I Like Like You
Emmett burst through the Cullen house doors with his usual enthusiasm, his grin bright enough to rival the beautiful colors of the sun setting outside. The family was scattered throughout the living room—Carlisle flipping through a medical journal in his armchair, Esme sketching at the desk, and Alice perched on the sofa next to Jasper, flipping through a glossy magazine.
“You won’t believe the day Rosalie and I just had,” Emmett announced, his voice booming.
Alice’s head snapped up, her golden eyes narrowing in immediate interest. “Tell me everything! Does it happen to be about the human Rose gave her number to and your mysterious disappearance from school today?”
Rosalie, who had just walked in behind Emmett, froze for a fraction of a second before scowling. “You really need to mind your own business, Alice.”
Alice smirked, swinging her legs down off the couch. “Oh, come on. Do you know how rare it is for you to give anyone your number? I don’t even need to see it to know it’s something big.”
Esme looked up from her work, her expression kind but curious. “Rosalie gave someone her number? That’s wonderful. Who is it?”
“I’ll tell you who it is,” Emmett said, his grin widening as he flopped onto the loveseat. “Her name’s Bella Swan.”
The room fell silent for a moment as all eyes turned to Rosalie.
Rosalie groaned, shooting a pointed look at Emmett. “Thanks for that.”
“You’re welcome,” Emmett replied, clearly unbothered.
Alice practically bounced to her feet. “Wait—you mean Bella Swan, the police chief's daughter? Rosalie, why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because there’s nothing to tell,” Rosalie snapped, crossing her arms.
Emmett’s laughter filled the room. “Oh, there’s plenty to tell. Bella texted Rosalie today asking for help. Charlie had a fall, and she couldn’t get him back on his feet. Then Rosalie called in her trusty brother to lend a hand.”
Esme’s expression softened immediately. “How is Charlie? Is he all right?”
“He’s fine,” Rosalie said quickly. “Just sore. Nothing serious.”
Alice was practically vibrating with excitement. “And Bella? What’s she like?”
Emmett leaned forward, grinning. “She’s great. Funny, sweet, and definitely not what you’d expect from someone living in Forks. And get this, she asked Rosalie first. Not anyone else. Just Rosalie.”
Rosalie rolled her eyes, thankful she had no blood flow to bring attention to the faint blush that would be rising in her cheeks. “She needed help. That’s all.”
Esme smiled warmly, her voice soft. “That’s wonderful, Rosalie. It sounds like Bella really values you already. If they’ve had such a rough day, I could make a casserole for you to take over. It might be nice to check in on them and make sure they’re all right.”
Rosalie hesitated, clearly uncomfortable with the idea. “They’ve probably already eaten.”
“Maybe, but it’s a thoughtful gesture,” Esme said, already standing. “It won’t take me long to put something together. You don’t have to stay if you’re not comfortable, but offering dinner would show you care.”
Rosalie opened her mouth to object but closed it again, sighing. “Fine. But keep it simple.”
Emmett snickered, earning a sharp glare from Rosalie.
By the time Esme finished preparing the casserole, the kitchen was filled with a warm, comforting aroma. She handed the dish to Rosalie, who took it with a slight scowl but no real resistance.
“You’re doing a good thing, Rosalie,” Esme said with a soft smile.
“Yeah, yeah,” Rosalie muttered, grabbing her phone.
Alice watched eagerly from the doorway, grinning. “Oh, this is so good. I can’t wait to see what Bella thinks of you bringing dinner.”
Rosalie rolled her eyes but ignored her, focusing on her phone as she typed.
Rosalie: How’s your dad doing? Is he feeling better?
The reply came quickly.
Bella: He’s sore, but okay. Thanks again for helping earlier. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.
Rosalie hesitated, then typed her next message.
Rosalie: It was no trouble. My mom made a casserole, and I could bring it over—unless you’ve already seen enough of me for one day.
A moment passed before Bella’s response appeared.
Bella: Are you kidding? So far you're my favorite part of returning to Forks.
Rosalie blinked at the screen, caught off guard by Bella’s honesty. A faint smile tugged at her lips as she typed her reply.
Rosalie: I’ll take that as a yes. Be there in twenty.
Bella: Looking forward to it.
---
Rosalie pulled up to Bella’s house, the familiar shape of the Swan residence bathed in the soft glow of the porch light. The rain had eased into a fine mist, and the quiet evening felt still and peaceful. She grabbed the casserole dish from the passenger seat and stepped onto the porch, knocking lightly on the door.
