Author's Note: It has been months since I last updated my story and I'm really sorry about it. I've been so busy during those times. School stuff had given me a hard time which required my full attention. To my readers, I'm really sorry. I hope you'll like this chapter. I promise the next chapters would get more and more exciting. PLEASE POST YOUR REVIEW. Please, please, please. It'll surely make me happy, so happy. I hope more of you would like my story. ^__^

Chapter 7

GETTING CLOSER

"Oh. Hi, Bella." Alice said as she entered our classroom with obvious confusion upon seeing me.

It was Wednesday. Calculus Day. Edward Cullen Day. Some logic, huh, Bella. I told myself.

"Come on, Alice. I know what you're thinking." I told her.

"Oh, yeah?" she teasingly asked.

I was about to answer Alice when the door suddenly opened again. It was Angela.

"Good morning, Alice. Good morning, Bella. I have a surprise for you." She paused and looked at me again. "Bella?" Alice burst out laughing with Angela's remarks.

They were really trying to make me feel so weird.

"Hey, girls. Is it so bad for me to come to school early? Mom had the same reaction as yours. She told me, 'Bella is that you?'". I said while raising a brow.

"Bella, my friend, who could blame us?"

"Yeah, right."

Getting to school early was something you would not expect from me. I rarely do that but I make sure I still come to school ON TIME. Just on time. Hmm…I really must give an emphasis on that. But maybe I wanted to show to Mr. Cullen that I am not a latecomer. I must make up for all the humiliation I had during our first meeting though of course, I have already forgiven him since I'm partly to blame. Besides the fact that he has been so nice to me the last time we saw each other.

"Hmm…Bella, I smell something fishy here". I turned to Alice when she suddenly spoke with teasing smile. Angela looked at her intently.

"So…where's the fish?" Alice and I just rolled our eyes. Angela really has a lower pick-up. But we still love her though.

'Hey! What's the problem? I really can't smell anything fishy". Angela explained while extending her arms.

"Oh, shut up Angela. I didn't mean it literally."

Angela seemed to finally realize what Alice meant for she suddenly snapped her fingers. "Uhuh…yeah, I get it". She said with a wide grin on her face. "Is the reason starts with an 'E' and a 'C', huh, Bella?"

I rolled my eyes in frustration.

"Oh, please, give me a break." My friends simply laughed and continued teasing me just as they always do.

After a few minutes, my other classmates started to fill our classroom. The noise began to build up as well. Suddenly, the noise died down and I know just the exact reason behind it. Our professor had arrived. Edward Cullen had arrived.

"Good morning, everyone". Edward said in a formal tone.

"Good morning, professor". We replied in unison while fixing our seats.

He did not waste much time. He proceeded with our lesson and continued with the discussion with so much ease. It was as if he knew the lesson since the day he was born. He needed not to have an opened book in front of him to help him pursue the lesson. He did not even have an index card where most professors write their courses of action in a certain class. All Edward Cullen had to do was show up in our class bringing only him self and a pair of markers for lecture purposes. He just seemed to know his lessons by heart. I hope all professors are like him. I could not help but admire him…as a professor or perhaps more than that. I feel lucky to have him as a teacher. I know I would learn a lot from him.

I noticed everybody in our class was intently listening to him. It only proved how effective he was but there was a catch. Everyone admired him but still his presence made most of my classmates feel intimidated. He seemed to have a commanding aura.

"So, class, who would like to volunteer answering on the board?" He asked after writing something on the board.

When I looked at the board, it says:

Find the slope of the tangent line of f(x)=x2 at x=1.

Silence fell into our room. Nobody among us dared to raise a hand and answer. Perhaps, some of them know how to answer it but they were just shy and afraid for they might have a wrong answer. Nevertheless, I tried to scribble my computations at the back of my notebook.

"No one?" he asked, asking no one in particular.

I was almost finished when Edward called my attention. He went near me and looked over my notebook. It was a lucky thing I did not doodle his name on it. That would have been very embarrassing.

"Miss Swan, would you mind showing the class your answer?" He said while fixing his eyes on me.

I raised my head and looked at him. I could not explain what his eyes do to me. It always makes me feel like he could see through my soul. Funny thing I do not feel offended but rather, I feel at peace.

He looked at me without even blinking. It was as if he was silently telling me that I could not refuse what he has ordered me to do in class. Geez, I hope he'll never look at me again. But on second thought, maybe not.

"Miss Swan?"

His voice seemed to awaken me from a distant slumber.

"Yes, Sir".

