Bella hadn't taught high school since her final year of student teaching. It was hilarious and quite a joke, for a 22 year old to be teaching 18 year olds, but her co-teacher, a young man named Josh Barnes, was amazing.
She'd learned a lot, mostly that by the time kids got to be seniors, it was a little late to try to close the achievement gap. It broke her heart, and as segregated as Arizona was, it wasn't surprising to see which kids were left behind.
She'd graduated, and around the same time she'd decided she had enough of traveling with her mom, her dad got sick and she found herself packing up and moving to Forks.
She'd moved late in the summer, too late to get a permanent teaching job, so she worked as a co teacher in a 7th grade classroom. And dear God, those kids could be assholes.
But they also gave the best hugs, cared too much about her personal life and bullied her into changing her entire wardrobe. Her co teacher, and older woman Jo Watkins, was thrilled to have someone younger in her classroom.
Bella did the technology stuff and always brought in new games and stuff she'd found off teachers' pay teachers. She did small groups and got to work with the really low readers. It was amazing.
But as Charlie got sicker, and it became more difficult to navigate the house, she needed a different job. One with a salary and benefits and a 401k.
That's how she became the part time History teacher and the part time English teacher. Her jumbled schedule was hard to understand , and with moving Charlie, it wasn't sticking.
First the stupid block situation. She taught one section of history a day, 2 sections of English, one prep and a home room everyday. That of course was jumbled with ABC Lunch Homeroom DEF.
A: Intro to US History (11th)
B: AP English (12th)
C: Prep
Homeroom (12th)
D: English (11th)
E: Prep
F: English (12th)
She was lucky she'd be able to stay in the class the whole time, and she needed time to set it up. It was going to be a busy year. She thought as she tediously placed books on her shelves. Charlie would be completely moved out by the end of the week and she'd have the weekend and Labor Day to settle in.
She wasn't going to stay in the house forever, and she didn't need to, but right now the mortgage and Charlie's new home needed to be paid for so she'd had an estate sale and kept the bare minimums for herself.
She's stapling leafy scrapbook paper to the bulletin board when there's a soft knock on the door. She jumps a touch to see someone at the door.
He's tall, with bronze fluffed hair and he's wearing a red basketball jersey and black shorts.
"Do you need help Miss?"
She turns towards him slightly embarrassed. She's wearing jean shorts and a tank top, assuming she'd be alone, she's showing quite a bit more skin than she normally would. It was almost dinner time at this point, and she hadn't planned on running into any students.
Her hair's a mess and she's sweating like crazy.
"No thank you. I'm okay," she says, lowering the stapler.
"You're new around here," he says, peeking farther into her classroom.
"I'm . I'm the new upperclassmen History and English teacher."
"Well lucky me," he says with a smirk.
She stares expectantly. As a teacher, she has impeccable wait time.
"I'm Edward Cullen. I'm going to be a senior this year. I'm captain of the basketball team."
"Oh yeah. Jacob- I mean, is the coach isn't he?"
"Yes ma'am."
She cringes at the formality and he laughs.
"If you don't need any help, come on. I do a general sweep so the janitor can leave early. Practice is over and everyone's going home."
She furrows her brows at him, who the hell does he think he is? She can't peg him and that scares her. He's attractive and he knows it and he's cocky and sweet.
"Um, sure. Let me just grab my stuff."
She grabs her keys and purse and water bottle and he holds the door open for her, shutting off the light.
It's definitely darker than she'd thought, and Edward walks her to her car in silence. He opens her door for her and her breath catches.
"Thank you Edward. See you when school starts now."
"Or sooner," he smirks and then he's gone.
Bella hasn't gotten laid in a second okay? And that's why she's dressing a little sluttier than usual to go out with her coworkers to the one good bar in town. She wouldn't really say slutty so much as city.
Forks seems like it's at least four years behind fashion wise. But Bella has also seen how hot her old childhood friend, and math teacher coworker had gotten.
