Feb 16, 2026 - Canalside, Leicester, UK.
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Shana Pearson - Ignite (2023)
Shana Pearson – Ignite (2023)
This is her fourth album, following Regarde-Moi (2009), which went gold (no less!), Love Inferno (2013), and Fearless (2016).
It’s never easy to write a good, comprehensive review. Nor a list, for that matter! Especially when it comes to artists we love.
Shana is a singer, songwriter, vocal coach, and consultant.
I am a huge music lover. I love every decade since…
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Chapter 2
Word Count: 8,666
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The muffled sound of Seraphina’s alarm clock buzzed from the nightstand, dragging her out of a deep sleep. She groaned, rolling over and slamming her hand on the snooze button.
“Five more minutes…” she mumbled into her pillow, her fiery red hair splayed across it like a halo.
But the clock wasn’t listening. Five minutes turned into ten, and then the alarm blared again. Seraphina let out a long, dramatic sigh, lifting her head just enough to glare at the offending clock. “Why does school have to start so early?”
Dragging herself upright, she stretched, the cold morning air biting against her skin. “Alright, Sera. You’ve got this,” she muttered to herself, rubbing her eyes. “New town, new school, and… ugh, too much responsibility.”
[[MORE]]With a reluctant groan, she shuffled to her vanity. Her hair was a wild mess, and her reflection didn’t look too thrilled to be awake. She stared at herself for a moment, contemplating going back to bed. But then she thought about Bella—who would definitely just roll out of bed and call it a day—and shook her head.
“Can’t look like I just survived a hurricane,” she said to herself, grabbing her brush.
After taming her hair, she reached for her curling iron. It wasn’t much—just loose waves at the ends—but it was enough to make her feel put together. She added a touch of mascara, some blush to brighten her cheeks, and a swipe of gloss. “Minimal effort, maximum effect,” she said with a small smirk.
Once she was satisfied, she moved to her closet, debating between a few options. “Okay, what says ‘I’m trying but not trying too hard?’” She finally settled on black jeans, a red floral top, and a matching cardigan. Pulling on her boots, she gave herself a quick once-over in the mirror.
“Presentable enough,” she muttered before heading downstairs.
The house was still quiet as Seraphina stepped into the kitchen, rubbing her arms against the morning chill. She glanced at the clock and groaned again. “Why am I up this early? Oh, right, because Charlie won’t pack himself lunch.”
She grabbed the bread and started assembling sandwiches, muttering to herself as she worked. “One for Dad, one for me… and Bella can fend for herself if she wants to eat cafeteria food. Gross.” She wrinkled her nose at the thought.
Just as she was wrapping the lunches, Bella trudged into the kitchen, her hair a rumpled mess, still wearing the green button-up shirt from the day before.
“Morning,” Bella mumbled, grabbing a bottle of orange juice from the fridge.
“Morning,” Seraphina replied, eyeing her sister with amusement. “That’s what you’re wearing?”
Bella glanced down at her outfit. “What’s wrong with it?”
“Nothing,” Seraphina said with a smirk. “It screams 'I just rolled out of bed.’ Very chic.”
Bella shrugged, taking a swig straight from the bottle. “Whatever. I’m not trying to impress anyone.”
“Clearly,” Seraphina quipped, turning back to her lunches. “So, what do you want for lunch?”
“I’m just gonna eat at school,” Bella said, setting the bottle down.
Seraphina froze mid-wrap, slowly turning to face her sister. “School food? Bella, do you have a death wish?”
“It’s not that bad,” Bella said, rolling her eyes. “It’s just food.”
“Food is a strong word for what they serve,” Seraphina said, grimacing. “It’s like… warm cardboard with questionable meat.”
Bella shrugged again, completely unbothered. “I’m fine with it.”
“Suit yourself,” Seraphina said, shaking her head. “But when you’re regretting your life choices halfway through lunch, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Charlie entered the kitchen then, buttoning up his uniform. He glanced between his daughters, his eyebrows raising slightly at their contrasting appearances.
“Morning, girls,” he said, grabbing a mug from the cupboard. “Sera, you’re up early.”
“Don’t remind me,” Seraphina said, stifling a yawn. “I don’t even know why. I think I’m just running on autopilot at this point.”
Charlie chuckled, pouring himself some coffee. “Looks like you’re ready for the red carpet,” he said, nodding at her outfit.
“Thanks, Dad,” she said with a grin. “Figured one of us should look like they’re trying.”
Charlie’s gaze shifted to Bella, who was busy scrolling on her phone. “And I’m guessing you’re not trying?”
Bella looked up, blinking. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”
“Nothing,” Charlie said quickly, hiding his smile behind his coffee mug. “Just… different styles, I guess.”
Seraphina handed Charlie his lunch bag. “Here you go, Dad. Lunch made with love.”
“Thanks, kiddo,” he said, ruffling her hair. “You didn’t have to, but I appreciate it.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Seraphina said, brushing him off with a laugh. She grabbed her own lunch and slung her bag over her shoulder. “Alright, I’m ready to face the horrors of high school. You two coming?”
Bella grabbed her backpack, still looking half-asleep. “Yeah, yeah. Let’s go.”
As they headed out to the cars, Seraphina glanced at Bella. “Seriously, though. School food? You’re braver than me.”
Bella rolled her eyes. “It’s fine.”
“Alright,” Seraphina said with a smirk, climbing into her car. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Seraphina sat behind the wheel of her Impala, her fingers drumming lightly on the steering wheel as the opening chords of her favorite playlist filled the car. The music was bright and lively, a mix of upbeat indie and soft rock that made her feel just a little more prepared to face the day. She adjusted the volume, letting the melodies hum through the cabin.
The road to Forks High School was lined with towering trees, the mist from the morning clinging to the air. Seraphina glanced at her phone mounted on the dash for navigation. “Okay, turn left here… or is it right?” she muttered to herself, pausing at an intersection.
The GPS recalculated, and she laughed softly. “Well, glad I left early.”
She rolled down the window slightly, letting the cool air mix with the warmth of the car’s interior. Tapping along to the beat, she hummed to herself as the familiar rush of excitement bubbled up inside her. Forks was new, and the first day of school might be terrifying, but at least she had her music.
“Alright, Sera,” she said to herself, nodding along with the song. “Deep breath. You’ve got this.”
Meanwhile, Bella followed a few car lengths behind in her orange truck. The loud rumble of the engine drowned out any hope of music. She hadn’t even bothered to pick a playlist—her old phone sat untouched in the cup holder, and the silence was only broken by the occasional clunk of the gears shifting.
Her expression was one of quiet resignation, her hands gripping the wheel as she squinted through the mist. Every so often, she glanced at the Impala ahead, noticing how smoothly it glided along the road compared to her truck’s bumpy ride.
Inside her car, Bella let out a heavy sigh. “First day back in Forks. Great,” she muttered under her breath.
She reached for her phone, scrolling aimlessly for something to listen to. Her thumb hovered over a playlist, but she quickly gave up, tossing the phone back into the holder. “Not worth it,” she mumbled.
The sputtering growl of Bella’s truck filled the school parking lot as she pulled into an empty space near the back. The engine gave a loud clunk before finally cutting off, leaving her sitting in silence. She gripped the steering wheel for a moment, taking a deep breath.
First day at a new school, she thought, watching a few students glance her way. March. In the middle of the semester. Perfect.
Bella pushed open the door with a creak and stepped out, clutching a few papers to her chest. The chilly Forks air nipped at her face as a small group of students nearby started giggling.
“Nice ride,” one of them called out, their tone dripping with amusement.
