Alex couldn't stop replaying last night's conversation in his mind: the tension in Alice's voice, Rosalie's steady presence, and above all, the honesty that cracked everything wide open.
Vampires. The cold ones. His life in Forks, which had already seemed unreal compared to the life he'd lived before, suddenly felt more like a story he'd read in another world. But as strange as it was, he felt even more drawn toward them—because truth, finally, was out in the open.
By the next morning, Alex knew he wanted to show Alice and Rosalie something just as honest—a night marked by courage and trust. He fidgeted with his phone, then finally typed:
How about a real date? Just us, somewhere quiet. No secrets, just… whatever this is.
Alice's reply came back instantly, full of exclamation points and hearts. Rosalie's followed—short, measured, but certain: "Let's."
That evening, as dusk softened the sky, Alex arrived early at the old section of the river trail. He kept checking his phone and glancing at the patch of grass where he'd laid out a blanket, a thermos, and a small tin of cookies. Even though he knew they wouldn't—or couldn't—eat, he wanted to offer something for the comfort of tradition.
He took a nervous breath, running his hand along the grass. The world was quiet, punctuated only by a distant bird call and the rush of river water over stones. Alex let a spark of energy tingle through his fingers. Pebbles surrounding the blanket started to glow—a faint, golden light pulsing in time with his heartbeat.
He barely heard their steps on the dirt path, but Alice's laugh always gave her away. She arrived out of the gloom, eyes wide as they caught the light, energy brightening the clearing. Rosalie followed, quiet and reserved, but there was tenderness in her glance that Alex recognized as trust.
Alice froze mid-step, her jaw slackening and then turning up into a dazzling grin. "Wow. Okay, you definitely didn't say 'picnic by the river' came with special effects."
Without thinking, she hurried closer to the glowing stones, kneeling and reaching a hand toward the gentle light as if trying to feel its warmth. Rosalie's eyes widened, a rare hitch in her composure, and Alex saw genuine amazement flicker over her face. It made his heart squeeze with pride.
Alex grinned, suddenly shy. "Figured you deserved to see some of my tricks too."
Rosalie crouched near him, brushing her fingertips over a glowing stone. She glanced up, her lips curling into a genuine smile—one so soft it made her look younger for a second. "It's beautiful," she murmured, voice tinged with surprise and something like awe.
For a long moment, the three of them just looked at each other, the magic making the night feel new.
Eventually, they sat, the grass cool beneath them and the sound of water blending with crickets. The lights flickered just enough to look like fireflies, swirling and blinking among the reeds. Occasionally, one would drift close, casting golden sparkles over Alice's delighted laughter or the gentle strength in Rosalie's gaze.
The conversation started light— family mishaps, bad TV shows, favorite songs. Alice challenged Alex to a duel over who had the most embarrassing music taste; Rosalie, rolling her eyes, deadpanned her own worst, and laughter filled the darkness.
But as the moon rose and shadows grew deeper, their words tapered off. The silence between them was comfortable, yet thick with anticipation—Alex felt that gravity, the moment every secret-keeper knows: when honesty must step out from the dark.
He hesitated, then gave a crooked smile. "Okay, this probably sounds nuts, but… I woke up one day knowing there was more to me—a past, or maybe a couple of past lives—I don't really get it. I just know it made me different. I picked up some powers along the way—this stuff—" He waved at the lights. "It really doesn't come with a driver's manual."
He looked down, then back at them, voice more vulnerable now: "I can't tell you everything, not because I don't trust you, but because… well, some of it isn't just my secret. Destinies, threads, cosmic stuff. You know—'the usual'."
He let out a breathy, awkward laugh, rubbing his neck. "So, yeah. I'm weird. But maybe being weird just means more stories to tell. Honestly? I think that's why I fit with you two."
Alice blinked, her mouth open in open surprise, eyes shining in the glow. "Alex… you—you're honestly, actually magic." Then she broke into an incredulous, delighted laugh and bumped his shoulder, grinning. "That's amazing. You're amazing."
Rosalie sat back, just watching him, a hint of awe lingering in her gaze. Then she seemed to process it all, and her rare smile widened. "None of us are normal," she said quietly.
"But normal's overrated. Stick with us, Alex."
Alice took his hand and squeezed it—a steady, grounding touch. "No more pretending then," she whispered. "Not tonight."
The magic pulsed between them—Alex sent light skimming along the water, shaped flickering leaves into wandering patterns.
Alice and Rosalie watched with wonder, leaning closer with every new display. Alice's laughter rang out, bright and genuine, while Rosalie, in an unguarded moment, let her head rest on Alex's shoulder.
"What would you call that trick?" Alice murmured, voice breathless with delight.
Alex grinned. "Not a trick. It's something deeper."
They talked for hours, voices soft so as not to break the spell. Their questions and confessions were gentle and brave—what Alex remembered from other lives, what scared him most about loving people like them, what hope meant, now that trust was real. Alice told a story of her loneliest winter, ending with the hope this little trio gave her. Rosalie admitted she sometimes felt most alive in moments like this, surrounded by honesty and light.
Sometime deep into the night, as the firefly-lights faded and the stars spread overhead, Alex noticed his anxiety had melted away, replaced only by warmth—a kind of peace he'd never known before.
As they packed up the blanket, the soft glow of Alex's fading magic flickered around them, echoing the gentle comfort that settled among the three. Alice hummed a tune under her breath, shooting Alex a shy smile. Rosalie's hand found his arm for a moment, her touch steady and warm—grounding him more than words ever could.
They walked together to the edge of the clearing, stars blinking overhead. For a moment, nobody spoke. Alice stopped, turning to look up into Alex's eyes, searching, as if wanting reassurance before she said—or did—anything else.
With a little laugh, almost nervous, she leaned in and pressed a quick, sweet kiss to his lips. It was soft and unplanned, lingering just long enough to say everything words couldn't.
Alex's breath caught—his heart hammered in the best possible way. A slow, warm smile spread across his face.
Before he could recover, Rosalie stepped in close, her fingers brushing lightly across his cheek. There was something sure and gentle in her touch—a kind of strength he hadn't known he needed.
She leaned in and placed a brief, tender kiss on his temple. The gesture felt so natural yet so full of meaning Alex found himself blinking back something that might've been happy tears.
They all stood there for a moment, sharing the quiet, steady comfort, breathing in the crisp night air, letting the magic of the moment settle.
Then Alice gave his hand a squeeze, and she and Rosalie slipped quietly into the shadows, leaving Alex standing alone beneath the stars.
But this time, as he turned for home, his heart wasn't full because of magic—it was full because what they'd shared was finally honest, hopeful, and real.