The Edge of Insanity | Rosalie Hale

Chapter 10: First Impressions

The crisp autumn air of Forks, Washington, sent a flicker of annoyance through Rosalie. It wasn't the cold that bothered her – her being a vampire had numbed that sensation – but the anticipation. Today was the day Bella Swan arrived, and Rosalie knew the chaos she'd bring.

Daniel chuckled beside her. He was dressed in a black button up shirt and tailored suit pants, his golden eyes gleaming. "Ready for another school year, gorgeous?" he asked, his right hand drifted down to rest on her knee, while his left hand remained on the wheel, guiding the car forward.

Rosalie forced a smile. "Just peachy, please behave" she muttered, her voice laced with a warning only Daniel could decipher. He had a volatile temper, especially around humans, and Bella Swan's scent, Alice had excitedly revealed, was particularly intoxicating to them all.

They pulled into the Forks High School parking lot, Daniel's pale white Audi R8 a stark contrast to the beat-up trucks and dented sedans. Rosalie scanned the crowd, searching for her siblings. Daniel, however, seemed bored already, he really didn't want to be there. He leaned back in his car, a lit cigarette dangling from his lips. As a vampire, the smoke held no physical effect, yet he found the sensation of it swirling through his cold, empty lungs oddly comforting.

"There they are," he growled and jerked his chin towards the entrance, a flicker of urgency replacing his casual stance. The cigarette, forgotten mid-drag, tumbled to the ground, a wisp of smoke curling skyward. His lighter clicked rhythmically in his hand. Alice, ever the optimist, beamed at them, her gaze fixed on the approaching red truck.

The truck door swung open, revealing a clumsy-looking brunette. Rosalie felt a pang of sympathy for the human, Bella Swan.

"There she is," Jasper murmured, confirming Rosalie's suspicions.

Rosalie knew the story. Alice wouldn't shut up about it, how she'd change their dynamic. But how, they didn't know.

A low growl, deeper and more primal than anything Rosalie had heard from him before, erupted from Daniel's throat. "Damn human," he spat, his voice tight with barely controlled hunger. "Just another walking blood bank."

Rosalie reacted instantly, her hand clamping down on his chest. Her touch, infused with years of practiced control, was the only thing keeping him from lunging. "Daniel," she hissed through gritted teeth, "not here. Not now."

Daniel ripped his gaze away from Bella, his golden eyes flashing with frustration. He took a deep, shuddering breath, finally regaining some semblance of control. Edward, leaning against Emmett's jeep, watched the exchange intently, his own expression unreadable.

Changes were coming, and Rosalie, the only one who could truly temper David's bloodlust, wasn't sure she was ready for them.

The shrill of the bell ripped through the morning quiet, the signal for their first class. Rose and Daniel, hands firmly clasped, strolled towards their separate lessons. Parting was punctuated by quick pecks on the lips. As ever, Daniel cast a menacing glare around, effectively radiating fear to anyone who dared to glance at Rosalie.

If his hulking physique wasn't enough to deter admirers, Daniel made use of his gift. Subtle doses, mind you, just enough to leave a lingering unease in anyone who dared get too close. It was a potent shield, a subtle reminder to the world that Rosalie was off-limits. Daniel, despite his usual bravado, understood the lingering shadows of her past that human gazes might dredge up. These weren't displays of dominance; they were carefully curated curtains drawn to shield his love from unwanted attention.

The lunch bell echoed through the cafeteria, a signal both welcome and unwelcome for the Cullens. As always, Daniel stationed himself outside, waiting for Alice's dramatic cafeteria entrances. Jasper soon joined him, they both battled the constant thirst, a struggle only the other truly understood.