Chapter 6
She is not a baby she can do this, handle…life. After a weekend of moping like one of those 'emo' teens she had enough. Well Alice and Angela had enough. She sucked it up and Monday morning she felt so much better.
Tuesday was fine as well. No Mr. Cullen run ins.
Wednesday also good. She did catch a glimpse of him in the hallway and in true fashion she ducked out of sight. After she did that she realized how silly it was because in a few days she had to sit in a classroom with him.
Edward holds his students papers as he walks down towards his college English class. It has been a long week. He did enjoy the Mid-Night Fair on Saturday, that was interesting to say the least. He spoke to his little sister Bree on Sunday and told her about it. They gossiped like girls, he laughed and felt really good hearing about how college was going for her. She enjoyed hearing about how work on the other side of the country was going for him.
After a long conversation with her, he spoke to his mother. And in true Esme fashion she asked him if he is dating anyone. To which he replied no, to which she said 'Edward dear I'm not getting any younger here'. And this went on for a good 30 minutes before his father saved him and they had a nice chat. The weekend flew by as did the week.
The classroom is empty when he enters it. No Bella in sight, he didn't think she would be early like she has been since she was slightly late that first class. This is their 5th class now and she has been early for the last few. Taking his seat he sorts himself out.
Bella hangs around outside the door. She hasn't spoken to him since last Friday when he told her to 'get lost'. Not in so few words but that was the message and she got it loud and clear. He is right anyway, she is his student. She walks in only after three other people enter the class.
Victoria Lovell is one. Victoria is really popular, smart, funny, pretty. And just turned 18. Bella keeps her eyes on the back of Victoria's head as she follows her in.
"Afternoon Mr. Cullen" Victoria coos.
Edward lifts his head and spots Bella quickly scoot past Victoria, good student and into her normal seat near the middle to the side. "Afternoon Miss. Lovell"
Bella keeps her eyes on the desk as she hears other people file in.
"Any plans for the weekend?" Victoria smiles standing before Mr. Cullen's desk. She is dating James Lange, but she is young and whatever.
Edward frowns. "Ms. Lovell you should take your seat, and get your notes prepared for today's discussion"
Victoria grins before turning on her heels. "I'm always prepared" Victoria walks to the desk she normally occupies. "Swan" She snorts at the girl.
Bella lifts her head and forces a little smile, but by the time she smiles Victoria has already taken her seat in front of her. So she smiles at the back of her head.
Edward meets Bella's eyes for a brief moment before she looks away. He should have known this would happen. He inwardly curses himself before clearing his throat and starting the class.
Bella is attentive, and takes notes. She doesn't raise her hand or speak out during today's discussion. She listens to what the rest of the class has to offer on the reading assignment. Her own comments she keeps to herself today. She feels awkward, and she shouldn't. What happened happened and she needs to let it go and get over it. Sighing she packs up her books ready to head to lunch. She vows that next week Friday she will get over what transpired last Friday between her and Mr. Cullen, and take part in this course because she is still really excited about it. She doesn't want what happened to affect her grade or her enjoyment of the class.
"Miss. Swan, please see me after class" Edward says without looking up.
Victoria glances at Bella before leaving along with the rest of the class.
Bella sits in her seat with her bag packed. She is honestly not sure what to do. Does she go up to his desk, or just wait and let him speak to her from their respective seats. She stays in her place.
Edward lifts his head when the door shuts to the classroom. "I noticed you didn't say much of anything in class discussion today" He waits for lord knows what because he didn't ask her a question, he merely stated a true observation. "Did you do the reading?"
"Yes" Bella answer, it comes out like a whisper. She blinks a few times before lowering her head to look at her books. "I just" She starts before stopping.
"I don't want whatever that" He pauses to think of the right word. But he knows there isn't a right word. "What, I don't want the past few weeks to guide the rest of your year in my class" He says.
"I understand" Bella looks at him and nods. She had already made the decision to 'get over' it by next class so she can get back to being a part of the class discussion which are very important.
"Good, because you are really very bright" Edward says, he watches her just nod. And again he is cursing himself for it even getting to this completely awkward stage. There wasn't even an actual event that caused it, he just felt like it was heading in the wrong direction and putting a stop to it caused this.
