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One Week of Art in Seattle
*An Intensive Life Drawing Course*

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Objective: This course is an introduction to the basic elements of drawing the human figure. Students will acquire basic competence in developing drawings involving the human form in an intensive five day workshop.
Students should realize a nude model will be used on the final day of this course and decide if they are comfortable with this aspect of the class before we begin.

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As I read the piece of paper before me, I couldn't believe that I had let Jessica talk me into this. Here I was at the Seattle Learning Annex, about to begin a week long study in nude figure drawing.

Jessica had claimed, in her ever present eager voice, "It'll be fun, and it'll take your mind off of him. He's probably the only naked person you've seen in the last couple of years."

And her statement was true, he had been the only naked person I'd seen as of late. My ex-husband Edward had been the only naked man I'd seen, ever.

The words sounded crazy in my head whenever that thought occurred to me- my ex-husband. How could a 24 year old girl have an ex-husband already?

Of course, I was out of my mind to get married so young in the first place. That was a given, and something that I'd heard time and time again from all of my friends and family. It was the big 'I told you so' of my life. But despite popular belief, it wasn't my lack of brains that caused my marriage to deteriorate. It was my lack of love.

I came to the conclusion about six months ago that I was no longer enamored with Edward Cullen. His presence no longer excited me, his words no longer made my heart flutter, and his love for me was no longer enough to sustain the relationship.

So I ended it.

But for the love of all things holy, I couldn't remember why ending it seemed like a good idea anymore. Lonely days and nights caused immense regret to kick in.

Love? Big deal!

What about dedication, compassion, shared interests, respect, and companionship? We had all of those things and more, and I threw it all away. All because I didn't feel the passion anymore- I couldn't feel the love.

Every day that went by, all I could think of was picking up the phone and begging Edward to take me back. My life was so empty without him. It was as if I couldn't exist on my own, my life having been so entangled with his. He was the only man I had ever dreamt about, and the only one that I'd ever been with. I couldn't imagine ever being able to feel the same way about somebody else. What was the point of ending my marriage if I was destined to end up a lonely spinster?

Even if the feelings I had for Edward had faded over time, they were very real when they were present. How was I to guarantee that I'd ever be able to have those same feelings over another man? It seemed impossible. Maybe the natural progression from hot to cold was inevitable with anyone.

And if that was true, then why would I ever give up all that I had with my husband over the possibility that I might attain the unattainable?

My mind stopped working when a tall beautiful man walked through the front door of the small classroom.

I looked around the room discretely to see if this stunning creature had all eyes captured, but I noticed that everyone else was going about their business undisturbed.

When my eyes returned to him, he was staring back at me- me, of all people.

He sauntered over to my easel and laid his hand on the top of its stand.

"Is this the life drawing course?" he asked.

"Yes," I managed to spit out in reply.

"Is the teacher here yet?"

I glanced down at the piece of paper in my hand once more before my eyes returned to his. "Professor Landing? No, I don't think so."

"Oh," was his only reply. He smiled at me and my breath caught in my throat. His white teeth were offset by his dark russet skin so brilliantly that it was truly a sight to behold. As his head turned away I found myself longing to see him smile again.

Get a grip, it's just a smile, I thought.

But I couldn't get a grip. His proximity was giving me goose bumps. He stopped speaking to me, but his body was mere inches away from mine.

I took the moments of silence to study his face as he glanced around the classroom, probably looking for a workstation to use. I wanted so badly to ask him if he might like to trade places with my friend Jessica and use the easel next to mine. This strange attractive man's presence filled me with a bizarre sense of hope. I felt a pull towards him so strong that I was sure it might have something to do with gravity. How come I can't take my eyes off of him?

I couldn't help but think how ironic it was that only seconds earlier I was contemplating never feeling emotional about another man again. Well, if you could consider unbridled lust a valid emotion, then it was pretty damn ironic.

"And who is this?" Jessica's voice broke me from my thoughts. Her face pushed its way into my line of vision and a slick grin curved her lips.

My own mouth fell open, ready to respond- until I realized I had no answer to give. I couldn't refer to him as 'the hot guy I was just talking to'.

"Oh I'm sorry, my name is Jacob," he jumped in; saving me from some inevitable embarrassment I was sure would have resulted.

"Jacob," I echoed. The sound of his name fell from my lips so easily.

"Well, Jacob. It's so nice to meet you. Bella doesn't get out much, so I'm sorry if she's giving you the cold shoulder. She's not what you'd call a people person."

If looks could kill, then the glance I shot in Jessica's direction would have been a nail in the coffin.

"Bella? That's a pretty name," he answered, mercifully ignoring Jessica's dig at me.

I turned my death stare away from my friend and looked back at him. He was smiling again. My broken heart started to flutter back to life. I couldn't remember lust ever doing this to me before.

"Thank you. It's actually Isabella, but I prefer Bella," I whispered, unsure that my voice wouldn't crack and wane if I spoke at my normal volume.

He leaned in, impossibly closer, and whispered back, "So do I."

I couldn't stop myself from averting my eyes down to the ground sheepishly, and grinning from ear to ear. Hopefully he didn't notice just how much he was affecting me. It would be awkward to have to sit in the classroom with him five days in a row if he knew just how badly I wanted him.

I want him? I questioned my sanity. I don't even know him.

I heard Jessica by my side, clearing her throat.

"I'm Jessica, by the way."

But Jacob didn't get a chance to acknowledge her statement because a short gray haired man suddenly appeared in the front of the room and began speaking to everyone.

"Hello, class. I'm Professor Landing, and I'll be making fine artists out of each of you by Friday. Supplies are in the front, feel free to use them. Keep in mind we are here to learn first and foremost. If you are here, then I am to understand that you have an actual interest in this area of art and you're looking to get a quick tutorial in sketching before going out into the world and maybe pursuing this as a career or college major. I will not tolerate disturbances in this classroom. Everyone has paid good money to take this class and if I hear even one obscene remark or one giggle I will most certainly throw you out of here- without refunding you. Does anybody have any questions?"

The room was silent, save for a scattering of papers falling to the floor.

"Okay, then. Jacob Black? Has Jacob Black arrived?"

"Yes." I heard his heavenly voice respond to my right, and then he was walking to the front of the classroom. Confusion set in.

"Good. Everybody, this is Jacob. He is going to be our model. Today is day one, so we'll be starting by drawing his face. On day two, we'll move onto the torso, day three the limbs, day four the extremities, and on day five the whole package."

As he uttered the last words I gasped loudly.

I reacted quickly to the slip by coughing and hacking, even banging my fist into my chest- anything to erase that swift intake of air that completely gave my shock away.

All eyes turned towards me expectantly.

Through my blush I muttered, "Sorry, I swallowed my gum."

I was sure Jessica wanted to laugh, but she was never one to throw away good money.

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