ever had before.
When they finally stopped, Edward gently slid Bella off his back and situated her on a thick, sturdy tree branch nestled high among the treetops. The dense green canopy surrounded them like a cocoon, leaves rustling softly in the breeze, sunlight filtering through in patches of silver and gold. Edward leaned casually against the trunk of the tree, one leg propped up, while Bella remained curled close beside him, instinctively seeking out his warmth—or lack thereof.
"I thought I told you not to open your eyes," Edward teased, the corner of his mouth lifting into that familiar crooked grin. "Couldn't help yourself, could you?"
"I only opened them when you started climbing up the tree, not during the running part," Bella defended, though her smile betrayed her fascination. "How fast can you really run?"
Edward gave a modest shrug, though the smugness in his eyes said otherwise. "A lot faster than that. Faster than probably any sports car in the world."
Bella's eyes widened, breath catching slightly. "Wow… What's it even like? Running that fast?"
Edward looked thoughtful for a moment, his gaze drifting outward into the trees as if recalling the sensation. "I suppose… it's like what running feels like to you—but amplified. My legs propel me so much faster, and my senses, my reaction time… they're sharp enough to avoid anything in my path. It's pure freedom."
Bella let that image sink in, imagining what it must feel like to move at that speed, weightless, unstoppable.
"Are all vampires that fast?" she asked curiously.
Edward's grin widened, his pride unmistakable. "No way. I haven't met a vampire yet who can outrun me. Just like humans, we each have our own natural gifts. Emmett, for example, is abnormally strong—far beyond the average for our kind. But me? Speed has always been my edge."
"Well, I definitely don't need an explanation on how strong you are," Bella replied, shaking her head with a small laugh. "The whole van incident told me enough."
Edward's expression softened at the memory, though his smile remained. "So, what else are you curious about?"
Bella tapped her chin playfully, trying to make light of the dark questions building in her mind. "Alright… garlic. Does it work on you?"
Edward gave an amused snort. "No, garlic just smells bad. Holy water, wooden stakes, silver—none of that harms me."
"Seriously?" Bella blinked. "Then what's the point of all those old vampire myths?"
"To make humans feel safer," Edward answered simply, giving a faint shrug. "A story to help people believe they had a way to defend themselves against something that scared them back then."
Bella frowned, absorbing that. "Okay… but the sun. Surely the sunlight thing is true? Doesn't it burn you?"
Edward shook his head, his expression turning serious. "Not exactly. It doesn't burn us to ash like in the movies, no—but it does affect us. It's… uncomfortable. Agonizing, actually. Our skin becomes hypersensitive under direct sunlight—irritated, inflamed, like the worst flu you could imagine, only worse. The sun overwhelms our senses, burns our eyes, makes every inch of us feel like it's screaming. Older vampires can endure it better, but even then, it never fully goes away."
Bella shivered at the thought. "So that's why the Cullens never go to sunny places. Florida would basically be torture for you."
"Exactly," Edward nodded. "It's possible to endure, but with the added strain of controlling the thirst… it's not worth the risk."
Bella leaned back against the branch, her fingers absently tracing the bark as she processed everything. "You said sunlight is the biggest aversion for vampires. Are there other things?"
Edward nodded. "Yes. The other big ones are human food… and sleep."
Bella's eyebrows shot up. "But Emmett eats like… everything in sight."
Edward chuckled. "Human food tastes the same to us as it does to you—but it does nothing for us nutritionally. Emmett eats because he enjoys it. Part of the Cullen philosophy is to blend in with humans as much as possible, so eating food is part of the act. But we don't feel hunger for it. We only feel thirst—for blood."
"So you never get the craving for, like, pizza?" Bella pressed, raising an eyebrow.
Edward laughed softly. "Think of it this way: if you were dying of thirst, would a cheeseburger satisfy you?"
Bella shook her head slowly. "No… I guess not."
"Exactly. Blood is our water. Our fuel. Anything else is… meaningless."
