**Chapter 15: The Next Chapter**

The graduation hall was buzzing with excitement and nerves, the air filled with the hum of anticipation. Rhea sat near the back, carefully hidden from the direct view of Bella and her friends but close enough to feel connected to the moment. She knew Bella was proud of this milestone, and in truth, Rhea was happy to be there—even if her presence wasn't exactly by the book.

Jessica stood on the stage, adjusting the microphone as she looked out over the sea of graduates and their loved ones. Her voice filled the room, both nervous and excited. "When we were five, they asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up. Our answers were things like astronaut, president... or in my case, princess." A light chuckle rippled through the crowd. Rhea smiled despite herself, glancing briefly at Bella a few rows down, who was listening intently. "But now that we're older, they want a serious answer. Well, how about this: who the hell knows?"

Jessica's words struck a chord, and a wave of quiet laughter and nods moved through the hall. Rhea felt a pang of nostalgia. Jessica was right—there was something profound about standing on the edge of the unknown, about stepping into the future without a clear roadmap. Rhea had once been like Bella and Jessica, full of dreams and plans, certain about the future. But everything had changed so drastically. Now, she found herself standing on the outside of a life she had once taken for granted.

Jessica continued, her words echoing in the large hall. "We don't have to have it all figured out, not yet. We can make mistakes, stumble, and find our way. That's what growing up is."

Rhea felt a small, surprising sting of tears that never fell. The speech resonated, filling her with both longing and resolve. The human world kept moving, ticking forward like clockwork, no matter how many pieces of it she could no longer partake in.

When the ceremony ended, students flooded out into the open, hugging friends and family, congratulating each other, and posing for photos. The air filled with laughter, joy, and the scents of dozens of people. Rhea took a sharp breath, feeling her throat prickle with the familiar thirst she was always suppressing. She had been doing well lately, learning to control it, but the crowd, the close proximity to so many people—it was testing her.

She clenched her fists, willing herself to stay calm. She closed her eyes briefly, focusing on the scents of the forest and damp earth around her, anything but the tantalizing warmth of human blood that filled the air.

"Rhea," a calm voice murmured by her side. She opened her eyes to find Carlisle and Esme standing beside her, having quietly come up to offer support. Carlisle's gaze was understanding, steady and grounding. "You're doing great. It takes time to adjust to crowds like this."

Esme placed a gentle hand on Rhea's shoulder, her eyes warm with encouragement. "Let's step back, just for a moment. You don't have to push yourself."

Rhea nodded, grateful for their understanding. She allowed them to guide her a few steps back from the crowd, and the three of them settled near the edge of the celebration, where the sounds and scents were more manageable. Carlisle's calming presence and Esme's reassuring smile soothed her, and slowly, she felt the sharp edge of her thirst ease.

"Remember to breathe," Carlisle said softly, offering a small, knowing smile. "You've come a long way, Rhea. Just give yourself time."

Rhea took a deep, deliberate breath, focusing on Carlisle's words and grounding herself. "Thank you," she murmured, glancing at Esme. "I didn't realize it would be this intense."

Esme gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "It's natural, Rhea. Every moment of control strengthens you. You're handling it better than most newborns would in your place."

The warmth in their encouragement helped her regain confidence, and she straightened, offering them a grateful smile. As they moved back toward the crowd, Bella spotted them and made her way over, her face lighting up when she saw Rhea.

"You made it," Bella said, smiling, though her expression held a flicker of worry as she glanced between Carlisle and Esme.

Rhea nodded, laughing softly. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."

Bella pulled Rhea into a quick hug, and though Rhea held her breath to avoid the rush of Bella's scent, she felt more in control now, her focus on the pride she felt for her friend instead of the lingering thirst.

They spent the next while mingling with the family and friends who had gathered. Rhea watched as Bella spoke with her dad, Charlie, and then with Edward, who had come over to congratulate her. In the brief exchanges, Rhea felt both a pang of envy and a sense of peace—this was a part of Bella's life she would still be part of, even if only from the periphery.

As the gathering started to wind down, Carlisle pulled her aside. "How are you feeling?"

"Better," Rhea replied, a bit sheepishly. "It's... still hard, though. I don't know if I'll ever get used to it."

Carlisle smiled kindly. "In time, it will become easier. You're learning to center yourself in ways that many vampires take decades to understand. And you're not alone in this."

Esme nodded in agreement, her gaze gentle. "And we'll be here for you every step of the way."

