Story description: Bella is a cosmetician for American Idol. She meets a possible contestant at a club one night, and they end up spending more than a night together. When Edward makes it onto Idol, how does much does his life really change?

DISCLAIMER: All recognizable characters are the property of Stephenie Meyer. Any other copyrighted or trademarked items mentioned herein belong to their respective owners, all other content belongs to me. No copyright or infringement is intended. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without my express written authorization.

Chapter 1

Prologue

Turning Page – Sleeping at Last

Music has always had an impact on my life, but I never knew how thorough that impact would turn out to be.

"Your love is my turning page, where only the sweetest words remain. Every kiss is a cursive line, every touch is a redefining phrase...I surrender who I've been, for who you are." I walked into the club and my ears were immediately graced with a voice as smooth as velvet.

I couldn't help but grin as I turned to point at the stage. Rosalie nodded her head, shrugging at the sight of the man singing and playing the piano. I knew that romantic serenades weren't her thing, but I thought that they were so sweet. I found nothing cuter than a guy who could play the piano...and sing a little. I let Rosalie go ahead of me as I stopped, completely dumbfounded my this guy. He could do more than just sing a little, and something about him struck a chord with me.

Standing in the middle of the club, and below the stage, I was able to gawk at the man up there. He looked pretty sleek. His hair, and his five-o-clock shadow, were probably the only things about him that came off as scruffy. The rest of him was very...lithe. He was tall, but no giant. He seemed to be the kind of guy that's lean, but not bony; or bulky. I couldn't help but blush when the thought that he was my type crossed my mind. Just looking at his very put together button-down shirt, slacks, and Doc Martins proved that I was certainly not his type. I quickly looked to my feet, and found my way out of the middle of the club when my mind came to terms with that.

I walked straight to the bar, and I was a little annoyed when I didn't find Rosalie there. I'd been invited to come to this stupid thing with her. Apparently, because I'm a 'big deal', I need to get out and live a little. In Rosalie's eyes, boy-hopping at a club. That's far from my idea of a good time, so when I didn't find Rose waiting, I was a little more than upset.

I let out a breath that I hadn't been aware of as I climbed into a bar-stool. When I said 'climbed', I meant that in a literal sense. I stumbled on my heel, and practically had to pull myself up by my arms. It was awkward, and I knew that numerous sets of eyes were on me, but I just looked straight ahead and ignored the fact that I was being watched. I was used to being a little clumsy and sitting in bars alone.

I ordered a rum and a Coke, and then thanked the bartender. He was very...gallant. His hair was wavy and blond, framing his face perfectly. He had soft blue eyes and a grin that would make any girl melt in her boots. And by boots, I meant cowboy boots – he had a hint of a southern accent to his smooth voice. I couldn't help but smile, because every time he talked to me, he sounded like he meant the things he said. Even when they were just thanking me for leaving him a tip for my drink.

I sat and drank my drink, got it refilled once, and waited for Rosalie to make an appearance. I got about ten times more miserable when she didn't. I found myself ordering a stronger drink just as someone finally sat down next to me.

I didn't have to even turn my head to see that it was the man that had caught my eye earlier that night. I could see his messy, bronze hair in my peripheral vision. He ordered something with Vodka in it (I was far from an expert on alcoholic drinks) and seemed to be friendly with the bartender from earlier. I watched him, attempting to keep to myself, but couldn't help being interested in him. Something about the man just drew me in. Just that fact in itself sucked me in, as I'd never exactly been boy-crazy.

"Would you like anything else, before I hit the road, miss?" The bartender's voice pulled me from my thoughts and I nearly did a back flip off of my stool. Both him, and the man next to me, chuckled at my antics. I felt my face grow warm as I finally looked him in the eyes.

"No thank you...if you could fill this up a bit. That would be all...," I wasn't sure what to call him, and the awkwardness of my words only made him laugh again.

"Call me Jasper. Jasper Whitlock, at your service. I guess not now...but I can usually say that." He shrugged as he quickly refilled my glass.

"Thanks...Jasper. You can call me Bella." I told him, and winked. I wasn't totally sure where it came from, but I couldn't help myself. I was both a little tipsy, and flattered thanks to the guy. He let out a soft laugh and bid his farewell. I watched in silence as his form retreated.

"So, Bella, you like Jasper?" I nearly froze in my place.

The guy next to me was talking to me. I wasn't sure why I had reacted the way I did – but I nearly threw a party inside. He knew my name. I always knew that alcohol brought out the inner school-girl in me. That was part of the reason why I avoided situations like this so heavily. Rosalie – all she gets from alcohol is a slight buzz. She may as well take an aspirin. I, on the other hand, I get drunk after about one drink. Cute guys talking with me, while I drank, just wasn't a common enough occurrence for me.

