“Shit….fuck….SHIT! I’ve really done it this time, I just confessed to murder to a priest. What was I thinking?” I cursed to myself as I made my way home, checking every corner for any sign of being followed.
I walked through the front door, making a list of everything I would need and silently thanked whatever divine being was watching over me that there was no one home to witness my epic mental breakdown. When I made it to my room, I dropped the largest duffel bag we had in the house on my bed and began to dump anything and everything that was in my dresser into it. I froze when I heard an authoritative knock on the front door.
“FUCK!” I growled at the ceiling, stopping what I was doing to make my way to the stairs. “I have to answer that. Why couldn’t I have waited until there was someone else here to back up the web of lies I’m going to have to tell to get out of this mess?”
It felt like the stairs were covered in wet tar as I trod down them to the door.
Opening the door, I was met with the most charming smile I had ever seen and sun-bleached brunette hair. I felt like an idiot standing there staring but the rest of my body wouldn’t respond to any commands my brain sent out.
“Bella?” The stranger asked, as he peered around my shoulder and into the hall way where several bags sat, obviously forgotten.
I took a closer look, realizing that the man standing on the front step wasn’t a stranger at all. “Peter, it’s nice to see you. Dad’s at the station already, if you’re looking for him.” I said. My nerves kicked into high gear at the thought that he might be here to talk to me.
“Oh I know your dad’s at the station; he’s actually the one that sent me here after we got some identifying information on a body this morning.”
I listened to Peter describe my handiwork as the images from that night flashed through my head. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep myself from smiling, because honestly, who in their right mind would smile while being told that their significant other was never coming home.
I put my acting skills to the test as Peter sat waiting for me to react. A few thousand tissues and tears later, Peter finally left. I rushed up stairs to finish packing and cleaned up my face, since my crocodile tears had left mascara running down my cheeks.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Stay
To see all the stories that are a part of this contest please visit:
www.fanfiction-challenges.blogspot.com
The lecture hall reflected the orange and red light as the sun made its way lower in the sky, hiding behind the other academic buildings on campus. I could see the students losing interest quickly even though class had only started twenty minutes ago.
This time of year made teaching hell on earth; less light + cold weather + warm classrooms added up to sleepy, distracted students. The only thing that could possibly keep 80% of my class, including myself, interested in showing up was, Miss Isabella Swan. I surveyed the room one more time as I flipped relatively quickly through the next couple of slides, earning me several strings of profanities from students who hadn’t printed the slides out like I’d suggested.
Sitting in the front row were probably some of the brightest students I’d taught: Angela, Ben and Alice. Their notebooks and slide-printouts were spread out in front of them, covering the long desk they were sitting at. These students were a strong contrast to the other three students sitting in my class: Emmett, Jasper and Mike. Those three were staring at one computer, laughing at something obviously not related to today’s lecture. Taking pity on the handful of students that actually showed up today, I turned on the lights and stopped the slideshow.
“Okay, you all get extra credit for coming to class tonight. Have a fun and safe Thanksgiving break, and I will see you on Monday,” I said.
I looked up from the desk when Isabella approached. “Thank you for showing up tonight. I know it must’ve been hard since traffic is crazy with the holiday this weekend.”
She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, working up the courage to say something. “Professor Cullen, I can’t do this anymore.”
I was sure my shock was written all over my face as her words sank into my busy and distracted conscious. “What can’t you do anymore Isabella? I can lighten the amount of things I ask you to do if the commute is too much. I’d even be willing to work out a deal with the school so that you could work from home,” I said, trying to think of solutions to an unknown problem as fast as I could.
“The work isn’t the issue,” she said, looking around the classroom before continuing. “I can’t do us anymore. I’m sick of having to look over my shoulder and worry if anyone has caught on to our relationship.”
I carefully placed my forefinger against her full lips, silencing her for the moment, and walked up the stairs to the entrance of the lecture hall. After closing the door and making sure no one was planning on using the room for a while. I returned to where she was standing. This time stopping in front of her instead of behind the desk. “Isabella, I’m not sure I could do this if you left… I need you. I don’t need you just because you’re the best TA I’ve had in my class, or because you’re the most caring and selfless person I’ve met. I need you because you know me, and you don’t turn away.”
