Hey peoples!
I know it's been a while since I've sent ANYTHING in, but I was without my laptop again… *tear!*
Anyhow, I'm back and raring to go! To make it up, I'm going to continue with Cinderbella but also add a second, MAYBE third stories. (I don't know, it depends how the creative writing energy flows or if I can multi task that well)
So, without further Adieu, let me introduce you to: Fallen on Deaf Ears
Summary: Bella's music takes the place of the thing she craves most: Companionship. Something she believes she can never have. So, she fills the void with her music.
Until one day when she goes to Seattle, Washington, she meets Edward Cullen… and it seems like Heaven has finally sent her an understanding and loving angel…
Ch: 1) Broken Sunglasses
I groaned, the strangled sound forcing its way out of my throat, but a sound I'll never hear again. I could feel the music through my fingertips… but it didn't feel right. There was no motivation. Nothing. Nada.
A gentle tap on my shoulder brought my attention to Rosalie Hale, my best friend since we were in high school. "Everything okay?" she signed to me, looking concerned.
I gestured to the piano, glaring at it. "It won't flow… it doesn't feel right. There's no motivation in the two people I see."
The blond beauty smiled at me, "Bella, you can't force creativity. It's just not how it works. Take a break and go for a walk. Seattle is beautiful! Go on!"
She waved her hands in front of her as if to shoo me out the door. I put a hand over my mouth to stop from laughing out loud. I didn't know how I sounded now. I probably sounded awful… but I took her advice; maybe going outside would be just the inspiration I needed.
I got up from the piano, a glossy grand piano that I bought when my first CD made a smash hit: Butterfly Kisses.
Rose handed me my denim jacket as I slid on my steel-toed boots and sunglasses. My shirt had my favorite books, Twilight, quote: "So the Lion feel in love with the Lamb."
I smiled, thought it was only for show for Rose. "Be careful. You never know if you'll be recognized. Do you have your phone?"
I know, kind of silly for a deaf person to carry a cell phone right? But the wonders of technology! I.e. TEXTING!
After assuring both of us that it was safely in my leather purse, I tied my hair back and stepped out the door of our hotel room. I was to be playing at the Grand Theatre in downtown Seattle, so I had to be sure to be back by four so that Rose can get me ready for the eight o'clock show. Yeah, Rose is a very big fashion person. It really does take us two hours to get ready; one hour to get there; and one for a quick sound check. I wouldn't know how it sounded unless she told me it was okay… or if something was out of tune.
I'd die if I couldn't write my music anymore! Music had been my passion ever since I had been able to hear. I stepped into the elevator and pressed 'G' for Ground Level and took a deep breath. Thank God no one was on today… I wasn't sure how far I'd get if someone did recognize me. Of course, everyone knew I was already here, but no one knew where I was. Another blessing from above.
Mom sent me letters every day telling me how proud she was; of course dad (being a cop) told me to be careful and always carry pepper spray. I snickered to myself; he always sent a fresh can with every letter. I must have eighteen of them by now. Perhaps I should donate them to the next city police force?
Once hitting ground level, I swiftly made my way out into the streets in front of the Grand Hotel. No kidding, the thing was like a palace! I had to wonder if some sort of king or queen of some country settled here once upon a time before the Brits came.
I walked leisurely down the street, making sure to be cautious when I crossed the road. There should be a local book shop or a café up ahead that Rose told me about. Or was it in the other direction? A jolt of worry ran up my spine; should I turn around?
'No Bella! Just take your time and enjoy yourself,' my conscience scolded me.
Shaking my head, I swiftly made my way down the strip of shops until I found one: Book Haven, 'How corny' I thought, smiling as I strolled in.
My jaw slacked at the sheer size of this place! It was at least three stories of nothing but books! The bottom level had a spacious café further into the store.
I apparently hadn't noticed that I had went into a whole new building, there was no way all of this fit in one shop in a strip mall.
I strolled through, one burly man with thick curly hair smiled at me. 'Cute dimples,' I thought, smiling back and making my way up the glossy staircase. At one landing, there was a great lion with fire behind it; the eyes prominent gold with a mane of bronze hair. I continued on my way up the steps, reaching the top easily. The shelves were deep mahogany, rich in the smell of new and old printed books. I smiled, allowing myself to bask in the feeling.
When I opened my eyes, I jumped, startled and tripped, falling on my butt. A boy with glasses and slightly reddish hair was talking to me and I didn't realize it! He was speaking rapidly; I caught a few words reading his lips. 'Hey! Are you okay?' was his next sentence.
