Samael - POV
I swallowed the bite of meat, set the steak back onto the plate, and reached for my phone. When I unlocked the screen and opened my messages, a new notification was waiting for me.
Peter.
A faint smile appeared on my face as I opened the chat.
Peter: hey man
Peter: how are you after your first day at forks high? still alive?
Samael: it is alright
Samael: watching tv and eating steak rn
Peter: not gonna lie that sounds pretty good
Samael: yeahSamael: can't complain
Peter: dude i got home and crashed immediately
Peter: literally just woke up like 10 mins ago
Samael: nice
A few seconds passed before another message appeared.
Peter: important question tho
Peter: are you just as terrifyingly good at chemistry as you were in physics today?
I leaned back slightly on the couch while typing.
Samael: i try my best
There was a pause.
Then another message appeared.
Peter: yeah see
Peter: guys like you are the reason teachers think the rest of us actually understand anything
I chuckled.
Samael: what do you need help with?
Peter: organic chemistry
Peter: there's this one topic that makes zero sense
Peter: i'm like 80% sure the textbook was written by aliens
Samael: send it later
Samael: i'll take a look
Peter: see??
Peter: this is why being friends with smart people is important
I took another bite of steak while the next message appeared.
Peter: btw random question
Samael: go ahead
Peter: you got a dirt bike?
I raised an eyebrow slightly.
Samael: no. why?
Peter: sad
Peter: there's a trail outside town
Peter: bunch of us ride there on weekends
Peter: thought you might wanna come
I considered the idea for a moment. Riding through forest trails on a bike actually sounded like a good way to spend time.
Samael: i don't have one yet
Samael: but i can buy one before the weekend
There was a noticeable pause.
Then Peter replied.
Peter: wait
Peter: you're serious???!!!
Samael: yeah
Peter: you're gonna buy a bike just because i invited you?!
Samael: seems like the easiest solution
Peter: i mean… technically yeah
A second later another message appeared.
Peter: man can i apply to be your dog or something
Peter: pretty sure that lifestyle would still be better than mine
I smiled slightly while typing.
Samael: unfortunately i don't have any open positions right now
Samael: but i'll let you know if that changes
Peter: wow
Peter: truly honoured
A moment later he sent another message.
Peter: anyway i won't keep you
Peter: first days are brutal
Peter: bring that genius brain tomorrow so i don't fail chemistry
Samael: deal
Peter: alright man
Peter: later
By the time the conversation ended, my plate was empty. I leaned back against the couch, feeling comfortably full, and set my phone down on the table for a moment.
Then I remembered something, or rather, someone.
Earlier that day, Alice had made it very clear that I was expected to call her every evening. The memory made me chuckle under my breath as I reached for my phone again, unlocking it and opening my contacts, where her name was already saved.
Alice <3
I paused for a moment, my gaze lingering on it. I found myself thinking back to earlier, how she had taken my phone without hesitation, completely focused as she typed in her number, a small, pleased smile on her face the entire time.
A faint smile tugged at my lips.
It had been… cute.
Then I smirked slightly.
I'll text her first.
I opened the chat and started typing.
Samael: hey Alice
Samael: how's your evening going?
The reply appeared almost instantly.
Alice: hiiii <3
Alice: oh wow
Alice: you actually didn't forget about me ;)
I smiled a little.
Samael: i doubt i could forget even if i tried
Samael: you didn't exactly make it easy
Her response came instantly.
Alice: oh really?
Alice: did you try? (¬‿¬)
I chuckled softly.
Samael: not even a little
Samael: seemed like a bad idea from the start
Three messages appeared almost at once.
Alice: good ^-^
Alice: because that would've been VERY disappointing
Alice: i worked pretty hard today making sure you wouldn't forget me
...
Alice: also
Alice: good thing you texted me instead of calling ^^
I paused slightly at that.
Samael: yeah?
Alice: mmh
Alice: my brother had a bit of a situation today
Alice: didn't really want a call making things worse for him
My thoughts briefly flicked to Edward and Bella.
That explained it.
