A/N: So this chapter was really annoying to write because I had no idea what this chapter was going to be about. But I think I did that right thing and that's that. There is a lot of talking and not a lot of feelings and descriptions as such.

I have no BETA so there are going to be some mistakes because I'm not perfect and I am sorry about that.

Thank you to the following people that reviewed last chapter.

imatwin247

TheCryingDevil

Galileya

Michelle824

Chapter 8

Bella Swan's Point of View.

I left the classroom in a haze. Was it me or was Mr. Cullen flirting with me? God this is the sort of time I need my mates to help me out to decipher guy code. Yet I can't because he's a teacher and if anyone knew about how we act around each other it may just finish him and that is the furthest thing from what I want.

I grabbed my books out of my locker and walked home. I opened the front door. "Bella is that you?" I heard my mother yell from the kitchen.

"Yeah it's me."

"How did you get home?"

"I walked. Why?"

"I was just wondering." I rolled my eyes. God she's so strange sometimes. I headed up the stairs to my room. It read 4:03pm and I have work from 6-11pm tonight. I pulled my mobile out of my pocket and flipped through my contacts and paused at ANT, my finger hovered over the call button. I just stared at his number. Do I honestly want to call him? God why does this have to be so hard. I yelled out in frustration into my room. Pushing the back button to escape staring at his number.

Why did he give me his number? Why would he want to play my rescuer? I am capable of taking care of myself. Yes, I can't walk straight so I usually walk into doorways and walls and what not, but that doesn't mean he can come in and try and fix a problem that I have been dealing with just fine.

Then on the other hand. Am I being to up myself to see that he really is just worried and he wants to know that I'm alright? He's worried about me and he thinks about me and what I'm doing, should I find that sweet or creepy? I think I find it a little bit of both.

God what is wrong with me? For starters he's a teacher and it's called illegal if we have something and me of all people having a relationship with a teacher is just laughable.

I'm just going to have to get over it and where ever the chips fall they fall.

(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)

The next few days went by fine, just boring classes with boring work. My other classes that Mr. Cullen was my teacher was normal and there was no weird tension, but I did notice there was many side glances thrown at me from him and his smirk would show when I caught his eyes.

Thursday was cricket all day with the girls, Ms. Hathaway being our coach. We won that game 107 runs to 84 runs meaning that we move onto the next round next week. And today is Friday meaning there is baseball all day, it's going to be so much fun. The team is made up of 14 girls, Layliee, Rose, Alice, Kathy and myself being team captain and a few others.

We all meet at the gym bright and early waiting eagerly for our coach Mr. Sidle who is a science teacher and a kick ass baseball player. Yet he never came, Natalie (aka Ms. Hathaway) walked past. "Natalie?"

She stopped in front of me, "Yes Bella."

"Do you know where Mr. Sidle is? He isn't here yet." I asked worriedly.

Her face seemed somewhat remorseful, "Didn't anyone tell you?"

Now I'm just confused. "Tell me what?"

Natalie sighed. "That Mr. Sidle had to take an emergency day today."

Of all the days he had to take off, he has to take the day that we need him the most. "Okay. Can't you take us then?" I pleaded with her.

"You know I would love to come with you girls but you know that I can't do that. And anyway they've found a replacement for today already." She said factually.

"Yeah who?" I'm very curious now.

"Mr. Cullen."

Oh no. Why couldn't it be someone else? I mean he is amazing and there is no doubt that we have this connection. But I don't really want to have to spend all day pretending as if I don't feel anything for him. "Okay then. He's just going to have to do." I tried to act upset, because I don't want people to get suspicious of my feelings for him.

"Bella be nice to him." Natalie scolded me.

"I will, when am I not nice?" I laughed at her.

"I know, just take it easy on him. It's not going to be easy for him to look after 14 girls so you need to take charge with them."

"I'm well aware of what captain means. I've been captain of all the teams I've been in since year 7."

"Okay." She glanced at her watch on her wrist, "I have to go and set up for my class next period. Good luck and kick ass."

