(Ash's POV – The School Day)
The weight of everyone's stares had become almost normal by now. Almost.
As I walked through the halls of Forks High, I could feel the way eyes trailed after me, whispers curling in the air. Some curious, some envious. But none of it mattered.
Not when she was beside me.
Alice walked with effortless grace at my side, her presence both comforting and unsettling. She had become a constant in my life—whether I was ready for it or not.
It should have scared me.
Instead, it felt right.
I was still trying to convince myself I was just here to observe, but every moment spent with her chipped away at that excuse. I was past the point of pretending.
"Ash," Alice's voice pulled me from my thoughts. She was smiling as she looked up at me, eyes alight with something unreadable. "You were thinking too hard again."
I exhaled through my nose, shaking my head. "Maybe."
"Maybe," she echoed, amused. Then, with a knowing glance, she walked off to her next class, leaving me with a feeling I couldn't quite place.
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It was the same in classes . people talking, whispering and speculating about my and Alice relationship.
I ignored it all.
But what I couldn't ignore was Jasper's presence at my side between classes.
"You're handling things well," he said casually, his southern drawl laced with an undertone I couldn't quite place.
I shot him a sidelong glance. "Handling what?"
His golden eyes were calm, but there was something knowing about them. "The bond," he clarified. "It's not something you can resist forever, Ash."
A cold weight settled in my chest. "Alice isn't forcing anything on me," I said carefully.
Jasper shook his head. "She wouldn't. But that doesn't mean it won't happen. It's inevitable."
I wanted to argue, to push back against the certainty in his voice. But the truth was, I already felt it—the invisible pull drawing me toward Alice, the way my world seemed to shift when she was near.
I just wasn't ready to admit it.
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In my last class, when I thought that I can finally get through the day without another interruption. I barely had time to sit before I realized I had company.
A girl—someone I vaguely recognized but had never spoken to—took the seat beside me.
"You're Ash, right?" she asked, tilting her head slightly, her tone casual.
I glanced at her. "Yeah."
She smiled, brushing her hair over one shoulder. "I thought so. You're kind of the talk of the school."
I resisted the urge to sigh. "That so?"
She laughed lightly. "Don't act like you don't know. You show up, and suddenly the whole school loses their minds." She paused, then leaned in slightly. "But I can see why."
I didn't respond, keeping my focus on the lesson. That didn't deter her.
Throughout the class, she made small talk, asking where I was from, if I liked Forks, and even if I had any hobbies. She wasn't being overbearing, but I could tell she was testing the waters.
By the time class ended, I was already heading for the door when she stepped beside me again.
"Hey," she started, brushing her fingers through her hair, "we should talk more. Why don't you give me your number?"
I turned slightly, about to figure out the best way to refuse—
When I felt her presence.
"Ash," Alice's voice was as light as a feather, yet it cut through the air like a blade.
Before I could say anything, she was at my side, looping her arm through mine with practiced ease. She smiled sweetly, her golden eyes gleaming with something unreadable.
The girl hesitated, taking a slight step back. "Oh… hey."
"Oh," Alice said with a too-sweet smile, tilting her head at the girl. "I don't think that'll be necessary."
The shift in the atmosphere was immediate.
Alice's expression was friendly—polite, even—but there was an unmistakable edge beneath her words. The girl in front of us faltered, her confidence wavering under Alice's unwavering gaze.
"I—" The girl swallowed, glancing between us.
Alice's fingers tightened around my arm, her touch light but possessive. It was a clear message.
He's mine.
For a moment, no one spoke. The girl let out an awkward laugh, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Right. Well… I'll see you around, then."
She turned and hurried away, disappearing into the crowd.
I exhaled slowly, glancing down at Alice. She was still smiling as if nothing had happened.
"Alice," I said carefully, "did you just—"
"Hmm?" She looked up at me innocently.
I gave her a look. "You scared her off on purpose."
Alice shrugged, her expression completely unrepentant. "She was wasting your time."
I narrowed my eyes, but she only grinned, giving my arm a light squeeze before letting go. Then, just like that, she skipped ahead, as if nothing had happened.
I stared after her, stunned.
Alice Cullen was possessive.
And the crazy thing was… I didn't mind it.
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(Alice's POV – Preparing for the Date)
After school, I went home to prepare.
I had waited for this moment for so long.
Seeing it in my visions had been one thing, but now it was real.
My first date with Ash.
The thought sent a shiver of excitement through me as I stared at my closet, debating what to wear. I knew Ash didn't care about fashion—he barely seemed to care about human social norms at all—but I still wanted to make an impression.
