A/N: I own Edward's black tee-shirt. I use it as pyjamas…
I stare stupidly at Heidi while the minx keeps her perfect cool and smirks at me with eyes full of mirth.
"How...how...can you...? " Well, if I'm not a regular fucking orator today.
"Well, you don't deny it anyway. You know you can't fool me, missy." She declares all-knowing and wise all of a sudden.
"Of course, I deny it!" I shout, regaining my voice and my senses. "Are you crazy? Me in love with a student ? You don't know what you're fucking saying, fuck Heidi!" I swear a lot when I'm caught in the act and denying it, maybe you noticed.
"Bella, I wasn't born yesterday. You may protest until the end of days but the fact remains, you love Edward and you want him too." She smiles and she looks understanding, her arrogance gone.
"Ok, that's it, I'm going, I've heard enough nonsense for today." I gather my bag and storm away from the café. Heidi calls my name but doesn't follow me. She probably senses I need to be alone.
I join my classroom in a petrified daze, finally confronted to the truth. Some say that truth is the most painful thing a person can experience and I agree. It was all nice and dandy to fantasize about Edward in the privacy of my bedroom or to daydream about him in my bath but put someone else in the equation and it all goes down to hell. Heidi had uncovered my most secret thoughts and desires in a few minutes. And I thought I was so slick…
I'm thankful for the chattering of my students that afternoon. It keeps me focused on something else than Edward and his lips, his eyes, his laughter, his smile and just everything about him. It seems I can't escape him though because after my last class of the week, I overhear the nasal and so so annoying voice of Miss Stanley, queen of the sluts.
"Oh my God, Lauren, I mean Oh my God! Have you seen Edward this morning? He was just, like so yummy, I mean…I wanted to rip that shirt right off him and take him to the nearest closet!" Well at least, she, unlike me is not afraid to voice her feelings clearly. She has the right to, Edward is her age, not thirteen years her junior. She's a slut and a stupid girl but Mr. Cullen is not jail bait to her. I hate her at that moment.
To avoid murdering her in the middle of the hall, I go to the break room before leaving school for the weekend. Alice is there, sipping her cup of green tea. She smiles when she sees me, her warm eyes a real comfort after my awful day. Well, not entirely awful, just since I had an epiphany.
"Hey, Bella! How was your day?"
I shrug. It's not like I can share my torment with her. "Fine, I guess. I'm glad it's the weekend though." I lie. A whole weekend without seeing Edward, even if it's just in the hall is a dreadful prospect.
"I know, right? Do you want to go out tonight? Kate, Tanya and I are going to this club, Castaways in Port Angeles. You should join us." I would have probably agreed on any other day but the prospect of going out and having fun tonight was just too much. I needed the quiet.
"Not today, Alice but I'll probably be up to it next week." Her pout quickly changes into a bright smile and I'm glad I could do that. She's such a happy person, so easy to please.
"Sooo…any prospects, you know, dating wise?" she asks, eyebrows waggling like crazy. I can't help but laugh.
"No, you'd be the first to know." I can imagine the conversation. "Well Alice, I'm in love with Edward Cullen and want to rip his clothes off and fuck him in the middle of the cafeteria." Yeah, that would go well.
"You should give James a chance, he's crazy about you and from what I heard from Victoria, very…hmm gifted in a certain area." She whispers like it's a big secret.
"I don't know Alice…"
"Well, if it isn't the beautiful Bella and the adorable Alice!" James' voice booms in the room.
"Hi James…" Alice stutters, "hmm, I should go!" On that, she flees to the door, giving me a sheepish smile. Oh, her death is going to be slow and painful.
"So Bella, want to go out with me tomorrow night? Saturday night, come on babe!" He gives me the same rehearsed speech he always does. For a second, I want to reject him as usual but then, my inner wisdom, or lack of, scolds me. Bella, he's a good guy, he could be a nice distraction and it's not like you can date Edward. Come on, have fun for once!
"Ok James, I'll go out with you." I answer quietly.
His reaction is pretty comical. He's so used to being rejected he never saw that coming. He stays there and doesn't have anything to say.
"You know where I live, right?" He nods, still mute. "Good, so pick me up at eight." On those stellar words, I leave the room.
I come home to find Charlie, in front of the TV, watching a baseball game.
"Hey, Bells, I missed you this week. Damn double shifts!" He grumbles and gives me a tired smile. His presence is such a comfort I want to do something for him. Kissing his cheek, I'm struck by a sudden inspiration.
"You know what Dad? I'm going to take a quick shower and go to the superstore to pick up some ingredients and make us those lasagnas you love." Charlie's eyes sparkle like a kid's.
"Yeah Bells! And then we could watch "Some like it hot" like when you were a kid, what do you say? I have it on DVD." Yes, a quiet night with my dad is what I need.
"Ok, I'll be back soon!"
About 30 minutes later, I find myself browsing for pasta and tomatoes sauce. I'm thinking my weekend won't maybe be so bad when I hear six words that make me froze where I stand.
"Edward, did you find the anchovies?"
I gasp, I can't help it. No, it can't be, I reason with myself. Since there's no other way to know for sure, I slowly turn around. Here he stands, in all his glory and he seems as surprised as I am.
I barely listen to his mother asking me about our project and runs away as soon as I can. I won't be destroyed by my feeling for this boy, it just can't happen. I have to forget about him. Yes Bella, brilliant plan, since you're going to work with him all the time.
I'm almost in my truck seat when I hear footsteps running towards me. Edward is panting and seems very embarrassed.
"Miss Swan, Mom would like to invite you for tea tomorrow at five if you can join us." He sounds like in a rush to ask, as if he was afraid I'd interrupt him. Little does he know I want to listen to his voice until the end of times. Wait, his mom wants me for tea? Oh god, what should I do? It wouldn't be right, right?
I raise my eyes to his face and my decision is made. He looks like a lost little boy and I can't resist him. I can deal with tea. Tea is fine.
"Alright, I' ll be there." I say softly and he smiles. That damn fucking smile of his.
"See you tomorrow then…" And then, he's gone, leaving me breathless.
I'm a jittery mess on the Cullens' porch the following day. I brought flowers and I feel stupid. I also feel inadequate and badly dressed, like it's my first day of school.
"Miss Swan! Please, come in." Edward's mom is all smiles and soft perfume. I let myself in hesitantly and almost faint when I see Edward coming towards me, dressed in his usual black tee-shirt and jeans. He's scrumptious.
"Miss Swan, good evening." He greets me politely and quietly and it fucking bothers me even though it shouldn't. I don't want him polite, I want him period.
"Hi, Edward." I almost snort at my own polite tone.
"Mum, what's that smell?" Edwards scrunches up his nose, in an adorable way. He's right though. A nasty burnt smell is coming from the kitchen.
"Oh dear, oh dear! My pie! I have to make another one…Please Miss Swan, sit and make yourself comfortable. Edward will keep you company." She runs to the kitchen, completely oblivious of our predicament.
Her son looks like she asked him to jump from the Empire State Building and I feel like I'm going to throw up. I'm alone with Edward.
There you go, an early update. I like surprising you this way. Thanks to everyone reviewing and reading my story, I'm so happy to read what you think. So, you know what you have to do ;)!