"You know that we will." She hugged me goodbye. Yes hugging a teacher isn't a normal thing but she's a friend more than anything. Natalie doesn't act like an authority figure she acts like one of us, yet I'm the only student that is allowed to call her Natalie. She's easy to talk to and we even hang out on the weekend sometimes and watch movies and shop, doing friend things.

I went back over to the group of girls that were all huddled together. "Girl's can I get your attention please?"

All their faces moved to look at me, "So Mr. Sidle isn't going to make it today." There were murmurs between all the girls. "But not to fret they have found a replacement teacher for today."

"Yeah and who's that?" Kathy asked me.

"Mr. Cullen" I noticed that all of the girls seemed to perk up at the mention of his name. "So we need to take it easy on him. I know how we get when we compete but we need to just ease him into it. Is that okay?"

We as a group have been in all the same sporting teams since year 7. We aren't at all that close off the various sporting fields we play on, but as soon as sports are mentioned we are all huddled together coming up with schedules on when we can all practise and game plans. The only thing we need to find is a teacher to take us and it's up to them if they want to help us train.

"That's fine captain." Alice said.

"I'm going to find out where he is and then we can get going."

They all nodded their approval. I walked over to pick up my bag that was sitting with the rest of the bags and walked out of the gym foyer and into the lower courtyard and spotted Mr. Cullen. I jogged over to him, "Sir?"

He turned around to me and I was still amazed at how much the colour of his eyes affected me. "Hey Bella, what's up?" he smiled with that gorgeous smile.

"Are you aware that you're our baseball coach today?" I could feel my eyebrows scrunching up.

His face shifted. "No I was not aware."

SHIT! We sort of need a coach to take us or we can't go at all and we will have to forfeit the game. "Well I just spoke to Ms. Hathaway and she informed me that you're going to be our coach for today."

He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Okay, I need to go and talk to the office ladies and see what's happening."

"Yeah that's cool. I'm going to be in the gym with the team. And you need to sort of hurry because we are supposed to be leaving like now."

"Yeah I'll be there in a second." With that he went into the office and I cantered my way back over to the gym.

All the girls were in their baseball outfits and had all the equipment ready for the bus. "Where's Mr. Cullen?" Kathy asked once again. The smile on her face just gave away why she wondered where he was.

"He'll be here in a second." I smiled reassuringly at her.

"Good because they want us on the bus right now." She said excitedly.

"Okay I'll just go and see where he is."

God really? I ran as fast as I could towards the office, and saw Mr. Cullen standing there talking to Mrs. Cope. "Sir, we sort of have to go right now." He excused himself from Mrs. Cope and walked over to me.

"Yeah, I'm coming I just have to go and get my bag." His green eyes made my knees weak.

"Yeah, cool. But please hurry." I smiled pleadingly.

"I will." He grabbed my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. Before I had a chance to react he was already running over to his office on the other side of the courtyard. I just stood there watching where he disappeared to, it was only a matter of second and he was back standing in front of me. "I'm back."

"I can see that." I took a few steps. "Let's go." We both started jogging to the bus. As we entered there was only two spots left for us to sit on. I sat on the window side whilst Mr. Cullen sat next to me, he leg resting up the entire length of mine.

No words were spoken the entire trip. Not until we were only a few minutes away from the field. "So Bella, who's the captain of this wonderful team?"

He even compliments me without even knowing it, what a good man. I wonder if he knows that I am in fact the captain and is just trying to make me feel good? But to be honest he just has to be near for me to feel wonderful. "That would be me." I said a little shyly.

He seemed somewhat surprised. I guess he really didn't know that I was the captain. "Really and what's the game plan for today?"

"To have fun and that no matter what happens we never forget how privileged we are to be able to have an experience like this. Win or lose we're in it together."

"Very inspiring." He sounded somewhat impressed. That just made me giddy.

"Why thank you." I giggled. I mean WHAT THE FUCK! GIGGLING? Shoot me now.

The bus driver cleared his throat. "We're here."

Mr. Cullen stood up and faced the girls. "So we're here and I want your best behaviour and most of all just have fun."

