Hey guys, its been sometime but I've decided to work on this story next. I'm trying to make it a little different than what I've done so here's to hoping that it works out. I hope the first chapter gives a certain something to interest you and see if you'll stick around.

This will involve a bit or criminology and psychology. But the disclaimer is that I am no expert but I did delve into some of this when I was in high school so don't hold it against me. This is all for fun and imagination.

Enjoy and see you next chapter

Chapter 1

The phone's loud shrilling sound made me jump from my spot, dropping my notebook onto the floor with a loud bang.

"Crap." I muttered, picking it up and dumping it on the small table as I ran to where my phone was. "Hello?"

"Hey, darling." The usual voice flooded the receiver and I smiled, pushing back a lock of my hair.

"Hi Caius."

"What kind of cold greeting is that?" He mocked and I laughed, shaking my head as I grabbed a brush to pull through my hair.

"Hi baby. Better?"

"Yes." He retorted honestly. Caius was an honest person but he also had a bit of a harsh persona so it was hard for people to get along with him. After dating him for eight months, I sometimes even wonder how we started speaking in the first place. He's not one to go out of his way to speak to people first. "Are you ready?"

"Just about, I'm just grabbing my stuff and I'm running out the door. A last minute package delivery back tracked me for a bit so if I leave in the next three minutes, I'll just make the seminar."

"Bella, you sound like you ran a marathon." He chastised and I rolled my eyes. Here we go with the parenting skills 101 that I don't need to hear.

"I've got to go, Caius. I'll call you when I get out. Bye!" Clicking the phone, I tossed it onto the side and stared at myself in the mirror. Seriously, I hate being scolded. I knew he was going to say I was hurrying too much and overexerting myself and that it was my fault for leaving things for last minute.

Picking up a lip gloss from the top of the small vanity, I smeared it over my lips and picked up my hair so it was in a high ponytail. Looking into the mirror, I saw the disaster that awaited behind me making me groan. After nearly a year of moving to New York, you'd think I'd finally be able to get my life in order. Grabbing my bag, I ran out to catch the nearest train.

After nearly getting trampled by New Yorkers and a whole lot of tourists, I made my way into John Jay College, smelling the new home I'd be attending for the next year or so. I finished college back in Forks, my hometown, but then I took a one year break to work before I decided to get away from the small town life and get a master's in criminal justice. I felt there was no better place than to go to a place that was specialized in criminal justice. I wanted to be a lawyer and fight for the rights of the common people as well as provide justice, but I couldn't be satisfied with just a bachelor's—I wanted a master's and really see this career pan through.

They have a welcoming seminar with special speakers that the students were encouraged to attend so I decided it would be a good idea to get acquainted with the aura. The auditorium was already half-way full so all the front row seats were taken. And I thought that people didn't come to this sort of thing. Walking towards the back rows to get a seat, the awkward feeling of eyes trained on you prickled at my skin. When I settled into my seat, I saw a few chairs lined up against the back of the stage but the dominating point was the large podium located in the center. It held authority even without anyone standing behind it and speaking.

I sat comfortably with a notepad and pen in my lap as I went through my phone. Within the next few minutes, the buzzing of whispering people stopped and I heard a tap from the microphone. A short man with a mustache, introduced himself and welcomed us all before delving into different topics.

"Now to hear it from the mouth of someone who has been in your very spot and can guide you through with personal experience. We have a very special speaker, alumnus, Carlisle Masen." Out of protocol everyone clapped loudly, the sound resonating throughout the room. When he appeared before the podium, I nearly choked on my gum and had a heart attack. The man behind the podium was tall and broad, with amazing blonde hair that he combed out of his face. His face was pale but structured and he had gorgeous full lips that I'm sure I wasn't the only one staring at. His eyes were a light brown and they carefully scanned the area before he leaned forward and started speaking, making me drool. He was ridiculously hot and I couldn't keep my eyes off of him, but the main problem was I couldn't focus on what he was saying, all I knew was that he was talking smoothly by the way his lips moved and his face remained cool.

"…So remember, your time here will test how much you truly wish to follow your career path—or as I call it, your vocation, because that's what a career should be. A vocation. It will be hard and it will make you want to cry and wish you had simply quit and stayed with your bachelor's—" He turned to look at everyone in the crowd. He didn't have to worry about me not paying attention, my eyes were glued to him. "But if you can face this and conquer it—" He pushed his finger against the podium top to emphasis his point. "Then you can conquer anything. The professors here will challenge you to your highest potential, don't try to impress them, impress yourself and push forward." His speech was so eloquent and fluid, without a single hesitation or mistake. "Overall, enjoy your studies here, I look forward to seeing each and every one of you graduate out of here." He threw a small smile, indicating the end of his speech, which made everyone clap loudly—including me. The man could have said that he wished we'd all leave this room because we were annoying and we'd all still clap.