She curls her hair and adds mascara, blush and a bit of mauve lipstick. She's wearing a white halter shirt and black skinny jeans with tiny ankle boots.
No one could ever see her being the girly type, but she had been quite popular in high school, not to her own doing though. Her friends had played Barbie and she'd learned to play the game.
She knew she was beautiful, In an understated way at least. She hops out of her truck and adjusts her breasts one more time before slinging her purse over her shoulder and heading in.
She spots Jacob right away with his cropped hair and beautiful brown skin. He's wearing a black v neck shirt and jeans that showed off his wolf sleeve tattoo. He introduces her to a bleach blonde woman who looks like she could envy Marilyn Monroe. She was wearing a red silk tank top and even Bella could admit her cleavage was amazing.
Her name was Rosalie Hale and she was the Art teacher. She also led the school's GSA group. She was very publicly dating the Health and Gym teacher Emmet Smith. He was a huge buff guy with short black hair, pale skin and a big ego.
Bella's three White Claws in, when Rose demands they dance. Bella's tipsy and she has new friends, and she can go home and use her toys on herself and pretend she'll bring home someone, one day.
Bella isn't a very good dancer, but Rosalie is and she grinds all over Bella. She's pulled the banana clip out of Bella's hair, letting it tumble down her back and Bella leans back, tossing out her hair. It's not long after that, that Emmet comes along and tears Rose away, and they start grinding like no one's business. Bella dances by herself, trying to think of how the hell she's going to find someone in this small town. Especially in Charlie's old house. God, she's gotta start saving and get out of there.
She's in her own world, music bumping through her veins when hands snake about her waist. It's dark and her eyes are closed and in her imagination it's Jacob who has pressed himself behind her. Clearly he'd gotten all of the hints she'd been throwing out tonight. It's one of her bigger regrets, not losing her virginity to them when they were kids.
Superred on by Rose, a lack of dinner with slightly too much booze, and the fact her boobs looked amazing in white, that let's her lean back into the hard body behind her. His hands stay on her hips, cool fingertips on the strip of skin between her shirt and her jeans.
"You smell amazing," the voice says into her ear. He tips his head into her neck and inhales, eyes glancing down her shirt. "You look delectable."
Bella grinds back slightly, and the voice in her ear lets out a moan and she realizes she has to turn around and kiss him. This will be a great way to start the school year. A bit lazy with liquor, and without wanting to move too much from her strangers embrace, she twirls around and looks up under her lashes to see none other than Edward Cullen standing in front of her. She blinks rapidly,
"Edward? What in the fuck are you doing here?"
He smiles easily, his eyes light golden brown,
"Um, having a fun Friday night?"
"This is a bar!" She shrieks.
He lets go over to show him the black X's written in permanent marker on the backs of his hands,
"I'm eighteen."
"I'm a teacher! Oh god, I'm your teacher!"
She tries to jump backwards, catches on her ankle and nearly tumbles to the ground. Edward catches her because of course he does.
"You're drunk ."
She struggles to get out of his grip, and he lets her, but keeps his hands floating slightly near her in case she falls again. She whips her head around, to only see all her friends gone. She wants to die of embarrassment.
"Edward, get out of my way, I'm going home."
"You can't drive like this, don't be silly ."
God she hates the way he says her name, the way he cares, how he has no business being here or looking this good, or to be radiating body heat. But he's right. She pulls out her phone to call an Uber and Edward laughs,
"Um, none of those running this time of night," he says, leading her to the outside of the bar.
"What? It's only eleven thirty."
Edward shrugs.
"Well fuck. I mean shoot," she quickly corrects herself, sitting on the brick ledge of the bar, "Why are you still here?"
"I mean, I can give you a ride home?"
She glares at him,
"Absolutely not."
"What are you gonna do? Hitch hike? A pretty little girl like you, I'm sure that would go over just swimmingly."
"Hey! I'm your superior and you're going to start acting like it! You know you shouldn't have been dancing on me and you sure shouldn't still be talking to me."