Everyone exited the bus whilst I was still blocked in by Mr. Cullen. "You ready?" he asked me before moving.

"I was born ready." And with that I walked past him out of the bus to meet up with my very excited team.

The day was very fun and we made one home run for the day that was all due to Layliee. And we won by two very exciting runs. That means that once again that we were moving on once again to the next stage. We celebrated by singing songs on the bus and once we got back the team photo was taken and we were dismissed for the day.

"You coming Bella?" Rose inquired.

I shook my head at her. "I'm just going to help put the stuff away but I'll talk to you guys later." I almost questioned it.

"Okay bye Bella." She gave a small tentive wave.

I walked over to the bags and tried picking them up. FUCK! They are really heavy, god no wonder the other girls where struggling to carry them. So instead of carrying then I started to drag them to the storage shed. I had to be careful I didn't want to rip the bag or anything, "Do you need some help?"

I looked up at Mr. Cullen "Yeah." I blushed dropping the handle of the bag.

Mr. Cullen carried the bag the rest of the way to the storage shed and heaved it up to the shelf where it belonged. Watching his shirt rise and being able to see the toned muscles that where hiding under the offending piece of cloth, made me want to swoon. "Thanks." I said to the floor.

"You're welcome."

I waited so he could lock the door and I walked out with him in silence, I pushed the door open to leave the gym. "Bella?" he sounded conflicted.

"Yeah?" I asked hopefully.

His left hand came up to his hair and he started tugging at his copper tendrils "Can you come here. I need to talk to you."

"Sure." I shut the door behind me and slowly made my way over to him leaving a few steps of space between us.

He looked right into my eyes "I was wondering. . . " he trailed off moving his gaze to everywhere but me.

I took a few more steps towards him. "Talk to me." I raised my hand to place on his cheek, but quickly bought it back down to my side. I could tell he saw the gesture.

After a minute or so he looked back at me. "Okay, you know how I gave you my number right?"

"Yes."

He seemed agitated all over again with whatever he wants to tell me. "I was curious as to why you haven't called me yet."

Awwwww, what a cutie? But that is a good question. I mean I have spent a lot of time just staring at his number and wondering what would happen if I was to let it ring. "Well there hasn't been a need to yet."

"Why should that stop you?" he shot right back.

"But isn't that a good thing that I haven't called you? Because as far as I was aware the only reason you gave me your number was so that if I was in trouble I could call you. But I haven't been in trouble, so there really hasn't been a need."

He sighed, "You're right that is why I gave you my number. I'm sorry for being all over bearing."

I smiled up to him. "Don't worry about being over bearing. I think it's cute." I paused. How on earth do I bring this up? Well I guess since we are sort of still on the topic I could just say it using words. Okay here goes nothing. "I've been looking at your number very frequently and have contemplated many times on whether I should press dial. But then I always come up blank on why I would even be calling in the first place."

He seemed almost relieved by what I just revealed. "Seriously call me. Even if it is to say hi. It won't bother me in the slightest."

"Okay I shall. But I got to go." I took a few steps backwards. "Bye Mr. Cullen have a good night."

"I shall." I turned around and made my way to the door I opened it, "Ohhhh and Bella when you call it's Edward." I kept my eyes forward and nodded my head and kept walking.

I pulled my phone out of my bag and found ANT I pressed the call button and put the phone to my ear. It rang a few times and no one picked up, I was about to give up when I heard. "Hello?"

"Edward?" Gosh I sounded silly. What was I thinking calling him?

"Bella?" He seemed shocked that I was actually calling.

"Yeah, I just . . . I just wanted to make sure the number works."How lame can you be Bella?

"It's okay. Now I have your number to." Shit? I didn't think of that.

"I guess you do." I could see my mother waiting in the car with Jake. "I have to go."

"Bella . . ." I paused in my walking, there was something in his voice. "Can I call you later?"

I stilled contemplating, "Yeah. I would like that."

"Good. Talk to you soon. Bye." His voice seemed to have some new found excitement.

