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.
Last time...
The weekend was spent quietly, with just the two of us; I finished all my class work and managed to lay out a couple lesson plans for the first week of classes. It was Sunday night now and tomorrow would be my first day of Teaching.
BPOV
I woke up early Monday morning, nervous yet excited that today I would be teaching my first ever class. I slowly slid out of Will's embrace, moving to the edge of the bed trying not to wake him up; He made a cute little huffing noise and clutched my pillow to him settling down when he could smell me from my pillow, he still had an hour before he needed to be up so I tip toed my way into our bathroom to have a shower and get ready. I made more of an effort to get ready this morning, I wanted to make a good impression and be taken seriously. I was nervous because I knew that generally speaking only Graduate students got this opportunity, and I wanted to do a good job, yet it was going to be hard to make myself look professional without overdoing it.
I straightened my hair again, and then pulled it back into a low stylish ponytail; I kept my makeup soft and natural. I crept quietly back into our bedroom and picked out a nice pair of fitted black skinny jeans with a black tank top covered by a red silk, short sleeve button up, left open enough to see my black tank underneath it. I grabbed my one and only pair of Christian Louboutin heels Renee had bought me when Phil got signed on to a minor league team in Florida last year and she realized I had finally overcome some of my clumsiness.
I ate a bowl of cereal not feeling like a big breakfast,my appetite hadn't been what it usually is lately, and made Will some eggs, bacon, and toast. When Wills Breakfast was done I put it all on a try with some coffee and orange juice taking it in to our Bedroom and setting it on the nightstand next to Will. Leaning over I started peppering Will's face in kisses.
"Mmmm, I like the new alarm clock" Will said smiling, his eyes still closed. His arms came up and settled around my waist, feeling me dressed he opened his eyes asking "Why are you up already?"
I smiled down to him and kissed his lips before answering "Woke up early and couldn't get back to sleep. I wanted to get an early start today anyways though, I'm going to head to my office before my first class, I have to make some copies of assignments and expectations before I get to my first lab I'm teaching. I made you breakfast though, so relax and take your time getting ready you have plenty of time, but I'm heading out now and just wanted to say goodbye before I left."
"You'll do fantastic Bella, I don't want you to stress about it at all, you're a natural and they will love you. Just remember to be your sweet self and make sure they know you won't take any crap and everything will go smoothly I'm sure" Will said, then pulled me down to him and claimed my mouth kissing me wholly before whispering against my lips, "How about you meet me at 6:00 at the Melting Pot for dinner so we can celebrate?"
"Nothing screams celebration like melted cheese and chocolate" I said sarcastically. "That sounds wonderful; I will see you at 6 then." I said kissing him one last time before leaving him to his breakfast in bed. I grabbed my cashmere coat and backpack and made my way down to my truck.
I got to campus early, and was feeling great. I found my office and got comfortable, There was a pile of books on my desk already from Susan- This year's texts for the students- I looked through them and found they were almost Identical to the ones I had used in my first year which I was grateful for since it saved me from having more reading to do, and it fit into what I had laid out already for the semester. I sat at my desk organizing some of my stuff and felt sad that I couldn't personalise my desk more with a picture of Will and I. It's funny how something so perfect still has its flaws, but I guess that's all a part of being human and living a normal life, I made a mental note to bring in a Picture of me and Charlie at the very least.
I found my way to the copy room, and fought with the copy machine until luckily someone who wasn't handicapped by technology came along and helped me.
"Here, let me do that for you," he grabbed my stack of papers and laid them face down into the feeder try, "how many copies do you need?"
"36 please" I answered, standing back and watching
He typed 36 into the touch screen and then followed that by typing in a code of some kind. "There it should only take a minute or two now, you must be new to the TA world- My name is Luke, TA to Professor Todd Political Science Department." He said kindly turning and leaning up against the copy machine.
"Thanks so much for the help Luke, I would have been here all day, my name is Bella, I just started as TA to Professor Roberts in the English Department." I said
"Aww Professor Roberts, yes I had her my first year actually, she should be great to work with." Luke said smiling
"Yes, she has been fantastic so far. Would you mind showing me how to work this thing myself? I don't want to bother people every time I need to make a copy." I asked
"Oh, of course; it's just that you didn't have your code that should have been given to you. If you go through the stack of papers they tend to hand out when starting as a TA you should find one that has a personalized code for you, next time just bring that, first select the number of copies here, pick whether you want it single or double sided here, and then press copy, it will ask for your code then and once that's entered you're good to go and any paper in the feeder try will be copied." Luke explained expertly
"That's easier than I thought, these things just get me so confused sometimes, technology and I just don't seem to mix to be honest, I can barely handle a cell phone." I said while collecting my copies.
