Disclaimer: Twilight belongs to Stephenie Meyer, Gabriel and his world belongs to me. I am not making any money from this.

Rating: M (for sexual situations, language and some heavy angst)

Pairing: Edward Cullen/Gabriel Dementia (OC)

Warning: This will be a SLASH story, which means a male/male pairing. If you do not like this type of thing or it offends you, then don't read it, I'm not forcing you to.

There are also themes of suicide, depression, 'sleeping around' and suggested incest (nothing graphic though)

Note: In this world, Bella does not exist, and she probably will never come into the story.

Summary: After Gabriel's father takes a bullet meant for him and dies, Gabriel's mother goes mad with grief and soon cannot tell the difference between her son and her husband. But in a sudden bout of madness, decides to kill herself and Gabriel by driving off a bridge; Gabriel survived, she didn't. Gabriel was in a coma for eight months, and during the coma he had a vivid dream of a family of vampires living in Forks. When he wakes up, he finds himself living with his aunt who works with a travelling carnival; but soon after telling his aunt about the dream, she decides that they move to Forks. Things get weird though when Gabriel starts to see his dead mother while awake and in his dreams, and he starts to become obsessive compulsive; not only that but he comes to realize that everything from his coma-dream is real.

This chapter is dedicated to ShadowWolfDagger: thank you again for your lovely review and for sparking ideas in my brain. (I hope you received my reply)

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Broken Mind [Dreaming of Twilight]

Chapter 4

Face

"(Don't look now)

'Cause it is coming for you,

It is coming for you

(Don't slow down)

It is around the corner,

Around the corner

(Don't hold back)

You got to give what you got,

You got to give what you got

(Don't slow down)

You got to face the music"

The Black Ghosts

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Forks Hospital

Carlisle sat in his office before the beginning of his early morning shift at Forks Hospital deep in thought; he couldn't get what Edward had said out of his mind.

He had known that Edward had been watching someone or looking out for something because Edward thought it his duty – because of his unique ability – to protect the family; but Carlisle couldn't help the smile that suddenly appeared on his face when Edward finally figured out what it was that he found so interesting about Gabriel.

It was all new for Edward, and Carlisle was just relieved that he had found someone that he was even remotely interested in – besides his family. Carlisle had been a little sad and disappointed that when he had brought Rosalie into the family, that Edward did not show any interest.

He thought it would be a good idea for Edward to get to know the boy Gabriel, even if he was not Edward's mate it would still be good for Edward to hopefully find his mate in the future. No matter how the situation with him and Gabriel turned out, it would be a good thing for Edward in the long run; it wasn't healthy how dejected Edward was getting over the years.

But Carlisle found it rather odd that Gabriel's scent affected Edward in a way that he had never heard of before; he would have to do some research into the subject. He would have to consult with some of the older vampires and see if they had any ideas or had heard of such a phenomenon before or in passing. He might even have to speak with the Volturi if he couldn't find anything; but they would be a last resort.

For now he could see no threat in the situation – at least on Edward's side of the equation. He had not seen or spoken to Gabriel so he did not have any idea how things would work out with him; the fact that Edward had difficulty reading Gabriel's mind had to be considered too.

But for now Carlisle would just have to watch and wait to see how events unfolded and look into this new discovery. Carlisle only hoped that what was happening to Edward was a good thing; optimistically he thought it would be – he was no Alice though; if she knew things would turn bad she would let Edward know.

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Forks High School

On Gabriel's insistence, he was dropped off by Sophie just before the turn off onto the Forks High School grounds, so as not to be seen exiting the 'love van'. Gabriel was a nervous wreck already, since that morning when he had realised he would have to wear clothes – surprisingly easy to forget – and that he did not know what would be mildly acceptable in a High School scene.

Not that he cared or anything, it was just that since his coma - and probably a little before that too - he had not been keeping up with the fashions. He tried to think 'normal' but couldn't really remember since it was so long ago since things had been mildly 'normal' that he was sure it wasn't 'normal' anymore.

He had pulled out a variety of what he thought would be the least conspicuous, and in the end had picked out a long sleeve, toxic green and white striped shirt and wore over it a sleeveless black turtleneck that would have revealed a large portion of his stomach had he not had the shirt underneath. He pared that up with simple black pants that hung low on his hips and a black jacket with a white fake fur collar and cuffs. That was 'normal' right - Acceptable?

All thoughts of apparel were swept from his mind violently when he saw the buildings – that looked more like a collection of matching houses - ,made up of maroon coloured bricks that were Forks High School; it was exactly the same as he had dreamed. He hadn't seen the high school before that day since Sophie had some how slipped out and registered him without him even noticing. Go figures; she probably thought he would bale out if she brought him with, which he would have if he'd known Forks High School would be a creepy replica of the coma-dream 'Forks High'.

