A/N: Hi, everyone! This is a collaboration I've started with Tiffanyanne3(on here and on twilighted. You should read her other stuff as well! I'm writing BPOV, she's writing EPOV. We hope you love it! Each chapter will start with a song lyric that is significant for the chapter. Happy reading!

"When you came in, the air went out."

~Jace Everett

EPOV

I can't get her out of my head. No matter how hard I try, she's always there. Even if she isn't at the forefront, she's there somewhere. Everything I see reminds me of her in some way. Each song I hear makes me think of her.

But she isn't mine, no matter how hard I wish it were so.

I shake my head hard and try to focus on the song I've been working on for weeks now. I strum a chord. I go over lyrics in my head. My mind wanders straight back to her beautiful face.

"AUGH!" I yell in exasperation. I throw my guitar pick across the room. I'll never find that again, I think as I survey the mess around me, an accumulation of random items thrown in frustration.

Sighing, I allow myself to briefly dwell.

The first time I saw her, she was standing in the middle of Emmett's kitchen in a pair of baggy jeans, a tank top, and tap shoes. She had a slice of pizza in one hand and a cell phone in the other, and she was apparently practicing a shuffle-ball-change step over and over again. She was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.

"I read somewhere that dance lessons can help with klutziness," she was babbling into her phone.

Shuffle-ball-change, shuffle-ball-change.

Her perky breasts bounced with every step, and my eyes eagerly followed the movement. "So I got a pair of tap shoes and a DVD. I wonder if it's working yet?"

She paused, and I heard a muffled voice coming from the phone. At that moment, half of the pizza slice broke off and fell at her feet, where Emmett's dog Jake was eagerly waiting. She slipped on some of the sauce, but caught herself before she hit the ground.

I watched as her gorgeous face fell. "I guess not," she mumbled. "Hey Ang, I gotta go. Talk to you later."

She looked at me then, seeming to notice me for the first time as I stood awkwardly at the entrance of the kitchen. She grinned. "You must be Edward."

I couldn't help but smile back at her. "The one and only."

"I'm Bella," she told me as she tossed the remainder of the pizza to Jake, who trotted off merrily after claiming his prize. "Bella Swan." She held her hand out to me.

I nodded and took the hand she proffered. "I've heard a lot about you." God, her hand is so soft...

Her smile broadened. "Good things, I hope." She winked at me and I almost fell to my knees and begged her to be mine.

"Of course he's only heard good things about you, baby." My friend Emmett had just come through the door to the garage, wiping his hands on a rag. He kissed Bella's cheek, and she squealed.

"You're all sweaty and greasy!" she giggled.

He nipped at her ear, and she ran to the other side of the kitchen, tap shoes clicking against the floor, and hopped up onto the counter.

"Hey man," Emmett greeted me. He opened the fridge, grabbed two beers, and tossed one to me.

"What's up?" I acknowledged my friend of five years. "Working on the bike?"

He nodded and took a swig from the bottle in his hand. "It's too damn hot out there."

My eyes wandered back over to Bella, who sat on the countertop grinning and munching on a stalk of celery.

"I'mma take a quick shower and then we can get started on that new song," Emmett said. He was the bass guitarist in the band we formed a while back with our friends Jasper and Ben. We had a local following, but we needed that one song that would bring us further into the public eye.

Bella's smile melted away, and I thought right then that I'd do anything to bring it back.

"Em, I thought we were going to the park," she said in a disappointed voice.

"We will, baby, we will," Emmett said, throwing a kiss at her. "Edward and I have to work out a few kinks in this new song first."

"Hey Em, we can work on it later--" I began.

"Nah," he said. "Bells can wait, can't you, baby?"

She nodded and tried to offer him a small grin, but it didn't light up her face like before. I felt like shit for interrupting their day together, but Emmett didn't seem to mind.

I found myself thinking as I watched her slide down from the counter and clack her way over to the fridge that if she was mine, I wouldn't be passing up a chance to spend the day with her to work on my bike or some stupid song.

But she wasn't mine.

I shake myself back into the present and position the fingers of my left hand at the neck of my guitar before strumming a C chord. Gotta get this damn song finished.

All the lyrics I've been able to think of lately are completely emo and just sappy shit. It's all because of Bella. This is fucking sick. My life revolves around her, and there just isn't anything I can do about it. If there's one thing I cannot tolerate, it's feeling like I'm not in control.

This is one situation I am most definitely not in control of. I mean to sigh, but I end up growling instead.

"Pull yourself together, you douche," I tell myself.

