Chapter: A Picture and a Plan
Lunch finally ended—thank every deity in existence.
He practically bolted from the cafeteria the moment the bell rang, hoodie up, backpack slung low, trying to shake off the heavy golden stare that had pinned him for half an hour straight.
He stepped into the hallway and breathed out slowly.
"Safe. Finally."
Classes blurred by after that—math, English, a teacher who sounded half-asleep, which honestly made it easier for him to almost nap in peace.
By the time the final bell rang, he was drained.
Social interaction: 0/10.
Energy level: negative.
He trudged out to the parking lot and made a beeline to Bella's truck, sliding into the passenger seat. The warmth of the rain-soaked air made his eyes droop instantly.
But Bella didn't show.
He tapped the dashboard softly, wishing he could melt into the seat.
Come on, Bella… please hurry…
Then—
The Cullens exited the school.
In a sleek, perfectly coordinated group.
He curled deeper into his hoodie.
But one of them wasn't walking normally.
Rosalie Hale.
She scanned the parking lot—eyes sharp, searching—and the moment they landed on him:
Her entire expression softened in a way nobody in school had ever seen.
She took a slow step.
And kept staring.
His heart skipped a beat, and he shrank into the seat, hood practically eating half his face.
Why me? Why is she looking at me like that? I didn't do anything! I didn't even talk to her! I was asleep most of the day!
Rosalie POV:
He's so cute.
Ridiculously cute.
Soft curls.
Sleepy eyes.
Hoodie too big for his small frame.
Trying to hide like a nervous woodland creature.
Rosalie didn't smile often.
But her lips twitched now.
She subtly took out her phone and, when he wasn't looking—
click
A picture.
Perfect angle.
Perfect lighting.
Soft boy curled up in Bella's truck like a shy kitten.
Emmett glanced at her.
"Seriously? Already?"
She glared.
He raised both hands in surrender, snickering.
Back to third person:
He peeked over the dashboard and saw her still looking.
He froze.
Oh no.
Finally—
Bella hurried out of the building, looking frustrated. "Sorry! I got cornered by Mr. Banner."
"You're forgiven," he mumbled, not taking his eyes off Rosalie until the truck pulled away.
Bella started the engine. "You okay?"
"Just tired," he lied.
They drove home in the rain, the soft roar of water lulling him back into sleepiness. Bella glanced over when his head finally tipped against the window.
"Already asleep again," she whispered with a small smile.
Once home, he went straight to his room, dropped his bag, collapsed onto the bed—
And was out cold within seconds.
Rosalie POV – Cullen House, Evening
Rosalie sat on her perfectly made bed, the house quiet around her.
She held the phone in one hand.
And stared at the picture.
The boy in the passenger seat.
Hood up.
Fluffy hair escaping everywhere.
Eyes timid.
Small.
Soft.
Her mate.
Rosalie Hale didn't do "soft."
She didn't do "gentle."
She didn't do "dreaming of the future."
But now?
She looked at the picture again.
Zoomed in.
Her cold chest warmed with something unfamiliar and terrifying and wonderful all at once.
Emmett poked his head in. "Planning your wedding already?"
She threw a pillow at him. He dodged with a laugh and vanished.
She glanced back at the picture.
He's human. Young. Fragile. But… mine.
Slowly, deliberately, Rosalie began to think.
How to approach him.
How to talk to him.
How to make him comfortable, not scared.
How to make him trust her.
How to ease him into the idea of what they were.
For the first time in her immortal life—
Rosalie Hale was nervous.
And hopeful.
She pressed the phone to her chest.
I'll do this right, she promised softly.
For him.