I stood up and walked towards his table to get a marker. While I was writing my answer on the board, gut feel tells me he was looking at me.

I wrote:

f(x)=x2

f(1)=12

f(1)=2(12-1)

f(1)=2(1)

f(1)=2

When I was finished, I turned around and went back to my seat. I just hope I got the correct answer.

"Very good, Miss Swan." I saw him smile a bit.

He gently patted my shoulder when he passed through my side. That was something I did not expect. I immediately looked up at him, but he was not looking at me.

He went in front of the class.

"Did some of you get the same answer?" My classmates answered in agreement.

"I believe it was a very easy one". He continued discussing our lesson. Our class intently listened to him and noted down on our notes. Some of my classmates even volunteered to do some board works.

May it be because of Edward Cullen or not, I believe our class is not a dumb one. In the university, I could feel that some students think of us as dense people. They thought Fashion Design students are all clothes and knows nothing but clothes. I know my classmates are not dumb; they just don't exert some effort to prove their wit. Sometimes I think I am not fit in our class for they think of me as the most unglamorous FD student. But I don't give a damn. This is what I want and I'll pursue it.

I am simply grateful for Mr. Cullen's effective methods of teaching for he had silently proven to himself and to our selves that we are good. Sometimes, students just need a little push. I know he did not get our attention just because of his handsome face but because of his skills. I hope all professors are like him. Unfortunately, he is not a permanent member of the university's faculty staff.

Suddenly, we heard the bell rang.

"Okay, class. Be ready for our next meeting. We will be having a quiz, by then." Our class playfully complained in unison. Quizzes are inevitable.

"I take that as a yes". He said while fixing his things. "See you next meeting. Class dismissed."

I could not help it but to look at him while he leaves the room.

Suddenly, my attention was caught when Tyler, our class president, went in front of the class and asked not to leave the room yet.

"What is he gonna say this time?" I heard Alice said.

"Whatever it is, I hope it's a good one." I answered.

"Guys, please settle your selves first." Tyler started. We went back to our seats and shushed down the noise.

"Ok, thank you. Well, guys, as we all know, we will be celebrating the school foundation day next month. Our college council informed every department about the changes we will be doing with regards to the manner of conducting the event. They wanted to present something new this year for the university would choose the best college foundation day presentation—."

"So? Get straight to the point." Jessi-cow interrupted with a raised brow. Everyone looked at her. I could tell she just wanted everyone to look at her direction. Why, because she suddenly waved her newly-styled hair as if she was on a shampoo commercial. What a brat! But of course, to her dismay, no one bothered to give praises about her new look except her best friend, Lauren. I wouldn't even wonder if tomorrow I would see Lauren wearing the same look as Jessica. They are sisters, you know.

Out of frustration, Jessica just walked out of the room. Naturally, Lauren followed. Oh, scene-makers. We could not help but burst out laughing.

Eric cleared his throat. Our attention went back to him.

"Sorry for the interruption. So, going back, the council decided that each department in our college must prepare a booth."

"A booth?" I whispered. Everyone seemed intrigued as well.

"Oh, yes. They wanted students to feel high school fever again." Everyone laughed.

"Well, I think that is good." One of my classmates said. Most of us murmured in agreement.

So, how's our booth gonna be?" Angela asked.

Eric looked at her. "Well, the council did not make booth appointments yet. They wanted us to think first how we wanted our booths to be. By next week, they will be straightening things out as to booth appointments of each department." He explained.

"And also, I am afraid we'd be most responsible of handling our department's booth. The senior class would be busy arranging stuff about their graduation which means we would have to take over in dealing with the booth for we are the juniors. The department would surely expect more from our class. I hope everyone's okay with it." He further said.

Nobody seemed to complain. We were obviously excited about the whole thing. My classmates were already sharing their ideas about the booth.

"Okay then, we all seems all right with this. Can I expect a great deal of help from all of us?" Eric asked with a smile on his face.

"Yes!" Our class replied in unison. Eric seemed pretty pleased with our reaction. Well, who wouldn't be? Besides, one cannot expect us not to like this project. We are Fashion Design students, for crying out loud. We have always been excited every time we showcase our works.

"Let's finalize everything tomorrow. I hope we could come up with a very good idea for our Fashion Design booth. For now, let's just go and grab our lunch."

"Oh my God, isn't that so exciting?" Angela uttered as we walked out of our room.

"Sure thing, Angie." I replied. "You know, I'd love to do these kinds of things."

"I wish our college would win."

"Of course, Alice. We would win! Why, because we will be doing the best booth here." Angela said. She never really ceases to make us laugh.

