A/N: I'm overwhelmed at the response to this story. Thank you so much for all your reviews! Here is Edward's POV. The story will jump back and forth between the two lovebirds.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

~*~Boundaries~*~

Edward

I shouldn't have waited to see that eager little boy kiss Bella, but I did and now I was driving around trying to get it out of my head. I shouldn't care! It's wrong to feel that way about a student, but unfortunately I did feel that way. And there wasn't a damn thing I could do to stop it. I don't even know how it happened.

Of course, I found her attractive when she walked in that first day of LitMag, but it was easy enough to push aside those thoughts. I found several women attractive, so I could easily discard the beauty of a seventeen year old girl. What I hadn't been prepared for was how smart she was, or how much I had in common with her.

I always prided myself on being complete within myself. I never needed anyone to make me whole. But then this girl comes along and she pulls me in like a magnet to metal. There was a deeper connection there that I had never had with another human being before. Within a month, I had come to know her more personally than I should have dared and in a stupid weak moment, I told her to call me Edward.

It sent my stomach into a flurry whenever she said my name and I knew right then that I had gone too far. I tried to push her away the following week, but I just couldn't. The look on her face whenever I brushed her off was heartbreaking. It seemed that for whatever reason, Bella felt a connection with me too.

I knew that it was nothing more than that of a mentor or a friend, but it still hurt her when I pushed her aside. It wasn't her fault that I had those stupid feelings for her and I couldn't see that pained look on her face anymore, so I allowed myself to get closer to her. I honestly thought that the feelings I had would fade or at the very least, stay stagnant. I never expect my feelings to grow without me realizing it.

I was doing a good job at keeping my distance. I never let anything more physical than the occasional pat on the back happen. There were times when I had the opportunity to hug her to console her or congratulate her, but I never did. Our relationship was purely conversational. But today hit me by surprise.

I knew that she would like the book and that it was probably blurring the edges of our relationship just a bit, but I never expected Bella to outright throw herself at me. I tried to not hug her back, but my body moved of its own accord and when I held her in my arms, it just felt right. I wanted to hold her there forever, but as right as it felt, I knew how very, very wrong it actually was.

When I looked into her eyes, I almost crumbled. I thought I saw something there, but I stopped myself from thinking that way. Part of me needed her to want me, but the other part needed her to stay away. I had to have her in my life and if she for some reason felt the same way I did, then I would have to shut myself off from her.

The small lapse in restraint had passed, but she said she didn't have a ride and I was struggling again. Our relationship had never left he confines of the school. If I drove her home, another line would be crossed and I had already crossed too many. Then she called Jacob and as relieved as I felt, a small part of me was extremely jealous of the casual nature in which he could be with Bella.

I wanted so badly to be able to hug her openly, to take her out somewhere. I knew this great little playhouse in Seattle that I knew she would love, but I could never be that free with her. In a few years when she had finished college, maybe I could really be friends with her, but for now, she could only be my student. Jacob could be her friend and more.

When she first told me about Jacob, I had to struggle to keep my voice light and ask her about him. Again, I was battling with myself. I couldn't have her, I knew that, but it didn't mean that I wanted someone else to have her. When she told me that the kid was just a friend I was ecstatic, but then that stupid kiss.

Why did I stay? Why did she lie about him? Why did I have to love her so much? What am I talking about? Love? Really? I was losing my mind. I didn't love Bella, I couldn't. She was just some student that drove me absolutely insane. I was fascinated by her and that was all. That had to be all.

I had been driving in circles for several minutes. When I finally focused on where I was, I realized I had gone the complete opposite direction of my apartment. I just sped off, not caring where I was at or where I was heading. I just needed to leave. But I needed to go back now. It was time to go home whether I wanted to or not.

I flipped the car around and headed toward home. I had to pass the school on my way and I cringed when I thought of Bella with that boy. I didn't want to know what they were doing, but like the curiosity that causes you to look at a train wreck, I looked any way.

I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't what I was seeing. No one was in the school parking lot, but just down the street was Bella walking home with Jacob trying to get her on the bike. My heart leapt. Maybe she didn't lie to me after all. I tried to squash the feelings of hope, but they were too strong.

I watched for a few minutes waiting for my light to turn green. Bella looked angry and turned to the boy every few feet to yell at him. I couldn't help but laugh. Bella was stubborn and if he did something to upset her, there was no way in hell she was getting on that bike. Finally, it was my turn to go and I pulled up beside Bella.

