A/N: Little Edward is mine, don't be jealous!

I ran blindly to my car and collapsed in my leather seat. How to describe what I was feeling? Shame, fear, embarrassment? All of the above probably mixed with a lot of arousal as well. Still, it wouldn't be accurate. The truth is I had never felt that way before. It was like the emptiness that was as much a part of me as my arms or my legs was suddenly gone. A warmth I had never experienced had taken control of my body and wouldn't let it go, to my utter surprise and delight. The delicious curves of her body and her scent were tattooed on my skin and in my heart forever.

I won't lie, little Edward had been looking forward to meet her as well. And when he had been acquainted to her legs and perfect butt, he had almost cried with joy, if you know what I mean. It explained the embarrassed and shameful part. I cringed just thinking about Miss Swan, Bella's reaction to my little friend. Yes, it was lust at first sight for me. I know a 17-year-old boy is supposed to be thinking about sex a lot and I proved to be no different. In my case, though, only one woman was starring in my fantasies. I was in love.

I'd never thought it would happen to me. I never thought of myself as a passionate person. It was probably one of the reasons I had such a complex and almost cold relationship with my father. Men like him, into sports and full of life, expect their son to share their interests with gusto. It had never been like that between him and me. I was a reader, I liked drawing but never had I seen myself as a physical being, with urges, my whole body vibrating like a drum. Everything changed when I met her. Absolutely everything.

It was a shock to me when I started crying. I could see it was a surprise to Miss Swan, Bella, as well because she opened her mouth a little and had a frown of worry between her eyes. I didn't cry a lot, usually. When my father died, it had been a cataclysm in my life. Even if Emmett didn't think so, I was deeply affected and hurt, just like him. The fact that my father had probably never loved me like he loved my brother hadn't changed that. It's true though that it's uncommon for me to burst into tears and still, the feeling of her had released the tension and emotions of these last few weeks. She had unlocked me, in more ways than one.

I finally managed to calm down enough to be able to get back to class. Mrs. Cope tried to flirt again, while trying to be strict with me about my lateness. Pardon my French, but what the fuck was wrong with that lady? She wasn't completely devoid of decency however, because when she saw my pale face and red eyes, she delivered me the pass with no further questions and a sympathy smile.

My classes went quickly this afternoon and I paid very little attention to them. One thought was rolling in my mind, over and over. Now that the exhilaration had passed a little, I was crippled with worry. Surely Bella wouldn't want anything to do with me after the little stunt my dick had pulled. I couldn't believe this had never even crossed my mind before. Oh god, I had to wait until next Wednesday to see her! Four days without knowing would be just unbearable.

I tried to clear my mind before I entered the living room a few hours later. I didn't want to burden Mom with anything. Especially now that she was feeling better, thanks to her sleeping pills. She was sitting in the big old leather chair my Dad loved so much and staring longingly at one of their wedding pictures. She looked so sad I had to interrupt and comfort her. I did something I almost never did. I grabbed her and hugged her tightly.

"How do you feel, Mum?" I mumbled quietly.

"Better now that you're here, honey." Mom managed between sobs. "I miss him so much, Edward, oh god!"

"I know, I know, shhh…" I rocked her like a child and it seemed to work. We stayed that way for a long time and that's how Emmett found us after coming back from basketball practice.

"Hey guys…are you okay?" he whispered and joined us in our group hug. It felt good to see that my family needed me, that I was able to provide comfort, as modest as it was.

We held each other and I felt like a sort of new connection had been made between us. From the smiles Emmett and Mum gave me, I knew they did too. Mom laughed sadly and tried to lighten the mood.

"Boys, I feel like homemade pizza and a movie! What do you say we go to the store, grab some ingredients and rent an old classic?"

"Hell yeah!" was my brother's response and mine was a firm nod.

That's how we found ourselves browsing the aisles of Forks' superstore on a Friday night. Emmett was on a mission to find the biggest popcorn bag ever sold in the story of mankind and Mom and I were looking for the anchovies and olives when I heard a gasp behind me. Curious, I turned around and had to repress the urge to groan, loudly.

Bella was grocery shopping too, in yoga pants and a light sweater. Do you know what those kind of pants do to a man's crotch, especially on a body like that? Her white top was a little see-through and I could see a lacy black bra, subtly enveloping her breasts like a second skin. Little Edward, well not so little now, poked his head in the front of my too tight jeans asking "can I play with her too?"

I didn't even had time to react and say hello to her because, of course, Mom chose that exact moment to clear her throat and hold her hand for Bella to shake.

"Hello, I'm Esme Cullen, Edward's mom."

Edward's mom. Well, thank you for this delightful moment of humiliation. I felt like a preschooler.

"Hi, Mrs. Cullen. I'm Bella Swan. Edward is my best French student." How she would not faint every time she heard her own voice, I didn't know. It was so rich and warm, husky even. I couldn't help the proud smile that stretched my lips. I was her student. Her best student. And then, I stopped smiling because I realized something. I was her best student.

"Oh, then you are the Miss Swan Edward can't stop talking about! How's the project doing?" Mom acted curiously.

"It's going fine, thank you." She smiled shyly. I wanted to kiss her so much at that moment. Mom and all of Forks' population be damned.

"Well, it was a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Cullen but I have to go. Have a nice weekend. You too Edward." Her eyes met mine hesitantly. Her polite expression faded then and she wrapped me in a warm gaze. Not smiling anymore, not scowling either but apparently struggling with something. I knew it, she doesn't want to see me anymore…

She went away quickly, like she was running away from me.

"Nice young woman" Mom remarked "and pretty too."

"Yes…" I sighed without thinking. When Mom frowned, I quickly backpedaled "she's just a great teacher."

"Oh, I'm sure of that. God, I was pretty rude to her, wasn't I? My head is in the clouds lately, I didn't even say goodbye." She sighed.

"Don't worry, I'm sure she'll understand."

After Emmett joined us, we paid at the checkout and were preparing to go back to our car when Mom seemed to have a brilliant idea.

"Edward! Look, it's your teacher over there, near that…horrible truck. Oh dear…Anyway, run and invite her for tea tomorrow, honey. I was a bit short with her earlier and I want to make it up to her. Run, baby, before she leaves! Tell her to come at 5!"

My heart pounding, I managed to stop her before she sat in her monster of a truck and submitted her Mom's strange request to her. She hesitated and my heart almost stopped but she finally nodded her assent with a soft "alright".

I joined Mom and Emmett again. I wanted to hit my brother when he smirked at me knowingly. He gave me hell for when I teased him the other day about Rosalie.

We had a nice evening and laughed in front of "Some like it hot". I tried not to think about tea and French teachers. Tomorrow would be either terrible or wonderful and Bella held the decision in her hands.

Please review and tell me what you think! Next update, next week… xo Steph.