Chapter 13

The room felt colder than usual when I woke. I pushed myself out of bed and crossed to the window. Thin flakes of snow drifted down, slow and quiet. It wasn't much, but the kind of weather that could trick you into thinking it might stick.

I pulled on a grey hoodie, loose grey sweats, and my light beige sherpa jacket. The oversized fit sat right on my shoulders, soft and warm. I laced up my clean white Air Force 1s, making sure they stayed spotless. A quick run of my fingers through my hair got it looking halfway decent.

Bella stepped out of her room at the same time I did. Her sweater sleeves hung over her hands. Her braid was slightly crooked.

"It's snowing," she said flatly.

"Barely," I replied. "It won't stick."

Downstairs, Charlie had coffee already brewing. The smell filled the kitchen. He came in from the back door, boots leaving wet marks on the mat, a small bag of salt in his hand.

"Watch the side streets," he said, setting the bag down. "They get slick."

"We will, Dad," I said.

He passed plates with eggs and toast across the table. Breakfast went by fast. Bella drove. I rode shotgun. The truck heater took its time, blowing lukewarm air as the windshield slowly cleared. Snow tapped the glass and melted into streaks.

The roads were wet but manageable. Bella kept her eyes forward, careful on the curves.

"You're fine," I said when she eased the truck out of a small skid.

She didn't look at me. "Practice."

The school parking lot had a thin, uneven layer of snow. Our breath came out in short clouds as we got out. Bella locked the truck. A silver Jeep rolled into the lot ahead and eased into a space.

Alice stepped out first, no hat, bright smile. Rosalie took her time. She climbed out in a cream sweater, black jeans, and boots, her blonde hair pulled into a low braid. She closed the door quietly and walked with Alice toward us.

"Morning," Alice said, her voice light.

"Morning," I answered. Bella gave a small nod.

Rosalie stopped in front of me. "Aspen."

"Rosalie," I replied. "You like this weather?"

"I like clean air," she said. "Snow helps with that."

Alice glanced at Bella. "How's the truck handling in this?"

"It's okay," Bella said.

"If Pine gets icy, text me," Alice told her. "I can take a different route."

Bella nodded but didn't commit.

Rosalie looked me over, her gaze lingering on my jacket and shoes. "New?"

"New to me," I said. "Layers do the job."

"It works," she said simply.

"Your car doing fine?" I asked.

"She always does," Rosalie replied. "Yours?"

"In the garage until this clears," I said.

"That's smart."

The bell rang. We started toward the doors together. At the steps, Alice said, "See you later, Bella," and headed down her hallway.

Rosalie looked back at me. "Jasper's in your history class," she said. "He'll like today's topic."

"Good to know," I replied.

She nodded once and walked away.

⸻

First period passed without much to note. English. A short quiz. Snow at the windows, turning to water.

By the time I got to history, Mr. Devine had Cannae and Asymmetric Strategy written across the board. Old maps were spread across the table at the front. Jasper slipped in just before the bell, quiet and precise. He took a seat a row ahead and one over.

"Morning," he said.

"Hey," I replied.

Devine started with Fabius Maximus and his delaying tactics. He explained why avoiding the fight you're expected to take can be the smartest move. Then he shifted to Hannibal. Arrows and lines went across the map in quick strokes of chalk.

"Why does retreat have a bad reputation?" Devine asked.

"Because it feels like losing," Jasper said. "Even when it preserves strength."

Devine nodded. "And why does preserving strength matter more than pride?"

"Because time is a resource," Jasper said. "Some commanders can spend it."

I spoke up. "And some force the other side to spend it. Fabius didn't give Hannibal the fight he wanted. That's the point."

"Exactly," Devine said, writing it down.

When he got to Cannae, he explained how the Romans walked into a trap and didn't realize it until it closed. He gave us a quick partner exercise: choose a battle and find the decision no one noticed at the time.

Jasper finished his quickly. When Devine moved on, Jasper turned toward me. "What would you have done in Rome's place?"

"Not shown up in that formation," I said. "But if I had, I'd starve the enemy before leaving and make the town worthless. Burn the grain. Leave the gates open. Nothing to prove."

Jasper's eyes narrowed in thought. "Force him to waste the victory."

"And make the message cost more than it's worth," I said.

A small, real smile touched his face. "Not many people think that way."

"People like spectacle," I said. "Spectacle gets you killed."

The rest of the class moved quickly. When the bell rang, Jasper stood with smooth precision. "Good answer," he said.

"You too," I replied.

⸻

Lunch was loud. I sat at the end of our table, drinking water. Bella held her cup with both hands.

"You okay?" I asked.

"Yeah. Alice said to text if the hill gets bad," she said.

"Decide when you get there," I said.

She gave a faint smirk. "You and your advice."

Across the cafeteria, the Cullens were at their table. Rosalie's gaze passed over the room, brushed mine, then moved on. Edward kept his eyes elsewhere but not really.

The bell rang. Bella and I left for our next classes.

⸻

The day wound down with shop and art.

In art, Alice was already at her seat, flipping through sketches. "Hi," she said when I sat down.

"Hey."

Mr. Clark had us do quick gesture drawings. Alice's lines were fast and light. Mine were heavier, planned.

Partway through, Alice said, "Jasper liked your answers. He said you think beyond the board."

"He asks the right questions," I said.

"He'll take that as a compliment."

"It is."

We worked in silence until the bell. Alice packed her things neatly. "Drive safe," she told me, then added to Bella, "You too."

Bella blinked, surprised. "Thanks."

⸻

Outside, the snow had thinned to nothing. Bella and I walked to the truck. As we pulled out, Rosalie's Jeep idled nearby. She glanced over, gave a small nod, then drove away.

The hill on Pine was damp but not frozen. Bella took it slow. At home, Charlie's cruiser was already in the driveway.

"How was it?" he asked when we came in.

"Good," Bella said.

"Fine," I said.

The rest of the night settled into routine.