"Bye." I clicked the disconnect button and just stared at the screen. My mother honking the horn broke me out of my thoughts; I rushed to the car and slipped into the back seat.

"Who was on the phone?" my mother seemed a little too interested.

"Just a friend." I blushed.

My mother grinned. "Bella was it your boyfriend?"

I shook my head from side to side. "I wish, but no."

Her smile faltered. "Well he would be crazy not to be with you."

I know she's just saying that because she's my mum, but it really does help to have a confidence boost. "Thanks mum."

"You're welcome sweetie."

Mum started the car and we drove off. I kept looking up and catching Jake's eyes in the side mirror, he was staring at me intently. "So Bella how did sport go?"

"We won. So next week I have two days off for sport. Aren't I lucky?"

"Yes you're very lucky. I heard Mr. Sidle was away, who filled in?"

"Mr. Cullen filled in." I tried to hide my delight. But Jake didn't seem very surprised with my omission.

"Oh and how did he deal with you girls?"

"There wasn't much for him deal with. We were all on our best behaviour."

"Yeah because that's believable." He managed to say in between laughs.

"Well it is."

"Fine." He huffed.

We finally got home and Jake rushed out of the car and I assume to his room because when I entered I could hear the radio playing in the direction of his room. "He'll be fine sweetie. Just give him time."

"Yeah, but I think I should go and talk to him."

"Alright."

I headed to the stairs and walked up to Jake's door and knocked hesitantly. "Jake?" I waited a moment and there was no response, "Jake? . . . .Can I come in?"

I heard movement in his room. The door creaked open the next minute, "What do you want?"

"I just want to talk to you."

"Yeah about?" Why was he being so snarky?

"Can I just come in and we can discuss it."

He opened the door for me to enter; we both sat on his bed. I noticed that the photo of us when we were eight and we were on my grandfathers boat was placed on his bedside table. It was the first time my dad had tried to get me to fish, I remember my line was snagged by a fish and dad reeled my line in and the fish was squirming all over the place. Dad took it off the line and said to me 'this is a nice fish, you just caught dinner' I remember I started crying because I didn't want to take the fish away from its family. So I said to my dad in all seriousness 'Put the fish back, it has a family. You wouldn't like it if someone caught me and took me away from you.' my dad protested but eventually threw it back into the water.

"So what do you want?" Jake spat out hostilely.

"I want to know what has got you so upset."

"Nothing has got me upset." He started picking at his bed spread.

"That's bullshit and you know it. You forget how well I know you."

He shook his head slightly as if trying to get an errant thought out. "Yeah well it doesn't matter."

I put my hands on top of his and he paused. "Jake talk to me. Make me understand."

"Alright . . ." he took a lung full of air and slowly exhaled, "Who's this guy that has you going all gaga?"

"He's just some boy. Nothing will happen so don't worry about it."

"Bella be honest with me."

"I am being honest when I say that I like him but nothing will happen because . . . Because if it ever came to that I wouldn't let it happen."

"Okay and why is that?"

"Because . . . I can't tell you why. But you just have to trust me."

"Trust is a two way street."

"Yeah I know. And if I feel as if I need to talk to someone about it then you will be the first person to know about it okay."

"Okay, but I'm here for you always okay." He leant over to me and pulled me to him.

"I know Jake. I love you brother."

He kissed the top of my head. "I love you too sis." We stayed like that for a while, that was until I saw the clock on his wall that it was nearly six and that our parents have most likely gone out on their date night.

It was seven by the time I made it to my room; I sat on my bed with my laptop on my lap doing some power point presentation for my year 12 Biology class about pollens. I managed to complete most of it by ten, by then I went down stairs and saw Jake sitting there watching the footy. I slumped down next to him, resting my head on his shoulder. We both just sat there not making a sound for a long while, and then out of nowhere my phone started ringing, I quickly saw the word ANT flash across the screen causing me to have a big grin on my face. I was well aware of Jake watching me very closely.

"Hello?" I said a little to excitedly for it being nearly 11 at night.

"Bella?" he asked.

"Hey, what's up?" I got up off the couch and walked up the stairs to my room.