"I understand" She repeats again. She stares at Mr. Cullen a moment longer before clearing her throat and standing up. She walks towards the front and out of the door without another word spoken between the two. It is fine.
"You seem chipper" Jasper frowns.
"I'm good" Edward comments twirling his beer as he stares across the bar.
Jasper watches Edward before taking a drink. "Girl trouble, it is girl trouble, I can tell"
Laughing he turns to Jasper. "Are you seeing anyone?"
"Nope, I'm 23, young, single and enjoying living on my own"
"Yeah me too"
"Only you're not 23, your 25"
"It's still young" Edward laughs.
Jasper just scoffs. "So nothing new with the ex Mrs. Booth?"
"No, Lauren is, well she is, is she always like that?"
"Ask Garrett, we are both pretty new to Forks" Jasper laughs, he is happy that Ms. Lauren Mallory-Booth is not into him.
Charlie left for the station after their weekly dinner at the diner. She is proud he is getting braver when it comes to Sue. He stared at her longer tonight and didn't look away when she looked back.
"Hey baby"
"Hi mom" Bella lies on her bed looking across her room.
"How has the first few weeks of school gone, you're in the college class aren't you, how is it going, any cute older boys taking it?"
"Mom, slow down" Bella smiles sighing out, her mother is off with the fairies. "How is Phil?"
"Aw he is good baby" Renee sighs. "But I want to hear about school and boys, oh how is Charlie?"
"Dad is good, I think he is going to get to 1st base with Sue before the end of the year" Bella laughs a bit.
Renee chuckles. "He is always so careful" She comments on her ex-husband.
"He will get there"
"You're avoiding Bella, boys spill"
"Mom, when have I ever had anything to spill about, especially concerning boys?"
"Well there is always hope" Renee smiles into the phone.
"Not now, but Ang got asked out by a jock"
"Oh good for her, it is always the quiet girls" Renee comments.
"I'm a quiet girl"
"Exactly why I know there is something you're holding back, you'll let your dear old mother in someday I'm sure"
"You're not old mom"
"Of course I'm not" Renee laughs, she can almost see her daughter rolling her eyes. "It is Friday night, no plans?"
"I'm 15; Dad is finally just leaving me alone without having Mrs. Burns down the road check on me"
Renee laughs again and shakes her head. "He does remember we were already sleeping together at 15 and I had you at 18"
"Mom I really don't want to know this"
"Bella take a breath"
Bella groans, she does not want to hear about her mother's sex life and when she was conceived which is in turn a mention of her mother and father having sex.
"Relax, I'm done, so tell me more about the jock little Angela Weber is dating"
Bella rattles on the phone for almost an hour with her mother. The phone bill is a cost her mother carries for her. It is their time, they talk at least once a week, and it is really nice. It is enough.
After hanging up she rolls over onto her side and stares across her room, before falling asleep.
Edward pulls on some pants and grabs his iPod he is going to take a chance with the weather that looks seemingly 'okay' and go for a quick run. It is Saturday morning, he has nothing to do. Another miss is the lack of activity here in Forks. One can easily turn to gnawing off their own arm due to sheer boredom. He may give Bree or Rose a call later today.
Bella pulls her long hair into a ponytail and grabs her bag. Charlie is sleeping but has to go into work later today for a few hours. She is going to go down to the store and grabs some makings for chocolate chip oatmeal muffins. Charlie loves them and she wants to make him smile this early Saturday morning. She may even pop down to Sue's Diner for a nice hot cup of her famous coffee. She makes the best coffee.
Edward pounds the pavement, the music blaring in his ear keeps his pace and his heart rate is high, he can feel it beating through his chest.
Bella walks down the quiet street, her mind on noting major. She thinks about a few assignments she can get out of the way this afternoon. Maybe she will text the girls and see what if anything they are doing tonight or tomorrow. She likes her lazy Sundays' because usually Charlie works for a few hours and she can clean up and finish up a bit of studying. Then she can head into town and wander around to the small shops open for a few hours in the afternoon. It is really relaxing.
He spots her up a head and wonders if just sticking to his pace is okay and pretending he doesn't see her. But he is like the moth and she is the burning flame. He hates that he wants to see her, he wants her to see him, just so he has a reason. Her head is slightly bowed as she walks along the road. He looks around a bit and wonders why she is walking out alone at 7am.
