Forks High smelled like old paper, wet jackets, and cafeteria fries.
Rowan walked Bella to Biology, nerves causing her heartbeat to thrum like the beat of hummingbird's wings.
She had only intended to drop Bella off at her class, but as soon as Bella crossed the threshold into the classroom, Rowan froze.
Bella looked back at her, "Are you ok?"
Rowan's magic prickled across her skin, giving her goose pimples, "Just a weird...shift. Probably it's nothing." At least that's what she hoped.
Bella gave her a reassuring smile, "I'll be careful."
Rowan nodded before stepping back and moving to lean against the wall by the Biology class door. She pretended to scroll on her phone, but really her magic was reaching into the classroom towards Bella and Edward, listening in... waiting for the inevitable to happen.
Inside, Bella sat beside Edward, who tried to engage her almost immediately in a conversation.
"Do you...like the curriculum here?" His tone sounded forced, too elegant for a boy his supposed age.
Bella shrugged, "It's school."
Edward blinked and waited for her to say more, but she didn't. Instead, she turned her attention to the front of the classroom where Mr Banner began to lecture.
The fans hummed, and then Bella's scent hit Edward.
It wasn't overwhelming like he was expecting. He didn't want to attack. She was just a normal human scent.
And Rowan's aura swept over everything, soft like a breeze or a barrier.
Edward inhaled sharply, confused.
His hunger was... manageable.
That wasn't supposed to happen.
He shot a glance toward the door where he heard the heartbeat by it standing steadfast, like a guardian over the classroom.
And Edward despised the loss of control.
Bella continued working, unaware of Edward's inner chaos.
Outside the classroom, a knot of tension sat below Rowan's ribs. She wasn't even in the room, but she could feel Edward's emotions - spiraling - they hit her like cold needles. She shivered, and her magic reacted in defense.
Wind brushed through the hallway.
A shimmer of golden dust glowed under the overhead lights.
Fluorescent bulbs flickered one after another.
"Not now, not here." She whispered.
Students gasped inside classrooms, several laughed nervously.
Edward's head whipped toward the hall - it was her, Rowan.
When the class finished, Bella came out backpack slung over her shoulder and made a beeline toward Rowan her voice a whisper. "Was that... you?"
Rowan gave a tiny, exhausted smile, "Maybe a little."
Bella smirked, "You are something else, you know that, right?"
Behind them, Edward emerged, his gaze on Rowan with confused accusation.
He didn't understand her.
Couldn't read her.
Couldn't pull Bella into his orbit because of her.
And Rowan, despite her exhaustion, made eye contact with him and raised her chin defiantly.
Unknown to any of them, Forks was becoming a spark in a dark world about to be set on fire.