Edward pales slightly,
"I swear I didn't know it was you until I turned around. And now I'm just trying to help, honest."
Bella sighs, She runs her hands through her hair and considers her options. The bar isn't that far from her house, and she could walk back in the morning and pick it up, but that still posed the dilemma of the night. She's going to chew out her coworkers for leaving her tomorrow, but apparently for now, she's going to let Edward Cullen drive her home.
"Okay. You can drive me home." She says, letting him help her up. They limp to the car and she's going to be hurting the next day. He drives a silver Volvo and it should be a crime that his car is nicer than hers. He opens the door for her and even attempts to buckle her in before she realizes he's just trying to feel her up. "Get in the car Edward."
He grins,
"Yes ma'am."
She realizes he's headed to her house before she even tells him the address.
"How do you know where I live?"
"You're the police chief's daughter. My dad is the head of the hospital. They know each other well. Officer Swan talks a lot about his little Bella Wella."
"Edward," she warns.
He laughs charmingly,
"You're not as threatening as you think you are. Especially when you're drunk."
"Trust me," she only slurs slightly, "I am not drunk."
Edward grins as they pull into the driveway,
"Nevertheless, you're too gorgeous to be intimidating."
"I am your teacher," I say firmly.
"Not yet," she says, looking across the console at me.
I wrestle with my seatbelt, and Edward cuts the engine, coming to help me out. My ankle hurts so bad that he has to help me up the stairs. He takes my keys from me gently and unlocks the door. He helps me to the couch, where I'm resigned to sleeping until I get my ankle checked out and he helps himself to the kitchen to pour me a glass of water. He sets it besides me, as well as a throw blanket, hands in his pockets,
"Well, have a good night Bella."
"That's to you!"
He laughs.
"Thank you Edward," she says softly, "You're a very good kid." she says to remind both her and him.
CHAPTER TWO
Morning comes much too early. And with a knock on the door. She swears to god it had better be Jacob with an apology and she wraps a blanket around herself hobbling to the door.
And because god doesn't listen, it's Edward Cullen. He's dressed in a navy polo and white shorts. He's carrying a bag and two coffees and oh yeah, Bella is so hungover. She just stares and Edward ducks and smiles like he wants to kiss her forehead, but instead he holds up a bag that smells like bacon grease,
"I brought breakfast. Then I figured I could take you to get your car." He strolls through her house to the living room.
She wobbles behind him.
"This is wildly inappropriate."
She's in her top and underwear underneath this blanket! She sits down, blanket wrapped around her tightly like a towel. She immediately lifts her ankle to the coffee table. It hurts, so bad.
"The too sweet coffee or the black coffee?" he asks, like it's a loaded question.
She reaches for the sugary one and he smiles. She blushes and takes a drink, looking down. He opens the corner of a sandwich and hands it to her. She eats unapologetically, mainly because what else is there to do, and he asks her all sorts of questions that she doesn't care to answer.
By the time her stomach has been satisfied, she realizes how much her ankle actually hurts. Charlie doesn't drive anymore and she's pretty pissed at Jake for last night. It's crossing a slight line, she knows, but no one needs to know and besides, his dad is the head of the hospital. And his son will be coming in with his new klutzy drunk of a teacher!
"Edward, will you help me upstairs so I can change? I think I need to go to the hospital."
He stands swiftly,
"I thought you'd never ask. C'mon."
She stands slowly and a hand wraps around her back to rest under her armpit, leading all of her weight to lean on him. The stairs are creaky and it takes forever and Edward smells expensive for his age. Finally she gets to his room, and she's afraid he's going to sit on her bed and watch her change or something, before he closes the door with a smile.
She heads to her adjoining bathroom first, brushing her teeth, and washing her face. She still looks like shit, and Youtube is a fucking liar because dry shampoo is not helping right now. She throws a bun on top of her head, deodorant and a crop top and sweatpants. Her ankle is swollen and black and blue, and she meets Edward at the door, resigned to her fate.