He headed immediately in the direction he knew the reception would be, and, surprise of all surprises; there it was, exactly as it had been in his dream. It was more than a little disturbing, and Gabriel was tempted to head straight in the opposite direction of the high school and to hide away in his room until he was sure he wasn't still dreaming.

Gabriel entered through the door with the small sign labelled 'FRONT OFFICE' which seemed to taunt him with all its creepy accuracy. It was all the same inside too, right down to the padded folding chairs and orange-flecked commercial carpet.

There was a large red-haired woman wearing glasses manning one of the three desks behind the counter who looked up curiously at the sound of Gabriel entering. Gabriel wished he was just having a hallucination, because really, that woman shouldn't exist in real life; it just wasn't possible.

"Can I help you?" She asked as Gabriel stared at her hoping she'd disappear, but when she raised an eyebrow at him he sighed.

"I'm Gabriel Dementia." He informed her resignedly and awareness lit her eyes.

"Of course." She said with a smile and dug through an unsteadily stacked pile of documents on her desk until she found the ones she was looking for. "I have your schedule right here, and a map of the school."

Gabriel wouldn't need the map he knew, but humoured her as she brought several sheets to the counter to show him. She even went so far as going through his classes with him, highlighting the best route to each on the map. She also gave him a slip to have each teacher sign and he would need to bring it back at the end of the day.

She smiled at him as he took the papers from her, wishing to remove himself from her over-helpful presence and she hoped he would like it 'here in Forks' as he backed away and to the exit.

Gabriel walked around the side of the building and leaned against the wall with his eyes closed, letting out a loud sigh; it was going to be a long day.

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Edward waited by his car for Gabriel to arrive. He had left early so that he would be able to see Gabriel as he arrived on his first day at Fork High School. He had 'visited' Gabriel the evening prior, and when he had discovered Gabriel would be starting at Forks High School the next day he couldn't stop the excitement and euphoria he felt at the prospect that he'd get more time to watch Gabriel.

His siblings had been curious – apart from Alice of course, but she feigned ignorance - about Edward's obvious eagerness to get to school early, but he had told them nothing; leaving them to find their own way to school. He was anxious and excited to see Gabriel again – even though he'd seen him mere hours before - but he didn't think he'd be able to actually talk to him; he was just so used to watching Gabriel in secret.

And then he heard it, the familiar sound of the hippy van that Gabriel's aunt owned; soon after he heard a car door slam and the sound of the van driving away. If Edward still had the ability to breathe his breath would have caught in his throat at the sight of Gabriel walking up the drive way.

Gabriel's cheeks were flushed pink from the cold and his hair was sinfully dishevelled, giving Edward's mind a new stream of naughty thoughts. Edward thought that Gabriel had spotted him when he had suddenly stopped in his tracks to stare at the buildings. Gabriel's eyes were wide and there was a weird expression on his face; but he just shook it off and headed purposefully in the direction of the front office.

Edward was in two minds about following Gabriel, but in the end, his logical side won out with the excuse that he would see him again during the day surely. So Edward waited, and by the time that Gabriel returned from – Edward assumed – the front office, barely glancing at the paper in his hand before shoving it into his messenger bag and walking in the direction of the cafeteria.

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It was easy enough for Gabriel to find his first class, but he could have done without all the staring; really people these days had no tact – the least they could do was hide the fact, instead of just outright staring; some people stopping mid step just to gawk at him.

He entered his first class in a foul mood, hung his jacket on the coat rack and reported to the teacher so that he could sign the slip. The teacher motioned for him to sit at a desk near the back - which Gabriel was grateful for – but the other students still managed to turn around to look at him.

Gabriel was frustrated; exasperated by them, and wanted to know why they were staring so blatantly; his common sense told him though, that he was something new in a small town that did not often get new and unusual things – which he supposed he was after comparing himself with the other teenagers. But the students' attention was reluctantly pulled away from Gabriel and back to the teacher who had begun to talk.

During the day it only got worse when a girl named Jessica introduced herself and insisted he join her and her group of friends in the cafeteria at lunch time. He immediately disliked her, and it only worsened when she opened her mouth and boldly attempted to flirt with him. That wasn't the reason he disliked her though – although it did add to the deciding factor of his dislike -; it seemed Jessica had a fondness for lavender perfume and smelled just like 'that woman'.

Gabriel really didn't want to sit with her or her friends, he just wanted the day to end so he could go home and sleep; he was completely exhausted.