"Do you need a ride?" She stopped in her tracks eyes wide and I could tell that she had been crying. She didn't say anything, but got in the car and tried to wipe away her tears. I couldn't control my angry tone as I spoke next. "Did he hurt you?"

Bella turned to me and it took me a second to realize the fury in her eyes. I had seen that look only three times before and I knew what was coming, but I was still surprised at the force behind her rant. I was also amused, but I'd be damned if I'd let her know that.

"He kissed me! Can you believe that? I've known him all of a month and he says he has an early birthday present for me and kisses me! What makes him think that he can just go around kissing people that don't want to be kissed? Ugh! I could murder him!"

I couldn't contain my laugher anymore. I was giddy at the fact that Bella hadn't wanted the boy to kiss her and she was too adorable when she was trying to be threatening. It was a rare outburst and I loved it every time I saw it.

"What are you laughing at, Edward? This isn't funny! If you hadn't shown up I would be walking home right now!" I calmed my laughter and looked over at her.

"But I did show up and you're fine."

In a brazen move, I reached out and squeezed the hand that was closest to me. I knew it was a wrong the second I touched her, but it was already too late by that point. Bella turned to me, biting her lip, with what seemed like a hopeful look on her beautiful face. It was hard to focus on the road. Every line that I had so carefully constructed was beginning to crumble and fall and I couldn't let that happen.

I pulled up to Bella's house and said a quick goodbye, but I couldn't look at her. There was something about being with her that made me do things that I would never do otherwise and it had to stop before it got me in trouble. I liked what I had with Bella and I couldn't ruin it. I didn't think I could survive without it. She seemed a little dejected, but it was better that than have her know what a disgusting jerk I was.

I drove away and didn't look back. When I got far enough, I pulled over the car and slumped over the steering wheel. When I gave in and let our friendship happen, I didn't think that I could feel so much more than I already had. I never felt about anyone what I felt for Bella and it scared me to death.

I knew I had to do something before I let my feelings take me over so I called up Emmett. Emmett was another English teacher at Forks High and he was also my best friend. When I started last year he took it upon himself to show me the ropes and it helps that we were the youngest faculty at the school. Emmett was twenty-seven and the youngest teacher after him was in her mid-forties.

Emmett picked up on the third ring. "Eddie! What's happening?"

"Hey, man, can you come over? I really need someone to talk to right now." It was hard to get the words out. Asking for help isn't exactly the easiest thing to do.

"Are you okay, Edward? You never let me call you Eddie." I knew the fact that I didn't whine about his little nickname for me would get his attention.

"No, I'm not. I just…My life is falling apart, Emmett. Can you come over or not?"

"Yeah, man. I'll be there in ten."

I hung up with Emmett and drove as fast as my car would drive back to my apartment. I had no idea what I was going to say to him, but I knew that I needed someone to help me through this. I had a year left with Bella in class and in LitMag and I couldn't do it alone, especially not this week when we would be working just the two of us together on the magazine.

I would never do anything to hurt Bella in any way, but I had no idea where my lines were anymore. It was as if she was my addiction and I desperately needed a sponsor.

When I got in, I grabbed two beers out of the fridge and sat on the couch with my head in my hands waiting for Emmett. I heard the door open and close and then footsteps and the chair being sat in, but I never lifted my head. Emmett opened his beer, took a drink and then set it on the table. We sat in silence for another minute.

"Come on man, your mood is killing me. It can't be that bad." I looked up. I don't know how my face looked, but it convinced him. "Okay, maybe it is that bad. What the hell happened, Edward?"

"I…I'm in so much trouble, Emmett." I buried my face in my hands again. "I don't know what to do. I thought…I don't know what I thought, but it wasn't this."

"Dude, you're scaring me. Is it trouble with the cops? Did you get involved with some shady characters or something?" I shook my head. There weren't words for how disgusted with myself I was.

"A girl. She…I didn't know it would get this bad, Emmett!" I looked up and Emmett seemed confused.

"Okay, did you get a chick pregnant? Is that it? I mean, I know it's bad, man, but it's not the end…" I cut him off.

"No! I'm not with anyone, but I want to be and that's the problem." Emmett was getting annoyed.

"Dude, just spit it out. I can't help if I don't know what the hell is going on!" I took a deep breath. I had to just get it out there.

