Chapter 3: Surprises and Support

Isabella's POV

As soon as I reached home, my trembling fingers hastily dialed Diana's number. I needed to share the baffling and nerve-wracking encounter I'd just had with Alexander. It was a story too bizarre to keep to myself.

Diana picked up after a couple of rings, and her voice held a mix of curiosity and concern. "Isabella, is everything okay? You sound like you've just been through a storm."

I let out a shaky breath, my voice equally shaken. "Oh, Diana, you won't believe what just happened. I need to tell you everything."

She urged me to continue, her tone a blend of anticipation and amusement. "Alright, spill the tea, Bella. What's got you all frazzled?"

I began recounting the events of the evening, from the creepy stalkers to Alexander's sudden appearance and his heroic intervention. The more I shared, the more incredulous Diana's reactions became.

"Wait, wait, wait," she interrupted. "Alexander? As in Mr. Mysterious from your Criminology class? He saved you?"

I nodded, even though she couldn't see me. "Yes, Diana, it was him! But here's the kicker, he didn't say a single word. Not one."

Diana's laughter echoed through the phone, and I could picture her shaking her head in disbelief. "I always said that guy was a walking enigma, but this takes the cake. Seriously, Isabella, what's the deal with him?"

If only I knew, I thought, feeling a mix of gratitude and confusion. "I have no idea, Diana. He just showed up, fought off those creeps, and then walked away without saying a word. It's like a scene out of an action movie."

Diana chuckled, her amusement palpable. "You always attract the drama, Bella. I guess we can add Alexander to the list of eccentric characters in your life."

"You're right, Diana. I don't know what to make of all this. But for now, I'm just relieved he was there to help me."

Diana's tone softened. "Well, that's one mystery you don't have to solve alone. If you need anything, you know I've got your back."

I smiled, feeling grateful for her unwavering support. "Thanks, Diana. You're the best. I'll keep you updated if anything else happens with our mysterious hero."

I ended my conversation with Diana and went to have a hot shower while my heart was still racing from the evening's strange turn of events. I took a deep breath and was about to call Edward, when the doorbell rang. With quick strides, I opened the door to find my boyfriend, Edward, standing there, a warm smile on his face and a bouquet of flowers in his hands.

My heart skipped a beat as I welcomed him in with a grateful hug. "Edward, you have impeccable timing."

He chuckled, his eyes filled with concern. "I heard about what happened, Isabella. Are you alright?"

I nodded, my voice tinged with appreciation. "Thanks to an unexpected hero named Alexander. You won't believe the story."

Edward placed the bouquet on the table and turned to me, his expression earnest. "I'm just glad you're safe. Isabella, from now on, I want to make sure you're never alone in situations like that. I'll drop you home every single day."

His words filled the room with a warmth that was beyond reassuring. It wasn't just a protective gesture; it was a declaration of his love and commitment. I couldn't help but smile, feeling grateful for having him in my life.

"Edward, you're a true knight in shining armor," I teased, a hint of playful humor in my voice.

He grinned, his eyes locking onto mine. "Well, what can I say? I can't have any creeps lurking around my girl."

My girl. The endearment sent a rush of affection through me. I reached out and held his hand, our fingers intertwining. "You know, you're my hero, too."

He leaned in and planted a gentle kiss on my forehead. "Then I'll always be by your side, ready to save the day or just to make you smile."

I wrapped my arms around him, feeling the comfort and strength of his embrace. "I'm the luckiest girl in the world, you know that?"

Edward chuckled, his deep voice resonating with love. "And I'm the luckiest guy, to have you in my life."

Edward and I settled into our cozy evening, our laughter and love lighting up the room. As we shared stories and relished each other's company, I couldn't resist a playful dig at him. 

 "So, Mr. World Traveler, guess what you missed today?" I grinned mischievously, a teasing glint in my eyes. 

 Edward looked at me with a hint of curiosity in his expression. "What did I miss, Isabella? Tell me." 

 "Me, you idiot. Didn't you miss me?, I teased Edward.

I chuckled as Edward playfully rolled his eyes. "Of course, I missed you, Isabella. More than anything. But I still want to hear what other shenanigans I missed at college today."

Grinning, I decided to indulge him with the rest of the story. "Alright, Mr. World Traveler, here's the scoop. Not only did you miss the epic Alexander showdown, but you also missed the fact that we have a new class schedule."

Edward's brow furrowed with curiosity. "A new class schedule? What's so exciting about that?"

I leaned in closer, my tone conspiratorial. "Well, it turns out, the new schedule has some surprises in store for us. You see,  I'll have classes with the Chemistry department."

Edward's eyes widened with surprise. "Wait, what? Chemistry department? How did that happen?"

I shrugged, my voice filled with amusement. "Apparently, it's a surprise twist. Criminology and Chemistry students are going to have some joint classes. I guess the college is trying to spice things up a bit."

Edward laughed heartily. "I guess I'll have to join your Criminology gang, then."