I decide I'm not going to get anything done like this, so I put my guitar back on its stand and leave the room in a huff.

Immediately, I'm accosted by a pleasant smell coming from the kitchen. I follow my nose and find my mother, Esme, in the kitchen baking my favorite chocolate chip cookies.

She looks up at me, her pride and joy, and smiles sympathetically. "Edward, darling. What's the matter?"

My mom is amazing. She knows me better than anyone on the planet. I'd be willing to bet that she heard me cursing and banging around in the music room and decided that I needed a healthy dose of sugar. The woman is a fucking saint.

"Nothing, Mom. I'm just frustrated is all."

She stands on her tiptoes and ruffles my hair. "Things will work out the way they're supposed to," she tells me in that saccharine voice of hers.

"Yeah," I grumble, feeling instantly guilty for taking out my idiotic bitterness on her.

Mom pours me a glass of milk and sits down on the barstool next to me, bringing the plate of warm cookies with her. I swear, sometimes she still treats me like an eight-year-old. Not that I'm complaining, because I start to feel a little better with the first bite of gooey, chocolaty goodness.

I sigh.

"Girl troubles?" she asks me in a knowing voice.

I snort. "Something like that."

At that moment, my dad walks in. "Edward! What are you doing here?" He sets his bag on the counter and claps me on the back.

"Came to use the piano," I mumble around a mouth full of chocolate chip cookie.

"Carlisle," Mom coos, and gives him a kiss. It's almost disgusting how in love my parents still are after 30 years of marriage. "Edward and I were just discussing his girl troubles."

"Ha!" Dad scoffs. "Nonsense. Edward's a Cullen man. We don't have girl problems. Girls flock to us."

Esme swats at him playfully.

"Yeah well, you know me." I shake my head. "I only want the one I can't have."

"That's my boy," my dad teases as he grabs a cookie from the plate. "Always keep them on their toes. Play hard to get."

My mom rolls her eyes. "Sure, Carlisle. It took me two whole days to land you."

I give my parents the eye-rolling look that every twenty-something practices for these moments. "I'd better get going," I say.

"Are you sure, Edward? You seem so down, dear. Don't you want to stay and have dinner?" Great, now I've made Mom worry.

I wrap my mom in a one-armed hug and squeeze. "Don't worry, Mom. I'm fine." I muster up a smile that I hope is convincing, and I do feel a little better.

"Esme, Edward's just being Nemo," my dad announces knowingly.

We both stare at him like he's lost his mind. He looks back at us proudly.

"You know...moody...brooding. Nemo."

The man's a fucking genius doctor, but when it comes to pop culture, he's clueless. I decide not to ruin his fun. Let him figure that one out on his own.

"Dad's right." I wink at Mom as she shakes her head. "I'm just in a mood. I'll be fine. Got a gig tonight, so I need to get going."

I kiss my mom on the cheek and go to make my way out to my car before Dad tries to force me into a high-five or fist bump.

My parents. Ward and June Cleaver in the flesh.

How did they end up with such a weirdo loser son?

****************

"Yo, Eddo!" Emmett booms when I enter the darkened bar. Jasper and Ben call out their greetings as well.

"'Sup, guys?" I say as I put my gig bag down and start to take my guitar out.

"Edward!" The high-pitched voice I hear can be none other than my sister.

I turn to see Alice skipping toward me. She slams into my open arms for a hug. "Haven't seen you in a couple of weeks, big brother."

I ruffle her hair, and she huffs and tries to smooth it back into place. "Well maybe if you weren't such a social butterfly, you could pencil time in for your loser of a brother."

"Psh," she says. "You're probably busy with the flavor of the week. Oh wait, it's been two weeks, hasn't it? Guess that would make it flavors."

I chuckle and plant a brotherly kiss on the top of her head. "I just came from Mom and Dad's."

Alice's eyes light up. "Give up the loot!"

I feign ignorance. "Loot?"

She holds her hand out, palm up, and taps her high-heeled foot. I chuckle again and pull the large Ziploc bag of cookies out of my gig bag.

"Take 'em," I say. "They're not even warm anymore."

"Microwave." She smiles and turns on her heel to join Bella and Angela at a table in front of the stage.

Bella. I hadn't even noticed she was there. Dammit, the blood is already rushing to the certain part of my anatomy that literally aches for her.

She looks gorgeous, as usual. She's wearing a simple black tank, a pair of skinny jeans, and some black heels that I'm sure my sister forced her into. God, Bella's fuckin' stunning. It seems as though she gets more and more beautiful each time I see her. Her very skin seems to glow as she tosses her wavy mane over her shoulder. I can almost smell her strawberry shampoo.