Her fate is a hospital gown, one thick blue sock on her right foot, and one fucking cast on her left. She's getting fluids, because she'd gotten light-headed in the car and Edward was overdramatic.
The last way she'd wanted to meet Cullen was in a goddamn hospital gown.
"Miss. Swan, it's nice to meet you. Usually I don't do ankle fractures, but Edward was insistent."
"He's a good kid," she says kindly.
Carlisle, a delicious fucking specimin by the way, smiles,
"We'll see if you're still saying that after the first day of school."
"Can't imagine I'd like him any less, he seems pretty brilliant. Must run in the family." She flirts.
Carlisle laughs again, and it sounds like wind chimes,
"How's your father doing Bella?"
"He's still pissed at me for putting him into a home. I won't be seeing him til after the first day of school. I figured he'd be more sympathetic then."
"Aw Charlie isn't ever going to change is he?"
"Afraid not. How long am I going to be in this thing?"
"Probably 6 weeks to a month. "
She groans loudly and he smiles,
"You're lucky I'm giving you a scooter and not crutches. It'll be a rough first month of school, but I believe you can do it Bella."
"Thank you. But high schoolers, I swear-"
He nods,
"They're good kids, but it's too small of a town, with too much to get into. If Edward pulls anything though, you let me know right away. Esme and I don't like that."
"Of course of course, can I go?"
"Yes, let me get you your paperwork and scooter and you'll be all set.
She ignores every one of her coworkers calls that weekend, sits in pajamas and eats take-out and oreos, watching TV. She is not ready to go back to work. The only person she does text is her best friend from college, Jessica. Jessica is there for the drama, which Bella appreciates more right now than ever. She tells her about the guy at the bar, very clearly leaving out he was a student. Jess swoons over the whole damsel in distress story and it makes Bella feel things she shouldn't.
Since she's stuck with a blue cast on her leg, riding around on a scooter, she decided she outta look even better than she'd originally planned for the first day. She curls her hair and adds little braids on each side to pull back to make a crown. She applies eyeliner and mascara and even highlighter, as she's feeling a bit frisky. She dresses in a slimming black dress with ruching up either side and a jean jacket and the small heart necklace she never takes off. She's resigned to the blisters she'll get on the foot that she shoves into a black flat and promises she will go to the store this evening.
She's never been a big breakfast eater, so she prepares one of probably three cups of coffee, packs her lunch and is out the door ten minutes early. Damn her nerves and anxiety. It seems she's one of the first ones there and she pulls her truck up to the closest door and hauls her stuff in.
She's glad she'd gotten there early because as she walks into the building from depositing her car in designated student parking, the bell is ringing. She's juggling her thermos of coffee, bag and scooter, when she slides into the classroom. There's a couple of low whistles, which make her hustle to her desk and drop her things down, collapsing into her chair. It feels as if the painkillers are already waning. She rolls the chair out until she's in the center of the room.
"Hello, my name is Miss Swan, I will be your teacher this year. I hope you are ready for a lot of learning and a lot less whistling. Before we get started with actual content, I like to get to know you and I want you to know me. Fostering relationships is the key to a strong education."
A jock looking boy raises his hand,
"Did you get that out of a book?"
Bella rolls her eyes,
"Next question."
A blonde from the front row with gorgeous makeup smiles and raises her hand,
"Miss Swan, are you single? I love your dress by the way."
"Wow Blake the dyke back at it."
"Get out." Bella says harshly, "I don't know who the hell you think you are but we do not talk like that, nor discriminate. I know I seem young and hip and cool, but I'm not going to let stuff like this fly. You're too old for this."
The boy's face is red,
"Yes Ma'am. I'm sorry."
Bella takes a sip of her coffee, trying to calm herself down,
"Don't be sorry. Just get out." She smiles kindly.
He huffs and grabs his stuff, and she's waiting for a smart remark, but she doesn't get one. Thank god. These kids are going to be a handful.
"Thank you for the compliment, and yes I am single. And looking at this town, it seems I'm going to be that way for a while."
