𝑺𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔

Chapter Three

I sat in my car in the parking lot at school, the rain tapping a rhythmic pattern against the windshield. The book in my hands was open to the same page it had been for the past twenty minutes, but I hadn’t read a single word. My mind was elsewhere, mostly on the things that had been happening over the past few days. 

The car accident has been on repeat in my head. It all happened so fast. And then, just as suddenly, it was over. Both Bella and Edward were fine. None of them were injured in any way yet Bella was the only one who was shocked after it. Edward walked away as if nothing happened. 

My mind drifted back to the Cullens. There were so many strange things about them that I wouldn’t even know where to start. First off, Edward, Rosalie, and Dr. Carlisle Cullen whisper to each other, the Cullen children isolating themselves from everyone else. It was like they had their own secret world. And then there was Emmett. I suddenly remembered the moment in Ceramics class when I had accidentally brushed against his hand. It was cold, like ice. That wasn't normal. I started to wonder if that had something to do with all the oddities surrounding the Cullens.

Just as I was lost in thought, the bell rang, jolting me back from reality. I quickly gathered my things and rushed out of the parking lot, making a beeline to my first class. I can’t afford to be late again or else I’ll be in trouble with my moms. 

At lunch, I found myself sitting with Bella and her friends. At this point, I’m not sure if I should be calling them that. I mean I don’t know them personally nor have any classes with them but it feels rude to continue saying “Bella and her friends”. Although, they are her friends. I think they only tolerate me because I'm her childhood friend and I have no one to hang out with besides bella.

“Hey, Ishkhan, do you want to go to La Push?” someone asked.

I looked up, confused. “Huh? Oh La Push?” 

Bella noticed my expression and leaned in. “It’s a beach nearby. We’re planning to go.”

I was about to decline, feeling overwhelmed by everything on my mind, but Bella gave me a pleading look. Her eyes seemed to say, ‘Please, just come.”

I signed, feeling my resolve crumble. “Alright, I’ll come.”

Saturday came quickly, and before I knew it, we were at La Push beach. The salty breeze and the sound of waves crashing against the shore were oddly calming. I stood next to Bella as the rest of the group excitedly changed into their swimsuits. They offered me an outfit to join them in the water, but I shook my head.

"Nah, it'll be too cold for me," I said, trying to keep my voice light.

As we lingered by the shore, a tall guy with long, dark hair approached us. Bella's face lit up when she saw him. "Jacob! It's been so long!"

Jacob grinned, pulling Bella into a hug. Then his eyes flicked to me, curiosity evident. "Who's this?"

Bella smiled and motioned to me. "This is Ishkhan, an old childhood friend."

I extended my hand for a shake. "Nice to meet you, Jacob."

Jacob just smiled, not taking my hand. "Nice to meet you too."

After a bit more catching up, Bella and Jacob decided to go for a walk along the beach. The rest of the group headed into the water, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I sat down on a rock, staring out at the ocean. 

A couple of hours passed by, I decided it was time to head home. I told the group goodbye and started the drive back, the events of the day swirling in my mind. When I arrived home, the comforting aroma of dinner greeted me as I walked through the door.

"Hey, Ishkhan! How was your day?" my mom asked as we sat down at the dinner table.

"It was good," I replied, trying to sound enthusiastic. "We went to La Push beach. Bella's friend Jacob was there."

My other mom chimed in, "Did you go swimming?"

I shook my head. "Nah, the water was too cold for me."

We continued to chat about the day, and I did my best to keep the conversation light. After dinner, I retreated to my room, feeling the weight of the day's events settling in.

As night fell, I started getting ready for bed. While changing into my pajamas, I felt a familiar ache in my ears. I rubbed them gently, trying to ease the discomfort before going to bed. I lay down and closed my eyes, hoping sleep would come quickly.

I was in ceramics class, focused on shaping the clay in front of me. The room was filled with the hum of conversation and the occasional clatter of tools. Emmett was at the wheel next to me, chatting away about some sports game he had watched the night before. I mostly listened, nodding occasionally, my hands busy molding the clay.

"So, you think the Seahawks have a chance this season?" Emmett asked, looking over at me with a grin.

"Maybe," I replied, trying to sound interested. "Depends on their defense, I guess."

As Emmett continued talking, I glanced up at him. That's when I noticed something strange. His eyes, which had been a warm golden color, seemed to darken to a nearly black shade for a brief moment. I blinked, wondering if I had imagined it. But when I looked again, his eyes were back to their usual golden hue.

I didn't mention it, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. I stored the observation away in the back of my mind, adding it to the growing list of peculiarities surrounding the Cullens.

I was sitting in my car, engrossed in a book, when I suddenly heard a loud slap on the window. I jumped, my heart racing, and looked up to see Bella's face pressed against the glass. She was motioning for me to unlock the door.

I quickly hit the unlock button, and she yanked the door open, sliding into the passenger seat. "Bella, you scared the life out of me!" I exclaimed, still trying to calm my racing heart.

She ignored my comment, her eyes wide and frantic. "Ishkhan, I think the Cullens are vampires," she blurted out.

I stared at her, completely baffled. "What? Why would you think that?"

"Jacob told me about the cold ones," she said  "He said they're the enemy of the wolf. So, I did some research online about vampires."

I listened intently as she continued. "Most cultures portray them as evil creatures with a thirst for human blood. Nearly every mythology around the world has some sort of vampire-like being, although the details vary a lot depending on the culture. But some legends, like an Italian one, describe vampires as somewhat benevolent beings."

She paused, taking a deep breath. "But nearly every culture describes them as evil."

I sat there, processing what she had just told me. The pieces of the puzzle were starting to come together, but it was still hard to believe. "Bella, this is... a lot to take in."

"I know," she said, her voice trembling. "But it makes sense, doesn't it? Their eyes, how cold they are, the way they keep to themselves..."

I nodded slowly, the strange occurrences I'd noticed about the Cullens flashing through my mind. "Yeah, it does."

As the pieces started to fall into place, I realized that if this was true, it wouldn't be a good idea for Bella to tell anyone. The Cullens might do something drastic if they found out she knew.

"Bella, have you told anyone else about this? Do the Cullens know that you know?" I asked, my voice tense with worry.

She shook her head. "No, I haven't told anyone. And as far as I know, the Cullens don't have a clue."

I leaned in closer, lowering my voice. "Good. Let's keep it that way. Don't mention this to anyone, not even the Cullens. We don't know what they'll do if they find out you know their secret."

Bella nodded, her expression serious. "I won't say a word, I promise."