Bella flushed, ducking her head. “Thanks,” she mumbled, quickening her pace toward the school building. The papers in her hand rustled as she fidgeted with them, trying not to trip over her own feet.
Just as she reached the sidewalk, the sleek purr of an engine cut through the parking lot noise. Heads turned as a shiny burgundy Impala glided into the lot, effortlessly pulling into a space just a few down from Bella’s truck. The car gleamed in the weak morning light, its polished exterior a sharp contrast to the rusted red behemoth Bella had arrived in.
The door to the Impala opened, and out stepped Seraphina Swan, her fiery red hair catching the light as she slung her bag over one shoulder. She closed the door with a confident click and locked the car, her heels clicking faintly on the pavement as she walked.
Bella stopped on the sidewalk, glancing back at her sister. “Really?” she muttered under her breath as Seraphina caught up.
“What?” Seraphina said with a smirk. “I told you, if I’m going to be stuck in Forks, I’m at least going to enjoy driving something that doesn’t sound like it’s falling apart.”
Bella rolled her eyes, turning toward the building. “Let’s just get this over with.”
They walked together, though it was hard to believe they were even related. Bella kept her head down, clutching her papers tighter, while Seraphina strode confidently beside her, her red cardigan catching the eye of more than one student.
“Deathtrap made it here okay, huh?” Seraphina teased, nudging Bella with her elbow.
Bella sighed. “Barely.”
“Thought so,” Seraphina said, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “Pretty sure they were laughing at the truck, not you.”
“Thanks,” Bella muttered, her cheeks reddening further.
Before Bella could reply, a boy with shaggy black hair and a wide grin appeared out of nowhere, practically bouncing in front of them.
“You’re Isabella Swan, right?” he said, beaming at Bella. “The new girl! Hi, I’m Eric—eyes and ears of this place. Anything you need? Tour guide? Lunch date? Shoulder to cry on?”
Bella froze, staring at him like a deer in headlights. “Uh… I’m really more of the 'suffer in silence’ type,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Seraphina snorted, stepping in. “She’s not kidding. Brooding’s kind of her thing.”
Eric’s eyes darted to Seraphina, his grin faltering for a split second before returning in full force. “And you are…?”
“Seraphina Swan,” she said smoothly, extending a hand. “The other new girl. I think we’re good, but thanks for the offer.”
“Feisty,” Eric said, shaking her hand with an exaggerated nod. “I like it.”
Bella shot Seraphina a pleading look. “Please don’t encourage him.”
Eric turned back to Bella, undeterred. “Good headline for your feature! I’m on the paper, and you’re news, baby. Front page.”
Bella’s eyes widened in horror. “No, I’m not! Please don't—”
Eric held up his hands, backing off slightly. “Whoa, chillax. No feature. Got it.”
“'Chillax?’” Seraphina said, raising an eyebrow. “Do people still say that?”
Eric chuckled nervously. “Only when the moment calls for it.”
“Right,” Seraphina said with a faint smirk. “Let’s keep it that way.”
Eric gave a sheepish grin before heading off, throwing a quick wave over his shoulder. Bella groaned, clutching her papers like a shield.
“Why?” she hissed at Seraphina. “Why do you have to make things worse?”
“Worse?” Seraphina said, laughing. “I just saved you from being the subject of some front-page embarrassment. You’re welcome.”
Bella glared at her sister but didn’t reply, turning toward the school building. Seraphina followed, completely unbothered by the stares that followed them.
As they walked through the doors, Bella muttered, “This is going to be a nightmare.”
Seraphina grinned, her confidence unwavering. “You mean for you. I think I’m going to enjoy this.”
And with that, they stepped into the chaos of Forks High School—one ready to survive, the other ready to take it on.
The small, wood-paneled office smelled faintly of printer ink and pine-scented air freshener. Bella stepped through the door first, her shoulders slightly hunched as though trying to make herself invisible. Seraphina followed close behind, her boots clicking softly against the linoleum floor.
Behind the counter, a woman with a kind but tired smile glanced up from her computer. Her name tag read “Mrs. Cope.” She adjusted her glasses and waved them over.
“Ah, you must be the Swan sisters,” she said warmly. “Welcome to Forks High.”
Bella nodded awkwardly, mumbling a quiet “Thanks” as she fidgeted with the strap of her backpack. Seraphina, on the other hand, offered a polite but confident smile.
“Yep, that’s us,” Seraphina said. “Here to pick up our schedules.”
Mrs. Cope typed something into her computer before printing two sheets of paper. She handed one to Bella and the other to Seraphina. “Here you go. If you need any help finding your classes, don’t hesitate to ask. I’m sure some of the students will be happy to point you in the right direction.”
Bella stared at her schedule, her face quickly falling. “Oh, great,” she muttered under her breath.
“What?” Seraphina asked, already scanning her own schedule.
“We have PE together,” Bella said, her voice filled with dread. “And lunch. That’s it. Just those two.”
Seraphina raised an eyebrow and shrugged. “Could be worse.”
“Worse?” Bella hissed, leaning closer to her sister. “We’ll barely see each other. And PE? Really? I’m going to trip over something, I just know it.”
Seraphina smirked, folding her schedule and tucking it into her pocket. “Look at the bright side. At least you’ll get some exercise.”
Bella glared at her. “This isn’t funny, Sera.”
“Okay, okay, relax,” Seraphina said, raising her hands in mock surrender. “Look, PE isn’t that bad. Just stick to the back of the group and pretend to try. No one will even notice.”
“You don’t get it,” Bella muttered, looking at the floor. “I hate PE.”
“And I hate math, but we all have our crosses to bear,” Seraphina said with a grin. “Anyway, lunch is a win. At least we can eat together.”
Bella frowned. “Yeah, surrounded by strangers.”
Seraphina rolled her eyes, leaning casually against the counter. “You’re acting like this is some sort of punishment. It’s just school, Bella. You sit, you listen, you go home. It’s not the end of the world.”
“For you, maybe,” Bella said under her breath.
Mrs. Cope cleared her throat gently, breaking the tension. “If there’s anything else you need—maps, locker assignments, anything—just let me know.”
“Thanks,” Seraphina said, flashing her a quick smile. She nudged Bella lightly. “Come on, let’s figure out where our first classes are.”
Bella sighed, reluctantly following her sister out of the office. “You’re way too okay with this.”
Seraphina shrugged, unfolding her schedule as they walked. “It’s high school, Bella. It’s not supposed to be fun. Just… don’t overthink it.”
Bella muttered something unintelligible, clutching her papers as they stepped into the hallway. The distant sound of lockers slamming and voices chattering filled the air.
“Alright,” Seraphina said, scanning her schedule again. “First period’s English for me. You?”
Bella glanced at her paper, her expression souring even more. “Biology.”
“Well, good luck with that,” Seraphina said, slapping her lightly on the back. “Don’t trip over a microscope.”
Bella groaned. “I hate you.”
“No, you don’t,” Seraphina said with a grin. “You’ll thank me at lunch.”
Bella didn’t answer, instead tightening her grip on her bag and trudging off toward her class. Seraphina shook her head, amused, before turning and heading off to hers.
Seraphina strode into the English classroom, her boots hitting the linoleum floor with a deliberate, confident rhythm. She scanned the room with a cool gaze, the kind that made it clear she wasn’t here to impress anyone—but if they noticed her, she wasn’t going to stop them either. The room itself was unremarkable, with plain rows of desks and chattering students, but her attention quickly zeroed in on two figures near the back.
A broad-shouldered guy with dark hair sat slouched in his chair, casually tossing a pencil into the air, his easy grin suggesting he owned the room without even trying. Beside him, a blonde girl sat upright, poised and untouchable, her golden eyes flickering with a sharp awareness that didn’t miss a thing. Both of them turned their attention to her the moment she stepped inside.
