Hi guys! I hope everyone has been well. I'm back, after some time, with another update. Before I continue, I read a review that had mentioned Bella leading Emmett on. I just wanted to say I don't think she's leading him on in any sort of bad way! It's just one of those things that happen when you meet a good looking guy and they're nice to you, sometimes you can't help feeling attracted but that doesn't necessarily mean you like him. I think Bella thinks he's handsome and she gets all shy around him, but she doesn't intend for it to come off as any leading on in a bad way. Now I'm just rambling, sorry, please continue reading and reviewing! I love to see what you all write.

Love,

Nessa

Chapter 10

I walked to Professor Masen's class with my phone glued to my ear and my Starbucks latte in my other hand.

"I know you're leaving tomorrow, dad. We can go out to dinner."

"Yes. That would be very special, principessa." Since my dad has visited these few days he has called me every morning and I've had no choice but to answer him. I think the worst was when my mother called me and I was with him. Explaining to my mom that my dad dropped by with his mistress in a low tone in my bathroom while she went off in a long yelling rant was not my ideal type of night.

"I'll make a reservation for us when I get out of class."

"And don't make it cheap please." He added brightly. "I want it to be special and if that means spending a few dollar bills than that is okay."

"Um." I blinked, standing outside of the classroom and noticing I was earlier than mostly everyone since the class was ninety eight percent empty. "Then why don't we make a deal. How about you find a restaurant of your choosing, whatever food you want to eat, and send it to me. I'll make the reservation for—8 o'clock?"

"Can it be Italian?" He asked hopefully causing me to chuckle and roll my eyes.

"Okay." Some habits never change. I hung up and heard footsteps coming closer to me.

"Bella. Good day to you." That voice. I turned around slowly to see my professor standing there looking as handsome as always with his contacts on and a smirk on his face.

"Professor." I gave him a sickly sweet smile and he raised an eyebrow.

"You being overly nice is probably more suspicious than you cursing me out or being mean." He said without batting his lashes.

"I wonder, professor." I sang and he twisted his lips.

"Can I take a wild guess?" I opened my mouth to tell him no but he didn't give me a chance to say anything. "Are you upset that I shook your hand yesterday?" I glanced around at my surroundings and saw that there was almost no one littering the hallways. I leaned in slightly closer so he could hear me.

"You dare say that after you took off your gloves to shake my hand?"

"Ah." He replied. "You noticed that?"

"I would be an idiot not to." My hand twitched at his nonchalance.

"I was curious about something."

"Then you ask, you don't go looking through my past when you feel like it." I hissed and he rubbed his lips together.

"I would if you wouldn't lie."

"Excuse me?" I stammered at his bluntness.

"You ran out of my office the other day with saying you had an appointment. That wasn't true, was it?" He fixed the handle he had on his trusty notebook.

"I did." I responded stubbornly and he sniggered.

"There was no doctor's office or anything of the sort in your memories." I crossed my arms across my chest tightly and pursed my lips.

"How would you know that?" What a stupid question.

"I just have to know what to look for." He whispered, his eyes shooting around quickly around us for the first time since we started talking. Obviously he was keeping his voice down so no one would hear him—his little wrapped up secret. He released a breath and the scent of his cologne fanned my way and made me blink. It smells good—warm and woody.

"I-I had an outing with my father to get to." Shit. Shit. Tell me that he didn't see any bit of the conversation I had with Sulpicia.

"That was the appointment?"

"Yes." I answered. "I never specified and meeting with my father counts as an appointment."

"The way you left made it seem as though it were dire." I felt my cheeks getting warm and I frowned.

"You interpreted it wrong, professor. Now I'd like you to stop touching me to satisfy your own curiosity."

"What? You don't like skin to skin contact?" His voice was obviously a mocking tone to it and it was irritating me.

"Is that any way to talk to your student?" I growled, hoping he'd back off but instead he smirked and stepped around me.

"Is that really a question you should be throwing my way after the insults you've said to me and your pornography comment from last time?" I froze, staring at the empty hall as he laughed, walking into the classroom. Fuck I forgot.

"Stupid. Asshole." I snapped under my breath before I inhaled to calm my erratic heart so I could walk in.

"My, my." He lifted his head from the notebook and smirked, his taunting leather gloves displayed on top of the table. "My two tardy birds are both on time." His voice was in a sing song mocking tone making me glare at him with killer emotions. Why do I like this ass again?