Bella opened it almost immediately, her face lighting up at the sight of Rosalie. “Hey! Come in. Thank you for this, you didn’t have to.”
Rosalie stepped inside, her cool demeanor softening as she handed over the dish. “My mom insisted. She loves feeding people.”
Bella chuckled, carefully setting the casserole on the counter. “Please tell her thank you from me. And thank you, too. You’ve already done more than enough today.”
Rosalie waved her off. “It’s nothing. How’s your dad?”
“He’s doing okay,” Bella said, leaning against the counter. “Still sore, but he’s asleep now. I think the fall wore him out.”
Rosalie nodded, her sharp eyes briefly scanning the cozy kitchen. “That’s good. Rest will help.”
Bella hesitated, her fingers tapping lightly against the counter’s edge. “I know this is probably weird, but I’ve been cooped up all day, and I feel like I’m going to go crazy if I stay inside any longer. Would you want to go for a walk? Just around the neighborhood?”
Rosalie blinked, slightly surprised by the request. “Now?”
“Yeah,” Bella said, shrugging with a sheepish smile. “I could use the fresh air. No pressure, though.”
Rosalie studied her for a moment before nodding. “All right. Let’s go.”
The air was crisp and cool as they walked down the quiet street. The streetlights cast a warm glow on the pavement, and the faint scent of rain lingered in the air. Bella stuffed her hands into her jacket pockets, her steps slow and deliberate beside Rosalie’s.
“So,” Bella began, glancing over at Rosalie. “I’ve been meaning to say something, and I figured now’s as good a time as any.”
Rosalie arched a brow. “That sounds ominous.”
Bella laughed softly, though her nerves buzzed under the surface. “It’s not, I promise. I just... wanted to make sure I’m being clear.”
“Clear about what?” Rosalie asked, tilting her head slightly.
Bella stopped walking, turning to face Rosalie. “I like you. Like, like you. And I’m not saying that to pressure you or anything, I just want you to know where I stand.”
Rosalie blinked, caught off guard by Bella’s bluntness. “Bella—”
“I know you might not feel the same way,” Bella interrupted quickly, her voice steady but sincere. “And if that’s the case, that’s fine. We can just be friends. But I’ve learned the hard way that not speaking up usually leads to disappointment, so... here I am, speaking up.”
Rosalie stared at her for a long moment, her usual composure shaken by Bella’s honesty. “You don’t waste time, do you?”
Bella smiled, her cheeks flushing faintly. “Not anymore. I used to be very timid and shy, but I realized it didn’t get me anywhere. I missed out on a lot of things I wanted, or allowed things to happen that I didn't want. Life’s too short to keep things bottled up.”
Rosalie looked away, her gaze flickering to the sidewalk while she took a moment to think of how to word her reply. Bella’s words struck a chord in her, an uncomfortable but undeniable truth. Rosalie had spent so much of her existence keeping people at a distance, building walls to protect herself from the inevitability of loss.
And yet, here was Bella, standing before her, open and vulnerable in a way that felt foreign but also refreshing.
“I appreciate your honesty,” Rosalie said finally, her voice quieter than usual. “And I don’t know if I can give you the answer you’re looking for right now. But I don’t want to push you away either. It's not that I'm not interested. I think I am as drawn to you as you are to me but my life is a little... complicated and I've never been in this situation before. I don't really know how to navigate it to be honest.”
Bella’s smile widened, relief washing over her. “That’s all I needed to hear. I’m good with wherever this goes, even if it’s just walking around like this and talking. We have barely begun to get to know each other after all. But I'd really like to."
Rosalie allowed herself a faint smile. “You’re very persistent.”
“I’ve been called worse,” Bella joked, her tone light but genuine.
They resumed their walk, the silence between them now tinged with something warmer, something that felt like understanding. Rosalie still wasn’t sure what to make of Bella Swan or the pull she felt toward her, but for now, she was willing to let herself take one small step at a time.
She couldn't help but question if this was the mate bond but perhaps murky due to Bella being human. She felt overwhelmed at all that lay before her, a possible human mate, having to maintain her composure at all times to not accidentally hurt her, and how long could she even pretend to be human? If she let herself think on it all she'd have a meltdown. Instead she let Bella lead and was happy to put off her own existential crisis for another time.