Gabriel had been hoping to slip away and hide when lunch came, but he had no such luck because Jessica had the class before lunch with him. Gabriel cursed fate as Jessica practically dragged him by his arm to the cafeteria and thrust him into the lunch line where he was trapped from escaping by one of Jessica's friends and then subjected to Jessica's intolerable shatter.

Gabriel bought his lunch, and Jessica sat him next to her at a table with a large group of people; he slid his chair and angled his body as far away from her as was possible. She basked in the spot light as she introduced Gabriel to all of her friends, but he didn't care so much as to actually pay attention and just nodded a general hello.

A blonde boy with blue eyes and a baby face eyed Gabriel with what looked like suspicion, but Gabriel paid no mind to him and chewed at his apple while staring blankly at the wall behind the blonde boy. His attempt at keeping as far from Jessica as was possible was failing miserably because every few seconds he would get a strong waft of her horrid lavender perfume; and it was only made worse for the fact that Jessica was not getting the hint that Gabriel was not interested.

The idea of informing Jessica, that unless she was hiding something extra in her pants and her breasts – which he doubted – were fake, he was positive that he would never find her attractive at any time - ever, appealed to Gabriel, but he decided it would be better to stay out of trouble for the time being and keep that little piece of information to himself.

"So Gabriel, what brought you to Forks?" the blonde jock asked accusingly

Gabriel stared at the wall for a few seconds as if he had not heard, chewing absentmindedly. What had brought him to Forks? A stupid dream he'd had while in an eight month coma? Fate; his aunt would say. Telling his aunt about the dream had inevitably brought him to Forks, but then again he had been the one to actually have the dream and tell Sophie. So whose fault was it that he was now living in Forks?

"Hello?! I ask…"

"I don't know…" Gabriel said distantly, his mind now switching to other things; were these people really from his dream? – He asked himself – or was he just having some new strand of almost constant déjà-vu? They certainly looked like the people from his dream, but then again, he hadn't really been paying attention to the people that weren't the Cullen's or more specifically, Edward.

"What?" the blonde boy, Mike – Gabriel recalled his name – spluttered

Gabriel sighed and looked away from the wall, pulling himself from his thoughts, "I don't really know why I moved to Forks…" Gabriel said exasperated

"O…kay..." Mike responded with a frown, but he seemed determined to get something out of Gabriel, "So where were you living before you moved here?"

Gabriel raised his eyebrows in amusement and laughed lightly to himself, causing more than one side glance in his direction; Gabriel supposed he must look quite mad. He was mad thought, wasn't he?

Where had he lived before he moved to Forks? Was there really a classification? He supposed he could say that had lived in a mobile home travelling with a carnival, but that would spark more curiosity ergo more questions, which he did not feel like answering at that exact moment; possibly never.

"No where." Gabriel said after a long, contemplative look at the ceiling.

"No where?" Mike repeated blankly

"Yes." Gabriel said glancing down at the half eaten apple on his tray; it didn't look quite as appetising as he had initially thought.

Mike looked as if he wanted to say something more, but Jessica spoke before he could.

"I heard you moved here with your mom, what does she do for a living?" Ah, small town gossip moved fast. Jessica leaned in closer to Gabriel, invading his very large personal space.

Gabriel cringed at the thought of his mother "My aunt actually," Gabriel corrected, indignantly, though no one - except for himself of course - knew why, "She's a psychic."

Gabriel wondered if it had been a bad idea to tell the truth, but decided that it was better than saying nothing and leaving them to their imagination to create some fantastical profession for Sophie; this way they knew the truth and wouldn't get the wrong impression… unless they thought he was making things up… and Gabriel could feel the makings of a headache developing; really, this was too exhausting.

Every one of the people ease dropping on the conversation went quiet and stared at Gabriel oddly, but Jessica went on, "So where are your parents?" Gabriel suddenly decided that Jessica was incapable of thinking logically, or rather, she just didn't know when to shut her mouth.

Gabriel stared at Jessica blankly, "Dead." He said bluntly, and took another bite of his apple, before dropping it back onto his tray with distaste; he didn't feel hungry anymore. Who did Jessica think she was trying to be; The Spanish Inquisition?

"Oh." Jessica said dumbly, and Gabriel sighed; he could feel his energy draining. Were all teenagers this immature, stupid and without manners? Common courtesy? Gabriel couldn't remember; everything before his father's death was all a blur of inconsequential images and events.

"How did they die?" Jessica asked with a pitiful attempt to look remorseful, and Gabriel's mind flashed with the images of his father lying dead, eyes open and lifeless with his blood pooling around him; images of his mother slowly going mad, and all the repulsive things she had done to him.

