The bell rang at the end of lunch, signaling the next class. Aiden headed to Bio II, where Angela and some of the boys — Mike and Eric — sat at a table.
Mr. Banner signed his slip and directed him to a seat in the back. There were only three seats left, leaving the other two open. Typical, Aiden thought. Always stuck in the back.
His last class of the day was something new. The teacher stood out from the usual lineup — young, energetic, and with a quirky passion for her craft that the other, older teachers didn't have. She hadn't signed his slip yet but handed him a blank canvas instead.
"I want you to put something on this by next week. Show me what you've got—express yourself," she said, waving him away to start the project.
Aiden found a spot by the window, where the late afternoon sun filtered softly through scattered clouds. Outside, the trees swayed gently in the breeze, the green forest stretching in calm contrast to the bustling school inside.
He pulled out his notebook, full of sketches and drawings from the year. But nothing came. His mind blanked. The ideas wouldn't flow. Why does this feel so damn hard all of a sudden? he wondered. Maybe I'm just tired. Or maybe this is what happens when you're always half a step away from everyone else.
The brush stayed dry, and the minutes ticked by without progress.
The bell rang three times, the clear signal that the school day was over. Students packed up, scattering to whatever plans awaited them.
Aiden gathered his things and approached the teacher's desk for her signature on his slip. Then he headed out, dropping the completed slip at the main office before walking out the door — this time without bumping into anyone. Progress, he thought wryly.
Outside, the sky had turned grey, and a gentle rain began to fall as he crossed the street. Storefronts blurred behind the steady drip—public library, courthouse, and other small businesses. The courthouse looked almost like a mansion, grand and silent. This town feels like it's trying to hide something behind all this quiet.
Across the street was a coffee shop. The scent of fresh baked goods and rich coffee beans drifted through the air, mingling with the faint drizzle. Somewhere in there, people are probably pretending everything's normal.
Aiden noticed Jessica and her group pull up in a white Mercury, heading inside for their drinks and snacks. Guess they can't get enough of the spotlight.
He kept walking, passing the police station — a medium-sized, one-story building with tinted windows, wood and steel exterior, and glass doors etched with "Forks Police Department."
Inside, the station was small but lively, filled with the hum of conversation and the sweet scent of honeydew drifting through the air. Rows of officers' desks lined both sides of the room, leaving a small receptionist area in the middle.
"Hola, mijo, ¿en qué te puedo ayudar?" said an older woman with short light brown hair streaked with honey and white. Her emerald-green eyes lifted from the keyboard to smile warmly at him. (Hello, darling, how can I help you?)
"Yes ma'am, I'm looking for Officer Steve. He told me to come here," Aiden replied, lowering his gaze respectfully. Hope this doesn't take too long.
"Ay dios mío, you're Steve's boy? ¡Te ves guapo! Come here, let me give you a hug." She stood quickly, pulling him into a gentle embrace. (Oh my God, you look handsome!)
Aiden blinked, caught off guard by the sudden affection from a stranger. It felt strange but oddly comforting. I guess people here are different. Maybe not all bad.
"Lo siento, mijo. We've been waiting for you to come down here for a while... even made silent bets. Plus, I'm a hugger," she said with a warm chuckle, sitting back down.
"Well, Officer Steve is still on patrol. You can wait in the break room back there, on the right. Bathroom's on the left," she pointed toward the doors down the hall.
"I've got cake and cookies in the fridge, and some soda if you want some," she added cheerfully.
"Thank you, ma'am. I appreciate it," Aiden said, rubbing the back of his neck. Cake and cookies? I'll take it.
"I'm Mrs. Blossom, by the way," she said, smiling.
"Gracias, señora Blossom. Se lo agradezco," he replied politely, before heading down the hall.
"¿Tú hablas español?" she asked, surprised.
"Sí, lo tomé durante cuatro años en mi antigua escuela, y además tengo una aplicación," he said casually. (Yes, I took it for four years at my old school and I also have an app.)
"Dios mío, eso es maravilloso," she exclaimed, practically bouncing in her chair, hands clasped. (Oh my God, that's wonderful!)
Aiden smiled faintly, waving goodbye as he moved toward the break room. Maybe this place isn't so bad after all.