A/N - I don't own Twilight. Any Characters, plots or settings that are recognisable belong to Stephanie Meyer. Unfortunately...I'm not her!

Chapter 3

Increasing Bond

I woke up feeling excited to go to school. I was going to see Mr Cullen. I was reacting to him in surprising ways which caused a smile to appear whenever I thought of him and my heart to skip a beat every time he was near. It was a yearning that I'd never felt before. I knew it was wrong, and yet, I couldn't wait to see him again.

I arrived at school twenty minute's early and nervously walked into the classroom. The lights were on, but the door was slightly ajar so I quietly stepped inside and shut it behind me. Mr. Cullen was sitting on the edge of his desk intently reading Romeo and Juliet, the book we were going to study in class. I slipped into my seat and fiddled with my hands to keep me occupied. I was feeling awkward but was afraid to disturb him. I just stared at him surreptitiously instead.

As if he sensed my presence in the room. He turned in my direction with a boyish excitement shining in his eyes. He smiled warmly at me.

"Good Morning Bella"

"Morning Mr Cullen" I smiled back, an irrational blush warming my cheeks. It seemed like that was going to be a permanent state while I was around him.

"You're a little early aren't you?" He laughed softly and I looked up at him meekly. There was no way I could hide my blush, but that just seemed to amuse him more.

"I'm sorry, would you like for me to wait outside?" I whispered, biting my lip. My lips must have really caught his attention because he wouldn't look away. When he didn't respond to my question, I took it as a dismissal and began to gather my things. This action seemed to pull him out of his reverie.

"What? Of course not. You're welcome here anytime," He scratched his unshaven jaw and smiled at me once more.

"Okay. Thank you." I said timidly. I was pleased he didn't want me to leave. I just wanted to be near him all the time. I knew that was both irrational and impossible but I didn't care. We stared at each other for several minutes in silence and it surprised me that he looked just as nervous as I was.

"So…" I looked at him closely. He was wearing a long sleeve, white button down shirt that really emphasised his muscles. It looked both professional and stylish at the same time, paired with black slacks and a thin, black tie. He walked over to the desk next to me and angled his body towards me slightly.

"Let's play a game to get to know each other better?" he suggested.

"What?" I asked, I had been distracted by my ogling.

"A game….I want to know everything about you," he smiled encouragingly.

My heart thrashed violently against my chest and I had to take a deep breath to compose myself.

"Okay, can you elaborate?" I asked politely.

He tilted his head "Hmm.." he pondered for a moment " what's your favourite food?" really food? That's what he wanted to know?

"Food really? Umm I love Italian," I giggled. I never giggle.

He grinned flashing his sparkling teeth "Me too. There's this great place in Port Angeles that does the best mushroom ravioli…"

"Right Bella Italia!" I remember Charlie talking about it once when I was younger. I was surprised I remembered after all that time.

"You know it?"

"Yes, my father took me there a couple of times when I was younger and came to visit," I smiled "My turn…Favourite movie?"

He pointed his fingers from his mouth like fangs "Underworld, definitely,"

"You like vampires?" I asked stunned.

"Of course! So what's yours? and it better be good"

I unconsciously leaned forward "Oh it is….Shaun Of The Dead!" I laughed

"Oh no!" he was shaking his head in mock horror.

"Yes it's great. You've got your zombies, your humour and your British actors. What more do you want?" we both started laughing then.

I didn't realise how long I had been here already, but just as he was about to ask me another question, the bell rang. He leaned forward more and winked at me before returning to his desk ready for class. I was starting to feel dizzy and realised it was because I had stopped breathing. The rest of the students filed in and the class started.

The more I talked to Edward, the more I liked him. I was attracted to him, definitely. But from the minute I saw him, there was this feeling that I don't know how to explain. The way he walked and moved, his voice, his views, his sense of humour and facial expressions. I felt utterly captivated. I just had to remember that he was my teacher and could be nothing more. But, when he looked at me I couldn't help but think that he felt the same.

The next morning I cheerfully walked into the classroom and plopped into my seat, ready for another round of questions off Mr Cullen. He sat on the desk next to me, much like yesterday.

"Good morning Mr Cullen,"

"Morning Bella. Ready to continue the game?"

"Absolutely" I grinned.

"So what's your favourite type of music?" This one was easy to answer. I absolutely hated most types of music. There was only really about three types I could stand to listen to.

"Classical,"

"Who's your favourite composer?"

"Debussy" I answered automatically. My mother used to play it constantly around the house when I was younger and I guess it kind of stuck.

"Yeah, I love Claire De Lune, It's my favourite" I couldn't help but feel ecstatic that he liked it too and didn't just scoff like the rest.

"What's your favourite sport?" I knew I wasn't sporty but I do like to watch it on the TV.

