Meeting the Cullens (2/2)

(A/N - Poll has been closed, with a very strong lead in the FML. Though it's truly concerning how aggressive some people can be when things aren't how they want. It's just a novel, it's not that deep. Anyway, peace be with you.)

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After his internal meltdown during class, Gabriel maintained some semblance of conversation with Rosalie until the bell finally rang. As he shoved his books back into his bag, he turned to face her with a smile.

"Thanks for the info on the hiking trails, Rosalie. It was good getting to know you a bit."

Rosalie rose from her seat, her voice barely above a whisper. "No problem..." She seemed hesitant, fidgeting slightly. "Hey, actually, would you be interested in joining us for lunch? I can imagine it's tough being the new kid, knowing no one. Besides," she added with a sly smirk, "I think Emmett could use a new friend. He's a bit... simple sometimes."

Gabriel chuckled, the tension easing a little. "Sure, I'd be happy to join you guys, but I promised to meet a couple of other people first. Is that alright?"

"Yeah, no worries," Rosalie said, a hint of relief in her voice. "See you in the cafeteria, then." With that, she swept out of the classroom, leaving Gabriel alone with his swirling thoughts.

Following the flow of students, Gabriel navigated the crowded hallways until he reached the school's cafeteria. Double doors swung open, revealing the bustling heart of the social scene.

Students clustered in groups, their laughter blending with the clatter of trays and the din of conversation.

Scanning the room, Gabriel spotted Bella making her way towards him, her eyes searching the crowd. She caught his gaze and jogged over, a relieved smile spreading across her face.

"Hey Gabe, how was class?"

Gabriel raised an eyebrow playfully. "Gabe, huh? Already got a nickname for me, Bella?"

A blush crept up her cheeks. "Shut up. You're the only person I've actually talked to here properly. Give me a break."

"Relax, I'm just kidding. Let's grab some lunch. I think Eric might mistake you for a stray cat if we don't join them."

Bella chuckled as they cruised the food line, the aroma of mystery meat and mystery vegetables filling the air, making Gabriel wince at the smell. 'Uh, is my vampire side kicking in now?'

They reached the table where Eric sat, staking out a territory for them. As Gabriel voiced out, "Hey Eric, mind if we join you guys?" a collective head swivel turned towards them.

Jessica's head snapped around with such speed it was almost comical.

"Hi! You must be Gabriel? I'm Jess!" she said, a wide smile plastered on her face as she scooted over to make room.

"Bella, you never mentioned you were friends with Gabriel..." Her voice held a hint of something sharp, a touch of jealousy lacing her words.

Bella stammered slightly as she sat down next to Gabriel. "Uh, yeah. My dad and I met him last night. New kids gotta stick together, right?"

Gabriel nodded at Bella. "Hey everyone, I'm Gabriel," he said, introducing himself to the table full of students. Each person seemed a little strange in their own way.

Mike, in particular, bugged Gabriel. The guy acted like a wannabe alpha male, constantly trying to show off. It was funny watching Mike struggle to figure out what was going on between Gabriel and Bella.

Lunchtime buzzed with conversation as Gabriel sat with the students. The girls, Bella and Jessica, were gossiping about another group entering the cafeteria, the Cullens.

"Those are the Cullens," Angela whispered, her eyes glued to the new arrivals.

"Foster kids of Dr. and Mrs. Cullen," Jessica chimed in. "Moved here from Alaska two years ago, I think."

Angela nodded. "They keep to themselves. No one's really talked to them since they came."

"No wonder," Jessica continued, her voice dripping with judgment. "They're all, like, dating each other. See that big guy with the little black-haired girl? Emmett and Jasmine Cullen. Like, gross, dating your sister."

Angela scoffed. "They're not related."

Jessica pressed on, oblivious. "And the twitchy girl with the constipated-looking guy? Alice and Jasper. Total weirdos."

The Cullens found a table in the far corner, their quiet arrival a stark contrast to the cafeteria's noise. As the last member, a lanky, brooding guy with bronze hair, entered, Jessica couldn't resist another comment.

"That's Edward Cullen," she announced, glancing pointedly at Gabriel. "Gorgeous, but no one here is good enough for him, apparently."

