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The Forks High School cafeteria had that typical feel of a small place where everyone seemed to know everyone, even if that wasn't entirely true. There were defined cliques, unspoken hierarchies, and glances that crossed with hidden agendas. For someone like Nate Winter, it was fertile ground for observation.
He walked in with a firm but relaxed stride, tray in hand, his eyes scanning the room with the efficiency of someone unfazed by appearances. He was the new kid on the block for most people, turning heads wherever he went.
"Nate! Over here!" Eric shouted from a central table.
Nate walked over. Eric was already sitting with his usual group: Jessica Stanley—who began to smooth her hair as soon as she saw him approach in an awkward attempt to look more presentable—Mike Newton, with his air of a frustrated leader, giving him the appraising look of a lion watching another approach its territory; Angela Webber, with her shy but polite attention; and a couple of other kids Nate recognized by sight. Across from them, sitting with the posture of someone still not entirely comfortable in her surroundings, was Bella Swan.
—Guys, this is Nate Winter. The new guy. Well, the other new guy, Eric joked. —I only met him a couple of classes ago, but he's nice.
"Hey, Nate," Jessica said, smiling as if every word were a flirtation in disguise. "Have you gotten lost in the halls, or have you learned your way around?"
"I'm still a little lost," he replied with a half smile, "but not enough to miss the cafeteria."
Jessica let out a delighted giggle. Nate looked around and noticed the only empty seat: right across from Bella. Jessica seemed to expect him to sit next to her, but he walked around and sat across from Bella without hesitation.
—Do you mind if I sit here?
"No, of course not," Bella said, somewhat surprised. Her eyes held Nate's for a couple of seconds longer than usual. He held them. There was something in his gaze that wasn't cold or invasive, but deep, as if he were looking deeper than he should. Bella didn't dislike it.
—You're Bella, aren't you?
—Yes. Bella Swan.
—I'm Nate Winter. I've known your dad for a month. Charlie was a friend of my father's. They were inseparable when they were kids. He helped me a great deal when I first arrived in Forks. He's treated me like a long-lost nephew.
Bella looked surprised. Her eyes dropped for a second before returning to him.
—Wow. He didn't tell me anything…
"He's reserved," Nate agreed. "I guess I am, too."
—Well, that's… curious. So your father is from here?
—He grew up in Forks, yes. He left years ago. Then he met my mom, and they moved to DC, where I was born. So now, because of life... I'm here, not knowing if I should swim to school or try to figure out if they'll excuse me from school due to bad weather—he said the last part with a smile that was unusual for those who know him.
Bella smiled, more comfortable. Nate had that kind of presence that drew people who felt out of place with him. There was something quiet, contained about him. She, who had spent much of her life feeling disconnected, found that… familiar.
"So, are you adjusting?" Nate asked.
—Trying. It's very different from Phoenix, but… I think I can get used to it.
"I hope so," he said gently. "I'd like to have more familiar faces around here."
Bella looked at him for a moment. Nate didn't speak quickly. He chose his words like someone choosing stones to build a stable tower. His voice had an almost hypnotic tone, without lacking in pretense.
Jessica, clearly uncomfortable with how the conversation was going, leaned toward them.
"Bella was asking about Edward Cullen a few minutes ago, right?" he said with a smile filled with ill-disguised intent.
Bella frowned, briefly locking eyes with Jessica.
—Just ask for your name. That's all.
"Well, the Cullens aren't worth watching," Mike chimed in, quickly jumping into the conversation. "They're secretive. Weird, if you ask me. You shouldn't even try to talk to them."
Nate raised an eyebrow and turned his head slightly toward Mike. He analyzed it in seconds: insecurity covered in forced humor, a clumsy attempt to protect his place with Bella. Jessica supported him out of ego. Mike did so out of jealousy.
"I was in class with Edward Cullen this morning," Nate said, unhurriedly. "I found him… interesting. If you want to talk to him, we can hang out afterward."
Before Bella could respond, it happened.
At the far end of the dining room, the Cullens stood up. First Edward. Then Alice, Rosalie, Emmett, and Jasper. All are in perfect sync. Without saying a word, they collected their trays—untouched—and left the room with rehearsed ease.
Nate narrowed his eyes slightly, noticing Bella's reaction. Confusion. Unease. The same thing he felt, though his own was more analytical.
"That was… synchronized," he murmured.
"Yeah, that was peculiar," Angela said quietly, though she didn't seem too intrigued.
"They're cute, but they're kind of weird," Jessica added in a tone that tried to sound superior.
Nate didn't pay them any immediate attention. He looked at the table where the Cullens had been. He noticed they'd thrown away their food before leaving the cafeteria. Not even a drink had been touched.
"Funny," he said softly. "They didn't eat anything."
Bella looked at him.
—I hadn't noticed-
"Observing is a habit," he replied. "Details speak louder than words."
Eric laughed to lighten the moment.
—Maybe they're so rich they don't like school food! They're probably carrying caviar in their pockets.
The group's laughter broke the silence that had fallen.
Nate looked back at Bella. Her expression remained serene, but her eyes revealed that she'd noticed something else: an echo of his own thought. The same question in her eyes.
"I'll go see Charlie later," Nate said. "If you're around, maybe we'll run into each other. I'd like to keep talking."
Bella hesitated, as if unsure whether to respond politely or with interest. Finally, she smiled slightly.
-That seems fine to me.
Mike clenched his jaw. Jessica crossed her arms. She was about to say something when the bell rang, saving the moment.
Everyone started to stand. Nate picked up his tray as calmly as ever. As he passed Bella, he bowed slightly, unnoticed by the others.
"Don't let them tell you who's worth watching," he whispered.
And with that, he walked away towards the exit.
Bella sat there for a few more seconds, her expression unreadable. It wasn't a smile, nor a question. It was something he hadn't seen in her since arriving in Forks: genuine curiosity.
Meanwhile, Nate walked to his next class, mentally reviewing what he'd just witnessed. The Cullens' coordination, their immediate evasion after his comment.
Something didn't fit. And he planned to find out.