"You can't hold that against us forever, professor!" Alice chirped right back and he turned to me, the corner of his lip lifting. Is he some sort of sadist getting pleasure out of annoying me?

"Class dismissed twenty minutes early?" James checked his watch in awe. "That's my type of man right there."

"You're disgusting." Alice said nonchalantly and I laughed as he threw a crumpled up piece of paper from his notebook at her. As we walked out, Edward's sharp piercing eyes stopped me as if they were saying 'Wait. Stay.' I cracked my neck and blew out some air. Last time I'm doing this.

"I forgot my metro card and then I have a meeting with my advisor so I'll see you all next class?"

"Sounds like a plan." Alice pecked my cheek as did James and I walked back into the classroom where the professor already picked up all his stuff and was slipping his gloves back on.

"You actually understood what I was trying to say." He murmured and I cocked a brow at him, half-offended.

"I'm not a moron."

"It has nothing to do with if you're a moron. More like the fact that you're not a mind reader."

"That's border line you, professor." I quipped and he stilled for half a second, before clearing his throat and grabbing his bag.

"I'm far from that." He responded softly.

"You can dig through whatever memories you want which is essentially very similar. Especially if you get such a clear—" Wind rushed up to me and his sudden tall presence in front of me scared me and made me gasp. "Picture…"

"Will you please keep your voice down?" His voice was ice and his eyes were steel as they stared at me. He wasn't asking, he was commanding it. I stood tall and lightly pushed him back.

"Give me my space." I snapped. "What is it that you wanted, professor?"

"Office."

"I'm not going anywhere with that attitude." I turned to leave and I heard a sigh.

"Fine. Please." He rendered and I walked towards the door.

"Let's make this quick." We were in his office surrounded by the dimly lit lamps that glowed in the relatively dark office. "Why am I here, professor? I don't have my paper."

"I need to ask you something important." His eyes were hard but filled with anxiety immediately infecting me and making me feel self-conscious.

"Go ahead."

"Were you involved in a domestically abusive relationship?" The words sputtered out of his lips and I felt a ton of bricks fall on top of me and shake the ground I was standing on.

"W-what?" I stuttered, appalled at what he even said. "Where did you get that from?"

"I got something." He slammed his hands against his table and bowed his head, as if he were…ashamed? "I don't know what it was a hundred percent but this is the second time I've seen this picture."

"What are you talking about?" My heart was thumping erratically and he lifted his head to me.

"I just want to know." His voice was rich with emotion and I paused for a moment, allowing my thoughts to gather.

"No. I wasn't." I answered honestly and his head snapped up at full speed.

"But I saw images—many different things! How—"

"I've never had a boyfriend hurt me physically." I repeated.

"Bella—what the hell were you involved in. I could feel your pain and your crying—" I shook my head looking away.

"It wasn't a boyfriend."

"Then who was it?"

"Why should I tell you?" I shouted and his voice stopped right on the spot. The room got smaller and quieter than ever before and I suddenly felt cold. My hands wrapped around my chest feeling something warm enveloping me when I needed it.

"Bella, what are you hiding? I'm your professor, I want to help you—"

"Why do you care so much?" I accused. "Leave it as it is, Professor Masen." I pressed my arms tighter.

"I can't." He whispered.

"Then if you want to know so bad, dig through my head to see if you can find anything. That's what you seem to do regardless with or without permission." There was so much bitterness in my voice that echoed through the room.

"You're still mad?"

"Of course I am. I have no privacy and you're no one of the sort to invade that." My words were meant to be harsh for both him and for me. I needed to cut this stupid girl-crush I had for him. "You purposely took your glove off to touch me knowing you would be able to get what you wanted. If you were so damn curious you could have asked me!"

"You wouldn't have answered honestly!" He came in front of me in three long strides and I saw anguish in his eyes. "I want your honesty!"

"Leave me alone." I shook my head, ignoring the beating of my heart to his words. No. I felt my skin on my face being touched and I opened my eyes to see it was him holding my face in between his hands, except the feeling was smooth—like leather. His gloves—he had them on.

"I don't want to continue to piss you off." His words were so unlike him but I could tell that he meant that. His face was inches from mine and all I could see was his eyes and his lips, hovering right above. There was a crackling tension between us that was more than just hate at this point. "Please tell me. It's important for me to know." His voice was pleading.