Don't ask me how I know she uses strawberry shampoo. Please.

I walk over to the table to greet Bella and Angela. "Ladies," I say, nodding at them.

"Edward!" Bella squeals. She hops up and hugs me around the waist. I revel in being able to wrap my arms around her for those few seconds.

She pulls back and beams up at me. I notice she's wearing more makeup than usual. I'm certain now that my sister has gotten her hands on Bella's naturally pretty face.

"Angela," I say as I give her a hug too.

"How have you been?" Angela asks me. She's another one who's unknowingly vying for sainthood. The girl can do no wrong in Ben's eyes, or anyone else's for that matter.

"Pretty good, Ang. You?"

"Magnificent," she says, flashing her left hand at me. The light catches something sparkly. It's a diamond.

"What's this?" I ask, unable to hide my shock.

"Ben proposed!" she and Alice squeal together.

"Wow, congrats!" I say, hugging Angela again. "Couldn't happen to two better people."

"It will," Angela says. "Whenever some lucky girl finally reins you in."

I roll my eyes. "That'll be the day." The day Bella suddenly shirks my best friend for me, and he gives us his blessing. The same day that hell freezes over.

"I gotta get my stuff set up. I'll see you ladies later." I give a little wave of my hand and go back up to the small corner stage.

"When were you planning on informing us of your upcoming nuptials, Ben?" I say.

Emmett and Jasper stop what they were doing. Ben's blushing is visible even in the dark corner of the bar.

"Uh..." he stammers.

"DUDE!" Emmett yells, drowning out Jasper's congratulations.

"I wanted her to be the first to know," Ben jokes.

I laugh and clap him on the back, offering up my well wishes. The four of us get down to business after that. Our set goes smoothly. I try hard not to focus solely on Bella's face as I sing.

It's a wonder I can coordinate my thoughts enough to play and sing simultaneously when she is in the same room.

I mentally kick myself then. Emmett's right next to me on the stage. Her eyes are glued to him. She loves him.

Keep telling yourself that, Edward. Maybe you'll get it through your thick skull someday.

****************

BPOV

The very first time I ever caught him staring at me, I was owned by those beautiful green eyes. There was something in that look, that stare, that just pulled me in.

But he isn't mine, and I'm certainly not his. Emmett and I had been together for nearly a year when we moved to Seattle from Forks, Washington. I love him, but lately things have started to feel like things are becoming static. I've begun to long for something more. I belong with Emmett, but I've started to long for something different, something more...something I can't have. When Emmett introduced me to Edward, a long-time friend that had moved to Seattle a few years before us, I suddenly had a catalyst that turned that inkling of an unsettling feeling into full-blown restlessness.

And so here I stand in the middle of our living room, daydreaming of a man that is completely out of my reach.

I shake my head to clear my thoughts, my eyes wandering over to the television. I grab the remote and turn it off, deciding to call it a night. I bought a DVD of tap dancing lessons a while back, as well as a nice pair of tap shoes. My main hope in learning to tap dance is that it will help reduce some of my clumsiness.

I tuck a stray hair back into my messy bun and slip off my tap shoes, pulling on my slippers, then put everything away and turn off the living room light. What I need now is a nice, hot bath. With strawberry scented bubbles, of course.

All I feel like doing is relaxing. I'm home alone tonight, as Emmett is working late again. That's not uncommon. I have many nights alone. I'm used to it. I actually start to crave the solitude if he doesn't work late several nights in a row.

I undress slowly, watching the steam rise from the hot water in the bath before sliding in carefully, and the water feels heavenly as it washes over my skin. I sink in deeper, closing my eyes, exhaling slowly. My mind wanders to that first day that I'd met Edward...

I was standing in the kitchen practicing one of the first dance steps I'd learned, shuffle-ball-change, while talking on the phone to Angela and still managing to eat a slice of pizza.

"What is that clicking sound in the background Bella?"

"Oh, my tap shoes! I read somewhere that dancing can help you with klutziness. So I decided to go all out, buy a beginners DVD and tap shoes. I wonder if it's working yet?"

I took another bite of pizza as I shuffled my feet across the floor, lightly tapping as I went.

"Bells, nothing can help your level of clumsiness," Angela said as she laughed softly.

I shook my head, which caused the majority of the slice of pizza to break off, falling to the floor. Emmett's dog Jake eagerly lapped it up, which only ended up making me slip on some sauce and almost falling. I caught myself in time.