As their footsteps carried them around the neighborhood, the air seemed lighter somehow. Bella glanced at Rosalie, her hands still tucked into her jacket pockets, hardly believing she could be so lucky that this beauty was also interested in her. They walked in comfortable silence for a while, the evening air wrapping around them like a quiet cocoon. The faint glow of streetlights illuminated the wet pavement as they moved at an unhurried pace.
Rosalie glanced sideways at Bella, curiosity flickering in her golden eyes. “So, where were you before coming back to take care of your dad?”
Bella smiled faintly, keeping her gaze on the path ahead. “Phoenix. I was living there with my mom. I went to school part-time and worked odd jobs to pay for classes. It was... different. Bright, loud, always something happening. The complete opposite of Forks.”
“Do you miss it?” Rosalie asked, her tone casual, though her interest was genuine.
Bella shrugged, her breath forming soft clouds in the cool air. “Sometimes. I miss the sunshine and my friends. Life felt bigger there, more opportunities, more things to do. But I don’t know... it never really felt like home. Not the way Forks does.”
Rosalie tilted her head slightly. “And Forks? Does it feel like home now that you’re back?”
“That’s complicated,” Bella admitted with a soft laugh. “It’s familiar, sure, but I’ve been gone for so long that it feels different. I’ve run into a few old friends, but it’s weird. It’s like I’ve outgrown them, or maybe they’ve outgrown me. We’re not on the same wavelength anymore.”
“That happens,” Rosalie said, her voice soft. “People change, even when they don’t realize it. It’s not always easy, but sometimes it’s necessary.”
Bella shot her a curious glance. “Do you ever feel that way? Like you’ve outgrown people?”
Rosalie hesitated, her steps slowing slightly. “Yes. Often.”
Bella tilted her head. “Like who?”
Rosalie smirked faintly. “That would take too long to list.”
Bella laughed, nudging Rosalie lightly with her shoulder. “Fair enough. I get it, though. It’s strange, isn’t it? Realizing you’re not the same person you used to be.”
“It is,” Rosalie agreed. “But it’s also freeing, in a way. It’s easier to see who and what really matters when you’re not clinging to what used to be.”
Bella nodded thoughtfully, her gaze dropping to the ground. “Yeah, I guess that’s true. It’s just... hard sometimes, you know? Letting go of what’s familiar.”
Rosalie’s expression softened. “It is. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t let yourself move forward. There’s more out there than what you leave behind.”
Bella’s lips quirked into a small smile. “You sound like you’re speaking from experience.”
“I might be,” Rosalie replied cryptically, though there was a faint warmth in her tone.
The misty air carried the faint scent of wet pine as they turned onto a quieter street, their steps slowing as they walked side by side. After a moment, Bella spoke again, her voice quieter now.
“Back in Phoenix, I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life,” she admitted. “I love literature—reading, writing, analyzing stories—but sometimes it feels impractical, like I should be focusing on something more stable.”
Rosalie glanced at her, her brow arching slightly. “Stable, like what?”
Bella shrugged. “Something with good pay and job security. My mom’s always telling me to follow my passion, but my dad’s more practical. He’d probably be thrilled if I became an accountant or something.”
“And what do you want?” Rosalie pressed.
“I want...” Bella trailed off, letting out a sigh. “I want to write. I want to get lost in stories and share them with the world. But it feels selfish, like a gamble I can’t afford to take.”
Rosalie stopped walking, turning to face Bella. Her expression was thoughtful, her golden eyes searching Bella’s. “Why does it feel selfish?”
“Because it’s risky,” Bella said, meeting Rosalie’s gaze. “What if I fail? What if I waste all this time chasing something that doesn’t work out?”
Rosalie’s lips curved into a small, knowing smile. “That’s what passion is, Bella. It’s not about guarantees. It’s about doing what makes you feel alive, even if it’s not the easiest or most practical choice.”
Bella blinked, caught off guard by the conviction in Rosalie’s voice. “You really believe that?”
“I do,” Rosalie said simply. “I love working on cars. Always have. I’d love to run my own shop one day, no matter what it pays. It doesn’t matter if it’s not glamorous or if people think it’s a waste of time. It’s something I care about, and that’s enough for me.”
“That’s really cool,” Bella said, her smile widening. “I didn’t know you liked cars that much.”
Rosalie smirked. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”
Bella grinned, nudging her lightly again. “Well, I’m learning. Slowly but surely.”
Rosalie chuckled softly, the sound low and warm. “What about you? If money wasn’t an issue, what would you do?”