Samael: got it
Alice: it's fine just for today
Alice: but tomorrow you're calling me
Alice: no excuses ;P
A small smirk tugged at my lips.
Samael: noted
Alice: but if it's between calls
Alice: you can text me whenever you want ^^
Alice: i'll always answer
Samael: careful
Samael: i might take you up on that more often than you expect ;)
Her reply came almost instantly.
Alice: i wouldn't mind that ^^
Alice: you had the cutest expression while we were talking (≧◡≦)
Alice: it was so adorable!
Another message followed quickly.
Alice: alsooo before you try to deny that...
Alice: you never told me your name today
Alice: dummy :P
Alice: which clearly proves my first impression was unforgettable
I froze.
My eyes widened slightly as I stared at the screen.
"…You're kidding."
Did I really forget to tell her my name?
I leaned back against the couch and rubbed my face with one hand.
"Unbelievable."
After a moment, I started typing again.
Samael: wait seriously?
Samael: we talked the whole class and i never told you my name?
A few seconds passed.
Alice: nope :P
Alice: not once
Samael: wow
Samael: that's actually impressive in a bad way
Samael: i'm Samael, by the way
The reply came instantly.
Alice: i know, Samy ;)
I blinked at the screen.
Samael: …Samy?
Alice: mhm ^^
Alice: i like it
Alice: Samy suits you
Another message appeared.
Alice: unless you hate it???
Samael: i don't hate it
Samael: but only you get to use it
There was a short pause.
Then several messages appeared quickly.
Alice: oh wow
Alice: exclusive nickname privileges already
Alice: i feel special
I smiled slightly.
Samael: you should
Samael: not everyone gets that
Samael: but now i'm curious
Samael: how do you actually know my name?
Alice: easy
Alice: Emmett told me
Alice: he had Spanish with you today
Alice: and he's my brother, remember?
I leaned back, slightly amused.
Samael: so you interrogated your brother about me already?
Alice: excuse you
Alice: it wasn't interrogation
Alice: it was enthusiastic curiosity ;)
I chuckled softly.
Samael: yeah, looking at it now
Samael: and considering i even forgot to tell you my name
Samael: your first impression was definitely better than mine :)
Her response came immediately.
Alice: hahaha don't worry
Alice: yours was very good too
Alice: i just had a tiny advantage ;)
I smiled slightly.
Samael: advantage?
There was a short pause before she answered.
Alice: let's just say...
Alice: i had a little more time to prepare ;)
I leaned back against the couch, still smiling.
That wasn't exactly an admission, but it was close enough to confirmation that she had seen me in her visions.
Samael: now you've got me interested
Samael: how much time are we talking about?
A few seconds passed.
Then her reply appeared.
Alice: that's a secret
Alice: and i like secrets ^^
Samael: yeah?
Samael: should i be worried?
Alice: maybe a little ;)
Alice: depends how brave you are, Samy
...
After that, the conversation flowed smoothly.
We talked about food, hobbies, games, and a lot of completely random things that somehow kept turning into longer discussions.
At one point I mentioned that most of my meals consisted of meat and that vegetables rarely made it onto my plate.
Alice: wait wait wait
Alice: you mostly eat meat???
Alice: what are you
Alice: a wolf? :P
Alice: or like... a very large house cat? ;)
Samael: something like that
Samael: a very dangerous house cat
Alice: hahaha unbelievable xD
Alice: i'm bringing you vegetables tomorrow just to see your reaction ^^
Samael: you're really risking it
Samael: i might take that as a personal challenge
Alice: it is ;)
...
In return, she told me about her love for shopping, fashion, and drawing. Every now and then she mentioned sketches she had been working on, sounding genuinely excited about them.
Alice: i actually sketched a few outfits today
Alice: forks desperately needs better fashion
Samael: i believe you
Samael: this town looks like it gave up sometime in the early 90s
Alice: EXACTLY
Alice: see??
Alice: you understand me already ^^
...
Time passed surprisingly quickly.
At some point I glanced at the clock and noticed it was already a little past two in the morning.
And somehow the conversation had reached that strange point where it felt like we had known each other for far longer than a single day.
