New one-shot! This idea popped into my head and of course, knowing me, I just had to write it down. Here's part one! If you'd like part two, please review with your thoughts. Thanks. (:

~x~

I hated the fact that I'd chosen to go to art school.

At the time, telling my parents that I wanted to go half way across the country to learn to paint, was the greatest idea I had ever had. They'd been skeptical, because of course, it was very hard to make money as an artist. But it was my passion, and I wasn't going to let anyone stop me from doing what I loved.

So in a few weeks, I was all settled at the New York Academy of Art. I started sharing a dorm with a girl named Alice, and we both agreed that everyone who said that going to art school was a bad idea, was wrong.

Months passed, and every day we would go to class. We'd paint, we'd take notes, we'd learn about famous painters, and as time went on, Alice and I realized that we were the ones who had been wrong.

Every single teacher we had, informed us that there wasn't a likely chance of any of us getting a job in art; that going to art school was just what people did for enjoyment, and not because they actually wanted to make a career out of it. And that was when Alice and I had become as skeptical as my parents.

We searched for jobs, some even out of the city; but we couldn't find any. The only job that involved some kind of art, was selling art supplies.

My dreams had been rained on; my goals had been smashed. I wanted to go back home, and get as far as I could from this stupid campus. But I wasn't a quitter; I was going to graduate art school, and then move on to something I could do that would allow me to accomplish something; make a career out of it.

There was only a few weeks left, and Alice and I could not have been more happy. We had become very good friends over the year, and were excited to emerge back into the real world as best friends. We'd created a bond that was a very rare thing to find, and almost impossible to break. She was like my sister.

~x~

"We're breaking into each others lives

stealing all we can

Holding on to this perfect lie

'cause nothing else matters"

I was awoken on Monday morning to "Criminal Love" by Memphis High playing on my iPod. I had to admit, I'd been playing it on repeat all week. I quickly turned it off and sat up in bed, rubbing my eyes.

"'Morning!" I heard Alice's chipper voice call from the bathroom. "Hurry up, we have class in an hour!"

I groaned, flopping back onto the bed. "We're painting naked people today, right? This is going to suck."

"It's art, Bella." she sighed. "Loads of artists paint naked people."

"Yes, but Alice, haven't we already decided that we don't want to be artists anymore?" I sat back up again, pushing my bed head out of my face.

She laughed, walking into the room in a fluffy white towel. "We could paint each other! That wouldn't be awkward!"

I snorted. "Too bad we're not aloud. Because apparently we aren't models."

Alice rolled her eyes and dropped her towel. She grabbed two sundresses and put them in front of her.

"Which one?" she questioned.

I pointed to the golden one and she threw it at me. I slid out of bed and slid out of my clothes as well. "I'm getting in the shower. Don't leave without me."

"Sure thing." she winked.

I showered quickly and brushed through my hair. It hung like it always did, straight and boring on my shoulders. I couldn't do anything with it to make it look... beautiful. Alice's hair was super short, yet she managed to make it look amazing; without even trying.

I pulled on the golden sundress (Alice had convinced me to wear dresses every day this week), and put on a bit of makeup. This was the department that I was lucky in. I didn't need makeup. Alice always had to put on eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, blush, etc. All I had to do was put some concealer on my mole. The mole that Alice claimed she wanted. Why would anybody want a mole above your lip? To me, it was disgusting. I wouldn't have minded a freckle, but a little dark mole was just gross.

Once we were all ready, we grabbed our bags and headed up to the school. Other students were making their way up there as well, some by themselves looking very shy and awkward, others holding hands with boys and surrounded by a group. If I hadn't met Alice, I would probably be one of those shy and awkward kids, to be honest. Not to say that becoming friends with Alice had cured me of my shyness; that definitely wasn't the case. I still got nervous around pretty much everyone else. I knew I was going to be especially nervous today. We were painting naked people; this was going to be very awkward.

We entered the classroom, which turned out to be very hot and stuffy. The windows were latched shut, and no one could get them to open.

"The windows are locked today." Professor Matthews said, entering the room. "We don't want our model to get cold."

Oh, so it was only one model. I guess that wasn't as bad as two or three. It seemed like I was the only one who was nervous about this entire thing. Everybody else seemed perfectly at ease, setting up their easels and cleaning their brushes. Alice and I set up beside each other, and then sat down to wait for the model. Professor Matthews wanted to speak to everyone before the model arrived.