“Morning,” Seraphina said, her voice casual but commanding as she moved toward the desk next to the guy. She let her bag drop onto the surface with a satisfying thud before sinking into the chair, smirking at him. “This seat taken?”
“Not at all,” he said, his grin widening as he caught the pencil mid-air. “I’m Emmett.”
“Seraphina,” she replied, shaking his hand with a firm grip. “Nice to meet you.”
“And this,” Emmett added, gesturing to the blonde beside him, “is Rosalie.”
Rosalie gave her a polite nod, her expression composed but slightly cautious. Seraphina returned the nod, sensing that whatever the blonde’s deal was, it wasn’t hostility—just careful observation. Fine by her.
“New girl, huh?” Emmett said, leaning back in his chair. “You’re already making waves. That car of yours turned more heads this morning than the school’s fire drills.”
Seraphina chuckled, flipping a strand of her fiery hair over her shoulder. “Yeah, well, if I’m going to survive Forks, I might as well drive something that doesn’t make me want to cry. What about you two? Not locals, I’m guessing.”
“Something like that,” Emmett said, his grin never faltering. “What brought you here?”
“Family,” Seraphina said with a shrug. “My dad’s here. Thought I’d try out the whole small-town thing.”
Before Emmett could respond, a shadow fell over her desk. She glanced up to see a blond guy leaning against the edge of her desk, a cocky smile plastered across his face.
“You must be the new girl,” he said, his voice full of unwarranted confidence. “I’m Mike. Need someone to show you around?”
Seraphina raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching into a smirk. “Pretty sure I can figure it out myself, but thanks.”
Mike, apparently not one to take a hint, leaned in a little closer. “Come on, it’s a small school. I can show you all the best spots, introduce you to people. You’d be in good hands with me as your guide.”
“Hard pass,” Seraphina said, her tone sharp enough to cut glass. She leaned back in her chair, folding her arms as if dismissing him entirely. “But hey, thanks for the ego boost.”
Mike blinked, clearly not used to rejection, and laughed awkwardly. “Uh… well, if you change your mind—”
“I won’t,” she said with a quick laugh, waving him off like he was an annoying fly. “You can go now.”
Flustered, Mike straightened up and muttered something under his breath before slinking off.
As soon as he was out of earshot, Emmett burst into laughter, clapping his hands together. “Man, that was brutal. Mike’s not going to know what hit him.”
Seraphina smirked, tilting her head toward Emmett. “Does he try that on every new girl, or am I just special?”
“Every single one,” Emmett said, grinning. “But I’ve never seen anyone shut him down that fast. You’re already my favorite new student.”
Rosalie finally spoke, her voice calm but tinged with amusement. “You’re brave. Most people try to stay on his good side on their first day.”
“Brave? No,” Seraphina said, shrugging. “I just have a low tolerance for idiots.”
Rosalie’s lips twitched into a faint smile, but her gaze flicked toward the window, where she could just make out the parking lot. “That’s your car, right? The Impala?”
Seraphina raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the sudden question. “Yeah. Why?”
Rosalie’s golden eyes gleamed with genuine interest, her earlier caution melting away slightly. “It’s a '67, right? Restored, by the looks of it. The paint job’s flawless.”
A grin spread across Seraphina’s face. “Good eye. My dad and his friend rebuilt it, actually. Took months, but they did an amazing job.”
Rosalie leaned forward slightly, her curiosity clear. “So, what’s under the hood?”
“350 small-block V8,” Seraphina said, her tone casual but proud. “I may not have rebuilt it myself, but I spent enough time with my dad to stuff”
Emmett let out a low whistle. “Tuned up?”
“Of course,” Seraphina said with a smirk. “She purrs like a dream.”
Rosalie’s posture relaxed completely as she smiled—an actual, genuine smile. “Your dad and his friend know what they’re doing. I’d love to take a look sometime.”
“Anytime,” Seraphina said easily. “Though I’ll warn you, I get very protective of her.”
“I’d expect nothing less,” Rosalie replied, her tone light but approving.
Emmett glanced between the two of them, shaking his head with a grin. “And here I thought cars weren’t your thing, Rose. Guess I was wrong.”
“They are when they’re done right,” Rosalie said simply, her golden eyes flicking back to Seraphina with newfound respect.
The teacher entered the room then, silencing further conversation. But as the class began, Seraphina couldn’t help but feel a small sense of satisfaction. It wasn’t often you met people who actually got it, but Rosalie seemed to. And Emmett? He just looked like he was having the time of his life.
By the time the bell rang, Seraphina packed up her things and glanced at the two of them. “See you around?”
“Count on it,” Emmett said with a grin.
Rosalie nodded. “And maybe next time, we’ll talk more about that Impala.”
“Looking forward to it,” Seraphina said, slinging her bag over her shoulder and walking out with a confident stride.
The history classroom was smaller and darker, with rows of desks crammed together and shelves lined with dusty textbooks. Seraphina slid into a seat near the middle of the room, pulling out her notebook. She glanced around as more students filtered in, her eyes landing on a familiar face.
Jasper Hale entered the room quietly, his golden eyes scanning the seats before they landed on her. His expression didn’t change, but there was a flicker of recognition in his gaze. He sat down in the desk beside her, placing his books neatly on the table.
“Fancy seeing you again,” Seraphina said, smirking.
Jasper tilted his head slightly. “The store, right? You were with your sister.”
“That’s me,” she said. “Small town, I guess.”
He nodded but didn’t say more. Before they could continue, the teacher entered, calling for quiet. The lesson began, but it wasn’t long before the teacher opened the floor for discussion. The topic: historical gender roles.
One boy near the front snorted, leaning back in his chair. “I don’t know why everyone’s so dramatic about it. Women had it easier back then. Stay home, cook, clean—sounds like a good deal to me.”
A murmur of agreement came from a few other boys, and Seraphina’s hand froze mid-note. Slowly, she turned in her seat, fixing the boy with a glare that could melt steel.
“Easier?” she repeated, her voice sharp and cutting. “You mean being treated like property, having no rights, and being told your entire worth is based on how well you can bake bread? Yeah, sounds like a dream.”
The boy laughed nervously. “I mean, it’s not like that anymore—”
“Exactly,” Seraphina shot back. “Because women fought to make sure it wasn’t. And if you’re seriously sitting here, in the 21st century, thinking it’s okay to joke about that, then maybe you need to read something other than the back of your cereal box.”
The room went silent. The boy muttered something unintelligible and slouched lower in his seat. Seraphina turned back to her notebook, shaking her head.
“Unbelievable,” she muttered.
Beside her, Jasper was quiet, his expression thoughtful. He studied her for a moment before speaking.
“That was… impressive,” he said finally.
Seraphina glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. “What? Someone had to say it.”
“I don’t disagree,” Jasper said, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “You’ve got a fire to you. I like that.”
She tilted her head, studying him. “You’re not just saying that, are you?”
“Not at all,” he said sincerely. “I think we’ll get along.”
Seraphina smirked. “Well, that makes one of us.”
Jasper chuckled softly, his calm demeanor unwavering. “We’ll see.”
As the class continued, Seraphina couldn’t shake the feeling that Jasper wasn’t just being polite. There was something about the way he watched her—like he was trying to figure her out. But she didn’t mind. If anything, she welcomed the challenge.
By the end of class, as they packed up their things, Jasper glanced at her again. “See you around, Seraphina.”
“Yeah,” she said, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “See you, Jasper.”