"I need you to take over LitMag for this week at least. I can be there some days, but it's better if I stay away." Emmett was more confused than ever.

"I thought you said this was about a girl? What the hell are you talking about LitMag for? The only girl…" He stopped abruptly and I saw the realization cross his face. "Oh, my God, please tell me you aren't…that you didn't…she's fucking seventeen! What the hell is the matter with you?"

"First, she turns eighteen in six days," I don't know why I had to start with that, "and I haven't done anything! I can't change how I feel, that's why I need your help! I know I'm a sick bastard, okay?"

"Damn it, Edward! I know you two were close, but this? She's your student! She looks up to you! How did this happen?" Emmett was furious, as I knew he would be, but I also knew that he would do everything in his power to help me.

"I don't know. I just…I'm drawn to her. I've never…Ah! I don't know! I felt a connection with her the moment I met her, but I put up walls! I never let myself get too close. But today, I just…I can't take it anymore, Emmett. I'm in love with her!"

The second I said the words out loud I knew I couldn't take them back. I couldn't deny the truth any longer. I was in love with Isabella Swan, my student. A student who trusted me more than any other person and I go and betray her trust by falling in love with her. I was a monster. And Emmett was staring at me like I was from a different planet.

"Edward, you can't mean that." I said nothing. "Fine, I'll take over LitMag this week, but that's it. You've got to separate yourself from her. You are the teacher, she is the student. Remind yourself of that every second. And her too if need be.

"If you really do love her, it'll be hard as hell, but you have to do this, man. No more talking about anything other than school related topics. No more first name basis. No more friendship. You are her teacher and that is it. Do you understand me?"

All I could do was nod. My voice wouldn't work. My friendship with Bella meant a lot to her. Not as much as it did me, but enough to where I knew I was going to have to hurt her. Just the pain in Bella's face when I destroy our friendship would be enough to kill me, but on top of that I was severing ties with the one person in the world that I couldn't live without.

Emmett patted my shoulder and left me alone. He was barely out the door before I broke down. I had lost her. I got in too deep and now I had to push her away. I felt myself slump over on the couch and just let myself cry. I didn't know how someone could feel so much pain without being physically hurt. I had never been more broken in my life and I knew that it was only going to get worse.

I looked out the window and noticed that the sun was coming up. I didn't remember the night passing, but I don't think I actually slept at all. Slowly, and with aching muscles, I made my way to the kitchen and put on the coffee. I was going to need it. The rest of the morning passed in a blur as I showered, dressed, and drove to school.

When I got to my classroom I made sure to keep my door locked, knowing that Bella would most likely be there early. I couldn't face her yet. The first bell rang and I let in my students, including a very confused looking Bella. I didn't look at her much after that. I glanced her way a few times, but I did as Emmett said and reminded myself that she was just a student. That's all she could ever be.

When class was over I grabbed a stack of papers and left for the copy room. I knew Bella would want to talk to me, but when we had our talk I wanted it to be in private. I refused to humiliate her in front of her peers. She would be hurt enough as it was without the added embarrassment.

I found Emmett in the copy room when I got there. He stared at me for a good three minutes before I gave in and stopped ignoring him. I knew he was just worried, but I really didn't want to talk to him. In some way, I blamed him for what I would have to do to Bella.

"What?" I snapped. He shrugged and I sighed. None of this was his fault. "Could you give me a few minutes to talk to her before you come for LitMag?"

He nodded and then I left. The rest of the day passed in the same manner as my morning. A tornado could have hit during third period and I wouldn't have known it. Before I would have liked, the bell for 'school's out' rang and I found it hard to control my breathing. Normally, I would set up for the meeting, but I just couldn't.

The students cleared out of the classroom and before no time at all Bella came in with the most breathtaking smile on her face. I took a deep breath and steeled myself for the inevitable. I knew I looked cold and unfeeling, but it was better that the tears that I wanted to cry.

"Hey, Edward. Where's all the…" I cut her off because I didn't think I would have been able to do it if I listened to her talk anymore.

"It's Mr. Cullen, Bella."

I watched as her face changed from confusion to comprehension. Her smile faded and she looked absolutely devastated. I braced myself. This was it. This was the end of my life.

A/N: There you have it. Edward is a little bit intense, is he not? It's why I love to write him so much. Thanks for reading!