Esme smiled at me as I stood in front of my closet, debating. "Alice you've changed outfits three times already."
I huffed. "I just want it to be right."
Edythe, perched on my bed, rolled her eyes. "He's already drawn to you. You could wear anything and It's not like he's going to notice what you're wearing, Alice."
I shot her a glare. "He notices more than you think."
Edythe smirked but didn't argue.
Esme placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Just be yourself, sweetheart. That's what he's drawn to".
I nodded then turned back to my options, running my fingers over the fabric. It was strange—not being able to see the outcome. My visions gave me glimpses, but nothing concrete.
And that uncertainty made me restless.
My mind wandered back to the girl in class. How she had looked at Ash. How she had flirted with him, bold and shameless.
The jealousy had been instant. Sharp. Uncontrollable.
Ash was getting closer to me, slowly but surely. But remembering that girl—remembering how easy it would be for someone else to try and take him away—only solidified my resolve.
I wasn't going to let that happen.
Tonight, he would remember.
-----
(Ash's POV – The Date Begins)
I had expected to feel nervous about this date.
What I hadn't expected was to feel anticipation.
When Alice arrived to pick me up, she stepped out of the car, and for a moment, my mind went blank.
She was stunning.
She wore a dark blue dress, flowing yet perfectly fitted, with intricate silver detailing that shimmered under the streetlight. Her hair fell in soft waves, her golden eyes glowing against the night.
She smiled at me, and I forgot to breathe.
But the real surprise came when her gaze landed on me.
Her lips parted slightly, her golden eyes widening as she took me in.
I had opted for a black and grey suit—nothing too formal, but polished enough for the occasion. The fitted fabric complemented my lean, Athletic frame. The Dark tone colours increased the allure of my deep ocean-blue eyes and maked my silver-white hair stand out even more.
Alice blinked, her gaze lingering on me longer than usual.
"You..." She trailed off, then laughed softly. "You look incredible."
A slow smirk tugged at my lips. "You too."
Something flickered in her eyes at that—something warm and triumphant.
And just like that, the world narrowed to the two of us.
"Come on," Alice said, tilting her head toward her car. "I have the perfect place in mind."
As we drove off into the night, I had the distinct feeling that whatever was happening between us was only growing stronger.
And for the first time, I wasn't sure I wanted to resist.
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(A Message from the Battlefield – The War of Pacing & Real Life)
Greetings, brave warriors of the comment section!
I know, I know—some of you might find this chapter slow. But tell me, where's the thrill in speedrunning a relationship like it's some dating sim on fast-forward? Do you want a love story, or do you want a vending machine romance where you press a button and out pops eternal devotion?
Yes, this chapter is long. Yes, it's slow. But you know what? It perfectly captures the emotions of Alice and Ash, and I'm very satisfied with how it turned out. It took me nearly five hours just to read through this chapter after it got mysteriously deleted by the void itself (I suspect foul play from the literary gods), but in the end, the result was worth the struggle.
Now, onto a graver battle—Real Life vs. Writing.
I had originally planned to provide you guys with regular chapters, but… reality has pulled out its ultimate weapon: college. When I first started writing this book, I was a fresh new author, running purely on adrenaline, pumping out chapters without a care in the world. And now? Now there's a mountain of college work piled up beside me, glaring at me like a final boss waiting to be defeated.
And as if that wasn't enough, my finals are coming up, and my dear, beloved college decided to ambush us with extra forms and assignments just two weeks before the exams. Like, seriously? Was this planned? Is there a secret organization in charge of making students suffer right before finals? I demand answers!
Now, I know some of you might be thinking, "Okay, but what does this have to do with me? Just post the chapter." And trust me, I WANT TO. But unfortunately, I am still bound by the mortal world and its responsibilities. This is important for me, and I need to survive this academic battlefield before I can fully dedicate myself to writing.
BUT WORRY NOT, SOLDIERS!
I will still try my best to post three chapters a week—even if I have to go into overtime, fueled by caffeine, desperation, and the sheer willpower of an author who refuses to be defeated. So bear with me, support me, and prepare yourselves for the next chapter!
The war isn't over yet.
Also, one very important thing before I go:
I'd like to request all of you to leave your honest reviews in the review section. (No, I haven't hired a hacker to track the personal information and location of readers whose reviews I don't find satisfactory… probably… maybe… Okay, fine, I can't afford a hacker. But I can sit in a dark corner, dramatically whispering your username like a vengeful ghost.) So go on, drop a review—before I start summoning fictional characters to haunt your dreams.