As the weeks went by, my bond with Bella deepened, flourishing in the warmth of shared laughter and quiet moments. I reveled in every touch, every compliment she offered, feeling a sense of safety and belonging I had never known before. Each time Bella ran her fingers through my hair or pulled me into a hug, a radiant warmth blossomed in my chest, dispelling the shadows of my past. I was happier than I had ever been, and it felt like I had finally found a place where I belonged.
One afternoon, as we lounged on the couch in the Cullen living room, Bella turned to me with a thoughtful expression. "You know, I've been thinking about getting a job," she said, her tone casual, yet I could hear the underlying excitement.
I perked up at that. "Really? What kind of job?"
She shrugged, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Something to keep me busy while I figure out college applications. I've been looking into local schools."
The thought of Bella attending college excited me. "You'd be amazing at anything you do. I mean, you're already incredible," I said, and I couldn't help but lean in closer, eager to see the light in her eyes.
Bella chuckled, her cheeks tinged with pink. "Thanks, Bree. That means a lot coming from you."
Just as I was about to express my enthusiasm for her plans, Jacob entered the room, his confident grin faltering as he caught sight of us. Frankly, I was surprised he was so welcome here that he could simply show up uninvited and whoever answered the door would just let him in. I supposed he and his friends had helped out in the fight with Victoria. Bella trusted him, so all the Cullens did too - even if they weren't that fond of him personally.
"What are you two scheming about?" he asked, crossing his arms, an edge of possessiveness in his voice.
"Just talking about college," Bella replied, her tone light, but I noticed the way Jacob's gaze lingered on her, a hint of jealousy swirling in his dark eyes. Didn't he want her to go to college? Didn't HE want to go to college?
"College, huh? Sounds boring." He leaned against the doorframe, his posture relaxed but the intensity in his gaze unmistakable. "You should spend more time with me instead."
I felt a protective surge rise within me, a visceral reaction to his tone. "Bella can do what she wants," I said, my voice sharper than intended.
Jacob raised an eyebrow, amusement mingling with his possessiveness. "Yeah, but she's already got a lot going on. I just think she should enjoy life a little more before diving into all that."
I bit my lip, feeling the tension in the air. Bella glanced between us, and I could see the way her expression softened, understanding both our sides. "I appreciate that, Jacob, but I want to plan for my future. That's important to me."
As Jacob grumbled something under his breath, I felt the need to redirect the conversation. "So what kind of job were you thinking?" I asked. I wanted to keep Bella focused on her goals, away from whatever jealousy was brewing.
"I don't know yet," she admitted. "Maybe something at the local bookstore or a coffee shop? I like the idea of working somewhere I can interact with people."
"That sounds perfect for you," I said, smiling widely. "You'd be the best barista ever. Everyone would love you."
"Thanks, Bree." She beamed at me, and I savored the moment, allowing the warmth of her approval to wash over me.
Over the next week or two, our small routine continued to blossom, but I noticed Jacob making an effort to claim more of Bella's attention, and while I understood their history, I couldn't help but feel an urgency to keep her close.
Emmett leaned against the hood of his Jeep, arms crossed over his broad chest, his expression surprisingly serious for once. He was usually all grins and teasing, but now, his golden eyes held something else—something contemplative. I had just mentioned how wrong Jacob and his pack felt to me, how something about them set my nerves on edge.
"Yeah," Emmett said, nodding slowly. "That's just how it is with us and them. Has been for... well, forever, I guess."
I frowned, tilting my head slightly. "But why?" It didn't make sense. I had never seen a werewolf up close before Jacob, and yet my whole body reacted to him and his packmates as if they were about to eat me.
Emmett rubbed the back of his neck. "Good question. There are a lot of stories about it. You know how humans make up myths to explain stuff they don't understand? Well, one of those myths says that way back in ancient times, some humans became werewolves to protect their people from vampires."
I blinked. "Like... turned into them on purpose?"
He shrugged. "Who knows? Probably not. More likely, that's just a way people tried to explain why vampires and werewolves don't mix. Maybe it's just built into us, like how certain animals are born natural enemies. Whatever the reason, the instinct is real."
I nodded slowly, thinking back to Jacob. "Yeah… I felt it. They were so... I don't know. Off. Like their presence was unnatural and dangerous."
