Chapter Five: Playing With Fire

Faye hadn't even gotten her sandwich out of its bag when she noticed the cafeteria fall into an odd hush. It wasn't completely silent, but the hum of conversation had shifted, like the air was suddenly charged. She glanced at Ava, who shrugged, mid-bite of her apple.

Then Faye saw him. Edward Cullen, striding toward their table like it was the most natural thing in the world, though he had never sat with anyone before. Her stomach flipped as he moved with impossible grace, tray balanced effortlessly in one hand.

Ava muttered something under her breath—probably some sarcastic comment about Edward's perfect hair or how every girl in school was obsessed with him—but Faye didn't register it. All she could focus on was him.

Edward reached their table and stopped, his dark eyes—nearly black, Faye realized—fixing on her with a quiet intensity. "Mind if I join you?"

Ava nearly choked on her apple. Faye stared at him, unsure how to respond. Why was he asking to sit with them? With her?

"Uh, yeah, sure," Faye finally said, trying to sound casual but failing miserably.

Edward set his tray down and slid into the seat across from her, ignoring the curious stares from nearby tables. He seemed unaffected by the attention, as though the entire room hadn't just fallen silent to watch him.

"So," Edward began, his voice smooth and calm, "what's your favorite color?"

Faye blinked, caught off guard. Of all the questions he could have asked, this was the last thing she expected. "My... favorite color?"

"Yes." His gaze didn't waver. "I'm curious."

"Uh, green, I guess?" Faye said hesitantly. She wasn't sure why she felt like she was being examined under a microscope, but there was something unnerving about the way he was looking at her—like he was trying to piece her together, bit by bit.

"Green," he repeated thoughtfully, as though committing it to memory. "Interesting."

Faye frowned. "Why is that interesting?"

Edward's lips twitched into a faint smile. "No reason. What about your favorite movie?"

Ava snorted. "What is this, twenty questions?"

Edward's attention didn't leave Faye. "I'd like to get to know her better."

Faye's cheeks burned. She glanced down at her tray, fiddling with the edge of her sandwich bag. "I don't really have a favorite," she admitted. "I like a lot of different movies."

"Fair enough," Edward said, though he looked like he wanted to press further.

Ava, clearly enjoying Faye's discomfort, leaned forward. "What about music? Do you two want to swap playlists while you're at it?"

Edward's eyes flicked briefly to Ava before returning to Faye. "What do you listen to?"

"Um, mostly indie stuff," Faye said quickly, feeling like she was under a spotlight. "Nothing too mainstream."

Edward nodded, as though that told him everything he needed to know.

Faye couldn't understand why he was so interested in her, but she also couldn't deny the strange pull she felt toward him. There was something about Edward that both intrigued and unnerved her, and she wasn't sure what to make of it.

The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, and Faye nearly sighed with relief. Edward stood, grabbing his untouched tray. "Thank you for letting me sit with you," he said, his gaze lingering on Faye for a moment before he turned and walked away.

Faye watched him go, her heart pounding.

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In biology, Faye tried to focus on the lecture, but her mind kept drifting to Edward. She could feel his presence behind her, even though he didn't say a word. When she glanced back once, she caught him watching her, his dark eyes filled with something she couldn't quite place.

After class, Ava wasted no time interrogating her. "Okay, what was that about?"

"What was what about?" Faye asked, feigning ignorance as they walked down the hall.

"You and Edward Cullen, obviously! Why was he sitting with us? And why was he asking you all those questions?"

"I don't know," Faye said honestly. "He just... showed up."

"And you didn't think that was weird?" Ava pressed.

"Of course I thought it was weird," Faye muttered. "But what was I supposed to do? Tell him to go away?"

Ava gave her a skeptical look. "I don't know, Faye. It seems like he's into you or something."

Faye laughed, though the sound came out strained. "Yeah, right."

Behind them, Edward walked a careful distance away, his sharp ears picking up every word of their conversation. A part of him felt smug hearing Ava's remark, even though he knew he was treading dangerous territory.

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After school, Edward waited near the parking lot, his instincts on edge. He couldn't explain it, but something about the atmosphere felt... wrong.

When Faye emerged from the building, her bag slung over one shoulder, Edward stepped forward. "Faye."

She stopped, surprised to see him. "Edward? What are you doing here?"

"Walking you home," he said simply.

Faye frowned. "You don't have to do that."

"I know," Edward said, his voice softer now. "But I want to."

She hesitated, but eventually nodded. "Okay, then."

They walked in silence at first, the snow crunching under their feet. Faye was hyper-aware of Edward's presence beside her, his steps unnervingly quiet compared to her own.

"Do you always do that?" she asked suddenly.

"Do what?"

"Show up out of nowhere."

Edward smiled faintly. "Not always."

Faye rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling a little. Despite herself, she felt oddly safe with him, even though there was something about him that still felt... off.

Edward, on the other hand, was fighting a war within himself. His hunger was unbearable, his throat burning with the need to hunt. He shouldn't have been this close to her—shouldn't have allowed himself to walk beside her, breathing in her scent, listening to her heartbeat.

His family's warnings echoed in his mind. You're playing with fire, Edward.

By the time they reached her house, Edward's jaw was clenched tight. "Goodnight, Faye," he said, his voice strained.

"Goodnight," she replied, watching him with a puzzled expression as he turned and disappeared into the night.

Edward didn't stop running until he reached the forest, where Emmett was waiting for him.

"Finally decided to feed?" Emmett asked, raising an eyebrow.

Edward's eyes, black as coal, burned with desperation. "I didn't have a choice."

Emmett clapped him on the back. "Let's get to it, then."

As Edward sank his teeth into the neck of a deer, the burning in his throat eased, but his mind remained restless. He knew he was losing control, and it terrified him.

But what terrified him more was the thought of staying away from Faye.

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