"I guess not," I sighed. "Hey Ang, I gotta go. Talk to you later." I hung up the phone, and that was when I first saw him.

His hair looked as if he had just rolled out of bed. It was the perfect length for me to run my hands through, the perfect length for me to tug on--quite the opposite of Emmett's close-cropped hair. I bit my lip, hoping he didn't notice my staring.

I looked up at him with a warm smile. "You must be Edward."

He had a crooked smile that made me melt. "The one and only," he replied.

I took a small step forward as I stretched my arm out, offering my hand to shake his. "I'm Bella, Bella Swan."

He nodded and clasped my hand, shaking it firmly. My hand felt so perfect in his. I reluctantly dropped my hand down to my side.

"I've heard a lot about you." His crooked smile slowly made an appearance again.

My smile got bigger. "Good things, I hope." I winked, and my stomach tingled. It wasn't a bad feeling, just...well, amazing, if I was being honest. I hadn't felt anything like that for a long time.

I heard Emmett's footsteps as he made his way into the kitchen. He kissed my cheek, which made me squeal. "You're all sweaty and greasy," I giggled lightly, my eyes passing from Emmett to Edward.

Emmett greeted Edward, and they started in on a conversation. I don't know what was said between the two, and honestly, I didn't really care in that moment. The man standing across from me had my attention. Something about him just took hold.

As their conversation droned on, I hopped up onto the counter. I slowly munched on a piece of celery as my eyes flickered from Emmett to Edward. I couldn't help but notice Edward's strong jaw line, his lips, the way they moved. The way his eyes lit up when he spoke. I listened to the inflections of his voice. I loved his voice and the way he talked and wished that I could hear it every day.

"I'mma take a quick shower, and then we can get started on that new song," Emmett said. My eyes wandered back to Emmett, my smile slowly fading.

"Hey Em, I thought we were going to the park?" I tried not to sound too disappointed, I didn't want him to know that he had let me down again. I wanted my time with Emmett. He was always so busy with his band, work and working on his motorcycle. I felt selfish whenever I began to wonder where I was belonged in this equation. But was I even near the top of the list? I couldn't help but wonder if things would be the same if I was with Edward. Like that would ever happen, Bella. Come on! Still, it hurt to know that I was being pushed aside, like he couldn't make time for me even if he tried.

"We will, baby, we will," I heard Emmett say as he kissed me. "Edward and I have to work out a few kinks in this new song first." I tried not to roll my eyes.

Edward looked a little uncomfortable. "Hey Em, we can work on it later--" he started, but he was interrupted by Em's dismissal of me.

"Nah," Emmett said. "Bells can wait, can't you, baby?"

I didn't want to wait. I was sick of waiting! I wanted to stomp my foot and say, "No, Em, I won't wait!" But I couldn't do that. I was too afraid. I knew better than to fight with him once he'd made up his mind.

So instead, I just nodded and gave a little grin, hoping that would be convincing enough. I could tell that Em was satisfied with that, but glancing over at Edward told me he didn't believe me. I slid down off the counter, clicking my heels as I walked over to the fridge grabbed an apple. I glanced once more over at Edward as I walked out of the kitchen, letting the boys get to doing whatever it was boys did when they were alone with their guitars.

Back in the present, I shake my head to clear my thoughts. I really need to stop thinking about Edward. But for whatever reason, it feels good to have him on my mind. I feel guilty for thinking about him so much.

I slide down further into the bath and close my eyes as I submerg myself fully under the water, soaking my hair before washing and conditioning. I sit up, rubbing my eyes free of water, wringing my hair out.

"Bells, you home?" Emmett's voice booms.

"I'm in the bath! Be out in a minute," I yell back.

I take my time getting out and drying off, wrapping my blue robe around me as I walk into our bedroom.

Emmett's standing by the closet, taking off his work clothes. I walk up behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist as I nuzzle my head against his muscular back.

"Hey, baby. How was your day?" I whisper softly, sneaking in a peck on the back of his neck.

"Good, babe," he mumbles.

I walk over to my dresser and find my favorite black tank top and purple pajama pants. I slip them on and hang my robe back on the bathroom door.

"Hey Bells, I'm gonna go catch the last of the mariners game. I'll be in later." He walks past me, softly kissing my cheek. I just stand there shaking my head.

I make my way to the bed and pull down the sheets, climbing in and wrapping myself in the soft sheets. As I turn off the lamp next to me, my thoughts tur immediately back to Edward. I wonder what he's doing right now, if he's having fun. Is he happy? What does he think of me? Then the pang of guilt stabs me, and the tears fall.