"I liked how normal he seemed...," I all but drooled and he sniggered. I scowled playfully at him, but my demeanor wouldn't hold. I ended up breaking the look with a jittery laugh. He just watched me, an amused, crooked grin on his face. I sighed, "what's your name? I know Jasper's. You guys know mine."

"Edward...Edward Cullen." He spoke honestly, his eyes suddenly glowing.

"I like it!" I slapped my palms down onto the marble counter, and he nearly shit his pants laughing. "You sing really good. I totally lost my friend Rosie in this place...'cause I stopped to listen to you."

"Don't point your fingers. Jasper insisted I would sing here because I'm a cheap deal." Edward feigned hurt and I just laughed in his face.

Rosalie would have to pay for that one later.

"Cheap? I think you aren't cheap. I think that someone should have to pay big dollars for you. If you're getting what I'm saying." I rubbed my thumb, fore, and middle fingers together. He laughed, and rolled his eyes. "Seriously! Edward Cullen...you can sing. You could be like, American Idol Two-thousand-and-twelve!"

"You're silly, Bella." His face turned a little pink as he spoke.

"I'm seriously...Edward...," I stuttered incoherently.

I spent the next hour just talking with Edward Cullen, the singer. He slowly got drunk along with me, and that only made the fact that I was acting like a lunatic a little more bearable. He was easy to talk to, and seemed to get my attitude towards this place very well. He appreciated my compliments, and I appreciated his presence. By the time that I realized that I needed to find Rose, we were both getting very comfortable. I didn't want to find her

My phone buzzed, and I stifled a giggle as I pulled out my phone. I slid the touch screen down, unlocking it, and finding a text from Rosalie herself. I frowned at the fact that she was claiming to have left without me. We had pretty much driven here together, and then spent the evening in totally different places. I couldn't help but immediately text her back, forgiving her, because at that moment I had Edward with me.

"Your friend finally...message you...?" Edward asked me, dragging on the 'ou' in 'you'.

"Yep." I popped the 'p', and then winked at him.

Winking at boys, I thought. I was definitely far from sober-land.

"She left. I need to figure out what I'm going to do then...there's no way I can drive now." I laughed loudly and he grinned at me.

"What do you say we get out of here?" He asked me, and I almost couldn't hear him over the music.

"You want to leave?" I asked him, cocking my head to the side. My fuzzy brain hadn't quite caught on to the concept of what he was asking me. "I...if you want you can go...I wasn't saying I was done...I ju-...,"

"No, Bella." He laughed openly, and I raised my eyebrows at him. "I want to go with you...we can spend some more time together. It's getting late here."

"Oh!" I gasped, finally understanding him.

"Yeah...," he nodded at me. "But only if you wanna'."

"Sure. Let's get out." I nearly fell off of my stool, and onto my feet. He followed me, taking my hand and swinging it around playfully as we walked out. "Wanna' get a cab? I don't think either one of us could even pull outta' this place."

"No kidding...a cab is a good idea. Wanna' go to my place? Or yours?"

"Let's go to mine! I got a new bed!" I clapped, bouncing on the ball of my foot. I tensed when I realized what I'd actually just said to him. He just kept walking, and calling for a cab, so I just played it off as if I had meant to make that strong of a reference. "We are going to have fun...,"

"I'm excited, Bella." He nodded, wrapping his heavy arm around my shoulders. It was warm, and I snuggled into his embrace. "You're really fun...fun girl you are."

"Are you Yoda now?" I narrowed my eyes at him, and his green eyes shone.

"You like Star Wars?" He was nearly hopping up and down.

"Sure...," I murmured, already thinking of other things.

A yellow cab finally pulled up and we got in. I hardly got my address out as he was pulling out of the dark, crowded parking lot. I turned to Edward, barely capable of seeing his face in the darkness. I could clearly tell that he was smiling at me. I pulled him to me, and I suddenly couldn't hold myself back. I pressed my lips to his and he kissed me back greedily.

Nearly a century later, we pulled up outside of my place. I tried to figure out how to pay the driver, but Edward was much faster. He tossed some bills into the front seat, opened his door, and all but dragged me out into the street. That itself wasn't a hard deed, as I was all but running behind him. He chuckled when he had to settle me in his arms, and then lead me up to the front door.

I unlocked the door, and held it open for him. I zoned out for a while as I recognized Rosalie's car and a Jeep in her driveway. I felt my eyes grow slack as they unfocused on it. I didn't want to think about the fact that Rosalie had left me in the club again. That she'd ran off with some guy to have sex, and left me in the club. If I had been drunk, and alone, then she would really be in for it tomorrow. Edward's arm was on my forearm, and my mind was brought back to the task at hand.

I didn't need another reminder.