"Come on, girls, let's eat outside." Alice said. We continued chitchatting while heading our way for lunch.

"Wait a minute. Hey, girls, look at this." Something caught Alice' attention.

"What is it, Alice?" I asked her. She was looking at a poster on the wall.

I focused my gaze on the poster as well. "Oh, yeah right. Jake's gonna have a concert tonight in Malcolm. That's two towns away from us, right?" I said. Jake is a famous rock artist in the country.

"Yes." Angela answered. "Oh, before I forgot. This was the surprise I was supposed to tell you this morning." She said after snapping her fingers.

Alice and I looked at each other, obviously delighted with the word surprise.

"Surprise?" We both said.

"Yes."

"What is it?"

Angela suddenly had a wide grin forming across her face. "You're surely gonna love this." She grabbed something from her bag. "Tada!" She was holding three tickets on her hand and gave it to us. "One for you, for you, and for me."

My eyes widened in awe. "Oh my God. Tell me it's free."

"Of course, it's free. I knew you, two, would love it."

Alice and I hugged Angela in response.

"Oh, Angela thanks a lot. This is some surprise, huh. How did you get it? I know it costs quite a lot." Alice said with beaming eyes.

"Well, not quite. Actually, I got these for free." Angela humbly said.

"Really?"

"Yup. My dad was connected with the producers of Jake's concert and so he was given these as freebies. He gave it to me thinking that I would like it. But he was wrong, I love it."

"And we love it too. Thanks for this, Angela." I said. Our faces were all beaming with happiness and excitement.

"We're going to a concert. Wuhoo!" Alice waved the ticket on her hand.

"See you tonight, girls. Let's get ready for the concert."

*****

"Hey, Mom. Gotta go." I waved goodbye.

"You take good care, okay. Be home early. Don't make me worry too much."

"Sure, Mom." I looked back at her while taking a few steps forward.

"Wait, Bella—"

The next thing I knew, I was hit again by the low-hanging branch of the tree near our house.

My mom simply chuckled. "You all right?"

I touched my forehead. "I'm okay. Just remind me of cutting this branch when I get back."

"Off you go now, Bella. Enjoy yourselves and take good care." My mom glared at me. "Bye."

"Bye, Mom."

It was already 6 in the evening. Alice, Angela and I decided to meet at the convenience store near our university. Angela will bring along her car which we will ride along towards the concert.

I looked up and noticed that the sky was peaceful despite the biting darkness. I simply love looking at the sky. For me, it has its own way of sharing itself to how people feel—anger, sadness, joy.

It was getting colder as the sky gets darker. It was a good thing I brought my jacket with me. I couldn't help but smile when I thought about the concert. It would be my first time to attend one and I really love to go and jam with my friends. I am not really fond of rock music, but I do not hate it as well. I even know some of Jake's songs.

Thoughts just come and go off my head on my way to our meeting place. I was about to cross the road when something happened.

"Hey, miss!" A man's voice said.

I tried to look back a little when I suddenly heard a loud honking from an approaching vehicle. I couldn't see it clearly for I was blinded by its lights. Oh my God! Lord, not yet. Please. My legs couldn't seem to move. Everything happened so fast, I couldn't think clearly. I suddenly felt my heart beat faster and faster. All I know is that I would be hit by a car in a couple of seconds. It seems inevitable.

I shrieked in frustration. I'm still too young. I don't want to die so soon. If ever I survive this, it would be my worst accident ever. I closed my eyes thinking that I would get ran over by the car. All of a sudden, I felt myself being pulled away. I felt strong arms surrounding around me. When I opened my eyes, I saw the car going away. I wasn't hit? Oh, thank God. But, how was it—"

"Bella?"

My mind was still clouded with confusion. I looked up. I saw a man standing in front of me and holding me. All that was clear in my mind is that this man saved me. He grabbed me by my waist just when I was about to get hit.

I couldn't see his face clearly yet. We were kept in the shadows when a bus passed through the road and took a halt. I couldn't explain what I was feeling. It felt like it has happened before, in a distant past. Déjàvu. My heart seems to pound even harder.

When the bus went off, we were shadowed no more. I gasped and my eyes widened when I finally found out who my savior was.

"You—" I felt awkward yet relieved. I looked down and saw that he was still holding my waist. It even seemed like he was hugging me. It felt good, by the way. His warmth simply gave me a lot of comfort and assurance that I am okay and safe now. I felt him follow my gaze.

"Oh, I'm sorry." He raised his hands and moved inches away from me.