"I don't think that is any of your business. " Gabriel said tiredly

"Oh sorry!" Jessica exclaimed, eyes wide, "I didn't mean to pry or anything."

"Of course you did; other wise you wouldn't have asked." Gabriel said while rubbing his temples with two fingers. He really couldn't handle this anymore; he didn't think he could deal with anymore of this. He already had a huge head ache and, oh great...

'Curiosity killed the cat…' Gabriel thought morbidly; except Jessica was 'Curiosity' pulling the trigger, and Gabriel was the 'Cat'.

Gabriel squeezed his eyes shut, hoping she would disappear. 'Please, not now, just go away, and leave me alone.' Gabriel thought to himself and opened his eyes again, but she was still there. She stood a meter behind Mike, dripping with water which pulled at her decaying feet and advancing in Gabriel's directing with broken steps.

'Oh God.' Gabriel thought as he watched his mother begin to crawl slowly up onto the cafeteria table, clawing and pulling her self desperately towards him. He had 'that' taste in his mouth now; the taste of his mother's lips on his, and Gabriel wished he hadn't eaten that apple, because it was trying to make its way back up. He needed to wash his mouth out, he needed to wash his hands, and he had to get away from her.

"Gabriel." His mother gargled, "Why aren't you dead yet?" She pulled herself once more, getting closer with every second that went by; but Gabriel couldn't move. "You should be dead."

This wasn't good, she was getting closer still; Gabriel needed to get away from her before she could reach him. Gabriel managed to wrench his gaze away from the ghastly sight that was his dead mother, and stood so suddenly that his chair clattered loudly backward.

"Excuse me." Gabriel just managed to gasp out before he practically ran out of the cafeteria.

As soon as he pushed passed the doors he bolted for the nearest bathroom, slammed open the door and emptied is stomach into one of the toilets.

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Edward watched Gabriel intently as he entered the cafeteria with Jessica who was dragging him around. Gabriel looked annoyed and exhausted and it worried Edward that he didn't get much food; Gabriel really couldn't afford to loose more weight.

Gabriel seemed to be trying to get away from Jessica; every time she got close to him, he would go slightly paler, his nose would wrinkle up as if he smelt something bad and his expression would change to that of disgust. Edward indiscreetly sniffed the air, but he couldn't understand it; the only additional scent to her was that of the lavender perfume she was wearing.

Gabriel didn't look around much when he was in the cafeteria, which Edward was a little disappointed about; he'd hoped that Gabriel would notice him and ask about him – but then again, it would be better if he introduced himself without all the gossip that Jessica would most likely spew.

Alice had said that Edward would have his next class with Gabriel, which lifted his spirits; the only free seat in the class was next to him. It would be his chance to talk to Gabriel and get to know him; maybe Carlisle was right, maybe it really could work out between him and Gabriel.

Gabriel was staring at Mike Newton. Why was Gabriel staring at the Newton boy like that?! No, he wasn't staring at Mike; he was staring at the wall behind him. The sudden bout of what Edward identified as jealousy - from Jaspers analysis - passed and Edward went back to watching Gabriel who was eating his apple with a blank expression.

Edward became jealous again, which was ridiculous because he couldn't possibly be jealous of an apple; it was an inanimate object. But the way Gabriel slowly bit into it and sucked lightly at the juices of the apple, before chewing just as slowly and licking his bottom lip to catch any stray drops from the apple. It was the most seductive thing that Edward had ever seen; how could Gabriel do that in public? It was absolutely indecent.

'What has you in such moods Edward? Your emotions are all over the place.' Jasper thought at Edward, but Edward just shrugged without looking away from Gabriel eating that infernal apple.

Jasper looked over to where Edward was looking and saw Gabriel. Was he the reason that Edward had been acting so odd lately? Could it be that Edward had been watching the boy; could it be that this new-comer to Forks was the object of Alice's vision, the reason why Edward was such a jumble of emotions?

But Edward wasn't listening to Jasper's thoughts, he was listening into the conversation Mike was trying to have with Gabriel. All Mike's thoughts were focused around Gabriel and how 'weird' he was.

'Look at him… what kind of person wears clothes like that? What does Jessica see in him?! She's all over him … He's not even that good looking…' Mike thought viciously, 'He's just creepy, look at him, it's like he's some sort of alien… maybe if I get Jessica to realize just how not normal he is she'll keep away from him… he's bound to slip up or something and reveal his freakishness…'

"So Gabriel, what brought you to Forks?" Mike asked

'what the hell made you come to Forks?! You are not welcome!' he thought snidely

But Gabriel didn't answer, he didn't even show that he had even heard Mike's question; it was as if Mike hadn't even said anything. Edward wished he could hear Gabriel's thoughts at that moment. What was Gabriel thinking about that had him so distracted?

