❝ 𝐋𝐔𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 ❞ ʲᵃˢᵖᵉʳ ʰᵃˡᵉ ( EN )

☇ 𝟬𝟲

Théodora slowly opened her eyes, her mind still groggy from sleep. The pale morning light filtered through the curtains of her room, bathing the space in a soft, almost unreal glow. The walls, a light beige, reflected the sun's rays, creating a warm and comforting atmosphere. The few posters hanging here and there, remnants of her teenage passions, seemed blurrier than usual. For a few moments, everything felt normal, even peaceful. But in an instant, everything rushed back to her like a violent slap: the forest, Jasper, the Cullens, the vampires. Her heart suddenly raced, and a wave of panic washed over her, as if a heavy weight had settled on her chest.

She shot up, breathless, and looked around. Her room was just as she had left it the day before, with books scattered on the desk, clothes carelessly thrown over the chair. As if nothing had changed. But everything was different now. She knew what she had seen. It is real, she told herself silently.

Still a bit dazed by the memories, she got up, her legs slightly trembling, as if they struggled to bear the weight of her own existence. Approaching the window, she slowly pulled back the curtain to look outside. Nature stretched out before her, lush and green, but strangely intimidating that morning. Her house overlooked a small clearing, surrounded by imposing pines that formed a natural wall. In the distance, the edge of the woods loomed on the horizon, those same woods where her life had turned upside down the day before. She scanned the trees, hoping not to see anyone. The wind gently swayed the branches, and the leaves rustled in a silent dance, but at first glance, there was no one. No sign of Jasper or the Cullens.

A sigh of relief escaped her lips. Maybe they have given up. Maybe they've decided to leave me alone, she thought as she lowered the curtain. The idea seemed almost too good to be true, but she clung to that thought, hoping that the surveillance had ceased.

Turning away from the window, she crossed the room, her bare feet gliding over the cold floor. She grabbed a slightly faded pair of jeans and a gray wool sweater, a bit too big, that she loved to wear on days when she needed comfort. Her hair was still tousled from the night, and she quickly tied it up in a messy bun before heading down to the kitchen.

Sitting at the table, she stared at her bowl of cereal without really touching it. The kitchen was flooded with light, the cream-colored walls reflecting the brightness of the sun finally breaking through the morning clouds. Everything seemed so calm, almost too calm, and this contrast heightened the agitation that ruled inside her. Her mind was still muddled by the events of the day before, and despite her efforts to focus on ordinary things, she felt the tension within her, ready to resurface at any moment.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated on the table, startling her. She frowned upon seeing an unknown number displayed on the screen. Her heart raced, and a small anxiety welled up inside her as she hesitated to open the message.

"Alice will pick you up in a few minutes to take you to school. - Jasper."

Théodora froze, her phone in hand, a mix of disbelief and frustration coursing through her mind. They haven't given up, she thought. And now I'm going to be escorted to school? This is absurd. She rolled her eyes as she quickly typed her response.

"How did you get my number?" she wrote, feeling a slight irritation rising.

The response came swiftly: "Let's say we have our ways." The message was followed by a winking emoji, leaving Théodora puzzled. Jasper, making a joke? This unsettled her a bit.

She sighed. Well, at least I won't have to walk to school, she thought as she finished her bowl of cereal. If she had to be monitored, she might as well get some small benefit from it.

A few moments later, a light knock sounded at the door. Théodora got up, wiping her clammy hands on her jeans, and opened the door to find Alice standing there. She wore a black leather jacket over a white blouse, her impeccable style contrasting with Théodora's simplicity. Alice's bright smile was almost contagious, but Théodora wasn't quite ready to relax completely.

"Ready for your day?" Alice asked cheerfully, as if they were long-time friends, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

Théodora raised an eyebrow. "I suppose I don't have much choice, do I?"

Alice burst into a light laugh, a crystalline sound that resonated pleasantly in the morning air. "You could say that, but I promise it won't be that bad."

They climbed into Alice's car, a yellow Porsche that gleamed under Forks' timid sun, and set off toward the high school. The purring of the engine seemed to soften the atmosphere, but Théodora still felt nervous, her gaze lost out the window, watching the trees race by at a frightening speed.

"You're quite calm this morning," Alice remarked, her eyes fixed on the road, her hands gliding smoothly over the steering wheel.

"I think I'm just trying to digest everything that happened," Théodora replied, her tone sharper than she intended. "And the fact that I'm being escorted to school by a vampire doesn't really help."

Alice smiled gently, casting a sidelong glance at Théodora. "I understand. But you should know that my visions are always clear: you won't betray us. I don't see you putting our secret in danger. That's why we trust you, even if Jasper has trouble accepting it."

Théodora remained silent for a moment, contemplating Alice's words. "So you know what's going to happen before I even do?"

Alice nodded, her smile widening. "Sort of, yes. But don't worry, I don't see everything. Just what's important."

Théodora raised her eyebrows. "That must be... strange."

"It can be," Alice admitted, "but it also helps us. Look, for example, I already know you're not going to betray us. So why not take advantage of it? We could be friends, you know."

Théodora frowned. "Friends?"

Alice nodded, looking serious yet cheerful. "Yes. I know this situation is overwhelming for you, but you could see us as more than just monsters."

Théodora turned her gaze away, watching the road pass by outside the window. Friends with vampires? The idea still seemed completely absurd to her. But a part of her knew she was already involved, and this strange bond with the Cullens might be the only way to get through this ordeal.

"We'll see," she finally murmured, not fully committing, but enough to show she wasn't completely closed off to the idea.

Alice shot her a playful look. "That works for me. One step at a time."