"Fine," I told him, my voice feeling very weak. He smiled, helping me up. "I didn't mean to startle you, what's your name? Where you from?" I held up a hand, "Slow down…"
He took a deep breath; I looked quizzically at him, and realized he was an employee. He must've been asking if he could help me find anything. But there was something wrong… his uniform was off. It wasn't like the burly one that I met at the counters just a few minutes ago. The burly one had a deep, rich blue shirt with the store name and a gold plated nametag.
He waved a hand in front of my face, putting a hand on my arm, "Hello?" he was talking again, I blinked. "Sorry… have to go."
The boy, 'Mike' I read on his nametag, grabbed my arm and stopped me. He grinned oddly… there was something that made me very afraid. I pulled away, prepared to pull the can of pepper spray out. Thank you daddy! "Why don't we go out?" his hand slid way too far down, touching my butt. I pulled away instantly, "NO!"
He looked startled, and angry. His hazel eyes turned a stormy, dark color of lead and approached me again, boxing me in. His breath smelled like cigarettes and weed. I wrinkled my nose, not liking this guy at all. He began talking again; I couldn't understand what he was talking about… I didn't want to understand! All I knew was that I was in some sort of danger.
I took a deep breath and screamed, hoping for some sort of angel to appear. What I got was close enough.
A small, pixie like girl appeared who was apparently very angry, she too was speaking very fast, gesturing wildly.
Mike was speaking sharply to her, who made a very tall, blond and lanky man appear as well, folding his arms. I stared up at him, feeling a calming aura coming off of him. Suddenly, the burly man appeared, cracking his knuckles. 'Emmett' I read his nametag. I stared up at him as he hauled up the very small in comparison Mike and shouted in his face.
Mike was very afraid, I could see it. Apparently, one word made it clear, he wasn't one working here. "Imposter."
He was suddenly hauled out by the burly, muscled Emmett. I turned to the small pixie girl, 'Alice' who was jumping up and down to catch my attention.
"Are you deaf or something?" she asked, the one thing I understood.
"Yes," I told her bluntly. She suddenly burst out into a grin, which freaked me out. I slid around the rail, hoping to gain some distance.
"Its okay!" she spoke slowly now. "Mike won't bother you now. I'm Alice, what's your name?"
It was oddly comforting having someone takes time for me to read their lips. "Isa," I replied, refusing to give my full name.
"Isa, it's pretty! You want to take your glasses off?"
"No."
"The burly one is Emmett, my brother."
"I know."
"Huh?"
I pointed to my chest, and motioned to her nameplate. Confused, she looked down to where I was pointing.
"OH!" she began hopping up and down, obviously excited. "You talk kinda funny," she told me. I scowled and wondered if I should point out her over energeticness as a flaw of her own! So what if I talked funny? It was lucky I could speak at all!
Soon, Emmett reappeared; looking annoyed and folded his arms across his chest, talking to Alice. She too looked angry for some reason and nodded every now and again. It must've been something about that Mike guy… so I guess it was my cue to leave.
Exit, stage left!
I made my way around the shelves, just letting my eyes wander the shelves and enjoying the smell of volumes and volumes of books of all kinds. It was a comforting smell… one that I basked in every time we moved to another city. Suddenly, one of my absolute favorites caught my eye; Twilight. Alongside it was New Moon and Eclipse. Stephanie Meyer really had outdone herself with the third. It nearly broke my heart to read that the two main characters had broken it off so suddenly in the second one!
I moved on through the aisles and pulled off a copy of my other favorite book; Wuthering Heights. I remembered how my copy had fallen apart over the years and how I yearned for its company… so I tucked it to my chest as I continued around the isles until I ran into something, causing me to fall back suddenly.
A hand reached out and grabbed me, stopping my fall. I looked up… and my heart caught in my chest. I suddenly realized that my sunglasses had fallen off and a man was suddenly speaking, worried about something. I searched his face, wanting to understand what he was saying… but nothing came.
He bent down and picked up my fallen sunglasses… and I realized he must've stepped on them for the lenses were cracked and one of the arms had completely snapped off.
"I'm so sorry!" he kept saying. "I'm a complete idiot for not seeing you, are you alright?" I was surprised at my reading ability.
I nodded, taking them from his hand. I smiled as he continued talking but I now had a more difficult time reading his lips… one he was talking so fast, and two I was completely mesmerized by his face. Was it possible for someone to be this incredible?