Gabriel watched, his enhanced senses picking up on the girls' conversation. He saw Edward smirk faintly, his gaze briefly flickering to Bella before he joined his family.

Just as the gossip died down, the door swung open again. Rosalie, looking like she glided rather than walked, entered the cafeteria. Jessica's snide commentary resumed.

"Rosalie Cullen, or as everyone calls her, the Ice Queen. Too good to talk to anyone here. Rumor has it she failed some beauty pageant or something."

Lost in their whispers, the group didn't notice Rosalie approaching their table. Her eyes scanned the room, lingering on the boys before meeting Gabriel's gaze.

"Hey Gabriel," she said with a smile. "Did you want to join us?"

"Yeah, I'll be right over," he replied.

Rosalie nodded and headed back to her family, leaving the human students speechless.

"Dude! What the fuck?" Eric burst out, his voice attracting stares from nearby tables. "What's going on with you two? That's the most I've heard her speak in forever!"

The others murmured in agreement.

Gabriel chuckled, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "Beats me, man," he said with a cocky grin. "Maybe I'm just build different."

He caught a laugh from Bella before turning to leave. "See you guys later. Catch up later, Bella?" She nodded as he left the table.

Gabriel strode towards the group in the corner. The Cullens, picture-perfect and unnervingly still, all turned to him at once. Their gazes held a flicker of something…unusual.

"Dude! Glad you made it!" laughed Emmett, a mountain of a man who launched himself out of his chair and delivered a bone-crushing back slap.

"Introductions–this stunner is Jasmine, my girlfriend. Then there's brooding Jasper, pixie-perfect Alice, Edward the loner, and you probably know our resident ice queen, Rosalie." A mischievous glint sparked in Emmett's eyes as he gestured to Rosalie, who rolled her eyes with practiced ease.

"Bite it, Emmett," she retorted, flipping him off with a flourish. In the same breath, she offered Gabriel a seat beside her.

Grinning, Gabriel slung his bag down and settled in.

"Hey Gabriel, I'm Alice," a voice chirped, bright as a robin. "This is Jasper." Her smile could melt glaciers. Jasper, however, managed only a curt nod, his jaw clenched like a vault.

Jasmine, practically glued to Emmett's side, leaned in. "Emmett mentioned you were from LA. Huge change, right? Need anything at all while you're here? New Forks buddy discount applies, of course." Her smile was as warm as the sunshine LA was famous for.

Gabriel couldn't help but snort, Emmett finding himself a clone with boobs? Now that was a thought.

"Thanks, guys," Gabriel said, taking in the group. "Honestly, I'm loving Forks. The constant drizzle is a change, but the quiet? Pure bliss. No more honking or sirens keeping me up all night."

The Cullens were a fascinating bunch. Edward, perpetually silent, seemed to follow Bella with his eyes like a lovesick hawk. Emmett and Jasmine were an adorable mess, glued together and radiating pure happiness. Alice, a whirlwind of sunshine, chatted for both her and the stoic Jasper. Then there was Rosalie, focused solely on Gabriel. Her gaze was a constant evaluation, a silent job interview.

Gabriel couldn't deny the pull he felt towards Rosalie. But something was missing. The spark, the connection everyone talked about, the mate bond. He'd read the stories, the soul-deep connections that bound vampires together. Yet, for him, it was just... attraction.

A theory flickered in his mind. Maybe being Alucard, a vampire ancestor from another world, messed with the whole mate bond thing? He wasn't sure, but the idea of a choice was strangely appealing. Finding a partner who truly fit him, not someone mystically compelled to his side, that was something worth exploring.

With lunch over, Gabriel doled out goodbyes to the Cullens, snagging Emmett's number for future gaming sessions and Rosalie's for... well, Rosalie was a mystery. "Later, guys, thanks for the grub," he said with a grin, pushing back from the table.

The rest of the day was a blur of numbers and essays. Gabriel's newfound brainpower was like a cheat code, blasting him through math and English with laser focus.

The last bell was a sweet, sweet sound, and he practically bolted out of the school doors. A quick charged into his car, a peel out of the parking lot, and Gabriel was on his way home, a single thought buzzing in his head: "Time to test this body!"