She looked up at me, tears causing her long lashes to clump together. “I’m really sorry, Edward. I can’t do this… I can’t help you.” She paused, taking a deep breath. “I don’t know how to feel,” she said as she picked up her umbrella and walked toward the door.
I stood there for an unknown length of time, staring after her like an idiot. When I came back to reality, I grabbed my bag and raced up the two flights of stairs leading to ground level. As I emerged out onto the street, her car disappeared into the line of traffic exiting the school. Dragging my feet, I made my way to the silver Volvo my parents had bought me, before my life went to hell in a hand basket, and started the slow drive to my apartment across town. All the while I thought of ways to convince Isabella that everything between us would work out.
I pulled into my spot, putting the car in park and taking a few minutes to collect my thoughts as the CD ended. I walked into my living room with a sigh, hoping a better idea than flowers and chocolates would come to me. Placing my bags by my desk, I pulled out the keyboard Isabella had given me this past June for my birthday. The memory made me smile. I sat down on my couch and began to play a familiar tune from memory, adding words to the melody this time.
“You don’t want me, no, you don’t need me. Like I want you, oh like I need you. And I want you in my life, and I need you in my life.” I paused to write the lyrics on the sheet music before continuing.
“You can’t see me, no, like I see you. I can’t have you, like you have me. And I want you in my life, and I need you in my life. You can’t feel me, no, like I feel you. I can’t steal you, no, like you stole me. And I want you in my life, and I need you in my life.”
I heard the front door close softly as the final notes quieted. Glancing up I saw Isabella looking at me with tears glistening in her eyes.
“How long have you been standing there?” I asked, knowing I should feel embarrassed but not feeling that way.
“Long enough to know that I shouldn’t have ever walked away from you back at school.” She joined me on the couch, “Why didn’t you just tell me this is how you felt?”
“I was afraid if I told you, you’d turn and run,” I said, watching for any sign she was getting ready to leave again.
“Why would you feel that way?” She entwined her fingers with mine.
“Cause all my life, I’ve felt this way. Every time I get this close to someone, they find something about me that scares them or they don’t agree with, and they run.” I leaned forward, trying to shake the thoughts and doubts from my mind.
I felt Isabella stand up, but it wasn’t the shift in the couch that told me she’d gotten up. It was the electric current that seemed to pass between us. My body froze when my mind realized this was it; this was the moment where she’d realize I wasn’t what she thought, and she’d leave. Before I could stop my hand, I reached out, catching her wrist. I looked into her eyes, begging her to stay for tonight. “Please Isabella, don’t leave tonight.”
She smiled as she joined me once again on my couch. “Oh Edward, don’t be silly. How can you be so intelligent, and yet not understand what’s going on around you? I just want to see your face, look in your eyes. I’m not going anywhere tonight. Eventually I have to go home to get some clothes.”
“Then stay with me, Isabella. Please,” I pleaded. “I’ll stop teaching if I need to. I’ll do whatever you want, just please don’t go,” I said, determined to do anything to keep her with me.
“I’ll always stay, Edward. And please don’t stop doing what you love. I can’t be the reason you stop shaping young minds.” She leaned in and placed a slow kiss against my lips.
I wrapped my fingers in her hair, pulling her closer, receiving her kiss and giving my love back. Her body melted into mine and her arms wrapped tightly around my neck. My free hand encircled her waist and slipped under her sweater, drawing slow patterns across her lower back. I smiled against her lips when I felt her shiver, and slowly pulled away so we could catch our breath. My hand lazily worked her sweater up, exposing her toned abdomen to my seeking fingers.
Isabella sighed, her lips moved to my ear, tiny teeth nipping the lobe as she placed teasing kisses along my jaw. My breath rushed out, making a hissing sound as it passed through my teeth. I pushed her sweater up farther until I reached her bra, tracing the lace detail with my fingertips, listening as her breath caught in her throat.
“Isabella,” I sighed as her fingers ran through the hair at the base of my neck.
“Edward, please stop whatever train of thought you were about to follow. You’ve told me how much you love me more times than I can count. For tonight, just show me,” she pleaded with me, sprinkling light kisses against my jaw and neck as she said each word.
