3 The Center of Attention

Lauren found it fascinating.

The second she'd entered the cafeteria with Alice and Edward, more than one eye had been religiously strained on them.

It was a good thing she didn't care, or she'd be a stumbling mess as she reached for any cafeteria food she could stomach. Instead, she ignored her surroundings, laughing with the Cullen pair about an inside joke.

Yes, they already had those. Crazy, right? Lauren, the perpetual ice queen being chummy with vampires. Her mother in her previous life would have had a fit, which made their budding friendship all the more sweet.

After they finished loading their platters, the three of them walked across the cafeteria, towards the most recluse table — a table where three other Cullens were already seated.

Lauren expected a hostile welcome. After all, the Cullens didn't know she wasn't exactly human and yet Alice and Edward had brought her at their table.

"Finally!" The dark, curly-haired boy that resembled a weight lifter pulled out a chair for her. "We've been hearing about you all morning."

Lauren took the chair, which placed between muscle boy and a taller, leaner but still muscular honey blonde boy. "I'm glad to know my reputation reaches so far," she laughed, setting down her plate before shaking the hand muscle boy was waving in front of her.

"Emmett Cullen," he grinned, making his already handsome face all the more handsome. "I'm sure it's nice to meet me."

Lauren grinned — he made her think of an oversized puppy, "It is indeed, big boy. I'm Lauren Mallory."

The honey blonde boy to her left took her hand in his, placing a light kiss on top of it. "Jasper Hale. At your service."

There was a lull at the table where all his siblings looked at him like he'd lost his mind. Lauren eyed him, not seeing anything wrong and smiled, "Nice to meet you, Jasper."

As Lauren turned towards the last girl, the statuesque blonde who'd glared her way this morning, she was surprised to see a small smile on her face.

"I'm Rosalie Hale," the blonde waved. It was small but it was something.

Lauren nodded. "Nice to meet you, Rosalie," she eyed her shoes. "It'd be nicer if you tell me where you got those babies."

Rosalie smiled a bit wider, "Better yet, I can show you."

"It's a date," Lauren winked, ignoring the surprise on the rest of the Cullens faces. For vampires, they sure got surprised often.

After an awkward start since Lauren was the only one eating, Emmett broke the ice and soon enough, they were all laughing along with a story he was (exaggeratedly) saying.

Lauren was having fun.

For the first time in a really long while, she was having fun without worrying what her mother was up to or if she would still be alive the next day.

The same familiar feeling she'd felt with Alice and Edward intensified as she was with the five of them.

Somewhere deep in her heart, she knew they would be friends for life. Literally.

~•.•~

"I didn't know you were friends with the Cullens," a male voice said from behind Lauren as she was stretching.

It'd been two hours since lunch and PE class had already started. Lauren was doing great in volleyball since she needed to shake off the excess energy she'd had for a couple days. That was until she was interrupted by the boy.

Michael "Mike" Newton; five feet eleven with pale blond hair and clear blue eyes. He was one of the popular boys at school and the previous host's ex-whatever.

The previous host and Mike kissed at the beginning of the summer and then he'd ghosted her, but she still held a torch out for him. Lauren snorted — there was no way in hell she would even imagine dating a high school boy. She was twenty-six in her last life therefore, despite being in a fifteen year-old body, she wasn't planning on dating any of these underrated boys.

Lauren shrugged in response to Mike's words, "They're great."

"Really?" Mike's skeptic tone implied what half the school body thought — the Cullens were to be avoided.

They gave off that vibe to anyone who dared to approach so it was no wonder the rest of the students didn't want to try. But it was no excuse either to act as though they were bad people.

"Yes," Lauren said in a curt tone. "What do you want, Mike?"

"Look," Mike started. "I realized we didn't leave things clear this summer, we would be great together."

This time, Lauren snorted out loud. The boy had nerves. It was more like he'd seen her gain boobs and an ass and suddenly, he was back in her backyard.

No, thanks.

"That ship has sailed, Mike," Lauren patted his arm with a slight patronizing air. "I'm not interested."

Not leaving him the time to reply, Lauren ran back into the fray of the girls' team, already forgetting about the boy.

~•.•~

Rosalie: Do you have some plans after school?

Lauren: I'm free as a bird. Why?

Alice: Come home with us! Our parents are dying to meet you.

Lauren: You didn't even wine and dine me before I had to meet the parents. I'm feeling used, girls.

Rosalie: Dork. Are you coming or not?

Lauren: Of course I am!

Alice: Great! I'll send you the address or you can follow Edward's car.

Lauren: I'll follow.

Lauren lifted her head from the group chat Alice had insisted the three girls should have and closed her locker with her left hand. She wondered if it was all happening so quickly — she'd just met the Cullens, and now she had to meet Papa and Mama Cullen.

She just hoped they wouldn't be too scared by her crazy.