“Write,” Bella said without hesitation. “All day, every day. I’d lose myself in stories and just... create.”
“Then do it,” Rosalie said firmly.
Bella laughed, though there was a hint of nervousness in the sound. “It’s not that simple.”
“It is,” Rosalie countered. “You’re just making it more complicated than it needs to be.”
Bella studied her for a moment, her smile softening. “You’re a lot more encouraging than I expected.”
Rosalie smirked. “Don’t get used to it.”
Bella laughed, the tension in her shoulders easing as they continued down the quiet street. For the first time in a while, she felt like she wasn’t walking this path alone.
“It’s hard to believe you’re only eighteen,” Bella said thoughtfully. “You’re more mature than most people I’ve met.”
Rosalie turned her head slightly, her lips curving into a mysterious grin. “I’ve lived a complicated life.”
Bella tilted her head, intrigued. “Complicated how?”
Rosalie slowed her pace, her gaze drifting toward the faint glow of the streetlights ahead. “I had a rough start to life you could say. Then I was adopted into a family with so many different personalities and it isn’t always easy. Carlisle and Esme are wonderful, but the rest of my siblings can be a lot to deal with sometimes. They keep things interesting, to say the least.”
Bella chuckled. “Interesting in a good way or a bad way?”
Rosalie smirked. “Both. Alice, for example, is practically bursting at the seams to meet you. I’m honestly surprised she hasn’t shown up at your door already. She doesn’t have much patience when it comes to new people.”
Bella laughed, the sound warm and genuine. “I get that. Forks doesn’t have a lot going on, so I can see why anything new would be a big deal.”
Rosalie glanced at her, her expression softening. “It’s not just that. My family tends to take an extra interest in anything I care about. I tend to be the reclusive, standoffish one.”
"You've never come across as standoffish to me," Bella commented.
Rosalie just shrugs as she purses her lips. "Most people have a lot of preconceived notions about me. You're the first person who's just treated me like a regular person in longer than I can remember. Being around you is surprisingly easy."
Bella’s cheeks flushed faintly, though she managed a teasing smile. “So what I'm hearing is that you care about me, huh?”
Rosalie’s smirk returned, though a flicker of vulnerability passed through her golden eyes. “Maybe a little.”
Bella laughed softly, feeling the warmth of Rosalie’s words settle into her chest. “Well, I’ll take it as a compliment. And don’t worry, I think I can handle Alice and anyone else in your family. I'd put up with a lot to get to spend more time with you.”
Rosalie arched a brow. “You say that now, but don’t underestimate her. She’s relentless when she’s curious.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Bella said, grinning.
As they neared the Swan house once again, the soft glow of the porch light came into view, and Bella’s steps slowed slightly. She glanced at Rosalie, a question lingering in her mind. Before she could overthink it, Rosalie broke the silence.
“You should come over to my house for dinner sometime,” Rosalie said, her voice casual but carrying a note of sincerity. “Once your dad’s feeling well enough that you don’t have to worry about leaving him for a while.”
Bella blinked, surprised but pleased. “Really? I’d like that.”
Rosalie nodded, her smirk softening into a genuine smile. “We might as well rip the band aid off. It’ll let Alice get her curiosity out of her system before she drags your address from Emmett and shows up on your doorstep one day for real.”
Bella laughed, nodding. “I’m looking forward to it already.”
They stopped in front of Bella’s porch, the air between them warm despite the cool mist lingering in the night.
“Thanks for tonight,” Bella said, her voice soft. “For the walk, the casserole, everything. You didn’t have to, but I really appreciate it.”
Rosalie’s gaze lingered on her for a moment, her golden eyes warm and steady. Then, before Bella could process what was happening, Rosalie leaned in and pressed a soft, deliberate kiss to Bella’s cheek.
Bella froze, her breath catching as the cool touch of Rosalie’s lips sent a shiver down her spine.
“You’re welcome,” Rosalie said, her voice low and smooth as she pulled back, her gaze meeting Bella’s. “Goodnight, Bella.”
Bella could only nod, her face burning as she watched Rosalie turn and walk back to her car. She raised a hand to her cheek, her heart pounding in a way that felt almost impossible to contain.
As Rosalie disappeared into the shadows, Bella slipped inside, leaning against the door as her thoughts raced. She couldn’t quite believe what had just happened, but one thing was certain, Rosalie Hale had a way of leaving her completely breathless.