Philosophy 101

BPOV

CH 1

My alarm clock buzzed, loudly, letting me know it's the first day of a new semester. I wasn't planing on taking any early courses, since this is my last semester before I graduate from the University of Washington, but my major required a Philosophy course and eight in the morning was the only time left open. Realizing it was already 7:15, I rushed out of the bed and unsuccessfully ran into the bathroom to take a shower. I live next to campus, in a small apartment complex. I took a quick shower and decided to look somewhat presentable since it's the first day of new classes.

Even though this is my last semester I don't know very many students here. I like to keep to myself.

My name is Bella Swan and I never really had a best friend or even a boyfriend.

I think part of the reason why I never had a boyfriend or even a best friend was because I have a problem. I'm different than other humans. I've been keeping my problem a secret ever since my parents deserted me. They were afraid of what I was. Every time they would think something in their heads I would answer them before they said it out loud. When I was little I didn't even notice I was reading their minds, but when they realized no psychiatrist, doctor, or medicine could "fix" me, they gave up and left me with a family friend.

I haven't seen them since I was six... because I was a telepathic. I read minds.

Thinking about my parents and social life just makes me feel even more pitiful towards myself. I walked to my door and got my car keys before giving myself one more look in the mirror. Today i let my long, wavy, brown hair fall down my back. I believed that the first day of classes deserved to see my hair down for once, before I go into study mode and keep it in a pony tail the rest of the semester. Locking the door behind me, I took the five small steps to my car slowly, remembering my past clumsiness. My guardian, Billy Black, gave me my car before I moved out to go to school. It's an old red Chevy truck. Everyone thinks it's a waist of money to keep it running, but I can't part from it, it's my baby.

I finally made it to campus and walked to my class. There was still ten minutes left before class started, but it seemed pretty full so I decide to walk in and find a seat before all the good ones were gone. I saw a few familiar faces, but most I didn't know or even try to know. I looked at my watch. It was 8:00 o'clock. The professor had to be here any second. Wondering what my new professor's name is, I looked at my class schedule and all it said was Cullen. Hm, for all the three and a half years of being here I never heard of a professor Cullen. Must be someone new.

Great... hopefully it's not one of those horribly boring teachers that stare at the wall the whole class. Right as I looked up a guy who seemed to be around my age walked in with a briefcase in his hand.

Is he in my class?

His reddish brown hair looked so soft and shiny. I wanted to run my fingers through it. His face was amazingly handsome. I couldn't rip my eyes from it. His skin looked so white, like marble. Very pale, but it actually suited him. He looked almost inhuman, to beautiful to ever notice someone as ordinary as me. I sight and looked back at my book. The strange part was, he wasn't looking for a seat. He sat down at the professor's desk.

Oh no way... It can't be... he is Mr. Cullen! He will be my professor?

I looked around the classroom to see if anyone else notices him and, of course, all the girls were ogling at him with no shame. My thoughts were interrupted by the most beautiful voice I have ever heard. I already knew who it was coming from.

"Welcome to Philosophy 101. My name is Edward Cullen and I will be your professor for the semester. I will be calling names and handing out your homework packets, so as soon as you hear your name, please come up to my desk and receive your packets. Once you have them, you may leave for the day and I will see you back in class Wednesday at 8:00 o'clock."

As soon a he was done speaking he stared at me longer than a person should. It seemed as though he was struggling to look away from my eyes. He sat at his desk and started calling names. I didn't notice this before, but he was very muscular, with broad shoulders.

There was a loud noise outside the classroom door and Mike Newton came running in, sweating and panting. Great... this is exactly the person I didn't want to see for once, but with my sorry luck, I now have to see him three times a week for the whole semester.

"I'm so sorry professor, I got lost and when I noticed I was in the wrong building I had to run here all the way from--," Mike huffed before Edward interrupted him by lifting a hand and saying, "It's fine, you got lost, we all get lost sometimes."

Newton noticed me and skipped to the seat next to me.

Why next to me?

There are so many other seats open! He started saying something, but I couldn't listen to him, I was looking at Edward who was glaring at Mike. His stare was cold and... jealous? Why would he be jealous of Mike? I pretended listening to Newton while I was waiting for my name to be called. Edward kept on glaring at Mike.

"Isabella Swan?" Professor Cullen asked looking around the class.

"It's just Bella," I corrected him.

I grabbed my books and walked up to his desk. Of course I wasn't watching where I was walking and tripped on a piece of loose carpet and closed my eyes, knowing Edward's hard desk would break my fall. Instead, a pair of two strong arm held me up.

"Are You okay?" Edward asked.

"I'm fine... I tend to fall a lot, sorry," I said, feeling my face get hot. I looked up at his face and became awake that his stare was going straight down my shirt.. When he caught me, my shirt rode down and was now exposing the top of my bra. He looked back at my face and realized I caught him staring. He looked terrified by what he just did and handed me my homework packet. I felt embarrassed, but for the first time in my life, I didn't mind a boy looking at me like that. I enjoyed it.

I don't know why I have my hopes up. He is my professor and why would I even be attractive to him? He probably dates much prettier girls.

One of my problems, from reading minds, is that when I get embarrassed, my blocking ability falls apart and all voices rush into my head. I was hearing everyone's thoughts except for... Mr. Cullen's?

"I can't hear you Mr. Cullen," I breathed without thinking.

"Bella, I didn't say anything." He looked up at me from his desk in confusion.

"Oh, sorry I though you said something," I said.

I turned around and rushed out the door. How was it possible that I wasn't able to hear his thoughts? This didn't make sense to me at all, but neither did the attraction I felt for him.