I playfully nudged him. "You're welcome to, as long as you don't pull a silent-Alexander move on me."

Edward grinned, wrapping his arm around me. "Don't worry, Isabella. I promise to keep talking. You've got enough mystery in your life with Alexander already."

After bidding Edward farewell and relishing the warmth of our evening together, I settled into my room. The soft glow of my bedside lamp illuminated the space as I prepared to make a call to my mother, knowing she would want to check on my well-being. Our conversations were often filled with an unspoken distance, a gap that had grown over the years.

As I dialed her number and listened to the familiar ring, I couldn't help but wonder what to say. Our conversations were usually brief, filled with polite inquiries but devoid of the deeper connection I longed for. Maybe today will be different, I thought, hoping for a more heartfelt conversation.

My mother's voice answered, her tone warm but tinged with formality. "Isabella, how are you, dear?"

I smiled, the distance between us not lost on me. "I'm good, Mother. How about you?"

She replied with the expected pleasantries, asking about my day and well-being, to which I offered polite, concise responses. The unspoken chasm between us lingered in the background, a barrier that seemed insurmountable.

Maybe I should tell her about the incident, I thought, considering the idea. But the words remained trapped in my throat, my hesitancy a reflection of our strained relationship. My mother had always been more concerned with appearances and maintaining our family's status, and revealing the chaos of today's events seemed like a risk I wasn't willing to take.

As the conversation continued, I couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration. Why is it so hard to bridge the gap? Why can't we have a real, meaningful conversation?

My mother's voice brought me back to the present. "Isabella, I hope you're being careful and making the right choices."

I nodded, even though she couldn't see me. "Yes, Mother, I'm always careful."

We exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then my mother announced that she needed to attend to her duties. The call was ending, and I felt a familiar sense of resignation.

"Take care, Isabella. We'll talk again soon," my mother said, her tone kind but distant.

"Goodbye, Mother. I'll talk to you later," I replied, my words carrying the weight of the unspoken truths between us.

As I hung up the phone, I couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness. Why is it so hard to connect with the one person who should be closest to me? I thought, the longing for a more genuine relationship lingering in my heart.

The next day dawned bright and promising, and as I got ready to head to college, I couldn't help but feel a newfound warmth and excitement. I had put the strained conversation with my mother behind me, choosing to focus on the support and love that surrounded me.

Just as I was about to step out, a delightful surprise awaited me at the doorstep. There, standing side by side, were Edward and Diana, wearing matching mischievous smiles that left no room for doubt—something special was afoot.

Edward was the first to speak, his voice filled with cheerful determination. "Good morning, Isabella. We've decided to join you on your college journey today."

I blinked, my surprise evident. "Join me? But your classes, Edward, and Diana, aren't you supposed to be at your department?"

Diana chimed in with a grin, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Classes can wait, Bella. We've got your back today."

I couldn't help but laugh, feeling a rush of gratitude. "You guys are absolutely crazy, but I love it. Thanks for making my day."

Edward leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss on my cheek. "Anything for you, Isabella."

Why do I get the feeling this day is going to be memorable for all the right reasons? I thought, appreciating the unexpected joy that filled the air.

As we walked to college together, our playful banter and shared laughter created an atmosphere of camaraderie that was infectious. I'm so lucky to have people like them, I mused, feeling truly blessed.

As we approached the college gates, I couldn't resist a tease. "So, are you both planning to attend my classes too? It could get pretty crowded, you know."

Diana chuckled. "No worries, Bella. We'll just sit in the back and take notes, right, Edward?"

Edward nodded with a playful twinkle in his eye. "Absolutely, Diana. We're here for the educational experience, after all."

After bidding goodbye to my boyfriend and my bestfriend, I went back to my class whereas they went to theirs. As soon as I entered the class, I stopped. There, in all his mysterious glory, was Alexander. The same Alexander who belonged to the Chemistry department and had no reason to be in this Criminology class. But, lo and behold, he was sitting there, all brooding and enigmatic. I had to suppress a giggle; it felt like a bizarre twist in some melodramatic TV show.

Okay, Isabella, breathe. Maybe there's a logical explanation for this. Maybe he's a secret detective. Yeah, that must be it. Sherlock Holmes in disguise.

As I made my way to a seat, I decided to initiate a conversation with him. I mean, why not? After all, I did owe him a big "thank you" for saving me from those creeps last night. The question was: how do you start a conversation with a guy who's as communicative as a brick wall?

"Morning, Alexander!" I chirped, taking a seat next to him. "Nice weather we're having, isn't it?"

He just glanced at me, his expression as unreadable as ever. Not a word came out of his mouth. Not even a nod or a grunt. I was met with the cold, hard silence that had become Alexander's trademark.

Right. Great start, Isabella. Real riveting conversation we've got going here.

Not one to give up easily, I forged on. "So, what do you think of the cafeteria food here? I've always found it... interesting."