Everyone laughs and they barely get through the syllabus as they spend time chatting about both their personal lives and summers. By the time the bell rings, Bella is relieved, and she wheels herself to the door to say goodbye to the students. Blake pats her arm in a silent thank you, and she stands off to the side.
Suddenly Jacob is in front of her smiling,
"Oh you look beautiful. Trying to give Rose a run for her money as the hottest teacher at Forks High?"
She giggles,
"I could never."
"Also, I thought I could leave you alone for five minutes, but apparently I was wrong!" he gestures to her foot.
"Leave me alone?! You ditched me you asshole!" She hisses.
At that moment Edward Cullen saunters into her classroom and her mouth goes a bit dry as he dabs Jacob.
"I better get back."
"Good luck Swan! See you at lunch."
She can already tell this will be her favorite class, and not just because Edward is in it. It's full of students who want to work, and the fact that they somehow already adore her makes her feel special. She's also slightly off her game as Edward is in the front row, staring at her like he's seen every inch of her. And a small voice in the back of his head is wishing he had.
"So this semester we're going to change gears. I know this is a small town and I know we're all set in our ways, but I come from Arizona and while they're not quite liberal there either, but the point is, you're in AP and it's time to expand your horizons, which means reading authors of color and lgbtq authors."
A hand shoots up,
"Are you gay ?"
She laughs,
"No. But we never know who might be in class, so be respectful. I don't play around with that."
They go over the syllabus, which Edward nearly jumps out of his seat to pass out for her.
"Um, thank you ." he flashes his perfect smile and Bella wants to shoot herself in the face. He's too hot for his age.
As much as she wants to eat lunch in her office, she figures she'd get drug out by Rose or Jacob, so she heads to the lunchroom with her sandwich. She usually cooks, but ever since her injury, she's been living off of takeout.
Rosalie looks gorgeous in a peach off the shoulder dress and a full face of makeup, and Emmet is cleaned up in a button down shirt and khakis. Jacob is beside them.
"What's up? How's your first day Bella?" Rosalie asks, taking a bite of her salad.
"It's good. I had a kid call someone a dyke though, first period. It was ridiculous."
"Hmm. Let me guess, Kenny Rogers and Blake Shepherd." Emmet says.
"Exactly!"
"Jesus, you'd think it was sexual tension, but really he's just a pos." says Emmet.
"Hey! He's a star player," says Jacob.
Bella scrunches her nose, "He's a homophobe."
"Just because someone has a crush on you Bella-"
She turns to him glaring, "He's a homophobe. And I have taught before, so students having crushes on me is no big deal. Even if it is a girl. If you'll excuse me." She stands up quickly, deciding to leave her lunch, and scoots off back towards her room.
She can't believe Jacob would think like that. When she heads back to her room and opens the door, she closes it behind her, sighing hard. She's exhausted.
Homeroom is what she would call a joke, so they use it to check their phones and get acquainted. It's a group of seniors, the most memorable being Edward, Blake, Kenny, and a quiet but interesting couple, Alice and Jasper.
"So Miss. Swan, tell us about yourself," says Alice softly.
"What do you want to know?"
"What age did you lose it?!" Kenny shouts.
Bella is exasperated of seniors already and she rolls her eyes, about to send Kenny out for the second time when Edward is out of his seat in Kenny's face,
"Don't you dare speak to her that way! What the hell is wrong with you?!" He shakes Kenny's collar.
"Edward! Edward!" Bella squeals.
Jasper is on him in a second, pulling him away,
"Calm down man, calm down."
"No! He cannot fucking talk to her like that! She's not a piece of meat-"
"No she's a fine piece of ass," Kenny roars, socking Edward in the face.
Bella jumps up from her seat to run to pull them off of each other, she is the teacher of course, when she trips, hard, on her cast.
"Fuck!"
Alice and Blake are to her in a second,
" !"
"For god's sake someone go get help!"