"This is an art school." she reminded the class. "Today, we will be using a model as our subject. This person is not an actual model, nor a professional. This exercise is going to let us explore the naked body, and I want no laughter or immaturity. You are all adults, and I expect you to behave like adults. Our model is waiting outside, so I'll invite him in now."

All the girls in the room began to whisper excitedly. My stomach was doing flip flops. A guy? We were painting a naked guy? I had never seen the naked male body in real life before; just in pictures and videos. Yes, I was a virgin. I was only 19 for crying out loud.

"I bet he's hot." Alice whispered beside me. "I hope he's big."

"Big?" I asked, confused.

She giggled. "Don't be so immature, Bella. His cock."

I flinched at the word. I wasn't the one being immature.

"It's called a penis." I muttered, grabbing my art tools to prepare.

She just snorted, and I rolled my eyes.

And then the door opened. Professor Matthews walked in first, and behind her walked in the most gorgeous man I had ever seen.

Tousled auburn curls, flawless skin, bright green eyes, full lips perfectly chiseled cheek bones; it was hard to believe that he wasn't a real model. My eyes fell to his body; he was wearing a dark blue robe, but I could see his legs. They weren't too muscular, but they weren't too skinny either. They were just in between, and I found myself slightly disappointed that he wasn't in the nude yet.

"This is Edward Masen." Professor Matthews introduced. "He's offered to let us use him as our subject. I'd like you all to paint him from whichever angle you are currently sat at. I will return in an hour to check in on you."

And then she was gone, shutting the door behind her. Edward didn't hesitate; he walked to the middle of the room and began to untie is robe. I had the sudden urge to turn away, but I knew that this wasn't the appropriate time to care about privacy.

The robe fell to the floor. I wasn't the only one who had to hold in a gasp. One girl actually yelped.

He had a six pack. He had a slightly hairy chest. He had perfectly toned, muscly arms. He pretty much had everything.

"Average." I heard Alice mutter in disappointment beside me.

I finally let my eyes fall to his lower torso, and I almost blushed when I saw his penis. It wasn't erect, of course, so it looked quite small, but I found myself being fascinated by it; not aroused by it like all these other girls were. The guys were just trying to avert their eyes.

"Any particular pose you'd like?" he asked quietly, his voice clear and boyish; I almost blushed again.

"Spread your legs." one of the girls called out.

"Jack off." another one said.

"Cover up." one of the guys muttered.

I was taken aback that these girls could be so... rude. Even Alice had muttered "jack it" under her breath.

"Just be casual." I said quietly, looking at his face, not his penis. "You don't have to be elaborate or anything. It's just a painting."

He ignored everyone else and smiled at me. "Okay."

This time, I did blush. I hastily hid behind my canvas, not wanting him to see. Once I was sure the red had faded from my cheeks, I grabbed my pencil and peered around my easel to look at him. He stood there with his arms in a pose. One hand was on his thigh, and the other was running it's fingers through his hair. He looked... beautiful.

I began to sketch his face, focusing on that part alone. I drew his bright eyes, his messy curls, and his full lips that were stretched into a cute lopsided smile. I shaped his face and shaded in his cheekbones, keeping the boyish look about him in my sketch.

I sketched his chest, his arms; his entire upper torso. And finally it was time to draw the dreaded lower half. I avoided his penis at all cost, concentrating on his legs and feet. But when I finished, I stared at the empty space in the middle. I took a deep breath, ready to look at it again.

I stared for a few seconds, completely overwhelmed by interest. My hand wasn't moving on the canvas, and I wasn't even blinking. I realized what I was doing, and I looked up to see if he'd noticed.

He was staring at me, the crooked smile wider than before, his eyebrows raised.

I dropped my pencil, and as I bent down to pick it up, red faced and embarrassed, I knocked down all my paintbrushes as well. I felt everyone's eyes on me as I gathered up my things; my skin was practically on fire.

At that very moment, in walked Professor Matthews, who I'd never been more happy to see.

"We'll continue this tomorrow." she announced. "Leave your paintings here; they'll be exactly where they were tomorrow."

I quickly grabbed all my belongings up off the floor, and tried not to lock my eyes with anyone else. Alice tapped me and I picked up my bag, ready to go. My face was red as a tomato. As we left the class, out of the corner of my eye I saw Edward tying his robe again. His face was flushed as well, and his crooked smile was brighter than before.

I was positive that my skin was about to catch fire.

~x~

What do you think? Should I continue it? Please review! (:

-C-