Recommence ° Edward Cullen[Rewriting]

[007]

Chapter Seven | Fractures in the Veil

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The morning sun was a weak silver through the cloud cover, glinting off rows of damp cars in the school parking lot. Students drifted between them in clumps, the usual clatter of conversations, slamming doors, and the smell of wet asphalt hanging in the air. Bella was wrestling with her truck's lock, and Alex leaned against the hood, hands deep in her jacket pockets, scanning the crowd with idle disinterest.

Mike Newton came loping up, hair damp from drizzle, shifting from foot to foot restlessly. "Hey, Bella," he blurted, seeming to hone in on the one sister, none the wiser to the other. "Hey, Mike," Bella replied cautiously. Alex peeked around the corner, bypassing the side mirror to see the brunette turn to face the boy, her bag clutched to her chest. "So, um—prom's coming up." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Would you want to go with me? As my date?"

Bella opened her mouth, caught like a deer in headlights, but Alex was unfazed as she cut in smoothly. "Sorry, Mike, she's already got a date." Mike blinked. "She does?" "I do?" The onyx-haired girl truly had no idea if Bella was actually interested in going with the boy, but Alex had no desire to see her sister suffering Jessica's fury or forgoing their original arrangement for the year-end dance. "She does," Alex said evenly. "Me. We planned for it months ago."

Bella turned to Alex, startled. "You remembered that?" Alex lifted a brow, the corners of her lips lifting incredulously. "You thought I wouldn't?" The brunette blinked owlishly. "I just. . . I thought you'd be going with Edward." Alex straightened, her face scrunching partly in disbelief and partly in offence. "Isabella Swan, are you serious?" Her tone had a dry edge to it. "You thought I would ditch our plans for a guy?"

Bella's cheeks went scarlet. "No! I just, I didn't mean—" Alex took pity on her, waving her hand dismissively. "Relax, I'm not mad," she reassured, "But I promised, so I'm not breaking it." Alex glanced at Mike, who stood there awkwardly, rocking back and forth on his heels. She gave him an easy out. "Why don't you ask Jessica? She's been looking forward to prom." Mike blinked, like a lightbulb went on. "Jessica. Right." A grin spread over his face. "Good idea." He pivoted and started toward the school doors with new purpose.

Bella watched him go, then glanced at Alex. "Since when do you help Jessica?" The eldest of the two made a sound of annoyance. "I'm not helping Jessica," She huffed, biting back a wince as she irritated her ribs. Bella's eyes practically glittered. "Oh? This doesn't have anything to do with our little bet?" Alex frowned, absently rubbing a sore spot near her sternum. "What bet?"

Bella's grin turned impish before her expression grew thoughtful. "You don't even remember it. Huh." Realization flickered in Alex's gaze before she shot her a sidelong look. "Ugh, you're insufferable." Bella just smirked, bumping her shoulder lightly as they started toward the doors together.

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The greenhouse was humid enough to fog the glass from the inside, heavy with the scent of wet soil and fertilizer. The air buzzed with the low hum of conversation and the occasional squeal from a student finding something slimy in the dirt. Alex walked alongside Bella, who took her time to stop at each plant with interest, the former stopping with her patiently as she ran a hand frequently through her frizzing hair.