I stood from the couch, supporting her with my arms, and made my way to my desk, knowing exactly how I wanted to show her my love. I put her down on the desk, reaching around her to find the box my father had given me for exactly this moment. She seemed to have other ideas though.
Her delicate hands worked my button-down out of the waistband of my jeans, easily getting the first several buttons undone. I pulled her shirt over her head and took in the beauty sitting in front of me. Placing feather light kisses across her collarbone and over the swell of her chest I smiled and reached between us to undo her jeans. Slowly, I pulled them down her muscular legs, massaging and peppering them with love as I went.
Her heels fell to the floor with the now forgotten article of clothing, making us jump at the sudden noise.
She made quick work of my own jeans, adding them to the growing pile of clothes littered across my living room floor. My lips returned to hers as I added her bra to the pile as well. I left a trail of open-mouthed kisses down her neck and between her beautiful breasts. I could taste the vanilla scented lotion she’d used this morning. Her breathing picked up as I continued my exploration down her toned stomach and across her hips. Hooking my thumbs under the sides of her underwear, I drew the small piece of fabric down her legs revealing, her untarnished beauty to my awaiting eyes. At some point while I was basking in the glow of her beauty, she’d rid me of my own underwear.
She wrapped her legs around my waist, pulling me to her. The action caused a definitely delicious contrast between our combined body heat, and the cooled air of my apartment. Her tightening grip brought me closer to a small piece of heaven being with her offered me. I slipped inside her, marveling in the feelings of connection. She threw her head back, enjoying the way our bodies touched at every possible point. Her hips moved against me, creating the friction we searched for. I matched her, increasing the speed of our hips meeting when she began begging for more. Shivers to run through my body as her nails slid down my back. As she got closer to our mutual goal, I doubled my efforts, nipping at the piece of skin behind her ear. My receptiveness to her body paid off when she bungee-jumped off the bridge, some invisible rope yanking me forcefully after her.
While we refilled out lungs with oxygen and stared at each other, my mind began to over think everything. Despite knowing in my heart that she wouldn’t tell me what I wanted to hear, unless she believed it too, I had to ask. “Isabella, will you really stay with me?”
“Of course, Edward, I'm not going anywhere. I'll be right here for as long as you love me.” she said, cuddling into my chest.
“I have something for you, an early Christmas present if you will.” I reached into the drawer behind her.
Pulling out a well-loved velvet box, I opened it to display a flowing-floral inspired cluster of marquise, baguette and round diamonds which formed the large decorative clasp and centerpiece of the classic four-row pearl bracelet with diamond-bar separators.
“It was my great grandmother’s. My dad always said I’d know who it was destined to belong to. I’ve known since I had you in class that it would look perfect on your wrist.”
“Edward, it’s beautiful. Are you sure you want to give it to me? It seems to hold a lot of value for your family.” She reached out and cautiously ran her fingers over the pearls.
“You’re the only one I’d ever want to give it to, Isabella. I love you, forever and always.” I wrapped the bracelet around her wrist, softly kissing where the clasp rested.
She leaned forward, lifting my chin gently so we were eye-to-eye. “And I love you, Edward.”
www.fanfiction-challenges.blogspot.com
The lecture hall reflected the orange and red light as the sun made its way lower in the sky, hiding behind the other academic buildings on campus. I could see the students losing interest quickly even though class had only started twenty minutes ago.
This time of year made teaching hell on earth; less light + cold weather + warm classrooms added up to sleepy, distracted students. The only thing that could possibly keep 80% of my class, including myself, interested in showing up was, Miss Isabella Swan. I surveyed the room one more time as I flipped relatively quickly through the next couple of slides, earning me several strings of profanities from students who hadn’t printed the slides out like I’d suggested.
Sitting in the front row were probably some of the brightest students I’d taught: Angela, Ben and Alice. Their notebooks and slide-printouts were spread out in front of them, covering the long desk they were sitting at. These students were a strong contrast to the other three students sitting in my class: Emmett, Jasper and Mike. Those three were staring at one computer, laughing at something obviously not related to today’s lecture. Taking pity on the handful of students that actually showed up today, I turned on the lights and stopped the slideshow.
“Okay, you all get extra credit for coming to class tonight. Have a fun and safe Thanksgiving break, and I will see you on Monday,” I said.