'What the hell?! He's ignoring me! What the fuck is his problem?!' Mike thought angrily when Gabriel did not answer after a few moments.

"Hello?! I ask…"

"I don't know…" Gabriel interrupted without looking at Mike

'…the fuck…?' Mike thought

"What?"

Gabriel sighed and finally looked at Mike as if seeing him for the first time "I don't really know why I moved to Forks…"

'If that's not proof that Gabriel is a weirdo…'

"O…kay..." Mike said with a frown

'Maybe I can get some more out of him, Jessica's still looking at him with love eyes…'

"So where were you living before you moved here?" Mike asked before he lost Gabriel's attention again.

Gabriel raised his eyebrows and laughed lightly to himself. Edward thought it was the most exquisite sound he had ever heard and he was more than slightly put off that, that Newton boy was the reason Gabriel was making that enchanting sound.

'I knew he was mad!' Mike thought, 'What kind of person laughs at a perfectly normal question, it's not as if I was trying to be funny or anything… what the hell is his problem…?!'

Gabriel stopped laughing after a few moments and leaned back in his chair to stare at the ceiling - apple forgotten. He looked as if he were contemplating what he would say, but then decided on "No where."

"No where?" Mike wasn't convinced

"Yes."

Mike was about to tell Gabriel what he thought of his answer but Jessica decided that she wanted in on the conversation.

'Oh Gabriel is so dark and mysterious, he'd not tall though, but neither am I, so it's like we were meant to be together. I know it.' Jessica thought wistfully and Edward thought that he might have vomited had he any food in his stomach, which he didn't, because he didn't eat.

"I heard you moved here with your mom, what does she do for a living?" Jessica said fluttering her eye lashes in a poor attempt at flirting. Gabriel flinched when Jessica leaned in closer to her but she didn't notice when he tried to lean further away from her. Was Jessica that dense? Edward thought, but then, of course, he knew what she was thinking; and the answer was yes, she was.

"My aunt actually," Gabriel corrected, looking offended, "She's a psychic."

The table went quiet and all eyes were on Gabriel.

'Yes!' Mike thought, 'I knew it! There is something freakish about him…'

"So where are your parents?" Jessica asked. And Edward had thought that Jessica couldn't have gotten any lower in the thought department, but alas, she lacked that common sense. Everyone else at the table had assumed that his parents were either dead or something to that effect, and the topic should not be queried.

Gabriel looked at Jessica straight in the eye and Jessica swooned, thinking that Gabriel was interested in her, but his expression was blank, "Dead." He stated impassively before taking another bite of his apple and dropping it back on his tray disinterestedly.

"Oh." Was Jessica's clever response and Gabriel sighed

And just when Edward thought that Jessica couldn't fall any further - "How did they die?" She asked while trying to look apologetic and failing miserably.

Gabriel's eyes glazed over for a moment but they cleared soon after and he looked at Jessica exasperatedly.

"I don't think that is any of your business. ", Was Gabriel's tired response.

'I bet he killed them. I bet he murdered his parents and came to Forks so he wouldn't be investigated…' Mike thought conspiratorially

"Oh sorry!" Jessica exclaimed theatrically, "I didn't mean to pry or anything."

"Of course you did; other wise you wouldn't have asked." Gabriel said as he rubbed his temples and froze - when he opened his eyes again -, eyes fixed on something that wasn't there. His whole body went still and he quickly squeezed his eyes shut again before opening them once more.

It was as if he were petrified, Gabriel looked like he couldn't move; like he was in shock. His face had a green tinge to it and his eyes were frozen open in horror. He looked as if he would like nothing more then to escape but his body would not let him move. Something was wrong and Edward needed to help him, but he didn't know how.

'He's petrified, he wants to run; he's panicking' Jasper thought at Edward because he too had been watching Gabriel. 'Edward, something's very wrong.'

Gabriel suddenly stood up and his chair clattered loudly to the floor, causing the attention of the entire cafeteria to fall upon him.

"Excuse me." Gabriel gasped out and fled from the cafeteria.

'Follow him' Alice thought and Edward was shown an image of Gabriel crying with his trembling fingers clasping the rim of the toilet with his head down, tears dripping uncontrollably onto the tiled floor; Edward stood quickly while everyone's attention was on the door Gabriel had just exited. No one noticed as he silently slipped out one of the side doors and sped after Gabriel.