How could I want someone so fast before even knowing him? Was he also attracted to me? Was his mind different than others? Was he human? It doesn't matter... he is my professor.

Questions whirled in my mind, but I had no answers for them. Then, I realized that nothing will come out of this class except for a grade. The rest of my day went okay. No Newton, which was nice. My last class ends at noon, so I have the rest of the day to myself. While thinking about how nice it would be to not have any classes on Tuesdays and thursdays, I bumped into someone on the way to my car.

"Shoot! I always do this," I breathed. I bent down to grab my books and saw that face. It was Edward. I mean... Mr. Cullen.

"I am so sorry... are you okay, again?" He said with a warm smile.

"Yes," I said and thanked him.

He looked down at my car keys and said, "so your done with classes for the day?" He seemed very nervous talking to me.

"Yeah." I smiled.

He smiled back and said, "I'm going to grab a cup of coffee at the campus cafe, would you like to join me...? I'll give you a hint about tonight's homework." He winked.

He winked? at ME!

I wanted to go with him so badly, but could I? Could I have a normal conversation with this God, that also happened to be my professor? My body betrayed my mind and agreed to go with him.

We walked a little way to the cafe and sat down at one of the tables. This cafe didn't really have chairs. It had some love seats and some regular couches. There were only love seats left open so that's where we ended up. Edward sat a little too close to me, but I wasn't complaining. It's so strange for me to not be able to know what he is thinking.

"Bella, I got you a cup of coffee if that's okay?"

"Yeah that's fine. Thank you."

"So Bella, you are a senior?"

I smiled at his question and nodded. I wonder how old he is. It looks like he might be the same age as me or a little older maybe.

"Mr. Cullen, I was wondering just how old you are? I mean, you look a little young to be a professor."

"Yes. I am too young for this job. I got lucky. My dad knows one of the deans here and he was able to get me the job. I just graduated 2 years ago from this University. You are right though, I'm only 24."

I've never seen him around the school before... Hm.

"Oh I see," I said looking down at my lap.

"What's your major, Bella?"

"English. I love to read and write."

"What do you like reading?"

"Hm... I like a lot of different genres, but my favorites are the classics."

He looked surprised for a minute. He just gazed at me. It was nice not hearing his mind because the quiet was peaceful, but at the same time I wanted to know what he was thinking right now. Did I say something wrong? I changed my position to be more comfortable and that seemed to bring him out of his ogle.

"Your different than other girls, Bella." His smile looked sad.

He put his hand near mine and my heart started racing. "What do you mean, different?"

He looked down at his hand and said, "I don't know, Bella. You think different. I can tell that you are genuine and caring. I'm glad to have one intelligent person in my class."

My heart was humming and I blushed. He seemed to be scooting closer to me on the couch when an awful noise entered my mind. I froze and turned around to see Jessica standing behind me. Her thoughts were vile and disturbing. I winced every time she was around. I can't believe I, almost, was to her friend in high school.

"OH MY god... what is she doing with Mr. Cullen? He is supposed to want me... not Bella!! Why are they even together? It's not class time," I heard her think.

I closed my eyes and tried to block her out. "Bella, are you okay?" He sounded concerned.

"Yes. I'm okay, Mr. Cullen."

"Bella, please, call me Edward." His smile was enormous so I couldn't help smiling back. Edward was about to rub my back with his hand to soothe me when Jessica had to interrupt.

"Hi, Mr. Cullen," she said, batting her eyes.

Edward said hello back, but kept his eyes fixed on me. I blushed again and looked down at my hands.

"Ewww... why is he looking at Bella and not me? He would never like Bella more than me, he just feels bad that she doesn't have any friends," Jessica thought.

I was upset now. I briskly got up from the couch and told Edward I had to leave. He noticed my changed mood. He smiled an apologetic smile and handed me a folded piece of paper.

Jessica noticed, but I just blocked her thoughts out. I didn't want to hit her in front of a teacher.

"What's this?" I asked.

He looked embarrassed, but just said, "It's the homework's hint." I tucked it in my pocket for later. We said our goodbyes and I walked to my car. I looked at my watch and it read 3:30.

Wow... I spent three hours with Edward.

I unlocked my car and put my school books down. I picked at my pocked and got out the note Edward gave me. On the front, it said my name in perfect script. I slowly opened the note and started reading.

Bella,

I'm sorry to say this, but it's not a hint to the homework. I guess I'm too chicken to ask you this in person, or maybe I just can't see you turning me down in person. I want to know you, Bella. When I first saw you in class, I knew right then and there that I wanted to get to know you more than a teacher would know their student. This is not like me at all. I have never been this attracted to a women. You made me fantasize about things I would never want to do with a student or even any other women. But Bella, I can't help it. I can't stay away from your amazing curves, luscious pink lips, and amazingly beautiful hair. Your smell drove me crazy in class today. When you tripped, it felt so good to catch you and hold you to me. I have had an erection since eight in the morning! I hope I'm not scaring you, but if you feel the same and want to get to know me as more than your professor, than come to class thirty minutes early on Wednesday. That's how I will know you want me too. Please want me back, Bella. I don't think I can live without you now. My eyes will never forget you if you choose not to know me.

I put the note down and started blankly outside. I couldn't believe he wanted me too. He didn't even know that I wanted him back.

He was turned on by my body... mine.

I didn't have any words to describe how happy I was. I think I will definitely go to Wednesday's class early and give him a little taste of what my mind's thoughts are.

This was the first chapter =] What did you think?

The second chapter will be up soon. I will try to post it up by tomorrow evening.

Thanks for all the reviews... they really do help! =]