First, I would like to say thank you for picking to read my story. Every new reader means a lot to me :)
Second, this passage includes a lot of background information that is necessary for the story to happen. More is unveiled as the story unfolds. I apologize if you feel this chapter is slightly annoying, but I hope you will stick around for the best part *fingers crossed*
Third, Wish me luck! I really want to be dedicated to this fanfic because it really has a lot to do with my life and dreams as a person.
Before you start reading I really suggest listening to the song below which is what Bella plays in this passage. It is deeply emotional and probably one of my favorite solos ever for cello being an advance cellist myself. If you can't handle copying a link just google the song when you get to it in the story, but I think I found one of the better covers of this piece.
www . youtube watch?v=mNX8j2G1uhU (take away spaces)
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of the characters. Unfortunately all of that belongs to the lucky Stephanie Meyer. The ideas, story, and character portrayal are mine.
Lastly, sit back and enjoy :)
As if it could get any worse, my life has taken a turn for the worst. I should be out socializing, hanging out, or even just enjoying life as a typical 20 year old. I merely existed in the solitary confinement of my thoughts; I was a slave to my nightmares. A high-pitched voice cut me from my ghost-like trance.
"Are you really sure you don't want to go?" Alice asked softly. We both knew my mind wouldn't change. It was the biggest party of the year at Juilliard. Being here in the City is a dream come true for me, yet I can't bring myself to live normally after all that has happened. I think the fact I can associate my name, Isabella Swan, and Juilliard is an accomplishment alone. Alice saw the conflictment in my face and frowned slightly. She wasn't mad, but rather sympathetic and understanding. I really hate getting sympathy from anyone, and Alice knew this. She huffed and crossed her tiny arms.
Alice and I grew up together in Forks, Washington: population of 3,120. We were both small town girls with big dreams. Ever since Alice was little, she dreamed of being a ballerina. Once she was twelve, she took privates with many well-known, prestige ballet instructors and travelled the country to perform with various companies. Alice Brandon was a name to be reckoned with. I looked up at the little 4'11" pixie girl. She had wild greenish blue eyes and beautiful porcelain skin. Her jet-black hair cut off at the bottom of her head and flew out in all sorts of directions, but there was one electric pink streak of hair on the right. She was beautiful, unique, spunky, graceful, and everything I'm not. She was sporting a designer one shouldered, champagne colored dress that hung to her small curves and cut off at her mid-thigh. She paired her outfit with 5-inch pumps and a charm bracelet Jasper, her boyfriend, gave to her during their 3-year anniversary. Me being next to her right now is a joke. She is shining and glowing while I am dull, boring, and utterly plain. It wasn't like I was jealous or mad at Alice; I accept the facts straight up and don't bullshit myself.
I slumped into my chair, "You know I can't go Alice, it will remind me of… of him." My voice cracked and the flashbacks started again. Alice was by my side in the next moment. I felt my body shake with fright, anger, and loss.
She wiped the tears I didn't know were there on my face, "It's okay, we'll just hang later. I already promised Jazz I would be there, but you will be okay. Just play your cello and you will be fine like always." She squeezed me into a hug. I couldn't let Alice suffer because of me. She let go and grabbed her purse by the door. After she left, I quickly made my way to the door and locked the slide bolt lock and the doorknob lock. I rested my head on the door with shaky breaths. My body was giving out from under me as I sunk to the floor with my head in my knees.
After five minutes of shaking and uneasiness, I pulled my head up to look at my cello in the corner of our dorm. Cello was my passion, my art, my escape, and my life in a nutshell. I started violin at the age of 2 when my mother, Renee, pushed for me to be more musical. It started out as just another one of her hobbies, but I kept playing and practicing, adoring music as it filled my young heart. Eventually I learned of the cello by the time I turned four and I was madly in love. Yes, it was love at first sight when my mom brought me to the music shop and there was a beautiful cello, just my size, shining gloriously in my eyes as I stood outside the window. I insisted my mother buy it and that I wouldn't love her anymore if she didn't. That was how strongly I knew that it was my destiny, even just being a young child, to play that instrument. It called me and I answered. My mother gave into my requests and thus I began the cello. She eventually took me to private lessons and by age six I was excelling beyond imaginable. I spent my free time practicing cello instead of being a typical lazy child. I never had the normal life to begin with though. My parents divorced when I was barely able to walk. I lived with my mom until I was fifteen. She had spent so much of her time travelling with me as I went to play and solo in many respectable orchestras and with highly regarded musicians including yo-yo-ma himself. My mother met a great guy, Phil, and they were just married. I understood my Mom had her own needs now and I couldn't hold her back from moving on in life. That's when I decided to move to Forks.