Edward found Gabriel in the first bathroom he came upon; he could hear Gabriel's harsh breathing and broken sobs. He wasn't sure if he should enter the bathroom or wait for Gabriel to exit, but his instincts decided for him when he heard the tap that had been running water stop and he pushed the door open quickly to discover Gabriel curled under one of the sinks, hands and face wet with water; his body shaking violently and his raw red hands grasping at his hair tightly as if he were trying to pull it out.

Edward watched Gabriel for a few seconds, stunned – he had yet to notice that someone had entered the bathroom – Gabriel was beautiful even in his pain, and it took a few moments for Edward to re-adjust to Gabriel's scent; if the situation had allowed it, Edward would have jumped Gabriel right there and then. But he soon got a hold of himself and tentatively stepped closer.

"Gabriel?" Edward said as softly as he could, trying to sound comforting; gentle.

Gabriel's head snapped up to Edward's face, and Edward couldn't help but shiver; it was the first time Gabriel had ever looked at him directly. Those piercing electric blue eyes made Edward feel more vulnerable than he had ever felt in his existence; it made him feel as if his forever frozen heart could once again beat against his chest; it made him feel as if he was alive, and not merely existing.

"Edward…" Gabriel breathed, tears staining his cheeks; and Edward was at a loss for words. How had Gabriel known who he was? And he finally took notice of the partial images Gabriel was projecting that were assaulting his mind; they were of his family, of the Cullens. Had Gabriel seen Edward and his family before? But how was that possible, and how had he known what Edward's name was. Gabriel was truly a mystery.

Gabriel shook his head violently from side to side, as if he were trying to dispel a bad image. "You're not real… you can't be real, it's impossible…" Gabriel mumbled to himself.

Edward just stood where he was, unsure of what to do next. How was he supposed to help Gabriel? He had been so determined to help him this time, and now that he finally had the chance, he was drawing a blank. Should he embrace him, and allow Gabriel to cry on his shoulder? Should he try to find out what was troubling Gabriel?

But before Edward could move forward to comfort him, Gabriel had stood up all of a sudden and darted towards the door. Edward moved quickly and blocked Gabriel's exit.

"How do you know…?" Edward asked with out thinking

But Gabriel just shook his head with his eyes fixed on the ground.

"Gabriel…" Edward tried, moving forward slowly, "Are you okay?"

Gabriel was still shaking his head, "You aren't real… you don't exist… you can't exist… it's just not possible."

"What do you mean?" Edward asked as he moved even closer, and before Gabriel could react, he had a hold of both Gabriel's wrists; and as their skin touched, Edward was assaulted with the clearest view into Gabriel's mind he had ever experienced; it was still unfocused and distorted though, but he could understand it.

He saw himself hunting, running at an unnatural speed. He saw Emmett wrestling a bear and Alice jumping from tree to tree stalking a deer. How was it possible that Gabriel knew this? Edward pulled away slightly from Gabriel, still holding his writs, and stared down at him in awe.

It was a weird time to notice, Edward knew, but Gabriel was shorter than he had initially thought; Gabriel was almost a whole head shorter than Edward. His shoulders were also narrower than his own, his arms thinner and his torso straighter, flatter.

Gabriel stared up at Edward with wide eyes and then looked down slowly at Edward's hand around his wrists, as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing. They stared into each other's eyes fixatedly, but the spell was broken abruptly at the sound of the bell for class. Gabriel shook his head, trying to rid his mind of the daze, and then quickly stepped around Edward and out of the bathroom.

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Gabriel walked to his next class in bewilderment, unsure if what had happened in the bathroom had been something out of his imagination or not. Edward just couldn't be real, neither could his family, it was just too out of this world to be true. But when Edward had touched him, it had been so… but then again it could just be him getting even more insane. Yeah, that was more possible; but if he could feel Edward touch him with his insanity it wouldn't be so bad - so long as his mother couldn't touch him.

Gabriel entered the Biology classroom thoughtlessly, as if he had done it so many times before. People were staring at him – he hadn't looked at himself before he left the bathroom but he supposed that he looked like shit and he absentmindedly tried to flatten his hair – as he headed for the teacher who signed his slip, gave him a book and pointed out the desk he would be sitting at.

Gabriel turned towards the desk the teacher was pointing to and saw him - Edward – he was just sitting there, as real as every other student in the class room. His eyes caught Edward's and he walked towards his chair next to Edward feeling that it was all just like a dream.

He pulled his eyes away from Edward's to put his bag down and sit in the chair next to him, who was suddenly very close and very much existent. He looked back at Edward who was looking back at him, seemingly just as transfixed as Gabriel was. They were brought out of their world though, when the teacher began to explain the work they would be doing.