Bella hears movement and looks up, she sees Mr. Cullen running towards her. Her step falters and she trips over air, just air. "Crap" She mutters banging her knee into the pavement.
Edward runs faster towards her. He crouches down and reaches to hold the knee she is clutching with her hands.
"I'm okay" She hisses rocking a bit. She is completely mortified right now.
His hands hover wanting to press them against her jean covered injured knee that her hands are holding close to her chest. "Shit Bella" He is panting from his run, sweat drips down his brow as he looks at her. "Sorry" He mutters because of his foul mouth in front of her once again.
"It's okay Mr. Cullen"
He cringes when she calls him that but it is his own fault. He needs to stay away from this girl, inside his chest she feels like an addiction. Inside his head the wheels can't stop turning when it comes to her. He has been tugging at his hair thoroughly since he met her. "Can I have a look?" His hands hover over her bent leg.
"It's fine" She says again her eyes not yet meeting his, she can feel he is staring at her.
"Bella" He says more gently this time. "I would feel better"
She lifts her eyes. "Why?" She doesn't understand why he cares, he didn't care last week.
He licks his lips. "I-I" Edward stammers of his words. This girl is brave and strong, and so smart. She can feel his bullshit, he can tell.
"Your mood swings are giving me whiplash" She mutters.
Edward drops his head and chuckles. "I'm sorry Bella" He lifts his eyes to hers.
"No big deal, like I said, it's fine, not the worse I've ever had" She comments on her injuries. She looks at his hands still hovering over the top of hers; she feels the heat from his body over her hands and really her entire body. Her heart does that flutter again. Bella looks away from his form crouched before her.
Edward eyes her; he reaches for her and grips the hem of her jeans before tugging the leg up. His thumb brushes over the already bruising area. "You should go home and ice that, knee injuries take a bit longer to feel better due to the constant moving" He whispers as his thumb still touches the delicate skin.
Bella's eyes are glued to the top of his head as his head is bowed looking at her knee. "Okay"
"My father is a doctor" He shrugs as to why he kind of knows what to do.
Bella nods. "I remember" She whispers, because he told her this information when he dropped her home.
"Where were you headed?" He removes his hand and thumb as he gently tugs the material back over her leg. He moves to stands and offers his hand to her.
Taking it with care she feels tiny pricks over her palm and down her fingers as he pulls her swiftly to her feet. She takes a moment to balance herself steady. "The store" She answers.
Edward nods a few times.
"My dad loves oatmeal chocolate chip muffins and, I was going to surprise him with some and maybe some of Sue's coffee, he loves how she makes it"
His eyes drift to her mouth and his ears wide open listening to her as she rambles. "I love muffins too"
"You're confusing me" She whispers looking down and shaking her head. Bella lifts her eyes to his and she sees regret in them but she doesn't know what for.
"I'm sorry" He mutters again.
"Why?"
"For feeling like I do" He bites out. "We shouldn't, we can't be friends" He doesn't even know what they are but whatever they are it can't be anymore as much as he would like it to be more. He hates himself for even admitting that.
"Mr…Edward" She says softly just testing, she looks at his face. "Do you feel it?"
"Bella" He warns her but gently.
"You do" She sighs letting out the air, the feeling she has kept inside, kept bottled for a week, because she couldn't express them because he was trying to push her away. He pushed her away.
"I can't feel it, I shouldn't"
"But do you Edward?"
He mutters a string of curses under his breath.
"Just tell me, please"
"Yes, yes I feel something, I don't know what I just know that I shouldn't and we can't be anything more than student and teacher"
Bella nods, she understands, she does. It is somewhat comforting to know at least she isn't in 'this' whatever it is alone. Even if they can't act on anything, she isn't feeling something left field, what she feels is real. She is 15 she doesn't understand half the feelings that are going on inside her. But she understands that what she is feeling for Edward right now is pretty strong and very real. It is scary.
"You need to ice that knee before it swells"
"Okay" She nods staring at him.
"Take care Bella"
"You too Edward, I'll see you at school"
"I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the reading" He comments as she walks off. He watches her turn over her shoulder and smile.
So that was not planned, UGH so annoying actually. He was meant to go to Boston for Thanksgiving before any of the above conversation was said… But I just feel like it would drag and drag, plus I couldn't really help it. It kind of just happened.
Hope you liked it and will review!
