I own nothing but my imagination.

I spent Saturday night at Casey's. She said I could stay as long as I wanted. I told her I would stay until my mother left for another vacation, which I was sure she had already booked. I went by the house on Sunday morning with Casey. She didn't want me going alone. My bodyguard, which was kind of amusing considering Casey was smaller than me. It was the thought that counted and I was glad she came with me. The bitch wasn't home. So I packed a suitcase of clothes just in case, and grabbed Spike. I couldn't let him stay here alone with that Vulture. When we got back to Casey's I started my paper. It took me most of what was left in the day to write it. I even had Casey's mom edit it for me. She was an editor for the L.A. times. I re-read it about 15 times before I decided it was worthy of Spencer's eyes.

Monday morning I woke up early. Reeeeally early for me. The alarm went off at 5am. Casey turned it off and then slugged me in the arm for waking her up that early. Then she rolled over and went back to sleep. The new Ashley was ready and out of the house by 6:30. I had just enough time to stop at the corner market and Timmy's for my Iced-Cap. I needed a large one today. When I reached the parking lot of the school I realized just how early I was when I pulled into a spot in the second row. Sweeet! I got out and walked towards the empty quad. I noticed Spencer's car wasn't there yet. Good. Just as I wanted. I pulled every book out of my locker and put them in my bag. When they hit the bottom of the bag I was hit with a cloud of dust. Guess I hadn't used them in a while. Yeah, like 5 months. I walked down the halls that had just started to fill up and headed to class. Well this was a first. Me, Ashley Davies, being the first one to class. I walked over to Spencer's desk and set my paper down in the middle. Then I placed a delicious Granny Smith apple on top of my paper. I sat down at my desk, leaned back and propped my feet up on the chair in front of me. I hoped she wouldn't be much longer or I would fall asleep. Just as I yawned she walked into the classroom. She jumped. I guess I startled her.

"Good morning, Miss Davies." She looked confused, probably wondering what the hell I was doing there so early.

"Good morning, Mrs. Dennison" I smiled big and then winked.

"You're here rather early this morning."

"Yeah well I'm trying to impress the teacher. Is it working?" I tilted my head to the side and smiled again.

She picked the apple off the desk and bit into it. So fucking hot! She sat down in her chair and leaned back.

"How about I read that paper of yours and then I will tell you if I am impressed."

She picked up my paper and then reached for something in her purse, her glasses. Holy fuck she looked hot in those glasses. I wanted to study her face for some kind of sign as to whether she liked it or not but she just sat there expressionless and ate her apple. After about 5 minutes she put the paper down and took another bite of her apple. She didn't look at me. Then she started writing something down on my paper. I was about to ask her what she thought but was interrupted by a few students coming into the classroom. They looked over at me with the same confused look she had. Geez, give a girl a break. So I was early for the first time… ever. Call the frickin' press!

The bell rang as the last few students came in, Madi included. Spencer never once looked up at me. I was kind of scared. Maybe she didn't like my paper. I worked so long and hard on that thing. I would probably cry if she didn't like it. Madi sat down and immediately turned towards me.

"Wow Ash. You're here before me. Must be trying to get back in Mrs. Dennison's good graces?"

"Exactly, but get used to seeing me. I am going to be "Skip Free Ashley" until school ends," I said proudly.

"Hahahaha" snort "Hahahaa" snort. Yeah that was Madi laughing at me. Bitch.

"Gee Madi. Glad to know you have so much faith in me." I looked away from her and towards Mrs. Dennison who was writing on the chalk board. In big letters she wrote, "The Raven".

"Oh come on, Ash. It was funny. You not skipping a day in one whole week is impossible. How are you going to go 4 and half months? And why? This has something to do with Mrs. Dennison, doesn't it?" I didn't get the chance to answer her. Mrs. Dennison took a seat on the front of her desk with her legs crossed and her arms in her lap. Today she was wearing a grey pinstriped pant suit. The jacket was tight around the waist and only had one button. She wore a light gray camisole underneath and had her hair pulled up into a ponytail. And, of course, the glasses. This woman was a Goddess of Hotness. Seriously. Damn!