When they were left to do their work, Gabriel looked back at Edward; he was so much better in real life than he had been in his dream, but he was still having a hard time believing that Edward was actually real, which he must be because the teacher had spoken to him before setting the class with work. Was everything from his coma dream real? Was Edward human, or was the dream true and he and his family were vampires. Was Gabriel even awake, or was he still in the hospital in a coma?

He wanted to ask him, to talk to Edward but he couldn't; what if he was wrong and Edward was just a normal human? He'd have to see the rest of the Cullen's before he made any moves. For now he would just think of Edward as being human which he doubted every time he looked Edward's way. How had he gotten to the classroom before him when Gabriel knew he had left before Edward, and he hadn't seen him walking passed him.

It soon began to sink in that Edward Cullen was real; everything he had dreamt could possibly all be true and he was now living in it. He struggled desperately with his sanity and tried to stop the sudden panic attack he could feel coming on. If Edward was exactly as he had dreamt, then he would have been able to read Gabriel's thoughts; he would know that Gabriel knew what he and his family were.

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Edward wanted to say something – anything – to Gabriel. He just couldn't believe it; he had been watching Gabriel ever since he had moved to Forks and he had finally met him and even knew a little more about the mystery that was Gabriel. But, he realised, he wanted to know more, he wanted to know everything there was to know about Gabriel down to what colour socks he preferred wearing.

Edward was also a little curious and concerned after seeing into Gabriel's mind, even for the brief moment. He had seen a lot about Gabriel, and from what he could make of it, it seemed – after he had thought about it – that Gabriel had dreamt of his family, which was both interesting and disturbing. Was that even possible; but then again he and his family were vampires and Gabriel's aunt was supposedly a psychic; maybe weird ability's was hereditary.

But Edward was concerned – even though he knew he was just a little obsessed with him – that Gabriel knew their secret; although when he looked at Gabriel, he didn't seem the type of person to go about blurting secrets – that might just be his prejudice talking though. It still bothered him though, even if he thought they were safe for the moment; what if the Volturi were to find out.

But there wouldn't be a possibility for the Volturi to know at the moment, but once Edward pursued Gabriel further – which he definitely would now that he knew a little more about Gabriel – it would only be a matter of time before the Volturi found out about it and required that they take action.

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Gabriel couldn't remember how he got out of his Biology class and into his next class – gym. It had all been a blur of struggling to control himself from having a panic attack. When he had found himself unconsciously walking into the gym he had been surprised and then annoyed when Jessica tried to talk to him again.

The gym teacher – Couch Clapp – found him some gym clothes and showed him where the change rooms were. Gabriel had changed in one of the shower stalls, not really caring what anyone thought of him at that point, and then headed out to find that the boys would be playing basketball, while the girls played volleyball.

Gabriel had never played basketball before – well, if he had he couldn't remember – and Couch Clapp had had to explain to him the rules, which Gabriel hadn't paid too much attention to. And so when Gabriel was thrust into the game that the other boys seemed to be playing intensely, he hung around the outskirts of the court; he wasn't up for anything that required him to exert to much energy since he was still drained from hardly eating and then from emptying out the scant contents of his stomach in a toilet.

He hadn't been paying too much attention to what was going on, but he suddenly found that he had caught the basket ball reflexively to prevent it from hitting face, and was now unsure what to do with it. Who had been on his team again?

Giving up trying to figure who was who Gabriel just threw the ball over every ones heads and into the basket; but before anyone could say anything, Couch Clapp blew the whistle for the end of class and instructed the class to head to the change rooms.

Gabriel dragged himself to the change rooms and slipped into an empty stall before all the other boys had unfrozen themselves in shock, and by the time he had his shirt off the others had recovered and entered the change rooms as well.

Without warning, Mike pulled the shower curtain to one side but seemed to have forgotten what he had been about to say when he saw the vivid scar on Gabriel's pale chest and his ribs, which stuck out only slightly but still noticeably.

"Do you mind?" Gabriel asked with one eyebrow raised as he pulled on his long-sleeved shirt.

"Um…" Mike shook his head quickly and took on his jock persona again, "I thought you didn't know how to play basketball." He interrogated

"Yeah, I don't." Gabriel said while unfolding his pants.

"Then how did you get that shot?" Mike demanded

Gabriel shrugged, he had done a lot with the Carnival and he had developed many skills.

Mike gaped at Gabriel for a moment and Gabriel smirked, "Unless you want me to treat you to a strip tease… do you mind?" Gabriel gestured to Mike who flushed angrily and stomped away.