I looked up from the desk when Isabella approached. “Thank you for showing up tonight. I know it must’ve been hard since traffic is crazy with the holiday this weekend.”
She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, working up the courage to say something. “Professor Cullen, I can’t do this anymore.”
I was sure my shock was written all over my face as her words sank into my busy and distracted conscious. “What can’t you do anymore Isabella? I can lighten the amount of things I ask you to do if the commute is too much. I’d even be willing to work out a deal with the school so that you could work from home,” I said, trying to think of solutions to an unknown problem as fast as I could.
“The work isn’t the issue,” she said, looking around the classroom before continuing. “I can’t do us anymore. I’m sick of having to look over my shoulder and worry if anyone has caught on to our relationship.”
I carefully placed my forefinger against her full lips, silencing her for the moment, and walked up the stairs to the entrance of the lecture hall. After closing the door and making sure no one was planning on using the room for a while. I returned to where she was standing. This time stopping in front of her instead of behind the desk. “Isabella, I’m not sure I could do this if you left… I need you. I don’t need you just because you’re the best TA I’ve had in my class, or because you’re the most caring and selfless person I’ve met. I need you because you know me, and you don’t turn away.”
She looked up at me, tears causing her long lashes to clump together. “I’m really sorry, Edward. I can’t do this… I can’t help you.” She paused, taking a deep breath. “I don’t know how to feel,” she said as she picked up her umbrella and walked toward the door.
I stood there for an unknown length of time, staring after her like an idiot. When I came back to reality, I grabbed my bag and raced up the two flights of stairs leading to ground level. As I emerged out onto the street, her car disappeared into the line of traffic exiting the school. Dragging my feet, I made my way to the silver Volvo my parents had bought me, before my life went to hell in a hand basket, and started the slow drive to my apartment across town. All the while I thought of ways to convince Isabella that everything between us would work out.
I pulled into my spot, putting the car in park and taking a few minutes to collect my thoughts as the CD ended. I walked into my living room with a sigh, hoping a better idea than flowers and chocolates would come to me. Placing my bags by my desk, I pulled out the keyboard Isabella had given me this past June for my birthday. The memory made me smile. I sat down on my couch and began to play a familiar tune from memory, adding words to the melody this time.
“You don’t want me, no, you don’t need me. Like I want you, oh like I need you. And I want you in my life, and I need you in my life.” I paused to write the lyrics on the sheet music before continuing.
“You can’t see me, no, like I see you. I can’t have you, like you have me. And I want you in my life, and I need you in my life. You can’t feel me, no, like I feel you. I can’t steal you, no, like you stole me. And I want you in my life, and I need you in my life.”
I heard the front door close softly as the final notes quieted. Glancing up I saw Isabella looking at me with tears glistening in her eyes.
“How long have you been standing there?” I asked, knowing I should feel embarrassed but not feeling that way.
“Long enough to know that I shouldn’t have ever walked away from you back at school.” She joined me on the couch, “Why didn’t you just tell me this is how you felt?”
“I was afraid if I told you, you’d turn and run,” I said, watching for any sign she was getting ready to leave again.
“Why would you feel that way?” She entwined her fingers with mine.
“Cause all my life, I’ve felt this way. Every time I get this close to someone, they find something about me that scares them or they don’t agree with, and they run.” I leaned forward, trying to shake the thoughts and doubts from my mind.
I felt Isabella stand up, but it wasn’t the shift in the couch that told me she’d gotten up. It was the electric current that seemed to pass between us. My body froze when my mind realized this was it; this was the moment where she’d realize I wasn’t what she thought, and she’d leave. Before I could stop my hand, I reached out, catching her wrist. I looked into her eyes, begging her to stay for tonight. “Please Isabella, don’t leave tonight.”
She smiled as she joined me once again on my couch. “Oh Edward, don’t be silly. How can you be so intelligent, and yet not understand what’s going on around you? I just want to see your face, look in your eyes. I’m not going anywhere tonight. Eventually I have to go home to get some clothes.”
“Then stay with me, Isabella. Please,” I pleaded. “I’ll stop teaching if I need to. I’ll do whatever you want, just please don’t go,” I said, determined to do anything to keep her with me.
