"The Art Teacher" by spangly9

Posted by Pb

(banner made by Elena)

Bella Swan calls herself lucky because she is the adopted daughter of billionaire Phil Dwyer and has all the luxuries in the world. She knows very well that there probably isn't any other young woman her age who lives the life she does, yet still  she isn't really content. After her father, Charlie, died in the line of duty as a police officer in Forks, she was forced to go live a different, lavish lifestyle with her mother Renee in New York. Renee was, to put it candidly, nothing but a gold-digger who neither really understood the value of a lasting relationship nor has ever been a good mother to her daughter. Instead, her pretentious personality strived to do everything a member of the high society would do and it comes as no surprise when she enrolls Bella in an art appreciation class without asking her first. As the children of Renee's friends have done exactly the same with their kids, Renee is determined to send her daughter to the class as well. Though Bella is hesitant at first, she soon goes along with her mother's decision as it would at least enable her to maintain her grades. What she didn't expect was to meet Edward Cullen...

Despite the intense pull they feel towards each other, Edward and Bella try to maintain the civil relationship of teacher and student. However, Edward is only four years older than Bella and mesmerizes her not only with his good looks but also with the world of art he creates. But even though it gets harder and harder to stay away from each other, he keeps pushing her away. More than once, Bella watches him meet older, rich women and before she knows it, Edward is gone. All the colors and art he had created within her immediately disappear and the young girl mourns the loss of the man who had the potential to be everything to her.

It is years before they meet again (though only after about three chapters in the story) and instantly the magnetic pull they felt for one another is back again. Neither of them has forgotten the other and the intense feelings they harbored, yet the possibility of being together seems even slimmer than before. Because while Edward was gone, Renee forced Bella into an engagement with a workaholic. As a struggling young artist, Edward sees no chance to be able to compete with the rich and successful fiancé. Also, Bella feels more frustrated than ever with the life she is trapped in but will she be ready to leave? And would Edward chase after her and manage to gain her trust back?

The Art Teacher is an excellent fanfic that spurs all kinds of sentiments. The reader experiences the  entire story through Bella's eyes and one can instantly understand and relate with her feeling of being trapped in a rich lifestyle she doesn't want. Also, the static she experiences when she is with Edward is almost palpable. Spangly9 is one of my favorite authors and she never ceases to amaze me with her capability to make the reader feel as if they are actually living it. She realistically portrays the conflicts between Edward and Bella: the difference in status, lifestyle, and age, the insecurities with their careers, and their immense need to be with each other completely. Though Edward leaves Bella for a couple of years/chapters, The Art Teacher has definitely a sweet HEA and contains some hot smut. Furthermore, Alice has a beautiful, but significant role as Bella's best friend, who supports her no matter what. Although Alice is depicted as Bella's close friend in multiple fanfics I think this story really shows why she is so important. A great story will that keep you up at nights! Please read it, otherwise you will be missing something!!

The Art Teacher consists of 16 chapters and 97,635 words. The story is rated M for language and hot lemons.

COMPLETE

*GIFS and artwork from Tumblr & Deviantart.