Chapter 003
The school nurse had cleared me with nothing more than a suggestion to ice my shoulder where I'd hit the pavement. Dad had been less easily satisfied. He'd shown up at the school within twenty minutes of getting the call, his limp more pronounced as he hurried across the parking lot, his face drawn with worry that he tried to hide behind professional concern.
"I'm fine," I'd told him for the fifth time as he drove me home. "Really. Edward pulled me out of the way."
"That Cullen kid." Dad's jaw worked. "Chief Swan mentioned the family. Good people, apparently. Doctor and his wife took in all those kids. Still, I'd like to meet the boy who saved my daughter's life."
I'd managed to deflect that conversation, claiming exhaustion, and spent the rest of the evening in my room replaying the incident frame by frame. The van sliding on ice. Edward's impossible speed. The dent in the bumper. His cold skin.
The way he'd looked at me after, like he'd made a terrible mistake.
Sleep hadn't come easily for the second night in a row.
Wednesday morning brought gray skies and a summons to the principal's office during second period.
Mrs. Cope smiled sympathetically as I entered. "Nothing to worry about, dear. The insurance company just needs a statement about yesterday's accident."
I gave my statement to a woman in a navy business suit who typed everything I said onto a laptop. I kept it simple: the van had lost control, Edward Cullen had pulled me out of the way, I wasn't injured. I didn't mention the impossible speed or the dent in the bumper or the fact that Edward had been nowhere near me when the van started sliding.
Some truths were too strange to speak aloud.
"And you're certain Mr. Cullen was standing beside you when the van began to slide?" The woman's fingers hovered over her keyboard.
I hesitated. "I... everything happened very fast."
"Of course." She made a note. "Thank you, Miss Reeves. That should be all we need."
I was gathering my things when the office door opened and Alice Cullen walked in.
She moved with the same impossible grace as the rest of her family, but where Edward projected brooding intensity, Alice radiated something lighter. Energy, maybe. Joy. She wore designer jeans and a fitted sweater that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe, and her pixie-cut black hair framed delicate features that belonged in a fashion magazine.
"Hi, Mrs. Cope!" Her voice was musical, genuinely warm. "I'm here to walk Maya back to class."
Mrs. Cope beamed at her. "How thoughtful, Alice."
I stared. "You don't have to—"
"I want to." Alice's smile was dazzling. "Besides, we have the same lunch period, and I thought we could talk."
There was something in her expressionâ€"that same knowing look she'd given me in the cafeteria two days ago. Like she could see right through me.
"Okay," I heard myself say.
We walked out of the office together. Alice matched her pace to mine effortlessly, and I was intensely aware of the eyes following us down the hallway. Alice Cullen didn't talk to outsiders. Everyone knew that.
"You're probably wondering why I wanted to walk with you," Alice said as we rounded the corner toward the science wing.
"The thought crossed my mind."
She laughed, light and genuine. "I like you. You're... different. Most people don't really see us, you know? They see the surface—the cars, the clothes, how we look. But you actually notice things."
My steps slowed. "What do you mean?"
"Come on, Maya. You're smart." Alice's golden eyes met mine with unsettling directness. "You've been watching us. Really watching. Most people glance and move on, but you? You pay attention to the details."
Heat flooded my cheeks. "I wasn't trying to be creepy or anything, I just—"
"You were curious." Alice's smile turned knowing. "And after yesterday, you're even more curious. Aren't you?"
We'd reached my Government classroom. Students streamed past us, but Alice seemed unconcerned with the attention we were drawing. She stood there, perfectly poised, waiting for my answer.
"Edward moved impossibly fast," I said quietly, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. "He was by his car. I saw him. There's no way he could have reached me in time."
"And yet he did." Alice tilted her head, studying me. "Lucky timing, don't you think?"
"I don't believe in luck."
"Neither do I." Her smile widened, showing perfect white teeth. "Which is why I wanted to talk to you. See, the thing about my brother is that he tends to overcomplicate things. He'll brood and worry and convince himself that the best solution is avoidance. But I think you deserve better than that."
"I don't understand."
"I know." Alice's expression softened. "And I can't explain everything—that's not my story to tell. But I wanted you to know that you're not crazy. Whatever you think you saw yesterday, whatever you've noticed about us... trust your instincts."
My heart pounded. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that sometimes the impossible is just... possible. In ways most people never consider." She glanced at her watch—vintage, probably an antique. "I should let you get to class. But Maya? Don't be afraid of us. Especially not Edward. He's not dangerous to you, even if he's convinced himself otherwise."
"Then what is he?"
Alice's smile turned mysterious. "Ask him yourself. Though fair warning—he's terrible at honest conversations. Too much guilt, that one. Always thinking he's the monster in every story."
She started to walk away, then paused and looked back. "Oh, and sit with us at lunch today. I promise we don't bite."
The way she said it—playful but pointed—sent a shiver down my spine.
Then she was gone, disappearing into the flow of students with that fluid grace that seemed effortless.
I stood there for a long moment, my mind racing. Alice had essentially confirmed that something was different about her family. She'd told me to trust my instincts, to ask Edward directly.
She'd also used the word "monster."