Bella nodded, her curiosity far from satisfied. "And sleep? You really don't sleep?"
Edward leaned his head back against the tree trunk, his eyes softening. "No. Vampires don't get tired. We don't need rest like humans do. I haven't slept in decades."
"Decades?" Bella repeated, her eyes wide. "Not even naps?"
Edward grinned. "Not even naps. Sleeping for us is optional. A way to pass the time, not a necessity. And most of us find it… uncomfortable, pointless. Our minds are always alert."
Bella absorbed the information quietly, a thousand questions swirling in her mind. But one, in particular, pressed at her harder than the rest—the one she'd been hesitant to ask.
"So… when you do drink blood…" she began carefully, her voice quieter, "do you just… hunt random people?"
Edward's smile faded. He leaned forward slightly, his expression soft but serious as he looked into her eyes. "No. Never."
Bella let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
"My gift—my ability to hear thoughts—lets me… choose," Edward continued softly. "I can sense the intentions of people. I know who has committed horrible things—murderers, rapists, abusers. Those are the people I've hunted in the past. Never innocents."
Bella felt a strange mix of relief and guilt wash over her. She knew it was selfish—but as long as Edward was safe, as long as he was here… she didn't want to lose him. Even if it meant others had to pay the price.
"Oh…" she whispered, managing a small smile. "Well… that's not as bad as I was imagining."
Edward smiled faintly, sensing the battle between her morality and her heart. "If it makes you feel better, about it, I don't drink human blood anymore."
"You don't drink from humans anymore?" she asked, tilting her head.
"I don't," Edward confirmed, his voice soft but firm. "I follow Carlisle's way now. Like the others, I survive on animal blood."
Bella blinked in surprise. "Wait… you can survive on animal blood?"
"Barely," Edward said with a dry chuckle. "It keeps the body functioning. Keeps the thirst manageable. But it's… not the same. The satisfaction human blood gives—there's no comparison. Animal blood is like… surviving off tofu. It works, but you're always aware of what you're missing."
Bella gave a soft laugh. "So… you're basically a vegetarian vampire."
"Basically," Edward smirked, leaning toward her playfully. "Although I don't think there's a tofu strong enough to compare."
"Why though?" Bella finally asked after a beat of silence, her brow knitting together. "I mean… not that I'm saying killing humans is good—but why go out of your way to make yourself miserable when you aren't hurting innocent people? You're already so careful."
Edward leaned back against the tree trunk, exhaling slowly through his nose as he stared into the distance. His expression softened, eyes distant and thoughtful. "I knew eventually I'd have to be honest with you about everything," he admitted quietly. "When that moment came, I didn't want the words I feed on humans to be part of what I had to confess. Especially to you. Especially when… well, when you're human."
Bella's eyes lowered, but she still reached out, her fingers lacing through his hand. "I wouldn't hold it against you," she murmured, her voice soft but earnest.
Edward gave her a sad smile, squeezing her hand gently. "But I'd hold it against myself." His gaze drifted to the sky, the faint beams of light piercing through the trees overhead. "I still feel wrong doing it, even if I only ever hunted the worst of them. So instead, I'm biting cute furry animals now," he added with a rueful smirk.
Bella nodded, sensing the heaviness that settled in the air between them. She didn't want to press the topic any further. Not right now.
"Tell me what it was like… when you first became a vampire," she said softly, eager to steer the conversation toward something that might ease the tension between them.
Edward's eyes darkened, his smile fading as his hand withdrew to rest on his knee. "I was with Carlisle for a long time after my transformation," he began. "Long enough to learn control, to stop myself from becoming… the kind of monster I feared. Secluded, isolated. I had to be. The bloodlust was so overwhelming at first that I couldn't be around anyone safely—not without risking their lives."
Bella listened intently, her fingers instinctively reaching for his again.
"But it wasn't just the thirst," Edward continued, his voice softer now. "It was my ability. The mind reading. I couldn't shut it off—couldn't block out the constant flood of thoughts around me. For a long time, it nearly drove me mad."