"Baseball. You?" He asked

"Umm, well to be honest, I don't play any. I'd probably kill myself If I tried. I do like watching The Olympics though," It's one of the only things me and my dad have in common.

"What's your favourite subject?" he asked. I could feel my tell-tale blush heating my cheeks as I looked down on the desk at my hands.

"English," I muttered.

"Why?" he asked. I felt myself turn even redder.

"I like to read… I just love literature in general…" I stuttered. I think we both knew the real reason why. If he did know, he didn't say anything. The door swung open and in sauntered Jessica.

"Hello Mr Cullen" Jessica purred in what was supposed to be a sexy voice but sounded more like a strangled cat. I struggled to hold in my laughter and I could see the amusement in Mr Cullens eyes.

"Hello Jessica. Please take a seat," he quickly went back to sit behind his desk and busied himself with writing today's lesson on the board. Jessica trudged dejectedly over to her desk and sat down with a huff. My eyes wandered over the back of Mr Cullen's body. I cooled myself hoping that the students who just entered the class hadn't noticed my eyes linger on certain areas.

I felt a slight tap on my shoulder and turned to see Mike standing behind me looking uneasy. He was shuffling back and forth on his feet.

"What is it Mike?" I asked, being friendly.

"Well there's this dance coming up and I just wondered if you would go with me?" He looked at me expectantly.

Out of the corner of my eye I could see Mr Cullen stiffen. I struggled to let down Mike easy. I knew nothing would happen with Mr Cullen but I wanted it to be a possibility. Plus, I just didn't see Mike that way. It was the perfect opportunity to get him to go out with Jess.

"Dancing? Not such a good idea for me. I have something that weekend anyway. I'm going to Seattle. I'm sorry, you should ask Jess though! I know she wants to go with you…."

"Oh Okay sure" He gave me a half-hearted smile and returned to his seat. I did feel a little guilty afterwards, but I didn't want to encourage him by going. I had planned to go to Seattle soon anyway. I desperately needed a good book store. I guess it turned out that that weekend was perfect.

I turned back to Mr Cullen. He was pressing so hard with the pen that I thought it'd go right through. When the bell finally rang to start the class, Mr Cullen turned and sighed.

"Okay everyone. Read pages 96 to 103 and answer the three questions on the board. When you're finished hand in your answers. If anyone needs help I want you to raise your hand no talking." He slid into his seat and began to mark work. I quickly read the passage and answered the questions. It was unbelievingly easy. I was the first to finish. I rose out of my seat and went to hand it in. Getting a sexy smirk from Mr Cullen in the process. Just like the last time, I took out Wuthering heights and read until class was dismissed.

I was sitting at our table in lunch again when Jess walked over looking excited. She sat down next to me.

"Bella, you'll never guess who asked me to the dance?" She was giggling at the end.

"Who?" I asked. I already had an idea who it was, well who it should be anyways.

"Mike. I totally thought he was going to ask you but, can you believe it? I'm going to a dance with Mike Newton!" She squealed.

"Oh I know it's unbelievable," I agreed.

My next lesson was biology with Mr Forges. Unluckily, he had partnered us up and I was with Tyler. I don't know what it was about him but he just made me feel extremely uncomfortable. We had to do a lab today on the phases of mitosis in onion root tip cells. We were half way through when he decided to chat. I had done all the work so far while he had been texting people off of his phone.

"So you know there's this dance soon…" he trailed off. He was going to ask me I was positive. Oh well, at least I had an excuse. I wondered how many more times I was going to be asked before they all got the hint.

"Yes I do."

"So. do you want to go with me?" He was looking at me like I was a piece of meat. I really despised that.

"No. I'm busy that day" I said rudely. I didn't have the patience to be nice to him.

"Oh yes, Seattle right?"

"If you knew I was busy, why did you still ask me?"

"Well I figured it was an excuse because you didn't like mike" he shrugged.

"Well, I really am going so…" I left it there and completed the lab. We were the first pair to finish. The prize was a golden onion which I gave to Tyler to keep. I didn't want it stinking out my bag.

At the end of class, I had a message to visit Mr Cullen in his room after school, I must admit I was nervous. As soon as the last bell rang, I walked gingerly to his room. I lightly tapped on the door and waited for him to answer.

"Come in," he called in his velvet voice. It was very alluring. I pushed the door open and approached his desk. Nervously chewing on my lip.

"You sent for me?" He looked up at me and gave me his crooked smile that left me breathless. It definitely helped me with my nerves.

"Yes, Bella the school is thinking about starting a newsletter. It'll be one each month just to keep everyone up to date. I would like you to help write it…" well it would certainly be something to do while Charlie's still in work.

"Sure." I beamed at him just before I left for the car lot.