[HOUR LATER]
Aiden had finished his homework long before the others, his notebook closed and pen tucked away. Music played softly through his earbuds, more background noise than anything.
He was half-watching the rain ease up outside when the door to the café swung open and a small crowd spilled in, Ben, Tyler, Mike, Connor, and Lauren, laughter trailing behind them.
"Yo, you guys want anything?" Connor asked, already heading toward the counter.
"Yeah, sure," Mike said, patting his pockets.
"Me too," Tyler added quickly, glancing at Mike. "Put it on your tab, man."
Connor shot him a look. "Tab? You still owe me ten bucks from last week."
Tyler grinned, unbothered. "Guess now it's twenty."
Connor groaned but kept walking, muttering under his breath.
Ben, meanwhile, dragged over a chair and dropped it next to Angela, leaning in with an easy smile. "Hey. Didn't expect to see you here."
Angela gave him a polite nod, though her eyes flicked toward Aiden.
Aiden sighed quietly and started gathering his things. The last thing he wanted was a run-in with Ben. He slung his backpack over his shoulder and was about to stand when Ben's voice cut through.
"Leaving already?" Ben's tone was light but carried that edge, the kind meant to get under skin. "Guess some people can't hang."
Aiden paused, jaw tightening. He turned just enough to meet Ben's stare. "Guess some people need an audience to feel important."
Ben's smile faltered. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Exactly what it sounds like," Aiden shot back.
The tension snapped sharp and sudden, like a match to gasoline. Ben shifted in his seat, shoulders squaring.
"Guys, stop," Angela said quickly, her voice firm but calm.
"Yeah, knock it off," Jessica added, sliding between them, hands raised. "Nobody's here for this."
For a moment, Aiden thought Ben might push it further, but then Tyler, Mike, and Connor came back balancing trays, and Lauren followed behind with an iced coffee clutched in her hand. The noise of their return broke the moment, scattering the sharp edge of the argument.
Jessica turned back to Aiden. "Wait... you're leaving? I was supposed to give you a ride."
Aiden shook his head, tugging his hood up. "Don't worry about it. Rain stopped. I'll walk."
She frowned, but before she could argue, he lifted a hand in a casual wave. "See you guys."
He stepped out into the damp, chilled air. The streets glistened under the streetlamps, the rain clouds already thinning. Taking a long breath, Aiden started down the road, the café laughter fading behind him as he headed home.
Outside, the night was cool and damp, the air thick with the smell of wet pine and asphalt. The rain had stopped, but the streets still glistened with silver reflections under the streetlamps.
Aiden slid his headphones back in, letting the steady pulse of his playlist carry him forward. Rock bled into R&B, the bass thumping like a heartbeat against the hush of Forks.
He moved quickly down the road, shoulders hunched against the lingering chill, his footsteps matching the rhythm in his ears. Cars passed every so often, their headlights slicing through the mist before vanishing into the dark.
His mind stayed strangely blank. No thoughts of school. No thoughts of the café. Just the quiet scenery, the dripping branches overhead, the fog clinging low over the fields, the way the world seemed muted after a storm.
For the first time all day, no one was asking questions, no one was watching him, and no one needed answers. It was just him, the road, and the music.
But as he was walking a loud honk to him from his music.
Headlights swept over the wet road as the orange truck slowed beside him. Aiden tugged one earbud free, glancing over just as the window rolled down.
"Need a ride?" Bella leaned slightly toward the open gap, her voice carrying that mix of hesitation and quiet confidence.
He blinked, caught off guard, then gave a small nod. "Yeah. Thanks."
"Hop in."
The passenger door gave a groan as he pulled it open. He climbed in, dropping his backpack onto the floorboard, and settled into the cracked leather seat. The cab smelled faintly of old fabric softener and rain-soaked pine.
"Appreciate it," he said as he buckled in.
