Twilight The Stranger's Gaze

If you want to support (To continue with the chapters and improve the quality of the language)or read some advance chapters +8 (this week I will upload several chapters to Patreon) please follow me on: patreon.com/Jayjayempi

Chapter sponsored by: Zeronblack

P.S. I hope your grandma gets better soon!

Monday morning in Forks had dawned gray, with that ever-present drizzle that never seemed to stop entirely. The raindrops tapped monotonously against the windshield of Nate's car as he drove to school, his brow slightly furrowed, his thoughts scattered.

He had made an important decision: he wouldn't intervene anymore. Not while Bella remained unaware of the truth.

But that choice had left him in an uncomfortable place, almost foreign to himself. He had always been someone who acted, who anticipated, who would jump into the fire if needed. Waiting wasn't natural. His grandmother had given him sensible advice… but following it felt like walking with his shoes on the wrong feet.

The rumors about his suspension had died down as quickly as they'd started. Gossip, if not fed, dies on its own. Returning to class felt almost normal. Almost.

In the first period, Eric greeted him with a genuine smile.

"Hey, Nate. Good to have you back."

Nate studied him for a second. There was something different in his expression. Pity, maybe?

"Everything okay?" Nate asked, not bothering to hide his tone.

Eric shrugged. "Yeah, of course. I just… figured you'd be kind of upset. People say Bella's dating Edward Cullen."

Nate tilted his head, as if only half interested. "Oh yeah? Is it official now?"

Eric was quick to clarify. "Well, they eat together. And you know how people are…"

Nate just shrugged.

It wasn't his business. Not yet.

He'd only act when the truth came to light… and if Bella chose not to see it.

Classes passed without major incidents, until Government.

Edward was already in the classroom. Their eyes met for a second. Nate kept his mind blank—an ability he'd been refining daily. Edward watched him, tense but finally nodded with a cool formality. Nate returned the gesture without adding anything. They ended up sitting on opposite sides of the room.

When the lunch bell rang, Nate was heading toward his usual table with Eric, but Bella intercepted him in the hallway. She looked genuinely happy to see him.

"Nate, want to eat with us?" she asked. "With Edward and me, I mean."

He offered a faint smile, without enthusiasm. "Thanks, but I already told Eric I'd sit with him."

Bella pressed her lips together, a little disappointed. "Sure, I get it."

At the table, after the obligatory greetings and some idle chatter, Jessica leaned in as soon as she saw Nate sit down.

"We're going to La Push this weekend. You coming?"

She played with a hot-pink fingernail and winked. It was obvious: with Bella now focused on Edward, Nate seemed like fair game.

He didn't answer immediately. His eyes, as usual, drifted toward the Cullens' table. Edward and Bella were eating together, detached from everything else.

But his attention shifted to Alice.

She looked at him too, and gave him a slight nod. Jasper, sitting beside her, stared at Nate with a discomfort that felt almost physical. Nate noticed how Jasper slid his chair a little closer to Alice.

She didn't seem to notice.

She looked dim, distant. Like her mind was elsewhere.

Since that night in the car, she hadn't sent a single message. Despite being the one who had asked to keep in touch.

Part of him was grateful. Everything about that night had unraveled him. He'd never had a conversation like that before… one where he was completely open.

A sharp sound pulled him back.

"Come on, say yes," Jessica pressed, her smile widening. "It'll be fun."

Nate didn't avoid the flirting. He didn't return it with excitement either, but he didn't brush it off.

Maybe it was time to interact more with humans. To distance himself—just a little—from secrets and vampires.

"Sounds good," he finally said. "I might go."

From across the table, Eric looked at him with a hint of concern.

"Mike's going too, you know?"

It sounded like a warning. Everyone remembered the punch.

Nate simply raised an eyebrow.

"It's fine. As long as he doesn't have a problem with me, I won't have one with him."

Jessica laughed.

"I doubt he will. Not if he wants to make it to prom without a black eye."

She brazenly slid her arm against Nate's.

Nate smiled but didn't say anything else.

"I could invite Bella," he added casually.

He knew exactly what he was doing.

Edward couldn't set foot in La Push because of the treaty. Maybe there, on neutral ground, Bella would start to see what she refused to acknowledge. And if Jacob happened to be around… well, it never hurt to have an alternative closer to the truth.

English class came, and Nate was the first to enter. He took his usual seat.

Alice walked in a few minutes later. She saw him instantly… but didn't approach.

She hesitated—just slightly.

Then sat far away.

Nate lowered his gaze.

That silent rejection stung more than he expected.

When the bell rang, Alice was the first to leave. She didn't look back.

He frowned but said nothing. Let it go, he told himself, even though inside, the impulse to reach for her clawed at him.

In the gym, as usual, he sat with Bella on the bleachers, their refuge while watching everyone else run around the court.

"How are things with Edward?" Nate asked, tone neutral.

Bella looked down, a little flushed.

"They're good. He's attentive, really sweet… and kind of mysterious."

But there was a crack in her voice. A flicker of doubt.

"You still think about the van, don't you?"

Bella looked at him, surprised.

"I do. I can't help it. It doesn't make sense. No one talks about it, but… I know something's off."

Nate nodded slowly.

"Maybe you need some space. We're going to La Push this weekend. Why don't you come? We could invite Jake too."

Bella hesitated a moment, then nodded.

"Would it be okay if I invited Edward?"

Nate smiled—no trace of irony.

"Sure. If he wants to come, he's welcome."

He couldn't tell her the truth.

But he could nudge her gently toward it.