"It can all be overwhelming at first but don't worry it will feel normal in no time." He said smiling; I said thank-you and started for the door
"Bella" He called and I turned around, "don't forget your originals" He handed me my stack of papers. "Here I'll give you my number and if you have any more questions, problems, or if you just want someone to talk to you can call me, maybe we could go out sometime and get to know each other better even?" He said while writing down his number on a scrap piece of paper and handing it to me. I made a point of grabbing it with my left hand and when he saw my ring he froze a bit. "Wow nice Ring" he said
"Thanks, my fiancée does have good taste doesn't he" I smiled back at him "Thanks again for everything Luke, you're a life saver and sure, maybe we can get a cup of coffee as friends one of these days. I'll see you around" And I walked back to my office.
******
It was now 2:25pm and I was walking across campus to my first Lab I would be teaching. I had already had 2 of my own classes today and was excited to get through with my first day of teaching, Most of my students should already be in class or getting there, as class starts at 2:30. I was going to just make it on time but that's how I wanted it, I didn't want to sit in an empty classroom just staring out at students awkwardly.
I climbed the stairs in the Dafoe Building up to the third floor and walked down the hall to room C312, I took a deep breath and walked in, heading straight to the front and laying my bags on the desk. I kept my head down while took my books out along with the folder of handouts I had for today, once everything was in order I looked at my watch- Good it was 2:30 on the dot- Turning I wrote Bella Swan on the white board and turned around to face my first class. I looked out at the 18 faces before me and gasped when I saw two sets of Golden eye's sparkling back at me from the back row, Rose and Alice were in my class. I pulled myself together fast, after all what's the difference really between them and anyone else in this class when it comes to my teaching them, nothing besides the fact that they don't need to learn it.
"Okay class, so my name is Bella Swan and I have been assigned to teach your lab component of English 105 with Professor Roberts, feel free to just call me Bella though. If you happen to be in the wrong class feel free to leave now. Sorry about the delay in starting class but there was no one assigned to this class until late last week, although I'm sure you all enjoyed the week off" I said smiling to them "I'm going to pass out a couple of handouts now, if you will just pass them along please; the first is a short syllabus of what we will be covering this semester, it also has my office number and office hours that I'm available to see any of you if you feel you need any help in either my section of this class or Professor Roberts section. Remember I am happy to help in any way I can in order for you to succeed in this class so don't be afraid to come for help. That being said these are not standing office hours, if you would like to come in to see me please E-mail me using the E-mail address on the handout and we will set up a time within my available Office hours. The next handout is my expectations for this class; put simply I expect you to attend all classes and those rare occasions that you cannot, will require an E-mail to me in advance with a valid reason as to why you are missing said class. I don't mean to be too hard on you guys and hopefully everything will run smoothly but this Lab component is here to make you better writers and allow more focused attention to be given to each of you, that being the case if you do not attend class and do not participate then you will gain nothing from this class and therefore fail it I'm afraid. Now I will do my best to make this class as fun as a first year English course can be and hopefully we will have a great semester. The last handout is your first assignment; it is a list of 8 Essay topics that you may choose from, and then write a short Diagnostic Essay, about 1000 words, to hand in to me on Monday. The point of this assignment is for me to focus on where you all are now in your Writing abilities; it will allow me to better tailor the following classes to the needs of those in this class. Do you have any Questions or concerns before we start class?"
It was quiet and the blank look on almost everyone's face told me that for the most part they were disappointed this wasn't going to be an easily skipped class.
"Okay well then, make sure you all have all 3 handouts before the end of class, I'm going to take attendance quickly and then let's start today's class on ways to brainstorm ideas for an Essay." I started
I made it through the class without any problems, the students all took notes, and a few even got up the courage to ask questions. Rose and Alice were quiet for the most part- at least to my hearing- and pretended to take notes. I finally finished my first class assigning a short reading for them to do before next week's class and they all started to shuffle their way out of class. I turned to the white board to erase what I had put up for class.
"Bella" I heard Rose say from behind me, I swallowed; I knew they weren't going to leave that easily.
"Yes Rose, how may I help you?" I asked not turning around
"Won't you even look at us Bella? I used to be your best friend for goodness sake" Alice said in a pained voice
"No Alice I thought we discussed this all on Friday night, nobody can know about our past remember so I would appreciate you watching what you say, especially on school grounds," I said turning and looking at them both standing in front of me, "I did say clean slate though so the past is forgotten please do not continue to revisit it, what can I do for you two?"
They were just standing there staring at me, Finally Rose got a hold of herself, "Umm Well Bella, Alice and I may have to miss a class here or there along the semester as I'm sure you are aware of and I just wanted to make sure it wouldn't affect our grades, I guess our umm... Condition... could be put under medical reasons."
"Yes, of course I nearly forgot, thank-you for reminding me, don't worry about your grades, I know you both don't really need this class and you do after all have a valid excuse." I told them while gathering my things into my bag.
"Umm Bella, do you think that it would be at all possible for us to have that discussion soon, the one where I explain some things. I know you said clean slate but I need you to understand some things."