Bella pulled forward, eyes fixed on the road, though he caught the faintest smile tug at her lips. "Figured it was you. I saw you walking and thought… well, we did just meet at lunch."
He huffed a quiet laugh. "Yeah, Aiden."
She glanced sideways for just a beat. "Bella. Though you probably got that already."
"I did," he said, but the corner of his mouth ticked up. "Nice truck, by the way."
Her brow lifted. "You mean ancient?"
"Vintage," he corrected.
That earned a small laugh, and some of the tightness in the air eased. For a while, it was just the hum of the engine and the squeak of the wipers.
"Thanks again," Aiden said finally. "Didn't mind the walk, but… Forks weather, you know."
Bella's smile was brief but genuine this time. "Yeah, it doesn't really let up. If you need another ride sometime, I don't mind. It's not like I have much else to do."
That made him pause, studying her out of the corner of his eye. "I'll keep that in mind."
The silence settled again, but Bella broke it, her voice curious. "So… what's your story? You're new here too, right?"
He shrugged. "Yeah. Just trying to keep my head down, get through the first few weeks without looking like a complete idiot."
"That's fair." She nodded, fingers tightening lightly on the wheel. "I moved here from Phoenix, so… trust me, I get it. Forks isn't exactly the easiest place to blend in."
"You don't say," he said dryly, smirking as he gestured out the window. "Gray skies and moss growing on everything. Total change of pace."
Bella laughed under her breath. "Try going from the sun to this. I think my blood's already thinned."
He tilted his head. "And yet you offered me a ride. In a truck with no heater, right?"
"Hey, it works, sometimes." Her grin was fleeting but playful.
He chuckled, shaking his head. "You're braver than me."
She glanced at him quickly, then back at the road, her tone softer. "So… you staying here for good, or just passing through?"
Aiden leaned back, headphones still hanging around his neck, eyes drifting to the streaked glass. "Guess we'll see. For now… here's home."
Bella hummed in agreement, a thoughtful sound. The cab went quiet again, but this time, it wasn't awkward, it was almost comfortable, like the first thread of something starting to stitch between them.
The truck rumbled along, tires hissing against the wet pavement. They were close to the turnoff for Aiden's street when Bella finally spoke again, her voice careful, almost testing the waters.
"So… have you noticed the Cullens?"
Aiden glanced at her, brow raised. "The pale kids?"
Bella's lips twitched, but her eyes stayed on the road. "Yeah. Them."
He leaned back in the seat, letting out a small laugh. "Hard not to. They've got this… presence, I guess. Like the whole room shifts when they walk in. Doesn't matter where they are, you just… notice them."
Bella didn't answer right away. Her grip on the wheel was steady, but he caught the flicker of her gaze in his direction, sharp and measuring, before she quickly looked back to the road.
"Jessica already gave me the whole story," he added, shaking his head. "And honestly? People around here talk too much. They act like it's a crime to mind your own business."
That finally earned a small smile from Bella. "Yeah. They do."
The silence that followed wasn't heavy, more like they were both turning things over in their own heads. Outside, the rain had lightened to a fine mist, the streetlights painting Forks in soft, blurred gold. Bella slowed as they reached his street, pulling neatly to the curb.
"Well," Aiden said, unbuckling, "thanks again for the rescue. Saved me from about two miles of wet socks."
"Anytime." Bella's smile was shy but steady. "And… if you ever need another ride, just let me know."
Aiden hesitated, then pulled his phone from his pocket, holding it out. "Why don't you give me your number then? Easier that way."
Her eyebrows lifted slightly, but she took his phone and typed quickly before handing it back. "There. Now you don't have an excuse."
"Guess I don't." He chuckled, sliding the phone away before opening the door. "See you tomorrow, Bella."
"See you."
Bella watched him walk up the path to his house before pulling away, her headlights glowing through the misty Forks night. She was still frowning faintly, though, replaying his words in her head, especially the way he said you just notice them.