The House Next Door.

"Do you believe in love?"

Addison sat in the assigned seat she was given. She peered up from the now worn out copy of Romeo and Juliet.
Mr Hardy peered at Addison, with a calculated expression.
Then his eyes narrowed and a crooked smile spread across his lips.

"I do" Mr Hardy smiled. "But do not confuse the story with love"

"I don't" Addison said. "It was childish in my opinion but a classic"

Mr Hardy smiled. "Amazing that you comprehend that"

"Why?" Addison's eye narrowed.

"Girls are looking for that sort of expression of love" Mr Hardy spoke at his desk. "Especially teenage girls"

"I speak for myself when I say I do not seek some sort of love triangle that leads to my death and many others" Addison ranted.

"What do you want then?" Mr Hardy locked gazes with her intently.

"True love" Addison answered. "Do you believe in a true love?"

"Very much" Mr Hardy nodded.

Addison smiled and shifted herself in her seat. "My last day of suspension" she sighed drumming her fingers.

"Bitter sweet?"

Addison scrunched up her face. "No"

"Miss my class?" Mr Hardy grinned.

"Actually" Addison laughed. "Yes"

Mr Hardy pursed his lips into a small smile. "Any plans for Halloween?" He asked casually.

"Michael and I are going to dress up" Addison laughed, feeling some sort of embarrassment.

"As?" Mr Hardy glanced.

"Wendy" Addison mumbled. "And PeterPan"

"I must see this" Mr Hardy boomed with laughter.

Addison blushed and shook her head. "I took you as the late night party gal" Mr Hardy said.

"You did?" Addison asked frowning.

"No" Mr Hardy smiled as his lips twitched at the corners.

"I am being dragged to a party but I honestly don't want to go"

"Then don't" Mr Hardy said with a furrowed brow.

"Marcy-" Addison began. But Mr Hardy scoffed and whipped his head to locked eyes with her.

"There is not stopping her" Mr Hardy rolled his pretty blues.

"She's determined" Addison grimaced. "I mean she has this costume for us both and it's so ridiculous" Addison complained.

Mr Hardy smiled as she ranted and shrugged. "Go as whoever"

"What about you and Louis?" Addison wondered.

"I normally didn't celebrate Halloween in the home land" Mr Hardy smiled. "But we're in America so I suppose he'll get dressed up"

"I take Michael every year since he was a baby. I mean- if you want to, you can come with me" Addison offered. "And Michael" she added quickly.

"Only on one condition" Mr Hardy said very seriously.

"Okay" Addison nodded just as serious.

"I will not dress as one of your lost boys"

At the reference Addison instantly smiled and join in with Mr Hardy as he laughed at his own joke.

Perfection
_____________________________________

Addison trailed into the parking lot of the school and could actually feel Mr Hardy's abnormal eyes grazing holes into her back.

Addison lips twitched nervously. She glanced back at met his eyes.
Mr Hardy smiled devilishly at Addison.

Addison sighed and turned around sharply.

"Would you like to take another walk?"

Addison fidgeted with the hem of her shirt nervously.
Mr Hardy rose his brows and narrowed his orbs.

"So demanding" He teased.

"You don't have to" Addison reminded nervously. Addison was completely nervous.

"I want to" Mr Hardy nodded. "I would love to" he spoke softly.

Addison beamed a smile at him. "Okay"

"Same time" Mr Hardy stepped away smiling. "Don't be late"

Addison would never be late ever again.
_____________________________

Addison wondered if she should wear the sweater that belong to Mr Hardy.
Addison did.

Along the path that led to his home Addison reasoned it was cold and she didn't have many sweaters and actually liked his sweater.

"Don't concentrate to hard, darling"

Addison glanced up and quickly smiled to see Mr Hardy waiting for her at the end of the drive.

"Lovely sweater" Mr Hardy said sharply.

Addison froze and glanced back at her house. "I never returned it, I'm sorr--"

"Lighten up" Mr Hardy sighed. "It looks better on you"

Addison face grew red from his words.
Mr Hardy smiled and turned causing her to follow after him.

"I want to say something" Mr Hardy murmured.

Addison coked her head. "Okay"

Mr Hardy glanced at her, a smile spreading on his plump lips.

"It is inappropriate" Mr Hardy winced.

"Well right now you're just my neighbor not my teacher" Addison reasoned. She wanted to know what was so inappropriate.

"It is about David" Mr Hardy said peering down at her as they walked.

"What about him?" Addison wondered with a furrow brow.

"I suppose I get a vibe, very shady vide" Mr Hardy shrugged. "As a friend with your family I say stay away. I was a boy once and I know his intentions. But as a teacher I have absolutely no reason to think like that" a slow sigh escaped his lips.

"We're not very involved" Addison said but regretted it as she remember the ice cream date that was planned tomorrow night. "I mean just as friends"

"Darling" Mr Hardy smiled. "I beg to differ"

"Not you too" Addison grumbled.

"As a teacher I witness many things and the most relevant topic is David giving those love sick puppy dog eyes toward you" Mr Hardy chuckled. "Logan-"

"You told my dad?" Addison groaned.

"It came up in a conversation" Mr Hardy pressed his lips together glancing at her sheepishly.

Addison sighed. "I never had a boyfriend and I do not plan on David being mine"

"I beg your pardon?" Mr Hardy asked astounded.

"What?" Addison eyes narrowed.

"You never dated?" A harsh laugh escaped his lips. "I do not believe"

"Why?" Addison wondered sincerely puzzled.

"Very independent" Mr Hardy grinned. "It's hard to believe"

"Looks don't matter" Addison murmured.

"But in your case you benefit from them"

Addison sourly glanced up at him. "No"

"Truly" Mr Hardy nodded. "Do not take a offense of what I'm about to say" He glanced at her almost laughing.

"Addison, your the most precious thing and you're wisdom and persona amplify all that beauty. You're a charm"
__________________________

Their bodies were almost touching as they laid against the grass gazing up at the stars.

Addison urged Mr Hardy to lay with her and witness the stars.
He was hesitant but eventually gave in.

Addison glanced sideways at him and he glanced back.

"Mr Hardy?" She whispered.

"Edward" he corrected. Addison rolled her eyes.

Mr Hardy smiled and stared directly into her eyes.

"I want to know something" she murmured. "You're a intelligent man"

"I will not disagree with you" Mr Hardy grinned causing Addison to giggle beside him. "Go on"

Addison sighed and admired the stars above the pair.

It was a perfect place.
This was a perfect way to spend her Friday night.

"You been in love I assume?" Addison asked glancing.

"Sure" Mr Hardy shrugged.

"How do you know?"

"If you're falling in love?" Mr Hardy wondered for her.

"Yes" Addison noticed his gaze was fixed on her in a perplex way.

"You know when that person changes you. Makes you look forward to all the bad things. I suppose that's love" Mr Hardy said thoughtful.

"What about butterflies?" Addison whispered.

"Of course the butterflies are a must"

Addison smiled lowering her head shyly. Mr Hardy intently smiled at her.

"On a serious note" Mr Hardy accent spoke softly. "You know when you're in love when you cannot sleep and you stay awake marveling at the concept of the person ever deciding to live on this earth"

That's when Addison knew.