𝑺𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔

Chapter Two

I woke up early this morning, which was normal for me now. I usually wake up an hour or two earlier than when my alarm rings. I think it’s because I’m scared that I’ll sleep through my alarm in the morning. I decided to get ready instead of going back to sleep today. The house was still and quiet. I went downstairs, deciding that I will eat this morning for once. I scrambled some eggs and toasted a couple of slices of bread.

I clean up after myself, grabbing my backpack and keys, deciding to leave for school early. The drive on the way there was peaceful. When I arrived at school, the parking lot barely had any cars there. Not wanting to wander around an empty school, I stayed in my car and pulled out my current read, “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides. The book had me hooked, and I was eager to finish reading it. 

About an hour or so had passed by and I noticed the parking lot gradually filling up with cars. Students were starting to arrive at school. I glanced at the dashboard and realized that it was time for me to put my book away and get out of the car. I marked my place in my book, slipping it into my backpack right after. I stepped out of the car, my backpack on my shoulder.As I adjusted my backpack on my shoulder, I walked towards the inside of the school. On my way inside, I spotted Bella towards the entrance as well. She seemed lost in thought. 

“Hey Bella” I greeted her. I caught her attention.

“Morning Ishkhan” She replied as we walked together inside the school. 

As we walked around school, Bella brought up Edward. Edward was this weird guy that she mentioned to me some time ago. He was the kid who was covering his nose when she sat next to him and started acting weird the whole class period and tried to change his classes in the counselor office. 

“You know, Edward is really weird.” She said thoughtfully. “He doesn’t talk to anyone and is always so distant.”

“Have you considered that maybe he’s a guy with mental issues?” I asked

“Maybe” She replied, though she still seemed unconvinced. “But there’s something about him that I quite can’t figure out.”

We reached our lockers and each started getting what we needed for our first periods. Just then, the bell rang, signaling the start of the school day. “ I guess we better get to class,” I say, closing my locker. 

“Yeah, see you later.” Bella said as she headed to her classroom.

At lunch, I sat with Bella and her friends. The cafeteria was buzzing with chatter and the clicking of the trays. As I picked at my food, I could shake the feeling that someone was watching me. Glancing around, my eyes locked onto Emmett and the group of people he was with yesterday. They were all staring at me, gazes intense and unwavering. 

I was so distracted by them staring that I didn’t notice Jessica was calling my name until she practically shouted it. “Ishkhan! Earth to Ishkhan!” 

Startled, I turned back to our table. “Sorry, what did you say?”

Jessica followed where my gaze was at. “I see you noticed the Cullens. They’re kinda the school’s mystery family.”

“Mystery family?” I raised an eyebrow

“Yeah.” She continued, leaning in as if she was sharing a secret. “They’re all adopted by Dr. Vullen and Mrs. Cullen. They moved here from Alaska a few years ago. No one knows much about them because they keep to themselves.”

Angela and Bella nodded in agreement. I paused for a moment. My eyes widen in realization. “Wait, those are the Cullens? I heard Bella mentioned Edward, but I never saw them before. I just thought those were Emmett’s friends.”