His mane of bronze hair seemed to glitter in the lights while his stunningly green eyes held my attention as he spoke. He suddenly looked confused and waved a hand in front of my face. I snapped out of the trance… a clear sign he wasn't sure if I was hearing him, or if I was okay.
I put a hand over my ear, and he understood immediately. "Deaf."
A new flurry of words flew out of his mouth and I put my hand up, "S… slow down… too fast…" my voice was rough, but audible. He took a deep breath, and spoke slower for my sake. "Are you alright?"
I nodded.
"Do you need help with anything?"
I shook my head. He smiled an oddly and equally mesmerizing smile that captured my attention at his mouth. A hot blush ran up my face and I backed off, casting my eyes to the floor. His hand gently touched my shoulder and I flicked my eyes up to watch through my dark brown hair. "Can I get you anything?"
I shook my head. "Th…." I struggled with my gratitude, my voice thick from lack of use over the years. "Thank you," I glanced as his nameplate. I scrunched my brow. "Ed… Ed… Edward?" He laughed, or what I thought was a laugh. "Close," he said. Apparently my voice was a lot rougher than I thought.
I blushed and turned away, embarrassed at my weak speech. I guess my AR sound came out as an ER. He put a hand on my shoulder again and I shrugged it away, hurrying of to the stairs. If it weren't for the pixie, Alice, I would've made a quick getaway!
The smaller girl grinned; "Found you!" was clearly said. I tilted my head when she called over my shoulder. I turned to look and saw it was Edward that jogged up, he smiled as Alice introduced me as my alias 'Isa.'
"Pretty name."
He motioned to the café downstairs. "Coffee?"
I blushed and shook my head, clutching the new copy of Wuthering Heights in my hand. I held it up to Alice and said roughly, "Price?"
Edward took out his wallet and I watched him quizzically. He pulled out a twenty and held it to me. I suddenly understood what he was doing. "No!"
I patted my purse, hoping he'd understand. He shook his head, "For breaking sunglasses."
Can one's face get any redder? I was sure mine could! I was sure to faint if I didn't get out of here soon.
I shook my head, also feeling irritated at his demeanor and hurried down the steps, where Emmett was talking to a customer until he saw me. He waved and held his hand out for my book. I felt some relief as I slid it in his hand until his attention was brought from the register back to where I came from.
I glanced back, Edward looked worried, confused. I pulled out my credit card and handed it to Emmett, turning away. I ignored the pat on my shoulders and waited as Emmett argued with Edward over one thing or another. I wasn't going to follow their conversation. I didn't want to.
I glanced up once and saw Emmett obviously confused over whatever Edward had said but slid my credit card through and handed the receipt to me as well as the bag with my new book. Faster than I ever thought possible, I ran out of the door and up the street back to the hotel.
My body felt heavy with confusion, frustration, and some sort of anger. I could take care of myself! I'd get another pair of sunglasses another time… I was fine… I was okay…
I jumped as a hand grabbed my elbow, stopping me. Edward's face immediately came to my eyes. He was talking again. "Walk you back home?"
"Why?"
He smiled softly, "A gentleman." I blanched pulling away, "No."
"Let me make it up to you somehow," he spoke slowly as I nodded in understanding in each word.
"No need."
"I have tickets to Isabella Swan's concert tonight. I take you?"
Again, I blanched. I shook my head and smiled, "Kind. But no, need to go now."
He sighed, "Coffee tomorrow?"
This guy just won't quit will he?!
I won't leave Seattle until Saturday for Detroit. It was Monday; I sighed in defeat. "Okay. When?"
He grinned and scribbled down on a pad of paper he suddenly materialized out of his pocket. "Edward Cullen: 552-861-1234; Café 2:30 pm, Tomorrow."
He smiled and waved while I stood there like an idiot holding the paper in my hand. I prayed Rose wouldn't kill me…
Alright!!!
I'll be checking up on things soon and if you guys like the story, I'll post the second chapter.
If I need to edit anything DONT HESITATE TO SAY SOMETHING!
OH! And the number is FAKE! FYI!!!
Bella: *signs* REVIEWS! The sooner the better the reviews, the better the story!
Edward: *peeks at Bella*
Bella:*hides*
Edward: Rats!
Rose: *snickers* She's shy...
Emmet: Hello! Hot babe! *pulls Rose aside in a room*
Me: O.O Ratings may increase due to storyline... just FYI
REVIEW!