"Nothing just wanted to talk to you. . . I didn't wake you did I?"

I lounged on my bed. "No you didn't wake me."

"That's good." He seemed a little relieved.

Going back to his previous question, "What did you want to talk about?"

The silence presented by him was comfortable not awkward I assume it was there so he could gather his thought. "I have no idea. All I know is that I just needed to hear your voice." He spoke gently.

"Okay . . . How about 20 questions?" I wanted him to feel as if I wanted to talk to him. Which I do.

"20 questions sounds good."

"Do you want me to go first?" I asked once again.

"Whatever doesn't bother me."

"Okay you go first then."

"Sure. What's your favourite colour and why?"

"You do realise that's two questions right?" I teased him.

"Yeah well . . . Just answer the questions." He said irritatedly.

"Green. I like green because it's thought to cure homesickness. It's a calming colour that each shade can have a different tone or emotion associated with it."

"WOW! And I thought you just liked green because of my eyes." He joked; at least I think he was joking around.

"And there's that." I said without realising.

"Yeah . . ."

Gosh! I just made this really awkward. Fix it Bella, and fix it now. "My turn. Family? Like brothers, sisters, mum, dad that sort of thing."

"My dad is a surgeon at Monash. My mother stays at home and cooks the most amazing food I have ever tasted and everyone and then she helps with her Interior designing business. I have an older sister named Gianna who just found out that she was pregnant. So that's exciting. I have no brothers . . . And that's my family."

"Are you excited to be an uncle?"

I could imagine his face being graced with a very large smile. "Very much so."

"Okay your turn."

"Please be totally honest here." He pleaded with me.

"That's the point of the game."

"Do you like me?" he said in a rush that I almost missed it.

"Of course I like you, who wouldn't?" It was simple he is an amazing person and anyone who didn't like him would be insane.

"That's not what I was asking." He seemed a little lost.

"Okay, then what were you asking?" I really want to know.

He mumbled a few things under his breath, "Do you have feelings for me?"

Why? Why did he have to ask me that? The point of the game is not to lie and I'm not going to lie. I mean he asked the question it means he obviously wants an answer, god could he not of asked that question later down the track. "I know I shouldn't but I do and I know I can't act on them. But Edward I do have feelings for you." I said sadly, realising that I've just opened myself up to heart ache.

"Really?" the happiness in his voice gave me a glimmer of hope.

"Yeah really." I said again a little unsurely. "What about you? What do you feel towards me?" Do I really want to know the answer to that question? I mean it's too late now to take it back.

"I feel as if I can't breathe when you're not around. That seeing you makes me feel whole. You make me feel alive."

"I like you." I had to say it out loud.

"I like you too." EDWARD CULLEN! Likes me, he fucking likes me. Oh no what the hell is going to happen? Is he going to leave the school? But the big question is. Do we act on these feelings or not?

We sat then on the phone in comfortable silence. There was no need to fill in with useless chit chat while we were both trying to digest what just happened. I know there's a question that needs to be asked. "Edward . . . ?"

"Yeah."

"What do we do?"

"I'm not sure."

A/N: You probably hate me for leaving a cliffy like this but everything happens for a reason. And I know I said that there was going to be both points of view to some people but I felt as if the chapter was going to go forever and you may not of gotten the chapter for another week or two and I didn't want to do that to you all.

Okay so if you're confused or don't understand we have primary school here in Australia that goes from PREP to Year 6 sometimes they can go to Year 7 then we have High school that starts from Year 7 sometimes Year 8 and goes to Year 12.

CRICKET is a sport that we play here in the summer, there is a pitch that is 20 meters long and at each end there are 3 stumps with two barrels on top and if the ball hits that you are out. You have to wear protective gear because the ball is really hard. So there are two batters (link on profile on what a cricket bat looks like) and one person hits the ball that the bowler bowls. So the batter hits the ball and the two batters run to the other end as many times as they can. Once each batter has run to the other side that is called a run. There are 10 people that are allowed to field and bat. It's a lot more complex then that but that is some of the basics.

Review please :P