𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 {𝐀 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐜} [1] ✔️

18. DRESS SHOPPING

ALANA'S PREDICTION ABOUT THE WEATHER was spot on. The next day, the heavens opened up and poured down on us. But strangely enough, I found solace in the raindrops that cascaded down my skin. It was as if the rain was washing away all my worries and fears, leaving me feeling refreshed and renewed.

As we made our way to the bustling London City Centre in a sleek Mercedes, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. I wasn't used to having so many friends to hang out with. Sure, Bella was my closest confidante, but the rest of the gang - Angela and Jessica - were mere acquaintances at best. And let's not forget Jessica's incessant jealousy towards Bella and Edward's inseparable bond.

But amidst all the chaos and uncertainty, I couldn't help but reminisce about my last night as a human with Bella. The memories flooded back, like a movie reel playing in my mind. And for a brief moment, I was transported back to a simpler time, before the weight of immortality and all its consequences came crashing down on me.

As we lounged in Bella's cosy bedroom, the absence of her father, Charlie, was palpable. He was out patrolling the streets as the chief of police, leaving us to our own devices.

"I'm not cut out for the whole university scene," I confessed, watching as Bella gazed wistfully out the window. She turned to face me, her expression pensive.

"I know what you mean," she murmured, sinking into the chair beside her bed. I lay sprawled out on the mattress, feeling the weight of her uncertainty.

We sat in silence for a while, the only sound was the soft hum of the air conditioning. Finally, I broke the stillness. "Is something bothering you?"

As I watched Bella sit down on her chair, I couldn't help but notice the conflicted expression on her face. It was as if she was battling with her own thoughts, trying to make sense of the chaos that was brewing inside her. I lay on her bed, watching her in silence, until I finally spoke up.

"Something's wrong?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Bella shook her head, her eyes still fixed on the window. "No," she replied, her voice barely audible. "Why do you ask?"

I couldn't help but chuckle at her response. "Well, for starters, Edward is always with you," I said, my voice laced with amusement. "And secondly, you keep looking at that window like you're hoping he'll show up in a Mercedes or something."

Bella let out a sigh, her eyes still fixed on the window. "I don't think he has a Mercedes," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

We sat in silence for a brief moment, the tension between us palpable. I could sense that Bella was struggling to open up to me, to share her innermost thoughts and feelings. But I knew that I had to be patient, to wait for her to come to me in her own time.

"That's fine," I finally said, breaking the silence. "You don't have to talk about it."

Bella looked at me, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and confusion. "It's nothing," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I mean, it is, but... Okay, you remember Jacob Black?"

I leaned my head back and looked at her, my mind racing with a million thoughts and emotions. "Oh, okay," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Edward's jealous."

"You said it as if it's obvious," Bella replied, her voice laced with amusement.

"Well, it is," I said, rising from her bed and looking at her. "Edward's in love with you, and so does Jacob. You love them for different reasons, but they don't see it. They don't understand each other. You're in a love triangle, Bella, and they want to be yours forever."