"I can't." My voice cracked and I felt the familiar burning sensation start behind my eyes. "I really don't want to talk about it." His lips formed a thin line and his eyes examined me thoroughly.

"But you're not going through anything like that right now, right Bella?"

"No. I'm fine."

"Thank god." He released a deep breath and dropped his head in front of me.

"Your girlfriend will get mad if she knew you treated your students like this, you know." I whispered softly and I could practically see his ears twitch like a dog's.

"I didn't know I had a girlfriend." I frowned.

"Isn't it the pretty girl from that night you got drunk and from the day when she was at our classroom?" His brows unfrowned and understanding flooded his face.

"Oh." He commented. "That's my sister not my girlfriend."

"Whoa, what?" I felt even more confused. "But she looked so close to you."

"We're very close siblings." He responded.

"And she looked so worked up when she saw me walking with you that night."

"I don't remember too well but she isn't fond of women." His lip quirked. "When did this become an interrogation on myself? Do you like me Bella?" He sang once again before brushing it off.

"I've taken an interest more like it." A big interest. He paused mid laughter and turned to me with wide eyes and a hung jaw. "I really doubt you didn't see it coming."

"I only had an inkling but you were usually so bothered by me—"

"I am." I confirmed and both his eyebrows jumped into his hairline. "But I still find you as someone interesting." His hands tightened around my face infinitesimally before dropping them.

"I shouldn't have teased you. We're student and professor and it's inappropriate." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Please leave, Ms. Dwyer and I'll see you next class." I felt my heart being stung with something as he said those words and he walked towards his bookshelf.

"You know what? I am leaving." I answered back. "But before I do I just wanted to say that all you sprout is absolute bull shit." His back straightened and he whipped around. "You come saying that nonsense after every stupid perverted or teasing comment you've said? Don't act as if I blurred the boundary between us when you yourself pushed them as well and welcomed it. Two minutes ago you had your hands on my face and you were less than six inches from my face and you dare come talking to me about professionality? I'm done. Goodbye." I pivoted on my heel and pulled the door, stomping out only to hear my name being called by Edward. I didn't pay it any mind and continued my own way.

I made my way home and slammed my door furiously, rattling the door hinges. My breathing was so heavy and I felt as though someone was stepping on my chest. I didn't notice how hard my hands were pressed flatly against the back of the door until my fingertips were getting cool. My face felt warm and flushed and my thoughts were racing madly around my brain and all I wanted to do was throw glass against walls so that it would shatter. I couldn't get my mind to accept his words but I couldn't deny how upset his words made me and how minimal I felt. To be rejected—I—

My fingers moved with their own accord and I texted Alice to come to my place if she could. I just couldn't stand being alone right now—I felt like a cup of milk being filled to the brim and starting to overflow.

With my address she accepted and arrived faster than I imagined, standing outside my front door with a cup of Starbucks in each of her hands. Her lips curled into a small smile and she raised the cups.

"I bring something sweet for your sadness."

"How did you know I was sad?" I wondered and she rolled her eyes.

"You've never once asked me to come over and today you did so urgently. I had an inkling to be honest and I felt that you needed me." Her voice was even and earnest which made me feel happy in the pits of my stomach. Alice didn't look the least bit annoyed or impatient, she stood in front of me with drinks and a semi-curious and semi-worried expression. I stepped to the side, behind the door, and gestured her to walk in.

"It's not completely done. I still haven't fully unpacked." I squirmed uncomfortably at the sudden realization that my place looked nothing like Alice's. She blew air out of her mouth like a raspberry and shook her head.

"Who cares about that? Your place will be as good as anyone's once it's done." She went to the couch and plopped herself down on it, placing the drinks on top of the center table. "Besides as long as you're comfortable who cares what anyone else thinks." She shrugged and pat the spot next to her. It's weird that I was so hesitant as if I was the one in a strange place. "Now what happened?"

"I really just wanted to be with someone for a few hours." I admitted. She knew that I had a dinner at eight and was only staying until then. Her brows creased and she tilted her body towards me.

"Love issues?" I snapped my eyes up to her before laughing mirthlessly.

"I wouldn't say 'love' issues per se. I had someone I was interested in and I actually made my interest known but he rejected it in a way that said I crossed boundaries." Instantly her body leaned back a bit and her frown deepened.