"Good morning, everyone. So now that we have a better understanding of Edgar Allan Poe we can start reading some of his work. This week we are going to read "The Raven". It will not be easy though. Poe had an extensive vocabulary. He used a lot of uncommon words that even back then were uncommon. He used a lot of ancient and poetic words. So we will have to go line for line, stanza for stanza. Together we will figure out just what Poe was saying. I have printed out a copy so that everyone will have their own."

She handed a stack to everyone in the front row and directed for them to pass them back. She then began to talk a little more about the poem and then shortly after we started on the first stanza. As she talked about the poem and what its words meant I couldn't take my eyes off of her. She spoke with such passion and understanding. You could hear it in her voice and see it in her eyes. You could see in her mannerisms. You could feel it in the entire room. She made you want to understand what she was saying. She made you want to listen. I was so focused on every move she made, every word she said. I didn't even hear the bell ring.

"We made good progress, guys. I will see you all tomorrow morning."

I gathered my stuff and threw it in my bag. Just as I stood up she spoke.

"Miss Davies, stay." She pointed to my chair. Uh Okay.

Once everyone was gone she walked over to me. She sat down in the chair next to me. She was so close I could smell her perfume. I inhaled and almost died right then. She smelled so damn good.

"So I read your paper." She handed it to me. I looked down and saw a smiley face. You're kidding me.

I looked up at her confused. "Did I get a grade? Is smiley here code for an 'A'?"

She chuckled. "I didn't intend on grading them. Just wanted to see what you learned so far."

"So you liked it?" I questioned with a smile.

"I wouldn't say.. Like." Huh? I thought smileys were a good thing.

She sensed my confusion.

"Ashley, I loved it." Did she just call me Ashley? Gulp.

"Oh. You loved it? You were impressed?"

"I was thoroughly impressed. It seems you learned a lot. Your paper actually stood out from the rest."

I faintly heard the bell ring signaling I was late to my second period. That wouldn't bother the old Ashley. But old Ashley was no more.

She must have heard it too. She got up and walked towards her desk.

"Well I'd write you a note for your second period teacher if I thought you were going to go there." She sat down at her desk and looked at me for a response.

I pulled my math book from my bag and held it up. "I wouldn't carry the big book of numbers for nothing."

She laughed . "So you're actually going to go to all of your classes today? No 3 hours naps in your car?"

What? How did she know about those? Did all of the teachers know? Damn. I guess there is no backing out of the new Ashley.

"What, you didn't think we knew?" She laughed again.

"I guess I'm not as sneaky as I thought I was."

"I guess not."

"So how about that note, for second period." She looked surprised.

She started writing on a piece of paper in front of her. She looked up at me and smiled while she handed it to me. When I went to grab it she pulled it back.

"You're going to go to 3rd and 4th too right?" Was that a question or a demand?

"Of course, Mrs. Dennison. I wouldn't miss them for anything. Well except for maybe more classes with you." I looked into her eyes trying to show her the meaning behind my words. I think she understood. I walked up to her desk and leaned up against it. Our hands were inches away from touching.

"Ashley," she said quietly, almost a whisper. "We talked about this. You said you understood."

"And I do understand, but I can't help but want to spend more time with you. I want to learn more about you. I want to learn more from you." I took a giant risk and moved my hand over and onto hers. Just barely so our fingers were touching. She didn't move it away. She just looked down at it.

After a few seconds she sighed and pulled her hand away. "You need to go, Miss Davies. Here's your note." She handed me the note and when I looked into her eyes I saw that fear again. This time mixed with a little anger. I may have pushed it too far. Shit. I just couldn't help myself. I just wanted to touch her. I nodded and turned around ready to walk out the door.

"See ya tomorrow, Mrs. Dennison," I said without looking back.

"Tomorrow, Miss Davies. And thanks for the apple."

I walked out the door, but not before looking back at her one last time. She had her head in her hands. I didn't know what to make of it. I know what I told her. I did understand. She was my teacher. I was her student. But...of course there was a but… I was pretty damn sure I was in love with her. Fuck!