As she walked out of the classroom, her head held high, Jasper remained seated for a moment longer, letting the last traces of her emotions fade from the room. The lingering warmth left him shaken but strangely exhilarated. He’d felt many things in his long existence, but Seraphina’s fire? That was something else entirely.
The locker room was a symphony of banging lockers, rustling clothes, and muffled conversations. Seraphina dropped her bag onto the bench and began pulling off her cardigan, rolling her eyes as Bella flopped down dramatically beside her.
“This school is the worst,” Bella groaned, pulling at the hem of her shirt as if even the act of changing clothes was too much effort. “I hate it here already.”
“You’ve been here, what, five minutes?” Seraphina said, smirking as she tugged her gym shirt over her head. “That’s got to be some kind of record.”
Bella sighed, glaring halfheartedly at her. “It’s not just the school. It’s everything. The weather, the classes, the way everyone stares at me—like they’ve never seen a new person before.”
Seraphina shrugged, tying her sneakers. “Small town, small minds. It’s kind of their thing.”
Bella snorted. “I don’t know how you’re so calm about this. Don’t you feel… out of place?”
“Not really,” Seraphina said, adjusting her ponytail. “I don’t care what anyone thinks. Let them stare. I’d rather give them a show than disappear into the wallpaper.”
Bella rolled her eyes. “Of course you don’t care. You’re good at this kind of stuff—being confident, fitting in, whatever. I’m not.”
“That’s your problem,” Seraphina said lightly, grabbing her water bottle. “You’re too busy trying to blend in. Own your awkwardness, Bells. People love that stuff.”
Bella groaned again, slumping against the locker. “This is going to be a disaster.”
Seraphina grinned, standing and slinging her bag over her shoulder. “Only if you trip over the volleyball net. Now, come on before the coach starts yelling.”
The gym buzzed with the sounds of bouncing balls and chatter as the students gathered near the court. The coach blew the whistle, calling for attention, and began dividing them into teams. Seraphina stretched her arms, her sharp eyes scanning the opposing side. Bella hovered near the back, trying to avoid eye contact with anyone.
“You got this, Bells,” Seraphina said, smirking as she took her place at the front. “Just stay out of the way, and you’ll be fine.”
“Great advice,” Bella muttered, moving to the back corner of her team’s side, hoping the ball would stay far away from her.
The game started, and Seraphina came alive. She dove, spiked, and blocked with precision, her movements fluid and confident. Her teammates cheered every time she sent the ball hurtling into the opposing court, and even the coach nodded in approval.
Bella, on the other hand, stayed rooted to her spot, her eyes darting nervously around the court. She flinched every time the ball came near her, her hands half-raised in a weak attempt to look like she was participating.
Then it happened. The ball soared toward Bella, and for once, she decided to go for it. With an awkward swing of her arms, she hit it—straight into Mike Newton’s face on the sidelines.
The gym went silent for half a second before bursting into laughter. Mike stumbled back, clutching his nose as the ball bounced away.
“Oh my God!” Bella gasped, running toward him. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to—are you okay?”
Mike lowered his hands, grinning despite the redness of his face. “I’m good, I’m good,” he said, laughing awkwardly. “Didn’t know you had that kind of power.”
Bella turned beet red. “I—I didn’t mean to—”
“It’s fine,” Mike said, waving her off. “Really. That was… impressive.”
Jessica Stanley appeared out of nowhere, her smile overly bright as she inserted herself into the conversation. “Nice spike, Bella,” she said, her laugh a little too forced. “Really nailed it.”
“Uh, thanks?” Bella said, her voice unsure.
Jessica turned to Mike. “You’re okay, right? I mean, Bella’s got quite the aim.”
Mike chuckled, his gaze still fixed on Bella. “She’s got potential. Maybe we should practice together sometime.”
Bella blinked, flustered. “I—I don’t think that's—”
Before she could finish, the coach blew the whistle, signaling the end of class. The students began to gather their things, and Seraphina appeared at Bella’s side, her smirk firmly in place.
“Nice work,” she said, nudging Bella with her elbow. “You managed to take out Newton. Not bad for your first day.”
Bella groaned, burying her face in her hands. “This is officially the worst day of my life.”
Seraphina laughed, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “Cheer up, Bells. At least you’re memorable.”
As they headed toward the locker room to change, Seraphina glanced back at the gym, shaking her head. “Come on, let’s get to lunch before you accidentally start a food fight.”
Bella muttered something under her breath, her face still flushed as she followed her sister out of the gym.
The cafeteria buzzed with the usual noise of lunchtime chaos—chairs scraping against the floor, trays clattering, and the steady hum of student chatter. Seraphina followed Bella into the lunchroom, scanning the rows of tables before pointing to one near the window.
“Let’s sit there,” she said, leading the way without waiting for Bella’s agreement.
Bella hesitated, clutching her tray awkwardly, but eventually trailed after her sister. They sat down, Seraphina dropping her bag onto the floor and pulling out the lunch she’d packed that morning. Bella pushed her tray away, clearly unimpressed by the limp slice of pizza and unidentifiable green beans.
“I think I’ll starve before I eat that,” Bella muttered.
Seraphina smirked, unwrapping her sandwich. “Told you cafeteria food was a death sentence.”
Before Bella could reply, Jessica, Mike, Tyler, and Angela appeared, sliding into seats around the table like they’d been invited. Jessica plopped down beside Bella with a wide grin, while Mike took the spot directly across from her, his eyes lighting up.
“Hey, new girls,” Jessica said, her tone overly cheerful. “Mind if we join you?”
Seraphina shrugged. “Free country.”
Bella glanced at her sister, then gave Jessica a polite smile. “Sure.”
“So,” Jessica said, leaning closer to Bella, “you’re Isabella, right? I heard you’re the chief’s daughter. That’s got to be interesting.”
Bella shifted uncomfortably. “Not really. It’s just… my dad’s job.”
“Still,” Jessica pressed, “you’re like, big news around here. We never get anything interesting for the school paper, and now—bam! Front page material.”
Angela perked up. “It’s true. We were talking about it in journalism. There’s basically nothing ever worth writing about until now.”
Seraphina raised an eyebrow, pausing mid-bite. “Wow. I can’t decide if that’s flattering or depressing.”
“Feature’s dead, Angela,” Eric piped up, appearing out of nowhere and plopping down next to Tyler. “Don’t bring it up again!”
“It’s okay,” Bella said quickly, her voice unsure. “I just—”
“I got your back, baby,” Eric interrupted, patting Bella’s shoulder with a wink before sauntering off again.
Angela sighed. “I guess we’ll just run another editorial on teen drinking.”
“You know,” Seraphina cut in, smirking, “you could always go for something more original. Eating disorders, speedo padding on the swim team—really dig into the hard-hitting issues.”
Angela blinked, then nodded slowly. “Actually, that’s not bad.”
Jessica fake-laughed. “Totally. Kirk, right? That’s exactly what I thought.”
Angela leaned closer, whispering conspiratorially. “We’re talking Olympic-sized.”
Seraphina rolled her eyes but didn’t respond. Her attention shifted to the cafeteria doors as a ripple of quiet murmurs spread through the room. Bella followed her gaze, and her eyes landed on a group of impossibly beautiful teenagers entering the lunchroom.
“Who are they?” Bella asked quietly.
“The Cullens,” Angela said, her tone hushed.
Jessica leaned in, her voice dropping into full gossip mode. “Doctor and Mrs. Cullen’s foster kids. They all moved here from Alaska a couple years ago.”
“They kind of keep to themselves,” Angela added.
“Because they’re all together,” Jessica said, her tone dripping with judgment. “Like, together together. The blonde girl, Rosalie, and the big dark-haired guy, Emmett—they’re a thing. I’m not even sure that’s legal.”
