When I first read Twilight back in 2005, I was 34 (apparently I lost the ability to math properly in my last post) and enjoying almost every dramatic, sparkly second. Now, rereading it at 50+, I’ve got a cup of tea, some solid life experience, and a slightly raised eyebrow.
Let’s talk about Chapters 3 through 6—aka the part where Bella almost dies, Edward gaslights her, and I start seriously questioning the Cullen family’s whole PR strategy.
Chapter 3: The Van Scene
It’s the infamous near-death experience. Bella’s in the school parking lot, minding her own business, when a classmate’s van skids on ice and nearly flattens her. In swoops Edward—impossibly fast, impossibly strong, and somehow still acting like he’s not a supernatural being with superhuman reflexes.
“You stopped the van. You pushed it away with your hand.”
He gaslights her immediately.
“No, I didn’t.”
Sir.
At 34, I thought this was thrilling. At 50+, I’m like: Edward, if you’re going to play dumb, at least be good at it.
Chapter 4: Bella Starts Asking Questions
Bella knows something’s off. She saw Edward stop a moving vehicle with one hand. She’s asking questions. She’s Googling (well, doing whatever passed for Googling in 2005).
This is the part where she starts to fall harder, even though she’s basically chasing a guy who alternates between brooding stares and flat-out ignoring her. Honestly? I’ve dated that guy. Once.
Shoutout to Jessica and Angela for trying to be friends, by the way. Bella is laser-focused on her vampire crush and gives them very little energy in return.
Chapter 5: The Awkward Biology Lab
Edward is suddenly friendly now. Chatty, even. Bella’s confused. I’m confused. We’re all confused.
The infamous microscope scene unfolds, where Bella and Edward are lab partners and we get a full page of them identifying onion cell stages like it’s foreplay for immortals. Honestly? It kind of is.
Also, he just casually says, “I decided it would be better if we weren’t friends.”
Then proceeds to flirt with her non-stop.
Classic.
Chapter 6: Beach Day & Vampire Lore Lite
Bella goes on a beach trip with classmates, and finally, a Quileute legend gets dropped courtesy of Jacob Black. We meet him here for the first time—sweet, flirty, and completely unaware of the chaos headed his way in future books.
Jacob spills the tea (and the supernatural lore) about the “cold ones,” setting Bella down the path of suspicion, late-night Googling, and eventual discovery.
As a first-time reader, this was thrilling. As a grown woman? I’m mostly impressed with how calmly she takes all of this.
Reading It Now…
Teenage-me would’ve been smitten with Edward.
Grown-woman me is side-eyeing his behavior and offering Bella a therapy session.
That said, the nostalgia is real. I remember the rush of reading these scenes, the building tension, the slow unraveling of the supernatural plot. And yes… I still enjoy it, as long as I keep it surface-level and ignore the huge flying red flags. Even if I’m now rooting for Bella to ask a few more questions and run a background check.
Up next: Bella confirms her suspicions, Edward gives major vampire energy, and we take a very dramatic walk through the woods. You know the one.
Did Edward’s gaslighting feel romantic back then? Did the van scene make you swoon? Let me know in the comments—let’s talk about the red flags we used to ignore and the characters we still love.
Tea, Books, and Life 
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