After an extra fifteen minutes, we were released and I walked back to the train station, sending Caius a message that I'd meet with him before class tomorrow. Making my way back home, I felt too tired to do anything so I showered and plopped onto my bed until the next day.

"You sure are excited." Caius said cautiously as he gave me a side glance. I grinned widely and nodded happily.

"Yes. I feel like it's the first day of kindergarten."

"Your perception is all fucked up." He chuckled and pulled me to the side before I could go in. "Have fun studying, okay?"

"Okay." I agreed immediately and he shook his head, making his near platinum blonde hair shake around him. He pressed his lips to mine and I smiled at him when I pulled away. "Bye." I waved my fingers and made my way to the first of my two classes today.

Having a two hour class first thing in the morning way probably the worst thing I could've done to myself. Especially when the professor was so monotone that he had me lulling off. Introduction to Law and Legal Reasoning was obviously going to be a drag for this semester. I yawned and walked into the half-full classroom of students sitting in their seats patiently waiting for class to begin. Looking down at my phone, I noticed that I was still five minutes early, so I settled in a seat near the back and pulled out my notebook to take notes.

"Welcome to Criminal Psychology class," I heard a low and raspy voice call out, diverting my attention from my phone. "I'm Professor Masen and we'll be seeing a lot of each other." My heart nearly jumped from my chest at the sound of the last name Masen. But when I looked up, I wasn't met with blonde hair and brown eyes, but rather brown hair and blue eyes. I blinked, my grip loosening on my phone as I stared in awe. He was tall, broad and muscled, even with his clothes hiding his frame. He had pale skin and sharp cheekbones and his eyes were glued to a book he held in his hands. Pulling out a pen from his messenger bag, he bit the tip of it and then looked up at us.

"I'll be calling your name. George—"

"Here."

"Lucy."

"Here."

"Marcus."

"Present."

"Isabella."

"Here." I called out and he looked over me before continuing on until he finished calling out the names on his attendance roster.

"Now, this class is exactly what you think it is." He put down the book but didn't make any movement towards the table. "It's to teach you to think like a criminal. It's not enough to simply use knowledge from a book in real situations because one needs to get inside the head of an individual to understand. Instead of being at the same pace as a criminal, it's beneficial to be a step or two ahead." He stuffed one hand in his pocket and started pacing. "In your syllabus, which I have emailed to you, you will see that there is one test, one paper and a partnered case which I will assign." I heard the collective groans and I saw the corner of his lip twitch. "You don't like it? Tough shit. Withdraw and take someone easier." He turned so that he was facing us directly with a fierce glare. "Partner's will be chosen next week and it will be due before the end of the semester. Now—" He continued, putting a finger to his lip. "You will need a pen and notebook from my class as well as a well-developed mind. We will be studying different serial killers throughout this course and discussing traits as to what makes someone a sociopath or a serial killer." He cleared his throat. "Feel free to watch Law and Order. In fact, I encourage it. See if your mind can follow along and trace the pattern of each killer. Some other shows I also recommend are Criminal Minds and Lie to Me."

A hand rose up and he immediately jutted his finger towards it. It was a female student sitting up front but to the right side of the room.

"Are we going to be watching it in class?" He chuckled and shook his head.

"Are you twelve? No. This will be up to you if you wish to watch them or not. It doesn't faze me. The grade you receive is entirely up to you so exert your potential and your grade will reflect it. Now, class dismissed." He waved his hand and we were all left staring after him momentarily. That's it? No full on lecture?

"Well that was a waste of time." I muttered under my breath. I glimpsed in his direction and saw him stuffing the book into his bag and pulling out his phone. He seems like an ass. He looked really young, not even in his thirties. Making my way onto the streets, I continued over analyzing this professor. His last name's Masen. I wonder if he's related to the speaker from yesterday…

"How were your classes, anyways?" Caius asked as he stuffed a sushi roll into his mouth. From the counter top, I shrugged, swinging my legs.

"Fine, I guess." He frowned.

"What do you mean you guess?"

"It's the first day, so nothing interesting." I pressed, picking at the other rolls from my container with my chopsticks. Sushi was really such a lifesaver at times like this considering there was a sushi spot at every corner and it really stuffed the stomach.