He continued to stare ahead, as if I didn't exist. Not even a flicker of amusement in his eyes. It was as if I was talking to a statue. A really handsome statue, but a statue nonetheless.

Alright, cafeteria food. A universally fascinating topic, Isabella.

With my sense of humor firmly intact, I decided to push the envelope a bit further. "You know, Alexander, I'm starting to think you have a secret life as a mime. Are you secretly training for a performance? Is this a social experiment? Should I be expecting a "pretend to be invisible" flash mob any moment now?"

Nothing. Not even a twitch of the lips.

Alexander, you're a tough nut to crack. But challenge accepted.

As the minutes dragged on, I couldn't help but feel a rising sense of frustration. It was like trying to have a conversation with a stone wall – an attractive stone wall, mind you, but a stone wall nonetheless.

Eventually, I gave up on discussing the cafeteria menu, and my internal sarcasm continued. "Alright, Alexander, I get it. You're not the chatty type. Maybe you're a man of action, not words. I can respect that. But seriously, a simple 'hello' wouldn't hurt, you know."

No response. Not even a hint of a smile.

Well, this is going well. I think I'm getting the silent treatment from a silent man.

Despite the lack of verbal interaction, I couldn't help but wonder why Alexander was here in the first place. He should be off in the Chemistry department, decoding the mysteries of the periodic table or something. I mean, what was he doing in Criminology class? It was like Sherlock Holmes attending a cooking class – intriguing, yet entirely baffling.

Alright, time for some investigative reporting, Isabella.

But when I finally mustered the courage to pop the big question – "Why are you here?" – I was met with more silence. If he'd been any more silent, he would've created a black hole of silence that sucked in all nearby sound.

Not even a hint, huh? Well, at least I tried.

With a sigh of resignation, I settled back into my seat, acknowledging that this was going to be one of the weirdest and most one-sided conversations of my life.

I couldn't help but feel a growing sense of bewilderment as I sat there with Alexander in the seemingly empty classroom. It was like we were participants in some bizarre, alternate reality version of detention, except I hadn't committed any crimes against the academic world. Well, not that I was aware of, anyway.

Okay, Isabella, you're in an episode of "The Twilight Zone." What's next? An appearance by Rod Serling?

As I pondered the peculiar circumstances, I couldn't shake the nagging question: Where were the rest of the students? Did they all decide to stage a collective, spontaneous boycott of the class, and I missed the memo?

I glanced at the clock, confirming that the bell had rung ages ago. If I'd been in a conventional classroom, I'd be deemed fashionably late by now. But in this mysterious realm of silence and statuesque individuals, I was seemingly right on time.

Either I'm trapped in a "Twilight Zone" episode, or I've stumbled into a parallel universe of punctuality.

My curiosity got the best of me, so I checked my phone for any signs of life in our class group chat. A reasonable person might think that, if there was a mass exodus from the class, someone would've dropped a digital breadcrumb or two in the chat. But alas, there was nothing. Not a peep. It was as quiet as a library during finals week.

I decided to Diana and Edward, for some much-needed answers. Diana was, unsurprisingly, engrossed in her own class. But Edward replied promptly, adding a dash of humor to my confusion.

At least one of us is enjoying themselves today, I thought.

Edward's response didn't offer any clarity, though. He simply expressed his disdain for his own class and wished me good luck. As if I was heading into a battlefield rather than a classroom. And let's be honest, with Alexander in the mix, it felt like a war of wits.

With the virtual shrug of my shoulders, I decided it was time to leave the land of the living statue and seek answers from the only person who might be able to explain this classroom conundrum – our teacher. I wasn't sure if I should be amused or irritated, but one thing was certain: I was tired of staring at an unmoving Alexander.

I gathered my things and was just about to make my exit when I heard it. The voice of our class's very own Sphinx, Alexander. "So, you are that girl."

I turned in bewilderment, my brow furrowed in confusion. What was he talking about? Did he have some secret file on me? Or was this just another layer of his enigmatic persona?

"What?" I blurted out, my curiosity getting the better of me. "What are you talking about, Alexander?"

But Alexander remained steadfast, his stony expression unwavering. No further words, no additional hints. Just that intense, enigmatic gaze.

I took a few steps closer to him, my determination unyielding. "I need to know, Alexander. What do you mean? Who is 'that girl'? And why are you talking to me after all this silence?"

But once again, he was as responsive as a statue. No movement, no sound, no indication of whether I was getting closer to solving the mystery or just descending further into confusion.

Okay, Isabella, now you're on a quest for answers in a silent labyrinth.

With a sigh, I decided to make my exit, not wanting to waste any more time on a puzzle that refused to reveal its secrets. I turned and headed for the door, but as I reached the threshold, Alexander spoke once more.

"You will find out soon."

And with that cryptic declaration, he left the room, leaving me standing there with more questions than ever.

Oh, Alexander, you're like the Sphinx of the classroom, only instead of riddles, you offer silence and cryptic one-liners.