"Bella…" She said cautiously. "Is this person married?" The fear was evident in her voice.

"No!" I yelled on instinct. "No, no. I couldn't do what my dad did." I clasped my hands over my mouth and had my eyes wide.

"Your dad?" She questioned with a head tilt. "It's okay if you don't want to say anything, but my interest is definitely piqued." The air went still and I sighed.

"My parents were married for a while but their marriage fell apart when my dad had an affair with his intern while he was still married to my mom. Now his mistress of that time is his girlfriend and he's in the process of getting divorced from my mom." Her eyebrows flew to her hairline and I felt a sudden release from inside of me.

"Wow, I would have never guessed. I'm sorry about that." She shook her head. "It must have been hard to know all about that."

"It was at the time, now I don't really care. There's not much I can say or do."

"Still." She insisted. "But I am glad that your mystery man isn't a married man." She grinned jokingly and I cracked a smile.

"No he's not from what I know."

"He doesn't wear a ring?" I shook my head and she put a finger to her chin. "What boundaries did he say were being crossed?" I couldn't tell her it was Edward. It was impossible, it could be exposed and that would be horrible.

"He's older and just says that I'm too young." I skidded the truth and she nodded without saying anything. "But I think I was imagining too much because he always sounded like he cared when he asked me about personal events. Maybe that was my hopes reflected onto him. And he always teased me so I assumed too much and now—" I released a breath and felt a hand on top of my own hand. I glanced up and saw Alice with a reassuring expression.

"What did you say?"

"I called him on his bullshit and told him I was done with all of this. Whatever this was. And just walked out."

"Good!" She exclaimed happily. "He needs to hear that. Maybe he was simply too overly cocky about you. If he can't appreciate you because of a few years or whatever else, then he doesn't deserve you. Walking away from all this is the best because it shows you are more than just your feelings."

"I know but it hurts just as much as I'm mad when I rethink about it." I lowered my head and arms enveloped me. Alice's sweet scent hit my nose and her raven locks brushed against my cheek, tickling them.

"I understand. I believe that we females are so overly sensitive. If you want to cry then you can." She whispered the last part and I felt an overwhelming sensation to suddenly cry. "We can talk to James about it for a third party's, male, perspective okay?" I cringed and she tightened her hold. "He's not judgmental for any of this stuff since he's been through with his own share of crap. Plus he's not such a curious bee." I felt better and warm wet tracks slide down my cheeks. Am I crying? "It's okay. We are here for you for whatever, Bella." I tightened my hold around her neck and squeezed my eyes shut for more tears to fall.

Dad went back to Forks with Sulpicia by his side the following day after a wonderful dinner. He of course picked a high end Italian restaurant and after crying to Alice for a few we drank the frappes and I felt a lot better. I was actually able to fully laugh at dinner and not show any sign of anger or sadness. I dropped them off at the airport where dad actually had a small attack over leaving me in a big city all by myself. It took me some time to convince him but not without him promising to call at least six times a week and coming back soon.

The weekend passed by quickly as I walked through Central Park by myself, nearly freezing my ass, but enjoying the view of everything. From the naked trees, to the bundled up people, to the carriages being pulled by the horses as people coupled up to one another.

The day before Masen's class, it snowed over six inches, blocking the entrances of mostly everything. It didn't stop New York from running, it seemed that employers would send people a shovel to get to work in these conditions. However, thankfully, John Jay wasn't one of those annoying schools and actually closed down classes for the day but sent a text that stated classes would be reinstated tomorrow morning.

This was the last week of classes too which meant finals. I could use this day off to study for Masen's final considering it was next class. It would be the last time I would see him and hopefully that meant I would completely forget about this little girl crush. It did sound very juvenile now that I thought about it more profusely. I sighed and ran a hand through my hair, feeling the indented lump right below the crown of my head. I slowly ran my finger over the crooked crescent scar that had no hair and rubbed my lips together.

"It doesn't hurt anymore." I noted but psychologically I still felt the sting that made me cringe when I touched it at that time. Diverting my train of thought I quickly threw my hair into a bun and cracked open my books. "Time to study!"

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.

Getting to school on time was an actual journey since the snow delayed just about everything. All forms of transportations were delayed and then the snow on the ground made it hard to walk, even in snow boots, and it was absolutely freezing which made me wonder about ice. I was used to cold and wet temperatures from Forks, but this was something different.

