CHAPTER 8
The rain fell over Forks, misting the town's houses and giving the streets a gray atmosphere as people rushed home.
> Bella's House
Bella opened the door abruptly, still angry, and threw her backpack on the floor. She went upstairs and dropped heavily onto her bed. Charlie heard her come in and walked up the stairs.
"Your mother called again," he said, approaching Bella's room.
Bella sat up, but without looking at him, she said:
"That's your fault for telling her about… the accident," she said, still unsure of what had really happened.
"I think she always worried too much," Charlie said, unsure how to respond. "She seems happy. I think Phil is a good man, right?"
"He is," Bella said quietly, still not looking at him.
She closed herself off in her room, not wanting to talk to anyone.
> Logan's Room
Logan came out of the shower with a towel covering his lower half. Had he grown again? Looking in the mirror, he saw his body; it was still strange to feel this way, to have this power. His arm was already healed—only a little sore—but the more he transformed, the faster he healed.
He came out dressed simply. Outside his window, Forks' gray weather highlighted his dark hair. He stared directly into the distance, toward the forest; he knew there were vampires lurking out there.
Last night he had almost sensed a strange presence while tracking those nomads. He smelled three different scents. Whoever they were, they had become more aggressive, no longer caring about hiding from anyone.
He still didn't feel confident enough to face three vampires; he still didn't have a clear reference for his power or his limits.
But last night, for the first time, he felt fear…
He ran through the forest transformed, following scents scattered in different directions. These vampires moved fast, without mistakes; it was as if they had a hunter who wasted no movement, guiding every step, and another one who knew exactly how to erase their tracks…
He didn't know if it was the night, the freezing cold, or the dark environment that seemed to swallow everything, but he felt a chill across his entire body. He looked immediately behind him, but there was no one…
It was as if something was interested in him, something not human, something dangerous. He didn't know what it was, but he felt it close…
> Forks High School
Logan walked with his backpack, wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans. His recent height increase made his clothes fit a bit tighter—not too noticeable, but it was as if his body was still adapting to the latest changes from his awakened gene.
Girls stared at him as he passed, whispering among themselves. The guys felt strange around him; it was like he had an aura that attracted people without them understanding why.
> Cafeteria
Logan pushed open the cafeteria doors and his gaze settled for a moment on the Cullen family; they watched him subtly, but they couldn't pretend he didn't exist—his scent unsettled them.
He caused something in them they couldn't fully understand…
On the way, he found Bella, who almost jumped when she saw him, smiling.
They walked together in an almost comfortable silence with their friends.
Edward watched them, and a look of hatred crossed his face for an instant toward Logan.
They walked joking around as they reached their table, observing everyone.
"La Push, babe, you coming?" Eric asked Bella.
Bella smiled slightly.
"Should I know what that means?" she asked.
"It's La Push beach, on the Quileute reservation," Mike added with a playful expression. "We're all going after school, lots of waves."
"Yeah, and I don't just surf the internet," Eric added, making silly surf movements.
Jessica mocked Eric's comment, and sweet Angela kept trying to convince Bella.
"There are also whale sightings, please come with me," Angela said, putting her hands together.
"Come with us, darling," Eric mocked her.
"I'll go only if you stop calling me that," Bella answered with a smile.
Bella looked at Logan for a moment, gently touching his shoulder.
"Jimmy, are you coming too?" Bella asked, noticing his arm was still bandaged.
Logan thought about it for a moment. He had been to that beach hundreds of times, but he still felt hurt by the tribe; he didn't want to see anyone yet…
"I'm sorry, Bella," Logan said with a heavy look. "I have to go to the hospital after school."
He tried to give a believable excuse. Bella simply looked at him with a hurt expression, choosing not to ask further, and stood up from the table.
Bella went to a counter with fruit and salads. She looked through everything, choosing only an apple in the end.
She picked up the apple when Edward appeared beside her.
"Edible art," Edward said, surprising her.
She dropped the apple from her hands, and he caught it before it hit the floor with effortless grace.
He held the apple in his pale hand, contrasting with the deep red of the fruit.
He handed it to Bella with a charming smile.
"Your mood swings are making me dizzy," she said, accepting the apple.
"I said it would be better if we weren't friends, but it's not like I don't want to be."
"And I'm supposed to know what that means?" Bella looked at him, confused.
"It means that if you were smarter, you'd avoid me."
"Let's assume I'm not very smart," she said, looking into his eyes. "But I know what you're trying to pretend—it's just a mask to push people away."
"And even so, you'll keep talking to me? Or will you tell me the truth?"
Edward looked toward his sisters, who were watching him closely, and Bella looked toward the table where Logan and the others sat, with Mike looking jealous.
"Probably not. Still… I'd like to know your theory."
"Well, something radioactive? Mutant spiders?" she said, trying to guess his secret.
Edward looked at Bella, challenging her to continue.
"You're talking about superhero things, but what if someone told you I'm the villain?" he said, looking into her eyes.
Edward looked behind him, sensing someone's presence.
"Well, then I think we'd have a problem!" Logan tried to lighten the atmosphere.
"Edward Cullen, right?" Logan extended his hand. "This is the first time we talk, I guess…"
"Let me introduce myself: I'm Logan Black!"
The two stared at each other, and something in Edward shifted; he felt that his thoughts weren't visible to him, and Logan's scent caused him an abnormal feeling…
Edward shook his hand, feeling the strength no normal human should have.
Bella saw this and tried to cut the tension.
"Sorry, Edward, Jimmy can seem intimidating at first, but he's really nice."
Bella almost stepped between them with an insecure look.
They kept staring for a few more seconds, hands still locked in a strong handshake, and the air grew tense.
"Don't worry, Bella, I was just saying goodbye," Logan said, smiling to cut the tension. "Nice meeting you, Edward. Don't turn into a villain—otherwise I'll come looking for you."
He threw one last sharp joke to lighten the mood and embarrass Bella, who had overheard her own conversation with Edward.
But Edward sensed the threat hidden in his voice. Logan made it sound like a joke, but his eyes said otherwise—and Edward felt something close to a human shiver run through his body…
As Logan disappeared among the crowd, Bella turned her attention back to Edward.
"Why don't you come with me? Why don't we go out somewhere?" Bella asked shyly, gathering her courage.
Edward just looked at her.
"Everyone's going to the beach. Come with me, you'll like it," she said, trying to hide her nerves. "Windburn, salty water…"
Edward smiled, considering the invitation.
"Which beach?"
"La Push," Bella answered — and Edward's expression changed immediately.
"Is something wrong with that beach?" she asked, noticing his reaction.
He stared at her, not knowing what to say.
"It's just that beach has too many people. Sorry."
And he walked away from Bella.
Bella watched him leave, left with more questions than answers.
To be continued…