Oh, boy. I wish you just held me. Wait, what did I just say?

"Óh, no. I don't mind, Sir." The man who saved me was none other than Edward Cullen.

"Sir? I thought we've talked about this. I'm not old, you know." he said while playfully lifting a brow.

I smiled timidly. "Thank you for saving me, Edward."

"It's okay. But are you all right now?" he held my shoulders and had a worried look on his face.

"Yes. Thanks to you nothing bad happened to me. I owe you a lot." I smiled wholeheartedly.

"Well, in that case, let me just buy you a coffee. You don't seem quite okay to me." He pointed at the convenience store.

"But—"

He looked at me again "No buts. I don't take no for an answer. You might still feel disoriented. A shot of caffeine will do well. Is it okay with you?"

I smiled. "Yeah."

He held my elbow as we cross the road towards the convenience store. He bought two cups of coffee. Luckily, there were only a few people inside the store. We were able to find ourselves a table.

"Here's your cup." He said.

"Seriously, Bella. What if I wasn't there? You could have been hurt badly." I knew he would talk to me about it.

"Right. You don't know how grateful I am for what you've done. You know I'm kind of used in getting myself into petty troubles but this one's got to be the worst."

Edward chuckled. "Was it bad luck or you were simply clumsy?"

"I am afraid I have to answer both." I said after taking a sip.

"It's a good thing you still have your bones in good shape, though." His remarks made me laugh.

"You're right. I only got bruises everytime."

"Care to tell me some?"

I shared with him my petty experiences of 'misadventures'. My stories really made him laugh.

"I don't know what to say. You're just…ahh." He couldn't suppress a soft laughter.

I smiled and looked at my cup. "Yeah, I know. My mom even got tired of everything. She just got used to it and just gently tends to my wounds when I was a kid."

He nodded. "I think, your mom's sweet."

"You could say that."

"You know what, you're the second girl who made me feel so worried because she got her life on the verge of death."

I didn't know why but I felt a tinge of tightening in my chest. Who could that first girl be?

"But, Bella, you can't just let those things happen because you think you're an object for trouble. Sometimes, a great deal of cautiousness will do, you know. You might just find yourself in a hospital bed one day if you don't take good care."

I could feel his seriousness and sincerity. He cares for me, or so I thought.

"I don't want to lose a good student." He smiled.

Or so I thought. Dream on, Bella.

"Anyways, what are you doing here?" I asked him. I didn't expect him to be there.

For a brief moment, his eyes seemed to show an aura of uneasiness. But it passed so briefly that his expression changed abruptly.

"Well, I just took a ride to buy something. There's my car." He pointed at a parked car nearby across the convenience store.

"Oh, am I keeping you long? I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to cause you so much trouble." Oh, man, I really feel abashed.

He waved his hands. "Oh, no, I was glad to have helped you. I've saved your life, you know." He said. "Just joking."

"I never really thought you could be funny, Edward."

"Yeah, right. I kind of gave a wrong impression on you." He smiled.

"How about you? What were you doing here outside when a student like you is supposed to study her lessons at home, huh?"

I cleared my throat. He's a professor after all. "I am going to Jake's concert in Malcolm."

"Oh, yeah, I've heard of it. Are you going alone?"

"No, Sir. I'm with Alice and Angela. Angela actually gave us free tickets. We agreed to meet here in the store."

"Well, good for you. In that case, I wouldn't keep you long. Just remember to take a great deal of care." He raised his forefinger to emphasize his warning. His eyes even conveyed his care. For me, that was how it meant.

He finished his coffee and stood up. "Okay, then, you enjoy the concert and take good care. I mean it. I gotta go. I do hope you won't meet any trouble tonight."

"Goodbye, Sir. Thanks a lot for saving me and umm…for this coffee." I raised my cup.

"It's nothing. Goodbye, Bella." I watched him as he walk through the door. He looked at me and nodded before he finally went out towards his car.

This was really some night. My night already felt complete even before I reach the concert. I'm starting to like every conversation I get to have with Edward Cullen.

"Hey, Bella." I heard Angela said after a couple of minutes since Edward left.

"Are you ready?"

"Of course." I smiled.

"You seem so happy, eh."

When Alice came, we went out of the store and started our way towards the concert.

This night is indeed one of my best nights.

_________

Things are starting to get better between the student and the professor. Watch out for their foundation day and what's in store for Bella. Who was the first girl Edward had saved? And who is Jake? Oh, boy, how can Jake affect the story? Watch out for more.

Keep checking on my story. Love lots! ^__^