Rhea looked between them, a warmth blooming in her chest at their support. She hadn't asked for this life, but she was beginning to see that it could hold meaning—and maybe even a purpose, if she could learn to control her thirst and find her place.

As they watched Bella and her friends pose for photos, Rhea allowed herself a quiet smile. She had missed out on her own graduation, on so many of these moments, but now she felt the tentative hope that, maybe, she could still find a way to make this life her own.

After the graduation ceremony, the Cullens all returned to the house to prepare for the party Alice insisted on throwing for Bella. Rhea followed Alice into the grand living room, still buzzing with leftover nerves from the crowd, but feeling more grounded with each passing moment. Alice, ever the perfectionist, had grand plans for the night, and it seemed she wouldn't rest until everything was set up exactly as she envisioned.

"Rhea!" Alice beamed, tossing Rhea a bag of silver streamers. "Perfect timing! Start with these—we're going to make this place shimmer."

Rhea grinned, catching the streamers. "I should've known you'd have every detail planned down to the last sparkle."

"Sparkles are essential, thank you very much," Alice quipped, grinning mischievously. She had already set up fairy lights along the walls, which cast a warm glow across the room. "I want this to feel like an event, not just some ordinary get-together. Besides, Bella deserves a proper celebration."

The two of them worked in comfortable silence for a while, Alice zipping around as she adjusted every minor detail. Rhea admired the way Alice's enthusiasm radiated into her work. She could see Alice's vision coming to life, transforming the Cullens' usually elegant but understated home into a magical, party-ready space. Rhea wound the streamers around the pillars and draped them along the walls as Alice instructed, stepping back occasionally to admire their work.

When they finished, Alice looked around with a satisfied smile, placing her hands on her hips. "Perfect! What do you think?"

"It's amazing, Alice," Rhea replied, genuinely impressed. "It'll definitely surprise Bella."

Alice's smile softened. "That's the idea. This might be her last human celebration before everything changes for her. I want it to be special."

Rhea nodded, a quiet understanding passing between them. She knew how much Bella meant to Alice—and, in a way, to her as well. Although Rhea had only known Bella a short time, she could see the bond that Bella and the Cullens shared. Bella had brought light and life to their family in a way few humans could, and Rhea felt a quiet kinship with her, especially now that they both straddled the line between two worlds.

Carlisle appeared in the doorway, watching them with a warm smile. "You two did a fantastic job. The place looks ready for a celebration."

"Just wait until you see it with everyone here," Alice said, clearly proud. "We're going to make some memories tonight."

Rhea chuckled, leaning back against one of the pillars. "I can only imagine what kind of memories those will be."

As the evening drew closer, the house began to fill with the familiar faces of Bella's friends from school. Music played softly in the background as people mingled, the scent of fresh flowers Alice had arranged blending with the night air coming in through the open windows. Rhea found herself easing into the atmosphere, trying to enjoy the moment as best she could.

When Bella and Edward finally arrived, Bella looked around with wide eyes, taking in the decorations and the bustling room. Rhea caught her eye and gave her a small wave, smiling when Bella's face lit up in recognition.

"This is... incredible," Bella said, turning to Alice. "Thank you for all of this."

Alice grinned, hugging her. "You deserve a party, Bella. Now, go mingle! Enjoy it."

Rhea watched as Bella greeted her friends, her usual quiet demeanor softened with a sense of genuine happiness. There was something heartwarming about seeing Bella surrounded by so many people who cared about her.

Rhea moved around the room, making small talk with a few of the guests, even running into Emmett, who seemed to be doing his best to entertain a group of bewildered classmates with exaggerated stories. She laughed at his antics, realizing she was actually enjoying herself, even if she did feel a little like an outsider looking in.

Eventually, she returned to Alice, who was standing near the drinks table, arranging snacks and fussing over the tablecloth. "So, how am I doing as your party assistant?" Rhea asked, nudging her gently.

Alice smiled. "Flawlessly, as expected." Then she lowered her voice conspiratorially, glancing around. The party was in full swing, the house filled with laughter, music, and the warmth of a rare, carefree evening. Rhea lingered near the edge of the crowd, content to watch Bella, surrounded by friends, seemingly lost in the moment. But even with the festive atmosphere, Rhea felt her senses sharpen, her instincts tingling. It was the heightened awareness that came with her new life—a reminder that she was forever changed, even when she was surrounded by the familiar sights and sounds of celebration.

She was about to move to another room when she caught a new scent in the air. Her body went rigid as the musky, earthy scent rolled over her senses like a sudden wave. It was unmistakable: Jacob was here.