Quickly, I walked in past Edward. The door shut quickly behind me as I turned to unbutton the green shirt that I'd admired all night. It looked nice, but I thought the floor was getting a little lonely down there. I couldn't help but laugh into his soft lips as I actually thought that to myself. Edward pressed me up against the door, and I felt his hands slide to the zipper on the back of my dress.

It had been a while since I'd done anything remotely similar to what I was about to do. My alcohol brain to no notice as it eagerly had my hands going for his belt-buckle. He sighed into my lips, and suddenly pulled his face from mine.

My ears grew hot as I backed up a bit, giving him room to breathe. He looked at me, mixed emotions all over his face. I suddenly recognized what I felt as rejection. Somewhere, deep down, I knew that I was just too all over the place to judge him by his face...but a girl would be a girl, and girls love freaking out over little things. I wiped hastily at my mouth, and turned to look at my feet with a slight apology.

"You don't want this?" He panted and I frowned, looking at him.

"I thought you didn't...you were the one that pulled away." I cocked my head to the side and he shook his head.

"No. Not a'tall...," I noticed that he was still significantly slurring. I was still slurring. "I just wanted to check with you."

"Your face didn't look like that."

"Your face didn't look like that." He sniggered slightly, and I felt myself let out a relieved sigh.

"Oh...well, in that case. Let's not look at each other's faces...," I winked and took his hand into my much smaller one. Slowly, I turned and began walking back and towards my room. I felt slightly awkward, as I nearly tripped over the dress at my ankles, but I got the hang of it as I stumbled the rest of the way into my bedroom.

"Your room is cute." He looked around and I rolled my eyes, seating myself on the bed.

"Okay...," I held my arms out for him. It didn't take nearly a second for him to run over to me, wrap his muscular arms around my waist, and roughly pull me to his chest.

"I like you, Bella." He breathed into my neck and I giggled. The heat made me tickle.

"You seem pretty interesting yourself, Cullen."

The rest of that night went about as well as you can imagine it did. It started out incredibly awkward, as neither of us were able to sober up all the way. Not to mention the fact that I knew this guy on a very low level. I pretty much knew his name. I didn't care though. I trusted the look in his eyes when he said he was clean, and had protection. He trusted me when I promised birth-control. It may not have been smooth sailing from that point – but I definitely enjoyed it.

We got through everything we wanted to and eventually found ourselves laying together in the bed and talking again. The difference this time was that we were no longer hysterically under the influence. For having been laying there with some strange guy – I was very comfortable. I'd never met a guy who was willing to hold me in his arms after doing the deed. Usually, they leave or go to sleep...on their side of the bed.

Edward Cullen made me feel really special, for once.

"You know, I wasn't just drunk, Edward. You really can sing." I whispered as he hummed something unintelligible to me.

"Jasper thinks so. My mom too. Thank you, Bella. It's sweet of you." He yawned.

"No...I'm serious. You should be on American Idol." I hinted, not sharing the fact that I worked for American Idol.

I knew that I would have been going on tour not long from then. That I'd have to follow the show, and do everyone's hair and makeup. I'd done it for the first time last year, and I loved it. The cast was great. And this year, I was definitely excited to do it again. I was not anticipating losing Edward, when he'd only just gotten into my life. I figured, if I could get him on the show...then we could keep this going for a while. Figure out what we wanted.

I didn't want to tell him about my job though. Something about my being a cosmetician made me feel a bit inferior to this man. I'd been in love with hair styling since I was very young. Even though I never colored my hair, and I hadn't actually cut it in years...I still found myself enjoying doing other peoples. I didn't have to live with it if it messed up on someone else's head. It was my way of expression. I loved it, and I'd gone to school for it when I was seventeen. Now, being twenty, I was already in Hollywood.

But this man had a real talent. Something that everyone could appreciate. I knew that whether or not I had my job, I'd want him to try Idol. He was just so honest...his talent was beyond amazing to me. I sighed, rolled over, and smiled at his face. He wrapped his arm around me, so I could use his bicep as my pillow, and pressed his sweet lips to my forehead.

"I really want you to audition, Edward. They're doing them in Seattle in the morning." I told him.

"I don't know. I don't think I'm that great without my piano to cover up some...," his voice was soft, almost unsure. I felt my eyebrows go up.

"You're joking. Edward, sing to me. Sing to me, here." I begged him and he chuckled, pulling his lips from my forehead.

His green eyes were curious as they looked over my face. I tried to make an encouraging face, but I was so tired...and not that good of an actress. I'm sure I looked like a crushed bug, but that was beside the point. I'd probably done something wrong, as he ended up grinning and singing to me. I snuggled into his chest, and began rubbing his back with my hands as he breathed the words to me.