After getting dressed, Gabriel waited in the stall until most of the other boys had left before leaving himself; he wasn't up for any more confrontations, he just wanted to get out and get home as quickly and quietly as possible. He just hoped Sophie would arrive on time and not leave him to wait while people stared at him and grated on his already raw nerves.

He headed straight for the front office to hand in his signed slip and when he did, he had to endure the receptionist's over-friendliness and insistence on knowing how his first day at Forks High School had gone; and because he couldn't say that his day had gone badly – as he would then be subjected to queries as to why his day had gone badly - he had to smile and lie through his teeth.

He walked from the front office thoroughly drained, and at that moment all he wanted to do was lye down in his bed and sleep. But – of course – he was not so lucky, as he saw no sign of Sophie or the 'Love van'; she was late.

Gabriel sighed dejectedly and headed for the benches to wait, thankful that the rain had lifted; sitting facing the car park. But only a few minutes had passed before rain began to pour violently down from the skies and all Gabriel could so was sit there in the rain to get soaked; he really didn't care any more – his day couldn't get any worse than it already had.

With the rain drumming against his head, plastering his hair to his face and soaking his clothes all the way through, Gabriel saw Edward watching him from his car, and he knew, that yes, his day could get worse. The rest of the Cullen family - sans Doctor Cullen and his wife – glanced his way as well, and Gabriel understood at that moment that what he had dreamt had indeed been accurate – the Cullen family – Coven – were undeniably vampires.

All of the eyes that watched him were various shades of gold and amber – like Edward's eyes. All were pale to the extreme and unnaturally beautiful. They could all probably see him better than he could see them through the rain, and they probably could hear him over the loud pounding of the rain if he spoke.

And before Gabriel could truly freak out anymore than he already had, he heard the distinct sound of Sophie's 'Love Van' over the sound of the rain as it rounded the corner into the car park. Gabriel stood as soon as he heard the sound and bolted for the 'Love van' before it had even come to a stop.

He wrenched the door to the passenger side once Sophie had stopped and pulled himself in with one sift movement and slammed the door violently behind him. Sophie jolted in the driver's seat at Gabriel's suddenness, but one look at Gabriel soaked through and dripping all over the seats had her speeding off without a question; something had happened, and it would be his choice to tell her or not.

Half way home, Gabriel finally managed to calm his trembling body enough to talk coherently. "They're real!" Gabriel spluttered while rocking himself in the seat. Sophie had seen Gabriel break down a couple of times before, but she had never seen it to this extent; it was always angry and violent, but this was something new and totally different for Sophie.

She waited patiently for Gabriel to continue and make some sense, but he didn't say any more on the way home, and Sophie decided to wait and see once they got home, when she would be able to give him her full attention.

When Sophie cut off the engine - parked in front of the house - Gabriel seemed surprised at the abrupt silence; Sophie watched him closely as she shifted in the driver's seat to look at him. She didn't say anything, she just waited for Gabriel to either say something or leave the van; it was his choice, but she was letting him know without words that she would listen if he so chose to speak.

Gabriel lifted his feet up onto the seat and held his legs tightly to his chest, "Vampires… they're real… here!" Gabriel said shakily with trembling fingers that had nothing to do with the cold.

Sophie smiled kindly, "I know." Gabriel whipped his gaze to Sophie disbelievingly, "I knew there would be Gabriel."

Gabriel shook his head, she didn't understand; why couldn't she understand what he was saying? Or maybe she did understand, but she wasn't taking it like Gabriel had expected her; somehow he had expected more of a reaction from her.

"Gabriel." Sophie said softly and he looked back at her reluctantly, "I never doubted your dream, all details included."

Gabriel growled exasperatedly and exited the van without looking back at Sophie who sighed and rested her head against the steering wheel.

(7, 441 words)

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A/N: Wow, this is the longest chapter so far; I was going to put more into it but then it would be too long and if I tried to split it the two chapters would be too short.

I hope you all enjoyed Edward and Gabriel's first real encounter and if you have any questions or you don't understand something or something doesn't add up or is inconsistent with previous chapters don't be afraid to ask or let me know 'kay.

Thank you! All of you reviewers and people who put me on their favourite and alert list things: I feel all special when I see a new person interested enough in my story to alert it… ^_^

Reviews make me want to write more by the way – hint hint – and they let me know that you people actually enjoy what I write ^_^.

I'm finally on 10 reviews – whoop! Double digits! – And I now have 13 cats (that's a lot of cats! *_*) since one of my other 8 cats just had kittens.

Any way, I'll try to get the next chapter (still unwritten but planned) out as soon as possible; it all depends really. – Morgue Chan