“I’ll always stay, Edward. And please don’t stop doing what you love. I can’t be the reason you stop shaping young minds.” She leaned in and placed a slow kiss against my lips.
I wrapped my fingers in her hair, pulling her closer, receiving her kiss and giving my love back. Her body melted into mine and her arms wrapped tightly around my neck. My free hand encircled her waist and slipped under her sweater, drawing slow patterns across her lower back. I smiled against her lips when I felt her shiver, and slowly pulled away so we could catch our breath. My hand lazily worked her sweater up, exposing her toned abdomen to my seeking fingers.
Isabella sighed, her lips moved to my ear, tiny teeth nipping the lobe as she placed teasing kisses along my jaw. My breath rushed out, making a hissing sound as it passed through my teeth. I pushed her sweater up farther until I reached her bra, tracing the lace detail with my fingertips, listening as her breath caught in her throat.
“Isabella,” I sighed as her fingers ran through the hair at the base of my neck.
“Edward, please stop whatever train of thought you were about to follow. You’ve told me how much you love me more times than I can count. For tonight, just show me,” she pleaded with me, sprinkling light kisses against my jaw and neck as she said each word.
I stood from the couch, supporting her with my arms, and made my way to my desk, knowing exactly how I wanted to show her my love. I put her down on the desk, reaching around her to find the box my father had given me for exactly this moment. She seemed to have other ideas though.
Her delicate hands worked my button-down out of the waistband of my jeans, easily getting the first several buttons undone. I pulled her shirt over her head and took in the beauty sitting in front of me. Placing feather light kisses across her collarbone and over the swell of her chest I smiled and reached between us to undo her jeans. Slowly, I pulled them down her muscular legs, massaging and peppering them with love as I went.
Her heels fell to the floor with the now forgotten article of clothing, making us jump at the sudden noise.
She made quick work of my own jeans, adding them to the growing pile of clothes littered across my living room floor. My lips returned to hers as I added her bra to the pile as well. I left a trail of open-mouthed kisses down her neck and between her beautiful breasts. I could taste the vanilla scented lotion she’d used this morning. Her breathing picked up as I continued my exploration down her toned stomach and across her hips. Hooking my thumbs under the sides of her underwear, I drew the small piece of fabric down her legs revealing, her untarnished beauty to my awaiting eyes. At some point while I was basking in the glow of her beauty, she’d rid me of my own underwear.
She wrapped her legs around my waist, pulling me to her. The action caused a definitely delicious contrast between our combined body heat, and the cooled air of my apartment. Her tightening grip brought me closer to a small piece of heaven being with her offered me. I slipped inside her, marveling in the feelings of connection. She threw her head back, enjoying the way our bodies touched at every possible point. Her hips moved against me, creating the friction we searched for. I matched her, increasing the speed of our hips meeting when she began begging for more. Shivers to run through my body as her nails slid down my back. As she got closer to our mutual goal, I doubled my efforts, nipping at the piece of skin behind her ear. My receptiveness to her body paid off when she bungee-jumped off the bridge, some invisible rope yanking me forcefully after her.
While we refilled out lungs with oxygen and stared at each other, my mind began to over think everything. Despite knowing in my heart that she wouldn’t tell me what I wanted to hear, unless she believed it too, I had to ask. “Isabella, will you really stay with me?”
“Of course, Edward, I'm not going anywhere. I'll be right here for as long as you love me.” she said, cuddling into my chest.
“I have something for you, an early Christmas present if you will.” I reached into the drawer behind her.
Pulling out a well-loved velvet box, I opened it to display a flowing-floral inspired cluster of marquise, baguette and round diamonds which formed the large decorative clasp and centerpiece of the classic four-row pearl bracelet with diamond-bar separators.
“It was my great grandmother’s. My dad always said I’d know who it was destined to belong to. I’ve known since I had you in class that it would look perfect on your wrist.”
“Edward, it’s beautiful. Are you sure you want to give it to me? It seems to hold a lot of value for your family.” She reached out and cautiously ran her fingers over the pearls.
“You’re the only one I’d ever want to give it to, Isabella. I love you, forever and always.” I wrapped the bracelet around her wrist, softly kissing where the clasp rested.
She leaned forward, lifting my chin gently so we were eye-to-eye. “And I love you, Edward.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)