A/N: Sorry for the wait, dear readers. Five words for you: be prepared, fluffiness is over! Well, not completely…See you at the end :).

James had the strangest expression on his face, a mixture of worry and anger. I didn't like it and could feel stress gripping my spine like claws. I quickly told Edward that I'd see him later and followed my colleague inside the empty teachers' break room.

We sat in the comfy chairs in a secluded corner. James visibly wanted us not to be disturbed. My heart started pounding against my ribs. I was maybe paranoid but in my guts, I knew something was terribly wrong. I decided to put my big girl panties. Better the truth out than in, I reasoned.

"So, what's up James?" I tried for casualness and plastered a fake smile on my face.

"You tell me…" He muttered. His eyes were on me, his jaw clenched.

"What do you want me to tell you?" I asked, my voice starting to break already. James sighed and his expression contained more compassion than anger now.

"Bella, what the hell are you doing?" He clasped his hands together and leaned towards me. "You want to get in trouble or what?"

"What are you talking about?" I tried to delay the inevitable for as long as I could but he knew, I was sure of it.

"Edward Cullen? You have a crush on a student? Don't even try to deny it…" He raised his hand before I could even start to protest. "It's written all over your face."

"You're ridiculous…" I scoffed. The battle was over but it didn't mean I'd go out without a bang.

"I don't think so, no. First, you're working with him during the week end, and now he walks you out of your class?"

"We're working on a project, I told you that." I tried, desperate.

"Yes, I know about the project. But there's definitely more, I can feel it."

"How can you be so sure?" I whispered, my voice defeated. I must have looked pale as a ghost. I felt so weak.

"Because that happened to me, that's how!" He exclaimed before slumping back in his chair.

I just sat there, stunned. James, usually so composed, so cocky even was rubbing his hands all over his face frantically and not even hiding his agitation.

"I used to teach in San Diego, a few years back. I was young, inexperienced. On my first day, I met the girl who'd change my whole life. Her name was…Jane. She was so pretty, so sweet. She won me over with her smile. I fell for her, body and soul. She said she loved me and I believed her. I thought she was the sun." He smiled miserably and quickly wiped tears from his eyes.

"What happened?" I managed, gulping. I could tell the story had a bad ending.

"We started seeing each other, secretly. At my house, mostly. We were as discreet as possible, never interacting at school, never looking at each other. It wasn't enough though. One day, one of Jane's mother's friends saw us at my door, kissing. She reported me the next day to the school."

His eyes were brimming with tears and his face was red with the effort he put in telling me this. I could feel his humiliation, his shame.

"I had a meeting with the Principal and Mrs….well, her mother. You should have seen the look on her face. She looked livid, like she really wanted to hurt me. Jane was only seventeen so she really could have. Thankfully, the Principal managed to find a deal so the consequences wouldn't be too terrible for either of us." He sighed, bracing himself for the next part.

"He told me he could find me a job in a lost little town and basically save my life, as long as I never spoke to Jane again, never tried to contact her. I had to apologize to her mother, practically drag myself at her feet. And Jane…God, I can't do this…" He started crying quietly. He broke my heart then. Nothing is more painful than seeing a man cry.

"Jane said that she had never really wanted this, that I had been a bad influence on her. I don't know…I probably was. That she hadn't reported me before because I was a good teacher and she didn't want me to be in trouble." He raised his eyes on me and blew a trembling breath.

"She never was honest with me. So, please don't fall for the bullshit too and find yourself in trouble, please Bella."

I was lost, completely. I understood James' view more than he knew because the torture he had lived through was everything I dreaded when I fell for Edward. The inquisition, the mother's wrath, the career threats. On the other hand, Jane sounded like a cruel bitch to me, one of those girls always ready to add another trophy to their conquests. Even in my confused state of mind, I knew that Edward was anything but a womanizer. Yes, he was gorgeous and yes, he had me wrapped around his little finger but he would never take advantage of me like that.

I was brought back to the moment when James put his hand on mine. His eyes were begging me to understand.

"What is your relationship with the boy, Bella?" He murmured.

"We are seeing each other." I admitted, blushing. It felt good to say it, even under the circumstances.

"Have you slept with him?" He asked harshly.

"Not that it's any of your business, but no, we haven't." I retorted. "Are you going to report us?"

James started to laugh then. A deep, painful laugh, hiding the tears that were still threatening to fall from his eyes.

"Bella, how little do you know me? Do you see me doing something like that? I just want you to be careful, sweetie. Don't let him ruin your life like she ruined mine."

"He won't ruin my life, he'll save me. He's the only thing making sense in my existence." I choked. James smiled sadly, shaking his head.

"And your life isn't ruined. You met someone, didn't you? You can be happy again." I added.

"Yes, she's great. But don't let it fool you. I'm forever changed by this. He's the same as her, Bella, can't you see that?"

I looked at him, straight in the eyes. He needed to understand too.

"No, he's not. I know you think I'm biased, but it's true. He's wonderful and not at all like that little slut. I'm sorry you had to go through this but trust me on this. He is a good person." He sighed deeply.

"If you say so…Please be careful sweetie, ok?"

"I promise."

No, you're not dreaming, no cliffie today ;)! The reason is that my next update won't be until after Christmas so I didn't want to leave you hanging. Merry Christmas, everyone, MWAH! Steph