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The car glided through the streets of Forks at the unhurried pace of a lazy afternoon. From the passenger seat, Bella leaned toward the window, elbow resting on the edge, her head slightly turned to speak with Alice, who sat in the back with her hands folded on her lap.
"It's a shame it rains so much here," Bella said. "I feel like if we lived somewhere sunnier, we could make more exciting plans."
Alice smiled. "The weather has its charm. Though I admit, I wouldn't mind seeing a few more sunny days…"
Nate, behind the wheel, commented without taking his eyes off the road, "I always thought you and your siblings would burst into flames if the sun hit you. You know, because of how pale you are."
Alice laughed, catching the real meaning behind the joke. Bella just looked at him, raising her eyebrows.
"Are you including me in that too?" Bella asked with a teasing smile.
"A little sun wouldn't hurt you," Nate said, with a small grin. "But who knows, maybe you ran away from Phoenix because of it."
Alice looked amused. "Wow, you're quite the charmer, Nate," she said with playful sarcasm.
The car kept moving as the girls resumed a lively conversation. Bella seemed especially enthusiastic about Alice. They laughed and shared short anecdotes. Alice was effortlessly charming, and although Nate kept his emotional distance, he couldn't help but feel... less defensive. His initial intention of keeping the Cullens away was starting to feel less certain—at least with her.
"What about Edward?" Bella asked naturally. "What's he like at home? Sometimes he feels... hard to figure out."
Alice tilted her head slightly. "Edward has many layers. But deep down, he's simpler than he seems. He just wants to do the right thing. He's... really good."
Bella smiled, almost shyly. "Yeah... he does seem like someone who cares a lot. Maybe too much sometimes."
Nate stared straight ahead, his jaw tense. He stayed silent. Alice noticed.
"What do you think, Nate?" Bella asked, without any hidden intent. "What was your impression of Edward?"
Nate took a second. Then he muttered, "He's reserved. I don't know him well enough to say."
Alice looked at him with interest. She felt a bit of admiration for how naturally Nate sidestepped the question.
Bella nodded. "That's what I thought. You two should spend more time together. You're kind of alike—you both have that smart but mysterious vibe."
"I don't think we're alike. We have... different natures," Nate murmured, just loud enough for Alice to hear. She raised an eyebrow slightly in response.
A few minutes later, they stopped at a gas station on the edge of town. Nate turned off the engine and said:
"I'm going in to grab a snack. Want anything?"
"I'm good," Alice replied.
"Me too," said Bella. "Thanks."
Nate stepped out of the car. As soon as he walked a few steps away, Bella turned to Alice with a smile that was a little smug—something rare in her.
"I think Nate likes you."
Alice blinked, surprised. "What?"
"Yeah. It makes sense, doesn't it? I've heard him mention you before, and he sounded interested. Besides, he usually avoids girls. You have no idea how many times Jessica's tried to talk me into planning a group hangout—and with you, he agreed right away."
"You should think about it. He's handsome and funny, and he has that protective air that makes you feel... safe. I don't even think he realizes it, but he's totally into you."
Alice looked at her with fondness, immediately understanding Bella's misunderstanding. "Do you think that?"
"Absolutely. And you should know Nate isn't like that with just anyone. He's... selective. Sometimes too much. But you? You're different—I can tell."
Alice didn't respond right away. She glanced toward the store where Nate had disappeared, then smiled—mostly to herself.
"He seems like a great guy," she said softly. Then she looked at Bella and added, lowering her voice with a hint of mischief, "Edward is really good too, you know..."
Bella blushed. "Alice! Are you trying to sell me your brother now?"
"I'm just saying, some people are worth it. Edward is shy, despite what he seems. You just have to give him time, and you'll get to know him."
Bella shook her head, laughing. "You sound just like Nate. He told me something similar."
"About Edward?" asked Alice.
"Sort of. Honestly, I wanted to ask your brother a few things, but Nate told me to give it time. I think he meant I should get to know him first—or at least that's how I took it."
Alice was still thinking about that when the car door opened again. Nate returned with a small bag of snacks. He looked at them with a raised eyebrow.
"Did I miss something?"
Alice smiled, charming. "Just a girls' talk."
"That sounds like a conspiracy," Nate said as he got in. Bella laughed, offering no further details.
They kept driving a while longer until Bella looked at her phone.
"Oh! I almost forgot. I have to email my mom. Can you drop me off at home, Nate?"
He glanced at her, immediately catching the hint. "Sure," he replied neutrally.
When they arrived, Bella unbuckled her seatbelt, opened the door, and paused for a second. She leaned toward Nate and whispered with a grin:
"Don't waste the opportunity."
He responded seriously:
"I won't." However, for Nate, the purpose was something else entirely.
Bella nodded, pleased, and got out of the car. She turned to Alice.
"Thanks for coming. That was fun."
Alice waved her hand with her usual bubbly flair, almost theatrical. "See you soon!"
Now alone with Nate, she slid into the front seat with graceful movements. The car returned to the road, quieter this time. Nate didn't speak at first.
Alice broke the silence gently.
"Bella's convinced you like me. Did you know that?"
Nate let out a soft laugh through his nose. "I know. She hasn't exactly been subtle about it."
Alice looked at him, interested but without pressing.
"And what do you think?"
Nate sighed. "I think there are a lot of questions between you and me."
Alice nodded. She looked back at the road. "Then let's talk."
The car continued forward, driving into the setting sun. This would be the first honest conversation they would have—without filters.