Her gaze shifted, zeroing in on the entrance as Jacob walked through the door. He moved through the threshold with a calm confidence, but Rhea could see the tension simmering beneath his usual swagger. His eyes immediately scanned the room, landing on Bella. She watched his expression soften as he took in the sight of her, a mixture of longing and sadness flickering across his face.

For a moment, Rhea felt a pang of sympathy for him. He hadn't wanted this life any more than she had; they were both trapped in the supernatural world by circumstances they hadn't chosen. She knew what it felt like to love someone and be unable to stay close to them, especially when they were bound to someone else.

Jacob strode forward, eyes still fixed on Bella. But before he could reach her, Edward was suddenly there, intercepting him like a shadow emerging from the darkness.

"Jacob," Edward greeted, his voice polite but edged with warning.

"Edward." Jacob's tone was equally tense, as if they were circling each other, neither willing to show weakness. The silent intensity between them filled the room, and even the humans around them seemed to sense something off, glancing around with curious but uneasy expressions.

Rhea moved subtly closer, finding herself more amused than anything else by the silent standoff. Jacob's feelings for Bella were no secret, but his frustration was almost palpable tonight. Rhea crossed her arms, watching them like she was witnessing a silent chess game, feeling a smirk tugging at her lips. As much as she sympathized with Jacob, the rivalry between him and Edward was almost comical in its intensity.

Finally, Jacob broke the silence, his gaze flickering between Edward and Bella. "I wanted to talk to Bella," he said, his voice laced with frustration. "Alone."

Edward's jaw tightened, but before he could respond, Bella intervened, glancing between the two of them with a look of exasperation. "Both of you, enough," she said firmly. "This is supposed to be a party. Can we not ruin it for one night?"

Edward hesitated, clearly not thrilled by the idea, but he stepped back slightly, allowing Jacob to step closer to Bella. Rhea watched him warily, unsure of what his presence here would mean. Jacob's eyes were soft as he looked at Bella, the hardness fading from his expression as he murmured something she couldn't quite hear.

Bella's face softened in response, and for a moment, Rhea saw the bond between them—something rooted in years of friendship, trust, and shared memories. Jacob was protective, yes, but he was also hurt. The sight of it made Rhea's chest tighten with an unexpected ache.

But whatever Jacob had whispered didn't stay private for long.

"I can't just stand by and watch you throw your life away," Jacob said, his voice low but intense, and this time loud enough for Edward to hear.

Edward's posture tensed instantly, and Rhea saw the tension ripple through him, his fists clenching at his sides. "Jacob," he warned, a dark edge in his voice.

Rhea couldn't help but step in, holding up her hands slightly. "Alright, both of you—take a breath," she said, her voice light but firm. "Or Bella's going to start handing out timeouts."

Bella looked at Rhea with a hint of gratitude, the smallest of smiles playing on her lips. Jacob gave Rhea a half-hearted glance, clearly annoyed but unwilling to turn his frustration on her.

"What are you even doing here, Jacob?" Edward asked, voice cold. "Didn't you say your goodbyes?"

Jacob's eyes flashed, anger sparking in them as he shot back, "I'm here because I care about Bella's future. Her real future. Not the one you're trying to force her into."

Rhea's gaze shifted between the two of them, feeling the weight of Jacob's words. He genuinely believed that Bella's future was at stake, and, for him, that meant challenging anything he thought was a threat—even if that threat was the man Bella loved. She could almost admire his loyalty, as misguided as it seemed.

Bella stepped forward, placing a hand on Jacob's arm, her voice softening. "Jacob, please. I know you're worried, but I've made my choice. Can't we just... can't we just have one night without all this?"

For a moment, the tension broke. Jacob looked down at her, the hardness melting from his face, replaced by a flicker of sadness. It was clear he wanted to argue, to fight for her, but something about the look in her eyes seemed to quiet him.

Rhea watched as he took a step back, the disappointment evident on his face, and nodded slightly. He muttered something under his breath, then turned to leave, sparing one last look at Bella before slipping out the door.

As the room relaxed, Rhea caught Edward's eye, giving him a small nod. She didn't necessarily agree with his methods, but she understood why he fought so hard for Bella. She also understood Jacob's struggle—his unwillingness to let go of something he loved so deeply, even when the battle seemed lost.

The tension had dulled, but Rhea could still feel the quiet, lingering sadness that remained as she watched Bella and Edward. This wasn't going to be the last time they'd face these struggles. And somehow, she felt that this was only the beginning.

Authors Note: Long chapter is just for you guys... Please vote and comment.