Archive of Our Own ^beta

The sky over Forks hung low, like the lid of a coffin under which breath stilled with the weight of meaninglessness. The rain enveloped every part of this city, creating a kind of dome that made this place special, mysterious. 

Jacob Black hadn’t planned on studying here. But he couldn't live like this anymore, the incident that happened at his previous school left a huge hole in him that his father wanted to fill by sending him here to his werewolf relatives. Soon he will become the head of the clan, become an alpha, prove himself in action, but this will only happen after finishing school. Jacob can't wait to become a leader, lead the pack, and show his leadership qualities. He's been working towards this since he was a child. 

And so he found himself here — surrounded by whispers, sullen faces, and unfamiliar glances.

And then he saw him.

He entered the classroom like a shadow slipping silently across the walls. Tall, graceful, and far too perfect for a school uniform.

Edward Cullen.

His pale skin looked nearly sickly, his lips the color of frost, and his eyes... his eyes held a shimmer of mercury and a longing for something unreachable.

The world seemed to stop.

No teacher, no student introduced Jacob to Edward.

Yet Black could feel Cullen’s gaze — intense, wordlessly saying “I’m watching you.” Edward was studying him, provoking, refusing to look away. It was a kind of introduction all its own.

Jacob was the first to break eye contact, startled by Mike Newton.

A tall boy with ashy blond hair and striking blue eyes stepped up, clearly intrigued by the new, broad-shouldered student.

“Hey, your name’s JayJay, right?” Mike asked awkwardly, extending his hand with a hopeful grin. “I’m Mike Newton. Let's play volleyball with my friends, you'll fit in perfectly”

“Close. Call me Jacob,” Black smiled, genuinely pleased to make a friend. He shook Mike’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Mike. I’m actually interested in your offer.. when’s it happening?”

“Two hours from now, in the second southern gym.” Mike’s smile seemed to light up the whole corridor.

Someone called Mike from across the room, and he hurriedly added,

“Well, see you there, Jacob! Hope you’ll show up!”

“Count on it, man,” Jacob called back, waving. And at last, the teacher arrived, drowning them all in a boring lecture.

During the break, their eyes met again in the hallway.

That stare — heavy, expectant, like a predator waiting for the perfect moment to strike. And Jacob? He felt every inch the prey.

“You’re new,” Edward said, his voice cold enough to pierce bone, yet laced with something unfathomably alluring.

“And you…” Jacob faltered. He didn’t know what to say. Every particle is tense and it's all because of this restless, handsome, pale guy... Stop. 

“I’m Edward. Cullen,” he said, offering no handshake. Just watching.

“Jacob Black,” Jacob finally said, barely audible. “We haven’t met before, have we?”

Edward smirked faintly, the corner of his mouth twitching.

“Perhaps. But not like this.”

From that moment on, silence spoke louder than any words.

They were in the same chemistry class, again, Jacob pretended not to glance at Edward every minute, trying to do his work well. 

His skin prickled whenever Cullen walked too close. And he couldn’t tell - who was more dangerous?

He realized he’d been caught in a vortex.

But he didn’t yet know who would drag the other down first.