I met up with Alice who was walking with a warm Starbucks coffee in her hand and chatting with James. He himself had on a wool coat and his maroon scarf that kept his neck warm. His blonde locks were styled with wax today and he mentioned it was due to the fact that the wind kept pushing his hair all over the place. Alice brought up my topic to James when surprisingly enough, he turned serious. He listened to everything Alice said and then every detail I spoke, occasionally nodding his head, but he didn't say anything until I completely finished.

"And you said you guys would tease one another and all that stuff and that's why you got the wrong idea at times?" He asked again as we made ourselves up to Masen's class. I nodded and he pursed his lips. "From a guy's point of view it sounds like he's half a moron." He said bluntly and without batting an eyelash. "He obviously held some level of interest towards you, whether that was for your physical attraction or because he was emotionally attracted to you. However, for him to turn you down means he either has a side woman—" I felt a bitter taste at the back of my throat when he said that. It's very well possible. "Or he wants nothing serious. The best way to deal with that sort of guy is to show him you're not willing to wait." Alice sipped on her coffee, her curled hair falling in front of her face.

"As a guy, myself, I don't like my women to be so—" He waved his hand around in the air trying to search for words.

"What he's trying to say is he doesn't like women who constantly wait on a guy and chase them." Alice cut in and James snapped his fingers.

"Exactly." He breathed. "I personally like a back bone, like you have, which is why what you told him is the best. He needs to work for you not the other way around. Okay?" I bit my lip as we neared our class door and nodded. "And if in the end nothing works out, then you at least cut yourself out before more feelings and time were invested."

"You're right. Thanks James."

"Anything for you little Bella." He chuckled and quickly turned to look at Alice. They exchanged some sort of conversation before he slung his arm over me.

"Do you need something?" I wondered half-sarcastically and he grinned at me. "Do I look like your stool?"

"You're perfect height. Alice is too tiny." Alice flicked him off and we walked into the freezing room that was lit up from the environment outside. My heart was stammering when I caught a glimpse of Edward by his podium. He looked good today as well in a charcoal cardigan with a button down tucked in underneath. His hair was pretty shaggy and it seemed he had a slight five o'clock shadow growing.

He must have heard our footsteps because he picked his head up from his notebook and I noticed his hands were still gloved. It must have taken him so much practice to write perfectly with leather gloves.

"Good morning you three." He said and his eyes looked over all of us before looking away. He swallowed something and jutted his chin towards the back. "Take a seat, the test is about to begin. And I don't think I have to tell you to sit in separate seats." His voice was sarcastic and crass but he never once looked up at us.

"Not at all, Professor Masen." I replied, walking while grabbing the end of James' fingertips that kept him close to me. I didn't dare look at his expression considering it was random but then he does this randomly all the time so it shouldn't be so bad. I might have been petty just because I was still hurt but no one said I couldn't use a few tricks of my own to strike back.

We sat down and passed around our test. He wrote on the board how much time we had and signaled us to start. Surprisingly enough the test was pretty simple, it was everything he discussed in class along with the profiling of certain iconic serial killers with dates we needed to know. I was so glad I actually wrote my notes down and studied the night before as well. Within half an hour, three people finished the test including me. I gathered my paper and dug my hand through my bag to pull out my final product of the paper I never handed to Edward. Quietly tip toeing, James gave me the face of desperation and I laughed as I made my way up. Kate looked up and glared at me while I shrugged. Not my fault that you're struggling.

As I got closer, my heartbeat quickened, making my chest feel airy. Edward was standing behind the small table looking over the two tests he had previously received and I saw that there were already furious red markings all over it. He glanced up and I stuck out my exam.

"My test." I said firmly and then extended my other hand with my term paper that I never gave him. His blue eyes were staring at me and I could see them screaming at me to 'wait and stay behind.' I pretended I never saw that and shook my paper slightly. "My paper." He cut off eye contact and took both papers in his hand, raking his eyes over the front page of each. "Have a nice break, professor—"

"Bella." He whispered in the softest voice I'd ever thought he could manage. It was barely above a whisper so no one around us heard him. "I'd like for you to visit my office afterwards." The hair on my skin prickled. "I'd like to discuss a few things."

"No." I shook my head. "Have a good day, professor. Goodbye." I stepped back and side stepped him without a look back even though I was yearning to go back to him. A part of me did feel better though.