I wake up some time after one in the morning to Emmett kissing my cheek softly, "Sorry, baby. Didn't expect the game to last so long."

I smell beer on his breath. I nod as I kiss his lips briefly. Sleep returns to me a few moments later.

I wake up again later to the alarm blaring at six the following morning. I get up, get dressed, make coffee and go off to work. Emmett, of course, is still in bed.

The whole way to work, I can't stop wondering if Edward would love me more, care for me more. Hell, even make time for me.

I go through the motions of my day, hurrying home in the evening to make it to the club on time to meet with the group. The guys are due to perform tonight. I've yet to miss one performance. I always make sure I'm there cheering them on.

Once I arrive at the club, I hurry over to Alice and Angela. The three of us trade hugs and cheek kisses as we sit down to wait on the boys to start playing. Alice orders us a round of cosmos, and we sit and giggle as we sip away at our drinks.

My eyes occasionally wander over the crowd, searching for the bronze-haired Edward, whom I've yet to see tonight.

"Hey, Bells! There you are," Emmett's voice booms over the crowd. I turn around and kiss Em on the lips, leaning into him. He pushes me gently away just as I hear the one man's voice I always long to hear.

Edward. He's here, and suddenly my heart is pounding in my chest.

I sit back down next to Alice and down the rest of my drink, trying hard to not look in Edward's direction. But it's futile. I'm always drawn to him, like my eyes are being pulled by some kind of internal magnet. There is no way I can't look.

He makes his way to our table to say hello. "Edward!" I say enthusiastically. I hug him around the waist when he approaches, and I don't want to let go of him. I feel so comfortable with my arms around him.

I pull back and beam up at him. I watch as his eyes survey my face, a small smile creeping up on his face.

He steps away to hug Angela, and I notice something sparkly, something that wasn't there yesterday when we girls went to lunch. Edward beats me to the punch.

"What's this?" he asks, looking visibly shocked

"Ben proposed!" she and Alice squeal together.

"Wow, congrats!" he says, hugging Angela again. "Couldn't happen to two better people."

"It will," Angela says. "Whenever some lucky girl finally reins you in."

I smile at what Angela says. If only she knew that I was constantly daydreaming of being that girl for Edward. I want to be his lucky girl. I want to be the one to make him happy, have him make me happy. Be together.

Stop it, Bella. You love Emmett, and he loves you. I bite my lip, turning around to just in time to see the guys walk off to set up their equipment.

My eyes go to Emmett, and he flashes me a brilliant smile. My eyes linger on Em's attractive form as the set begins. I love Emmett, and he adores me. Look at how he's only looking at me.

I bring my cosmo up to my lips for another drink. It seems every time my eyes wander away from Emmett, they go straight to Edward. I wonder how he does it, how he stands up there with all these eyes on him. I could never do that, be subjected to scrutiny that way.

Their set ends, and I stand up, grabbing Angela into a tight hug. "I am so happy for you! Let me see that ring again!" I bring her hand up and examine the ring, and it's beautiful. A subtle diamond on a white gold band--perfect for Angela.

I say my good nights to the girls as Emmett comes around the corner and kisses my neck softly. I smile up at him.

"Ready to head home, Bells?"

I nod as he ushers me out the front doors of the club.

"Did you enjoy the show?" he asks as he opens the car door for me. Em rode to the club with Edward, but he's riding home with me.

"Yes, of course I did. You guys were great as usual." I reach up to kiss him.

He flashes me a smile as I get into the car. I watch as he walks around and gets into the driver's side and starts the car.

I press my forehead to the cold window, watching the buildings as they pass, my memory replaying one of the songs Edward sang. His velvety voice that sounded sort of growly at some parts made my lady bits tingle. I roll my eyes at myself. I'm sure if Emmett had sung it, he would've turned me on the same way.

Once we reach home, we go up to the bedroom.

"I had a great time tonight, Em," I tell him, kissing his lips softly. His hands come around my waist, pulling me closer. He always wants rough, passionate sex after he plays a show, and while he's pounding away, I try hard to stay in the moment. But once I finally allow mind's eye to picture Edward's face contorted in pleasure the way Emmett's is right now, intense waves of pleasure roll through my body, making me shudder and pulse around him. Afterwards, I immediately feel guilty for thinking of someone else while he cries out my name. Afterwards, I roll over and shut my eyes tight, urging my mind to quiet down so I can sleep.

Maybe I can still dream.

A/N: Let us know how much you like it or hate it!