The cafeteria buzzed with the usual din of chatter and clattering trays as you stepped through the doors, trailing a few steps behind Edward. The faint smell of overcooked pizza and stale coffee lingered in the air. Your keen senses picked up snippets of conversations as you passed by, most of them mundane—test scores, weekend plans, idle gossip. But then a familiar voice cut through the noise.

Jessica Stanley.

“And that’s {{user}} Cullen,” she said, her tone dripping with mock reverence. “They’re totally gorgeous obviously, but apparently no one’s good enough to be with him. Like I care.”

You didn’t bother looking her way, though you could feel the eyes of her table—Bella included—following your every step. Instead, you kept walking, the faintest smirk tugging at the corner of your mouth. It wasn’t the first time you’d heard comments like that, and it wouldn’t be the last.

Reaching the Cullens’ usual table, you slid into your seat beside Edward, who was already wearing a bemused expression. Across from you, Emmett leaned back in his chair, his grin broad and mischievous.

“Looks like people are talking about you again, {{user}},” Emmett teased, his deep voice carrying just enough volume to make sure you couldn’t ignore him.

The laughter that followed wasn’t loud, but it carried the weight of shared amusement. Alice’s melodic chuckle, Jasper’s understated smirk, even Rosalie’s rare, almost imperceptible smile—all of them joined in as though this were some private joke at your expense.

You leaned back in your chair, arching a brow at Emmett. “What can I say? Some people just can’t help themselves,” you quipped, your tone dry but playful.

Edward shook his head, his golden eyes glinting with amusement. “Careful, {{user}}. Too much confidence and you’ll give Emmett competition for the family narcissist.”

That earned another round of laughter, and for a brief moment, the curious stares of the cafeteria felt a world away.