“They’re not actually related, Jess,” Angela pointed out, rolling her eyes.
“Still weird,” Jessica muttered. “And Alice—that little pixie one? She’s with Jasper. The blonde who looks like he’s in pain all the time. It’s like Dr. Cullen’s a foster dad slash matchmaker.”
Angela grinned. “Maybe he’ll adopt me.”
Seraphina set her sandwich down, her jaw tightening. “Wow. You guys really go all out with the rumors, huh?”
Jessica blinked, startled by her tone. “What? I’m just saying—”
“You’re just saying that people you clearly don’t know are 'weird’ and 'illegal,’” Seraphina cut in sharply. “For what? Being private? Living their lives? Sounds like you’re jealous they’re not interested in your 'shiny new toy’ routine.”
The table went silent. Bella’s eyes widened, and even Mike looked uncomfortable. Jessica flushed, her mouth opening and closing as she scrambled for a response.
“They’re actually nice,” Seraphina continued, her voice firm but calm. “Rosalie’s sharp, sure, but she’s cool once you get past the icy exterior. Emmett’s a giant goofball, and Jasper—he’s thoughtful. And Alice? She’s like a damn ray of sunshine. Maybe try talking to them before deciding they’re your next gossip project.”
Jessica gaped at her, her confidence visibly deflated. Angela glanced away, fidgeting with her camera, while Tyler stared at his tray, pretending not to notice the tension.
Seraphina stood, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “You guys have fun dissecting everyone else’s lives. I’ve got better things to do.”
With that, she turned and walked across the cafeteria. The room seemed to hold its breath as she made her way to the table where the Cullens sat. Rosalie and Emmett glanced up first, their surprise evident, while Jasper tilted his head, his golden eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity. Alice beamed, clearly delighted.
Seraphina slid into an empty seat between Jasper and Emmett, ignoring the wide-eyed stares of the rest of the cafeteria. “Hey,” she said casually, pulling her sandwich back out. “Mind if I join?”
“Not at all,” Alice said, her smile lighting up the table. “Welcome.”
The Cullens exchanged glances, but no one protested. As Seraphina started eating, she could feel the weight of the cafeteria’s collective shock, but she didn’t care. Let them talk. She’d rather sit with people who actually respected boundaries than waste another second with shallow gossip.
Across the room, Bella sat frozen, unsure whether to laugh, apologize, or follow her sister. Jessica broke the silence first, muttering, “What just happened?”
Mike shrugged. “I think she likes them.”
Angela nodded slowly. “I think they like her back.”
Bella, still red-faced, buried her head in her hands. “This is going to be a long day.”
The Cullen table was quieter than the rest of the cafeteria, but the calm had a strange intensity. Seraphina felt the weight of stares from the other students as she sat down, but she brushed it off, unbothered. Alice beamed at her like they’d been friends for years, while Jasper tilted his head slightly, a quiet curiosity in his golden eyes. Emmett gave her a broad grin, and Rosalie—surprisingly—didn’t look like she was actively planning to ignore her.
Seraphina unwrapped her sandwich, her movements casual. “You know, for all the hype, this cafeteria is seriously lacking. Do they even salt the fries here?”
Rosalie raised an eyebrow, leaning forward. “You’re really not afraid of being stared at, are you?”
“Why would I be?” Seraphina replied, smirking. “If they’re gonna look, I might as well give them a show.”
Jasper chuckled softly, his eyes glinting with amusement. “Fair point.”
“Seriously,” Seraphina continued, rolling her eyes. “Half this school’s been staring at me and my sister like we just landed from Mars. It’s not that interesting.”
Rosalie’s lips twitched into a faint smile, surprising Seraphina. “It’s Forks. People need something to talk about.”
“And you’re the something right now,” Emmett said with a grin. “New girl, fancy car, quick wit—might as well have fireworks trailing behind you.”
“Please,” Seraphina said, laughing. “I’m not trying to make waves.”
“You’re doing a terrible job, then,” Jasper said, his tone dry but amused.
Seraphina leaned back in her chair, meeting his gaze with a smirk. “And here I thought I was flying under the radar.”
Rosalie scoffed lightly, shaking her head. “You’re the opposite of subtle.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Seraphina said, biting into her sandwich.
Edward, who had been watching the exchange in silence, couldn’t help but interject. “You’re… very comfortable around us.”
Seraphina turned to him, raising an eyebrow. “Should I not be?”
“No,” Edward said quickly, his voice smooth but uncertain. “I just mean… we’re not exactly approachable.”
“Speak for yourself,” Emmett said, chuckling. “I’m very approachable.”
Rosalie rolled her eyes. “Sure you are.”
Seraphina shrugged, her fiery gaze locking onto Edward. “You guys don’t seem that bad. I mean, yeah, you’re kind of… intense.” She glanced briefly at Jasper, who smirked. “But you’re not unapproachable. People just need to grow a spine.”
Edward tilted his head, his expression unreadable. “Interesting perspective.”
Jasper, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke again. “It’s not just her perspective. She’s different.”
Seraphina snorted. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just that you don’t seem bothered by much,” Jasper said. His tone was neutral, but his golden eyes held something deeper—something thoughtful. “Most people would’ve run out of here by now.”
“Why?” Seraphina asked, genuinely curious.
Rosalie leaned forward slightly, her sharp gaze studying Seraphina like she was trying to solve a puzzle. “Because people don’t usually talk to us like you do.”
Seraphina raised an eyebrow. “You mean like you’re normal? That’s probably because you are normal.”
The table went silent for a beat, and Edward’s eyes narrowed slightly. He tried again to listen to her thoughts, to understand how she could see them this way when everyone else kept their distance. But as soon as he reached out, he was met with that same wall of fire—hot, alive, and impenetrable. It flared back at him, forcing him to pull away as though it might actually burn him.
“What the hell?” he muttered under his breath.
Seraphina noticed. “What?”
Edward blinked, his composure returning quickly. “Nothing.”
“Right,” Seraphina said, clearly unconvinced. She turned back to Rosalie. “Anyway, you guys don’t exactly roll out the welcome mat, but I’m not scared of people just because they’re quiet.”
Rosalie’s lips twitched into a faint smile, and for a moment, she seemed almost relaxed. “Fair enough.”
“Besides,” Seraphina added, leaning forward with a grin, “if you were really trying to scare people off, you’d have to try harder. Emmett’s smile ruins the whole mysterious vibe.”
Emmett laughed, clapping his hands. “I like her.”
Rosalie rolled her eyes, but there was no bite to it. “Don’t encourage him.”
“Too late,” Seraphina said, grinning. “Encouragement is kind of my thing.”
Jasper chuckled softly, shaking his head. “You’re definitely not what we expected.”
“Good,” Seraphina replied easily. “I’d hate to be predictable.”
Edward leaned back slightly, still unsettled by the ease with which she navigated their dynamic. Jasper, who struggled with bloodlust, was laughing and at ease. Rosalie, who barely tolerated humans, was engaging in banter. And Seraphina herself? She acted like she belonged there, unphased by the stares or the strange undercurrent that lingered in the air.
As the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, Seraphina stood and slung her bag over her shoulder. “This was fun. I might just make this a regular thing.”
“You’re welcome anytime,” Emmett said, grinning.
Rosalie gave a small nod of approval, and Jasper simply said, “See you around.”
Edward watched her leave, his mind racing. She didn’t know what they were—of that, he was certain. But there was something about her, something that defied explanation. And for the first time in a long time, Edward couldn’t quite figure it out.
