𝐈𝐊𝐈𝐆𝐀𝐈 :: paul lahote

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝓲.

i. DUSK APPROACHES.

FLEUR LOCKLEAR WITNESSED HOW BELLA SWAN WAS UTTERLY DEVASTATED BY THE LOSS OF EDWARD CULLEN. She longed to support Bella more profoundly than simply being there for her. Despite her efforts, nothing seemed to restore Bella to her former self. To some, the Bella Swan they had known seemed lost forever. However, Fleur had experienced too much loss to depression herself, and she was determined not to let another beloved person slip away.

Time marched on, relentless and indifferent, even when each second felt like a painful throb, akin to the pulse of blood beneath a bruise. It moved forward in erratic fits and prolonged pauses, but move it did, even for Fleur Locklear.

The January wind bit coldly as Fleur rubbed her hands over her biceps, attempting to warm herself even through her heavy coat. Bella Swan leaned against her weathered truck, clearly impatient for Fleur to join her.

Approaching Bella with furrowed eyebrows, Fleur spoke softly, careful with her tone. "Why do you want to go to school so early?" Their routine of riding together had been established since Fleur's license had been revoked.

Bella sighed, opening the driver's door while Fleur circled around to the passenger side. Once inside, Bella hurried to activate the heating, visibly relieved as warmth filled the small space.

"Charlie's trying to send me to Jacksonville," Bella explained, beginning the drive towards Forks High School cautiously.

Fleur sat up abruptly, a wave of dread washing over her at Bella's words. She could easily surmise Charlie's reasons for wanting Bella to leave, and while a part of Fleur understood, another selfish part yearned to keep her best friend close.

"And are you going?" Fleur asked, her gaze fixed out the window.

Bella scoffed and shook her head. "No, I'm not. This is my home now, right? I'm taking Jess to the movies to try and ease him. You want to come?"

Fleur wrinkled her nose slightly. While Jessica Stanley was enjoying company, Fleur had noticed her jealousy issues escalating since Bella's arrival in Forks. Jessica seemed fake to Bella's face, and Fleur hesitated to reveal Jessica's true nature to her friend.

"I'll think about it," Fleur murmured, contemplating the complexities of their friendships and the challenges ahead.

Upon reaching the school, Fleur couldn't help but notice the empty parking lot. She glanced at her phone, her eyes widening as she realized it was only seven-thirty in the morning, far too early to be there.

"Jesus Christ, Bella, it's seven-thirty. What are we going to do until school starts?" she sighed.

Bella shrugged and pulled out her calculus homework from her bag, giving Fleur a small, lopsided grin as she showed her the notebook. Fleur groaned and rolled her eyes, but she reached into her bag to take out her own science homework. Although she enjoyed science despite its difficulty, she frequently forgot to complete the assignments Mr. Molina gave, often resorting to hurriedly finishing them during English class.

Time moved quickly as they worked on their respective homework in silence. The parking lot soon filled with cars and students, and Fleur followed Bella out of the car toward the school's front doors.

English was one of the few classes the girls shared, so they both headed in the same direction to the classroom on the upper floor of the school. Bella sat with Mike Newton—who Fleur distinctly remembered begging her to sit with Eric so he could be desk mates with Bella instead—while Fleur sat in front of them next to Eric.