Bella frowned, her heart aching at the thought of him suffering alone like that. "That must have been… unbearable."
Edward nodded slowly. "Vampires, by nature, rely on instinct. Most of our kind give into that instinct entirely. They crave the kill—they don't care who it is. To them, humans are prey. Nothing more."
Bella shuddered, picturing the cruelty he described.
"You got lucky meeting me… and the Cullens," Edward continued, his eyes meeting hers again. "Most vampires out there aren't like us. They don't care who they kill. They don't have a moral code. They act like… murderers. Bloodthirsty psychopaths."
"Then… why aren't you like that?" Bella asked quietly.
Edward's gaze softened. "It's hard to be so violent when you can hear people's thoughts. When you know their fears, their dreams… when you hear a father's thoughts about rushing home to his children, or a mother worrying about how to feed her family. It makes you pause. Makes you see them as people, not prey."
Bella felt a lump in her throat, imagining the weight of so many voices in his mind.
"Jasper struggles even more," Edward added, leaning forward, elbows resting on his knees. "He's an empath. He doesn't just read emotions—he feels them. Every single person he's ever killed… he felt their terror. Their agony. It's… done a number on him mentally."
Bella's face fell. "That must be awful for him. I can't even imagine."
Edward nodded solemnly. "It is. It's why he clings to the animal diet now. It's the only thing that lets him keep some semblance of peace."
"And Carlisle?" Bella asked softly.
"Carlisle is… remarkable," Edward said, a hint of reverence in his voice. "He's never tasted human blood. Not once. Since the day he was turned. He's the one who taught me, Esme, Rosalie, and Emmett how to survive on animal blood instead. He's the reason any of us have control."
Bella's eyes softened. "He must be… really special."
"He is," Edward nodded. "He saved me, in more ways than one."
"And Alice and Jasper?" Bella tilted her head.
"They found us on their own, long after the rest of us were together," Edward explained. "Alice can see the future… she saw us in a vision before we ever met. She knew we were going to be family. And she and Jasper had already committed to the animal diet by then."
"So she probably saw me coming too, didn't she?" Bella murmured.
Edward gave a small, knowing smile. "Alice's visions are… subjective. They can change with a single choice. There was a chance you might not have ever come to Forks. And if you hadn't…"
"I still like to believe we would've met somehow," Bella whispered.
"I'd like to believe that too," Edward replied softly, brushing his knuckles along her cheek. "I waited a century for you, after all."
Bella rolled her eyes, though her smile betrayed her affection. "Sorry to keep you waiting."
"So," Bella asked after a pause, "you were all together at one point—but you left?"
Edward's expression turned distant again. "Yeah. After Alice and Jasper joined, I… well, being surrounded by three perfectly happy couples wasn't exactly easy. I felt like an outsider. And… I was tired of Carlisle's way. Tired of denying my instincts. So I left. I wanted to live my own way. Make my own choices."
"And yet here you are," Bella smiled softly, leaning against him.
"Only because of you," Edward murmured, his eyes meeting hers with gentle honesty. "Their lifestyle makes it possible for me to be with you without… risking everything."
Bella's eyes glistened slightly. "I still think you love them. Even Rosalie."
Edward gave a soft laugh. "Even Rosalie?" he teased.
"Even Rosalie," Bella repeated with a grin.
Edward smiled back, his fingers brushing through her hair.
"Well," he sighed, pulling out his phone, his face falling at the sight of several missed calls. "Looks like we've done more than just spend lunch together."
Bella's eyes widened in alarm. "Wait… what time is it?!"
Edward smirked. "We've missed the rest of lunch… and also AP Biology. And about half of gym."
"What?!" Bella shrieked, sitting up straighter. "How did we lose track of time like that?!"
"Well… it is a nice view," Edward offered, glancing around at the treetops with an innocent shrug.