"Look Rose you really don't need to, I don't hold any of it against you really. Not to be rude but you were the least of my concerns," I said and I saw her smile a little at my honesty, "But if it means that much to you, why don't you accompany me to my office now, I have some time before I need to go meet Will."
"That's fantastic Bella, Thank- you" Rose said "Alice I'll meet you at home k"
"But..." Alice started
"No Alice I'm sorry but I need this to be just Bella and I right now k" Rose told Alice seriously
They followed me to the door and Alice said her goodbyes to me there, heading in the opposite direction. Rose followed me to my office and we just made normal small talk. Before we got to my office I had to ask, "Just out of curiosity Rose, do you happen to know if any of your other siblings are in my Wednesday class?"
"Well, actually I think they all are, I mean Emmett, Jasper and Edward all have their lab on Wednesdays at 2:30 so if you teach that one then..." Rose said sympathetically
"Great, out of all the classes all of you could have been in you are in mine how does that even happen?" I said to myself quietly forgetting that she had super hearing.
"Well if you want to know, Carlisle made Emmett and Jasper go in the same one as Edward since Edwards been... let's say difficult lately, Carlisle thought that Em and Jazz could make sure he attends and behaves himself you know, and Alice and I decide to sign up in the same lab since its one of the only classes that we both are taking and it can be so tiresome in some of these classes with no one to talk to when you're learning the same information for the hundredth time, It was just a fluke that we both signed up to these time-slots though, it never gave the TA's name so don't worry we're not stalking you"
"Yea I know, I mean I was only given these classes as of Thursday officially so I know it wasn't intentional." I told her
"Well if it makes you feel any better, Your biggest problem will be Em making hot teacher jokes and then getting all big brother on you, but At least Jasper will be there to calm you down and stuff" she said smiling
"Yes well...here we are, " I said unlocking my office door and motioning for Rose to go inside. " Take a seat" I went behind the desk and grabbed my cell phone out of my backpack and laying it on my desk in case Will tried to call. "So, what did you need to say Rose, or do you prefer Rosalie I never did know?"
"Please call me Rose."
She proceeded to tell me all her reasons for acting the way she had all those years ago and how she didn't want me to lose my chance at a normal life. It touched me when she said I reminded her of her human best friend Vera and how she hoped that in time I could come to think of her as a friend. She told me the gruesome tale of how she came into the life of a vampire and she bared her soul to me, everything good, bad and in between.
I felt like I was just now meeting Rose. It was a true clean slate because the truth was, I had never actually known anything about her, on one hand I was mad about the way she went about trying to save 'my humanity' but I realized it was the only way she saw at the time and how could I be mad at her now when she had been right, I hadn't know then what I know now. I did want to get married and have Will's children, I realized what a true soul mate was now when back then I had confused lust, and dependency with true love. I don't know if I ever would have regretted my decision to be with Edward and become a Vampire had it been granted all those years ago, and If I was honest I don't think I would have; We had the potential for true love I think it just fell short due to circumstances, but now standing where I am today I wanted more. I didn't fear growing old with Will and I couldn't wait to have our children and watch them grow, so I found myself in a new position, I understood Rose and I appreciated the intent behind her actions.
We talked for a while and we managed to get to a good place, I think from here on out Rose and I would be good friends. She asked me to give Esme and Carlisle a chance and told me that they truly had never wanted to leave me. She gave me a lot to think about explaining only a little bit what life had been like after their disappearance from my life, and I knew that I wasn't going to stay neutral to certain members of the Cullen's. We parted ways with a hug and the beginnings of friendship, both in a better place because of our discussion.
I thought while I drove to The Melting Pot to meet Will for dinner, and I came to the conclusion that it was a waste of my energy to stay mad at any of the Cullen's, Edward included. I wasn't that Bella anymore, and if they wanted the new Bella in their life then I would take the New Cullen's in my life, it is after all what Will was hoping too, him being such good friends with Carlisle. Will and I were in a good place and I had a future that I wanted with him, If Edward could accept that then there is no reason for us not to be friends also. I didn't see this new openness as me being weak, because I could live with or without it. I knew with them I could be myself and not hide Will's and my relationship and the friendship would now be on my terms, no longer imbalanced with me seeing them as perfect. The rose-colored glasses have come off and now we could proceed properly.
I parked my truck and made my way into meet Will for dinner, glad that I was strong enough and settled enough to have my life on my terms.
A/N: Okay so this is most certainly not my best work, and I'm sorry for that but I wanted to get you guys a chapter to read. It was a surprisingly difficult chapter to write and feels like filler to me but still necessary Filler.
Now I hate to beg guys but I know there are alot of readers out there so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW. This story does not write itself and is getting surprisingly hard to fit in with my school work so if your not enjoying it I don't need to finish it, after all it's all in my mind so I know what happens :)
Special Thanks to saya4haji, Alicia and MiiaCullen for reviewing the last chapter's and as alway to all of you who ever have taken the time to review you guys are amazing.
XOXO