You have been waiting long enough (sorryyyyyy), so without further ado, I present to you Chapter 6.

No.

NO!

Impossible!

"Good morning everyone! I am Professor Cullen, your instructor for this course." He introduced himself with a killer smile that provoked an explosion in my chest.

Edward is my… professor?

Damn it, damn it, and damn it all to hell!

I couldn't believe Edward was actually my professor. How unlucky could a single individual really be? I thought back to our first meeting in Alice's and my room the morning before and felt myself blush profusely. I was trying to convince myself that nothing more embarrassing could have happened at the freshmen welcome party when Edward resumed speaking.

"Well. It appears that not too many students have opted to take this seminar… unless some partied too much last night and were unable to get up this morning. From what I saw last night, some of you did not deprive yourselves of enjoying your last evening of vacation… to the fullest." He had spoken those last three words with his eyes fixed on me, which made me wince.

To the fullest? Now, what did that mean? His smirk unsettled me.

In order to better understand your expectations for this course, I prepared a small questionnaire. Don't worry, this is not a surprise quiz. I would just like to know which authors you've already studied and those whose work you'd like to analyze. I also ask that you list your favorite authors, regardless of whether they are from French literature, English, Spanish, or any other language. I would like this back at the end of class today. You can start filling it out as soon as it's on your desk." He declared while moving around the room to distribute the forms.

Once done, he returned to his desk and started to read, comfortably seated in his chair. A glance at the novel he was holding told me it was Pride and Prejudice from Jane Austen. I was reminded of my conversation with Alice when we unpacked all of my books the day I moved in.

"What's so funny?"

"I feel like I'm standing in front of my brother's library. You have the same literary taste: Jane Austen, Emily Brontë, Margaret Mitchell…"

"So your brother is a hopeless romantic!"

"You could say that!"

Did Alice know her brother was a professor here? I hoped not. Otherwise, she would get an earful. How could she keep such a crucial piece of information when she knew I had a crush on him? No, she probably had no idea. Besides, they hadn't seen each other in over a year, so…

The thought of Edward being a hopeless romantic made me feel kind of giddy. It appeared that we had something in common: a passion for the same works of fiction. I'd read Pride and Prejudice at least half a dozen of times. It was my favorite book… I found myself grinning like a fool imaging Edward as Mr. Darcy, that man who'd decided to disregard all the rules that governed his world all for the woman whom he loved but who rejected him. Just like the main protagonist, Edward was a cultured man of a perfect, almost irreal beauty. He had the added charm not to be conceited.

Ah, if only I could be his Elizabeth…

Bella, stop this immediately! You are fantasizing on your professor for crying out loud! Hello?!

I couldn't repress a sigh as I watched Edward run a hand through his impeccable hair.

Perfect…

"Miss Swan, are you done filling out the form?" he asked, without taking his eyes off his book.

I turned as red as a beet when everyone turned around to stare at me suspiciously. They were probably all wondering how Edward knew my name when we'd just been introduced to him 20 minutes ago… That was in fact a great thing to wonder about. How did he know my name?

I muttered something inaudible.

"I might be able to make out what it is you are trying to say if you do not chew on your pencil while speaking, don't you think?" he added, deigning to look at me this time.

It was a look of challenge…

I blushed even harder at his remark. Was he trying to humiliate me in front of everyone? Perhaps, he was as arrogant as Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.

I cleared my throat.

"I was saying I am almost done, Dr. Cullen."

It was strange but addressing him in such a formal way had… turned me on.

It's official, Bella: you are raving mad!

"Good." He said, returning to his reading.

At the end of the first hour of lecture, Edward moved along the rows to gather the forms. Our fingers grazed when he made to collect my questionnaire, provoking an electric discharge throughout my entire body. He glanced at what I had written then stared at me, knitting his brows, as though he was trying to decipher my thoughts. Embarrassed by his insistent gaze, I stared at my desk as though it was the most fascinating object.

Calm, Bella. Calm.

I saw him place my questionnaire on top of the pile. He then returned to set the forms on his desk.

"10 minute break!" he announced, clapping his hands.

Then, he left the classroom.

All the tension had accumulated during the past hour suddenly left my body... Savoring these few minutes of respite before he came back, I closed my eyes and threw my head back, relieved. I then heard whisperings and stifled laughter from the back of the room.

"Dear Lord, did you see how sexy he is?! To think I enrolled in this seminar randomly..." One brunette said.

"Tell me about it! How the hell are we going to be able to focus this semester? I hope I didn't make a fool of myself on the questionnaire… I don't think I know a single French author." Another brunette snorted.

"We should let the others know! They wouldn't want to miss such a sight!" A third girl suggested.

"Great idea! Let me call Jessica. She will tell the others." The first brunette replied and pulled out her phone.

Five minutes later, two dozen of girls had walked in. by the end of the girl, 10 more girls had shown up. That said a lot about the students' motivation.

When Edward walked back into the classroom, a stupefied expression settled on his face. Returning to his desk, he spoke up. As soon as he opened his mouth, I thought the groupies seated at the front row would faint. How pathetic.

Oh, you're one to talk.

Oh, shut up!

"Well, I'm surprised to see that so many people are in fact interested in French literature. You guys are 4 times as many as you were when I left for a coffee a few minutes ago!" he marveled.

Lmao. Because you actually believe they are here out of love for French literature, Edward? Please!

"Unfortunately, I intend for this seminar to be interactive, therefore, I will not be able to accept you all. This class is limited to 20 people, and..."

I barely contained a laugh when I saw the desperate looks my classmates were throwing to our professor. One of them, who I presumed to be the infamous Jessica, spoke up, not caring to interrupt Edward.

"But professor! Most of us had no idea a course on French literature was even offered by the university… This is the first time!" she protested. "Your course was added as an option at the last minute. I've always been passionate about French literature. Please give those of us who didn't register in time a chance to do so now. Please, professor, be fair…"

I wasn't hallucinating. She had actually simpered. Perhaps, she thought Edward was stupid enough to believe any word she'd just spoken?

But when I looked at Edward, I noted with horror that he actually seemed to be considering her request. Unbelievable! Those of us who had registered first – and in time! – were now at risk of losing our spots to a bunch of groupies whose sole interest was getting to gawk at Edward two times a week?! Unbelievable!

"I'm sorry, but do you think it's fair to take the spot of someone who waited in line for hours to register for this class simply because you just decided that you would like to take it too?" I challenged, angrier than I should have been.

Jessica threw me a murderous glare, which didn't escape Edward's notice.

"Alright, listen carefully. For next class, I want you to write a short story. Pick whichever style you want; it doesn't matter. There's only one requirement: 4000 words minimum. The writers of the 20 best stories get the right to participate in my seminar. I believe that's a good compromise, wouldn't you agree?" he announced with a victorious smile.

I saw Jessica and her friends exchange nervous glances.

"I sure do!" I approved, satisfied.

"Perfect! Now, I will have my new recruits fill out the questionnaire about your reading experience and interests. As for the rest of you who already did at the beginning of class, you can either leave or stay here and start working on your short stories. I am at disposal for whatever question you may have."

I wasn't surprised to see that no girl left the classroom. I fully understood: it wasn't every day that our eyes got to admire such a sight. However, I still needed to find out more about last night's party. I thus texted Alice and Rosalie and we all agreed to meet 30 minutes later. It was time to get to the bottom of this matter.

It's been so long. Thank you for stopping by. Let me know you are still here. Still reading. Still interested in more.

The next chapter is half-way written, so when I post is partially up to you. You know what to do... Smash the review button!