Twilight The Stranger's Gaze

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Government class had ended, and Nate walked out of the classroom with calm steps, while Edward sped off toward the parking lot. The conversation still irritated him a little. That sudden concern for Bella, those almost desperate questions… Did he really expect help?

When he arrived at the cafeteria, the usual lunchtime murmur surrounded him. He scanned the tables until he spotted Bella, sitting with Angela and Jessica. Apparently, the boys had decided to eat elsewhere for a change, while the girls chatted with animated gestures and bright expressions. Nate paused for a second before approaching. He was surprised—almost unsettled—to see that Jessica didn't seem even remotely upset with him. After the way he had rejected her at La Push, he had expected at least a cutting glance or a passive-aggressive comment. But there she was, acting like nothing had happened.

I guess I'll have to thank Mike later, he thought with a hint of relief as he approached with his tray.

He sat beside Bella, who barely turned her head to look at him, her brow slightly furrowed.

"What are you talking about?" Nate asked casually.

Jessica, smiling as if it were the most exciting topic in the world, answered,

"We were planning a mini emergency mission."

"What kind of mission?" Nate asked, picking up his fork without much interest.

"Dresses," she said excitedly. "Now that we all have dates and nothing to wear, we thought we'd go to Port Angeles this afternoon. The three of us."

Angela nodded silently. Bella, however, looked distant, as if her mind was still somewhere else.

"Yeah, it's a good idea," she said at last, lowering her gaze. "I still don't have mine."

Nate raised an eyebrow, wondering if Edward had asked her out during the week he'd been suspended.

Angela, curious but not malicious, asked,

"Are you going with Edward?"

Bella looked up, as if just realizing Nate was there, then smiled with a mix of apology and firmness.

"I'd already agreed to go with Nate," she said. "I'm sure Edward will understand."

Nate held her gaze a second longer than necessary, offering a faint smile, somewhat surprised. He had assumed Bella wouldn't go with him anymore. Since her relationship with Edward had progressed, he had taken it for granted that she'd cancel at any moment.

Jessica turned to Nate with sudden interest.

"So you'll have to find something to wear too, huh?"

"I guess so," Nate murmured. "Nothing a jacket and tie can't fix."

While the girls resumed their talk about stores, styles, and colors—a symphony in which Nate was just an accidental spectator—Bella leaned toward him and lowered her voice.

"Have you heard anything about Edward?"

Nate held back a sigh. He didn't owe Edward any favors, but he also didn't want to say anything that might worry Bella.

"He looked kind of sick," he replied indifferently. That was it. Nothing more.

She frowned a bit more but didn't press.

The bell rang, cutting off half-finished conversations and pushing everyone out of the cafeteria. Nate picked up his tray and walked toward his next class.

English was next. Nate arrived early, as usual, and took a seat near the window. Outside, the drizzle continued falling with the same monotony that blanketed all of Forks, tapping faintly against the glass as if even the weather was stuck in an endless routine.

As soon as he stepped into the classroom, his eyes searched—almost instinctively—for Alice. He didn't see her at first, but that didn't surprise him. Over the past week, she'd been carefully avoiding him. Arriving late, leaving early, sitting on the opposite side of the room. Nate had noticed, of course. He'd let it go at first, thinking it was for the best… but now he wasn't so sure.

There was a question he couldn't shake, and it all revolved around that night in the car.

He was convinced what he felt hadn't been normal. Part of him—the rational one that always tried to find logic in things—kept repeating that it had only been the effect of her dazzle. He knew vampires gave off a kind of aura, that could cloud your senses if you weren't prepared. It had taken him time to get used to Alice's presence without feeling dazed. But that night in the car… they'd been very close, for too long.

What if that was all it was?

Or was there something more?

The door opened. Alice entered the classroom with smooth, precise movements. Their eyes met for a second: she looked at him, then quickly looked away, almost nervously, and walked to the far end of the room. She sat down without hesitation, not looking at anyone.

Nate followed her with his eyes. He felt a quiet but insistent pull. He wasn't going to let it go this time.

A guy walked in shortly after. Nate didn't recognize him—probably a classmate he had never bothered to remember. The guy saw the empty seat next to Alice and took it without a second thought, pulling out his book with disinterest and diving into it.

Alice didn't react. She kept staring forward, her body so still it was almost like she was pretending not to notice.

Nate stood up.

He crossed the room with calm but determined steps. He stopped next to the guy and tapped him on the shoulder.

"What do you want?" the boy muttered without looking up, clearly annoyed by the interruption.

When he looked up, his eyes scanned Nate from head to toe. The annoyance on his face vanished almost instantly, replaced by a mix of surprise and maybe a bit of nervousness.

"Uh… do you need something?" he asked, voice softer now.

"Would you mind switching seats with me?" Nate said bluntly.

The guy didn't even hesitate. He quietly gathered his things and moved seats with almost comical speed.

Nate sat next to Alice.

She turned her head toward him, surprised. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but no words came out. Her expression was hard to read: confusion, maybe even discomfort… or both. Like she hadn't expected him to do that. Like she didn't know how to react.

"Hi," said Nate, relaxed, with a subtle smile. "Feels like it's been a while since we talked."

Alice gave a short, soft laugh, though it wasn't entirely comfortable.

"Sorry… I've been a little distracted lately."

Nate leaned back in his chair, keeping his tone light.

"What's got you so distracted?" he asked, still looking forward.

Alice hesitated for a second.

