It's a sunny day now in Forks, Washington. It's apparently not often that the sun comes out in this dreary small-town, so Abel is going to take advantage. He settles for wearing his light colored skinny jeans, a black take top tray covers his shoulders, his gay pride necklace that he got in Olympia during his shopping trip with Alice, and his white converse and socks.
Abel's sitting outside with Jessica, soaking up the sun, when Bella walks over, having driven herself. Abel's Jeep Wrangler came to Forks while he was in La Push with his friends from some repo place in Port Angeles. Even though he didn't have to, Charlie paid the fine and had it brought home. So, Abel was able to drive himself to school.
Bella looks around, looking for someone.
"He's not here," Jessica says, knowing who Bella is looking for.
Bella turns around and she finds Jessica sitting in the grass beside Abel. Abel looks happy. His bruising is a light yellow, they'll be gone by tomorrow or the next day.
"Whenever the weather's nice, the Cullens disappear," Jess adds.
"They just... ditch?" Bella asks suspiciously.
"No," Jessica replies, "Dr. and Mrs. Cullen yank 'em out for hiking and camping and stuff. I tried the idea with my parents... not even close."
******
Abel goes to the Cullen house after school. He's glad he has his car now because now he doesn't have to tell Bella what he's doing and he doesn't have to rely on her for a ride. He watches as Esme opens the door. She heard his car coming before he got to the driveway, and she came to the door when she realized he got here.
Abel gets out of his Jeep and Esme offers him a smile.
"Come on in, Abel," Esme encourages and Abel follows her into the house. "It's different, isn't it? Being here now that you know."
Abel nods. "Yeah," he confirms. "It's so... open, beautiful."
"I designed the inside," Esme says. "I am an interior designer."
"It looks incredible," Abel says.
Esme softens. "Thank you."
"Abel!" Alice squeals and she hugs him after suddenly appearing in her vampire speed.
Abel grunts at the impact and Alice did the minimalist impact. Jasper walks down and he offers Abel a smile of greeting.
"Hi, Alice," Abel greets and she pulls away.
"Oh, it's so good to see you!" Alice chirps.
"What's wrong?" Jasper asks him. "I can feel your risen anxiety?"
"Oh, that's so cool. You're an empath?" Abel asks.
Jasper smirks and nods. "I can feel and manipulate emotions," he states. "Now, what is it?"
"Bella's getting suspicious," Abel says and Alice keeps smiling. "Okay..." Je frowns at Alice but he looks at Jasper. "Is he here?"
"Hunting," Jasper tells him. "Go on up to his room."
"Nice seeing you, Esme," Abel says kindly before he goes to leave but pauses. "Hunting?" He turns around.
"We feed on animal blood," Esme says. "We are what we call vegetarians."
Abel nods slowly and he goes upstairs. He goes into Emmett's room and sees it a mess, just as he imagined. He sits on the futon, which is the cleanest area in here, and he grabs a playboy? Abel grimaces when he opens it.
"Abe?" Emmett walks into his room. He smelled him and felt the mate pull as soon as he got home.
"Why do you straight, bi, or pan men like naked women?" Abel asks. "I just don't see it."
Emmett sees what he's looking at and winces. "I really need to learn how to clean my freaking room," he mutters.
Abel closes the book and shutters in disgust. "Naked women appall me," he says and he looks at Emmett. "Your eyes are so bright."
"It's... uh, it's the feed," Emmett says as he stays by his door. He's completely confused. "You're here." He starts picking up things from his floor.
"Bella is getting suspicious, I wanted to tell you guys," Abel says. "Then I wanted to see you."
Emmett smiles. "You wanted to see me, huh?" he teases.
"Shut up," Abel whines and Emmett grins. "Yes, I wanted to see you. I also wanted to know if you can tell me more about vampires. I think I'm ready for answers."
"I can tell you some, but Carlisle can tell you more," Emmett says.
"Tell me what you can, and then I'll ask Carlisle," Abel urges.
Emmett nods. He walks over and he sits beside Abel. "Ask away, Abe," he encourages.
Abel asks questions and Emmett answers what he can. Abel talks to Carlisle that for even more answers and Jasper can feel his confidence rising, which is a great sign, and he says exactly that to Emmett when he asks.