Bella narrowed her eyes at him, crossing her arms. "You're impossible."
"My bad…" Edward laughed, not sounding sorry at all.
"So… what do we do now?" Bella groaned, flopping back against him.
"I mean… we could go back?" Edward suggested, though he didn't sound particularly motivated.
Bella considered it, then shook her head. "At this point, there's really no point."
Edward grinned. "Well then, what would you like to do with the rest of our stolen afternoon, Miss Swan?"
Bella's eyes gleamed with mischief. "You haven't eaten human food in a long time, right?"
"…Yeah?" Edward's grin faded, suddenly wary of the look she was giving him.
Her smile only widened. "Perfect. I know exactly where we're going."
Edward gave her a look that was somewhere between amusement and dread once they were in the car and she had just told him her plans. "You're not serious."
"Oh, I'm very serious." Bella's grin only widened, her brown eyes sparkling with mischief. "It's McDonald's. There's no way I'm letting you go another century without trying a Big Mac."
Edward let out a long-suffering sigh as he leaned his head back against the headrest, closing his eyes like a man preparing for battle. "Of all the ways I imagined spending my afternoon with you… fast food wasn't on the list."
"Consider it a rite of passage," Bella teased, folding her arms triumphantly. "Besides, you survived the influenza. I'm sure you can handle a cheeseburger."
"You do realize that human food does absolutely nothing for me nutritionally," Edward reminded, casting her a sideways glance as he started the car. "I'm going to regret this."
"That's what makes it fun," Bella chirped, buckling her seatbelt as he pulled out of the school parking lot.
The drive into town was quiet for a few moments, apart from Bella occasionally shooting him a smug little smile from the passenger seat. Edward, in return, gave a dramatic groan every time they passed another burger joint on the way.
"You're enjoying this way too much," Edward muttered.
"I really am," Bella agreed, biting back a laugh.
When they finally pulled into the McDonald's parking lot, Edward parked the car and leaned both arms over the steering wheel, staring at the bright golden arches like they were a personal affront.
"This feels… beneath me," he deadpanned.
Bella snorted, nearly choking on her laughter. "You're such a snob."
"A century of existence and this is how I'm spending my immortal life…" Edward shook his head, but there was a smile creeping onto his lips. "I hope you know, this may be my greatest humiliation."
"Don't be such a drama queen," Bella teased, already climbing out of the car.
Edward followed, still looking deeply skeptical as they walked inside. The fluorescent lights flickered faintly overhead, the faint smell of grease and fryer oil thick in the air. A group of teenagers in the corner barely looked up from their fries and milkshakes.
"Table for two, right?" Bella grinned as they stepped up to the counter.
"Are you going to order for me, or am I expected to navigate this culinary horror show myself?" Edward asked dryly.
Bella gave him a little push toward the register. "Try the Big Mac. Classic first experience. And fries. Always fries."
Edward raised an eyebrow at her, then turned toward the poor teenager behind the counter who was now blinking up at him like he'd just seen a movie star. "Uh… one Big Mac and… fries," Edward recited, like it was the most foreign language he'd ever spoken.
"And a Coke," Bella added with a grin.
Edward just gave her a long look, shaking his head. "Sadist."
They took their seats by the window, and Edward stared down at the brown paper bag in front of him as if it might bite him first. Bella, on the other hand, was happily unwrapping her cheeseburger.
"Well? Go on," she urged, nodding at his unopened meal.
With a sigh of resignation, Edward unwrapped the Big Mac, inspecting it like a scientist observing an experiment. He picked it up, tilted his head at it, and then finally took a small, cautious bite.
The expression on his face was priceless—eyebrows raised, lips pursed thoughtfully as he chewed with exaggerated slowness.
"Well?" Bella leaned forward, grinning like a cat who'd caught the canary.
Edward swallowed, licking his lips once before speaking. "I… hate to admit it. But… it's not entirely terrible."
Bella beamed victoriously. "I knew it! Fast food wins again."