"But you must've gotten an impression from your professors." His phone vibrated and he instantly scrolled through it, his attention now divided. That really is a pet peeve of mine—whenever he was glued to his phone. I could feel a prickling sensation gnawing at me, but I swallowed my venom to avoid fighting tonight.

"They were good, I mean one was boring me to death while the other one sounded like he was going to be a prick."

"Good thing you don't have them every day." His response was half-heartedly, considering his attention was concentrated on the smartphone in his hand. I rolled my eyes and hopped off the counter top with my chopsticks stuck in my mouth.

"Right." I muttered sarcastically. "I'm showering and going to bed. You can leave or whatever." I threw out the container and walked into the warm shower, not waiting for his response—that's even if he heard me.

Unfortunately for me, Caius decided to spend the night at my apartment two days in a row, which didn't lead for much sleeping. If it wasn't sex that he wanted than he just kept me up with pointless conversation. Tired is an understatement.

I woke up late and looked over to see him sprawled across my bed without a care. Of course that's because he doesn't have to wake up early for school. Caius was older than me by two years and he never returned to school to obtain his masters; he graduated from a community college with a liberal arts degree and decided to work.

However, because he kept me late last night, I was past my usual schedule, so I was literally running to get to class, considering I missed my first class. This wasn't good. Catching my breath, I nearly stumbled into Professor Masen's class to see most of the seats already filled. Some people gave me strange looks while others minded their own business. I went to sit at the seat I had last time, glad it was still open. Heavy footsteps walked into the classroom and I heard the rustling of papers. When I turned over, I saw the professor walked in already with his messenger bag already placed on the desk and his attendance book out.

"Alright, let's begin an actual lecture today, but to begin with—" He rolled up the sleeves of his fine sweater and looked around the classroom. "There will be a short exam next week—" Collective groans were heard and even I released an annoyed breath. Exam? It's only the first week of classes, give us a fucking break. "It's all multiple choice so relax." He rolled his eyes. "I want to see how well your attention is and it'll be worth the least amount out of all your grades."

"But will we even have enough material for an exam?" A voice cut in from the front. Whoever voiced his opinion was a brave soul. Professor Masen smirked and gave a short chuckle.

"Oh we will. Trust me. Stop worrying and get through today first." He cleared his throat. "Secondly, I originally planned for you to pick your partners next week but—" There was a knock at the door and in poked a head of dark hair.

"Excuse me, is this criminal psychology?" The voice was high-pitched and very feminine. Glancing around, I saw many male eyes snap to the source of the voice. Professor Masen nodded and the woman walked in, with a book in her hand and a shy smile on her face.

"Are you in this class?"

"Yes." The professor looked at his attendance roster and I noticed a frown settle between his eyes.

"What's your name?"

"Alice Brandon." She quipped quickly and effortlessly. Her smile was still intact and it seemed all the eyes of both the male and female gender on her didn't bother her in the slightest. She was petite in height and body frame with very slender limbs. She had on a blouse and a pair of maroon pants that fit snugly around her ankles. She wore a pair of oxfords on her feet and her hair was a dark ebony color and curled so it fell around her shoulders in a long bob. It was obvious she was used to attention.

"I don't see you on my roster. Did you recently transfer in?"

"Yes. I just picked this class yesterday." Professor Masen nodded and closed his book, gesturing her to the classroom.

"Then I'll pen you in until your name is printed into my roster." He said simply. "Take a seat, Miss. Brandon." She walked to the back and sat in a chair in front of me, gracefully crossing her legs and opening her notebook. "As I was saying, partners were supposed to be picked next week, however, I am moving the date to today because I will be gone next Wednesday." I could hear the happy hisses from everyone around us. "So greet the person around you and partner up, I'd like to know who is partners with who in about—" He looked down at his watch. "Three minutes."

Heads snapped furiously to neighbors and hands were shaken as formal introductions. People partnered up rather easily and were already laughing. Me, on the other hand, I was just sitting awkwardly, regretting taking this class. If I withdraw now, it won't affect my grade and it won't reflect badly on my transcript. My hand fisted on my lap and I inwardly groaned. This guy is a fucking pain. I was always my most awkward when I was in class with no friends and it was hard when I was forced to make friends with someone for instances like group projects. Fuck me.

"Hey," A feminine voice pulled me out of my train of thought and I looked up to see that new girl's smiling face. "I know this is sudden, but it seems almost everyone is partnered up. Do you mind working together?" Her voice was hopeful and her eyes were kind.

"Sure." I squeezed out, easing the awkward tension around me. "Your name's Alice right?"

"Yup." She popped proudly, puffing out her chest slightly. "What's your name?"