I couldn't focus during Government. Or Trigonometry. By lunch, my nerves were stretched so tight I felt like I might snap.
Angela found me at my locker. "You okay? You seem kind of out of it today."
"Just tired." I managed a smile. "Still processing yesterday, I guess."
"That was so scary. Thank god Edward was there." She hesitated. "Did you hear? The school's installing new safety barriers in the parking lot. And they're going to salt the pavement when it's icy."
"That's good."
We walked to the cafeteria together, Angela chatting about an essay for English that I definitely needed to start worrying about. But when we reached our usual table, I found myself scanning the room for the Cullens.
They sat at their table by the windows, the five of them arranged in their usual formation. But as I watched, Alice looked up and caught my eye. She smiled and gestured to the empty chair beside her.
An invitation.
"I'll be right back," I told Angela, who looked confused.
"Where are you—"
But I was already walking toward the Cullens' table, my heart hammering so hard I was sure everyone could hear it.
Conversations died as I crossed the cafeteria. I felt every eye on me, heard the whispers starting. The new girl, walking toward the Cullens. Sitting at their table.
This was social suicide.
I didn't care.
Edward's head snapped up as I approached. His expression cycled through surprise, concern, and something that looked almost like panic before settling into careful neutrality.
"Maya!" Alice beamed, scooting over to make room. "Everyone, this is Maya Reeves. Maya, this is Jasper, Emmett, and Rosalie. You've already met Edward, of course."
Jasper gave me a small nod, his amber eyes assessing. Emmett grinned broadly. "The van girl! Nice to meet you officially. That was some crazy reflexes my brother's got, huh?"
Rosalie said nothing, her beautiful face cold and unwelcoming.
Edward still hadn't spoken. He sat rigid in his chair, his hands gripping the edge of the table. The same tension from that first day in Biology, but different somehow. Not hostile. Just... conflicted.
"Hi," I managed, sliding into the seat beside Alice. "Thanks for the invitation."
"Of course! I told you we needed to talk." Alice's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Besides, it's time Edward stopped being so antisocial. He needs to learn to share."
"Alice." Edward's voice was low, warning.
"What? I'm just being friendly." Alice turned to me, completely ignoring her brother's discomfort. "So, Maya. Phoenix, right? What made you move to Forks? This must be quite a change."
I explained about my dad, the accident, the early retirement. Alice listened with genuine interest, asking follow-up questions that showed she actually cared about the answers. Emmett chimed in with jokes that made me laugh despite my nerves. Even Jasper softened slightly, offering a few observations about adjusting to small-town life.
Rosalie remained silent, but I noticed she watched me carefully, her eyes never leaving my face.
And Edward... Edward sat there like a statue, his food untouched, his jaw clenched. But I caught him looking at me when he thought I wasn't paying attention. Quick glances that felt almost desperate, like he was trying to memorize my face or solve some impossible equation.
"You're staring, brother," Emmett said with a laugh. "It's kind of creepy."
Edward's eyes flashed. "I'm not—"
"You totally are." Alice grinned. "Don't worry, Maya. He's always like this when he's interested in something."
"Alice," Edward said again, more forcefully this time.
But Alice just smiled that knowing smile and changed the subject.
By the time lunch ended, I'd laughed more than I had in days. Alice was charming and funny, Emmett was like a giant teddy bear, and even Jasper had warmed up enough to crack a joke. Only Rosalie and Edward remained distant, though for very different reasons.
As I gathered my things, Alice touched my arm. Her hand was cold, just like Edward's had been yesterday.
"Same time tomorrow?" she asked.
"Really?"
"Really. You're interesting, Maya Reeves. I think we're going to be good friends."
I glanced at Edward, who was already standing, ready to leave. His expression was unreadable, but there was something in his eyes that looked almost like longing.
"Okay," I said. "Tomorrow."
Biology was tense.
Edward arrived exactly as the bell rang and took his seat without looking at me. But unlike Monday's hostile silence, this felt different. Charged. Like he wanted to say something but couldn't figure out how.
Halfway through class, he finally spoke.
"Thank you for not telling them the truth." His voice was so quiet I almost missed it.
I kept my eyes on my notes. "What truth would that be?"
"Don't." The word came out pained. "Please don't pretend you don't know something's... wrong."
My pencil stilled. "Your sister told me to ask you about it."
He made a sound that might have been a laugh if it hadn't been so bitter. "Of course she did. Alice always thinks honesty is the best policy."
"And you don't?"
"I think some truths are dangerous." He turned to look at me fully for the first time all period. His golden eyes were intense, troubled. "You should stay away from me, Maya. From all of us. It would be safer."
"Safer for who?"
"For you."
"What if I don't want to be safe?" The words came out before I could stop them. "What if I want to know the truth?"
Edward stared at me for a long moment. Then, so quietly I barely heard it: "That's what I'm afraid of."
The bell rang, shattering the moment. Edward was up and gone before I could respond, leaving me sitting there with my heart racing and more questions than answers.
But as I packed my bag, I found a small piece of paper tucked under my notebook.
Written in that elegant calligraphy I recognized from his notes: Be careful what you wish for.
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