Emmett smirked, but not unkindly. "I bet they felt the same way about you."
That caught me off guard. I hadn't considered that. It was easy to assume they were the aggressors, that their glares and hostility came from nowhere, but if they were feeling what I was feeling—if they had that same instinctual revulsion toward me—then maybe their reactions weren't personal.
Jasper, who had been listening from the porch, chimed in then, his voice calm and measured. "That's exactly right," he said. "Instincts cut both ways. We feel like a threat to them, and they feel like a threat to us. Doesn't mean either side is actually dangerous, not in the way those instincts suggest. But it makes things tense."
That made sense in a way I hadn't thought about before. It was like an old, deeply ingrained prejudice neither side had asked for, passed down through time for reasons long forgotten.
Emmett clapped a hand on my shoulder. "But here's the thing, Bree—instinct isn't everything. We might feel like enemies, but at the end of the day, both vamps and wolves are still people. We can think, we can reason, we can make our own choices. That's why the wolves fought alongside us against Victoria's army. They had every reason to hate us, but they were smart enough to see the bigger picture. They understood it was wise to unite against a common enemy."
I turned that over in my mind. The idea that instincts weren't absolute, that despite everything telling us to hate each other, we didn't have to. That was... reassuring. Maybe even hopeful.
"Doesn't mean they like us," Emmett added with a grin. "Jacob especially has a hell of a chip on his shoulder. But they've got brains, and they know when to put old grudges aside."
I thought of Jacob again, of the way he had scowled but still fought to protect Bella, to protect all of us. Maybe Emmett was right.
I met Emmett's gaze. "So you're saying… we don't have to hate each other?"
He grinned. "Exactly. It's what you do that matters."
That stuck with me. I made a special effort to be polite to Jacob after that, even though I didn't particularly like him.
One evening, as we all sat together in the living room, Esme broke the news. "Bree, September's almost here, and the time is coming for you to start high school again. It's part of our cover," she said gently, her eyes searching mine for understanding.
The words felt like a punch to the gut. I'd never been any good at school, and I didn't know anyone in Forks. "But why? I don't want to go back to school. I don't need to buy food. Alice can tell us where to invest our money, so I don't really need a job."
"Bree," Esme said softly, "it's important for our safety. The Volturi are still a threat, and if they suspect anything, it could put all of us at risk. You need to blend in."
"I'll still be around, though," Bella said quickly, placing her hand on mine, her touch grounding me. "You'll get to see me every day. We can hang out after school and keep doing things together."
"But what if…" My voice trailed off, fear creeping in. Bella was going to college starting in January, and that was going to be difficult enough. What if my going back to school separated us even further?
Bella squeezed my hand tighter, her eyes steady and reassuring. "You'll be fine, Bree. You're strong. And besides, we'll have each other."
"Yeah, besides," Emmett added, his tone lightening. "You'll probably make a ton of friends and get to experience all the 'high school drama' or whatever."
I tried to muster a smile, but the thought of returning to an environment where I'd had no friends and no one cared about me felt daunting. I glanced at Bella, who was watching me intently, her expression filled with understanding.
"Bree, I'll always be here for you," she promised.
I couldn't help but believe her. The thought of high school still filled me with dread, but the idea of seeing Bella every day made the prospect more bearable.
As the days turned into a blur of preparation, I felt a rush of emotions. I was nervous, excited, and terrified all at once. But as long as Bella stood with me, I knew I could face anything. Each day spent with her reaffirmed my determination to be the best version of myself—the kind of vampire Edward had been, one who loved fiercely and without hesitation.
The morning of my first day back at school dawned cloudy and bright, but I couldn't shake the knot of anxiety in my stomach. The prospect of getting lost in my new school put my stomach in knots, yet the thought of seeing Bella afterward kept me excited. Why couldn't I see the future like Alice or read minds like Edward had? The Cullens - my new family - had been telling me how to act around humans. Carlisle reminded me not to go to school hungry. Alice told me not to use my vampire powers. Rosalie advised me to be an average student. I shouldn't let myself flunk out - thus drawing attention to myself - but I shouldn't be valedictorian, either, for the same reason.
"You could be valedictorian, Rosalie," I told her. "You've been through high school before and already know everything. This is my first time!"