It's not much longer before both Emmet and Jacob are in the room, wrestling the boys off of each other. Bella's embarrassingly crying, her leg hurts so bad and everything is overwhelming and out of control. They wrestle Edward and Kenny towards the door, Jasper right behind them.
"Jasper didn't do anything though!" she calls.
"Just let us deal with it, Bells," Jacob says over her shoulder.
"No! This is my classroom dammit! Give me that respect at least! Jasper, sit down now!"
"Yes ma'am!"
"Get them out of here now! And I don't want to see again until I send for him! Cullen needs to be back by the end of the day!"
"Actually, ," Blake says politely, "I think you need to go to the hospital, you're bleeding."
And that's how she ends up in an ambulance on the way to Forks Hospital for the second time in a week.
She comes to in a hospital bed, with Charlie on one side of her. He's playing on his phone and looks up when she blinks,
"Hey Dad."
"Hey Bells. The job was so bad that you decided to off yourself on the first day?"
Tears spring to her eyes when she realizes the day that had happened, and Charlie scoots his wheelchair closer,
"It's okay honey."
"No you don't understand! I can never go back!" she cries.
She works herself up until the point where the nurse comes in and gives her something to calm down. Charlie's not a good comfort, but he turns on the tv for her as she drifts in and out of consciousness. She doesn't feel the pain, she doesn't feel embarrassed, she doesn't feel anything. It's quite nice.
She's laying there dozing when she hears footsteps. She tries to open her eyes, but they're so heavy. The body sits down next to her bed,
"Bella, I'm so sorry," she recognizes Edward's voice and she tries to open her eyes. His hair is flat, they're bags under his eyes and his cheekbone is red and bruised, with a tiny stitch. "I was out of line, I know. And I do respect you. But those things he was saying, and it wasn't just then, he was saying shit at lunch and, about your body, and I needed to- god he just needed to shut up. I know I'm not, I'm just a student but-"
"Edward? What are you doing back here?" Carlisle asks.
"I'm apologizing."
"It's inappropriate. Leave her alone."
"One more second?""
Carlisle must leave because then Edward is in her ear.
"Again, I'm so sorry Bella. Please get better." she thinks she feels a kiss on her forehead but she is so drugged out she can't be sure.
Chapter Three
Bella takes the next week off of work, and Thursday afternoon, there's a knock on the door. It's Jacob.
"Hey, come on in," she says.
Things are still tense with them but Jacob comes bearing gifts, and he's an old friend. She takes her stuffed turtle happily and clacks after him on her crutches to the living room.
"Still always hurting yourself I see."
She fake gasps, "All you did was come here to offend me?!"
He hands her a gift bag and she finds a candy bar she immediately shoves in her mouth,
"Well thank you. How have things been going at work?"
"Everyone feels terrible. Like, it's the show a bit. Kenny Rogers is no longer in your class. Edward comes back from suspension tomorrow, did a pretty big job on them and they have a book report to finish that's due on Monday when you're back."
"Oh god."
"But really it's a lot of horned up teenagers who just watched a beautiful woman cry."
She runs her fingers through her hair,
"Shit."
"No really. They'll have forgotten all about it. Rosalie has made sure no one has said anything about it. SO. Since it's practically old news, you should come to the basketball game tomorrow. Show everyone you're motherfuckin' Bella Swan."
She laughs loudly,
"When have I ever been 'motherfuckin' Bella Swan'?"
He taps his chin,
"Well never, but, just come to the game. It'll be easier to face them there then in class. I mean. Blake's sulking around like a lost puppy. Edward texted me for updates on you. I think even Kenny feels bad. Just say you'll come. Think about it."
She shrugs, stroking the turtle,
"I'll think about it."
Bella decides to text Jess about it. She's the only one who's been there the whole time with this situation. Though she was a bit too obsessed with Edward.
Your number: Jake thinks I should go to the bball game tmrw.
Jess 3: YES! U need to redeem urself. Crybaby ass.
Your number: bitch. I was just scared they were gonna mess up the moneymaker.
Jess 3: you talkin about ur face or ur tits?
