NA. I hope you like it.
"I can't believe you called him Edgard" Rose told Emmett as we were telling her about our night.
After the very first and tense moments, I became somewhat of a shell, andI left all the talking to Dr. Volturi and his wife, Emmett, was even better guest than me.
I could feel your eyes all night, and Alice's too. I guess it was odd for me to not speak when the party was in my honor but I felt too intimidated. Lauren did that, does that, to me.
"Well you better believe it babe, I should've punched the asshole" Emmett says as a matter of fact.
"I'm calling it a night, thanks for joining me Emmy." I say as I leave the kitchen. I can hear Rose and Em saying a worried goodnight.
As I do my face routine, I feel like crying. The immense remorse of not standing up for myself is heavy, but also a bit shameful.
When I'm ready to plug my phone to charge I see a text from an unknown number.
I'm sorry, you deserved a lot better for a welcome.
E
Now I do feel the tears pooling in my eyes, this is the first interaction we have like this in years. And it's all too familiar and it brings too many memories.
THEN
After being your student for almost a semester, one would think my crush would have gone away. But it didn't.
I was thrilled by your class, your knowledge was incredible for me, I was also very much young and naive but that did not matter. I knew snippets of facts about you.
You were 26, perhaps the youngest professor in the faculty.
You studied in England your whole life, even highschool. But you were from Chicago.
You spoke several languages, French, Spanish, and Polish.
Your eyes sparkled when you talked about the time you were volunteering in Africa.
And you always called me Isabella.
It was funny I guess, that you were so formal but also so young, it intrigued me, perhaps I felt a little like in a Jane Austen novel.
But even after months under your watch, here I was, thinking about you instead of doing my final essays on a Friday night. The library was without a doubt my favorite place on campus, the books were so very interesting and I felt smarter by just being here.
I was sitting at a table alone, surrounded by way too many books, I would never be able to finish but that they all felt too important to not take into consideration. It was raining and the place was half empty, and I was content.
"You know, adding a lot of books on your references does not mean that you'll do well in your essay." a teasing voice told me.
And when I looked up, there were your eyes, so green and sparkly that it made me smile.
"Well, Professor Cullen, maybe they're all for my personal enjoyment."
As you picked up the first book within his reach, and showed it to me, the cover read "Understanding social constructs of theories".
"This is for your personal enjoyment?" you said cheekily.
I couldn't help but laugh.
"What are you doing here on a Friday night?" you tell me as you sit down.
I've never been this close to you, you smell like oranges.
"Finishing your essay."
It's your turn to laugh.
"You have almost three weeks to turn it in, I didn't take you for an enthusiast of my class." you told me truthfully.
And I'm puzzled, why on earth would you think that.
"You do not participate much, and all my colleagues tell me you're the student who's hand is always in the air, and that doesn't apply in my class. Plus, you stare at me all too seriously."
You're right, I might be way too quiet with you because I don't trust myself with you, and I stare at you because I'm with a terrible crush.
"Your class is challenging, I take a lot of notes."
"I don't think it is challenging for you."
I wasn't prepared for this encounter, and I'm not quick on my feet with the answers.
"Isabella, if I might be so bold. We have three weeks left in my class, the semester is almost over. I would love to hear you speak up, question me and squeeze the knowledge I have. Your eyes are doing all the talking and I'm sure there's more." you tell me as you start to stand up. "College is expensive, you might as well take advantage of it."
I can just nod.
"Have a good night Isabella."
NOW
That was the first time you and I had a one on one, and my crush just exploded. I still don't know if you knew back then. You must have known, in the end, my eyes have never lied.
The phone buzzes again.
Can we have coffee on Monday? I think it's time we talk.
E
I leave the phone alone and I get into bed, foolishly pretending I'll be able to sleep with that hanging over my head.
It buzzes again.
Please, I'll behave.
E
It is time we talk.
Monday 10:30 AM, I have class at 11 AM.
As soon as I reply, you've already read it. You're fast.
Thank you.
E.
AN. I received a review in which it explained it is hard to see a romantic interest between Edward and Bella, and it is true, I figured it is time you see them together.
Next chapter will be a throwback.
Reviews are my go-to juice. Thank you.