Once I moved in with Charlie, life was much quieter, but I liked it. It was a big contrast to being in big cities and being in the middle of the spotlight. Maybe I was still in the spotlight a little bit in Forks though. My arrival was some of the biggest news of that year, sadly. I hate being the center of attention, but if it meant that was a price to pay for playing my cello, I am glad to take on that burden. I met Alice Brandon when we both started high school. Alice walked up to me on our first day after P.E. class, unlike most of the other kids who insisted to stare and gawk at me.
"Bella! It's great to finally meet you! I have heard so much about you and saw you play in New York. Oh, we are going to be such good friends." The bubbly girl pulled me into a hug and started to bounce with energy. I couldn't help but feel relieved that I made a friend being such an outcast at heart and realized that maybe my high school life wouldn't be as bad as I thought it was. I looked back at the pixie-like girl in front of me and smiled back genuinely.
I smiled at the memory of us making our way through high school. After I learned about Alice's ballet career, I was grateful to have a friend who understood the need to just practice and loved the beautiful art that was created in effect of what we did. My life was on a high, especially after I was accepted to Juilliard along with my best friend and practically sister. Of course after a high like that, life decides to be a bitch and crumble everything apart. Only my luck.
I rubbed my tired eyes in a desperate attempt to make any memories go away. I needed more distraction. My cello was my only escape from the hell that existed in my mind. Opening my case, I pulled out my bow and cello. After carefully moving over a chair I stored by our closet into the middle of the room, I sat down and tuned. After fully satisfied with the sound, I let my heart take over the playing. I began with Allegro non troppo in e minor from Brahms' Cello Sonata No.1. The melody haunted me and gave me shivers as I played out with my eyes closed. I first heard this piece when I was 16 and was in love with it ever since. I memorized this song in two days and performed it at Carnegie Hall a year later. I considered it one of my all time favorite musical solos because of its ability to drag you into its story just after the first few measures. I melted at the sound and grew to the climax and began to play more desperately. I hit the high note with every ounce of emotion possible and rode out the waves of the story's downfall. I became softer and softer in my playing until I dragged out the last note, unwilling to let my heart stop there. Reluctantly, I lifted my bow and listened to the silence. It was a quiet, lingering silence. This is what happens after a piece as dramatic and heart clenching as this ends its final note. It was when I reflected on the emotions that I put on showcase for the world to hear.
I was pulled out of my musings from a sudden thump and followed by a barely audible curse outside my dorm. I froze in terror, but my mind was on high gear. With wide eyes I stared at the door, unwilling to move even though I felt the need to hide. I glanced at the time of my alarm clock. It was only 10:15 and Alice said she wouldn't be back until the morning, meaning that she was going back to Jasper's apartment for the night. My heart rate was going a mile a minute and I felt that it would jump out of my throat at any moment. What if it was him? How could he escape? Everybody who was anybody was at the party right now. I knew I had only one choice.
My legs were jello-like and shook as they stood up. I clutched at the chair while I carefully placed my cello down. Moving slowly towards the door, I unlocked the first lock. After a pause, I undid the second. I was defenseless to the unknown now, but I had to take my chances. I wiggled the knob until I heard a click. Pulling open the door I sucked in a much needed breath. I peered out; nobody was there. So, I leaned out more and still nobody was there. Then I mustered all of the courage that I didn't have and stood bare and vulnerable in the hallway. The air was thick and fluorescent light leaked from the ceiling hurting my eyes. I looked behind me, but the hallway was empty and abandoned. I feel like I am one of those stupid blonde chicks in horror movies that opens the door when she clearly shouldn't have and something bad happens.
The only sounds came from the Big Apple outside. My body relaxed, slightly. Maybe I am just being too paranoid for my own good. I softly chuckled at myself. Sounds like something my mind would do just to get a frantic jolt out of me. I turned to go back in my room and act as if this never happened.
My eyes flew to a shadow at the end of the hall where it disappeared just as swiftly as it showed. And that's when I hit the ground.
Alright *wrings hands together*, you know the drill everyone! Please leave me a review and let me know what you thought. Solo suggestions for piano and/or cello would also be great. Thanks! (Chapters will also continue to grow longer, so please no hate!) I will try to update later today or tomorrow.