Bella tosses the phone to the side and turns on the tv.
She spends the next morning showering and getting ready as best she can. Her fall caused more scrapes and bruises and her crutches, which she was definitely ditching tonight, were giving her bruises as well.
She thinks of how she was in high school, and how much these things mattered. How torturous life could be for a teacher, and she couldn't be weak. Bella wasn't even a huger crier, she just had a low tolerance for pain. So she channels a Bella from another time, one who wasn't carrying a massive crush on an eighteen year old, and showers and shaves. She washes, blow drys and straightens her hair. She applies a bit more makeup than she should, though the red lipstick is just for the team, really. She can't maneuver jeans on, so she tugs a red cotton sundress over her head.
She makes herself mac and cheese and watches another round of soap operas before the game starts. She texts Rosalie so she can arrive with her and Emmett. She parks as close as she can to the gym door, but still ends up taking almost ten minutes to go up there. She's late which she hates and she flashes her staff id and heads to the game. She texts Rose again who lets her know where they are, but as far as getting in there and up to them, she was on her own.
She waits for what she hopes is a break and then opens the gym door. She slides in but it feels like all eyes are on her as she makes it up to Emmett and Rose. She sees Alice and Jasper, and Blake and stops to talk to each one of them of course. Rose and Emmett hug her and she sits.
Their team is amazing and Jacob looks good in his little uniform. Especially his tight pants. Kenny is on the bench not playing, but so is Edward. Almost as soon as she notices Edward, she feels his eyes on her from across the court. Every move she makes, time she fluffs her hair or fiddles with her necklace.
Emmett and Rose treat her normally and for that she's thankful.
"But if you think for one second that you're going to beat me out for the most beautiful teacher at Forks High School then you are wrong," she teases.
"Never could do that." Bella assures.
The game ends, the team wins and Rose and Emmett move to file out with the rest of the crowd.
"I'm going to wait a minute until everyone else leaves," Bella says, pulling out her phone.
"Okay. Text me when you get home," Rose says, kissing her cheek. Emmett gives her a hug and she settles back on Instagram. Because people are slow as hell, she sloches a bit, putting her feet up and getting comfortable. She's just sending Jess a picture of her pouty lips and perky tits when she hears someone clear their throat. She quickly sends the picture and looks up like she wasn't doing anything wrong.
Of fucking course it's Edward Cullen, grinning in his uniform.
"Aw, wanna be in a snap with me ?"
She laughs it off and straightens up, pulling her feet down. The gym is empty now.
"If you help me to my car then maybe," she laughs, "I think I've waited long enough," she says, standing up.
Edward's hand snaps to her arm with the gentlest touch, trying help her down. They make their way down, and Edward releases her when they are on the gym floor.
"How have you been ? I'm so sorry about what happened."
"Edward, we don't have to."
"But the way he talked about you, it was disgusting, I just got so angry, I'm not sure I just got so upset,"
"Edward, I'm a grown woman though, I can handle a little rowdy behavior."
Edward shakes his head again as he holds open the door to the parking lot,
"No, he was saying, other things in the locker room all day, he deserved it."
"What? I don't-"
"Shut your perfect dick sucking lips please," Edward deadpans.
Bella's face flames,
"Oh my literal god."
Edward grins,
"I tried to tell you that you didn't want to know."
It's cold outside and Edward helps her off the curb,
"Did you enjoy your week off?"
"Did you?" She throws back, pulling her hand away.
Edward hums. He likes her so much. She's so goddamn perfect and smells so fucking good.
"It was worth it."
"I'm not some little girl who needs to be saved."
Edward shakes his head and wraps his arm around her waist, just peeking down her dress slightly,
"No, you're all woman."
She shivers and tries to pull away,
"Hey! You stop doing that!"
"What? Appreciating your looks?"
"Exactly! You better stop before-"
"What? You appreciate mine?"
They're at her car now and she hesitates, sliding out from his arm. She can still smell him.
"I'm your teacher. You're a child."