Samael: it's past two already
Samael: we've got school in a few hours
A few seconds later, her reply came.
Alice: wow, look at you being responsible all of a sudden
Alice: i guess even i should get some sleep
I laughed.
Samael: yeah, that might be a good idea
Samael: wouldn't want you falling asleep halfway through class tomorrow
Alice: ugh don't remind me -_-
Alice: why does school exist
I smirked slightly as I typed.
Samael: so i get to see you again tomorrow ;)
There was a short pause.
Alice: wow
Alice: that was smooth <3
Alice: i'm impressed, Samy
I smiled slightly while typing.
Samael: learned from the best
Samael: you didn't exactly hold back today ;)
Her reply appeared instantly.
Alice: excuse you
Alice: i wasn't hiding it at all
Alice: i like you
Alice: obviously ;)
A small smile spread across my face.
Samael: i'm definitely not complaining about that
Samael: and i don't think i was particularly subtle about my side either
Alice: oh??
Alice: wait a second
Alice: soooo we're just admitting things now? (≧◡≦)
Alice: i like this
Alice: a lot
Alice: but seriously...
Alice: if we keep going like this
Alice: that your "wait a week before asking me out" thing?
Alice: i might make you break that rule ;))
Samael: sounds like you're planning something
Alice: maybe ^^
Alice: depends how fast you catch on
Samael: i'll keep up
Alice: you better ;)
I glanced at the clock again before sending one last message.
Samael: alright, pixie
Samael: go get some sleep before you fall asleep in history tomorrow
Alice: rude
Alice: if i fall asleep it's your fault
Alice: you kept me awake (¬‿¬)
Samael: worth it
There was a short pause.
Then her final message appeared.
Alice: good night, Samy <3
Alice: see you at school ^^
Samael: good night, Alice
I stayed still for a moment after sending the last message, the screen dimming slightly in my hand as the chat finally went quiet.
At some point during our conversation, I had ended up lying on my back across the couch, the living room lights still on, my empty plate forgotten on the table. I hadn't paid attention to anything around me for the past few hours, completely lost in the easy rhythm of talking to her.
A quiet breath left me as I stared up at the ceiling, a faint smile still lingering on my face.
After a moment, I pushed myself up into a sitting position, running a hand through my hair.
"How can someone be that adorable…" I muttered under my breath.
I leaned back slightly, resting my elbows on my knees as I looked down at my phone again, her name still on the screen. The truth settled in more clearly now, especially after that conversation.
I was really in trouble.
Because if I was honest with myself, I couldn't imagine ever saying no to her. The thought of her disappointment, even for a single moment, felt unbearable. Not when she looked at me like that. Not when she smiled like that.
I had already fallen for her, completely, and it didn't bother me in the slightest.
General – POV
Earlier that same day
At the Cullens' house
Esme stood in the kitchen, quietly watching a small television set on the counter. A cooking show was playing, the host cheerfully explaining how to season vegetables. Esme followed along with mild interest while slicing carrots on a wooden cutting board.
None of them needed food, but she had always enjoyed cooking. It helped her hold on to something familiar, something that felt normal in a life that was anything but. There was comfort in it, in the routine and the simplicity.
Lately, she had even more reason to keep up the habit.
Sooner or later, their family would begin welcoming human guests again, perhaps even future family members. The thought brought a soft, warm smile to her face.
She had just finished cutting the vegetables when she heard the familiar sound of cars pulling into the driveway outside.
Her smile widened.
The family was home.
She washed her hands at the sink and reached for a towel to dry them. Just as she finished, the front door suddenly opened downstairs, followed by a set of hurried footsteps racing up the stairs toward the kitchen.
Esme didn't even need to look to guess who it was.
She turned toward the doorway just as Alice rushed into the kitchen, full of energy and excitement.
"I met him!" she announced loudly.
Before Esme could respond, Alice had already wrapped her arms around her in a tight hug.
Esme blinked in brief surprise, then smiled warmly as she returned the embrace.
"Well," she said gently, "that sounds like very good news."
Alice pulled back, practically glowing with happiness.
"I'm so happy for you, darling," Esme added.