Rosalie smiled softly. "You won't have any trouble fitting in, then."
Alice dropped me off at the school, and I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. As I walked through the entrance, I felt every pair of eyes on me. I was used to being unnoticed, but today was different.
It started with whispers, then laughter, and finally a steady stream of curious glances. A few students paused mid-conversation, their eyes widening as they took in my appearance. I was wearing a fitted dark green sweater that hugged my form, paired with my favorite jeans and the boots that Alice had bought me—clothes that accentuated my long brown hair cascading down my back.
"Who's that?" I heard someone whisper as I passed.
"Is she new?" another asked, a hint of awe in their voice.
I felt my cheeks flush under their scrutiny. I distantly heard the word "gorgeous." How could this be? I had never thought of myself that way. I was just Bree, the girl who had barely managed to survive in the world. Yet, the attention made me acutely aware of every detail—my hair, my clothes, the way I held myself. I wasn't trying to be a fashion queen, but I wasn't trying to look like a loser, either. Even though Alice had bought me lots of new clothes, I'd chosen the ones that were as simple and comfortable as possible.
As I made my way to my first class, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. Students flocked around me, some introducing themselves, others just staring as if I were an exotic creature on display. I smiled politely, but inside, I felt a wave of unease. I wanted to be invisible, to slip into a comfortable corner where I could hide from the relentless curiosity.
The day passed in a blur of classes, laughter, and more attention than I had ever received in my life. Every interaction felt like a spotlight shining directly on me, and though I appreciated the kindness, it was exhausting. It was hard to tell who actually wanted to be friends and who was just hoping the new girl would go on a date with them because she didn't know any better. By the time the final bell rang, I was more than ready to escape.
I hurried over to the bookstore/coffee shop where Bella worked, butterflies in my stomach not just from the day's events but from the thought of seeing her. The comforting scent of fresh coffee and the sound of gentle chatter greeted me as I pushed open the door. I hadn't been a coffee drinker even when I was human, but I've always been fond of the scent. I spotted Bella behind the counter, the warm light glistening on her dark her hair like a halo, and my heart swelled with relief.
"Bree!" she exclaimed, her face lighting up as I approached. She glanced at the clock and added, "You're a little early. How was your first day at school?"
"Overwhelming," I admitted, leaning against the counter. "Everyone seemed… interested." I rolled my eyes, a smile creeping onto my face despite my discomfort. "Like, really interested."
Bella laughed, the sound melodic and comforting. "I know exactly how that feels. That happened to me, too. My first day was a whirlwind."
"What did you do?" I asked, leaning in closer, eager for her advice.
She reached across the counter, taking my hand in hers. "You just have to believe in yourself, Bree. Remember that all the attention is about who you are now—not who you were before. You're beautiful, and they can see it."
I felt a flutter of disbelief at her words. "Beautiful? No one's ever said that to me before. Not like that."
Bella squeezed my hand, her warmth spreading through me. "You have to start seeing yourself the way I see you. You're strong, kind, and yes, beautiful. Don't let anyone make you feel otherwise."
I was stunned into silence, moved by her sincerity. I could feel the truth in her words, but it was hard to reconcile that with my past. "But what if it's just superficial? What if they don't really care?"
"Some won't," she acknowledged. "But there are others who will see you for who you really are. Just like I do."
Her gaze held mine, and for a moment, the noise of the shop faded away. I could only focus on her—her belief in me, her touch sending ripples of warmth through my body.
"Thanks, Bella. That really means a lot to me."
"Anytime," she said, her smile brightening the dim corners of my uncertainty. "You're going to be just fine. And if anyone gives you trouble, I'll be right there with you."
I chuckled softly at the thought. "You're the one riding motorcycles with a lovestruck werewolf, remember?"
Bella's laughter rang out again, infectious and light. "True, but you'll be my secret weapon. No one will dare mess with you."
With renewed determination, I straightened my back, my anxiety melting away in the presence of her kind support. "Okay, I'll try. I'll believe in myself—if you believe in me."
"I do," she affirmed, her grip tightening reassuringly on my hand.
As the afternoon sun cast golden rays through the windows, I felt the shadows of my past lift, leaving only the promise of new beginnings. With Bella's support, I was ready to embrace this new chapter of my life, one where I could finally be the person I wanted to be.