"Things at home have been… tense. Because of Edward and Bella."

It was a partial truth. Nate knew that instantly, from the way she avoided his gaze when she said it.

"I get it," he replied, without accusing. "It's strange, right? Being so invested in what other people are doing. Especially when there's not much you can do about it."

Alice smiled, at last, her expression softening.

"Yeah, it is… But I want to believe everything will work out for them. My brother… I think he deserves to be happy."

And then she realized. She had said it to Nate.

The sweetness of her smile vanished in an instant. Her eyes widened slightly, a quiet pang of discomfort showing.

Nate didn't correct her. He only tilted his head slightly, his expression not judgmental—but skeptical.

"Either way," he said calmly, "it won't be long before Bella finds out."

Alice nodded slowly.

"Yeah… I think so too. And Edward knows it. He's… really nervous about that. So much so that he asked me to talk to you yesterday."

Nate raised an eyebrow, turning slightly toward her.

"To me?"

"Yeah," she said quietly. "He wanted to know if you knew anything. If Bella had already talked to you."

Nate chuckled under his breath, a mix of irony and resignation.

"Guess his anxiety got the better of him because he asked me the same thing today. But when I gave him my answer, he left. Chose to put off talking to Bella."

Alice looked down, her expression almost melancholic.

"I understand. That's a scary conversation. Knowing that when you finally tell the truth… everything might change."

Nate watched her for a second longer, then spoke gently.

"It would've been easier if you'd asked me yourself. A message, for example."

She looked at him again and smiled, a little embarrassed.

"To be honest… I didn't know how to start that conversation with you. I know you're not exactly a fan of that relationship."

That's when he understood. The subtext.

He stayed quiet for a few seconds, his face shifting into an expression of delayed realization.

"Well… I can't blame you for not trying to contact me," Nate said, leaning back again with a relaxed gesture. "Judging by the way that guy reacted, I probably have a reputation for being dangerous."

Alice laughed softly, musical. She knew exactly what Nate was trying to do—break the tension.

"To be fair, if you smiled more, you'd look less threatening," she said with a smirk.

"Is that fashion advice, or do I look violent?" Nate asked, tilting his head with a barely-there grin.

"Both," Alice replied playfully. "Everyone probably thinks you're going to punch someone—like that guy in the cafeteria…"

"Mike," Nate muttered with a resigned sigh. "The good thing about that reputation is that I probably won't get many invites to the dance."

Alice laughed again, this time more genuinely. The atmosphere between them began to feel different. More comfortable. Lighter.

After a brief pause, she looked at him again, this time with sincere curiosity.

"I thought it was sweet of you to take Bella to the dance."

He frowned slightly, surprised.

"And how do you know that?"

Alice raised an eyebrow, as if the answer were obvious, then glanced around to make sure no one was listening.

"Remember the enhanced senses thing?" she said in a conspiratorial tone. "I overheard Jessica in the cafeteria. Honestly, even without enhanced senses, I would've heard her. She and her friend speak pretty loudly when they're excited."

"Ah," he murmured, shrugging. "That was before Bella got so close to Edward, but… I don't mind. It'll be fun going with a friend."

Alice nodded softly, as if she approved, though without making any direct judgment. Nate looked at her now with renewed curiosity.

"And you? Are you going?"

"Mm… I don't think so," she replied, lowering her voice a bit. "I've been to plenty of those dances. This year doesn't feel worth it."

She paused, then added in a more confiding tone,

"Although… I always enjoy picking outfits for events like that."

"You like fashion?" Nate asked, genuinely curious.

Alice's reaction was instant—her eyes lit up with excitement, and her voice regained that vibrant tone that was so distinctly hers.

"I love it!" she said with energy. "Over the years, so many things start to feel… static. But fashion always changes. There's always something new to try. It's like… a form of movement, even when everything else stays still."

Nate nodded, smiling—more because she seemed so genuinely animated than out of true understanding.

"Now I feel a bit guilty… I was just going to wear the first jacket and tie I found."

Alice widened her eyes as if she had just heard a crime.

"You're going to do that to a lady!?"

He chuckled softly.

"I'm pretty sure Bella will do the same and pick the first dress she sees."

"That's no excuse," she said with mock seriousness. "It's common sense. You have to match the moment. And I don't mean jacket length."

"I'm guessing you'd have some ideas," he said, still smiling.

"Some?" Alice replied, playfully. "I have dozens."

Nate raised his eyebrows, smirking.

"In that case… you should help me pick one."

Alice blinked as if she hadn't expected the suggestion. Then she leaned forward, intrigued.

"What kind of suit do you want?"

He took a few seconds to think.

"To be honest… I'm more of a visual guy. I need to see it on to know if it works."

There was a brief silence, and then he added, casually,

"So… why don't you come with me to pick one?"

Alice looked at him, clearly surprised, as if she wasn't sure if he was joking.

"Really?"

He nodded, expression calm.

"Yeah. I thought we could go to Port Angeles for a few hours after school. I heard there are some good stores over there… and well, since you know what you're talking about, I could really use your opinion."

She seemed to consider it for a moment, her fingers playing with the edge of her notebook. Then, a soft, bright smile formed on her face.

"All right. I'd love to."

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-Author's Notes: Honestly, you're right that the pace suddenly slowed down. I uploaded several chapters today for the same reason. I won't upload chapters for a couple of days to get ahead on Patreon. The story will move forward faster (at least until I finish the first volume, which covers the first book).