The hallway was crowded with students rushing to their next classes, but Seraphina strolled through it like she owned the place, her bag slung casually over her shoulder. Her fiery red hair swung with each confident step, and the occasional curious glance from her peers didn’t faze her in the slightest.
“Seraphina!” a voice called from behind her. She turned to see Jessica Stanley practically jogging to catch up, her expression a mix of awe and confusion.
“What’s up, Jessica?” Seraphina asked, slowing her pace just enough for Jessica to fall into step beside her.
Jessica stared at her for a moment, her mouth opening and closing as though trying to find the right words. Finally, she blurted out, “How did you do that?”
“Do what?” Seraphina asked, raising an eyebrow.
Jessica threw her hands up in exasperation. “The Cullens! Nobody talks to them, and they definitely don’t talk to us. But you were sitting at their table, laughing with them like it was no big deal!”
Seraphina shrugged, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. “Talking with people just comes naturally to some of us, I guess.”
Jessica gawked at her, clearly expecting more of an explanation. “That’s it? That’s all you’ve got?”
“Pretty much,” Seraphina said, her tone light as she adjusted the strap of her bag. “They’re just people, Jess. You should try it sometime—it might surprise you.”
Jessica sputtered, clearly unsatisfied, but Seraphina didn’t wait for a response. She gave a small wave and turned down the hallway leading to her next class.
“Unbelievable,” Jessica muttered behind her, but Seraphina didn’t look back.
Seraphina stepped into the music classroom, the soft hum of conversation fading slightly as she entered. The room was warm and inviting, with rows of chairs arranged in a semicircle around a piano at the front. Instruments of all kinds lined the walls—guitars, violins, and even a few brass instruments.
She glanced around, taking in the room—and froze.
Edward Cullen was sitting near the back, his golden eyes already fixed on her as though he’d been waiting. His expression was unreadable, but his gaze was intense, and for a moment, Seraphina wondered what the hell he was doing there.
Her first instinct was to smirk and say something snarky, but something about the way he was watching her stopped her. Instead, she broke the eye contact and walked to an empty seat a few rows away, dropping her bag onto the floor with a quiet thud.
She could feel his gaze lingering on her, but she refused to look back. Instead, she focused on the instructor, who was already explaining the day’s lesson about musical composition.
“Don’t make this weird,” she muttered under her breath to herself as she pulled out her notebook.
But even as the lesson continued, she couldn’t shake the feeling of Edward’s eyes on her, like he was trying to figure her out. She glanced at him once, catching his gaze again, and raised an eyebrow as if to silently say, What?
Edward didn’t respond, but his expression shifted slightly—confusion, maybe? Or curiosity? Whatever it was, Seraphina decided she wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of asking.
She turned her attention back to the lesson, determined to focus on anything but the strange boy in the back row.
Seraphina walked into the music classroom, the door creaking softly as it closed behind her. The room was quiet, the faint hum of the fluorescent lights the only sound. Instruments lined the walls, and the rows of chairs faced a piano at the front. It smelled faintly of polished wood and old sheet music.
She glanced around, noting how empty it felt—except for one other person. Edward Cullen sat in the back row, his golden eyes already fixed on her as though he’d been waiting. His expression was unreadable, his hands folded in front of him as he leaned slightly forward.
Of course, she thought with a small smirk. Why not him?
Before she could decide whether to acknowledge him, the music teacher entered, smiling warmly as he spotted her. “You must be our new student. Seraphina, right?”
“That’s me,” she said, adjusting the strap of her bag.
“Welcome,” he said, gesturing to the room. “You’ve joined us on a light day—just a chance to get to know each other’s strengths. What’s your instrument?”
“Guitar,” Seraphina replied easily, glancing toward the rack of instruments along the wall. “I’ve been playing for a while.”
“Excellent,” the teacher said, clearly pleased. “Why don’t you grab one and show us what you’ve got?”
Seraphina raised an eyebrow but didn’t protest. She crossed to the rack, selecting an acoustic guitar with a smooth, polished finish. Sitting down on a stool at the front of the room, she adjusted the strings, her fingers brushing over the frets with practiced ease.
Edward remained silent in the back, watching her closely. His gaze was sharp, as though he were trying to dissect her every move.
Seraphina didn’t acknowledge him. Instead, she rested the guitar on her knee, adjusted her posture, and began to play.
The first notes rang out clear and pure, filling the empty room with a warm resonance. Her fingers moved effortlessly, plucking and strumming in a way that seemed both natural and deliberate. The melody she chose was intricate, with sweeping arpeggios and rhythmic transitions that showcased her skill without trying too hard.
Edward’s eyes narrowed slightly as he listened. The music was… unexpected. It wasn’t just good—it was powerful, filled with an understated intensity that seemed to mirror her personality. The notes carried a quiet defiance, as though she were daring anyone to underestimate her.
As she played, Edward tried again to reach out with his gift, curious about what thoughts might accompany the music. But the moment he touched her mind, he was met with that same wall of fire—hot, alive, and impenetrable. It flared brighter this time, pushing him back so forcefully he felt almost physically jolted.
He blinked, startled, and leaned back in his chair, his brows knitting together in confusion. The music continued, steady and unwavering, as though the fire had fueled it.
The teacher stood at the side of the room, his arms crossed, nodding appreciatively. When Seraphina finished, letting the last note hang in the air before fading into silence, he clapped.
“Beautifully done,” he said, his voice warm with approval. “Your technique is impressive. You’ve clearly put in the time.”
Seraphina shrugged, setting the guitar back on its stand. “Thanks. It’s kind of my thing.”
Edward’s voice broke the momentary silence. “How long have you been playing?”
Seraphina turned, meeting his gaze directly for the first time. “Since I was a kid. My dad and uncle taught me.”
Edward nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. “It shows.”
She tilted her head slightly, her smirk faint but sharp. “Thanks, I guess.”
The teacher smiled, oblivious to the quiet tension in the room. “You’ve got a gift, Seraphina. Looking forward to seeing more of it.”
“Appreciate it,” she said, slinging her bag over her shoulder. She glanced at Edward one last time, raising an eyebrow. “See you around, Cullen.”
Edward didn’t reply, watching her leave with a look of quiet bewilderment. The fire in her mind, the defiant edge to her music, the way she carried herself—it all felt inexplicably connected, and yet he couldn’t piece it together. She wasn’t like anyone he’d encountered before, and it left him feeling uncharacteristically off balance.
As the door clicked shut behind her, Edward leaned back in his chair, still hearing the echoes of her music in his mind. For the first time in years, he couldn’t decide if he was intrigued, unsettled, or both.
The biology classroom was filled with the muted buzz of chatter as students shuffled to their seats. Black-topped lab tables lined the room, two chairs to each, and the faint smell of cleaning solution lingered in the air. Bella Swan stepped through the doorway, clutching her class slip in one hand. She paused uncertainly as Mike Newton, already seated at his table, waved her toward the front.
“That’s Mr. Molina,” Mike said, gesturing to the cheerful, Birkenstock-wearing science teacher standing at the head of the class. “He’ll get you set up.”
Bella nodded, forcing a polite smile before making her way toward Mr. Molina. As she passed the rows of tables, her attention snagged on a figure seated near the front. His back was to her, but something about him drew her eye.
Edward Cullen.
He sat unnaturally still, his head slightly bowed, one hand resting on the edge of the table. His pale skin stood out against the dark tabletop, and Bella felt a strange unease ripple through her as she walked by. The air seemed to shift—just enough to lift a loose piece of paper beside him.
In slow motion, Edward inhaled. His body went rigid.
Bella barely noticed as she reached the teacher’s desk and handed over her class slip. Behind her, Edward’s hand clenched the edge of the table with such force that the wood splintered slightly under his grip. But no one else seemed to notice.