I recognized the song as what he'd been singing when I walked into the club. His voice was so sweet that I couldn't help but smile to myself. He was singing a song that was already amazing. His voice just made it that much better. It was called, 'Turning Page' by Sleeping at Last. It somehow managed to fit our situation just right.

I slowly let myself succumb to my dreams. Dreams of the beautiful man that slept in my bed.

When my eyes opened, I suddenly had to cover them up. It was very bright in my room. I loved living in a house with lots of windows, but sometimes they just weren't good for me. Like, those once-a-year hangovers. Waking up in a cold, bright bed was never something that a hungover person could look forward to. Even I knew that!

Cold.

My arms suddenly flailed around, and my eyes shot open. My wonderful night with Edward Cullen came flooding into my head like a tidal waive. I sat up, looking around to find no evidence of my night with Edward. I felt my heart all but shatter as I realized that he'd left before I could wake up. Even though I thought that we'd had something.

I sighed, rolling out of my bed and and making my way around to clean up. It was a bit of a mess after our little escapades. I couldn't help but not mind the mess as I remembered every bit of my night. I had assumed that having been drunk would cause me to forget it, but it didn't. It made some parts a little dimmer than others – but for the most part, I remembered. This only brougtht another sigh out of me. I quickly tossed my sheets in a basket, and made my way downstairs, and to the laundry room.

Right when I passed the door, my heart stopped. There was a light rapping on the door. I pursed my lips, and slowly made my way over to it. I couldn't help but get excited at the thought that Edward could have been on the other side of the door. I checked in the peep-hole, and was a little more than disappointed at the sight of Rosalie.

"You know, you're lucky I'm here. I could be dead somewhere or something," I pointed out as I ripped the door open.

"Oh, whatever. You're here...and kind of messy."

"I drank my ass off. I was waiting for you...," I murmured, not wanting to tell her what really happened. Even though she did the same thing, I knew she'd tease me and reprimand me for doing what I did. Rosalie was always a little protective of me. She said I was too innocent for my job, and that she didn't want me to experience her mistakes.

I wanted to make my own mistakes, but I didn't tell her that.

"Sorry. I just met this guy...he was great." She gushed, throwing her hands up and grinning. I rolled my eyes as I let her in. She walked past me, a grin on her face as she went straight to the laundry room. I guess she picked up on the fact that I was carrying a hamper.

"Really? What made him great this time? The fact that he got into bed with you? Rosie, honey, you know that they all want to be in bed with you...you shouldn't jump in just based off of that...," I lectured her as we walked in and I began switching what was in the washer and dryer over. She scoffed openly at me.

"Bella! No! Not this time, anyway. He was magnificent. He had the prettiest blue eyes, and his hair was dark...um, he was humungous. In every freaking way! I won't even tell you about his...," She continued and I cut her off.

"Enough!" I hissed. "I don't need to know that much. Is that really it?"

"He bought me dinner first...," she whispered. "He made me sit down and eat with him. And then he bought me drinks. He and I talked...oh, Bella. I think you've met your future-not-blood-related-brother-in-law!" She swooned, and I snickered at her. "Seriously! Take me seriously! Hey, what's that on your ass?"

"I don't have anything on my butt!" I rolled my eyes, and she laughed, reaching down and taking something before planting herself up on the dryer.

"Who's Edward Cullen?" She asked me after a beat of silence. I froze, my sheets halfway in the wash. That's when her eyes locked with them. She slowly looked me up and then gasped loudly. "Isabella Marie Swan! You didn't tell me!"

"You never asked...," I spoke in a sing-song voice and danced around the subject. "You came in talking about your conquest. Even if I'd planned on telling you head-on, you didn't give me the chance."

"You brought someone home with you? What if he was a psycho?"

"What if your guy was a psycho?" I contradicted.

"I talked to mine...sober." She rolled her eyes and I felt my jaw drop.

"You're just stupid, Rosalie. Besides, I talked to Edward before I got drunk to. He's the piano player at the club. I don't know if I'll see him again...," I sighed at the thought of never seeing his beautiful face.

"Well, I don't know about that. If he's as good as you thought, then you'll be seeing him very soon!"

"Very?"

I snatched the yellow post-it from his hands and read it over. My hand flew to my mouth and I felt my heart clench at the words written on it. It was definitely from him, between the smooth words and the signature. I squealed slightly, and Rosalie laughed at my giddiness. I guess she just wasn't used to me liking a guy. Hell, she never liked guys either!

Dearest Bella,

You encouraged me to try out for Idol. I'm doing it for you. I'm hoping, some how, we will see each other again.

Besides, I know where you live.

Sincerely,

Edward Cullen.

Edward Cullen wanted to see me again...meeting Edward Cullen again was inevitable.

A/N: If you want me to continue this story, then I need to see some reviews and/or suggestions!

Reviews are better than a possible second night with Edward Cullen.