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The rest of the Government class passed in silence between Edward and Nate. Despite the tense atmosphere, Edward didn't say another word. Nate watched him out of the corner of his eye more than once; there was something in his expression as if he wanted to speak to him but was forcing himself to remain silent. When the bell finally rang, Edward left the classroom with the same restrained swiftness with which he had arrived.
Lunchtime arrived. Nate walked slowly through the halls of the school, his hands in his jacket pockets. He couldn't get one question out of his head: How had so many people found out he was going to the prom with Bella? They had only agreed on Saturday, and the event was still weeks away.
Upon arriving at the cafeteria, he spotted the usual group: Mike, Angela, Eric, Jessica, and Bella. But this time the atmosphere wasn't the same. The conversation was sparse. Only Angela seemed to be trying to talk to Bella, though without much success. The rest were plunged into a charged silence.
As Nate approached, he noticed everyone staring at him with varying and, frankly, uncomfortable expressions. Eric was avoiding her gaze, his expression hurt, as if Nate had betrayed him. Jessica scrutinized him with narrowed eyes, more indignant than annoyed. Mike's gaze was heavy with resentment... and defiance. Angela, clearly uncomfortable, was glancing from one to the next as if she wished she were anywhere else. Bella, for her part, looked at him with a mixture of apology and concern, like someone preparing to make excuses she knew wouldn't suffice.
Before sitting down, Nate glanced at the Cullens' table. To his surprise, everyone was looking at him out of the corner of their eyes. They weren't even pretending to talk to each other. Their attention was on him as if they were waiting to see something. Edward, especially, seemed somewhat tense, his back rigid and his eyes fixed on the tray in front of him, even though he wasn't looking at it.
Nate sat across from Bella. As soon as he settled in, Edward flinched, visibly from a distance. Bella leaned toward Nate and whispered, in a pained tone:
"I'm sorry, Nate… Jessica called me on Sunday. She asked me for advice on how to get you to ask her to the dance. I felt bad and… I told her the truth, that you invited me. Things got awkward, and apparently, she told a few people."
"You underestimated the power of gossip in a small town," Nate muttered with a wry smile, though his voice held a note of resignation.
He'd planned to keep a low profile and let the matter come to light later, perhaps closer to the ball. By then, he'd be able to say he'd convinced Bella at the last minute. But that oversight had lit a fuse. Some egos had been bruised, and now all eyes were on him.
As he thought about this, he noticed how Mike—two places away from Bella—seemed to be struggling internally. His expression ranged from anger to a kind of indignation. Finally, it was as if he couldn't hold it in any longer. He stood up and approached with a haughty, almost theatrical attitude. Nate tensed subtly, prepared for whatever might happen.
"Can we talk?" Mike said, looking at Bella with an arched eyebrow and not bothering to hide his annoyance.
Bella nodded uncomfortably. They stood up and walked to an empty table a few rows away. It wasn't exactly private. Anyone with a keen ear could overhear their conversation. Nate leaned back slightly, feigning indifference, but listening intently to every word.
He watched Edward tense across the cafeteria. His muscles rigid, his attention on Bella and Mike's every move, reminded Nate of a crouching tiger looking for the best angle to pounce. As Nate focused his gaze, Edward flinched, turned his body back to face the table, and quickly pretended to pay attention to his food. But Nate noticed he was leaning slightly toward Bella and Mike's table. Could he hear them from there?
The argument between Bella and Mike was escalating.
"Why did you say you had plans that day?" Mike asked, visibly hurt, with a mixture of disbelief and anger.
"Mike, it wasn't... it wasn't easy. I didn't know how to tell you. I'm sorry for lying to you, but..."
"So you're going to the dance, but with him?" Mike interrupted, raising his voice slightly and pointing at Nate. "With him? What does he have that I don't?"
Bella sighed.
"It's not that. We're just friends, Mike. He convinced me to go, to try something different... and I agreed because I trust him."
"Oh, right. Because I'm not worth your trust, right?"
Nate could see Mike's frustration growing. It wasn't just spite. It was ego. Mike had always assumed he had some control over the situation, over his place in the group. This time, that wasn't the case.
Finally, Bella seemed to understand that this conversation wasn't going anywhere and stood up to return to the table. That's when Mike grabbed her arm. It wasn't a malicious gesture, more like a reflex, but it was stronger than he intended. You could tell from Bella's pale skin that it would leave a mark. The tension was palpable.
Nate immediately stood up and walked decisively toward them. He grabbed Mike's wrist, squeezing it hard enough for Mike to release his grip, and in a firm voice said,
"Back off."
Mike looked at him, and only then seemed to remember where he was. He looked around and noticed many students watching them. He panicked; he seemed to understand that what he did was wrong, but he felt that backtracking would be worse. On an awkward impulse, he pushed Nate with both hands. Nate barely moved.
He stood still, analyzing the situation.
"I don't want any trouble, Mike," Nate said, his voice calm. "But you're crossing a line."
Mike, letting the resentment he'd been building up since he met Nate get the better of him, threw a closed fist straight at Nate's face. Nate, with sharp reflexes, dodged the blow with ease. He didn't respond immediately, but he saw in Mike's eyes a fury that couldn't be explained.
I knew that sooner or later I would have to put you in your place., Nate thought. Then, without further ado, he stepped forward and delivered a sharp, precise blow to the man's chin.
The impact was overwhelming. Nate had been boxing for years, and even without all that experience, he didn't know anyone who could beat him fair and square in a fight. There was something about his observation skills that allowed him to understand how his opponent moved in just a few minutes. Mike fell to the floor, unconscious. The entire cafeteria fell silent.
Everyone had frozen. Edward, in the distance, was standing there, oblivious. Angela covered her mouth with her hands. Jessica let out a soft scream. Bella froze, her eyes wide.
Nate took a deep breath and looked down at the floor where Mike lay. For a moment, he felt disappointed in himself. He knew it wasn't a fair fight, and yet, he went along with it. Then he looked at the Cullen table. Edward was watching him with a mixture of surprise and tension. But what surprised him most was what he saw in his eyes... relief.
"Are you okay?" he asked Bella, his voice low.
She nodded slowly as if she was still processing what had happened.
"Yes, thanks."
Nate looked back at Mike on the floor, let out a deep sigh, and with a calm gesture, adjusted his jacket.
"I guess I'd better go to the principal's office."
He added in a low voice as he bent down to pick up the unconscious Mike.
Author's Notes: Last chapter of the day! Don't forget the Powerstones! :)