Apology

The rain came down in a steady drizzle the next morning, the sky a uniform shade of gray that seemed to press down on the town of Forks. Garnetta, having grown accustomed to such weather, welcomed the cool dampness as she prepared for another day at school. The whispers from the previous day still echoed in her mind, but she had long since learned to ignore the idle chatter of humans. It was the other vampires—the Cullens—who occupied her thoughts.

As she entered the school building, the now-familiar wave of attention greeted her once more. The students watched her with a mix of awe and curiosity, their whispers flowing through the air like an undercurrent she could not ignore.

"Did you see her with the Cullens yesterday?"

"She's got to be related to them somehow… maybe a cousin?"

"She's just as beautiful as they are. I bet they're all, like, supermodels or something."

"Her accent is so cool. I wonder where she's really from."

Garnetta moved through the halls with a calm detachment, her expression serene despite the stares and hushed conversations. Her supernatural hearing picked up every word, every thoughtless comment, but none of it fazed her. She was used to being the center of attention, though she had never sought it out. Today, however, her mind was focused on something far more pressing—her growing connection with the Cullens and the mysteries that surrounded them.

She found herself looking forward to her interactions with them, particularly Edward. His frustration at being unable to read her mind had been palpable, and Garnetta couldn't deny a certain satisfaction in knowing she could keep her thoughts her own. But she also knew that Edward's inability to access her mind meant he would be even more determined to uncover her secrets through other means.

Her first class of the day passed in a blur, her mind occupied with thoughts of the Cullens and what they might know about the strange connection she felt to Forks. As she walked to her next class, she was joined by Alice, who appeared at her side with a bright smile.

"Good morning, Garnetta," Alice greeted, her tone cheerful despite the dreary weather. "How are you finding your second day at Forks High?"

Garnetta returned the smile, appreciating Alice's friendliness. "It's been… interesting," she replied honestly. "I'm still getting used to everything."

Alice nodded, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "It can be a lot to take in at first, but you'll get the hang of it. And don't worry about the gossip—it'll die down eventually."

Garnetta chuckled softly. "I'm not too concerned about it. People will always talk."

"True," Alice agreed, her gaze turning thoughtful. "But it must be nice, being able to keep your thoughts to yourself. Edward's been sulking ever since he met you."

Garnetta raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Sulking?"

Alice laughed, a musical sound that seemed to brighten the dull hallway. "Well, maybe that's not the right word. But he's definitely frustrated. He's never met anyone he couldn't read before."

"I suppose that makes me unique," Garnetta said lightly, though she knew there was more to it than that.

Alice's expression grew more serious as they continued to walk. "You are unique, Garnetta. There's something different about you, something even we don't understand. But I think that's a good thing. It means there's more to learn."

Garnetta appreciated Alice's openness, though she could sense that there were things the Cullens were still holding back. "I could say the same about you and your family," she said, her tone carefully neutral.

Alice glanced at her, a small smile playing on her lips. "I suppose you could. But that's what makes life interesting, isn't it? All the mysteries waiting to be unraveled."

They reached Garnetta's classroom, and Alice paused before parting ways. "If you ever want to talk, you know where to find us," Alice said, her voice warm.

"Thank you, Alice. I'll keep that in mind," Garnetta replied, watching as the petite vampire disappeared down the hall.

The rest of the day passed in a similar fashion, with brief interactions between Garnetta and the Cullens. Edward remained distant, though she could feel his eyes on her whenever they crossed paths. Rosalie's cold demeanor didn't change, but Garnetta was content to let the blonde beauty keep her distance. Jasper and Emmett were more neutral, though Garnetta could tell they were curious about her, even if they didn't express it openly.

It wasn't until the end of the school day that Garnetta found herself alone with Edward. She was walking through the parking lot, heading toward her car, when she heard his footsteps behind her. She turned to find him standing a few feet away, his expression a mix of curiosity and frustration.

"Garnetta," he greeted, his voice careful.

"Edward," she replied, her tone even.

He studied her for a moment, his topaz eyes searching hers as if trying to find some hidden truth. "I wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier," he said finally. "I shouldn't have been so… blunt."

Garnetta tilted her head slightly, intrigued by the apology. "You were frustrated," she acknowledged. "It's understandable."

Edward's lips pressed into a thin line. "It's just… I've never met someone I couldn't read. It's unsettling."

Garnetta gave a small smile, understanding the deeper meaning behind his words. "I'm sure it is. But there's a reason for everything, isn't there?"

Edward's gaze softened slightly, and he nodded. "Yes, there is. I just haven't figured out what that reason is yet."

They stood in silence for a moment, the rain pattering gently on the pavement around them. Garnetta could sense the conflict within Edward—the desire to know her secrets, but also the respect for her privacy. It was a delicate balance, and she appreciated that he was trying to navigate it carefully.

"I don't want to pry," Edward said after a moment. "But I do want to understand."

Garnetta regarded him thoughtfully. "Maybe in time, you will. But some things are meant to remain hidden, at least for a while."

Edward accepted her words with a slight nod, though she could see the determination in his eyes. He wasn't one to give up easily, and Garnetta knew that this was only the beginning of their interactions.

As she turned to leave, Edward spoke again. "Alice invited you to our house, didn't she?"

Garnetta paused, glancing back at him. "She did."

A small smile tugged at the corner of Edward's mouth. "You should come. We'd like to get to know you better."

Garnetta considered the invitation, knowing that it would bring her deeper into the Cullens' world—a world she was both curious about and cautious of. "I'll think about it," she said finally.

Edward nodded, seeming satisfied with her response. "We'll be waiting."

As Garnetta got into her car and drove away, she couldn't help but feel that the threads of her destiny were beginning to weave together in ways she hadn't anticipated. The Cullens were a mystery, just as she was to them, and the more they interacted, the more those mysteries would begin to unravel.

And Garnetta was ready for whatever secrets were waiting to be revealed.