"I feel like I should be ashamed," Edward said, frowning at the burger as though it had betrayed his principles. But then he took another bite—this one noticeably bigger.
Before long, he was finishing the last of the burger without even realizing it, licking the grease off his fingertips like someone who'd been living off salads his entire life.
"Is it better than blood?" Bella asked, leaning on her elbow, curious.
"Not human blood," Edward replied honestly, "but… far better than animal blood." His face twisted in mock horror. "I can't believe Emmett was right about this."
Bella laughed so hard she had to put down her drink. "Emmett's about to gloat so hard when he hears about this."
Edward grimaced. "He can never know."
"Oh, he's absolutely going to know."
Edward sighed but couldn't help the small smile tugging at his lips as he grabbed a few fries and popped them into his mouth. "This is your fault."
"And proud of it," Bella shot back. "You may be a vampire, but I am the bad influence here."
They lingered for a while longer, eating and talking about everything but the looming questions of supernatural politics, vampire diets, or dangerous ancient rulers. For once, it felt normal—just a boy and a girl skipping school and eating fast food together. Ordinary. Simple. Happy.
When Edward finally crumpled the last of the wrappers and tossed them back into the paper bag, he leaned back against the booth with that soft, thoughtful smile that never failed to make Bella's heart race. His eyes, bright and gentle, stayed locked on her face like she was the only thing in the world worth looking at.
"Sorry our first date is at McDonald's," Edward said, though his smile didn't waver.
Bella rolled her eyes playfully and shook her head, biting back the grin threatening to overtake her. "Don't be. As far as first dates go—granted, not that I've been on many, or… well, any, really—this is pretty good."
Edward's smile softened further at that, something warm flickering behind his eyes. He reached out, brushing the back of his knuckles against her cheek so lightly it was almost as if he was afraid to press too hard. "I'm honored to be your first."
Bella felt her face heat up at the casual sincerity in his voice, ducking her head slightly to hide the flush creeping up her neck. "You're kind of setting the bar high for anyone else."
Edward smirked. "Good. That's the plan."
Bella laughed under her breath but then glanced out the window, the playful mood shifting slightly as she noticed the sun dipping lower in the sky. Her stomach dropped a little as reality started to creep back in.
"Okay, seriously though—hurry up," she said, standing and grabbing the remaining trash off the table. "Charlie's going to be home soon, and I'd rather not have him assume I was off committing felonies while I skipped school today."
Edward stood with her, graceful even in the mundane act of brushing off his sleeves. He reached for the tray in her hands, taking it from her effortlessly. "Skipping school and dragging a century-old vampire into fast food chains? Bella Swan, you're a bad influence."
"Someone's gotta be," she teased as they walked together toward the trash bin, tossing the remnants of their lunch away.
By the time they stepped outside, the late afternoon air had cooled, and the clouds still hung overhead like a heavy gray quilt. Edward opened the passenger door of the Volvo for her with a dramatic bow.
"Your chariot awaits, my lady."
Bella groaned but smiled anyway, sliding into the seat and buckling herself in. "You're impossible."
Edward chuckled as he rounded the car and slipped into the driver's seat beside her.
The engine purred to life beneath his hands, and they pulled out of the parking lot smoothly, the road home stretching out before them in quiet companionship. Bella leaned back into the seat, sneaking a glance at Edward as he drove—one hand on the wheel, the other resting casually on the gear shift, eyes focused on the road but soft at the edges.
She reached across the console and laced her fingers through his free hand.
Edward squeezed her hand gently, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye, a quiet smile playing on his lips.
"Best first date I've ever had," he murmured.
Bella smiled, her heart doing that fluttering thing she was starting to realize was becoming a regular occurrence around him. "Glad to hear it."
They drove on in that soft, shared peace—the world outside continuing as normal, unaware that sitting inside that silver Volvo was a girl and her vampire, both falling a little deeper into something neither of them had fully expected but couldn't deny.
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