𝑺𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔

Chapter Four

I had been up late the previous night, furiously typing away at my AP English essay. The words had flowed out of me in a torrent, but it had cost me precious hours of sleep. As a result, I arrived at school later than usual, about 15 minutes before the first bell. I parked my car and grabbed my backpack, feeling the weight of my exhaustion settle into my shoulders.

As I stepped out of my car, I noticed a group of students staring intently at something across the parking lot. Their hushed whispers and pointed fingers piqued my curiosity. I followed their gaze and saw Bella getting out of Edward's car. Edward had a cocky smile plastered on his face as they walked towards the school together.

My steps faltered as I watched them. My mind raced, trying to make sense of the scene unfolding before me. Bella, with Edward? Since when? My confusion quickly morphed into a mix of irritation and bewilderment. As they passed by me, Bella glanced in my direction. Her eyes met mine, and for a brief moment, everything else faded away.

I shot her a mad, confused look, silently demanding, "What the heck is this?" Bella, sensing my turmoil, mouthed, "I'll explain later," but it did little to ease my confusion. I stood there, rooted to the spot, as Edward and Bella continued their walk towards the school entrance.

The murmurs of the students around me buzzed in my ears, but I couldn't focus on their words. My mind was a whirlwind of questions and emotions. Why hadn't Bella mentioned anything about Edward? What was going on between them? And why did it feel like I was the last to know?

As I trudged towards the school building, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in my chest. I replayed the scene over and over in my mind, trying to piece together the puzzle. The day had barely started, and already it was shaping up to be one of confusion and unexpected revelations.

I entered the school, the fluorescent lights and chatter of students doing little to lift my spirits. My thoughts were still on Bella and Edward, and the strange, unsettling feeling that something was off. I made my way to my locker, mechanically going through the motions of retrieving my books for the first class.

As I closed my locker, I caught sight of Bella again, this time alone. She was walking towards me, her expression a mix of determination and apology. I braced myself for the explanation she had promised, hoping it would make sense of this.

I took a deep breath as Bella approached, trying to steady the whirlwind of emotions inside me. "What was that all about?" I asked, my voice a mix of confusion and frustration.

Bella took a deep breath, looking around to make sure no one was listening. "Ishkhan, I need to tell you everything," she began, her voice low and serious.

"Okay," I said, giving her my full attention. "Go on."

"It all started when I was dress shopping with Angela and Jessica," she explained. "I realized I needed to get a few things. I told them I'd meet back with them to go out to eat."

I nodded, urging her to continue.

"So, I went off on my own," she said, her eyes darkening with the memory. "I noticed I was being followed by some guys. They were making me really uncomfortable."

I hesitated to ask. "What happened next?"

Sure, here’s the continuation in the first-person perspective:

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Bella took a deep breath, looking around to make sure no one was listening. "Ishkhan, I need to tell you everything," she began, her voice low and serious.

"Okay," I said, giving her my full attention. "Go on."

"It all started when I was dress shopping with Angela and Jessica," she explained. "We were having a great time, but I realized I needed to get a few things. I told them I'd meet back with them to go out to eat."

I nodded, urging her to continue.

"So, I went off on my own," she said, her eyes darkening with the memory. "I noticed I was being followed by some guys. They were making me really uncomfortable."

My fists clenched at my sides, anger bubbling up inside me. "What happened next?"

"Edward showed up," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "He saved me from them. I don't know how he knew, but he was there just in time."

I felt a mix of relief and confusion. "And then?"

"He took me to the restaurant where I was supposed to meet Angela and Jessica," Bella continued. "But they were just leaving when we arrived."

"So, what did you do?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"Edward decided to get me something to eat at least," she said, a small smile playing on her lips. "We sat down, and I started asking him questions. Like how he knew where I was."

"And what did he say?" I asked, leaning in closer.

"He told me he has this protective feeling over me," Bella said softly. "That he can't explain it, but he just knew I was in trouble."

I stared at her, trying to process everything she was saying. I sighed, running a hand through my hair.

"Edward tells me he didn't like what those guys were saying about me," she began, her voice barely above a whisper.

I leaned in closer, my curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?"

Bella took a deep breath. "So, I asked him how he knew what they were thinking," she continued, her eyes darting around the room as if searching for the right words. "That's when Edward admitted that he can read minds."

My eyes widened in shock. "A mind reader? Seriously?"

Bella nodded, her expression serious. "Yes, but he also told me he can't read my mind and doesn't know why."

I stop for a moment, trying to process the information. Before I realized something. "So, Edward knows that you know he's a vampire?"

Bella nodded again. "Yes, he caught on. He wanted me to admit the truth."

I was curious. "What happened after that? Did he do anything?"

Bella shook her head. "No, he was to make sure if I knew that he was a vampire before revealing it to me."

I thought for a moment. If Edward caught on that she knew, does that mean Edward caught on I knew too? "Does Edward know that I know he's a vampire?"

Bella shook her head again. "No, he hasn't figured that out yet."

I let out a sigh of relief. Suddenly, the school bell rang, signaling the start of the first period. I glanced at the clock on the wall and then back at Bella. "I guess we should head to class," I said, standing up and grabbing my backpack.

Bella nodded. "Yeah, I guess so. I'll see you later, Ishkhan."

"See you later, Bella," I replied, giving her a reassuring smile before heading off to my first period.

As I walked down the hallway, I couldn't help but think about our conversation. My mind was racing with questions and doubts. What happens now that Edward knows that Bella knows? Something has to happen, I thought. Vampires can't be okay with humans knowing their secret. If they were, they would be letting everyone know they are vampires.

I entered my classroom and took a seat, barely noticing the chatter around me. My thoughts were consumed by the potential consequences of Bella's newfound knowledge. Would Edward and his family take action to protect their secret? What would that mean for Bella? For me?

The teacher began the lesson, but I found it hard to focus. My mind kept drifting back to the Cullens and their mysterious world. I couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to get a lot more dangerous for everyone involved.