“Welcome, Ms. Swan,” Mr. Molina said brightly, glancing over her slip. “Just follow along as best you can until you’re caught up.”
Bella nodded. “Thanks.”
Mr. Molina gestured toward the only available seat in the room—the one next to Edward. Bella hesitated, feeling a strange twinge of reluctance as her gaze flicked toward him. His head was still lowered, but as she approached, he slowly looked up.
His eyes met hers.
Bella froze.
Edward’s expression was like nothing she’d ever seen—cold, furious, and filled with an almost visceral repulsion. His coal-black eyes burned with an intensity that made her falter mid-step. Her breath caught in her throat, and her stomach twisted in a knot of unease. It felt as though he was looking straight through her, and the weight of his gaze was suffocating.
As she moved to sit, Bella bumped into someone’s book bag, knocking it onto the floor. She muttered a quick apology, bending to replace it with shaking hands, and slid reluctantly into her seat. Edward immediately jerked to the far edge of his chair, as though proximity to her was unbearable.
“Today,” Mr. Molina announced, his voice animated, “we’ll be observing the behavior of planaria, also known as flatworms.”
The class perked up slightly, though Bella barely heard him. She was too focused on Edward, who sat rigidly beside her, his body angled away and his hand pressed firmly over his nose. His face was tense, his jaw clenched tightly as though he were in pain—or disgust. Bella shrank in her seat, her eyes flicking downward.
Do I smell bad? she wondered, subtly sniffing the air around her. There was nothing. She sniffed her hair, catching the faint scent of her shampoo. It seemed fine. Still, Edward’s reaction unnerved her. She glanced at him again, watching as he gripped the edge of the table so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
Mr. Molina made his way around the room, handing out petri dishes. He stopped at their table, giving Edward two dishes. “Yes, folks,” Mr. Molina said with a grin, “zombie worms. They just won’t die. We’ll cut them in half and watch them regenerate into two separate worms.”
Edward took one petri dish and slid the other toward Bella, his movements deliberate but stiff. He pushed it across the table as though it carried a deadly virus, his hand recoiling as soon as the dish was within her reach.
Bella frowned, taking the dish hesitantly. She let her hair fall like a curtain between them, hoping to block his piercing gaze. Her hands trembled slightly as she set the dish on the table, but she couldn’t help sneaking another glance at him.
Under the table, Edward’s hands were clenched into fists. His posture was tight, his entire body radiating tension. Bella’s confusion grew with every passing second. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, shrinking into herself as she tried to focus on the assignment.
But it was impossible to ignore the feeling of being unwanted—no, hated—by someone she’d never even met.
The bell rang, its sharp tone breaking the suffocating silence in the classroom. Before Bella could gather her things, Edward was already out of his seat. He bolted for the door, his movements so swift that she barely registered them. Students shuffled out behind him, but when Bella stepped into the hallway moments later, he was gone.
She glanced around, searching for him in the sea of students, but Edward Cullen had vanished.
Confusion and insecurity swirled in her mind as she made her way to her next class. She didn’t understand what had just happened—but one thing was certain: Edward Cullen was a mystery, and not a pleasant one.
Bella rushed through the hallway, weaving between students as she searched for Seraphina. The day had been nothing short of a disaster, and her mind spun with questions she couldn’t answer. When she finally spotted her sister near the lockers, leaning casually against the wall, Bella exhaled in relief.
“Hey,” Bella said breathlessly. “I need to go to the front desk. Can you come with me?”
Seraphina glanced up, her fiery red hair catching the light as she slung her bag over her shoulder. “What’s wrong now?”
“Just… I need to ask about something for class,” Bella muttered, not wanting to get into it yet. “Come on.”
Seraphina raised an eyebrow but didn’t press. “Alright, lead the way.”
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Answer
I DO have thoughts!! And I have an easy solution to the problem you’ve run into!!
If I burn has a part 2 it’s not armed and ready
It’s ignite
Which happens to be a huge favorite of mine
If Armed and ready was connected to anything it would probably be nevermore but only for yangs portion of that song
First to explain why it’s ignite to get the obvious out of the way
I burn and ignite as just NAMES are obvious connection and the line in the song is “watch me ignite” which is even closer in message but in appearance being named ignite is a better choice for it being connected to I burn cause it makes them both very short and starting with I and related to fire
It’s way closer In sound and vibe and message to I burn
The only idea that I burn has that ignite doesn’t is the “I’m more then meets the eye” but that’s because I burn was specifically in a situation where she was using the fact that she’s easily seen as non threatening because she’s attractive and high energy and a teenage girl (plus her weapon is subtle and her outfit is casual)
EVERYTHING ELSE IS THERE
it’s a PERFECT part 2
I specifically love that the expansions it does is that it’s
1 specifically addressing her motivation (her family specifically Ruby)
2 it’s specifically used in a situation where she is sacrificing herself for said motivation
ALSO despite the fact in the actual scene she’s fighting a grim the song is CLEARLY about fighting people (the way she’s speaking about them knowing better also all the references to injuries grim can’t have references to blood specifically and often) which is a clear nod to I burn which is her trailer where she’s fighting an entire building worth of full grown armed criminals
ALSO “your blood is really splattered” to ME is a reference to red like roses part 2
It’s great it’s ignite I love it
I also like to believe it acknowledges that a way that yang deals with the trauma she was forced to deal with in her youth is pride
Like that the fact she did that and got through it is a sign of her strength and capability
“As any remarkable heart
Has gone through the hardship and shame
That’s born of standing apart
From the easily processed, the uniform army of same”
You know
But that’s neither here nor there
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Answer
I’ve left this for about a week now trying to figure out how to answer it. The truth is that I don’t have an answer.
I don’t want to call it abandoned, because I don’t consider it to be. I was actually working on a rewrite of it, and I have a few chapters done, but it will take some work to finish. And right now, I’m not really putting the time into that. I still want to, thought. There are parts of this story that I still really want to share.
I had to go back and see where I ended it since you said it was a cliffhanger, and honestly, that made me laugh. That scene the next morning is written, and just for you, I’ve posted it below. (unedited - sorry for any errors!)
Contains: somnophillia, sound voyeurism
[[MORE]]-
Lily’s first thought when she woke up was that it was warm, far warmer than she normally woke up, and she wondered for a moment if the atmosphere charms on the room were broken.
The next thing she was aware of was friction.
A deliciously slow slide of a cock inside of her, followed by an equally measured back slide. James. James was buried inside of her . He wasn’t pushing all the way in or pulling all the way out, but she was so, so full of him. The steady press inside of her felt like he was slowly burning her alive.
James pushed in again, and Lily arched against him, letting a soft hum escape between parted lips. James’s hands wrapped around her waist, one hand trailing down her stomach and between her legs. His lips were on her ears as he spoke. “Good morning, darling. Took you long enough.”
She opened her mouth to respond, but James put his hand over her mouth. “There’s no silencing charm up, sweetheart. You have to stay quiet if you don’t want anyone to know you’re here. Can you do that for me?”
Lily nodded and kissed his hand. He continued his slow thrusts inside of her, the delicate torture .
“Good. If you need to stop, I want you to pat my arm twice. Can you do it now so I know you understand?” Lily tapped his arm twice. “Good girl.” He said it like a growl against her ear. “Anything you need, just tap my arm.”
James pulled his hand off her mouth then, moving his hand down to her hip. He rolled her forward onto her stomach and pulled her up until she was on her hands and knees on the bed. He straddled her legs, his hands on her arse, and he started to move.