"I'm eighteen. The age of consent here is like 16. Does it matter? If I want you?"
"That's a technicality! It doesn't matter! And who says I even want you?" She snaps, opening her door.
He sticks his head through the window, lips a breath away from hers,
"Bella, I promise,"
She can't find the energy to correct him. He doesn't move closer, but he licks his lips so close to hers that she can feel the moisture from his mouth on her lips.
"I know you want me. I can wait."
And then… he's gone.
Bella is… frustrated. She's a pretty girl. She's been having sex since eighteen, and actually pretty frequently. This is driving her crazy. She's been so busy lately and there's Jake hugging and texting her and every moment he gets a chance and then there's… Edward of course. And she shouldn't even have these thoughts she knows, and she's absolutely not going to think about him of course, but still.
When she gets home, she sheds her clothes and stares at herself in the full length mirror. She's a bit on the thin side, but it just makes her boobs look bigger which she appreciates. She has athletic legs and a perky ass and she sheds her bra and underwear, going to lay on her bed.
She pulls her vibrator from her bedside table and lays back. She's too worked up to turn on any music and she trails her fingers over her collarbones and down her sternum. Her fingers are a bit cold, but her body is on fire. Her nipples are already hard and she flicks one with her fingers, moaning.
She misses having someone touch her, lavish her, appreciate her. She wants dirty talk in her ear and compliments murmured against her skin. She rubs her thighs together as her hands wander and she begins to fantasize about a faceless body on top of her. Pressing her down. Fingers digging into her hips. A sweet voice asking how wet she is. She spreads her legs and runs her fingers down her slit, bucking slightly.
"Oh god."
She fingers herself a couple of times, but the angle sucks, so she sucks off her fingers and grabs her vibrator. She teases herself like she assumes her lover would do, but she's so worked up, it's not long before she just holds her vibrator against her clit, moaning and thrashing. She has this fantasy of someone watching her get off. Putting on a show for her lover before he pounds into her, her legs over his shoulders.
She can feel her orgasm building, her body shaking and tensing and she's so loud, she's sure if the house wasn't empty everyone would hear her.
"Fuck, c'mon, I'm so close, I'm so close,"
And then there's a voice in her ear. In her mind, "Come for me Bella, scream my name". It's Edward's syrupy soft voice and she cums instantly, screaming, "Edward!" She's shaking and it takes her a long time to come down. She's instantly horrified and hobbles to the bathroom to wash up. She is so going to hell.
That night she takes Charlie to the diner.
"Bella, I'm so worried about you. Is teaching going to be too much?"
"Dad, I'm not a child."
"No… you're not. But two injuries in a week. Honey,"
"It has nothing to do with the students."
"Oh? A fight didn't break out in your class?"
"Dammit Jacob!"
Thankfully the waitress comes over at that moment and they order. Charlie, his typical steak and baked potato and Bella orders rigatoni.
"I just worry about you. In that big house by yourself."
"You know I want to move out. But all the money is tied up right now."
Charlie nods,
"I know you want your own space. Why don't you start looking? I'll take care of it."
"Dad, I haven't even gotten one paycheck yet."
"Bella, you're my only daughter. You're not staying in my old house your whole life. I want you to get a swanky apartment or something."
"Dad."
"And like a guard dog."
"I'm a grown woman!"
He stares and she rolls her eyes. It's a fairly quiet meal. They each eat a slice of cherry pie and then Bella goes to drive Charlie back.
"You know I can come visit you here right?"
"I hate it here. I'd rather you take me out."
"Okay Dad."
"Now Bella, I'm serious about the teaching. If it's not working out, I can lend you some money."
"I've worked one day Dad! I'm going back on Monday."
"Well you give those kids a run for their money."
She kisses his cheek and helps him into his wheelchair. He never lets her inside the facility.
"Call me tomorrow. I'm going to go to church."
She raises an eyebrow,
"Church?"
"My friend Sue and I are going."
"Sue?"
"Goodbye Bella."