"Thank you!" Alice said, clasping her hands together. "He's so nice. I already love him so much."
Esme laughed softly at that, though she kept her affectionate gaze on Alice.
"That's wonderful," she said. "I hope you'll invite him here soon. We would all love to meet him."
Alice nodded eagerly.
Of course! I want him to meet everyone, too." She paused for a moment, then added with a playful smile, "But first we're going on a date. After that, I'll invite him over."
She spun lightly as she spoke, unable to hide her excitement.
Just then, the rest of the family entered the house. Footsteps sounded on the stairs as Rosalie, Emmett, Jasper, and Edythe joined them in the kitchen.
Esme looked at them, her expression shifting slightly when she noticed someone missing.
"Where's Edward?" she asked. "Is he alright?"
Edythe answered calmly.
"He went straight to his room. Apparently… his meeting with Bella didn't go very well."
Esme tilted her head.
"Bella?"
"She's the girl I saw in my vision with Edward," she explained. "But it will be alright. I've seen them together eventually."
Her voice held complete certainty.
Esme nodded slowly.
"Well," she said thoughtfully, "perhaps I should speak with Carlisle about-"
At that exact moment, Carlisle stepped into the kitchen.
"Don't worry," he said gently, finishing her sentence with a small smile. "I know."
He glanced briefly toward the stairs.
"I'll speak with Edward."
Edward's room
Edward stood by the large window in his room, staring out at the forest behind the house. Tall trees stretched endlessly into the distance, their dark forms shifting gently in the evening wind. It was a view that usually brought him peace.
Today, it didn't help at all.
His posture was stiff, his expression distant, and his eyes looked dull, as if something inside him had dimmed. He stood there without moving, like someone trapped in a situation he didn't know how to fix.
A soft knock came from the partially open door.
Carlisle pushed it open quietly and stepped inside.
Edward didn't turn around.
Carlisle walked a few steps into the room and stopped just behind him, his gaze following Edward's out toward the forest. For a few moments, neither of them spoke.
Finally, he spoke.
"Edward," he said at last, his voice calm, "I know something didn't go right today."
Edward didn't answer.
Carlisle didn't press, only continued in the same gentle tone.
"Tell me what happened. Maybe we can help."
Edward's shoulders tensed slightly.
For a moment it seemed like he might say nothing at all.
Then he exhaled slowly.
"I ruined everything."
Carlisle turned his head slightly toward him.
"What happened?"
Edward hesitated, then finally began to explain. He told Carlisle about Bella, about how he couldn't hear her thoughts, how unsettling that alone had been. Then he spoke about her scent, how it had hit him all at once, stronger than anything he had ever experienced, how it had made it almost impossible to think clearly.
Carlisle listened without interrupting, his expression growing more serious.
When Edward finished, Carlisle spoke quietly.
"She's your blood singer," he said, understanding settling into his voice. After a brief pause, he added, "That is… very rare."
Edward let out a quiet, humourless breath.
"Of course it is," he muttered.
Then, after a moment, he asked, his voice lower,
"Is it the same as what Emmett had?"
Carlisle nodded once.
"Yes," he said simply.
Edward looked away again, jaw tightening slightly.
Carlisle studied him for a moment before speaking again.
"Edward, very few vampires would have handled that as well as you did."
After a short pause, Carlisle spoke again, more thoughtfully this time.
"There may be a way to make this easier on you."
Edward turned his head slightly.
"How?"
Carlisle folded his hands behind his back.
"You could spend some time away," he suggested. "Visit our family in Alaska. Hunt, clear your mind, and give yourself space to regain control over the thirst."
Edward considered that in silence.
"Once you feel steady again," Carlisle continued, "you can come back and decide how you want to move forward."
Edward was quiet for a long moment. Then he gave a small nod.
"I'll try."
His voice sounded more stable now.
Carlisle smiled faintly.
He stepped closer and placed a hand on Edward's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"We're family," he said. "You don't have to handle this alone."
Edward nodded again.
"Thank you."
Then Carlisle quietly left the room.
Edward remained by the window for a moment longer. Finally, he turned toward his closet and began packing a small bag.