Lily was already warm from the way James had prepared her before she woke up, so her body was prepared to take the bruising pace he set. However, going from being asleep to being fucked like this, and already being so close to coming, made Lily intensely turned on.
The heavy slap of his thighs and hips against her arse filled the room, and there was no way that his roommates wouldn’t be able to tell that she was there even if she didn’t make a noise. Lily couldn’t find that she cared, just then. She was beneath James, and he was driving her a bit wild.
When James reached a hand around her hips, finger connecting to where she was most sensitive without slowing his pace. Lily came undone underneath him, and she made no effort to quiet the sound that came out of her lips.
James pulled her up until she was against him, hand covering her mouth again, but he was laughing in her ear. “Well, I think they know you’re here, baby.” He didn’t stop moving.
“Yeah, what the hell, mystery girl?” Sirius’s voice was slightly muffled and still heavy with sleep. “It’s Sunday, and we’re all hungover.”
“I think she’s getting a proper wake-up, though.” Remus’s voice was slightly clearer, more awake or perhaps just less hungover.
“Do orgasms help relieve hangovers?” Peter asked.
“I don’t know. Com’ere and find out, Wormy.” Sirius’s voice was punctuated by the sound of curtains sliding open.
“I’ll tell you in a minute if it helps.” James’s statement was punctuated by a hard thrust that had Lily involuntarily moaning again. Sirius laughed.
Peter groaned. “I’m going to silence my curtains and go back to sleep. No one wake me up before noon.”
James hadn’t stopped moving, and Lily’s back was now arched against him. His lips found the soft skin under her ear, kissing and sucking the delicate skin. “Don’t forget you can tap out at any point.”
She didn’t. She gripped his arm and turned her head to capture his lips in a kiss. He laughed into her mouth, and she replaced it with a gasp as his hips smacked against hers.
“Are you still not putting up a silencing charm?” Sirius laughed.
“Cast your own charm if you’re worried, Padfoot.”
“Not, me.” Lily heard the sound of Sirius standing and walking toward the bed. “I really thought having a conversation through this would be your breaking point, Mystery girl.”
Lily pulled away from his chest and grabbed James’s wand, pointing it through a crack in the curtains and silently cast a stinging hex, which remarkably met its mark based on a shriek. “Oi, E–Mystery girl, what the fuck?” His footsteps retreated.
James laughed. “Should have seen that one coming, Padfoot. You kind of asked for it.”
Remus laughed. “Well, we definitely didn’t ask for the moaning alarm clock.”
“Ah, that’s just friend privilege there. You should feel lucky.” James put a hand on Lily’s back, pushing her down against the bed so her chest and cheek were pressed into it, changing the angle into a delicious slide that made her toes curl. “What do you think baby, should we finish and let them go back to sleep?”
He gripped her hips and pulled her into him, increasing the force until she felt like she was little more than the last burning cinders of a fire. She pushed back, meeting him stroke for stroke, and when she came a second time, it was with his hands gripping her waist and her head buried in the bed. With a few more thrusts, James followed behind her.
“I’d give it a seven out of ten.” Sirius clapped politely, like posh people at a fancy sporting event. “Clearly enjoyed by the parties, but it seemed to lack finesse.”
“Oi, fuck you, Sirius.” James spoke from where he was laying against Lily’s shoulder, pressing open-mouthed kisses to her skin.
“You’re really not being fair, Padfoot.” Remus’s voice still sounded from across the room. “You have to give style points. She was very colorful in her language for someone who didn’t use any words. Kept her identity hidden, but still provided a thorough review.”
James laughed, and Lily buried her face in her hands. “She says she’s glad you approve of her many talents.”
Lily turned over and smacked James on the arm, pointing a finger in his face. He looked at her like he dared her to say something more, but before she could, Remus spoke again. “See, that’s what I mean. She hasn’t said a word, and yet I can already tell you are in trouble.”
Sirius laughed, and Lily pumped a fist in the air in celebration. She looked at James and mouthed thank you. James smirked and said, “She says you don’t understand her at all, Moony, and you really shouldn’t speak for her.”
Lily let a little hmph noise escape her mouth, and Remus laughed again. “See, she doesn’t even need to talk. I can understand her perfectly, and I bet she’s pouting now.”
Lily and James both stopped, considering her position. James laughed. “Merlin fuck, she is. How do you do that?”
“What can I say, Prongs? I just understand women better than you do.” Sirius laughed so hard at Remus’s statement that Lily was pretty certain the following clunk was when he rolled off the bed. Lily buried her face against James’s chest, pressing her smile into his skin so she didn’t accidentally laugh out loud.
“Hey Mystery Girl.” Lily nearly rolled her eyes at Sirius’s voice. “Does this mean we get to meet you now?”
“Come off it, Padfoot,” James said. “You know she doesn’t want that.”
“I knew that, Prongs, but she doesn’t seem nearly as concerned about her identity right now.” Sirius made a noise like he had a really good stretch, and they could hear shuffling noise from his bed. “If not, how does she expect to get out of here unseen?”
Lily realized the predicament she was in. Sure, Sirius knew, but Remus was in the room too, and how many people would she see on the way downstairs? She looked at James with wide, terrified eyes.
James gave her a soft smile, then kissed her forehead. “You’re going to go downstairs and clear the way to the common room, Padfoot.”
Sirius groaned. “You’re going to make me get out of bed now? Where’s my hangover busting orgasm?”
James snorted. “This bed is occupied. Try Moony’s.”
“Oi, now you’re pushing him off on me?” Remus tutted, then they could hear the sound of him sliding off the bed. “Come on, Padfoot. Let’s go see if we can find you a hangover cure in the common room.”
They listened to the pair of footsteps walk out of the room, and the door closed behind them. James peaked around his curtains and confirmed that no one was in the room and Peter’s curtains were closed before beckoning Lily out.
“Are you sure that Peter is asleep?” Lily asked as she slid to the edge of the bed.
“Oh yeah.” James held a hand out to her as she stood up. “He’s very serious about sleeping in on the weekends. I’m sure he’s asleep. Let’s get you to your dorm, huh?”
“James, I’m, um–” Lily tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m sorry about this. About the secrecy. It’s just–”
James silenced her with a kiss. “Lily, it’s fine. I’m okay. And–” he cupped her face with his hand “–thank you for staying with me last night. It was exactly what I wanted.”
“Well, thank you for the wake-up. That was exactly what I wanted.” Lily pushed up on her toes to kiss James.
James hummed against her lips, then kissed her again once more. “Let’s get you out of here.” He took her hand in his and led her to the door. He looked out in the hall, and when the coast was clear, led her down the stairs. The common room was surprisingly clear, even for so early on a weekend, and he kissed her cheek before releasing her hand to let her go up the opposite stairs.
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continuing on my jdrama journey with Ignite: Hou No Muhoumono and finding out Mamiya-san is only 3 years older than me is making me feel old……………….
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I wonder if Warner will regain feeling in his back in Release me. I hope he will
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🔥 IGNITE by ANXO 🔥
Power. Precision. Passion.
That’s what padel feels like when you’ve got the right gear.
The ANXO IGNITE isn’t just a racket — it’s energy in motion.
⚡ Lightweight glass fiber frame for explosive swings
🎯 EVA 15 soft core for that perfect mix of comfort + control
💥 Glossy, sandy texture for spin that bites back
Step onto the court and feel the spark.
Every shot. Every rally. Every win.
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Ignite your passion. Let your inner fire burn bright, illuminating the path to your dreams.
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Firefighting Simulator Ignite
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ReposiTrak: Traceability Tailwinds Ignite Development (NYSE:TRAK)
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ReposiTrak: Traceability Tailwinds Ignite Development (NYSE:TRAK)