The Learning Curve: Chapter 20

Edward Cullen's House

After school on Monday, I was a little too eager to get to Edward's house - so eager that I arrived seconds before he did.

"Hi. Sorry. I should have given you more time," I apologized as he climbed out of his car.

"No worries," he said with an easy smile. I followed him onto the porch.

"How was your first day back?"

"Well, everyone kept looking at me like I might lose it any second," he said, unlocking the door. Then he turned to me with a grin. "So it was pretty awesome. I've never been feared before."

I rolled my eyes behind his back as I followed him into the house. "So it wasn't even a little weird for you? Because it's been weird for me."

"I bet," he said. We didn't even stop in the living room today; instead, I followed him straight to his bedroom. "I heard the rumor about me getting you pregnant. I'm sorry...I think I only made things worse for you."

I shrugged. "It will be obvious that it's a lie in a few months. In a few days everyone will be talking about someone else, anyway."

Edward nodded and sat down on the bed. "Well, are you ready for lesson two?"

I swallowed. "Um, actually, I was wondering if we could just talk for a little while."

His eyebrows came together. "What did you want to talk about?"

I sat gingerly beside him. "Nothing really, I just wanted to get to know you better. It's weird kissing you when I hardly know you."

"And you don't think having sex with me will be just as weird?"

I fidgeted. "I thought I'd be more comfortable with you by the time we get to that."

"I see. Well, what would you like to know about me?"

"Um..." I hadn't gotten that far. "Where do you want to go for college?"

"Dartmouth," he said immediately. "My mom and dad met there doing their undergrad. I'll probably never get in, though."

"You probably will," I argued. "As smart as you are, and with your parents...they'll take you in a heartbeat." I hoped I didn't sound too envious. "I'll probably end up at U-Dub."

"There's nothing wrong with U-Dub, but you shouldn't sell yourself short. You could go anywhere you wanted."

I blushed at his praise.

"Seriously. I dare you to apply to Dartmouth, just to see. I'll even pay the application fee."

I frowned. "I'd rather not."

"Please? Do it as a personal favor for your favorite teacher," he said with a roguish wink. I couldn't resist him.

"Fine, I'll do it."

"Excellent."

When had this conversation become about me, I wondered. "So what do you want to study?"

"I don't know. Part of me wants to study medicine like my dad. He loves his job. But I'd love to study music, too."

"Music? Really? So that giant piano downstairs is yours?"

The tips of his ears reddened. "Yeah. My mom put me in lessons when I was five."

"That's really amazing, Edward," I said, surprised at this unexpected side of him. "I always wished I could play something. I love music, but I can't even sing."

"It's never too late to learn," he said. "I bet Dartmouth has a creative activity requirement. You could take lessons."

"Don't you think we're getting a little ahead of ourselves?"

"Yeah, maybe," he smiled. He ran a hand through his hair and gave me a tentative look. "Are you ready to start the next lesson?"

The butterflies in my stomach went haywire. "Yeah, let's get started."