"Isabella, but don't call me that, people only use that when they're mad at me." I waved my hand in dismissal and she giggled. "Bella is what I'm known by."

"Okay, then Bella it is!" She agreed with a snap of her fingers. "You have very pretty eyes Bella." Her eyes searched my own and she seemed fascinated. People have told me they like my eyes and I always felt a warm flattering feeling afterwards. "Actually, you are very pretty overall. Everything about you contrasts."

"Contrasts?"

"Yeah. Your hair is almost a black color which makes your green eyes stand out vibrantly against your milk-like complexion." She spoke with such ease that it made me laugh, causing some people to look back at us.

"You sound like a passionate photographer with his muse." I spoke through my laughter and she grinned.

"Well photography is my passion. But seriously, you're awfully pretty."

"Thank you." I smiled back at her. "But you're pretty direct aren't you?"

"I like to be very straightforward. If a girl is pretty I like to say it—I think it makes a girl feel happy to hear those words even for a few seconds." I blinked at her serious tone before she changed the topic. Not long, the professor called on her.

"Who are you working with?"

"Bella."

"Bella?" He questioned, looking over his roster. I narrowed my eyes but said nothing. It's not that hard to figure out considering I'm the only Isabella in this class.

"Isabella." Alice corrected, jutting her finger in my direction. His eyes slowly slid to where she pointed and he quickly nodded, scribbling something down. "He looks like your average pain in the ass."

"I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed." I muttered under my breath and she giggled into her hand and it seemed the professor heard it because his eyes snapped to us.

"Something funny, ladies?" He rose an eyebrow with a sarcastic look and I gave him a cheeky smile with a small shrug.

"Not at all, professor." He brushed me off and returned to his messenger where he pulled out a notepad. He ripped out a piece of paper and set it down on a desk of the student right in front of him.

"Before you leave, provide your phone numbers and email addresses. If I need to contact you by any means, I'd like to do it more than just through the school email information." He rolled up the sleeves of his shirt and I could see his arms were well toned. Oh they look so nice. "I know that at least half of you don't open that crap up." He turned and walked behind the desk in the front of the room. "Now let's begin."

After more than an hour and several hand cramps, this asshole of a professor finally stopped his lecturing. The whole time he spoke in a smooth, fluid, tone and gazed over us, barely glancing at his notes. This guy had to have a fucking photographic memory. Meanwhile, I was writing so fast to keep pace with him that I had paper burn, if that shit even existed! Sometime while I was writing, Alice passed me the paper for our information but I had no time to fill it out.

"Do you want me to wait for you?" Alice asked, putting the strap over her shoulder. I glanced up at her after stuffing my notebook away and shook my head.

"No, it's okay. Go ahead." I replied. "I still have to fill this out and hand it to Professor Pain-in-the-Ass." She smiled and nodded.

"Okay. I'll see you next class!" She power-walked out of the classroom as the students quickly filed out, leaving me and this Masen-ass by ourselves. I quickly scribbled my name, number and email on the sheet so I could hand it to him and leave. He waited patiently with an expressionless face, while I quickly did a one over on him.

"Quite some time there, Ms. Isabella." He uttered and I gave him a look.

"I had to uncramp my hand, professor, and then I had to fill this out." I gestured to the paper in my hand. "Just following instructions." When I went to hand it over, his fingers bumped against the sheet and slipped from my hand. "Sorry!" I exclaimed, reaching out to grab it at the same time he did. Our hands hit one another, with a loud skin-slapping sound and his eyes zeroed in on our hands touching one another. A frown marred his skin and he suddenly looked troubled. In a second, he snatched his hand from mine, along with the paper and cleared his throat.

"Right. Thank you, Ms. Dwyer. See you next class." His voice was thin like ice and he whipped around back to his messenger bag, leaving me dumbfounded. I stared at his back with my mouth agape and blinked a few times to bring myself back to reality. What just happened? Without saying a word, I walked out of the classroom with long strides and kept my gaze on the ground. What's wrong with him? He was fine and then he gave me a nasty attitude. Could it be because I dropped the sheet with the contact information? The moment our hands touched he looked as if though someone told him his goldfish died. His hand… As I stepped out of John Jays' doors, I gazed on my hand, flexing my fingers. His skin was warm, it felt nice…

"What the hell am I thinking?" I grumbled at myself immediately snapping my hand back to my side where it belongs. I don't need to be thinking anything, least of all over my jerk of a professor who looked disgusted because I dropped his stuff and he nearly held hands with me. I rolled my eyes and took out my metro to head to the nearest train. "I need a wine or a Scotch."